Falling
The House of Dust
Perhaps the most beautiful being in creation sat silently on a hillside overlooking a nightmare landscape. A simple white gown hung loosely from her perfect body. Her hazel eyes were flecked with gold and seemed to be staring very far away. There wasn't a smile on her face, but she didn't have a frown either. It was impossible to tell what she was feeling or thinking. She was the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite.
Footsteps approached from behind and then stopped next to her.
"What a grim, hellish place,' Dionysus said. "What is this?"
Aphrodite looked up at him and gave him a small smile.
"It's called the House of Dust,' she replied. "The earliest civilized humans, the Sumerians believed in an afterlife and this is a manifestation of what they thought it would be like."
"They are always so imaginative when it comes to creating their own hell, aren't they?' He observed. He squatted down next to her, taking in the scene before him.
"Yes, they save the most horrifying and diabolical things for their concept of hell,' she said. "I find this one especially good though."
"Why?"
"Look at it,' she said, pointing down below. "They crawl in the dirt; dust and grit for their only food. They had no faces, no eyes to see. They never come in contact with anyone, so they are always alone with the wind howling endlessly. It is a world completely devoid of love, Dionysus. Never to touch another, always alone, without the hope of love, what could be worse than this?"
"Many would say the fire and brimstone of other hells was worse,' he pointed out.
"Yes, I suppose you're right, but for me, those first civilized mortals came the closest with this."
Dionysus looked away from the nightmare in front of him and focused on Aphrodite. He knew her probably as well as any of the Gods. She could be capricious, wicked, and playful and so many other things, but this was something he'd never seen from her before.
"Why are you contemplating hells, Aphrodite? What is this mood I've not seen before?"
She didn't turn to look at him, just kept watching the nightmarish scene in front of her.
"Someone has been manipulating the fate of my champion,' she stated.
"Your champion?"
"Yes, Diana."
"I believe the others might have something to say about that,' he joked. She turned and gave him a dazzling smile.
"Yes, she has other patrons, Dionysus, but Diana is my champion,' she replied. "She was created out of love. Her heart and physical form are my gifts to her. If the others want to add to that, I have no objection, but she is still my champion."
"And you say someone has manipulated her fate?' Dionysus asked. "Fates change Aphrodite, we all know this. Gods or mortals, we are all subject to change. Diana's fate is fluid, just as all of ours is."
"Yes and I wouldn't interfere with hers either,' Aphrodite said. "I can see many possibilities for her and know there is probably many even I can't see, but this is different. Someone or some group has interfered. They have manipulated dreams and omens for their own ends and changed things."
"So are you going to erase the changes, can you do that? I thought only Zeus had that sort of power?"
"You underestimate me just like all the rest, Dionysus,' she replied with a sad smile. "I was around long before Zeus was ever an idea in mortal's minds. I have gone by so many names, too many to count. You look at me and only see the physical love, but there are so many other kinds. Everything starts with love or lack of love."
"So you will erase the changes?' He asked.
"No, it is wrong to reset time, too much has changed to go back."
"Then what will you do?' He ventured.
"I have promised myself not to interfere with Diana's life, but I will not allow those responsible to believe they have gone unnoticed. They wish to change my champion's fate, so I will find another champion to change theirs."
A crash of thunder came front the distance.
"Quite impressive,' Dionysus observed. "I suppose this means you wouldn't be interested in attending a party in Ibiza?"
"A party?"
A smile spread across Aphrodite's face at the thought.
Gotham
Five men silently went about their preparations in a hotel room. They checked and rechecked their weapons, making sure everything was perfect. They were professionals, so there was no need for idle talk. They were members of the League of Assassins, hired by the Makuda Yakuza to deal with their problem. They were known only as the Hunters. Tonight they were hunting Masami, although they did not know her name. They actually preferred it this way, detached and unemotional. They've studied her methods and style. They knew she was a close in fighter, deadly in hand-to-hand combat. They wouldn't give her that chance tonight.
They had checked out the city and picked the location. They knew every angle, every in and out of the spot. They would be above the kill zone, ready to cut her down with their crossfire. It was not a precision job, just a kill. Whether one bullet or fifty cut her down, all that matters was the end result. Once it is done, they would pack and leave the city, ready for their next assignment. This would all be just a number in their off shore bank account.
They had the perfect bait, three high level Makuda members. They were important, but not vital to Kijuro Makuda's operation. He handpicked them for the Hunters. They were the goats staked out to entice the wolf. They might live, it was a possibility, but their survival was secondary. The hunt was all-important.
