10:30 The Museum of Natural Art
Girls:
Kori stood next to the cloak room. Her bright green orbs gazed across the magnificent marble room. There were four main marble pillars holding up the ceiling of the room that created a square in the middle. On this square there were many a wealthy old man and his wife with their fancy and expensive clothing. On the sidelines stood a good few, half drunk bachelors looking for a half drunken bachelorette to seduce for the night. Kori was standing in between the two large entrance doors and the cloakroom. Across the room from her was a wide set of stairs with a podium on the level step that led off into two other smaller sets of stairs. A small classical band played light classical music for the rich men to dance to. Kori scanned the room again and saw Rachel standing next to the bar on the left side of the room. Bee was talking to three young and handsome men in a far corner. She looked to be enjoying herself.
Kori pressed the button on her earpiece which tuned into Rachel's and Bee's.
'You guys ready?'
'As ready as I'll ever be.' Rachel took a swig of her drink as she finished the sentence.
Kori looked over to Bee who gave a slight nod of her head but then instantly returned her attention to her victims.
Kori focused her complete attention on the items that the Midnight Trio had come for. They were dotted around the room in bullet-proof cases she guessed. Her mind went over the entire plan twice. Checking with herself and making sure that there were no flaws.
Suddenly, Kori could feel a strange and unwelcome silence fill the room. It swept across the hall as every face turned towards the two large entrance doors that were slowly swerving open. She didn't understand why the room had gone silent until all of the pretty, young girls in their pink gowns began to screech with utter joy and excitement. A blur of billowing hair and gowns and suddenly all of these young girls were surrounding the large oak doors.
Kori was shoved backwards into the door of the cloakroom, her back slamming into the door handle. She felt the familiar surge of rage creep towards her eyes and faintly begin to glow an ominous green.
'Kori………..no.' Rachel's voice echoed through Kori's mind.
Kori swivelled her head around so that it was facing Rachel's direction.
'Sorry.' Kori responded.
Her rage dulled and eventually returned to its peaceful form.
Every head was still turned towards the large commotion that was currently still happening by the large doors. Kori made her way across the room to where Bee was standing and grabbed her wrist. Pulling her away from the three pre-occupied bachelors and dragging her towards Rachel and the bar.
'This is our perfect chance. They're all distracted so let's attack now.' Whispered Kori to Rachel as soon as they were able to have a private conversation.
Rachel put down her drink and was about to reply when the crowd at the end of the room began to be pushed backwards and slowly return to individual people. Over the sea of heads, the bulky figures of security guards could be seen pushing the host of wailing girls away from the new attraction. The gathering was split through the middle and a path was made for the attraction to walk along. It highly resembled a red carpet we're wailing girls waited in the outlines, just to scream at their favourite celebrities.
Kori held her breath as her suspicions came true.
From the mass of billowing hair came a slightly dishevelled, Richard Grayson, Victor Stone and Garfield Logan.
The trio remained motionless as they watched the three men make their way across the room to greet the nobles at the other side.
Meanwhile the screeching girls were being quietened by a dozen or so older women. Threatening to throw them out if they did not shut up. All of the noise was gone at the sudden prospect of having to leave the same room that the three young and handsome bachelor celebrities had just entered into.
There was a brief glance from the men on the opposite side of the room before all was normal again and the quiet humming of small talk started up.
'Well that's made it more complicated.' Bee mentioned.
'Don't worry………….they're just a minor annoyance.' Said Kori.
'Well, at least they won't recognise us without our costumes on.' Piped in Rachel.
'Yes, but that means that we're going to have to be extra careful. We don't want them figuring things out before the big finale.'
Rachel and Bee both nodded their heads. All three of them huddled into a group and discussed the plan once more, only this time they added a few changes.
Boys:
Richard:
A bright flash of light and a click of a button before his eyesight returned to its normal state. This continued for a few more minutes as he posed for different photographers and magazines on his way into the museum.
Another camera went off in his face as he grabbed at Victor' and Garfield's arms.
'Let's get inside.' He whispered to them, away from the paparazzo's waiting ears.
He began dragging them up the steps when the two large oak doors opened up to them. With his back turned to the event inside the hall he continued to smile and wave at the paparazzi. It wasn't until he felt an eerie silence on his back that he turned around.
