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"Wally?" Fire rapped on the Flash's door twice, her voice hesitant and cautious. When she pressed her ear to the door's cold surface and heard none of Flash's escapable shuffle of footsteps or cheery holler of a hello, she gave up and walked to her room.
Ice was sipping iced tea, glanced up once when her friend sat from across her.
"Flash ran away?" Ice feigned an impassive mask and perused the entertainment section stashed between heaps of catastrophic news of Star Gazette's current issue.
Fire frowned at her. "He must be on another mission, that's all." Her tone was wistful and soft. Ice looked up, and seeing her friend's sprightly eyes taking a crook down brooding lane made her bolt up and fetch Fire some of the usual bitter-black coffee.
Brewing coffee and sniffing it occasionally, she wondered how coffee could actually help in soothing the addled nerves. It tasted downright bitter and the after-breath was just awful. And it was pricking hot. She glanced at the room thermometer pasted to the kitchenette's wall and the red line dropped to below zero Celsius. She smiled.
She couldn't blame Fire for feeling cold and sad now. Resigned to pour the hellish brew that tired, cold people go barmy about, she held her breath and poured coffee into Fire's I Love Milk mug and walked back to the table. Fire was reading one of the catastrophic headlines that Ice refused to read because it only alluded to more bloody wars and diplomatic feuds that were frustratingly never-ending between countries that could never get along.
Creating nuclear missiles and engaging in preemptive onslaughts were always the answers, weren't they?
Fire smiled and thanked Ice's voluntary duty as coffee-brewer and bearer. "For someone who refuses to enter Starbucks, you could become a very potential rival if you could just take…" She pushed the mug in Ice's hand. "A sip and reconsider."
Ice pushed it back and rolled her eyes. "I've tried and smelled too much to know that coffee could never please me more than a glass of iced tea topped with a squirt of fresh lemon." She gulped down her glass and set it down with exhaled satisfaction. "Why? You want to open a coffee business once we're old and unable to shoot fire and ice out of our hands?"
Fire cocked her head to the side as if pondering on Ice's inadvertent suggestion. "Y'know…" Fire leaned her chin on her open palms and gave Ice a sexy, lopsided smile.
Ice scowled at her, shook her head. "Don't start with me." Ice shuffled the papers on the table, her hands busy in search for the Lifestyle section that seemed to be missing. When she finally grabbed hold of it, she screamed in triumph. She knew that the world could never be as cruel as forgetting to insert her favorite department.
She skimmed it through, afraid to look at Fire's hypnotizing, sea-foam eyes. "The prospect of inevitable old age I can't handle. But," she cursed when she saw her glass empty, banged it on the table. "My friend's deviating love life I can. What's up?"
Fire's smile vanished and an unflattering, capsized arc replaced her beautiful grin. "Nothing," she lied.
"Okay. It's obviously skyrocketing, huh? Seeing how your eyes glaze over since the other night's Gasp! Moment. And the fact that you're searching for his missing self is just so romantic. Yeah…" Ice said sardonically. "You're at the heat of that stage, aren't you? I'm just thrilled! Yey, Flash!"
Fire slammed her hands on the table, glowered at Ice's cold façade. "You think you're so smart, don't you? You think you know everything about me, don't you? Well, know what? You don't." She stood up. "You're pretentious, pompous, cold, and egocentric. I don't even know why I bother to think that you care about my feelings."
Fire strode to the door but Ice interrupted her. "Wow. Our recommenced quarrel long after college that involves a boy, I didn't know you still cared." Ice theatrically rested her hand on her chest. But she hardened when she heard Fire scoff under her breath. "Maybe I am a pretentious, pompous, hard-ass bitch. But that doesn't make me ignorant about you, Bea. You're my friend, and I really do care." She approached Fire and held her friend's hands in hers. "The only thing that frustrates me is the obvious fact that you can't deal with Flash. I mean," she stopped when Fire pulled her hands away from Ice's grasp. "Have you ever considered of… ill-fated love?"
Ice could see fire burning in Bea's eyes and she had to continue before Bea could stage the rash initiative to roast Ice dead-on. "You know it, you remember it. When you tried to make a move when Flash's female friend came by, he zonked out before you made any progress. What does that tell you?"
Fire stubbornly titled her chin up in defiance to listen, said, "Your advice stinks."
