Her Purpose, His Feelings
Part 1
It was dark and dank. There was some awful scent masking the air. Almost like they were in the belly of a carcass. Chelsea turned her attention to Wally, "I think we're almost out."
"I hope so," he stated, "this place is giving me the creeps!" They came to a door and found themselves back out on the street. Wally exhaled deeply, "Thank heavens," he leaned against a car and the alarm instantly went off.
"Wally!" Chelsea cried, "What did I tell you about the cars!?"
That's when they heard it. The sound of a thousand grunts and growls coming their way. From around the corner a horde of zombies came flooding toward them. Chelsea started to load her shotgun, as Wally shot with his double pistols. There wasn't enough fire power in the world for this horde! Releasing a pipe bomb from his waist he tossed it in their direction, "Come on!" Wally told Chelsea.
They turned to run in the other direction when they were clobbered by a huge hulking zombie as he started grinding them into the ground. The screen read, "You are dead."
"Aww! Come on! We were so close that time!" cried Chelsea, dropping her Xbox controller.
Wally's lips formed a pout, "How was I to know he was going to come out of no where?"
"I've told you about the cars!" Chelsea protested.
Wonder Woman peeked into Wally's room, "What is going on in here?"
"Video games…" they both mumbled in unison.
"You two spend entirely too much time together." Wonder Woman said with a tone of concern.
"Nah," Chelsea said holding up her hand, "Wally's my favorite."
Wally high-fived her hand, "We're buds, Diana. No big deal."
Diana wandered off, "Sure, friends…" she mumbled.
"Wanna try again?" asked Wally, picking up his controller.
"With your clumsy footwork? No thanks. I'm still recovering from before." She elbowed him and stood up from the floor. Her back always got so stiff after sitting on the floor.
"Where are you off to?" he asked, standing up.
"Not sure yet…" she said, "I may see what everyone else is up to." Chelsea started down the hallway and Wally followed after her. It was better than sitting by himself in his room. As they entered the monitor room, everyone was around the table as usual.
John Stewart read Chelsea's expression, "He set off the car alarm again, didn't he?"
Chelsea high-fived John, "Yeah."
Flash sat down at the table still pouting, "Aww c'mon! Not you too John."
Chelsea looked like she was thinking, "If you guys could only have one partner in the zombie apocalypse out of the Justice League members, who would it be and why?"
"What are zombies?" asked Hawkgirl.
"Reanimated people," Chelsea explained, "like Solomon Grundy, but picture like… nearly the entire population of Earth like him."
"That sounds terrible…" Wonder Woman murmured.
"Who would you pick?" asked Clark to Chelsea, "You can't put us on the spot without answering your own question."
Chelsea grinned, "I dunno. I'm thinking Batman is the way to go?"
"You pick the guy without superpowers in the zombie apocalypse?" asked Wally, "And you're mad about me tripping a car alarm?!"
"Let me defend my statement," she said, as she looked to Bruce. His expression wasn't totally serious at the moment because he was actually wondering what she was going to say, "If I know Batman, he always has a plan. If anyone has a zombie plan it's that guy. Plus, he can fight, he's resourceful and intelligent."
"He'd never use a gun though!" Flash stated, to spite her.
"Now hold on," Chelsea retorted, "He wouldn't use a gun on the living… the dead however…"
"Oh that's totally a cop out!" Wally argued.
Everyone was chuckling at how this ridiculous conversation had escalated, "But at the same time…" Chelsea said.
"I don't know if it's fair to be able to change your mind," John Stewart grinned.
"No, no," Chelsea shook her head, "I was just going to pose the argument that if I chose Batman that would make the rest of you zombies. I don't know about you… but I don't wanna face a zombie that can outrun me," she gestured to Wally, "or fly," she looked at Hawkgirl, "Or god forbid be completely and utterly invincible to bullets," she said squeezing Superman's shoulders.
Clark started laughing, "I see how it is," he said, "Pick Batman because you want him to live. Pick us because it's a liability if you don't."
Everyone was laughing by this point. Batman even managed a small smile. This light-hearted moment was cut short when the monitors started to glow red, "It appears we have an emergency in Central City." said J'onn softly.