Before he could gasp for air there was a rush of girls before him and soon enough himself and his two friends were being pinched and pulled at by more than twenty young females. His hair had been tugged at least four times before five officials appeared in front of him and began to herd the wave of adoring fans in the opposite direction.
He quickly straightened his suit and hair before walking through the path that the guards had made. He kept his head facing forward. If he spotted a young and beautiful maiden now then he would be lost in her for the rest of the night and not able to focus on his set mission. He was positive the trio would be here at midnight.
He threw out his hand to the mayor of Jump City as he approached him.
The mayor took him aside as soon as their hands touched.
'Any luck with the trio?' the mayor asked with an urgent tone in his voice. He looked nervously around the room before returning his withering gaze towards Richard.
'No.' Richard replied sternly bowing his head.
'But…………we think they may attack here tonight, so we'll catch them if they do attack.'
The mayor bowed his head and grimaced.
'Well, let's hope they don't.' He replied with a sigh.
Richard watched him walk off and greet Garfield and Victor in turn. A strange sense of defeat washed over him.
He glanced around the room, completely forgetting his former promise to himself. He looked down at his watch and saw that it was coming up to 11:00pm. He sighed and was about to walk over to Gar and victor when someone tapped him on the shoulder.
He spun around and came face to face with two large orbs of green. He stood there shocked for a second or two, just taking in the phenomenal beauty in front of him. She had long, wavy, scarlet red hair that was pulled up into a ponytail. Strips of it fell around her face and gave her an ethereal look. Her natural orange-tinted skin that made her look exotic. He gazed up and down her tall, slender form. She was wearing a floor-length emerald green gown that clutched at her curves and flared at the bottom. It had halter neck straps. She wore simple emerald earrings and an emerald bangle to match. A smirk tugged at her lips as she watched him stare at her, his mouth agape.
'Hello.' She said in a slightly foreign accent.
He tried to say something back but nothing came out. He was choking himself trying to reply but any recognisable word refused to be heard as its original form.
She giggled and batted her long eyelashes up at him. He was ready to faint by this point.
'Can you utter a comprehensible word or should I call a doctor?' she asked plainly.
Richard was taken aback.
'Wh…what?' he managed to gargle out.
She smiled.
'Good. About time.'
No woman had ever talked to him like that.
'My name is Kori Anders.'
He was still stunned.
'How can she stand there and not a drop of sweat fall from her porcelain face? I'm Richard Freaking Grayson for God's sake!'
'Um…..I'm Richard Grayson.'
She giggled.
'I know who you are.'
She giggled again.
'I just wanted to introduce myself. I've wanted to properly meet you for a long time.' She said with faint spark in her eyes.
He didn't understand what she meant by 'properly introduce myself' he'd never met her before in his life. He would definitely remember this woman. Yet there was something that he recognised in her. There was something in her voice.
'Have I met you before?' he asked.
She giggled for the fourth time that night.
'That is possibly the worst pick up line in history.' She smirked her reply at him.
He laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head.
'Since when are you nervous around women?'
He locked his mind away at that comment.
'It wasn't a pick up line; I'm not that kind of guy.'
'Ch'yeah right.'
He mentally slapped himself.
'I just really think that we've met before.'
Realisation dawned upon Kori. She smiled weakly.
'It doesn't matter if we have or have not met before. I just wanted to introduce myself to the great Richard Grayson. So I guess I'll see you around tonight.'
She was ready to make a hasty retreat until Richard's voice rang throughout her ears.
'Would you like to dance with me tonight?'
She turned to face him again. Uncertainty spelled across her forehead. Richard got the hint.
'I…..If…you don't want to that's ok…….I just wanted to ask.' He bowed his head.
'What the fuck was that?! Richard Grayson does not get rejected!
He was about to walk the opposite way when an angel with an answer sounded from behind him.
'Yes.'
He spun around like the floor was on fire.
'Really?' he said with a little too much desperation.
She giggled yet again and spun to walk away. Her dress flowing around her, accenting her every move.
'Wait……what dance?' he called to her.
'I'll come and find you, I promise, before midnight.' She called back without facing him. He didn't see the genuine smile that adorned her face as she retreated to find the janitor.
