TIS THE SEASON

PART 1

Chapter 6

Members of the Justice League had recently landed after a grueling mission on a distant star system. They were all relieved it was over and they could hand over duty to the next roster. Superman, Batman,Wonder Woman,Flash,Lantern,and Red Tornado were escorted out the hanger by Steel who had been co-ordinator of the shift.

He looked sympathetically at their weary expressions."How are you all?"

"Don't ask," grimaced Lantern."My ring and I need to recharge."

"That bad huh?"

"I just want to go home to my gal," sighed Flash.

Batman said curtly,"I hope that's the last time we have to deal with that back-water colony."

"Well,you've brokered a peace agreement at least,"

"It's only because of Diana's patience and persistence,that we didn't leave them to destroy each other," conceded Superman. "Even I was fed up at one point."

Steel looked at Wonder Woman."Well done. I know you are all tired but the report..."

Red Tornado volunteered."I have no need of recuperation. I'll do it."

Steel nodded."Fine. If anyone wants ,there's freshly ordered pizza in the galley."

Flash said,"I'll give it a pass. Linda must be looking out for me."

Batman shook his head."I've got things to do."

Superman began,"Lois."

Steel looked at Wonder Woman and Lantern."Don't tell me you two have no time as well?"

Lantern said guiltily,"Mari."

"Diana?"

She looked at Steel."Have you eaten?"

"No."

"Well,John,it'd be my pleasure to break bread with you."

The group had reached a junction where the group going to the teleporters split from the pair going to the galley. Batman, who had taken the lead, suddenly stopped and turned and said,"Just to let you all know,Wayne Enterprises is holding a charity gala ; it 's to celebrate the yuletide season and raise charity for several foundations. It's being held on Saturday in the ballroom of the Gotham Ritz. It's for a good cause and for those who can make it,you'd be welcome."

He walked off,leaving Flash to ask, stunned,"Did Batman just invite us to a party ?"

The Wayne gala was in full swing later that week. It was held three weeks before Christmas and those who came outside of Gotham found her covered in white powder that made its mouldy buildings and alleys a thing of beauty.

Lois and Clark entered the large ballroom to find it decked in traditional hues of red,green and gold,a swing band in the throes of a lively version of Jingle Bells,and invitees from both the upper and lower echelons of society mingling and networking as one in honour of a good cause.

They were hailed by Wally and Linda West. Lois knew Linda due her work in the media. What she did not know was that Linda's husband was the Flash. Wally was appreciating the huge buffet table. He declared,"Boy,Wayne has money to burn,doesn't he?Taste these pastry things. Who knows what they are,but they rule!"

Clark looked around."Where is Mr Wayne?"

"Oh, I expect trying to fight his way out of the clutches of the press,the mayor or those super models."

Lois mused."Do you think he'll give us a statement?"

"I'm sure he will. He's an old favourite of yours,isn't he?" returned Clark.

Lois said wryly,"That maybe but he invited you,Clark. How did you ever manage to wrangle an invite to one this rich boys' club is beyond me."

"After that piece on child labour,I feel he needed me to see that at least one rich person cared about where and how his merchandising is made; and that his enterprise actually help those charities that take such children out of the sweatshops and give them a better life." Clark had never believed his colleagues' secrets were his to tell without their expressed permission. He looked around and saw John Henry Irons.

He said,"Er,Lois,I see an old associate of mine."

"Sure,you go ahead. I'll do some mingling myself."

Clark greeted him warmly." Hi John. Is this all the gang?"

John said," It looks like it. Lantern can't come and you know Reddy hates these things as much as J'onn. And as for Diana,I haven't even seen her."

Clark chatted with him for some minutes then moved away in time to come face to face with Bruce Wayne. Bruce was in an elegant tuxedo,looking like the playboy billionaire that he was.

"Well, quite the bash,Bruce. I've never seen so much rich people under one roof."

Bruce looked at the crowd and said unimpressed."If I get the Sheik and Mr Gates to pledge say,oh,twenty thousand each,I'll have considered it worthwhile."

"You're aware I can't match that?"

Bruce's replied dryly,"Really and here I thought the heir to the house of El would have some loose change in that fortress of his."