Everyone turned their attention to Wally. That was his home after all.
J'onn tapped into the street cameras. That's when they saw them: Solomon Grundy, a large zombie-like man, Copperhead, a man with a snake suit and poisonous abilities, Cheetah, the cat-like female, Humanoid, the white gorilla with a experimentally powered brain that was nearly exposed from his skull, and their leader, Gorilla Grodd, the large black Gorilla with advanced mental processes like a human, and a vendetta against the Justice league. They were breaking into a history museum. What could they be after?
When the team arrived at the museum, J'onn stepped forward.
"What's the matter, J'onn?" asked Clark.
"For the first time in a long time I am feeling an emotion I am not accustomed to." J'onn replied.
"What's that?" asked Diana.
"Fear," he told them, "I fear something is not right here."
Now everyone felt themselves tense up. If J'onn felt intimidated, something must be very wrong.
They decided to separate into groups and attack from all sides: J'onn and John took the back entrance, Batman and Superman took the left, Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl flanked the right, and that left Chelsea and Flash to cover the main entrance. Chelsea was happy to be Wally's partner. She'd never admit it aloud, but in this group, she could only depend on two people to actually look out for her, and lucky for her one always made an attempt to team up with her when the group had to split up.
"You ready?" asked Chelsea.
"I'll be right behind you," he reassured, "You've never been around these guys before so stay alert."
Chelsea walked in casually. It probably wasn't the way one of the others would have tackled the situation, but she didn't want to alert the villains just yet. As she came into what appeared to be a conference room with a large stage, Gorilla Grodd stood at the podium, a toothy grin across his black face, "Good evening," he greeted, "new member of the Justice League. State your name."
Chelsea's eyebrow arched, "Superman asked me what I called myself. Martian Manhunter nicknamed me Little Star. I decided… I'd like to be called Starlight."
He chuckled, "Rightfully so. Everyone's heard of you." spot lights flashed on and there stood all of his subordinates on either side of him, "The girl of light. You are the first evolved form of your race. Congratulations…"
"What're you talking about?" she asked, her voice even, taking glances at everyone who stood upon the stage.
"Child," Grodd started, "I thought it fitting to lead you here, as well as your friends whom I can only assume have us surrounded already," he glanced around the room, "to shed some light on your situation. The natural history museum. You," he pointed at her, "are a brand new mark in history. A rebirth of a race on the verge of extinction because they think themselves superior."
"That's a bold statement from an ape," Chelsea crossed her arms, "If you look further back in history, scientists dictate your superiority has long since been extinct Gorilla Grodd." She said his name with a tensity that caused some of the others to strike a fighting stance.
"Settle," he said. It was unclear whether he was talking to Chelsea or his team, "Getting to my point… did you really think you were so special? To be the only one blessed?" he asked.
The Earth beneath her feet started to quake. That's when she heard what sounded like a bomb blast some distance from here, "Get to your point faster!" yelled Chelsea. That's when she realized he already had. She recalled his choice of words: first. Was Batman right? Were there others like her? Victims of some madman who found some breakthrough in science? Nick and Sam… they weren't the only ones, "Was it you? Did you do this?"
"Heavens no," he laughed, "I wouldn't dream of using such an fragile race in my attempt to create something so much better."
"Chelsea," Superman spoke in her ear, "There are flames everywhere. We have a situation several miles from here. We're going to have to split up further. Stay there with Flash, Hawkgirl and Green Lantern."
"But," spoke Gorilla Grodd, "I did meet the human responsible for your metamorphosis. Brilliant for a mere human. He calls you his number one child. I can even tell you what your intended purpose was."
"I've heard enough," cried Hawkgirl, crashing through the ceiling and rearing back her mace, to charge Grodd. He used some of his mindwaves to distort her thoughts and sent her flying into a wall.
Green Lantern appeared next, trying to contain all of the villains in a large green container. The container caused his brainwaves to effect his subordinates and cause them to crumble to the floor.