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Garfield:
After greeting all of the nobles he made his way over to the girls that had been earlier groping at every part of him. He had quite enjoyed that.
He buttoned up his jacket and ruffled his hair a little. He glanced around the room for any paparazzi but caught sight of a girl all alone at the bar. On second glances he saw that she was in fact very beautiful. His jaw dropped open and he stopped dead in his tracks.
She noticed someone looking at her and looked in his direction.
For a moment their eyes met. Forest green to deep purple. He felt the sparks fly between the long distance. She pulled away first but glanced back at him when she thought that he wasn't looking.
He pushed his way through the crowd towards her. She didn't notice him coming until he got to the bar. Her eyes widened and she was about to get up when he grabbed her arm.
Shock soured through him as he felt the familiar smoothness of her skin.
'Can I have my arm back.' She spoke calmly, but there was urgency in her voice.
That voice. I know that voice.
Her eyes widened a second time.
'Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you.'
She pulled back.
Garfield let go and put his arm up in a defensive movement.
'Ok………….I know how incredibly creepy that just sounded but honestly I just want to get to know you.'
Rachel regarded him for a second or so and then sat back down. Garfield sat next to her.
'So…….can I know you're name?'
'Rachel.'
She turned her head away to look at the crowd of dancing people.
'I'm Garfield….' She cut him off.
'Logan.' She finished. She smiled.
'I know who you are.'
He smiled but she just turned away again.
'Can I get you a drink?'
'I've had enough tonight.'
Garfield looked at the array of different sized glasses sitting on the bar behind her.
'Yeah I guess you have.' There was silence between them for a few moments.
'You come here often then?' He smiled weakly at his attempt to make her laugh. He turned away preparing his next joke when he heard the strangest sound come from the mysterious goddess sitting next to him.
'Is she laughing?'
And true enough she was leisurely sitting there laughing at his joke. It was very quiet and she was straining to hold it back, but it was a laugh.
'She's actually laughing at you're joke! Holy shit! This has never happened before!'
Inside Gar was bouncing up and down like a yoyo but on the outside he kept his calm.
She turned to him once she had regained her composure.
'You're actually quite funny.'
He smiled one of his dazzling smiles and she smiled back. Then she asked the oddest thing.
'What's the time?'
He glanced at his watch.
'Why? Past your curfew?'
She smiled again but it vanished as soon as it had appeared.
'I just need to know.' She kept her eyes fixed on the watch.
He looked down and saw that it was 11:10pm.
'It's 10 past 11.' He told her.
She looked up at him and smiled. Garfield found himself falling harder and faster with each smile. There was something about her. He knew her. He knew that he knew her.
'Well, I guess I could stay for a little longer. You can buy me that drink now.'
He smiled again but this one was wearier.
She didn't seem to notice.
'Careful with this one Gar.'
Victor:
Victor was currently chatting up a young brunette with brown eyes in a far corner of the room. He had spotted her when he was coming in and decided to say a 'friendly' hello. He had already whispered some pretty sultry words in her ear and was about to proceed upstairs with her when he heard a voice that sounded like bells drift across the room towards him. He turned to see where it had come from and saw a stunning young, dark-skinned girl surrounded by three other men. They were standing rather close to her and one was inching his hand from her waist downwards. She saw this movement and shock plastered itself on her face. She was about to say something when one of the other men put a hand over her mouth and proceeded to grope her backside.
It didn't take a genius to see where this was going. Victor stormed over to them and pulled one of the men away.
'What the fuck do you think you're doing?'
The man looked at his companions then back to Victor.
'Chill man, we're just having a bit of fun.'
'Yeah, well it doesn't look like much fun for her does it.' Victor pointed to Bee and all of the men looked at her. You could see the anger in her eyes.
'I think it would be for the best if you just let her go.' Victor put his hand on the first mans shoulder.
The man pushed it off and rose to his full height. His face was inches away form Victors. You could smell the alcohol on his breath.
'Oh yeah? And are you gonna make me?'
Victor narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists, ready for anything that this man might do. Only, he didn't get a chance to do anything.
Bee pushed the man who was still holding her away whilst his attention was distracted by Victor. He spun around to face her but she kicked him where it hurts and he fell to the floor. She punched the third man in the face and was ready to punch the one who had been challenging victor but before she could try anything he pulled the man by his collar over to the window.
