Author's Note:
The following story is based on the DC Comics Elseworlds series of the same name by Mark Waid and Alex Ross. It is not a direct adaptation, but rather an inspired tale that also satisfies the circumstances of the animated universe. Additionally, the story takes place following the episode "Starcrossed" and must, unfortunately, ignore all episodes that follow. Though don't be surprised if references are made. As usual, the characters and stories are the sole property of DC Comics and AOL Time Warner. They are not in any way used for profit, but rather for the sake of fun and personal pleasure. So please don't sue.
Enjoy.
Twenty Days after the death of Captain Marvel...
Time folded forward. Healing had begun. And in the twinkling of an eye, great powers reconstruct a once-stately manor... into a hospital ward patrolled by a man who had traded black garb for white. Under his watch, survivors ravaged by the effects of the bomb were nurtured and cared for... while those who helped bring about the cataclysm... suffered their own unique justice.
Bruce watched as Ibn slowly and gently pulled the sheets over the face of the passing. He sighed, watching him try to fight back tears. With a gentle hand upon his shoulder, fathers looked at his son and give him assurance that there was still hope to give. Ibn nodded as Bruce returned to his patrol, occasionally glancing upon the towering robobats that had since been repainted white to blend with the walls.
He couldn't help but chuckle upon seeing the funniest sight his old eyes ever saw. Lex Luthor. Multi-millionaire. Super villain extraordinaire. Was washing a potty can. Bruce passed the elder man without so much as locking eyes. A smile gently forming upon his lips at what he had turned Luthor into.
"Shazam," Bruce whispered as he walked away.
"Shut up," Luthor grumbled.
Bruce walked some more until he came upon the smiling figure of his beloved Selina. They gently slipped into each other's arms and shared a gentle kiss. It was not as passionate or as provocative as many of their previous kisses, saving those for later when they had a bit more privacy. Still in each other's arms, Bruce turned so that they could survey what was once his manor together.
"Quite a change in character, my love," Selina laughed quietly.
"I think someone once told me I couldn't be who I was forever," Bruce chuckled in return.
"Who ever said that must've had a good point," she said, gently squeezing him tightly. They fell silent for a moment, watching all that was taking place before them. She then laid eyes on something that made her giggle with delight. "Perhaps we should keep our eyes on the children's ward, Bruce."
Bruce looked up at the far end of the room where the children effected by the bomb were placed. His grin grew very wide as he saw two young adults attending to the little ones. The first was a young male who went by the name of Red Robin. The other was well known as the daughter of Superman. They were out of costume and, like everyone else, dressed in white. He watched as Robin, after watching Supergirl attend to a child, whispered something in her ear. The daughter of Superman began to heavily blush crimson red and then started to giggle, using her shirt to cover her face.
"Oh man..." Bruce chuckled as he and his beloved watched the sight. "I can only imagine how Clark would react."
"Speaking of reacting parents," Selina said, turning his attention to a particular bed. Bruce slowly turned to the bed and than gave out a long heavy sigh. "Go to him, my love."
He looked Selina in the eyes and gave her a smile before walking over to the bed. He came to the stop as he watched the patient open his eye. The patient first saw his delighted daughter before turning to see a smile he had not seen in many years. Not to mention the colors he was wearing.
"Holy white miracle, Bruce," he whispered with a grin.
"Holy white miracle indeed, Dick," Bruce chuckled. And before their loved ones, Bruce and Dick clasped hands for the first time in many years. The healing had begun.
Bones were set... burns were salved... and wounds were mended... here... and across the sea. Before the gathered citizens of Themyscira, of Paradise Island, a heritage was restored. Queen Hippolyta smiled as she placed the crown upon her daughter's head. Mother and daughter at last reunited.
Diana smiled as she turned to those who were present. Her smile widened when she held hands with Kara-El, cousin of Superman, as they expressed the joy that overcame them. She nodded to Dr. Fate and his beloved Inza as they watched with smiles across their faces. Diana then turned to a particular group and sighed. Her smile faded, but only for a little, as she approached. They were the prisoners of the Gulag.
One of the men began to spit with boredom, not paying attention to what was taking place. Fear painted his face quickly when he felt a strong hand take hold of his head. Slowly, the hand turned him to face the approaching Wonder Woman. He shook as he tried to form a weak smile with apology.
Magog removed his hand from the metahuman's head, grinning a little as the wheelchair bound Tokyo Rose gently patted his other hand with a smile. He then returned his gaze upon Diana and gave her a nod. Her smile grew with each passing moment and soon nodded in return. She glanced over at Kara and Fate, who themselves nodded before the others.
