I do not own Percy Jackson or Justice League, or any of the media attached to either of them.
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Beta read by the wonderful VixenRose1996 and MasterQwertster. Be sure to go check out their own works!
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Guest Review answers :-D
Relax
What in particular makes you so enthusiastic for that pairing? Not a criticism, but more curious as to the reasoning.
Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
.
DemonSlayer
The fate of Arthur Curry will be touched on more as the story progresses. Especially given the consequences it would have had on Vulko and Mera, and of course everything regarding Percy and Annabeth. What in particular makes you so enthusiastic for that pairing? Not a criticism, but more curious as to the reasoning.
I do hope to finish this before the second film, but will see how it goes.
Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
.
Guest (please choose a name/nickname next time)
You know it! ;-)
Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
.
Guest (please choose a name/nickname next time)
Awesome to hear this is your favourite, and made you laugh so much! Hopefully you were okay for work though…
Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
.
Biggestpercyfan
A bold name to choose, and do not be surprised if others challenge you for it ;-)
Awesome to hear about how well Percy was written here; I was a little worried about that.
I feel that showing some of the transition is important, because the sheer lack of it in the original Justice League film is one of the things which cost it a lot. Plus getting in some more character interactions.
Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
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The Second Age of Heroes
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Chapter 3: Meeting the Team
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Previously:
Percy and Annabeth agreed to work with Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman, on a limited basis, and just to handle the threat of the alien invasion. At the pleading of Vulko, and despite the serious tensions between the couple and the Kingdoms of Atlantis, Percy went to rescue the Atlantean Mother Box and Princess Mera, both barely managing to escape the alien attacker with their precious cargo.
-X\/X\/X-
Annabeth made a mental bet on how long it would take Bruce Wayne to give in and start asking questions.
She underestimated his patience, as he left her tapping away at her tablet for nearly the entire trip to Gotham City before he spoke up.
"I won't pressure you on what's going on with you and the Atlanteans, why you two obviously moved inland to get away from them, but I do need to know if this is going to be an immediate problem."
His tone was not forceful, probably as gentle and considerate as he could manage, with a touch of understanding. Almost like a parent.
A part of her wondered how calculated it was, except when she shot a measured look at him, it appeared genuine. Okay, so she would let it go. Mostly.
"If they genuinely believe their history about the Mother Boxes, then they'll let it go for now," she said. "It's the aftermath that I'm worried about."
"They don't take kindly to any children of Poseidon?"
"Why did you jump to Poseidon? There are other sea gods," she pointed out, more to test him.
"I saw the trident tattoo on his forearm."
No surprise, even if interesting he had not considered Neptune. "It's complicated," is all she said. "I don't want to talk about it."
With a hum, he nodded in acceptance. "Is it alright if I warn Diana? She should know."
Ah, a test. A way to prove himself to the Demigods. "Agreed," she said. "It's best everyone knows Atlantis is getting involved. Just mention that Percy and I prefer to keep our distance from them."
"Understood."
Nothing more was said until they touched down at the airport.
-X/\X/\X-
As they waited for the ramp to lower from the plane, Diana took a quick breath to brace herself.
While she was, probably, not in danger herself, there was no avoiding the fact she had broken her word here. Certainly the spirit of her promise.
Unfortunately, she caught Barry looking at her out of the corner of his eye with concern. She gave a quick shake of her head, and then they were looking at Bruce and Annabeth.
"Where's the cyborg?" the man said without preamble, even as they were still coming down.
"His name is Victor?" she pointedly returned. "We met, spoke."
Bruce hopped off, with Annabeth behind him.
"Dude's not happy about being half-machine," Barry said, bouncing up and down on his feet like a nervous kid. "Which, yeah, makes sense. Although since he's the one who called us, I'd say he's open to making friends at least." He gave a nervous grin to the blonde beside Bruce, and stretched out his hand. "Hi, my name's Barry, wanna be friends?"
Stormy eyes stabbed at him, but while Barry flinched like Annabeth was staring into his soul, he did not retract his offer.
The young woman certainly cut an intimidating figure, wearing a business suit which screamed wealth and influence, and at her side was strapped a sword Diana knew to be of drakon bone.
After another moment, Annabeth's lip quirked, and she accepted with a quick, yet civil handshake.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Annabeth Jackson-Chase."
"I've got to say, I love how you two did the whole alternating names thing. It's super cute."
A small smile, "Thank you. We each had our reasons for wanting the other's name, and thought we were being sneaky filing what we wanted as official. Instead this is what we got."
Only now she turned her attention to the goddess. "Lady Diana," she said with painful politeness.
"Mrs. Jackson-Chase," she returned. "My apologies, if it was any lesser threat than this, I would've left you two to your well-earned retirement. Unfortunately, the fate of the world is at stake." Carefully, Diana asked, "In what role are you helping us?"
It was Bruce instead who answered that one, "They agreed to act as consultants, only then an Atlantean showed up concerned about their Mother Box, and things got a little sidetracked. We can talk more about it after Percy gets back to us."
Well that's concerning, she thought, eyes widening a little. There was a lot to unpack right there, including the way Annabeth stiffened slightly.
"Wait, so, the Atlantean one's in danger? And Percy went to help?" clarified Barry.
"Yes. I should add," and there was something in Bruce's expression which concerned Diana, "that these two prefer to avoid the Atlanteans if at all possible, so we're going to do our best to respect that."
That . . . made no sense. Why would a child of Poseidon have any troubles with the underwater kingdoms? Or was it related to their own issues with Diana herself? Best not to press the issue right now.
"We will wait for Percy to return before discussing it further," said Annabeth flatly.
"Of course," the billionaire agreed amiably.
"Well, whatever the circumstances," smiled Diana, offering an olive branch, "it's nice to have another woman around for this. It's been too long since I fought alongside one."
Blinking at the teasing tone, Annabeth slowly gave her own grin. "I bet. Also, we didn't get the chance to say so before, but it's nice to work with someone who gave Ares what he deserved."
A genuine compliment wrapped up in a subtle threat, how very much like what she would assume from a child of Athena.
Well, as much as she could conceptualise the daughter of a virgin goddess at least.
"I didn't take pleasure in it," she said sadly, "except it needed to be done. Just like this needs to be."
Curiously, Diana glanced at Bruce to try and guess what he was making of this, only to pause as she realised how deeply unsettled he was. Catching her look, his lips twitched in a rueful grin for a heartbeat, before he sobered up. "What is it?" she asked.
"The Mother Boxes," he said heavily, "became active the day Superman died."