Clark grinned,"I'm afraid my legacy is a bad tempered dog that eats animal,mineral or vegetable and a green rock that can kill me,not gold bullion.""

Bruce was forced to smile. Clark's good humour was aways disarming. "It's good to see you,Clark. How's Lois?"

He indicated to the crowd."No doubt sniffing out a story but she's keen to corner you."

"She's a blood-hound, isn't she?Tell her if she can find me,I'll give her a statement or two. I've got to go make a speech now. You'll stick around won't you?"

"Sure." Clark watched him move off to take the podium. The Master of Ceremonies took the microphone to alert everyone's attention. Bruce took his place and delivered a ten minute speech on the purpose of the gala and the various foundations to which he was pleased to be patron .It was curious to watch him. There was none of Batman's rigid watchfulness. He was languid and rather self important.

Clark felt a tug of pity and admiration. As most people thought Clark a nerd,they believed Bruce a spoiled aristocrat. If only they knew how brave,disciplined,intelligent,and self sacrificing he was!

The audience clapped and patted his back when he stepped down. Bruce looked nonchalant as some people miled around him to pay homage to his generosity. He smirked," It's not all my money, folks. I'm hoping for you to give yours tonight. And we know how difficult that is to get off ass-kissers."

He left them not knowing how to respond and took a glass of champagne off a waiter and tossed it down. Someone commented,"Oh, you could be ruder than that if you tried,Mr

Wayne."

He stiffened. He had not heard that voice for months!He spun around to see Selina Kyle.

He narrowed his eyes. She was in a red dress and it irritated him to find himself noticing how well she looked. As Batman,he had played a cat and mouse game with her. There were times he believed she was close to changing and then she would go and exasperate him by giving in to her selfish instincts. There was a time when they had begun to work together and he had been on the verge of telling her all ;but fate had not been kind. Batgirl was nearly killed by the Joker and he had lost Jason Todd. His heart had been shut off to any emotion that would make him vulnerable.

Selina had met Bruce Wayne many times and had never minced words on her feelings towards him. She thought him a pampered, self-indulgent playboy.

He returned,"Well,I'm not here to try,Miss Kyle."

She said,"Pity,it would have been nice to see you exert yourself for a change."

He mused sarcastically,"I can't recall inviting you to this gala,Miss Kyle."

"You have a good memory. You didn't, I came with a date."She indicated to a rich businessman."You did invite Mr Blackburn and guest?"

Bruce looked at the fifty-something steel magnate."A bit old for you, isn't he?"

A supermodel came up behind Bruce and ran her fingers over his shoulders."Oh Bruce,you promised you'd dance with me. Come on...I love this song..."

Selina looked at the girl who could be no more than nineteen. Her brow went up."Is she young enough for you?"She walked away,leaving him ruffled. He looked at the supermodel and said ,"Another time."

"But..."

He walked away leaving her only to hear a woman's voice say his name."Mr Wayne?"

Very irritable,he turned about and barked."What now?"

Diana Prince regarded him with amusement."My, you are cross tonight. Where is your holiday spirit?"

Bruce began curtly,"Look,lady,I don't know who you are but if you want a donation go to my P.A..."

"I'm not here for your money,Mr Wayne."

"Well,that would be a first."

Diana crossed her arms and asked amused,"Don't you know me,Bruce?"

He stopped and stared."Diana?"

She said,"I was nearly sure you of all people would have figured it out."

He was forced to smile."I'm a detective. I follow logic and reason. I gather it's magic that you are using to shield you?"

"Very good."

"You got a name to go with this getup?"

"Diana Prince. I hope no one makes the link with the names."

"Well,"he looked at her attire and coughed,"er,no one would take you for Wonder Woman,I can tell you that."

She laughed."Good. Are the others here?"

"Clark ,John Henry and Wally are the only ones who could come. Look, there is Clark dancing with Lois. Let's go."

Diana shook her head."No really,he looks as if he's engrossed. I'll talk to him later."

But Bruce pretended not to hear. He ushered her over to stand before the couple dancing to "Silent night."

"Clark,look who's here!Miss Prince!"

The reporter smiled."You made it." He stopped dancing and shook her hand."Good to see you."

Lois looked at Diana suspiciously."Hello,Miss Prince. I thought you lived in Boston. What are you doing in Gotham?"