Grodd seized his power. Once Green Lantern took down his box of entrapment, Hawkgirl was back on her feet, ready to take another swing at the ape. When the other villains started to get up, they no longer had the use of their hands, "Specially made handcuffs for the super," Flash grinned, standing beside Chelsea now, "Bats thinks of everything doesn't he?"
Chelsea didn't hear his words. In one swift motion she was on the stage standing over Gorilla Grodd who had been knocked down by Hawkgirl. He grabbed onto her arm and pulled her in, whispering something in her ear. Chelsea's face turned pale as her mouth opened from surprise.
"Star! Move!" cried Hawkgirl taking another swing at Grodd.
"Hawkgirl and I will wait until the cops get here and get these guys put away. Go help the others." instructed Green Lantern.
Chelsea was still staring at the ground, trying to figure out Grodd's words.
"Chels, come on!" Flash came up to her, and saw the look of desperation in her face, "What's wrong?"
"We have to get to the others," she said quietly, and took off flying out of the hole Hawkgirl made just moments ago. Instantly Flash was running below her, keeping his eye on her. She was suddenly acting weird, "Superman, the whole thing was staged." Chelsea spoke into the radio, "he separated us on purpose to stretch our numbers. How're you holding up?"
"Actually, it was just an explosive he planted. There aren't any signs of any other villains around. I'm not sure what he was thinking…" Superman replied.
Chelsea landed beside Flash and looked at him confused. It was all a metaphor. The real explosive he planted were the words he whispered in Chelsea's ear. Within moments Chelsea understood. Everything with Gorilla Grodd had a purpose. A much deeper meaning.
"What happened back there?" asked Flash.
"I don't want to talk about it…" Chelsea murmured.
Once everyone was back at headquarters, Chelsea went directly to her room and fell on her bed. Her brain was throbbing. She needed to talk to someone, anyone, but could turn to no one, without them jumping to some conclusion that would turn them against her. She heard a knock at the door, expecting it to be Wally, "Hey Wal, if it's alright, I'd like some time to myself." She opened the door to see the other reliable one at her door instead: Batman. He started to walk off, honoring her wishes of being alone, when she grabbed his arm, "Can I talk to you?"
He came in her room and stood there as she sat down on her bed. She looked like there was a war waging inside of her, "Whatever Grodd told you… it's probably a lie." he said in his usual sultry tone, "He has a tendency to manipulate people with his mind games. You're probably still feeling the effects without realizing it on the conscious level."
She patted a spot beside her on the bed, and he cautiously took a seat, waiting for her to speak, "I hope you're right… but that just seems too good to be true. Why would he seek me out? Why would he gather us there just to grab my attention? The bomb was a metaphor. His only intention was to speak with me. Someone, the person who did this to me, got him to do it."
"Why do any of the asylum bound inmates do what they do? They're not mindfully sound Chelsea. They're sick." He told her, "I won't ask you what he told you, but I will ask that you will not let it cloud your judgment."
Chelsea's expression never changed, "He choose you, your purpose. It's simple: kill the Batman." she reiterated his words exactly. Instantly tears rushed to her eyes, "Some mad man out there," her voice started to tremble with hysterics, "is targeting you and wanted me to be your downfall." she stood up and started pacing in random circles, "What does that even mean? Somewhere down the line am I going to be faced with a situation where your blood is on my hands? I can't do it!" she exclaimed, her voice cracking.
Batman jumped up and pulled her into a tight embrace, "Calm down," he said simply, "you're blowing this way out of proportion." he brushed some of her hair back from sticking to her face, "listen to me," he held her face in his hands, "Even if he's right and the purpose of your power was somehow supposed to affect me, you created a separate purpose for yourself. You have the power to control how you use your strengths."
More tears came dribbling from her eyes, "You mean," she grabbed his hands tight, "so much to me. If I hurt you… after what that big, ugly world has done to you…" she shook her head as her lip quivered, "I…"
Bruce was so conflicted. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to tell her it would be alright. No one had ever cried for him before, much less cried for something that never even happened. The fact that a mere idea caused this girl to break would normally put him off, but it wasn't the violence, it was the fact that it was about him that scared her. She was so genuine through and through, and it cut him right down into the places of himself he forgot long ago. He didn't know what to say.