Oh.
Oh.
Every drop of blood in Diana's body ran cold as ice as she put it together between one heartbeat and the next.
"Kal," she whispered hoarsely.
They had failed him, and now the entire world was in danger of paying for it.
"Wait, what?" said a startled Barry.
"That's the date the Atlantean who contacted us said," elaborated Bruce. "And it makes sense that they'd try and make contact when our strongest defender was gone, but before we could grow any stronger ourselves."
An awkward, outright painful silence fell, and was maintained all the way to their headquarters.
-X\/X\/X-
In short order, Annabeth found herself and the others brought to Batman's personal headquarters. His 'Batcave' as he introduced it.
Of course it took an elevator to get there.
How did Batman fail to consider stairs were better exercise, and easier to hide? Indeed, she and Percy always cited the first reason for why they always took the 'slow way up.'
Of course, they were both now able to use elevators again without flashbacks to the Doors of Death, even if it had taken a lot of work. If only to help them blend in more. Just because it was impossible for them to truly hide they were different, yet that did not mean they should wave it in people's faces.
For now though, she distracted herself resuming work on her tablet, inputting more search parameters to further narrow down hints as to where they could find these alien invaders. Barry had made a few comments to be sociable, if awkwardly, before acknowledging Annabeth was not in the mood to talk. Despite this, she appreciated his attempts to be friendly.
Lady Diana though . . . was being very quiet. As well as deftly ensuring they got on side-by-side, so no one was showing their back to the other. Courtesy? Or concern? It was hard to tell, as this goddess was unusually capable at hiding her emotions.
The most Annabeth was confident about was Lady Diana's comfortable relationship with Barry. They were familiar with each other, and the few times he put his foot in his mouth, she let him keep his dignity.
At last they reached the bottom.
Stepping off the elevator, Bruce addressed a distinguished looking, older generation. "Annabeth, this is Alfred. I work for him." He said it so evenly, it took her a brief moment to realise he was joking. Honestly, even if he was obviously trying to lighten the mood, it was not what she had expected from the grim and determined vigilante she had seen so far.
"Maaan, it's awesome every time I come here!" gushed Barry.
Surprisingly, Lady Diana got off first. "Alfred," she said in greeting, patting him on the shoulder as she strolled past.
"Good day, ma'am," he smiled at the goddess, dripping with a British accent.
Annabeth almost tripped.
She covered it as best as she could, but the sharp look from Bruce made her believe he at least caught some of her reaction.
Quickly she tried to make an assessment of this Alfred which made sense to her. His choice of dress, phrasing, and the way he held himself, made her think more of an assistant or manservant. Only his casual familiarity with Bruce and Lady Diana threw that all off.
Too little data currently, she concluded, deciding to play it safe.
"A pleasure to meet you," she smiled graciously. "Let me guess, the brains which keep Batman alive?"
"Well, I wouldn't say that, Mrs. Jackson-Chase," he said with a self-depreciating grin, even as his tone loudly declared he thought her right.
"Oh, no, please, just Annabeth," she smiled. "I know it's a mouthful. And I'll take your answer as a 'yes.' I can relate."
"Any updates on your end?" asked Bruce, not even blinking at the teasing.
"No, Master Wayne. So I'll go put the tea on. Glad I managed to find some more cups earlier."
"That sounds nice, thank you," said Annabeth.
"Ah, Alfred," spoke up Lady Diana, "may I do it?"
The manservant blinked in surprise at her, while Annabeth carefully kept herself from tensing up.
"I want to see if I get it right this time," the ancient being said with a genial smile.
Briefly the man's eyes flicked between the goddess and demigoddess, before nodding. "Of course, Miss Prince."
"Why thank you," said Annabeth as if there was nothing more she wanted to do in the world. "Is there someplace you'd suggest we sit?"
-X/\X/\X-
Of course Alfred remained incapable of not hovering and giving advice on how to do tea properly.
Still, Diana could not deny that despite how she had been making tea for decades before he was even born, the man's brews somehow remained distinctly better than hers.
Moreover, as much as he fussed, she suspected it was also his way to show support for her. Certainly she had given off enough cues that there was something off between her and Annabeth Jackson-Chase.
"You're afraid of them," accused Bruce, no Batman.
"They are no threat if you respect their boundaries," Diana had replied, knowing it was a non-answer.
Barry's eyes bugged out. "Wait, so they could take you in a fight?"
Once the tea was ready, she went over to where the younger woman was sitting down. The jacket of her business suit was resting on the back of the chair, giving a more casual appearance to her overall demeanour. Something undermined by how she had positioned her seat so she could observe the rest of the room. A few more types onto the touchpad she was using, and it was set aside. The conspicuous duffle bag lying beside her, partially unzipped, yet the contents obscured. A warning? Or was there something she innocently needed from there?
"Here you are," Diana said as she set the drinks down between them, letting the rich aroma of jasmine waft over them. Without waiting for an invitation, she then sat herself opposite of the demigod.
"Thank you," said Annabeth, lowering her shoulders and leaning back as if she was relaxed.
"You're welcome," smiled Diana, however she knew it did not fully meet her eyes. "I'm . . . sorry for breaking my promise," she repeated, for it needed to be said. "The spirit of it at least. However, with what was at stake, I needed to reach out to you for aid."
She did her best to project as much of her sincerity as she could into her regretful tone. Because Diana understood what those two had gone through. How they had reached their breaking point like she had in 1918. And by the Gods had these two earned the right to a peaceful life.
"Hmm," hummed Annabeth, face not shifting at all. No way to tell if that was accepted, or if she was planning retribution.
Diana could kill Percy.
It would require the goddess to unleash every shred of her power as she had not done since slaying her brother, yet she could do it. Committing herself to a fight where even in victory she might be left maimed. Never daring to lower her guard for an instant, and showing no mercy or hesitation, out of both respect and the knowledge of what he could do.
Of what he had accomplished.
Preferably far away from water though.
No, not just that, she reminded herself. Again. Because she dared not forget it, because it was too easy to underestimate him. Like Barry, the true depths of Percy's potential lay hidden under layers, making you mistake him for a fidgety college student with a motor smart mouth. Except afterwards she had been left to wonder with a touch of nerves, how many of Percy's defeated enemies had been baited and lured to their deaths by his sharp tongue.
So yes, she had been very careful to regularly reflect upon their brief meeting.
The worst part though, was the knowledge of how if she did kill him, the world would be lessened by the loss of someone who should be honoured as both a hero and a good man.