Bruce spoke up,seeing Clark and Diana hesitate.."She is a big supporter of the water projects we got underway in North Africa. Miss Prince was a volunteer herself."

Lois looked skeptical."My, Miss Prince does get around. You are to be commended."

There was an awkward silence amongst the four. Fortunately the Master of Ceremonies for the audiences' attention for some entertainment. This was to include a full choir singing hymns and carols,a string quartet and a dancing troupe.

Bruce suggested."Let's take our seats. Miss Prince would you like to sit at my table?"

"Thanks for that,"she said gratefully as they took their place at the main table.

"Think nothing of it,"he said, watching Selina Kyle out of the corner of his eyes at the next table as she leaned in against the steel magnate and whispered something in his ear.

Diana took a seat a few places away from Mr Wayne and was surprised to hear her name being uttered in tones of surprise and pleasure.

"Why ,Miss Prince,how nice to see you."

Diana blinked. Sitting next to her was none other than Adam Butler. She found herself shaking his hand and saying,"Bruce Wayne does have acquaintances from far and wide. Do I take it you are here to donate something ?"

He nodded."I am partial to the school building programs right here in the U.S.I am no billionaire but my firm is quite successful and I can't think of a better way than helping depressed communities secure decent buildings to educate our children."

"That is very commendable,sir"

"Oh please,call me Adam."

Lois watched them as they chatted and commented to Clark ,"Your friend seems to be getting on with Adam Butler."

Clark looked disinterested."What's that?Oh,is she?Good for her. You want something?I'm kinda hungry. I spotted a nice looking black forest cake..."

"A coffee will do me.."

Clark got up and went to the buffet to get Lois' coffee and help himself to cake and some tartlets. He was waiting for the serving staff to pour the coffee and stood watching the choir. He and the occupants of the room were totally oblivious to the decorated pine trees flanking the entrance beginning to look grow bigger. The troughs with the holly began to shiver. The pointsettias on the tables began to look as if they were stretching and yawning.

"Jesus!",shouted an usher at the door. Clark saw the pine tree shake its decorations off and smack the people nearest to them unconscious.

The pointsettias began to grow long tendrils and choke guests.

The holly trees sent out their shiny red berries like missiles.

Clark dropped his plate as screams pierced his ears all around the room.

He saw the stage shake and from its foundations the wood split and a huge plant with large blooms emerge. Sitting in a huge tulip-like flower,preening her waving locks, was Poison Ivy.

Bruce Wayne dropped to the ground and watched as green fingers took every bit of jewelery and money they could find. Smaller buds began to puff particles that floated around the room and seemed to take hold of all the men in the room and make them turn to glare and size up each other. An all out brawl broke out,as men began to fight and the women folk screamed.

Ivy said blithely,"Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all Men!"

He had to find a way to change into Batman before he succumbed to Ivy's pollen. He began to crawl backwards towards the window,and backed into Selina Kyle who was also on her knees,but she was trying to uncoil the vines creeping about her waist. She was using a fork to stab them. She looked up and queried sarcastically,"Doing what you do best,Mr Wayne?Running away?"

He had no time to argue. He said,"It's called saving one's neck, ma'am."He made for the window and crashed through it.

"Coward,"she gritted.

The Man of Steel appeared from nowhere and he saw his two friends,Wally and John Henry, fall under Ivy's pollen. They began to wrestle with each other much to Linda's dismay. She was smacking them with her bag."Stop it you two!"

"Damn." Superman inhaled,took the particles in one breath,flew up to the roof and exhaled the pollen like a big puff of smoke into the cold frosty air.

Ivy looked at him."Oh clever,Superman, but it's too late. Only time will cure them of their aggressive streak."

Superman flew at Ivy;but tendrils seemed to appear from nowhere,multiplying and cracking the walls and ceiling of the huge room;before he could get to her, he had to fight off the marauding vines. He yelled at Lois as he saw her trying to get closer."Get out."

Lois only ducked behind a large sleigh and muttered to herself."No way. I'm getting this story if it kills me."