"There is much you have to learn," she spoke before the metahumans that remained. "But I am not going to force to you accept the education my comrades and I have to offer. You must willing if you wish to learn."
Magog took a deep breath, glancing over at the others and not caring what they thought. "Rose and I are willing to learn, your grace," he said, gently bowing his head with his companion following his lead. Slowly and one by one, the other metahumans began to bow their heads as well.
Through her courage, the princess was at last granted her crown. No longer did she see herself as a failed student. She was a teacher... whose work was just beginning.
Hand in hand... Gods and humans worked together... rebuilding what was once lost. The Park West Foundation was the brainchild of Linda Park-West, the human wife of the scarlet speedster The Flash. The one-time television personality, along with her superhuman husband and daughter, put forth all their effort into constructing community charities and programs to aid those affected by the tragedies of Kansas.
Wally provided support, without having to use his speed, as he helped in the building of community establishments such as the boys and girls club they were constructing on this day. Linda helped mothers and other parents hand out food and drinks to those involved in the construction as well as those in need. Iris pitched in by keeping children entertained. And in some cases, educating them.
"Your daddy can run faster than a cheetah?" a little boy asked with excitement as the children sat in numbers before the teen daughter. Iris giggled as she continued to play a tone throughout the talking.
"Yes, he can," she answered. With a smile on her face, she shifted the volume of her voice to a lower tone to give the next sentence some impact. "In fact, my daddy could run faster not only a speeding bullet, but also run faster than Superman." The kids exhaled their awe with amazement. Linda watched this from the corner of her eye and laughed lightly, seeing her daughter taking care of little children.
"Wow," the boy said. "I wish my dad had powers like that."
Iris giggled a little as she let the music notes she played fill the ears of those around. "True my daddy can run beyond lightning speed," she said. "But that doesn't make him any more of a hero than your daddy. Or your mommy, either. Tell me what your daddy does for a living."
"My daddy is a policeman," the boy said, curious as to where she was going.
"Then your daddy is a hero because he protects the innocent and stops bad people from doing bad things," Iris said. She turned with a smile to a little girl a couple bodies to the left. "What about your daddy? Or how about your mommy."
"My mommy is a teacher," the little girl said.
"Then your mommy is a hero because she helps educate others," Iris said. "Through her people learn how to better themselves." She didn't notice her father appear a few feet away, listening to her speak while he takes a break from the work. "A fireman is a hero because he protects people and keeps fires from causing further harm. No matter what your parents do for a living, they are heroes because they are doing something that is helping better the lives of others. And that's why you don't need powers to be a hero yourself."
Iris continued to play the guitar as she watched the smiles on the children rise with joy, hearing someone say that their parents were heroes just like Superman. She then turned to see the smiling face of her father, sensing his approval of her words with a nod. She slowly turned back to the children, her smile much wider. She played the music a little louder and began to sing the lyrics to the song. The children captivated by the words and the melody.
"Oh, my love... It's a long way we've come... From the freckled hills... To the steel and glass canyons... From the stony fields... To hanging steel from the sky... From digging in our pockets... For a reason... Not to say goodbye...
"These are the hands... That built America... la laaaaa laa... America..."
Across the world, new roles are embraced... new alliances forged. Secretary-General Wyrmwood expressed honest joy as he stood before the applauding delegates of the United Nations. The cracks and holes formally seen in the meeting hall had been patched and restored. But the attention was set upon the importance of his historic gathering. The applauding subsided and Wyrmwood cleared his throat.
"Fellow delegates," he began. "Esteemed world leaders. Citizens of the world. It is now time to extend our deepest and warmest gratitude and welcome... to the newest chair in our membership. A new voice to provide guidance upon the road to peace. A new face to represent the good of the people. And... our first delegate... of another world. My friends... may I introduce... our newest member to the United Nations... John Jones!"
J'onn was overwhelmed by the standing ovation being given to him. He was even more surprised by the cheers that were heard as well. He stood up and smiled as he slowly approached Wyrmwood for a congratulatory handshake while taking in the generosity of those before him. It was moments before the clapping died down and soon all was quiet so that they may hear him speak for the first time as a member of their delegations. He took a moment to take a deep breath.
"No doubt I am filled with sorrow as I remain the last of my people," he began. "To be the only known Martian left alive is a title I wish no one else to bear, even as it saddens my heart. But I do not see my burden as something to look upon with negativity. I look upon my stature as that of experience to share and teach. Amongst the people of this great planet. For many years, I lived amongst you and sought understanding of the human psyche. I will not deny my own fear of what I had discovered. But that doesn't mean that there is only darkness within the human spirit. The human soul, though fragile, contains a light of hope. And I know that every single human being carries this within. So, it is my pleasure, as a member amongst great minds... great voices... great hearts... that I will be given the opportunity to work with all of you in unearthing this grand achievement."