All of which had left her with an uncomfortable number of sleepless nights as she thought about the couple, as well as all the other uncomfortable questions they had brought into her life.
It was not pleasant.
Annabeth though . . . she would not attack Diana head-on like her husband would.
Annabeth would sit down and assess and calculate, and for all this slim young woman had apparently been in the shadows of Percy's accomplishments, it had been chillingly telling how under the Lasso of Truth he had considered his wife the most powerful of the pair. Because of what she could set in motion, and wisdom would dictate she have 'contingencies' ready, ones which would proceed as planned even if Diana interrogated her with the Lasso and then killed her right here and now.
Yes, it would be a safe bet that this young woman had had her own sleepless nights, lying awake thinking . . .
So this was the one Diana had to convince to continue their, well, 'ceasefire' was not the proper term, but probably how those two considered it.
Not that she wanted to kill them.
They deserved far better, as heroes whose deeds left her in awe.
Moreover, yes she was aware of the term 'self-fulfilling prophecies,' she was a literal being of Greek mythology, thank you very much.
The sad truth of the matter was that despite whatever Annabeth and Percy feared, there was nothing Diana wanted more in life than to be able to return to Themyscira, keep this world safe, and to be their friend.
"It was indeed distressing," acknowledged Annabeth, "but given the confirmation through a second source of the gravity of the situation, I can appreciate why you felt it was necessary. As well as how little you told your colleague." She tapped her chin lightly as if in thought, and Diana wondered how much that was needless drama for a decision already made, or this was truly something she was considering. "Yes. If our roles were reversed, I probably would've done the same as you did."
"Thank you," smiled Diana, accepting the olive branch. All the while resisting the temptation to pull out the Lasso of Truth to verify it. Of course, the insult aside, given how tense things had been at their previous meeting, and the details pulled forth by all three of them sometimes without consent, it was best not to do so.
"Meeting the legendary Batman was also entertaining," continued Annabeth. "I can understand why you respect him."
"He is exceptional," she nodded, picking up her own tea to sip.
"I'll have to address some of the things he pointed out. We left too many clues we'd missed for him to make theories. Mind you, it was surprising when he assumed Percy was your son."
The goddess choked upon her tea.
Coughing a little, she brought it under control, and kept herself from snapping the cup.
Faint amusement graced the demigod's expression, yet the flicker of intensity Diana caught in those eyes informed her this was a test.
"Well," she coughed again, "I can understand how he came to that conclusion. And I'd be honoured if it was so. I confess . . ." she trailed off, before laying bare some of her own emotions. "After our last talk," their only one, "I've been filled with my own questions about that. What I would do if I had children, and how I would raise them as they deserve." There was more she wanted to say, but not here. Not now.
Especially not with the others nearby.
So Diana could only hope Annabeth could sense her intentions through her gaze.
Humming, Annabeth nodded, and took her own tea.
-X/\X/\X-
Truly this was a day for surprises.
The way Lady Diana was acting, it reminded Annabeth more of Apollo than the other gods. Or Lester Papadopoulos as he had preferred to be called. Had she spent some time trapped as a Mortal?
Or maybe the goddess had discovered some humility by being forced into this situation, including working with Mortals. Obviously these aliens were a threat she could not just atomize from afar, so either it was a reflection of their power, or she was being restrained by something like the Fates.
Although why would Lady Diana work with Mortals in the first place instead of trying to coerce her or Percy into doing it? Clearly she was supposed to believe this whole thing with Bruce and Alfred had been in place for a while.
Hmmm . . . questions for later.
"What do you plan to do with the Mother Boxes?" she asked.
A small flicker of surprise in Lady Diana's eyes at the non sequitur, yet her expression quickly hardened. "See if we have better luck destroying them, although I fear that for all we must try our best, I have no confidence there. Failing that, I would see the Amazonian Mother Box returned. It won't be taken twice."
A lot of confidence there, yet alright. Probably factors she was unaware of there.
"Okay," Annabeth nodded. "The protections for the Atlantean one seem to have fallen aside. Depending on how things go with Percy, we'll play it from there. Although honestly, if we just make it look like he wants it, they'll put some real effort into securing it again."
At that, Lady Diana was clearly puzzled, only she did not pry. Good. Of course, she had likely noticed the bait there, and had chosen not to hide her confusion.
"As for the Box of Men . . . they buried it in a hole."
Despite herself, Annabeth could not help a snort of laughter. "Well, alright. All else fails, we can do that too. Rent a cement truck maybe to help cover it up. Bruce can build something large atop." Her eyes narrowed slightly, "And then Percy and I return to our retirement."
The goddess stared at her thoughtfully for a long moment, before slowly pulling up the Lasso of Truth.
Despite herself, Annabeth tensed at the sight of it.
"My mother let me fall into Tartarus without a word! All but sent me there!"
Annabeth froze at the words torn out of her mouth that she had never dared to say aloud. Never dared so much as think too hard about, lest they be discovered.
Within Lady Diana's hands, the Lasso glowed gold, and she said, "You have earned it well over. I will not seek contact with you again unless you initiate it, and recommend to Bruce and the others to do the same. It is only because of this threat that I've disturbed you."
It slipped from her fingers as she let it go.
Long seconds passed as Annabeth locked down her body so it would give no sign she did not wish it to. Once she had marshalled her thoughts, she simply said, "Thank you" as neutrally as she could manage.
A beat, and Lady Diana gave a small nod before changing tracks. "What have you been working on?" she asked, gesturing at the tablet.
"Trying to narrow down where these invaders are. I'm assuming you're already watching the skies, so I'm trying to find signs they're holed up somewhere planetside. So I've been working on an algorithm for it."
"Ah, Bruce and Alfred have already made one. Do you want to look at it?"
An embarrassed twinge went through Annabeth at that. "My apologies, you're right. I should've told him what I was doing sooner. I'm . . . out of practice with this." And often the others had just left such things to her, unless they had specific knowledge available.
Her phone rang and played Percy's ringtone of Under the Sea, earning an amused smile from Lady Diana.
"Vulko was right," said Percy without preamble. "I got there just in the nick of time, and me and the last guard, Mera, escaped with the Box. We need a pick-up." He rattled off coordinates to her, which she already had her tablet out to tap in.
Bruce and Barry hurried over to look at what she had pulled up on the map.
"Would it be faster for us to hire someone to pick them up?" suggested Diana, pointing at a nearby airport.
"Probably," said Bruce. "Barry, how fast could you get there?"
