Dremel
Gotham
Starling, who was now a member of the Birds of Prey with Dinah, followed her as she went back to the bathroom to finish for her date. Glass in hand she leaned against the door and watched Dinah.
"So who is this guy anyway?"
"Just a friend,' Dinah vaguely replied.
"You must really like him if you're acting this queer about it,' Ev offered.
"Why would I be going out with him if I didn't like him?"
"Good in bed?' Ev suggested.
"Could you get your mind out of the gutter for just a moment, please,' Dinah replied.
Ev took another drink and made a face.
"Oh, well, aren't we so mature all of a sudden,' she sarcastically said. "So do I get to meet this guy?"
"No!"
"Why not? Does he have a hump or something?" Ev asked. "Look, I'll be nice, I promise."
"He doesn't have a hump and remember I know you,' Dinah replied. "Don't you have something else to do?"
"Not till later,' Ev said. "So if I promise not to hit on him, can I meet him?'
"No,' Dinah said with a shake of her head. "I remember your promise in Tokyo, do you?"
"You're not going to bring that up again, are you?' Ev protested. "He was Yakuza, he liked my tattoos, what was I supposed to do?"
"You ended up throwing him out a fourth floor window," Dinah replied. "A simple, relaxing weekend you said, remember?"
"You had fun,' Ev grumbled. "I need another drink."
She closed the bathroom door and headed back into the kitchen. She poured herself several fingers of Tequila and was just heading back when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" She shouted and rushed over to the door.
"EV!"
Dinah shouted from the bathroom, but the door was already opening.
"Well, hello,' Ev said, running her eyes up and down Clark. "You're a big one."
Clark was a little flustered by the woman standing in front of him. She was wearing rather tight black pants and a vest with nothing under it. Tattoos, Oriental he would guess, scrolled up her arms and around her neck. Her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she had an almost predatory smile on her rather attractive face.
"Um, I'm sorry, I thought this was Dinah Lance's apartment,' he managed to reply.
Ev glanced at the bouquet of flowers he was holding and smiled even more. She leaned against the doorknob, striking a rather provocative pose.
"Flowers, nice, she said you were a nice guy."
Clark glanced at the number on the door once again.
"This is Dinah's apartment isn't it?"
"Yes, but let's not talk about her, let's talk about us …HEY!' Ev started to say, but then the door was jerked back and she went tumbling out of view. Dinah stepped into the doorway and brushed her hair back and smile.
"HI, Clark, sorry about that."
"Did I come at a bad time?" Clark said with a smile.
"No, that's just my friend Starling, she can' t take a hint."
"I was just being welcoming,' Ev protested as she got off the floor and stepped up behind Dinah. "Hi, I'm Ev."
"Hi," Clark replied. He remembered he was holding a bouquet of flowers and stretched them out towards Dinah.
"I got these for you, I hope that's okay."
Dinah smiled as she took the red and white flowers.
"Oleanders, they're beautiful, Clark thank you."
"The florist said they represent grace and beauty, that made me think of you."
"He's smooth,' Ev whispered to Dinah, but loud enough for all of them to hear. Dinah elbowed her in the ribs. "Ow!"
Dinah turned and handed the flowers to Ev.
"Why don't you make yourself useful and put these in water, please?"
"Since you asked so nicely,' Ev sarcastically replied. Dinah waited until Starling was in the kitchen and then took Clark by the arm and closed the apartment door.
"Let's go before she gets back,' she told him.
"Well, this is off to an interesting start."
The Watchtower
Jonn sat with Mary trying to help her calm down. He sensed there was more to her sadness and anger than just the test, but didn't want to push her. He would wait until she was ready, but he had a feeling she needed someone to talk to.
"Are you feeling better?' He asked. He handed her a glass of water, which she gratefully took.
"Thank you, sir."
"Its just Jonn, Mary.
"Ah, um, thanks, J-Jonn,' she managed to say.
"Have you always been claustrophobic, Mary?' He asked.
"I don't know, it was just that the walls seemed to be closing in on me when they put me in the tube,' she replied. "I just felt like I had to get out."
"They were just trying to help you, Mary,' he offered.
"I didn't do anything wrong."
"I know you didn't."
"Then why is everyone treating me like I did, Jonn,' she asked. He could see the tears in her eyes and felt the anguish and confusion she was going through. "I didn't do anything. I didn't ask for this, it just happened."
"They just wanted to help you find out why this happened."
"No, they think I'm turning back into Black Mary,' she said, shaking her head. "I can see it in all their eyes. That's what they care about."
"That's not true, Mary, they care about you,' Jonn said.