J'onn stood proudly as the overwhelming response of standing applauds and cheers returned and grew louder and louder with each passing minute. He glanced to see a raising smile upon the face of Wyrmwood. And soon, he himself, returned a genuine smile to those that accepted him. A new role embraced. A new alliance forged.
After far too long a time, the gods had chosen to work with mankind toward a common good.
Only one worked alone.
Clark took a moment to pause from his work and knelt before one of the many tombstones he himself placed upon what was once the sight of two unimaginable terrors. The destruction of human life. And then the destruction of super human life. He sighed as he lightly brushed away the sand that covered the engraving of the name.
Billy Batson.
Captain Marvel.
Mortal and Immortal.
It took the barking of his dog to release him of the quiet state he had placed himself in. He looked up and watched as a familiar princess made her gentle descent from the sky above. A small smile came over his face as he rose to his feet. When she landed, they spoke no words as they lost themselves in each other's eyes.
"Quite a memorial," Diana said, breaking the silence moments later.
"As it should be," he said, turning his head to look out at the many tombstones across the landscape. "Not just for those claimed by the bomb... or the blast before that... but for all those here who lost their lives to our mistakes."
"Let them rest in peace, Kal," she said with a gentle voice. "They'll only haunt you if you forget what they taught you." She watched as he slowly nodded in agreement. "Speaking of which..."
Clark turned to see her hand him a small, wooden object. "What's this?" he asked as he took it in his hands.
"A gift," she replied, forming a gentle smile upon her lips. "A little something to help you see more clearly."
He opened it. The smile he formed was more than just gentle. It was one of remembrance and of joy. Glasses. Slowly, he removed them from the case and placed them on. He looked up at Diana with a wider smile. Her smile widened in return. Clark Kent had been truly reborn.
She placed her hands upon his chest just as gently as he placed his upon her shoulders. They closed their eyes and give each other a kiss. Full of gentle and of love. They spent many moments lost in their embrace. Quite slowly, they released each other. The smiles still upon their faces as Diana began her slow ascent into the Heavens.
"Take care, Clark," she whispered with a wave.
"Take care, Diana," he whispered back, watch her fly off into the skies above. He remained in place until her familiar figure disappeared in the distance. He let out a gentle and heavy sigh as he returned to work. He strapped himself in and resumed the process of restoring the agriculture.
John watched with a smile as his daughter astound the members of the Green Lantern Corps with who she was and the things that she could that the others couldn't. She was a living, breathing entity. And her beautiful figure caused her brother to always stand guard with axe in hand. John encouraged it.
"Wipe that smile off your face, John," he heard the familiar voice of his lover say from behind. He turned, still smiling, as Shayera walked up to him with a smile of her own. They wrapped their arms around one another, embracing as they watched their children showing off. "You're going to start giving Rex bad ideas when Jenny eventually starts dating."
"Just trying to make sure my little girl is protected," John chuckled. "Besides, all I'm doing is commending him for thinking about the welfare of his sister." He chuckled as Shayera sighed heavily with disbelief at his comment. They grew silent as they continued to watch their children at play. "Feeling any better now?" he asked.
"Of course," she laughed lightly. "Our family is together at last. I have you once again and we have two wonderful children born out of the love we shared. And before you ask, yes I am now at peace with myself. Turned out I didn't need to search by traveling. I had to search by looking at myself and the people around me. It's a wonder how much children can teach you about yourself when you least expect it."
"The lessons of parenthood, I see," he chuckled. "So what did you discover about yourself?"
"There is no definitive answer to that question, John," Shayera replied, retaining her smile. "Not for any one. What you can discover is an idea about what you've learned. I have an idea about myself. But I want you to tell me what I discovered about myself, John."
"What?" John asked curiously, raising a brow.
"Give it a shot, John," Shayera lightly laughed. "We know one another well enough now. And nothing you say will be anything hurtful to me, my love. I have enough love and faith in you to believe and accept whatever you think."
John looked in her eyes for a moment, sensing that she wanted him to tell her. He gave a heavy sigh, thinking about what to say. And then he realized that he was doing it wrong. He should already had known. All he had to do was speak from his heart, not his mind.
"I think you discovered yourself to be a unique individual," he answered. "You've done good things and you've done bad. Yet through it all, think there's one thing that makes you who you are. Shayera... you exist... to give hope."
