12. Revelation

"Who's Batman?"

The assembled superheroes gasped at Diana's statement. Both the founders and the new members couldn't believe their ears.

Superman was the first to snap out and croaked out, "What do you mean Diana?"

Wonder Woman noticed the stares she was getting, "Did I say something wrong?"

"No of course not, except that you just asked who is Batman?" commented Flash.

"Yes, so?" Diana looked confused.

Green Arrow let out a chuckle, "This is great. People have nightmares even after seeing the Bat once and she seems to have forgotten him completely."

"This is not funny" snapped Shayera.

"Diana, are you joking? Because if you are this is 'really' not funny." She said turning towards Diana.

"She's not. She doesn't remember anything about Batman." spoke J'onn evenly. "I scanned her mind and she truly believes what she is saying."

"How is this possible?" asked Superman worriedly.

Diana had been silently observing the interaction between her teammates. She couldn't take it any longer.

"What is the matter?" she asked. "I have never heard of Batman. Is he a new league member? Who is he?"

She then noticed that everyone was silent and staring at the door. Turning sideways she noticed a dark form in the doorway. As the form moved forward and came into view, Diana paled and stepped back, bumping into Flash. Noticing her nervousness the man stopped in mid-step.

"What's the matter Diana?" asked Flash, helping her stand up.

"Who's that?" she pointed to the man in the black costume.

Before Flash could answer the man spoke, "I'm Batman."

"Batman, thank god that you are here" began Flash. "Wondy here says she doesn't know who you are."

Batman gave Diana a once over. She looked just like she did before she lost her powers. 'So it worked' he thought. "Lets get on with the meeting" he barked taking his designated position.

When nobody moved he looked around giving then a bone-chilling stare. "Is everyone done celebrating Wonder Woman's return? I have to get back to Gotham."

Soon the meeting was underway. It was general league stuff. In the end Superman stood up, "I'd like to end the meeting by welcoming back Wonder Woman…."

He was interrupted by Batman, "I don't think this is a good idea."

"What?" Superman was confused by his sudden outburst.

"This. Allowing her back into the league" was the curt reply.

Everyone present was dumbstruck. "Wonder Woman is a member of the league?"

"WAS a member. She lost her powers and left."

Diana stood up, anger in her eyes. "I have nothing to prove to you."

Turning to the other members she said a bitcalmly, "However, I am ready to undergo any test to prove myself to the League."

Batman disregarded her and continued to speak to Superman. "Like I said, I don't think this is a good idea."

With that he stood up and walked out of the room. After a moment Superman rushed after him.

----

Superman soon caught up with him. "Bruce, what was that?" he asked referring to Batman's remarks in the conference room. "You know Diana better the rest of us."

"Yes and that's why I said what I said and I don't think it is a good idea to allow her back into the league without testing her."

"TEST HER" Superman exclaimed. "Would you listen to yourself?"

"The way you reacted towards her, it's almost as if you hate her." Superman stopped for a moment, before speaking slowly, "….or you're trying to make her hate you?"

When Batman didn't answer, Superman continued.

"Diana remembers all of us, even Nightwing 'Robin'. But she doesn't remember you? Why is that?"

"I don't know" answered Batman.

Superman shook his head. "I think you do. I think something happened on Themiscyra which caused her to lose her memories of you."

"So you are a detective now," scoffed Batman. "Then figure it out for yourself." With that parting comment he walked away towards the hanger.

Superman was still standing there when J'onn joined him.

"He's hiding something. Something happened on Themiscyra" he said to J'onn

"Yes" agreed J'onn. "I sensed the pain when he returned after leaving Diana."

"I intend to find out what. One way or another. After all I am an investigative reporter"

----

The next day

Diana had just finished setting up her room when Hawkgirl knocked on her room door. Superman had asked her to try and find out what else was missing from Diana memories.

"Hey Diana, take a break. I got you your favorite – milk shake" she said, setting down the tray.

"Thank you Shayera. I really missed these back home in Themiscyra."

"About that….Diana what do you remember from your first time with the league?" asked Hawkgirl.

"What do you mean? You mean what else I can't remember besides that……Batman?"

"Uh…Yes," Hawkgirl responded uncomfortably.

"I assure you that I remember everything. I came to man's world during the alien invasion, which we won. Then Superman proposed the formation of a 'Justice League' a league of superheroes to defend earth. There were six of us – you, me, Superman, Flash, Green Lantern and J'onn Jones. We setup our base of operations in the watchtower."

Shayera noted that Diana remembered everything, except for one exception – there was no Batman in her story.

"And why did you return to Themiscyra?" asked Shayera, hoping that Diana would recall something.

Diana was silent for a moment. "After I lost my powers while facing the Justice Lords, I lost all hope and decided to sacrifice myself to Athena. However, I was found by the league members and taken to Themiscyra where the goddess healed me."

"Do you remember who took you to Themiscyra?"

"No, I guessed it would have been you or someone from Themiscyra. You know none of the male league members would dare set foot on Themiscyra. Not after my mother's orders."

Shayera merely nodded her head and got up to leave, but before that she had one last question.

"Diana, yesterday when you saw Batman for the first time you looked nervous. Why is that? It can't because you were scared of him."

"Scared of him…huh. He is just a mortal, powerless man, who likes to dress up as a bat. What is there to be scared of?"

Hawkgirl smiled at Diana's description of Batman. "Diana you will soon come to know that Batman doesn't need any powers. He is probably the most feared member of the league. He is also highly private and territorial. The only two superheroes he trusted enough to allow entry into his city were Superman and yourself."

"Most feared…..His city….What do you mean? Surely Superman doesn't fear him?"

"Oh I think he does sometimes."

With that Shayera stepped out of the room. "And Diana….Batman was the one took you to Themiscyra." She said before walking away, leaving a startled and very confused Diana.

-----

Later

Hawkgirl had just finished recounting her conversation with Diana to Superman and J'onn.

"It would seem that she remember everything and everyone, except Batman" said J'onn.

"Whatever gave you that idea?" snorted Shayera.

Ignoring her Superman said, "Yes and whatever it is, happened on Themiscyra. Batman knows about it and is hiding it from us.Where is Diana now?" he asked Hawkgirl.

"The last I saw her she was accessing league archives catching up on the last four years," answered Hawkgirl. "I think she too is hiding something. When I asked her about her reaction to Batman, she avoided the issue."

"I did detect some recognition from her, but it was at a subconscious level," commented J'onn. "And the emotions I got from her were pain, loss and regret, but no fear."

"So, what do we do?" asked Shayera.

Superman decided upon something and started "I have a plan but will need help from both of you."

"Sure, what can I do to help?" offered Hawkgirl.

"Shayera, you try and familiarize Diana with 'our' version of events. Try and jog her memory."

"And what about you two?"

"We go after Batman."