Ice stifled a laugh. "It worked in college. I had men crawling to me when they had the spare time to do some foreplay…"
Fire lightened up when she remembered the old days. "Yeah. The guy Mitch practically kicked me out of the room so he could screw you. He was a cutie."
They shared a hearty laugh. "I missed those days," Fire said.
But Ice turned and shook her head. "I don't."
Guilt-stricken that her words brought the past's pang into Ice's core, she vigorously shook her head to erase the anger fueled by the travesty of her pseudo-relationship with Flash. "Oh, Honey, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to… I'm so sorry." She hugged her friend when Ice refused to face her. "Boys are such jerks, aren't they? Yeah, they are. I'm so sorry."
"You don't have to feel sorry for me. What happened in the past can never hurt me now," her voice cracked as she exhaled those last words. But she didn't move as Fire tightened her hold around her. She smiled, patted Fire's arm choking her neck. "You don't have to force yourself to hate having relationships with guys. That's just me… and Flash is a nice guy."
Fire leaned her chin on Ice's shoulder. She was silent. Maybe Ice was right about ill-fated love and men. In retrospect, she had many boyfriends in the past but none cared more than ogling her breasts and butt. Unlike Ice, who was always there when she needed her, always there when she needed a shoulder to rest or cry on, and Ice's annoying yet cathartic sarcasm usually made her laugh when she was either fiery angry or depressed. Ice had been there when she ran straight home in their shared apartment from Wally's place. She fully remembered Ice stroking her hair to soothe her embarrassed wails, not to mention that Ice even insisted on sleeping next to her when she felt lonely and useless. Ice even brewed her fresh coffee and cooked bacon and eggs for her the next morning.
She buried her face in Ice's relaxed shoulder. "You've always been there for me. I'm sorry if I'd nearly forgotten…"
"But you hadn't." Ice turned to cup Fire's face in hers. "You hadn't."
They climbed into bed and were warmed when their hugs were unrelenting and their kisses soft and unadulterated. They slept in each other's arms, uncaring to what others may think, uncaring to how the past may have saddened them, uncaring to their present surroundings. All they loved and cared about were each other.
Ice kissed the top of Fire's head. "What's up?"
Fire stared into Ice's eyes. "Destiny."
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(The Third Trial: Ruler of the Sea)
The ache in his wrists and legs pounded painfully, as if his wounded veins spawned another life of its own. The more forceful his arms allowed him to oar his way along the dirty waters' current, the more involuntary tears spilled and blended smoothly with the quiet river.
He breathed in deeply from his artificial oxygen, and knew that his time was limited in an hour or less. He had to swim fast before his Breathing Apparatus lost enough oxygen to sustain him through the remainder of Hades' damned castle and towards Poseidon's aqueous domain. Exhaling long enough to see that his bandages were loosening and his open skin began to sip water, he tightened his cloak around his bleeding wounds.
Continuing his journey down the extension of Lethe, which was spookily vacated and silent, he suddenly noticed thin, oily figures snapping at his heels. He peered behind him and his eyes widened when serpents were undulating after him… damn fast.
Pushing harder and ignoring the mind-numbing pain tightening around his arms, he abruptly stopped when a serpent dove at him from the side. Kicking his buoyant weight to his left, which was snake-free as of the moment, he kicked an open jaw as it almost stapled its teeth on his arm.
Staggering in the misty water, he could see yellowish, syrupy liquid forming at the tips of the serpents' fangs. He swung his Batarang in the direction of five serpents coming at him. Score! Blood blurred his vision and beheaded bodies quivered when it lifelessly drifted down the river's crevasse below.
That distracted them a bit. He began to push his arms and feet upward when he was suddenly pulled down a powerful stream that refused him to struggle against nature's direction. Like sliding down a tunnel of jetting water, he slid along its winding ride. A sharp turn to the left, he braced himself; a downward slope, butterflies flapped its wings in his nauseated stomach; humps bruised his butt; but he praised God out loud when the tunnel ride ended in a brook that reached a little above his ankles.
He let out a breath, rubbed his sickened stomach, and reached for his Batarang but was too late to strike. Spears precariously poked his neck and defensive arm. He slowly held up his hands in surrender as his head began to spin. Not again.