Satisfied with their weapons and preparations, they left for the hunting grounds.
Metropolis
Clark and Hippolyta came out of the movie theater like many others, discussing what they'd seen. They had just seen The Social Network. They had differing views.
"A blatant slap in the face to women. From the young women trucked into the Phoenix Club in the film's opening scenes to the groupies giggling about their inability to play video games, it seemed that the film set young women up as some joke on the state of womankind. Even the Mara character, who can be seen as a smart, strong woman in the very limited time she is on the screen, is mainly there to give the main male character some humanity,' Hippolyta stated.
"I kind of liked it,' Clark offered with a shrug.
"Why does that not surprise me?' She replied.
"You're not going to lecture me again, are you, Lyta?' Clark teased. "I really think I got it now, I do."
"Well, then that's one,' she replied. "Now all I have to do is convert the rest of the male population."
Clark stopped in his tracks and looked at her.
"Was that a joke?"
"Yes, Clark, I do have a sense of humor, you know," she said with a smile.
"I'm learning new things about you all the time,' he said with a laugh.
"Thank you for inviting me,' she said, smiling along with him now.
"No problem,' he replied. "I know it must get boring just staying in the Embassy all the time, plus think of how you've expanded my understanding of movies. I'll never be able to see Gone with the Wind or Rear Window the same way again."
"Perhaps there is hope for your gender yet,' she teased. She didn't wait for his response and continued down the sidewalk. Clark watched her for a moment. She was certainly an interesting woman he had to admit.
Gotham
Bruce knew she was going to be here. He also knew it was a trap, but then he guessed so did she. They weren't even trying to disguise it was a trap. They were almost daring her to enter. The three Yakuza men were sweating with fear. They realized their role in this, bait. The five assassins were professionals. Bruce knew if one was taken out, the others would immediately know. The smart move would be to disappoint them and turn away from this. He knew she wouldn't. Bruce had scouted out all the angles and knew it could be done. The assassins were keeping their distance and the wise move would be to not enter the trap, but to strike from even further away. It would upset their plans and make them improvise on the fly. It would make them vulnerable, shift the advantage.
She wouldn't do that either. He knew this because he wouldn't do it like that in her place. This was personal on the most fundamental level for her. You don't avenge your parents murder from long distance. You do it up close, where you can see their faces. Up close, where you can see the fear in their eyes, feel the blood gush from their bodies, watch the life flow out of them. That was the way you avenge murder.
It deeply disturbed him how well he knew this. The more he focused on catching her, the easier he was slipping into her mindset. It was such a short leap, a small shift in viewpoint, yet it made all the difference in the world. Sorrow shifts into rage. Focus becomes a pinhole through which only one goal mattered. Blood for blood, he could almost imagine her saying to herself as she struck down these men. It was a primal urge, something that predated justice. It was the reason capital punishment would never completely be outlawed, as some crimes demand the ultimate penalty.
Bruce had wrestled with this all his life. The anger and rage at what some could do to their fellow man. The unspeakable horrors he'd witnessed in his life added fuel to the fire that burned inside of him. The mission, his mission, it could all be traced to one horrifying, life altering moment in an alley. The brutality of the world had been driven home in a way he would never forget.
He understood her.
Part of him cheered her. Part of him knew these men deserved what they were going to get. That part of him was the darkness and it was growing. The longer it took to find and stop her, the worse it got for him. Already he could feel himself slipping deeper and deeper into the Batman. He had to stop it, but knew he couldn't until he stopped her.
He sensed her before his eyes located her. She had arrived at the exact point he knew she would. She knew it was a trap, but she wasn't going to turn away. The need was too great within her. She had assessed the entire landscape and found the spot that gave her the best chance at success. Bruce knew this, as he'd done the exact same thing.
Time to end this.
"It's over, Masami."
He knew she was surprised, but had to admire her control. She barely flinched at the sound of his voice. Her eyes immediately found him in the shadows.
"You are the Bat Man?' She whispered.
"Yes."
"I know of you,' she said. "I have no quarrel with you. Leave now."
"If you know about me, then you know I can't do that,' he replied. "I'm here to stop you."
Even as the words left his mouth, he knew they weren't necessary.
"So be it,' she said.
No more words were needed, as she launched herself towards him. One of her deadly fans struck at him, but he anticipated it and was able to block it. The force behind it surprised him for just a moment. She was even better than he thought, but it wouldn't be good enough.