"I wish I could believe that, Jonn, I do, but I know it's not true,' she sadly said.
"I care about you, Mary," he said. "I'm willing to talk if you'd like?"
"That's just because you're worried about Black Mary too."
"No, it isn't.' Jonn disagreed. "Won't you tell me why you believe that about everyone?"
"Because that's what happened the last time,' Mary admitted.
"You're talking about when you had your accident?"
"Everyone forgot me, Jonn,' Mary said through her sobs. "The nurse told me I had no visitors, none. Everyone just moved on and forgot me. It was only after Black Adam shared his power with me that people started to pay any attention to me again."
"And you think that's what is happening again?"
"Isn't it?"
"If it is, then I apologize, Mary,' Jonn offered. "I know we don't know each other very well but I would like to help you. I'm not talking just this latest transformation, either. I sense there is something more troubling you."
"Did-Did you scan my mind,' she asked, pulling away from him.
"No, Mary, I would never do that without your permission,' Jonn quickly reassured her. "I could hear it in your voice when you talked about everyone forgetting you. I sense what is troubling you didn't start with this transformation or your transformation into Black Mary. Whatever issues you have aren't going away, are they? This transformation has only heightened them, am I correct?"
Mary wiped the tears from her eyes and then nodded her head, not looking at Jonn.
"Please, tell me, Mary,' he asked.
She looked away. He could see her profile, so different now. Her full lips moved, but she didn't speak at first. Finally she turned and looked him in the eye.
"Who am I, Jonn?"
"You're Mary Batson or Marvel if you will.'
'But who is Mary Marvel, for that matter who is Mary Batson? I'm not sure anymore."
"These changes haven't made you someone else Mary,' Jonn suggested.
"It's not the changes, Jonn," she admitted. "I didn't know who I was before this happened. Am I just the sweet, innocent girl everyone thinks I am? Can I still be her after everything that happened? I know that's what Billy wants, things to go back to how they were, but can I just go back? Now I don't even look like the same person."
Jonn took her hand in his and tried to reassure her.
"You're in a transition, Mary. You were even before this happened. I know this is hard to believe, but you're not the first or the last to go through his. You're becoming an adult, Mary. Being in suspended animation for twenty years has delayed it and put you out of step with the world, but everyone confronts what you are dealing with sooner or later,' Jonn softly said.
"But look at me, Jonn, I'm already an adult overnight,' Mary protested.
"I know it's confusing, but this would have happened eventually, Mary. If this hadn't happened now, in five or six years you would look like this anyway. I think what you've been feeling is the natural doubt that everyone feels at your age. You're wondering where you fit in the world? What's your role? You find yourself clinging to the familiar, the world of childhood but it's not enough anymore."
"But I don't belong anywhere Jonn,' she admitted. "I still feel like that same young girl most times, but other times I don't know."
"It's not a option between the two, Mary,' Jonn said. "You grow up, just like everyone else. Perhaps you lose some of your innocence, but don't let it stop you from becoming the woman you might be, or in your case the woman you are right now."
"But I don't know what to do."
"That's a journey we all have to take, Mary. Each of us has to face the same decisions you are right now. No one else can make the decision for you. It's your life, Mary, you have to decided what to do with it."
"It's all so scary and confusing,' Mary groaned.
"That's what it means to be an adult,' Jonn replied.
"Thank you, Jonn,' Marry said. She impulsively reached out and hugged Jonn. At first he was surprised and didn't know what to do, but then gave in and returned it.
When they finally pulled apart, Mary gave a little smile as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I seem to be crying all the time nowadays,' she said, blushing as she did.
"With all you've been through recently, I would be worried if you hadn't,' Jonn replied with a smile.
"I know Billy is freaking out, between the crying, my changing like this and the visions,' Mary said.
"Can you tell me about those vision, Mary,' Jonn asked.
"There really strange, Jonn,' Mary began. "It's so alien, no offense."
"None taken."
"I feel like I'm there experiencing them first hand, yet I'm outside myself watching at the same time."
He knew this was going to be a delicate topic, but he did want to help her. Her reaction to the thought of him entering her mind earlier made it clear the idea frightened her.
"Mary, I'd like to ask you to let me see what you're seeing in these visions,' he said.
"You mean probe my mind,' she replied. He could see the tension fill her at the very thought.
"Not probe, just see what you're seeing,' he corrected. "I will understand if you decline, but I promise I will not violate your privacy. I will only be like you described, an observer, seeing what you see."
"Will it hurt?"
"No." He gave her a reassuring smile. "It will feel different, as if there is someone else there, but it shouldn't be unpleasant."
"You'll only look at those visions?"