"Uhm, give me a moment. I, yeah, I mean, pretty sure. I tested it, but it's just I never actually did something like running across the whole country. Repeatedly. Really should be okay though."
"We'll have to risk it then." He pulled out his phone and began dialling. "I'll send a helicopter."
Satisfied, Annabeth turned her attention back to the phone. "You're far enough away that it'll be faster to wait where you are for a Wayne copter to pick you two up, and get to the airport. We'll meet you at his place." With that she hung up, not wanting Percy to be distracted.
"I can pick them up from there," offered Bruce, ending his own call.
"Uhm, I'd hate to butt in," said Barry, "but the plane's still not ready."
"Hmm," acknowledged Bruce in consideration. "I'll have a Wayne Enterprises chauffeur pick them up. Wouldn't be the first time they've had to do something discreet, and this won't even stand out to them. Sounds good?" he asked Annabeth, who nodded in agreement.
"Percy can handle himself until backup arrives," she said, projecting her confidence.
"He was forced to retreat here, and from on his home turf," pointed out Bruce, carefully not accusatory or implying her husband was not up to it.
"Against an unknown enemy who was strong enough that you felt the need to call us in," Annabeth calmly said. "This isn't the first time we've faced setbacks or losses. Percy ultimately always finds a way to win."
Privately though, she truly was compartmentalising away her own concerns. Because not only had Bruce been perfectly correct, but in truth Percy's powers had never stopped growing, even since arriving here. Granted, while not with the same explosive do-or-die-or-even-worse growth he had experienced with Tartarus, it was still enough of a gradual progression that she could confidently say he was stronger than he had been in the Second Giant War.
Can Lady Diana and these Mortals truly stop what is coming by themselves?
Her gut twisted as she knew the answer.
"This Mera is apparently a princess of one of their principalities," said Bruce, expression stony as he envisioned the complications this would bring.
"Of Xebel," added Annabeth. "One of the four kingdoms left."
"She won't be able to come to the Surface unless she's a half-breed," warned Diana, and the concern in her eyes was surprising.
Annabeth let her eyebrows rise to show her surprise. "That may have been the case once, but their high-born casts can easily adjust to breathing air. The one who warned us about the Mother Box being endangered was one, and presumably a full-blood as well."
"Really?" said Diana, visibly thrown off. Disturbed even that her information was wrong. "How . . . curious. They fought wars with the Amazons in the past where that was not the case."
Bruce and Barry are watching this interaction with interest, yet Annabeth cannot bring herself to care. There is something teasing at her here, something important, and just below her recognition. "I would assume then, that the bulk of the Atlantean soldiers who fought then, were from the low-born castes, and considered disposable fodder."
Yes, she was likely projecting there, except it was a reasonable theory given what little information she had available. However, the confusion displayed by a goddess was of greater interest.
Of course, as interesting as that was, including the additional pieces of Atlantean history, they had more immediate concerns. "Well, that's not relevant right now," she noted brightly. What was to come next would be uncomfortable, but she knew the importance of keeping her hubris in check. Turning to her host, she said, "My apologies Bruce, I started an algorithm to look for the invaders without consulting you first, particularly if you'd already started one, which Lady Diana tells me you have. May I look at it?"
"Of course," he said, gesturing her over towards her computer. "Any chance your husband can send us information while he's travelling?"
"I'll ask him to text it."
Meanwhile, Lady Diana said she was going to get her sword.
Just in case.
-X\/X\/X-
Finally Percy and his . . . companion arrived.
By coincidence, Diana had been off to the side checking her phone that nothing had come in from any of her own sources. So while she had a good view of what followed, the newcomers would have difficulty seeing her in turn.
Her sword was laying on a table a few metres away; available without being a display of threat towards a potential ally.
Bruce had gone to meet them at the door, and Annabeth glanced over as they came down the elevator.
Despite his loss, Percy strode in with the same unrestrained confidence and presence she remembered from their first and last meeting. Hair messy yet handsome, tall and muscular though lean, and appearing totally in control of the situation. A stark contrast to his companion.
The attractive redhead was wearing a green wetsuit, and a bag on her back which likely contained armour. While the Atlantean held an air of haughty authority about herself, she was also decisively on guard. Granted, she was trying to be subtle about it, and seemed genuinely fascinated by her environment, except the stiffness to her spine, tension in her muscles, and how her head kept swivelling about, made it clear she considered herself in enemy territory. Or at least enemies who were currently temporary allies.
For Percy and Annabeth, it was a lot more automatic and discrete how they would scan a room, checking out every corner or wherever something was blocking their view. Wary of the only entrance into this cave.
The Atlantean also appeared to be regretting walking in heels on the surface.
/I'll see about getting us some food,\ trilled Percy in Atlantean.
/Thank you,\ she replied, and her tone was polite, yet it was curious to note none of the hostility Diana had been led to expect. It was in the way she kept close to him, and seemed slightly more at ease when talking to him.
"Guys, this is Princess Mera of Xebel."
"Welcome," said Bruce. A hint of impatience bled into his tone, indicating his desire to demand more details now that they were all here. As informative as Percy's texts had been, they had still been rushed. Only the billionaire was dealing with a wild card here, so he knew to leave it to the specialist: his butler.
With a faint smile, Alfred came forward to the newcomers. Mera glanced at him briefly in assessment, before dismissing him to focus on the others.
Only for Percy to surprise the Atlantean by stepping forward to extend his hand. "You must be Alfred, good to meet you."
"And you as well, Mister Chase-Jackson," said the butler amiably, returning the gesture.
"No, no way. I know Annabeth told you to just call me Percy."
"She may have, yes."
"In which case I'm only referring to you as Bruce's Boss." Switching languages, he said, /Mera, this is Alfred, or Bruce's Boss.\
Visibly confused, Mera aped a handshake of her own, which Alfred was prepared for from hearing his and Bruce's name.
"I can tell you're going to be a character, Mister Chase-Jackson," grinned Alfred.
"So they tell me," said Percy back before rubbing his hands together. "Now, I'd hate to be a pain, but I for one am starving after all that, and no time at the airport. Any chance you could please rustle up some grub?"
"Certainly. In fact, at your wife's suggestion," he gestured at the woman in question, and Diana was startled to realise that Annabeth had not left her computer, giving only a distracted wave. Not the sort of behaviour she expected between them.