Shayera looked deep into the eyes of her lover and saw the honesty in his words. "That's exactly what I felt," he said. Her smiled widen and moments later the two shared a kiss.
Exist to give hope...
That was what made a super hero...
Justice League
Kingdom Come
By Lord Akiyama
Based upon the story by Mark Waid and Alex Ross
Epilogue: The Seven Spirits of God
One Year Later...
"Greetings, citizens! Smoking or non-smoking?"
Diana tried to contain her laughter as she watched Clark give a stare at the host, who was dressed as Superman with a mullet. "Be nice, Clark..." she whispered to him with a nudge. "Non-smoking, please."
"We're a bit low on small tables at this time, ma'am," the host said as he guided them past the other customers. "Do you mind if we seat you at a table for eight?"
"No problem," Diana replied with a smile. "We probably won't be here for too long. Just meeting a friend for lunch." She watched the host nod with understanding and then she heard Clark sigh as he looked about the walls.
"You don't find any of this... unsettling?" he asked curiously, taking a quick examination of a framed Hourman costume. He couldn't help but form a smirk upon hearing her giggle.
"It's in the upbringing," she replied. "I'm accustomed to seeing mortals pay tribute to the Gods." She could feel a sense of uncertainty from him as the host presented their circular table. "It's not a church, Clark. It's a restaurant. Relax."
Clark gave a sigh as they took their seats. He watched as the host placed the menus in front of them and smile once more before returning to the front. "So where is he?" he asked.
"You're the one with the x-ray vision," she replied, smiling as she examined the coasters shaped as the Flash helmet Wally once wore. "Did you look behind the giant penny?" She heard Clark give a light chuckle in response to the joke.
"You didn't tell him, did you?" he asked, still looking about his surroundings.
"Of course not," Diana replied as she opened her menu. "If it actually means seeing him surprised, who am I to hoard the moment?" She lightly laughed as he gave another chuckle. She had a point there.
His eyes wandered until they settled on the glass display that held the various colors of mock Kryptonite. His smirk widened a little as he shook his head. "It's awfully crowded here," Clark noted. "You're sure we won't be recognized?"
"Hardly likely," she replied, still examining the menu with its cheesy names for the meals. "In the first place, you wrote the book on secret identities..."
"... And in the second place, amidst all this tawdry bric-a-brac, I doubt they'd take notice of us if we were fighting the Legion of Doom in full costume." They turned to see the familiar black suit of one Bruce Wayne as he spotted a coat hanger behind Clark. "Clark. Diana. You probably should've waited for a smaller table to open up."
"There you are," Clark said in surprise, retaining the smirk on his face. "You snuck up on me. Me. How do you do that?" He heard Bruce give a grunted chuckle upon removing his coat. "It's good to see you under brighter circumstances, Bruce. How are the boys?"
"Dick's headed for a full recovery," Bruce replied as he straightened his coat upon the hanger before making his way to sit in the chair on Diana's left. "Ibn... well... Dick's daughter is..." He formed half a smirk and made a light chuckle as he sat down. "... counseling him. Maybe he'll turn around yet... if he can shed the lessons of the League of Assassins. That's what happens when you're raised by an isolated society of zealots. You end up a little brainwashed."
"You don't say," she said, deciding to release a little laugh as opposed to anything harsh in response.
"As for Thomas..." he started to continue.
"Thomas?" Clark asked, bewilderment and confusion painting his face as with Diana. "Is there something you've never told us about, Bruce?"
Bruce took a moment to stare at Clark, not sure if he was hearing the other man correctly. Then a grin began to slowly grow upon his face. "She hasn't told you, hasn't she?" he chuckled. Clark and Diana looked at one another, still not sure what he was talking about. "Your her father and yet she's kept it from you."
Clark raised a brow in further confusion as he stared at Bruce. A moment later, the other brow raised and realization overcame him. He then exhaled in shock and disbelief. "You're kidding," he said.
"What?" Diana asked Clark. She then overheard Bruce started to heartily laugh. She quickly turned to the other man with a stern look. "What is it that I missed?"
Bruce took his time to stop his laughter and faced Diana. "For over a year now, Cir-El has been dating a fellow by the name of Red Robin," Bruce replied. "Clark already knew this, but he didn't know about the guy's true identity. Even after she found out about it when I turned the mansion into a hospital. Red Robin's real name is Thomas Kyle Wayne."