He heard a brusque tone barking at him, demanding his intrusion to their palace. Palace? His eyes roamed to his left, saw soldiers garbed in golden armor and helmets. He met them before, but when? Where? He felt like vomiting. The burly man with a scar across the bridge of his nose barked at him again, as if ready to eat him whole. Batman ignored him.
He hardly sustained his surprise when he heard a voice so familiar that he nearly let his tired arms fall to his sides when he saw a short-term hero look at him questioningly from the crowd of guards. He barely looked up when an arm supported his collapsed shoulders.
"Batman? What are you doing here? Gawd, you look like you've been through hell."
"Was. Been a long time, Aquaman."
"Damn right." He berated the guards for staring. "Let's go inside. You're bleeding."
"I should've brought more flowers to Persephone. She sent me here. She knew you'd help me…" Batman's voice was all but an inaudible drawl but Aquaman heard him clearly.
"Persephone's a good friend. C'mon, just a little more 'till you can faint freely on one of our beds. Bat—"
"She gave me a ring…" Aquaman's next words didn't reach the heavy darkness Batman fell into.
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Bruce grimaced at the bowl of seaweed gruel pushed in front of him. His barf looked tastier than what was set in front of him. He spooned it but dropped the gold-enameled utensil when he took a sharp whiff from it. Disgusting.
Aquaman frowned at him. "It tastes better than what you land-lovers might think of it." He stuffed his mouth with it. Batman caved in and shoved a spoon of it into his mouth.
"Tastes like creamed bitter melon." Batman pushed the bowl to Aquaman. "I'll risk developing ulcer. Boiled seawater is good enough for me, thanks."
"It's no wonder land-lovers succumb to numerous diseases we sea-dwellers have never even heard of throughout our long existence in our shared, blue world. Breed like yours' sickly." Aquaman gulped down more vomit down his throat. Batman felt like puking on his lap just by watching Aquaman eat. The greenish goo that was claimed to be a delicacy among sea royalty looked more like it had been chewed, swallowed, and spat out countless times before it was ready to be served.
He sipped the water, felt his tension unraveling down his neck and shoulders, and he smiled. Just a tiny crack. But Aquaman noticed the crack in his lips. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're smiling. I'm horrified. What did Persephone do to you in the Underworld?"
"Long story." Batman pulled on his blank stare. "Know Hades?"
"Hell, yes. The guy is a pain in the shark's ass. How are your wounds?"
Batman flexed his treated wrists. "Better. And Poseidon?"
"Great, great, great grandfather of mine." Aquaman belched and sipped his saltwater. Batman asphyxiated a snort. "Excuse me. Though we never get along, he's a magnificent ruler. We've had our share of disputes but it never ended worse than his endless brawl with Hades. They hate each other. And if I heard you correctly, you have Hades' ring?"
Batman dug it out from his pocket, held it between forefinger and thumb for Aquaman to study it. "Yes. What's it for?"
"It's Hades' ring of invisibility. Put it on, you'll disappear in a snap." Aquaman rose, walked to the door, and exchanged a few censures with a servant who interrupted them with a soft knock. He closed the door, sat across from Batman. "Hades will be in a state of uproar if he finds it gone. So, to save Persephone the humiliation and wrath of Hades' inexorable rage against her, you have to get moving."
Batman asked, "So what do I have to do to appease Hades' inevitable rage?"
Aquaman averted his eyes from Batman. "Poseidon and Hades are waging war now. The sharks and sea serpents are on Hades' lineup. Damn renegades they are. But the dolphins and many others will never digress from their master. However, we're still unsure how many have joined Hades' ruthless league in the past three weeks. So you have to be extra careful." Aquaman tugged at a rope dangling beside the huge bed. Few seconds later a row of scantily dressed servants ready to fall on the floor due to the weariness bagged under their eyes entered the chamber. "Get ready the dolphins, assign three of my best chevaliers to accompany a friend of mine to the boundaries of Poseidon's kingdom." When they seemed to be waiting for more upbraiding, Aquaman yelled, "Go!"
When they stumbled out the door, he bellowed one servant to come back. "You." He gestured to Batman to hand him the Breathing Apparatus. "Fill this with oxygen. And pack two more on the fastest dolphin." He pointed at Batman when the servant was looking uncertainly in Batman's direction.