"Yes, you have my word, Mary.'
"Okay, I guess,' she reluctantly said. "I'm a little nervous about this."
"Don't be, just think about those visions and it will be over before you know it."
Mary nodded and closed her eyes, as that just seemed like the thing to do. At first she didn't feel anything different but then something seem to skim across her mind.
"Jonn?"
"Yes, Mary, I'm here. Relax and show me what you're seeing, please."
Taking a deep breath, Mary did her best to calm down and let her mind call up the images from the visions.
Jonn looked out on the world in Mary's mind and was awestruck. It was so different, alien even to him. The golden sky, the impossibility tall mountains, the overwhelming sound of battles everywhere. Gigantic beings unlike any he had ever seen before fought with ferocity he had never witnessed. They were in the heart of the battle and from every side the sound of life and death filled the air.
Then the world shifted and they were in the underground cavern. Jonn could feel the heat, smell the sweat and incense. The sensations were overwhelming. The chanting and the drums seemed to reverberate through his body. He felt the rush of emotions generated by the gathering all directed straight at Mary and by extension himself. The alien words streamed out from his lips as passion rushing through every cell of his body.
The vision shifted again.
"Jonn, something's happening! It's another vision!"
"I'm here with you, Mary, I won't leave you!"
They were suddenly standing in front of a massive altar. It was in the shape of a face, the mouth open and inferno inside. Torches and skulls dotted its surface. Strange symbols covered the walls. In the distance the chanting could be heard. A hand, slender and feminine, yet golden in color held up the severed head of some vanquished foe. Alien words spelled from their lips. The hand tossed the head into the fire and the whole room grew brighter.
It was some ceremony, some offering to the Gods or Fortune, Jonn surmised. Before he could notice anything else, the figured turned towards a crude mirror. An alien woman of all gold looked back at them. Mary's breath caught in her throat as she saw her. The alien women brought her hand up and in the next moment seem to reach inside her mind and pull Jonn out.
Jonn let out a scream as if he were being torn apart. Mary could do nothing as she watches the vision play out. Jonn's body writhed and shook, as the alien woman held him by the neck. She pulled him close to her face, so he was looking into her dark golden eyes. She whispers to him in her alien tongue, yet somehow Jonn understands.
"You don't belong here."
Mary's opens her eyes and she was back on the Watchtower. As she turned, she saw Jonn's body crumble to the floor, his eyes vacate, his mouth hanging open.
"Help! Please, somebody help!" She screamed.
The Isle of White
The smell of salt and brine filled the air as Mordred strolled along the empty beach. A cold, damp wind pulled at his coat and tossed his blonde hair around his face. Occasionally he glanced out at the turbulent sea, the cold gray water churning endlessly. The brief optimism of earlier had vanished as the reality of his situation came rushing back. The dark clouds seemed to mirror his mood.
Time seemed meaningless, the world taking little notice of him. He stopped and turned completely towards the ocean. The water and clouds seemed to mix together like an Impressionist painting done with a pallet of only grays. He felt as insignificant as the grains of sand under his boots.
He was a man out of time.
The world was rushing forward all around him. He knew he would never catch up having no frame of reference to this new world. It seemed even the common language he shared with the world had never slept. Words shifted and changed meanings, always morphing to fit the present.
In frustration, he railed at the wind. It as a futile gesture, but the frustration had been building for some time. Midsentence, his words suddenly stopped as it happened again. His eyes went blank and the world slipped away.
Falling.
The sensation was so visceral to him. Frantically he flailed his arms and thrashed his legs, but there was nothing to hang on to. Sweet smelling air rushed up towards him as he gained speed. The world around him streamed by, a vivid mixture of light greens, deepest blues and purest whites.
Something fluttered just at the edge of his vision. Desperate for anything to grab onto, he flipped his body in the air and extended his hand as far as possible.
Success!
The banner again, he realized, only this time the three lines were blue on a field of green. Clutching it as if his life depended on it, Mordred entered a thick cloudbank. He could see nothing except white in every direction. He couldn't tell if he was positioned up or down, his only point of reference being the banner he clung to.
He broke through the all-encompassing white and was in another world. The sound of battle filled his ears. A multitude of great winged beasts soared and careened all about him. Arrows began to whiz by his head. He realized there were riders on those flying nightmares.
Something caught him, stopping his fall. In the next moment a great claw flipped him upwards and when he came down, he was riding one of the winged beasts. Mordred held on, terrified of what was happening. The beast let out a powerful screech and others echoed it. His eyes looked around, wild with panic, trying to process it all.
