And so, eventually, the group parted ways, and Cherry and Lionel were down at Selina's apartment, getting a bit dressed up for having dinner at Wayne Manor since tonight was promised to be a very special evening for the Wayne family.
"Did we have to get so dressed up?" Cherry complained as she wore a black dress with white spots and black dress shoes with white streaks and silver sparkles.
"It's a special evening at Wayne Manor, Kitten," Selina reminded as she smiled softly, wearing a strapless black dress and black high-heels, wearing a golden cat necklace. "You look just darling though."
Cherry just groaned a bit as she kind of hated this already.
"She's not wrong," Lionel replied as he was being dressed up in a black tux with a navy blue tie. "You make that look work for ya!"
"Hmph..." Cherry pouted with a small shrug.
Selina then sprayed some perfume on herself before spraying some on Cherry. Cherry coughed and waved the air in front of her face.
"All right," Selina smiled. "Let's get going to dinner. I'm sure Bruce is anxious to see us."
"He's probably gonna be happiest to see you at least." Cherry smirked slyly.
"True, true," Lionel agreed as he got up, and brushed himself off. "Now let's get this show on the road!"
Selina beamed before there was a knock at the door. She then came over and answered it with a small smile. "Yes?"
"Miss Kyle, you and Miss Cherry and Master Lionel are going to be given a ride over to Wayne Manor," Alfred smiled back warmly. "Please allow me to escort you."
"Why, Alfred, thank you," Selina beamed as she curtsied at the man. "We would love that very much."
"Please, come with me then." Alfred smiled as he led them out the apartment door as Selina shut the door after Cherry and Lionel and locked the door as they came over to the limousine to be given a special ride to dinner tonight.
Soon, they were driven off to Wayne Manor.
"So, Alfred, what's on the menu for tonight?" Cherry asked on the way over.
"I hope that roast chicken with some potatoes is efficient," Alfred replied. "As well as other vegetables and some hot rolls as well as some chocolate cake for dessert."
"It's more than sufficient," Lionel nodded. "It's sounding delicious!"
"I'm pleased that you think so, Lionel." Alfred smiled.
The limo continued to drive around a bit before they soon made it to Wayne Manor. Once at the front doors, Alfred opened the door for the trio who had come to visit for dinner.
"This place always looks so lovely at night." Selina smiled.
"I'm just glad it's not another cocktail party or an evening at the opera." Cherry rolled her eyes slightly.
"So say we all." Lionel declared.
"It isn't, I promise you both," Alfred replied. "Also hopefully this takes your mind off of that Shadow fellow who's been terrorizing everybody."
"Dinner with Bruce does sound pretty refreshing, Alfred," Cherry nodded on the way into the manor. "Not to mention what's going in school."
"Oh, dear! Is that Shadow hooligan attacking your school as well?" Alfred frowned in concern.
"No, no... Nothing like that," Cherry shook her head. "Just a new kid in school who's making the rest of us feel useless... Not that I was ever useful to begin with."
"...Are we seriously having this talk again?" Lionel asked, pulling out a calendar/day planner.
Cherry gave him a small hug before they went to go into the manor.
"Welcome, thank you for coming to Wayne Manor, it's so good to see you." Damian greeted.
"Hey, Shortstuff," Cherry smirked as she ruffled up his hair. "Good to see you in a good mood tonight."
"Hey! Cut it out!" Damian complained. "I'm only doing this so I don't get grounded, okay?"
"We know~" Lionel grinned. "That's what makes it so fun."
Damian groaned and narrowed his eyes at them.
"Ah... Good evening, Selina and my young friends," Bruce smiled as he walked by. "So good to see you all. I'm glad you accepted my invitation."
"Thanks for having us, Bruce," Cherry replied. "This should be better than take-out every other night at home too."
"Right," Bruce said before approaching Selina and gave her a black rose. "This is for you though."
"Oh... How charming~" Selina blushed and beamed before accepting the flower gratefully.
"It is a nice rose," Cherry remarked before smirking. "Black... Like my mood sometimes."
"Sometimes." Damian repeated with a snarky smirk back.
Cherry then stuck her tongue out at him.
"Well, let's get on inside, shall we?" Lionel asked. "Sure, it's Spring, but it's a bit residually chilly."
"Please, come in." Bruce smiled and nodded, letting them come in.