"I'll be riding alone. Tell the chevaliers their services aren't compulsory," Batman interjected the servant's exit. The servant stopped, nervously sought clarification from Aquaman. Aquaman nodded the servant to ignore it. But Batman was relentless.
"I said it's not needed. I'll prefer traveling alone." He gazed at Aquaman's stony frown. "Just give me the directions, I'll be fine. I need to do this alone. Trust me on this one."
After a few minutes of staring into Batman's narrowing gaze, Aquaman barked at the servant. "What are you waiting for! You want me to kick you out the room? Inform the chevaliers they can sleep easy until their assistance is befitted to more pressing matters. On the other hand, gear up Alana. Go!"
The servant leapt to the air and ran off.
"Harsh," Batman commended.
"Clemency will get you nowhere. You have to show them who's boss, who's king." Aquaman huffed out a breath. "I'm doing a good job at it."
"I bet." Batman massaged his wrists. "So, where am I bound to?" He adjusted his utility belt and cowl.
"Alana is my dolphin. She knows her way to Poseidon's palace. But, Hades' underwater monsters and traitorous minions would be hiding somewhere along the path. I would have felt better if you're not going alone." Aquaman paused to catch his breath. "It's a long way to Poseidon's place. In the center of the world. Mine is under the Western Coast. But don't worry," he added when he noticed Batman checking his watch frequently for the past hour since he woke up from his fainting episode.
"Alana's my dolphin," he repeated. "She's as fast as your land-lover cheerah."
"Cheetah," Batman corrected him. "And the ring?"
"Wear it, you'll be safe. You can use the element of surprise on the enemy."
"If it's so important to Hades, why'd he leave it behind?"
"Because it's his treasure. He rarely brings it to battle for fear that if he loses, his adversary would steal it. And Poseidon can sense his presence—invisible or not. He's a god, you can't expect the ruler of the unadulterated sea to be weaker than the ultimate epitome of deceit and immorality. But that's how the reason goes for me anyway. Lame if you question me. Big coward that Hades is." Aquaman cleared his throat. "Give it to Poseidon, they'll bargain for freedom. Well, that's Poseidon's plan anyway. As much as he wants to end the war now, he can't because the lives of his people and animals are teetering on the tightrope of doom if he considers to retreat and wave the white flag. Losing is not an option for Poseidon. No less for Hades. So to finish it all, Poseidon needs the ring to bring Hades to his knees. And seeing my emblem impressed on Alana's saddle wouldn't bring doubt to Poseidon's mind that you're an ally."
They turned to a servant at the door. "The ride is ready, Your Highness."
Aquaman gripped Batman's shoulder. "Be careful."
"You don't have to remind me twice."
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Alana struggled with whining protests against the rough, scaly hands pulling her to their camp. Three of Hades' marine devils sneered and spat as Alana flipped its tail against their horrid faces. They grabbed her flippers harshly when she slapped one of them, pulled her flippers and tail until her rubbery skin gashed, and when Alana could fight no more, they dragged her to the cavern where troops of nasty-looking sea creatures parked.
Batman pained to watch Alana being tortured from the shelter of a rock. He held up his hands but saw nothing. Making sure that the ring was working its magic, he swam after the thugs who wounded Alana, and out of sheer fury, knocked them out with continuous, hard blows in the head. Although his strength was tweaked to the highest degree, his punches were slow and lightweight underwater. And though it took too long than necessary, he was able to savor the moment of watching them stumble and scream in horror when invisible punches banged them lifeless.
His Batarang, smoke capsules, tear-gas pellets, explosive grenades were useless in water. It would have just floated by them, utterly harmless to any monstrosity coming their way. But the ring was the absolute alterative, and so were his brass knuckles. So, he slipped the heavy metal into his hands and guided Alana behind the rock where he had hidden and watched.
He gingerly rubbed the ointment Aquaman gave him in case his wounds reopened on Alana's elastic skin. Sensing his light touch, Alana calmed and seemed thankful enough that an imperceptible hand was caring for her. She squeaked gratefully and jiggled her body awake. Batman could see that her wounds were crusting. He glanced at the tube of liniment and pondered—he should ask for more if he had the time—and nimbly straddled Alana's back.