Diana's eyes widened and her jaw dropped with complete surprise. She turned to see Clark holding his forehead, his face still painted in shock disbelief, and then turned back to the chuckling Bruce Wayne. "No," she said. "You're the father of two sons? Two sons of Batman? I get the feeling I should be worried."
"When Selina and I made our relationship official, she let it be known that we would have a child," Bruce continued to chuckle. "If only to say that Talia shouldn't be the only one to say that she bore a child of the Bat. Thomas came rather quickly, actually, and we both trained him together. Tim had some involvement, which is where the Red Robin mantle came from. Selina and I may not believe in marriage, but we wouldn't stoop so low as to not be parents."
"I take it you insisted on naming him after your father," Diana said. She didn't wait to hear Bruce's response as she looked over to Clark. He was still reeling from the sudden shock of what he had just heard. A small smile began to form on her lips as she turned back to Bruce. "The daughter of Superman dating the son of Batman. Who would've thought?"
"I don't blame him for being worried," Bruce said, refraining from chuckling further though retaining his delightful grin. He always loved it that he got under the skin of Superman. Now he had another manner to do so. "I'm pretty sure both my boys inherited my trait to dangerously attract women."
"All the more reason why I'm keeping my daughter from dating until she's married." The three looked up in surprise to see an all too familiar smile. "It's gotten to the point where I'm probably gonna have to ask you for some motion detector equipment, Bruce." No doubt about it, Wally West had entered the building.
"Wally?" Clark said. "What are you doing here?"
"Linda's visiting a friend and Iris's doing work at the boys and girls club... I hope," he said. "So I figured since I was gonna be on my own for lunch I'd check this place out. Mind if I take a seat with you guys?"
"Plenty of room," Diana said with a smile. "Go ahead and take a seat, Wally. Goodness, this is quite a surprise indeed."
"And it appears the surprises continue to grow," another familiar voice spoke just as Wally sat himself next to Clark. The three looked up behind Bruce to see a smiling human figure.
"J'onn?" Wally said with the same surprised look as the others. "Holy smokes, how the hell did you find yourself here?"
"We adjourned early for the day and I saw you entering this establishment, Wally," J'onn replied as he sat himself next to Bruce. "I decided to see if I could join you, though now it appears we are putting together our own little reunion."
"And no reunion is complete without the both of us," said one more familiar male voice. The five looked over at the empty end of the table. There stood John and Shayera with smiles across their faces, both wearing light green clothing. Shayera looked quite different... and strikingly beautiful in the eyes of the men... with her wings tucked in.
"John! Shayera!" Diana cried, though in a lower tone as to not disturb the other customers around them. "Great Hera, this IS a reunion! Please, have a seat!" John sat himself next to Wally and Shayera next to him as they looked upon the surprised faces of their friends with widened smiles.
"Looks like we will be here for a while after all," Clark said to Diana with a smile. They began to lightly laugh when a waiter came up to them, dressed like Beast Boy.
"Here are some extra menus for you," he said with a smile as he handed menus to the others. "May I bring you something to drink while you decide?"
"Water's fine," Diana said with a smile.
"Milk," Clark nodded.
"We'll both have water as well," Shayera said, smiling as she patted on John's shoulder.
"I'll have some Dr. Pepper," Wally said. "And do you mind if you can bring a pitcher of it, too? This is so that I won't have to keep bothering you guys for refills."
"I'll see what I can do," the waiter said with a smile before turning to J'onn. "And for you, sir?"
"Hmmm..." J'onn said. "Normally I'd ask for water... but I wish to try your cherry coke, please." The others smiled with delight as they heard this. The surprises just kept coming.
"Coffee," Bruce said without look up to the waiter. "And keep it coming." He picked up the salt and pepper shakers and examined their design as the waiter nodded and left to retrieve their drinks.
"Tell me, Clark..." Bruce said, still examining the shakers. He determined the designs to be that shaped as Bullet Man and Bullet Girl. "Of all the places on Earth and beyond we could have met, why did you choose this one?" He placed the shakers down and turned his eyes to the other man.
"I didn't," Clark shook his head with a grin.
"I did," Diana said with a smile. "I was curious. The atmosphere is elevating and humbling at the same time. Some of us can always use a little more humility."
"Shayera and I were hoping to check this place out without the kids tagging along," John said with a grin. "We originally wanted to try it out for dinner, but we soon learned that lunch was better."
"Quite a coincidence we all showed up in this place at the same time," Wally said with a chuckle.
"I don't think it's a coincidence," Shayera smiled. "I believe fate had a part in seeing us together again."
"Excuse me," a voice asked behind J'onn. He turned to see a male customer seated behind him. "I'm sorry to bother, but are you..." The others at his table began to snicker a little.