Eventually, they sat in the dining room until Alfred came to serve dinner and dish out the food for everybody there.
"It was a very lovely meal overall," Cherry's voice narrated. "It felt like nothing could go wrong. We were still sour about Bliss and Valentine was coming soon, but we didn't know about that just yet. Though something even more amazing was about to come into play after dinner and just before dessert too."
"Who'da thunk it?" Lionel shrugged.
"So what happened?" Evie's voice asked.
"Well..." Cherry's voice drawled for a moment.
"Oh, that was such a lovely dinner." Selina smiled as they finished eating.
"Lovely? It was amazing!" Cherry replied. "I think we needed this after the week of school we had with that new girl."
"Mm-hmm." Lionel agreed as he polished off the last of his food.
"Very delicious and nutritious, Father." Damian added.
Cherry rolled her eyes playfully with a small smirk.
"And I think it can get even better." Bruce smiled hopefully.
"Oh? How so?" Selina asked. "With dessert?"
"Well, there's that, but also a very special moment to share with you, Selina, along with the rest of you," Bruce smiled warmly before he stood up and circled around the table a couple of times. "Selina... When we first met, I wasn't fully sure what to make of you, but I could tell there was something about you that was very much unlike other girls that I have ever known in my life. We've had some very good times together... Taking down Hush when we could, even you becoming one of The Justice League's newest members as Catwoman."
"That was a proud day for me." Selina smiled fondly.
"No one could ever replace my parents, but with having you around, along with Lionel and Cherry, it feels like I'm building a new family and it feels like a real dream come true," Bruce smiled back before he approached her, taking her hand before he began to get down on one knee and took out a tiny box with a bloodstone ring with a silver band with the gem to match the month of March. "But my dream and vision for a great new family won't be complete without you... So with that, I ask... Selina Kyle, will you marry me?" he then asked hopefully.
Cherry and Lionel were silent, holding their breaths in anticipation.
"Oh... Bruce..." Selina gasped, a bit emotionally before she suddenly hugged him. "Yes! Yes, of course I will!"
Cherry and Lionel then grinned, looking very happy for Bruce and Selina, or as they sometimes called it "Brucelina". Damian cracked a small smile, though he wasn't as excited as Cherry and Lionel, but it was still a happy night in Wayne Manor. Bruce beamed at Selina before he soon slid the ring over her finger and they shared a warm hug and a kiss with each other. Lionel and Cherry applauded at this wonderful news.
'Wait 'til The League hears about this...' Lionel said telepathically. '...Wonder who'd throw the bachelor party?'
"Yes, it was a wonderful time so far," Cherry's voice narrated. "We of course told our friends all about it in school. Some didn't care, but who cares what the jerks think?"
"Right." Mal, Evie, Jay, Carlos, and Felicity agreed.
"Uh-huh." LJ and Zofia added while David and Elyse nodded.
Eventually, it was after school as the group met up to get some after-school treats as one waitress came to a table which seemed to have a guy who was a bit too over eager while Sirmaya was at a different table.
"I'll be right with you guys." Srimaya smiled at the group.
"Take your time." The group replied as Cherry decided to get out her book to read to pass the time.
"Hey, guys!" Bliss smiled as she saw The Toon Force.
The group looked at her and mumbled out rather weak greetings.
"Hey, is that the new Once Upon a Time book?" Bliss asked Cherry.
"Uh... Yeah... It is..." Cherry replied.
"Oh, my gosh, I love that series!" Bliss beamed.
"See? Bliss is cool." Atticus smiled at Cherry.
Cherry just shrugged as she was reading her current chapter and would tell Lionel about it after.
"Oh, that's 'Wicked is Coming'," Bliss then noticed which book Cherry was reading. "Isn't it crazy how The Wicked Witch is The Evil Queen's sister?"
Cherry's left eye twitched as she suddenly stiffened up.
"...What?" Bliss asked.
"...I haven't gotten that far." Cherry said through her teeth.
"Oh... Sorry... I didn't mean to." Bliss said bashfully.
"I'll bet you didn't." Cherry rolled her eyes.
Unknown to any of them, Mary, Darla, and Bono were in the diner, but a bit further away from the group.
"Here you go," Tabitha smiled as she served the girl at the table next to the guy who stared below her waist until he stroked her butt suddenly, startling the girl instantly. "What are you doing? Please stop that!"