As they set off, his head and shoulders were crouched low to increase Alana's momentum forward. Batman sighed, tapped at his watch. Two hours and thirty-six minutes had already passed.
Alana had sensed trouble when they had been halfway through and nearing destination, so Batman curbed her by pulling over at a yard's length from an edge of a deep abyss. Somehow, he had known that Hades' base was set in there. And thankfully the big man himself didn't see them pre-intruding. But his ugly minions had seen Alana and had thought it wise to flaunt her to their master. But Batman didn't let them.
So now, they were back on track and he patted Alana's scarred but healing back. Alana squeaked and 'ecked' but didn't falter or slow down. He had to thank Aquaman for risking his ride in a dangerous mission such as the present.
He glanced at the ground ahead as they whipped by. A harlequin aspect of a world beneath what the human eye could never live or see in all his life. Myriad shapes, sizes, and colors of coral reefs sprouted out of the soil, its positions scrappily generated yet it brought so much brightness and life into the tranquility of the sea. Schools of fishes whisked past him, a herd of sea turtles sailed away from him, the occasional prey being eaten by a camouflaged fish proved that life was simpler but fascinating in this brilliantly blue world.
If Batman arrived at Poseidon's doorstep without a scratch, he could at least give helpful info and grid of where Hades' bubble-wrapped camp stood.
So far, everything was progressing as planned. So far.
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"Brother, Brother, Brother," Hades circled Poseidon, his dark eyes sneeringly scrutinizing the Ruler of the Sea from head to foot. "You belittle me so. You know I could never leave things as spineless as withdrawing my army. We've hated each other since we've ruled our own worlds. What makes you so sure of yourself you can intimidate me?"
Poseidon's trident was aimed at Hades' throat. "I swear by Zeus' thunderbolt I'll defeat you. I'll bring you and your army to the ground before you can spit fire at me. I will humiliate you and you will do nothing but haul your ass out of my grounds with your tail tucked between your legs!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. If only I had a tail to tuck between my legs, that would be hard to imagine," Hades said, irony coating his jaded response. He adjusted his cloak, pulled back his hair, and sneered. "Well then, the 'solicited' meeting is adjourned, I believe. I must go now to prepare my armaments. I'll see you later," he turned, pointed at his livid-faced brother. "In the battlefield."
Poseidon threw his trident at the door, right after Hades closed it behind him. He clenched his fists, afraid that his anger might overwhelm him to the extent that he'd do something unthinkable and reckless. He had no time to be rash or stupid. He had to think of something, something that would give him the upper hand against Hades. But what? What? Dammit!
A knock disrupted his thoughts. He asked, "What?"
A guard asked through the closed door, "There is someone to see you, Sire."
"I don't have time for nonsense. I have a war…"
The guard bravely opened the door by a chink's measure. "He says he might have something you may deem crucial against Hades' cause."
Poseidon looked up, his light-blue eyes focused on the guard's tentative approach. "Well?"
"Sire?"
"Where is he?"
"He—uh…"
"Bring him in here, you blundering idiot!"
"Yes, Sire!"
But before the guard closed the door, Hades' angry bellow reverberated the whole palace. Enraged and puzzled, Poseidon walked to the door, plucked his trident from its current pose, and ordered the guard to go ahead. Even in his fortress of serenity, as long as his brother was nearby, there was no peace. He combed his long, white beard with his fingers and blew out a sigh.
'Zeus help me.'
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Batman scrambled out of the line of fire. He swore shamelessly when Hades saw him and spewed fire in Batman's direction. Batman ducked, swung his Batarang at Hades. Hades blocked it with his armored arm and roasted a few more guards who tried to stop him.
Batman darted to the door but the ceiling's beam dropped in front of him, impairing his escape route out the door. Unscathed, Hades strode to him, anger and conceit etched in his face.
"How dare you show your face in front of me! You! How dare you hurt my daughter!" Hades unsheathed his sword and charged at the Batman.
Smoke rose, prompting Batman to choke and burn. Water! They were in a palace hidden in the depths of the sea and fire was consuming a fourth portion of the citadel. Irony was a bitch. Really.
He dodged Hades' angry strike and had to drop his tear-gas pellets on the ground. When Hades coughed and gagged and sniffed and shrieked in unimaginable fury, Batman concealed his face with his cloak and ran through the fire that incinerated the doorway.