Pulling him upwards so that they were face to face he spoke in a deadly whisper;
'If you ever try anything with any woman like that ever again, I swear to God I will hunt you down and kill you myself.'
The man looked utterly petrified.
'Y…..y……y...you can't.' he stammered.
'I'm a cop. I think I can.' With that Victor through him out of the open window.
The other two watched from the floor. Bee and Victor turned back to them. Panic flashed across their faces.
'I'd leave.' Warned Victor.
They both attempted to get up but succeeded in looking like frightened dogs scrambling over each other.
Bee looked at Victor with a smirk on her face.
'I could've handled that by myself.'
Victor chuckled.
'Yeah, you looked like you had things in control.'
She walked up to him.
'So I guess you're now my official protector.'
He chuckled again.
'If that's what you wish oh mistress.'
'Hmmm, I like the sound of that.' She smiled and turned, preparing to walk away.
Victor's previous flirt rushed up to him and practically threw herself onto his arm, eager to continue what they were about to start.
'Hey hunny, you ready to go.' She attempted in her best seductive voice whilst trailing her fingers across his chiselled chest.
Bee raised a sceptical eyebrow and turned away so that Victor wouldn't see her pout.
Victor laughed at how cute Bee looked.
'Gee, big guy, you could at least try to conceal that fact that you like her.'
'Do I really like her?'
'Duh!'
'Umm, I don't really feel up to it anymore.' He pushed her away and crossed the few feet to where Bee was standing. He held out his arm to her.
She looked at it and then entwined her arm in with his.
'So, do I get a name for my damsel?'
Bee smirked.
'It's Bee. Nice to finally meet you Sparky.'
Victor let out a bellowing laugh at his new nickname. They strode off onto the dance floor.
11:45
Girls and Boys
Kori was currently inside the janitor's closet wooing the janitor out of his museum keys.
'So you really think that I'm pretty?' She asked whilst batting her eyes.
The janitor who was short of breath tried to answer as quickly as possible but ended up mixing his sentence into a jumble of noises.
'You're too sweet.' She replied whilst putting on her fakest giggle.
'Now if you would be so kind as to hand over those keys I will be on my way.'
The janitor seemed to snap out of his reverie and reply with strength in his voice.
'Why?'
'I just want to look around the museum, it's such a beautiful place.'
'I don't think that would be wise.' He stood to his full height now, the confidence building.
'Gee this guy loves his museum.'
'Look just give me the keys and you won't get hurt.'
'No.'
She pressed the pressure point on his neck and grabbed the keys form his crumpled form.
Pressing the button on her earpiece she tuned into Rachel and Bee.
'Rach!'
'Yes?'
'There's a janitor in the upstairs closet unconscious, he saw my face so I need you to wipe his memory before he wakes up.'
'Will do.'
'I'll meet you guys by the bar in 5 minutes.'
'Ok.'
Tuning out from them both, Kori made her way down the staircase and into the crowd of dancing people. She saw Bee dancing with Victor Stone and smirked at her. Bee looked over in her direction and Kori beckoned for her.
Bee looked up at Victor with her arms wrapped around his neck and his hands on her waist they were in a rather comfortable position. She almost didn't want to leave him. Almost.
'Keep you're head in the game Bee.'
'Right.' She mentally agreed with herself.
'Sorry Sparky, but this damsel has to spend some time with her girlfriends.'
Victor looked to where Bee was pointing and saw an exotic beauty standing in the middle of the crowd looking at them both. She was as beautiful as Bee. With her long red hair and green orbs. She looked like and alien goddess.
'I'll see ya round Sparky.'
He was reluctant to let her go and Bee noticed this.
'Howa 'bout a parting gift?' She offered. Standing on her toes she reached up and kissed him on the cheek.
She darted off into the crowd and her and Kori disappeared soon enough. Victor touched the place on his cheek where her lips had been. He tried to see Bee through the crowd but saw no sign of her richly dark skin or golden yellow dress. He sighed lovingly to himself and went to find Garfield.
Kori and Bee had made their way through the crowd and were now approaching Rachel. They didn't see that she wasn't alone until they broke through the last couple.
Garfield stared up at them from his seat and his jaw dropped.
'These the ones you were talking about?' he managed to say.