Registering Alfred's voice, she caught him saying two pizzas had been ordered in for Percy to devour. He gave a bow of his head to Mera, "As for you, I hope I don't give offence, but I took the liberty of preparing you some fish for a meal, as I figured you would find it most familiar. I made several different dishes, but I believe you would prefer the brown stew fish, made with bluefish tuna, and served with rice and peas, with banana on the side, along with broth to the side.
"And no worries, Mister Allen, I've got your usual snack warming up already."
/He prepared a meal for you of fish, cooked Surface Dweller style,\ said Percy.
/Understood.\
"She says thanks," said Percy.
Hmm, something about Mera's micro-expressions there. A feeling of attention upon her, and Diana shifted her gaze to catch Percy's eyes flickering towards where she was partially hidden, before deliberately turning his attention to Barry. "So you're Mr. Allen?"
"Call me Barry," said the speedster, offering his hand. Meanwhile Diana knew it was time to introduce herself as well.
At the moment Mera's eyes set on Diana, it was obvious she was recognized as an Amazonian by the way the princess stopped. Immediately she tried to adjust her stance into something more defensive while unused to solid ground beneath her feet.
/I am Diana, and I welcome you in peace,\ she said in the Atlantean tongue. /So that both our peoples may prosper.\
Another moment of tension, and then their newest guest visibly relaxed herself. /May that be possible,\ replied Princess Mera. Not the traditional counter-greeting, although unsurprising given how it had been thousands of years since the last war between them.
Now Annabeth came to join them, except Diana caught her pocketing something that her body blocked Mera from catching. The brief flash made her realise the demigod had been watching the entire arrival through a mirror.
Heedless of their audience, Annabeth gave her husband a quick peck on the lips, and said,
"Once the other water breather's here, we can get started."
Surprised, Diana turned to the demigod, only to catch Mera doing the same with wide eyes, and immediately understood.
"Ah," said Annabeth with a chilly smile. "You do speak English. I wondered from Percy's message that you were a friend of Queen Atlanta. Makes sense if you want to know what others are saying about you when they think you can't understand them."
A brittle air shrouded the princess at that name, yet Mera gave Annabeth a look mixing respect, acknowledgement, and wariness. "I assume Vulko's actually in Atlantis then?" she asked in near-flawless English.
"You're the only Atlantean here," acknowledged Annabeth.
Unbidden, Diana knew there was a subtext here she was missing. Something related to why a Son of Poseidon was avoiding the oceans and its children.
Such speculation was put aside for the real concern, which rested in the Princess' hands.
A Mother Box.
A silver cube, exposed for all the world to see.
"It stopped shaking when we started to fly off in the chopper," said Percy. "Honestly, it seemed like it was fighting us. But I think I've answered one question I had. Wise Girl, what do you make of this thing?"
"Wrong," she answered bluntly. "I could feel it approaching, and knew you were coming."
"Uh huh. Lady Diana? What about you?"
Puzzled, she took another look at it, and suddenly something seemed to click into place, and she felt revulsion ripple through her spine. "What?" she whispered in shock before it all made sense. "Oh! I grew up with the Amazonian one on the other side of Themyscira," she said. "Exposure to it must've made me learn to subconsciously ignore it."
"Like background noise you've learned to tune out," said Barry, perking up in interest as he scooted over. "So you mean that's why the gods didn't handle these things themselves? They couldn't stand being around them?"
"Pretty much," nodded Percy. "Otherwise they'd never have given up such a rare shiny." Barry snorted at the reference, while Diana caught Mera's mostly-hidden confusion. The Atlantean was keeping quiet though, trying to get a lay of the land as it were.
"We should study it," said Bruce.
"It belongs to Atlantis," said Mera firmly. "Moreover, we aren't supposed to study it, only guard it."
"Vulko wanted to," he said, remembering what the other Atlantean had said.
"Vulko is wise. That does not mean he is always correct." Her grip upon the cube tightened.
"You can put it down if you want," offered Barry, giving a little wave between Mera and Bruce to try and diffuse the tension. "We're not going to take it. 'Sides, it's safer here, right."
". . . For now," she conceded. "We don't know how it's being tracked."
"Barry," mused Bruce, "maybe you could run it around the country a bit? Throw off the trail?"
"Uh, sure. I guess. Might work. They'll see it coming back here though, right?"
"It can't hurt," said Diana. "Our priority is keeping it from being found."
"Right, 'cause you don't want Ugly ambushing you," said Percy flatly, spinning the beads on his necklace.
"From the description you texted," said Diana, "I believe his name is Steppenwolf."
"'Kay, I'm still calling him Ugly."
"Certainly easier to spell," said Barry. "Wait, do we have to do reports?"
"At the moment, Steppenwolf has the advantage," said Bruce, crossing his arms and ignoring the banter. "We've no leads about the Human Box or who has it, or where he's held up."
Mera's eyes glowed blue with power, yet no one reacted, waiting for her to speak. The closest to a response was Barry stilling his restless body.
"This Steppenwolf is a threat to Atlantis, and murdered my men! My comrades! If you are going after him, then I'm coming with you. To his end or ours." Her voice dropped dangerously low and cold as ice, all the more powerful for the fierce anger leaking from her frame. "But I'd rather it be his."
Diana let an eyebrow rise in surprise, except there was only one answer to give to that, and Bruce did so without pause.
"Glad to have you," he said with a ghost of a smile.
"An Amazon working with an Atlantean," said Diana, stepping forward so that they were within arm's reach, and yet peacefully.
"Indeed," said Mera, face equally neutral.
Taking a chance, Diana let some of her hope for their two races show. "How many thousands of years since our people spoke?"
"Perhaps too many. But none of mine would believe it," answered Mera, and there was something soft and broken in her words and eyes.
A wrench in heart called out to Diana, forcing her to push it aside for now. After Steppenwolf, if this young woman truly fought by their side as one of them, they would do what they could to help. And maybe even if she did not.
It took all of her will to ignore the presence of the other two souls in the room.
To try and not wonder if Bruce and Barry could also feel the hairs on the back of their neck rise as the room crackled with suppressed energy. If they smelled the scent of the ocean, blended with the hint of ozone preluding a storm.
-X/\X/\X-
Percy and Annabeth locked eyes, unspoken words flying between them as Mera unknowingly threw down the gauntlet.
Could the two of them still just serve from the background? Let things play out without their involvement?
Just walk away.
They could. Goodness knows he had basically done so with Apollo.
Call them cowards for doing so if you wanted, but he and Annabeth deserved more than having to endlessly sacrifice parts of themselves for others.
In this new world they had a second chance!
A new and better future! The two of them together!
. . .