He stumbled forward, dropped and rolled to the ground when fire licked his cowl. As soon as he stood up, a trident was ready to make a hole in his neck. He rolled his eyes, but Poseidon didn't see the frustration in Batman's eyes.
"Who are you?" The king demanded.
"I'm a friend of Aquaman. I come here to give you—" He slowly unearthed the ring from his pocket but before he could show it to Poseidon, Hades stormed out of the door. His face was red with anger and heat from the fire, his eyes wet from the tear-gas Batman threw at him.
"He's mine! Get away from him, Poseidon! Just point that trident somewhere else! I shall slay him!"
Poseidon abruptly aimed the trident at Hades. "You're right. I should point my weapon somewhere else."
Hades crackled in cocky laughter. It sounded more like he was croaking from stroke. His face was a grotesque sneer and Batman had to step back. He stood next to Poseidon and slipped the ring in Poseidon's pocket. Poseidon felt it and nodded.
Poseidon took a step closer to Hades. "You're in my territory now, Hades. Don't make me slay you." Guards cornered Hades' every possible route of escape. Spears, swords, shields made a fence around the god of wealth. But Hades just sneered and shook his head. "Brother, we're of the same creator and that—that mortal is made of withering flesh and blood. It's rather ludicrous of you to trust some 'thing' of defective status. Mortals are a liability to us."
"Oh really, dear Brother?" Poseidon held the ring in the light, and Hades' jaw dropped in disbelief. "You're right. They're a liability… to you. Now… about your army. I hear it's somewhere near the Turtle Passage. In a deep crevice, maybe?"
Hades' mouth opened and closed, as if gasping for breath. He turned his eyes to where Batman had once stood. But he was gone now.
"You let him get away!"
Poseidon turned, and feigned careless surprise. "Ooops. My mistake. Guards!" He pointed at Hades. "Take him away!"
"Not when I have something to hope for!" He vanished in a column of fire, a move Poseidon anticipated but he let it go. He held the ring in his hand and shook his head at his apprehensive soldiers. "Let him go. We bear something of greater value to him… for now."
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"Too tight?" Hermes asked when Batman winced.
Batman nodded his head. "The wound's a killer."
Hermes loosened the bandage a bit. "You left Hades in a state of uproarious rage. I'm not visiting the Underworld for a while then." His face suddenly sagged in worry and pity. "Poor Persephone. If only… if only gods weren't bound to their oaths, I would have flown to her right now."
Batman commiserated with him. "It's my fault."
Hermes smiled. "She would have slapped you if you'd wallow in guilt for what had transpired." Hermes applied more cool ointment on the gash. "She doesn't love him."
"Who does?"
Hermes smirked. "His own mother's even ashamed of him."
Batman checked the watch for what seemed to be the nth time in the past hour. "I think that would do for now."
Hermes clasped the knot a second time and helped Batman up. He shifted a little, steadied himself when he nearly fell on the sandy floor. Hermes smacked his back when he looked ready and alert for the last test. "Good luck with Apollo. He's a tough one."
"So I hear." Batman flinched when his leg shot pain through his leg upward. "Where's the trial?"
"Right here." A man of statuesque build materialized in front of them. He looked exactly like Artemis, only he was taller and sported short, wavy hair. How can gods have small nostrils and breathe normally? It's rather uncanny.
"Wits and dexterity are redundant in my course. But the truth that lies beneath your heart is what I want."
Batman stared at him. "Then let's get started. Time is gold in my world."
Apollo gave him a lopsided grin. "It is."
White light enveloped them, and Batman had to close his eyes before it blinded him. When Apollo told him to open his eyes, Batman felt his heart slide down his intestines when Diana stood in front of him.
"Took you long enough, Bruce."
"I had some trouble getting to you."
Diana smiled. "Women are so hard to deal with, aren't they?"
Batman shook his head good-humoredly. "Yeah, yeah. They are."
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To be continued…
So. What d'ya think?
Author's note: To those who feel the dire need to burn or skin me, I'm sorry to say that I don't feel guilty about turning Fire and Ice into lesbians. Since the poll states that Flash/ Linda deserve to be together, I think it's fair that I go with the majority. I'm sorry if others may feel disappointed and mad, but it's my choice, no? ;)