They went back and forth, attack and counter, all in silence. Minute after minute passe, until she gasped in pain as he dislocated her shoulder. Masami stumbled back, putting some distance between them. Their eyes met, two warriors meeting and knowing how this would end. Part of him felt a deep sadness. Perhaps it was that part that caused him to let his guard down for just an instance. She took advantage of it. Masami dove off the rooftop they were on and plunged down towards the three Yakuza men.
"Damn,' Bruce growled. He chastised himself for his moment of weakness. He knew she wouldn't give up, because in her place he wouldn't. She had a mission to complete. He fired his line and followed her down into the ambush.
Fawcett City - Earlier
Mary walked down the sidewalk very aware of the looks and stares she was receiving. For someone so recently ignored by just about everyone, it was taking some getting used to. Mary was feeling more confident, though. Her new powers gave her a feeling of invincibility, as if nothing could touch her. There was just a little more roll to her new hips as she made her way through the downtown. Men whistled and called to her, but she just smiled and continued on. Before she would have been shocked and frightened but now she just accepted it. I'm beautiful and everyone noticed, she thought. No one was ignoring me now. She knew she was being immodest and a little wicked, but she felt too good.
She was in such a good mood; she decided to really enjoy the day. Slipping into an alleyway, Mary made sure no one could see her and then lifted off. Up and up she began to raise, the thrill of flying once more a part of her. She cleared the rooftops and kept going up. The world seemed to slip away, as a warm breeze fluttered across her face. 1000-2000 feet and she was still climbing effortlessly. She stopped at 5000 feet and looked down at the world. The city seemed so small and provincial, while the people were nothing more than ants from up here. She had just been another one of those ants until this happened.
She let out a laugh of sheer joy and began doing some stunt flying, rolling and zooming across the sky. She dropped down and flew with some birds for a while, but they were too slow so she zoomed up and away.
Standing in the shadows below, two figures watched her with keen interest. Circe and Morgaine smiled as they watched her enjoy herself.
"She's coming along quite well,' Morgaine observed.
"Yes, I think it might be time to get her back into the costume,' Circe replied. "The others will be even more alarmed when they see her in black."
"Her resentment and anger will grow which works perfectly into our plan."
"Once she is a weapon, all that is required is to point it,' Circe said. "My revenge will be complete and Hippolyta will be dead."
"And Diana will suffer knowing it was her that should have died, Morgaine added. "She will be vulnerable, then."
"Yes once those two are out of the way, the rest of the Amazons are of no importance,' Circe agreed. "The Gods won't know what happened and we will be in the clear."
"They are your Gods, Circe, not mine,' Morgaine corrected her. She glanced down at her watch and saw how late it was getting. "I must leave you, I have to be back for Mordred."
"The boy that is once more a man,' Circe observed.
"Yes, you had nothing to do with this did you, Circe?' Morgaine asked. "I would not be pleased if you are meddling with my private affairs."
"I had nothing to do with it,' Circe replied. "I am interested in why it happened though. You say he has power?"
"Dormant, alas, but I must admit it is pleasing to see him as a man again,' Morgaine admitted. "We were very close all those years ago."
"Very close, that's a diplomatic way of putting it," Circe said with a wicked smile. "You took him for your lover, Morgaine."
"That is none of your business, Circe,' Morgaine fired back at her. 'I caution you to watch what you say about Mordred and me. You are powerful, but not that powerful."
"Don't ruin our alliance over your fascination with Mordred, Morgaine,' Circe countered. "What you two do is of little concern to me, as long as it doesn't interfere with our plans."
"I need no lecture on my part, Circe."
"Good than there won't be a problem, will there?"
"No,' Morgaine said and then began to fade from view. She held Circe's eyes, an unspoken threat conveyed. Circe waited until she was gone and then turned her attention back to Mary.
"Enjoy your new power, revel in it, for soon the time will be right and you will get to use it,' Circe whispered.
Gotham – MASAMI
Fal
L
I
N
G
T G
w in
irl
D
O
W
N
The sound of
GUNFIRE
Everywhere-all-around-all-encompassing-up-down-back-front-left-right-everywhere.
BULLETS - - - WHIZ BY
ThRoBbInG shoulder
1st SHOT
Bites
Muscle and tissue scream
Still F
A
L
L
I
N
G
FASTER!
2nd SHOT
Cuts into
THIGH
Targets watched in horror.
Death is
F
A
L
L
I
N
G
Towards them.
IMPACT!
Drive them to the pavement
Break
Fall.
First 2
Die
Screaming.