So why were all his instincts urging him to stand and fight?
"Uhm, you guys okay?" asked Barry, leaning his head in between them. "You two seem kinda tense. You got an idea of what we should do?"
Confused, Percy turned to look at him, and the other man seemed to get the message. "Well, you said you're both here as consultants, right?"
A spark of irritation surged through Percy and he opened his mouth, only to pause as he recognised the genuine sincerity in Barry. His question had not been a disguise for a jab at them, but the honest assumption he and Annabeth were sitting out for the rest of this. Because that is what they had said they would do.
Leaving these three to go out and face someone who had nearly killed Percy already.
There was a suspicious rasp to his voice as he said, "It's too risky to use the Mother Box as bait, so definitely throw him off by carrying it around. He's the type to get impulsive when frustrated."
"Pre-plan your routes to minimise civilian casualties, so the others know where you are, and if you are ambushed you have a tactical advantage," added Annabeth, and he bet only he caught the slight hitch to her voice as she gave her own advice. Gave it to someone about their own age before he went out to risk their life, while the 'adults' would be staying safe back here. "Pass along your updated information to Victor as well." She turned to her husband. "A cyborg they tried to recruit, but has refused so far."
Which was apparently being respected.
"Good ideas," acknowledged Bruce. He then pointedly turned away to pull up a map of North America on his computer. The others turned to look, leaving him and his wife to stare at each other. Thinking of what they had built together. She built her dreams, while he helped wildlife and conspired to become the ultimate Wife Guy.
They could relax. Be a family. Maybe even make it grow . . .
They had talked about kids before, but always with the risk hanging over their heads from Olympus.
Now though . . .
Something settled within him, as he found himself coming to a decision.
After a long, torturous sigh, Annabeth resignedly nodded, and they turned to the others. "Okay. We'll fight alongside you."
"Great!" beamed Barry, yet Bruce kept quiet.
"Are you sure?" said Diana carefully.
"You'll fail without us," said Percy bluntly.
"Oh, wow," said Barry, looking a little offended.
"No," said Diana neutrally. "If Steppenwolf was able to match Percy in the ocean, then he's a formidable foe indeed."
"Thank you," said Bruce genuinely, while Barry settled down. However the latter's eyes darted around as he aimed to work out whatever he was missing out on.
"But this is. The. One. Time," Percy emphasised, wanting to be absolutely clear on the matter.
Even if he feared it was himself he was trying to convince most of all.
"Alfred," said Annabeth, something in her voice making Percy settle down, "we'll need your help."
"Certainly," said the man in question as he stepped forward, interest in his eyes.
"We'll need some body armour. Mera too." The woman in question looked at her in puzzlement, unaware of how her dyslexic husband had still dedicated a whole paragraph complaining about the Atlantean's gear in his text. "Do you have any spares you can adjust?"
"Given the time constraints we're under, it'll most likely be a mite crude," he warned.
"Just do what you can."
-X\/X\/X-
Having made their choice, it was time for Percy and Annabeth to properly prepare themselves for war.
While Alfred left to do his job, they did their own.
First things first though, Percy grabbed a few more pieces of pizza. In the meantime, she had unbuckled her bone sword, and laid it down on the table, before picking up and unzipping her duffle bag beside it.
She started with pulling out her PS90, the civilian model of the semi-infamous P90 submachine gun, which contrasted with the rather illegal, military-grade suppressor on it. Finally her two SIG Sauers pistols, and assorted knives for them both.
"Wow, you both use all that?" said Barry.
"Nah, that's all for her," smiled Percy before having his last slice.
"Wait, so what about you?"
"Okay, so I'll use a few knives. Except I've got this," he tapped his watch, "and this." Grinning cheekily, Percy twirled his pen between his fingers.
". . . Is that some sort of the pen is mightier than the sword joke?"
Percy paused as the sheer enormity of the gift he had been granted dawned upon him. "Oh wow, I never realised how much I was waiting for someone to drop that line," he confessed, grinning like a supervillain now. Without further ado, he took his cue and flipped off the cap to reveal his sword. "My pen is The Sword."
A tap of his watch revealed his shield as well.
"Okay," pointed Barry, "that? That is awesome. And yes, I'm so proud of myself for giving you that line, and I don't regret it at all."
"Nor should you."
Bruce was eying his gear with evident interest, and Diana was covering her mouth, but he could see the mirth in her dark eyes.
Rolling her eyes, Annabeth finished her routine check of her weaponry, and gestured her husband over as she went for the next layer of supplies.
Obediently, Percy stowed his gear back to their concealed forms, and strolled over, pulling off his shirt as he went. If he was going to be fighting, it would be in something fresh. Plus this was his work uniform, and he had gotten lucky it had not been wrecked before.
"Okay, so obviously I fight with a sword and shield, and that's all I generally need. My strength, reflexes, durability, and speed are all above Human norm, if not as good as Superman was. I can breathe underwater, and use it to fight. It's less exhausting for me to use pre-existing water, but I can make my own in a pinch." Untying his shoes, he slipped them off and then dropped his pants. "It also helps heal me, so if I'm unconscious or injured, just add water. Being exposed to water also gives me the equivalent of an adrenaline boost whenever I'm in it."
His wife passed him a fresh pair of jeans, combat boots, socks, boxers, and an orange shirt. Honestly, as controversial as it was to wear one, even without Camp Half-Blood on it, it was too familiar for him to gear up into anything else.
Being the talker in their relationship, he kept going while Annabeth pulled out more gear with one hand, while unbuttoning her fancy dress shirt with the other. "Annabeth is more powerful than me, because she's smarter than all of us combined. Her strength, durability, and speed are not as good as mine, but still well above the norm. She prefers to use weaponry. Her baseball cap turns her invisible if she puts it on." Dutifully she pulled it out of her pants pocket (specially made just to easily and safely carry it) from on the table to give a quick demonstration of putting it on and vanishing, before putting it back aside. "We fight best as a team, but we can work with others. Oh, and we both have dyslexia and ADHD."
Annabeth gave a grunt of agreement as she adjusted the straps of her tactical sports bra.
Briefly he considered letting Mera introduce herself, before deciding it was best if he was the one deciding what was volunteered there. "Mera's abilities are between Annabeth's and mine, so still much stronger than average, along with some powerful water magic that was causing Ugly trouble before, as well as breathing underwater. Because Atlantean. So probably best if she sticks with me so we can team-up."