"Yes...?" J'onn asked curiously.
"Are you using the ketchup?" the customer finally said, feeling a little embarrassed for asking. "We've run out."
"Ah," J'onn said, smiling as he looked back to his table and retrieved the ketchup. He looked up to the others who nodded. "Be my guest." He watched the customer nod and mouth thanks as he is handed the ketchup.
The waiter returned and handed them their drinks before moving on to another table. Wally formed a very wide grin as he not only got his pitcher, but the cup he received featured the insignia of The Flash. Bruce was quickly able to exchange raised brows with John as the coffee handed to him was in a mug shaped as a Lantern's battery reserve. Clark smiled gently as he looked upon the picture of Captain Marvel proudly displayed upon his cup.
"So..." Bruce said as sipped his coffee. "I gather from your communiqué we have business?"
"Let me be the one to apologize for the others if we're crashing in on anything important," John said to the three.
"Oh no, we actually don't mind," Diana said. "In fact, it really is great that you all came. We have something to settle, at least. News to share. And it's better that we get to include with the rest of you. We haven't really spoken much since..." She took a pause as she saw Clark's cup, her smile fading a little. "... since Captain Marvel. But before we begin, I think it's appropriate to give a moment to those who fell in battle. We're long overdue."
The others looked at one another with smiles and nodded. "To past friends," Shayera whispered as the seven cups clinked together. The kept the cups together for a moment before they slowly pulled them back to sip their drinks.
"Hi," a young waitress spoke with a smile. "I'm Robin." Wally began to chuckle as he looked upon the waitress wearing Dick's old Robin uniform with the bottom portion of the costume trimmed up well above the knees.
"Of course you are," Bruce grumbled with a glare before drinking more of his coffee.
"Are you ready to order?" the waitress asked, having not seen Bruce's look. The others opened their menus to glance quickly at the selections so they could make their order immediately.
"What do you recommend?" J'onn asked, glancing up at the waitress before looking back at the menu.
"Well..." the waitress asked, shifting her balance from one leg to the other. "Today's special is the Power Girl Chicken Sandwich." She didn't see Bruce rolling his eyes at what the dish was called.
"The cut...?" John asked, still scanning through the menu.
"Breast," she replied. "I also recommend the Dial 'H' for Hoagie..."
"I'll just have the Giant Turtle Soup," Diana said with a smile, handing the waitress her menu.
"And for you, sir?" the waitress asked Clark as she finished writing down Diana's order.
"Do you serve anything like beef bourguignon...?" Clark asked, looking for the meat section.
"There's Starro the Casserole..." the waitress began as she pointed where on the menu where it was.
"Fine," Clark nodded with a smile.
"I'll take a stab at this Giganta whatchamacallit," Wally said with a grin.
"Holy overload, are you sure sir?" the waitress asked in a bit of surprise. Bruce nearly began to choke on the coffee he was drink, causing John and Shayera to snicker.
"I feel like I haven't eaten in three days, kido," Wally replied.
"Alright, sir," the waitress said, regaining her smile as she wrote down the order.
"I will be having the Green Lantern Chicken Salad," Shayera said with a smile.
"And I'll have the Hawkgirl Hamburger," John said, sharing a hearty smile with Shayera. "Medium well and I'd like to have provolone cheese added, please."
"Martian Manhunter Meat Smasher..." J'onn read with a raised brow. He then shrugged and handed the menu to the waitress. "Perhaps I shall try that." The other smiled at their friend's opening up to unique selections.
"Steak," Bruce said without looking at the waitress. "Well-done."
"Which?" the waitress asked curiously. "There's the Man of Beef, there's the..."
"Steak. Well-done," Bruce demanded as he handed her the menu. The waitress looked at the others in the hopes of understanding, but they shrugged with nervous smiles. She sighed, smiled once more with a nod, placed a small hourglass upon the table and walked away.
"Well then," Diana said after a quiet moment. "Where should we begin? John, Shayera. Is the wedding still on for April, or have you decided upon September?"
"April is still our goal," Shayera sighed with a smile, placing her head upon John's shoulder. "Jenny is just overjoyed about all this more than we are. Your mother is still okay with allowing us to have the ceremony on Themyscira?" Diana nodded with a smile of her own.
"I hear Park West is gaining a lot more support with each passing month, Wally," Clark said.
"It's picking up steam like you wouldn't believe," Wally chuckled before taking another sip of his drink. "If this keeps up, its progress will be moving as fast as my top speed. Iris is definitely the one responsible for this, being such a favorite with kids and parents. We keep telling people that we're not profit, but they still send money. Linda and I are running out of places we haven't donated to. It's unbelievable."
