Part Ten, Hidden Dragon

Diana crouched like a star-spangled tiger next to the dumpster, watching Batman fight his way through a gang uprising. She would have helped, but she had the feeling that his ego would be irreparably bruised if she took out a gang member or ten on his behalf.

In any case, Batman was fighting too fast, too furious to be beaten, so she wasn't worried about him.

She was worried, however, about the group of onlookers who were coming ever closer to her hiding spot. Soon they would see her crouching there like a hidden golden-eagle dragon, and think that Wonder Woman was not a team player.

There was no 'WW' in team, after all, so she had to work extra hard sometimes.

And there was definitely no 'Bat symbol on a yellow oval field,' either, but yet Batman always worked with them, for some reason. Lately, it had become apparent to Diana that she might be one of the reasons that Batman worked in a team; he seemed to have some special feelings for her – enough feelings that he had revealed his true identity to her.

She hugged that knowledge close to her bustier – Batman was Clark Kent, intrepid reporter. And she loved him.

But those thoughts were swept from her mind as the crowd moved closer. Inspiration struck, and she realized that all she needed was a disguise, like Batman wore. She'd seen pictures of him in his civilian clothes, and his disguise was so good he looked a lot like Superman with glasses.

So she spun around. Really, really fast. The spinning created a vacuum, followed by a great wind that somehow managed to selectively carry size six stylish street clothes and a pair of glasses to Diana's waiting form. It also put her hair up into a ponytail. And changed her boots.

Suitably disguised, she joined the crowd, ready to protect any of the innocents should the fighting in front of them get out of hand – which it possibly could do, since thirty gang members were, um, ganging up on Batman.

Diana watched, impressed, as Batman handled the mobsters, each of whom seemed uncommonly knowledgeable of the martial arts. Everybody was kung fu fighting.

"Wow, man, those cats are fast as lightning!" A man dressed in a velvet leisure suit exclaimed behind Diana.

She turned, a questioning look on her face. "Cats?" Was this something to do with Catwoman?

"Yeah, you know, cats…cool dudes." The man shrugged, his enormous velvet hat wobbling. "But, I guess you could also say 'those kicks were fast as lightning'."

Diana turned back to the fight in time to see Batman barely escape a lethal blow to the head. "It's a little bit frightening," she murmured. "But at least he has expert timing." She paused, then wondered, "Do you know what is going on?"

The man grinned, a gold capped tooth winking under the streetlight. "Sure, baby. There was funky Billy Chin and little Sammy Chung. He said, 'here comes the big boss, let's get it on'."

"Get what on?"

"The fighting, baby, the fighting. It's an ancient Chinese art, and everybody knew their part. These turf wars are about honor, sweet thing."

Batman moved from a feint into a slip, and kicking from the hip he knocked down the last of the gang members. Diana breathed a sigh of relief, then stiffened when the man ensconced in velvet put his hand on her arm.

"Say, baby, you looking for a boyfriend? I could get you some work around here. Pretty face like yours would bring in a lot of customers."

Realizing the man was just being polite by offering her a job, she gently removed his arm and smiled. "Maybe some other time."

She took a step back, bumped into Batman's solid chest. He glared down at her, and she realized that he was about to lecture her about visiting his city.

Well, if he wanted an argument, a fight, she'd give him one. Remembering the words of little Sammy Chung, she tilted her chin, crossed her arms over her chest, and said, "Let's get it on."

Batman's eye slits widened. "Are you serious?"

She nodded, thrust her chest out a little more in a defensive gesture. His gaze dropped to her bosom.

"Oh, mercy mercy me," he gulped.

TO BE CONTINUED