Rachel nodded her head.
'Um well I'll see you later then.', he got up slowly from his seat but turned around to face Rachel for the last time that night.
'Here's my number.' He handed her a small slip of paper.
'If you ever want to meet up, you know.' He smiled nervously and then rushed off through the crowd.
Rachel looked stunned for a moment but eventually a gentle smile graced her face. Kori and Bee giggled to themselves.
'Shut up.' Rachel told them teasingly.
Her smile disappeared only to be replaced by a wider smile as Richard Grayson approached Kori from behind.
Rachel got up from her bar seat and whispered into Kori's ear.
'You're turn.'
Kori was confused for a moment but it soon vanished as she realised that Richard was standing behind her. She turned to greet him.
'Hey.'
He smiled at her.
'You ready for that dance now?'
'Huh, what?'
'You promised me a dance, and seeing as you didn't find me by midnight I came to find you.'
Kori turned back to Rachel and Bee with a strained look on her face. The beckoned for her to go with him, smiles on their faces.
'Sure.' Kori uttered.
Richard took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. The piano player in the band in the far corner began to play 'I giorni by Ludovico einaudi'. It filled the dance floor with its sweet and loving melody. Encircling every couple in their own fantasy. Kori marvelled in it's beauty and began to enjoy herself. Letting all of her emotions flow freely through her body.
Richard spun her around and embraced her. She did the same. They stood their swaying back and forth to the tune and revelled in the sweet moment that they had achieved with each other.
'I couldn't help but think about you all night Kori.' He whispered into her ear.
She smiled and sighed into his neck. She wished that this moment would never end. But sadly the tune was coming to an end. And so was this everlasting moment. Midnight had come. Kori looked up at Richard and he looked down at her.
'Thank you.' She breathed.
'For what?'
'For being.' She broke away from him and crossed the room back to Rachel and Bee.
'Let's get this over with.'
The mayor and all of the nobles had gathered on the step of the podium and were now preparing for their speeches. The mayor spoke first;
'I'd like to thank everyone for being here tonight to thank the founders and sponsors of this Museum. We are extremely grateful for all they have contributed to this cause and tonight we celebrate the many priceless artefacts that they have donated to this museum in honour of all natural art.' We would especially like to thank Mr. Richard Grayson for his father's massive contribution to the fund.' Everybody clapped at this point.
'Would everyone like to join me in the countdown until midnight and the memorial fund starts?'
Everybody began to count down from twenty.
'19…'
The trio got into their places. Rachel was next to the most expensive artefact. A large emerald that cost more than the museum, all in it and the entire block of this area. Bee was standing next to other various artefacts whilst Kori was standing next the light box, preparing the janitor keys in the lock.
'10….'
'9….'
'8….'
'You guys ready?' asked Kori
'Always' replied Bee.
'Completely.'
'4….'
'3….'
'Almost there.'
'1!….'
The roar of hundreds of people screaming their delight echoed around the room but at the same time the lights keeping the room basked in a delicate glow cut out. Blackness filled the room and the cries of panic swam and mixed together. The mayor had a look of knowing on his face.
'GET SECURITY!' he screeched as loud as possible.
Seconds later the lights turned back on and the cries silenced themselves. But all was not as it should be. For all of the priceless artefacts were gone.
'NO!!!' screeched the mayor. He turned on Richard, Victor and Garfield.
'This is your entire fault! Why the hell weren't you on lookout? You're supposed to be the best detectives in all of Jump City! Yet you can't even capture three thieves!! You're useless!!'
Richard couldn't help but retaliate.
'Yeah and you're meant to be the mayor! You're meant to protect the city as much as I am! Don't you dare yell at us when you can't even keep you're own city from terror!!' Richard and the mayor glared daggers at each other for a few more minutes until Victor and Garfield came to haul Richard away. Only before they could climb down the stairs. A white slip of paper floated from above them and landed before their feet. It read;
Our deepest apologies for not being able to have such a nice chat as we did on our previous encounter, But we thought that we'd like to save the formalities and secrets for our last encounter our dearest detectives. So you've figured out the pattern and now we can meet for the last time in jump museum. You're a lot cleverer than we originally thought.
It's goodbye for now.
Yours faithfully
The midnight Trio
xxx