Srimaya glanced over before she took the orders of The Toon Force, though they began to look over too.
"Don't be like that~" The man smirked at Tabitha before he grabbed her and pulled her over. "Come here."
"What are you doing?!" Tabitha yelped. "Let me go! Let me go!"
As Tabitha struggled and yelled, a certain guy who was using his laptop nearby looked up.
One of the workers ran over to break the scene up. "Sir, please-" he started, but the sleazy jerk just smacked him aside.
The perverted jerk then struck the worker down to the floor before he could intervene.
The girl at the table grinned as she stood up, looking very eager.
Srimaya threw down her serving tray, then dashed over and threw the girl down on the table before she grabbed the jerk's hand and pulled him back before she did a backwards flip as the jerk tried to punch or kick her, but she kept dodging him. Bono looked over with Mary as they both watched in amazement as Srimaya seemed to be skilled in martial arts. The girl soon got back up and tried to help the jerk in stopping Srimaya, but she seemed to be too smart for them as Bono and Mary simply watched in stunned silence from their table while Darla looked distracted with her coloring book. Eventually, there was broken glass, and the jerk grunted as he was now bleeding before the two jerks were down on the floor.
Wawan soon walked over to see Bono and Mary before seeing what they just saw. "What'd I miss?" he then asked them.
"I think we just found her." Bono replied.
The Toon Force looked over with wide eyes.
"You guys thinking what I'm thinking?" Atticus asked.
"I think we probably found a new Toon Force member to fill in Sabrina's gap." Cherry guessed.
"Then yeah, we're all on the same page." Mo agreed.
"What are you guys talking about?" asked Bliss.
"Nothing that concerns you... Book-Spoiler," Lionel replied. "Just us five. Sorry about that, Cher. You want me to..." he made a gesture of erasing a marker board.
"Maybe later," Cherry said. "I think maybe we should talk with Srimaya about something."
"Well, all right then," Lionel nodded. "Just holler if you feel anything come up."
"No problem." Cherry reassured him.
The Toon Force soon came over to Srimaya.
"Hey, you guys okay?" Srimaya asked them.
"Yeah. We're okay," Atticus said. "But are you?"
"Oh, I'm used to dealing with jerks like that," Srimaya defended. "You just can't let them get to you like that."
"Heh... Try a rogue gallery..." Cherry chuckled. "Those were some great moves you did out there though. Super moves in fact, maybe even-"
"Excuse me," Bono spoke up as he walked over between the waitress and the group. "Those were some impressive moves out there. I was hoping maybe you and I could share a little chat." he then said to Srimaya directly.
"Oh... Well, I was kind of talking to these guys just now," replied Srimaya. "But... We can talk later, right, guys?"
"Uh... Okay..." Cherry shrugged. "What's up... Beardo?"
"Beardo?" Bono raised an eyebrow.
"Really, Cherry?" Atticus asked, almost doubtful himself.
Cherry shrugged in defense.
"Nothing big and you're not in trouble," Bono said to Srimaya. "I see something bright in your future if you talk with my dear friend, Mary Louise and I."
"Hmm... Alright," Srimaya replied. "I guess we can talk."
"We'll try not to make this last too long." Mary promised.
The Toon Force looked at each other as Srimaya followed Mary and Bono to talk in private.
The group then decided to sneak along, using magic so that they could listen too and see what this was all about as there was a conversation about a movie and that Srimaya was perfect for the part.
"So, what's this movie about?" Srimaya asked.
"Before we get to that, let me be real with you," Bono started to tell her. "Every producer said no to this movie, which means we have to take action and prove all the producers wrong, but it's not just for them. You're gonna be a role model for the kids like The Toon Force does for The Justice League. We're gonna inspire the people of Riverdale, the people of this country, and hey, maybe the whole world."
"Uh... What are we talking about here?" Srimaya asked.
"I'd ask the same question." Atticus said to himself quietly.
"We're talking about making a movie, Val." Mary told the waitress.
"Why are you calling me Val?" Srimaya asked out of confusion.
"Because you are Valentine." Bono explained simply.
"...Huh?" The group asked, looking at one another in confusion.
"What's Valentine?" Srimaya demanded to know before looking at Wawan as he played with his hair. "What's their deal?"
"It's a superhero movie." Bono began to explain.
"Finally! There! My first question answered!" Srimaya smirked then.