"Wasn't there something about the UN wanting to take Iris's example and try to successfully adapt it to other countries?" John asked, turning first to Wally then to J'onn.
"It was proposed on the floor, this is true," J'onn nodded. "But our concentration was on how we could improve conditions over in the African nations that had been plagued by famine for the past seven years. We just agreed upon a plan that we hope will slowly begin work on a farming process that will potentially grow."
"The teaching must be going effectively for you, Diana," Wally said. "Can't remember the last time I saw someone destroying the Eiffel Tower on the evening news."
"It's tough," Diana sighed, though retaining her smile. "If the experience of the Gulag showed us anything, it's that students have to want to learn. Clearly, what we went through gave them plenty of incentive."
"And you, Clark?" Bruce asked, eyeing a grinning Wally with a raised brow as he held the coaster shaped as the Flash helmet in his hand. "Still doing your best to restore the agricultural balance? How do you make out with irradiated soil?"
"I have no interest in growing ten-foot carrots," Clark replied with a light chuckle. "As when we built the Gulag, the ray was a big help in stripping the land of its radioactivity. Past that, it's simply a matter of hard work and patience. I imagine you can relate." They watched as Bruce sighed while examining the hourglass the waitress left. It was reaching its end.
"It's been a long road to rehabilitation for the injured," Bruce said. "Fortunately, I'm not laboring alone. Selina has done a lot in getting us some addition support, while I was able to put several members of the Mankind Liberation Front to work in our AD HOC Hospital. They're pulling their weight. Vandal Savage alone has picked up quite a few healing tricks in his fifty thousand years."
"And you've had no trouble with the MLF?" Diana asked.
"Inhibitor collars keep the rowdier ones... subdued," Bruce said as he finished off his coffee.
"Even Luthor?" Clark asked curiously.
"Not so much," Bruce replied with a grumble. "I caught him down the cave twice last month, trying to hack the computer. He sends his best."
"Really?" Clark asked with surprise.
"No," Bruce replied. Wally, John and Shayera snickered at Clark's expense as the waitress returned. After placing each plate in front of the intended customer, she retrieved the hourglass and left them to their meal with a smile. Wally licked his lips and quickly began to dig in. J'onn curiously examined his dish before giving it a shot.
"That's not well-done," Clark said to Bruce. Bruce did a double take of his dish and rolled his eyes.
"Not a shade over medium," he grumbled some more. "Miss...?" He turned to see that the waitress was long gone.
"Here," Clark chuckled, lowering his glasses and heated the other's steak before taking a bite of his meal.
"How's the salad?" John asked after taking a bite of his burger.
"It has a nice texture," Shayera replied. "Do you want to try?"
"Don't tell me that's it," Wally said after finishing off a quarter of the dish. "We could have compared resumes by phone. You guys were here solely to play catch-up?"
"Well... not exactly," Diana laughed lightly, quickly glancing over to Clark and then to the others. "Another reason we're actually glad we're all together again. We... we have something to announce."
"You're pregnant," Bruce said, not looking up as he bit into piece of steak he cut.
Clark and Diana froze in complete shock, staring at Bruce and unable to believe that he found out what the announcement was about. Wally, John and J'onn dropped their jaws. First they looked at Clark and Diana in sheer surprise at what the announcement was, and then at Bruce for having figured it out. Shayera just closed her eyes and smiled knowingly. A moment of silence amongst them passed.
"How..." Diana was able to say, still in shock at what just happened. "How did you...?"
"Observation," Bruce replied, still not looking up from his plate. "For an ageless Amazon of perfect physique, you've put on a pound or two. That was my first clue. There were others." Wally, John and J'onn began to look at one another with disbelief. No one noticed the smile on Shayera's face.
"My best to both of you," Bruce continued. "Congratulations on bringing another spitcurled demigod into the world." He paused to take another bite of his steak. "Sorry if I stepped on your denouement, princess."
"Always the detective," Diana sighed, shaking her head with disappointment. "Now, let's test your escape artistry. I want a commitment from you." She watched as Bruce continued with his meal as if he knew what was coming next. "I'd like you to be the child's godfather." He did not expect that.
"What?" both Clark and Bruce cried in unison, turning to face Diana. She was not paying attention to the looks as she went to work on her soup. Wally, John and J'onn slumped in their chairs with disbelief. They just could not believe what they were hearing. John turned to see Shayera trying to hide her snickering.
"Did you know about this?" he asked her.