The door slid open, "Chelsea, I heard you screaming…" Wally stepped into the door to see Batman standing there with her. Batman handed Chelsea over to Wally.
"Take care of her," Batman said, his tone as rough as ever. He walked out the door and it closed behind him, but he didn't move. He was glad Wally stepped in, or he might have done something he would have regretted. Where was his self control when it came to her?
Wally held her, but didn't say a word. She sobbed all of the confusion out and kept her head rested against his chest, "I'm sorry," she kept whispering. She felt like she had put Wally in a very awkward position.
Wally tried to smile, "Bats can be a bully." he joked, "he's made me cry a few times too."
Chelsea sort of laughed, "It wasn't him… he was trying to help, but I don't think he really knows how in regards to a crying girl…"
Wally looked her in the eyes, "Well lookie here, I was right."
"About what?" she asked.
"You're still just as beautiful even after crying," he answered, pushing her matted hair back from her face.
She shook her head at his attempt to flirt with her to make her feel better, "Batman's not the only one that means the world to me…" she thought, wrapping her arms around Wally, "I don't know how I'd get through all of this without you, Wal."
He smiled, "Why don't we go out and get some ice cream? My treat," he winked, as he put his hand on the small of her back and guided her out of the room, "you're paying right?" he asked jokingly.
Batman watched from around the corner of the hallway as Wally and Chelsea started laughing together the way they always did. He'd never felt the emotion of envy before in his life. He had everything: money which solved a lot of his problems, and a roof over his head which was a lot more than most people had, but he didn't have her. Of all people, why was he feeling sort of jealous of Wally? Because he got to walk around with her freely and be open with her? Because Wally got to spend a majority of his time with her? Bruce didn't have that luxury and he knew he put that sort of lifestyle on himself. Why was he having such a hard time concentrating lately?
Batman walked through the monitor room, straight to the landing bay.
"Going home?" asked Clark.
Batman didn't say a word.
When he arrived back home to the Batcave, he instantly flipped his cowl off of his head and sat down in his chair that viewed all of his monitors. His head throbbed incessantly, "Welcome home Master Bruce… long day?" Alfred asked, seeing his friend's face. Bruce looked like he had been through hell.
Bruce's eyes turned to Alfred, "Can I ask you something?"
"Always sir," Alfred said.
"When did you see my father the happiest?" he asked.
Alfred didn't have to think about it, "You mean aside from the day you were born?" he asked, and looked Bruce over, "The day he married your mother I imagine. He loved her more than anything. He wanted to do everything he could to keep her smiling. And she did the same for him. Your parents loved each other very much."
Bruce sighed and rubbed his temples, resting his elbows on his desk.
"Master Bruce… might I make a suggestion?" wondered Alfred.
"Sure," Bruce winced, his head killing him.
"Call her." Alfred said softly, "take her out. Take a night off for yourself."
"You know I can't do that," Bruce replied, "Gotham needs me."
Alfred brought the phone over to Bruce, "I already called Dick and Barbara. They're on watch. Call her." he repeated.
Bruce stared at Alfred with amazement. He already called Robin and Batgirl? What was he up to? Bruce stared at the phone, as Alfred set it down, and walked off to go dust somewhere. It was almost like Bruce was having a staring contest with the phone. He could do this for hours.
Chelsea sat across the booth from Wally who was on his fifth bowl of ice cream, while she was still chipping away at a single scoop ice cream cone. She got a kick out of his speed, "How do you not have a brain freeze?" she asked.
He leaned back with his arms rested on the booth, "It takes talent," he said.
"Thank you, Wally." She said out of no where.
"For what?" he asked.
She thought about it, "I told Clark a while back… that you've always shown so much kindness to me. I just appreciate that."
Wally put his hand on hers that was resting on the table, "You're my number one girl Chels. I'll always have your back." as he spoke he got distracted by a long pair of legs that walked by.
"Are you talking to me or legs over there?" Chelsea asked dryly.
"What did you say?" he asked, looking back to her.