"Okay, since we're all on the same page, are there any other questions?" Mary asked.
"...Can I get a drink?" Srimaya shrugged.
"Oh, yeah. I'll get it." Wawan replied before he got off of the couch and began to walk away.
"Okay, so we start tomorrow," Bono then told Srimaya. "We'll go out and fight crime, get it on camera, release the teasers on YouTube so that everyone knows that this hero exists."
"He seems to be planning something more than just making a movie," Atticus whispered to the rest of the Toon Force group. "I can feel it deep down."
"I guess we'll have to wait and see it for ourselves," replied Thor. "This should be interesting..."
"Wait, I've gotta fight? For real?" Srimaya asked as Wawan came back with a glass.
"Yes, for real." Bono replied.
"What? For real?" Wawan asked before he sat down again.
"Is there an echo in here?" Mary asked cynically.
"Don't worry, we'll take precaution for your safety, but, uh, seeing your skill sets, I think you can handle it." Bono reassured calmly.
"Do I get any days off?" Srimaya then asked.
"Honey, you're fine." Wawan scoffed.
Srimaya simply gave him a look. "But will I get paid?" she then asked before facing Bono and Mary. "I'm getting paid here, right?"
"Yes, of course." Bono nodded.
"What? She is?" Wawan then asked, almost sounding offended.
Mary and Bono looked a little unsure about that themselves before Darla noticed the group eavesdropping and gasped before running away.
"So... What do I wear?" Srimaya then asked.
"We'll be sure to show and tell you soon~" Mary smirked. "Hope you like purple and black."
The story then stopped for a moment.
"So... This is the story of Valentine..." Mal then said, sounding more relaxed now. "That sounds way more exciting than a new kid in school giving you guys trouble just cuz she's Little Miss Perfect."
"Oh, there was much more to Bliss than we realized at the time..." said Lionel. "But that will be revealed soon enough."
"Yeah?" Mal asked. "Like what?"
"You gotta hear the rest of the story first, Malissa." Cherry smirked.
"Damn..." Mal groaned and crossed her arms.
"No swearing or you don't get any cookies tonight." Thor tutted.
"All right, so what happened next?" Felicity asked then.
"Well, we decided to get going before we would do some Toon Force patrol which would also be Valentine's first night out," Cherry informed. "However, we had a little someone who was very curious about us when we followed Srimaya and Wawan over to Bono and Mary Louise's."
Back in the story, the group began to head back home together before a crashing sound was heard behind them which seemed to come from the alley.
"Looks like we have got us a stupor snooper, or a big mess-take." remarked Lionel.
"Bliss, if that's you, I swear to Lucifer..." Cherry narrowed her eyes before she dashed over and grabbed the spy.
"Let me go! Let me go!" A young voice cried out.
Cherry rushed back over before looking down to see a young girl with golden blonde hair tied into ringlets and curls. "...Oh, it's just a little girl," she then said as she saw who she picked out. "...Who I swear I've seen on TV commercials or something."
Darla giggled nervously and waved at the group who surrounded her. "Hello, there."
"Hi, there," Atticus said. "Can we help you?"
Darla looked bashful and nervous.
"Well, come on now," Cherry said. "You have no reason to be nervous if you've got nothing to hide."
"I'm sorry for spying... But I think I saw you guys down at my sister and Bono's apartment when we were talking with that one waitress," Darla said nervously as she rubbed her arm. "I thought I recognized you."
"And what is a girl your age doing out here in a place like this alone?" Cherry then asked.
"Uh... Walking..." Darla shrugged nervously until they all gave her a look. "...Well, okay. I followed you."
"Why'd you follow us?" asked Mo.
"Because I think I know something about you from what I've seen on TV." Darla replied.
"And what's that?" Cherry smirked, not thinking Darla would be able to guess.
"Are you The Toon Force who helps The Justice League?" Darla asked them, suddenly making Cherry wide-eyed and nervous.
"...What if we were?" Lionel asked.
"Are you?" Darla retorted.
"Who wants to know?" Mo asked.
"I'm just asking," Darla replied. "Because I was hoping you could help with something."
"And what would that be, Curly Q?" Thor asked.
"Well, you guys help people and I was wondering if you could help bring my parents back," Darla smiled hopefully. "Mary says they've gone away a long time ago, but I know that they'll be back soon."