Other beasts and their riders were moving towards him. At first he thought they were going to attack, but then as they moved along side of him, he saw they all had the three lines painted on their bodies. A cheer went up in another alien tongue he didn't understand. Mordred realized it was directed at him. He absently raised his hand, the one clutching the banner and the cheer increased.
The three blue lines on the field of green was their standard and he was their leader. How he understood this, he didn't know. His eyes drifted up to look at it, but his attention was drawn to his arm and hand. Long and thin, dabbled with reds and yellows, it was the arm of some wild beast he thought. Rudimentary fingers tipped by claws wrapped around the staff holding the banner.
Frantic shouts from those around him drew his notice. He looked at them, not understand the noises they made. Man-beasts, that's what these things looked like to him. A combination of reptile and human, with something else added to the mix. He was one as well, but how was that possible?
As his mind tried to sort it out, the others frantically pointed ahead. He turned that direction and suddenly understood what they were trying to say. The enemy was advancing straight for them. The battled had been joined.
A sword was tossed to him, the blade glistening in the sunlight. He caught it and gave a roar, which was echoed by the others. He was both in this and watching it from without. His movement were his own, but not his own. It was all too confusing for him, but one thing was clear, this was a battle to the death.
As the enemy grew near, he was finally able to make them out. They were a combination of feline and human, sleek and powerful. Arrows rained down from their bows, but his side continued forward. The enemy rode beasts that resembled dragons to Mordred. A sense of dread filled him as they drew near and he saw the beasts open their jaws.
Fire. Plumes of fire shot out, rushing through his side. He could feel the intense hit blister his skin as it engulfed those around him. They burst into flames and plummeted towards the ground, yet onward his side continued.
He was at the center of the mêlée, hacking and slashing his way through everything near him. All around the sounds of combat, the smell of fire and burnt flesh. Again and again he dodged flames and arrows, always advancing. It took forever it seemed, but slowly he felt the tide turning. They were winning, driving back the enemy, and killing them by the score. A rush of excitement swept through him, as he broke through their lines and saw the deep blue of the sky before him.
He heard the arrow a moment before impact. Bewildered, he glanced down to see it lodged in his chest. Time seemed to slow in that moment. He raised his head and first saw the enemy's standard, blood red circles on a field of black. He had trouble focusing, as his eyes shifted from the banner to the one holding it. Female, he could tell instantly. A helmet obscured her features, but he managed to see a smile come to her full lips. Animal skins barely cover her body and he realized she was golden in color.
The world pin wheeled as he slipped off his perch on the great beast. He was falling, his eyes watched as the banner slips from his crude fingers and then everything went white again.
Water splashed against his face. He shifted and realized he was lying on the sand. He was back and face down on the beach. Slowly he rose to his hands and knees, back in the gray world of the present.
Themyscira
Even over the shouts and cheers of the Amazons, Hippolyta could feel the hard gaze of her daughter, Diana. She knew she must be feeling betrayed, lied to and so many more emotions. She might never forgive Hippolyta for this, the Queen knew, but it had to be done. She couldn't just stand by and watch her daughter die, that was unacceptable. The Fates needed a sacrifice and Hippolyta would give them one.
The other fighters were crowding around her now, congratulating and cheering her. They pressed forward, pushing her towards the royal box and the waiting Senate. Hippolyta was exhausted, but she knew there was a ceremony that had to be done. It was a hollow victory, but she would go through the necessary motions.
Penelope, the head of the Senate and Ariadne, head of the Bana faction in the Senate stepped forward.
"Well fought, my Queen, well fought,' Penelope said. "You have won the right to be champion of the Amazons!"
A roar went up from the crowd. Hippolyta bowed her head to humbly accept it, but her mind was already working out what she was going to do next.
"You indeed fought well, Hippolyta,' Ariadne offered. "But your victory puts us in a bit of a situation. You can not be Champion and Queen at the same time."
"Yes, I know,' Hippolyta replied. "The laws are clear on this. So to be Champion, I must give up the throne. I abdicate in favor of my daughter, Princess Diana. I ask that the Senate appoint as her co-counsels, General Phillipus and Artemis of the Bana Mighdall. Let those three usher in a new age for Themyscira and the Amazons!"
To say this caught everyone by surprise would be an understatement. The most shocked and surprised was Diana. She just stood on the sand of the arena, her mouth open unable to speak.
"Long live Queen Diana,' Artemis shouted. Others picked up the cheer and soon the whole arena reverberated with it. Diana turned to Artemis and saw she had a big grin on her face.
"You're not funny, Artemis!"
"My apologies, my Queen,' Artemis replied with a chuckle.
"Stop saying that,' Diana gasped, but it was lost in a sea of cheers.