Diana Prince had been choked by the flowers and had managed to successfully rip the plant to pieces and was trying to stop Adam Butler from strangling the mayor. She was aware of the Dark Knight appearing when batarangs whizzed through the air and cut through the head of the bloom Ivy had been sitting upon. Ivy fell through the air,only to be picked up gently and placed onto another flower by a vine.

She glared at Batman."You'll regret that."

Batman responded by tossing small explosive charges at the several tendrils.

She screamed,"How dare you hurt my children?" and the earth began to shake. More plants seemed to come out of the ground.

Superman landed next to him."Oh she's ticked off now."

The pair didn't have much time to talk as they spent the next few minutes fighting the plants. Tendrils curled and whipped;leaves flapped;thorns flew like darts;berries and buds burgeoned and exploded.

Diana was aware of the urgency to extricate herself in order to discreetly change into Wonder Woman but felt someone fall against her .It was Lois Lane. The Planet's star reporter looked at her with a grimace."Is this crazy or what?"

Diana replied,"Er yeah. Crazy."She was trying to drag Adam Butler off the mayor and couldn't very well show Lois her true strength. She pleaded weakly,"Mr Butler please,let the mayor go!"

Lois impatiently shoved her aside."Oh,come on and stop pussy footing around,Miss Prince. This isn't etiquette class." Lois took up a large tray and knocked Mr Butler on the head. The architect fell unconscious. Lois punched the mayor,who fell dazed to the floor.

Diana held her cheeks and feigned astonishment,"How...how did you...?"

Lois threw the tray aside."Sam Lane taught me how to throw a punch or two. I'm an outdoors type of gal,not the classics and crumpets kind like you,"she said sarcastically

It was lucky Catwoman decided to make an appearance at this time or else the royal inside Diana would have smacked Lois for that comment.

Batman looked up to see the black suited figure somersaulted into the air and using her sharp talons, slice some of the vines pulling on his wrists. They had to dive together to move out of the way of spindles coming at them from a thorny shrub. They fell and rolled behind a table. The spindles hit the table like knives,their tips splintering the wood. But the table held up and kept them alive.

Batman growled,"What are you doing here,Selina?''

"Oh believe me,Batman,I could have given it a miss."

"You should get out."

She watched Superman using his laser vision to slice through the plants and tying up Wally West and John Henry Irons with the same broken vines and carrying them and Linda West to safety. "What?And let you and little boy blue have all the fun?"

" We have to stop these people from harming each other."

Catwoman looked at the men still fighting."You know at another time I could appreciate this dog fight,but it's too cold and I really just want to settle in my cat basket with a saucer of milk. Come on,let's give the Tights back-up."

Ivy did not know realize that another had joined the fray until Catwoman herself had agilely flipped and somersaulted her way over to where she sat. She had been concentrating on Superman and Batman trying to subdue the men and moving the frightened women out of danger. A long whip curled its way around Ivy's neck .

Selina pulled her off her perch."Come on,Ivy,call off the plants."

Ivy's eyes glittered."Kitty. Long time no see. Since when are you fighting on the side of the Bat?"

"Since I had something like a lettuce try to flatten me." The women began to grapple,and Ivy tried to move her mouth closer to Selina's. But Catwoman knew that tactic."Oh no you don't !"

Catwoman would have choked her with the whip but Batman shouted."Catwoman,don't !"

Selina hesitated and this allowed Ivy to reconnect with her plants. A tendril slapped Selina away and she fell unconscious to the floor. Lois Lane ran forward to try to help her. She had a large skewering fork in her hand.

Diana Prince cried,"Wait!"

Ivy turned and saw the reporter and the glasses wearing woman and a vindictive smile came to her lips. She gestured to her plant,was picked up and, to the dismay of Superman and Batman,a vine moving octopus-like, picked up the unconscious Catwoman and dropped her inside a bulbous flower. Then it went for Lois and Diana. It took up the two women and dropped them inside the same bulb. The petals folded up tightly and Ivy and her plants suddenly sank into the earth and vanished.

Superman would have gone after them but Batman shouted. "Clark,no!Diana is with them. We have to secure the hotel first."

Clark stopped to look around. True enough Ivy had left behind some of her plants who were now going wild into the rest of the Ritz. Batman could not regain control all by himself.

Batman said,"We'll regroup. Let's call for help first."

To be continued.