"Oh... Kid... That's kind of a tall order..." Cherry shrugged.
"Yeah, we dunno what they look like." Lionel added.
"Oh, please... Find them..." Darla said. "I have a picture."
The Toon Force looked at each other before shrugging.
"I'll ask Uncle to help us out there." Thor whispered to the others.
"All right," Cherry nodded before turning around. "Let's see your folks, kid."
"Oh, great!" Darla beamed before she took out a picture of a dark-haired man with glasses, looking like a 1950's husband and father figure and even had a pipe in his mouth and a light-haired woman with a dress that almost looked like a 1950's housewife, and the picture was even in black and white. "Sorry it's not in color, but we're very tight on money right now. Mary said so."
"Uh... Okay then," Cherry replied. "I guess we could help you find your parents."
"Oh, goodie!" Darla beamed. "I knew that you could help me. Plus you guys will have a new friend soon, Bono said so. She's gonna become The Dark Avenger of Riverdale."
"Really?" asked Lionel. "I guess the place could use one..."
"Yeah! Bono's not just making a movie, but he's also trying to make a new hero!" Darla beamed before gasping and cupping her mouth. "Oops... I'm not s'posed to tell anyone that last part."
"Well, the cat's out of the bag now." Cherry shrugged.
"Oh... Poor kitty..." Darla frowned.
"No, no," Atticus shook his head. "Cherry just means you told a secret when you weren't supposed to... But that's okay."
"Look, we'll do whatever we can to help, okay?" Thor explained.
"Really?" Darla smiled.
"Yes, we will," Mo replied. "We'll help you out and this Dark Avenger stuff sounds pretty cool too."
"Awesome!" Darla beamed before she jumped up and hugged Cherry's legs. "You guys are the best."
"Well... I don't know about all of that," Cherry replied before she gently removed Darla. "But we'll see what we can do for ya, kid."
"Thanks." Darla smiled.
"Now, you better get back to your legal guardian," said Lionel. "Know where she is?"
"Yeah, I do," Darla nodded. "Sorry I snuck up on you."
"It's all right," Cherry replied. "Just run along back home."
"Okay! Thanks, guys!" Darla beamed as she hugged them all one last time, then dashed off.
"Nice kid." Atticus commented.
"Yeah, I guess." Mo replied.
"So, you guys think we should watch Valentine in action tomorrow while on Toon Force patrol?" Thor asked.
"Sure, but we'll check The Watchtower first," Cherry replied. "Let's go home though. It's really late."
"Hai," Lionel nodded. "Homeward bound, we go!"
And with a nod of the head, the group had vanished. Everyone was sent back to their respective homes, though Thor met with Cherry and Lionel at the linen closet in Selina's apartment.
"Well, guys, I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Thor smiled. "We'll all get through this together... No matter what happens with Bliss in school. We'll always have each other."
"Yeah," Cherry nodded. "Friends are still apart of you... Like what cheesy kid's animated movies have taught me."
"Yeah, man! We're a team, no matter what!" Lionel declared as he hugged Thor tightly.
Thor beamed before hugging Lionel back fondly. "I'll see you guys tomorrow, okay?" he then said to them.
"See ya, Thor!" Cherry and Lionel replied as Thor went back home for the night.
Cherry took out her book with a bit of a firm pout.
"So, you want me to do that thing I was gonna do before?" Lionel reminded of what happened when Bliss spoiled the book's biggest twist.
"Please." Cherry allowed.
Lionel cracked his knuckles and then snapped his fingers, summoning a pencil eraser. He then flipped open the top of Cherry's head, before leaning down and easily erasing the memory of having the book's plot twist spoiled. Once the deed was done, he blew off some dust, and then reshut Cherry's head and teleported the eraser away.
"There we go!" Lionel declared as he brushed his hands off.
Cherry blinked and looked around.
"So, you wanna tell me about this 'Wicked' story?" Lionel asked Cherry.
"Huh? Oh, sure," Cherry replied as she walked with him so that they could sit and talk about the book so far. "Well, this story's newest character is The Wicked Witch of the West from Oz and she has a history with The Evil Queen, and..."
"I'll just skip around a bit for you kids." Cherry's voice suggested.
"Thank you!" Mal's voice replied, almost snarkily.
"Watch your tone, Malissa." Thor's voice warned.
"Sorry, Uncle Thor..." Mal's voice then said.