"Not even close," she replied. "I'm just as surprised this is happening. I just find this very amusing."
"Me?" Bruce asked as he removed himself from a frozen state of shock. "I... don't know what to say..."
"Then this day is full of surprises," Diana lightly laughed as she continued on her soup.
"That would be the understatement of the century," Wally said. He started shaking his head and refilled his cup as he, like the others, slowly returned to finishing his meal.
"News to you, I take it?" Bruce asked Clark.
"What isn't when it comes to her?" Clark replied, slowly managing to chuckle.
"Hardly Athena's wisdom at work, Diana," Bruce said, shaking his head and putting the final touches to his steak. "My record as a parent isn't spotless."
Diana sighed as she looked at Bruce after finishing her soup. "Bruce, I'll be the first to admit I know little about fatherhood..." she said. "But I do know this. There are things that the Batman can teach our child... that Clark and I can't. That we would never even think of."
"More coffee, sir?" a waitress dressed as, ironically, Wonder Woman asked with a smile as she walked up to Bruce.
"Oh, yes," Bruce managed to reply, able to escape from what was happening for only a moment. After the waitress finished filling his mug and walking away, he began to think that alcohol might've been better suited at this point. "But we're such different schools. You and Clark... you rule by trust. I rely on fear."
"Then let's talk about what we're all most afraid of," Clark said after finishing his plate. "Look at the lesson we just learned. Right now, the scales of world power are balanced... but still too easy to tip. Our child, more than any other, will need the leavening influence of a mortal man... a moral man... who we can count on."
With their meals finished, all seven began to slowly stand to their feet. Wally, J'onn, John and Shayera continued to let the other three continue with their conversation and just stood back to watch. "You're right about me," Clark continued to say to Bruce. "Trust is the center of my world. I don't know if that makes me an expert on it... but I know I trust you. Despite our differences over the years... I always have."
Bruce took a deep breath as he looked Clark straight in the eyes, taking in every word that was just spoken. After what seemed like moments, the others watched with smiles upon their faces as Clark and Bruce embraced. It was a sight they never thought would ever happen. After what seemed like hours, the two men released and they all started to make their leave. Wally quickly pulled out the money for the tip and quickly went ahead to pay the bill.
"It's settled, then?" Diana asked Bruce, who was retrieving his coat.
"You realize you've just handed me influence over the most powerful child in the world?" Bruce said with a grin.
"I thought you agreed rather quickly," John chuckled.
"I'm sure we can work out some sort of shared custody," Diana lightly laughed. "The baby probably shouldn't spend all its time in seclusion with us. After all, we wouldn't want the child to be raised by an isolated society of zealots."
"Touché," Bruce chuckled as he placed his coat on. Clark and Diana laughed as they held hands.
"Have you given any thought to a name?" Shayera asked.
"It's probably gonna be another several months before we decide," Clark sighed. "I'm sure my daughter would like to offer some input. She's always wanted to feel like she had a sibling to call her own."
"The child of Superman and Wonder Woman... and Batman," Bruce chuckled and he wrapped his arms around Clark and Diana. "Imagine what kind of kid he'll..."
"... she'll..." Diana corrected with a smile.
"... be," Bruce finished with a glare. Wally returned to the group after having paid the bill to a girl dressed as Batgirl.
"Battler for truth... justice... and a new American way," Clark chuckled. "I can hardly wait to see it myself."
"You know, I just thought of something," J'onn said. "Perhaps this child can become more than just the child of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman." Everyone stopped to turn to their disguised Martian friend. "I think I'm beginning to agree with Shayera. Perhaps it was fate that brought the seven of us here today."
Any form of confusion that attempted to paint their faces was quickly subsided for expressions of understanding... and happiness. "The seven of us were first brought together by a common goal," J'onn continued. "Now, the seven of us have reunited once more for a common goal." They all nodded as they began to realize for themselves what J'onn was suggesting. Superman and Wonder Woman, the parents. Batman, the godfather. Flash, Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern, the uncles. Hawkgirl, the aunt. This would be the child of the Justice League.
After a moment of silence to let the suggestion sink in, they widened their smiles and exited together. Their arms wrapped around each other. "I just had another thought," Shayera said. "If the child does end up becoming a male... perhaps you can name him Billy."
They all stopped again and thought about the suggestion. Clark widened his smile. "Billy is a good name," he said, looking at Diana. She widened her smile and nodded in agreement. Moments later, the seven resumed their walk.
"Let's go home..." Clark said. "... And dream about the future."
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices:
and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne,
which are the seven Spirits of God.
-The Revelation of John, 4:5