A strange sound made him look up from tying his shoes, wondering if he had said something she found wrong, only to find Bruce, Lady Diana, Barry, and Mera all looking at him with strange expressions.
Actually Barry and Mera were beet red.
"You guys okay?"
Coughing into her fist awkwardly, Lady Diana said, "We weren't expecting you to change. Right here."
Barry released a high-pitched sound reminiscent of a deflating balloon.
With a huff, Annabeth finished pulling on her own pair of jeans. "Oh, grow up." Percy caught her faint flush as she did her own sneakers though, and knew she was embarrassed at failing to consider that.
". . . I could threaten to kill whoever checked out my wife if it makes you feel better?"
Oops, no, Barry looked like he was about to run to China. And it was not like he would really kill him.
Probably?
"In which case I should get to do the same for those who used you for eye candy," said Annabeth, belting on her sword.
"You never did so when I was on the swim team," he cheekily pointed out.
"Even I would have trouble covering my tracks if all those bimbos suddenly disappeared. Or had a large 'suicide pact.' Plus some of the guys on your team."
"Wait, who—"
"No, hold on," cut in Barry, making Percy look at him in surprise. Something had clicked into place in the older man's eyes, and he firmly crossed his arms. "It's not our fault you stripped down in front of us. Why'd you even do it if we're strangers?"
"Ah, well . . ." Percy petered off as he tried to find words for it.
"Different headspace," explained Annabeth, and there was something to her tone which made him pay more attention. "If you were pure civilians, we wouldn't have ever done it. Growing up though, the sort of . . . missions we had, well, you became blind to any nudity involved, depending upon the situation."
"Situational blindness," provided Diana.
"Precisely," said Annabeth, tying up her black, combat boots.
Which was true, be it shared showers or cutting pants off to provide emergency first aid. Even Hazel, who would flush at the sight of people kissing before her, would not have blinked at that little display. However Percy knew what was really important out of what was being said and not said by his Wise Girl, was how they had already placed Lady Diana, Princess Mera, Bruce, and Barry into the mental slot of 'teammates.' Which was . . . something to think about post-alien invasion.
"But you're right," she conceded, "that doesn't excuse us threatening you like that. Our apologies."
Barry blinked in surprise, before giving a quick bob of his head. "No worries."
Mera said nothing, yet Percy would take it as a win. The remaining two just gave sharp nods of acceptance.
"You're still deleting the camera footage," added Percy. "Cuz no way your secret layer doesn't have any."
"Of course," said Bruce agreeably. "Although I must say, those are some impressive scars," cut in Bruce, and Percy chose to believe the man just wanted this horribly awkward conversation to die by changing the subject.
Despite that, he could not suppress a slight twitch at the implications. Thankfully, by sheer chance he had been angled away so they had not seen the worst of his.
"Yep," he said. Reaching over, he grabbed one of his wife's spare, black ski masks, and tossed it to Mera. "Here. Your hair's as long as Annabeth's, so it should fit."
It bounced off her face, snapping her out of starring, and reflexively grabbing it. Mera glared at it and then him, looking as if she was going to tear it in two. "What is this?" she coldly demanded.
To demonstrate, he pulled his own on. "To disguise yourself. You're already committing capital treason by being here, no reason to make it easy on them."
That got a full-body flinch out of Mera, and she went deathly pale.
The rest of the heroes looked at her in shock, only now starting to understand what Mera's presence meant.
Catching their looks, Mera turned away to begin carefully putting on the mask.
"Here," offered Diana, "let me help." Coming around so she was visible from the side, she deftly helped Mera get her hair comfortably under it. "I can make a quick braid for your hair, and we can make it into a bun so it'll fit in well."
Once that was done, Annabeth clapped her hands. "Okay, so what can the rest of you do?"
Barry's form blurred and shifted, and suddenly he was in a red outfit of some sort. While Bruce gave no reaction, Percy would have bet it looked like an instantaneous transition. "So yeah," beamed the excitable man. "I'm fast. Really fast."
"Sweet," grinned Percy, already imagining the ways that could help. "Combat experience?"
"Uhm, no, not as such. I mean, yeah if it's the fate of the world I'm in. It's just, usually I push crooks so they go flying into something, or get people out of harm's way."
"'Kay," nodded Percy, already slotting this guy into how they would use Apollo's kids. "Your first priority then should be evacuating civilians, hostages, the works. Get them safe, and then worry about the aliens."
"Agreed," said Bruce.
"Right," said Barry. His expression was of calm acceptance, without any trace of resentment of being kept from imagined 'glory,' nor relief at not having to fight. "Oh, and you can call me the Flash. 'Cause, you know, I'm always gone in a flash. What about you two?"
". . . Get back to you on that?" said Percy after exchanging a quizzical look with his wife.
The Lady Diana went next, quickly running over her strength and speed while giving examples of each, her Lasso of Truth, and her vambraces. All useful to know, even if obviously not what she was fully capable of. Regardless, those were the restraints their teammate was operating under.
Next up was Batman, giving a quick summary of his gear and skills.
-X\/X\/X-
Bruce rattled off what he was capable of on automatic, focusing more on the reactions of this team he had brought together.
Especially regarding the three newest members.
For instance, despite their obvious warrior background, neither Percy nor Annabeth questioned his preference for nonlethal weaponry. Princess Mera appeared confused, except also keeping quiet to try and figure out if there was something she was missing.
"I admit," said Diana to the demigods, now standing beside the table where she had left her own sword. "I'm surprised to see you using guns." Curious as to how her fingers ran over her weapon at that.
"Well," said Annabeth, holstering her second sig, "having firearms with you raises less awkward questions than sword wounds do, even if the cops can track bullets. And things escalated a little with this one gang back in New York. Mind you, initially we only got one as a show of force, but once I had them I had to be sure I could use them right."
"As one does," nodded Percy.
"Hush you. You were bodily thrown out of the range for your atrocious aim."
"Meanwhile they thought you were running a scam, claiming to be a newbie and then getting bullseyes with a cheap pistol."
"They were just jealous. Anyways, it'll make it easier for me to influence a battlefield since I can still track all of what's going on. Especially when I'm invisible."
"Soooo, you grew up using swords without thinking of using guns ever?" asked Flash.
"They . . ." Annabeth grimaced. "They didn't work right for me before. Now they do. So I upgraded. And yes, I got the proper training for them."
Flicking his eyes to Diana, Bruce noted her own confusion there.
"Knives are new for me," admitted Percy. "But I had the time to learn, and figured it was good to expand my repertoire."