Chelsea sighed, and looked out the window. Why did that bother her just now? Everyone always told her that Wally liked girls more than the average male. She should expect such behavior right? Perhaps it bothered her that for the first time she was seeing it. That for once, she wasn't the center of his attention and it bugged her. She looked back to him, "You've been watching her for a while." she said, "Why don't you try to ask her out?"
Was he making it that obvious earlier? "No, I'll hang out with you tonight. I know you need the company."
She'd have to get used to sharing her time with whoever Wally decided to date eventually anyway, "I think I'm just going to go home for a day or two and relax. Need some non-crime fighting time to unwind and do some art. Go ahead and ask her… she's been watching you too." Chelsea informed him. Which the girl had been. Chelsea had been glancing at her from time to time throughout the duration of their visit there.
Flash stood up and looked to the girl. She waved at him and a big grin appeared on his face, "I owe you so much…" he said, turning back to Chelsea as he squeezed her hand. Quickly he darted over to the bar where the girl now sat, "Hey," he said, taking a seat beside her. As Chelsea walked passed them she heard the girl ask who she was. When the words, "She's my best friend," come out of Wally's mouth she almost threw up. What was her deal?
Chelsea flew from Central City to Gotham. In the air the trip didn't take more than about twenty minutes. All the while she couldn't get Wally off of her mind. She wondered how far that girl would get with Wally. She hoped she wouldn't hurt him. As she entered her apartment she examined the room. Home sweet home. Tossing her key in the bowl by the door she fell onto her couch, put a pillow over her face, and started screaming. Her tantrum was cut short by the phone ringing. She had no idea who could be calling her, but she would let it go to voicemail, "Hey this is Chelsea! I'm not in right now, but if you leave a message I'll get back with you. If this is about an art commission leave your name, number, or email address and I'll return your call as soon as I can. Thanks!"
"Chelsea, it's Bruce Wayne," Bruce's voice cracked. He debated on leaving a voice message, "I was just calling to ask if you wanted to go out sometime? I could dust off those Gray Ghost DVDs if you're interested. Give me a call-" before he could finish his message Chelsea picked up the phone.
"Mr. Wayne- er, Bruce," she breathed, "it's so nice to hear your voice."
He didn't expect her to answer, "You alright? You don't sound okay…" hearing her voice caused him to lean back and relax in his oversized rollie chair. At least it would have seemed oversized if it wasn't for his large frame.
Chelsea let a sigh escape her lips, "Just stupid friends stuff," she tried to laugh it off, "How've you been?"
His mind said miserable, but his mouth said, "Great," he wrapped his finger around the cord on his phone, "Everything's great."
"That's good to hear," she smiled, happy to hear he was doing well.
His eyes flickered to his main monitor and then back to the phone, "I'm still blown away by your artwork." he complimented. He went in there all the time when he needed a moment to be away from the reality of his situation.
"Thanks," she felt herself snuggling up to the phone as she laid there with her legs flipped over the sofa. She looked silly there upside down like that, "Did you need something?"
Bruce swallowed. He never had a hard time asking a woman out before. Probably because it never mattered to him until now, "I was wondering if you'd like to go on a date tonight?"
Chelsea sat up quickly, giving herself a head rush. This was the Bruce Wayne. The man she had fantasizes about for years. Going out on a date, with him!? "I'd love to!" she probably sounded desperate with how much enthusiasm bubbled out of her.
That's when he felt it. A smile spread across his face, "I'll pick you up at about… six?" he asked.
"Sounds great," she replied, glancing at the clock. It was about four-thirty now.
"I'll see you then," he told her, and hung up the phone. He sighed with relief and covered his face with his hands.
"Wow…" stared Dick with wonder.
Bruce shot a glare in his direction.
"I've never seen you act this way before. Who is this girl anyway?" wondered Dick Grayson, who was at the age where he was about to graduate college himself.
Bruce still pictured him as a child, "You have work to do," he told him, "keep watch. I'll be back before midnight." Bruce stomped up the stairs and exited the batcave.
"You're right Alfred," Dick turned to Alfred who had a feather duster in his grasp, "he has no idea how he feels."