More like you had loads of free time you had no idea what to do with after a point of too much Netflix, figured Bruce. All that energy, and only so many ways to use it. Plus, as sociable as you are, letting people in was too difficult. Now though . . .
Because as anticipated, once the couple were interacting with those they could safely open up with, they were falling back into the familiar habits of being with a team.
Which, yes, was surprisingly pleasant for him as well. Likely what Diana and Barry needed as well.
Now he just had to be sure he did not mess it up like he did with Superman. He strongly doubted Martha would salvage things if he did.
. . . He should find a way to verify neither of their moms did have that name.
Regardless, he was starting to understand why Diana respected them so much. They carried with them an aura of casual experience and command, and quickly adjusted to the situation. And while he can never admit so aloud, he did take note of how like Diana, their muscles were corded, lean, and defined as they wrapped around their bodies. The kind of builds you find in professional fighters, which for him is further proof they are not all talk despite having yet to see them in action with his own eyes.
But most of all . . . those scars.
Like Bruce, their bodies were traced over with a multitude of scars, and doubtless as much from 'skiing accidents' as his were. Except they were a vivid display of what Diana meant when she said "these heroes have indeed achieved great things, and paid a heavy price for it," because for one he knew he had not had as many scars when he had been their age.
Especially Percy.
Percy.
It made him sick. A sense of nausea suppressed by only a long habit from having to prowl the back alleys of Gotham, finding the victims left behind.
Only by sheer chance had catastrophe been averted, so that the others had been distracted ogling those abs, and scars which only seemed to add a sense of danger and mystery. Meaning they had not seen his back like Bruce had in a reflection, with its nightmarish tapestry of scars, so obviously from torture. As if he had been forced to lay on broken glass for hours on end.
Diana, I think I understand more than I want to of what you were trying to warn me about, he thought darkly. Whatever else, I'll make sure these kids get the life they deserve. The life I know they never got.
Despite this though, there were some questions he remained curious about.
Particularly their powers, as nothing they had revealed seemed enough to make them so intimidating to the Amazon. At face value, she was stronger, faster, and vastly more experienced than the duo; so either all three were keeping secrets, or the duo really were that impressively skilled with what they had.
On the other hand, as much as Diana knew special details about them, she was also clearly in the dark about other things, and had her own burning questions she was careful not to voice.
As for the final and surprise member, Princess Mera worried Bruce, and yes that was mostly because he knew even less about her. They were relying upon snap judgements of her character without any background information, and a lot of assumptions about her and Atlantis. Nonetheless, their two resident experts appeared willing to trust the Atlantean despite the apparent bad blood between them, and vice versa, and that would have to do.
The way Mera talked about stopping Steppenwolf was a little concerning though, and would have to be handled carefully. Bruce would not have the blood of any more heroes on his hands.
"Well, if you're all done with your turns of Show and Tell, I do believe it's my turn," said Alfred as he popped up, carrying with him the replacement armour, holding up the first to Mera.
As Bruce's was custom fitted, what the butler had thrown together was inevitably crude, and something he undoubtedly planned to correct for the future, while remaining serviceable. Spare, metal plates to be bullet and stab proof, and highly resistant to blunt trauma, adhered onto spare clothing from Bruce's closet for when going undercover, made to be readily overlooked, while also very sturdy to handle any impromptu fights. Gauntlets, leg greaves, and partial skull caps to go over the face mask. There were also an assortment of pins to tuck in the sleeves and legs, because yes, an outfit for a man 6'4" needed to be adjusted for a woman who was 5'7" without heels; and yes, Alfred had somehow manhandled a pair of boots into working without leaving Mera tripping over her own feet.
No fool, Bruce said nothing about Diana's own propensity towards heels. She could fight however or in whatever she wanted, and it was none of his business.
"Thanks, Alfred," said Percy, picking up his own, with Alfred having simply adjusted the plates with the pre-existing straps, and Annabeth strapped it onto him with practised ease. An easier fit there, as Percy was 6'1", while it took slightly longer to handle Annabeth's 5'10" frame.
Prudently, Mera took her new outfit somewhere private for her to change into.
"Alfred, you're a marvel," said Percy, taking another test of his movements.
"Thank you," said Annabeth, relaxed as the CEO had been entirely replaced by a woman ready to fight a war. By herself if necessary.
He did take note of how she was spinning the beads on her necklace in the exact same manner as her husband had earlier.
Suddenly the friendly atmosphere was disturbed by a piercing wail.
Automatically the computer screen brought up the image of a familiar spotlight being shone upon the perpetual clouds above the Gotham skyline.
"Oh awesome!" went Barry. "That's the Bat Signal! That's your signal! That means we have to go now."
"Yeah, that's what it means," said Bruce.
"No guarantee it's related," pointed out Annabeth.
"If not, it'll help as practise our teamwork," Diana replied.
"Which can never hurt," said Bruce, ignoring the quick look Alfred shot him. Probably something unmentionable about pots and kettles thrown in glass houses. He could learn though.
Clapping his hands with a smile, Percy managed to look every bit charming and dangerous. "Well I didn't get all dressed up nice and pretty to just miss out on a dance."
"It's Gotham," said Annabeth, hefting her PS90, "even if it's a false alarm, I'm sure our lovely host and tour guide can find us somebody to have a whirl with."
"Oh! Oh is this what banter's like?" asked Barry gleefully.
With considerable effort and willpower, Bruce resisted the urge to roll his eyes, especially with the gleeful, knowing look Diana shot his way.
-X/\X/\X-
Author Notes:
I know in the Zack Snyder edition, they went straight from the underwater fight to meeting Gordon, yet I feel that those non-action moments in the film are important too, and so needed to have some of my own.
.
Q: Did the WW84 film happen here?
A: I will address that later.
.
Honestly, most of Annabeth's gear is illegal. Including the paperwork which says otherwise. Not so hard for someone like her to pull off, even if she chose to solely rely upon her invisibility cap.
It is not until the "Trials of Apollo" that we get an explanation for why guns are not really used much by the demigods, yet in an entirely different world the greater 'narrative' which helps support everything is not a concern, so none of the old restrictions.
.
The whole part about Percy's back was taken with permission from AO3's Book 1: Baby's first exceptionally bad time, by SnufflesThePig, as one of their various 'souvenirs' from Tartarus. To quote:
"Percy, being the larger one, laid on his back and made himself as big as possible for Annabeth to crawl on top of him so only one of them had to suffer the glass beach. His back is a permanent horror now, and all she can feel when she sees it is love."
-X-
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