D W R
O N U
P O
Of
Bullets continue.
Bodies become shields.
Blood
D
R
I
P
P
I
N
G
Gotham – BATMAN
She's I-N-S-A-N-E
Fire _
D e s
C e
N d
I
N
g
THINK!
Strategy/Misdirection/Shift Paradigm
Obscure field of vision
V
O E
C R
B
Sniperscan'tshotwhattheycan'tsee
Yakuza men
D
E
A
D
MOVE!
FASTER!
KEEP them off-
B l n e
A a c
Coordinated
They're good
Very good.
I'm
Better.
Keep
Moving
Moving
Moving
Don't allow them to
FOCUS.
Why am I
Trying to save her?
She's a murderer.
An assassin, just like the shooters.
Degrees of Evil?
Killing for money worse then for vengeance?
AAAggh! Hit!
FOCUS, DAMN IT!
Batarangs. Full –
s-p-r-e-a-D.
U
Fire line P
She's badly hurt, bleeding from shoulder and thigh.
Still fighting.
Blood rolling
D
O
W
N
Arm.
Assassins Target = Head Shot
Took
Glancing blow
Feeling faint.
BaLAncE O
F
F
No time.
Think about it later.
P
U
Gotham – MASAMI
Targets
D
O
W
N
Bleeding -
Doesn't matter
Injured -
Doesn't matter
Costumed 'Hero' -
Annoyance
IP
N ER
S ME S
Surround
Chop Sticks, take A
I
M
2 Less
Snipers
Hit again. Shoulder. L
I
M
P
Smoke – Everywhere-Hard to see.
Bullet rips into leg.
F
A
L
L
I
N
G
P
Hero grabs me, then
U
P
Can't see. Hard to breath.
Hold ON!
My Voice or his?
His body Hard
Against
Mine
U
P
And
U
P
We go
Gotham – BATMAN
Just a FEW MORe inchS
WinCE
Bullet tears through calf
Head ringing
Concussion?
Edge within sight. Safety.
Why?
Why did I take her side?
She's a murderer, no better than they are.
We reach the E
D
G
E
She pulls me over. How?
World SP
In
Ni
Ng
KEEP MOVING!
THE
S
H
A
D
O
W
S
My friend.
She's E
Sc
Ap
Ing.
How is she still going?
Have to keep moving
Follow her, catch her
But vision blurred
Seeing spots.
St
Um
Bl
Ing
F
A
L
L
I
N
G
VOICES
Assassins haven't given up
In no shape for confrontation
With them.
STUPID stupid Stupid
Let emotions cloud
Judgement.
Saw myself in her.
Understood her
RAGE!
Lost
F
O
C
U
S
It can't end like this, can it?
Alone, always alone
God, I don't want to die alone.
M E N
O M T.
V E
Won't go down without a fight!
Gotham
Selina had heard the gunshots. She knew he would be there. As maddening as Bruce was, she always understood he was a hero. It was who he was. He always had to try and save them, even the hopeless causes. He never gave up. It's what she admired about him.
She hung back in the shadows, the echo of gunfire bouncing off every surface and surrounding her in its din. She had a bad feeling about this. As much as he wanted everyone to believe otherwise, she knew Bruce was only a man. From experience, she knew men die. Selina desperately didn't want Bruce to die.
She saw them, the Dragon Lady and Batman. It was bad, she could tell by their movements. The tiny woman pulled away from him and somehow made her escape. Selina could see the blood pouring from the woman's wounds, but that wasn't her chief concern. Bruce was.
Selina's heart broke as she watched him try and follow the Dragon Lady, but then stumble and fall. She waited for a moment, holding her breath for him to get up, but he didn't. Bruce dragged himself into the shadows, trying for cover in case the shooters were pursuing. For once he needed someone.
Selina cautiously moved towards him. Her heart was beating frantically. The two of them were always doing this dance, moving forward and then pushing each other away. It was their own private game and they both secretly loved it.
Now wasn't time for games, though.
She slipped into the shadows next to him and saw just how much damage he's suffered. He was still struggling, still on guard, ready to fight to the end.
"Bruce,' She whispered.
He seemed to squint at her for a moment and then his lips moved but she couldn't make out the words.
"Let me help you, Bruce,' she whispered, slipping her arms around him. He was heavy, but somehow she was going to manage. His head was on her shoulder and as his body started to go limp, she could have sworn she heard him whisper.
"Not alone."
The Watchtower
"Okay, do you have a story for us, Wally?' Shayera asked.
"Yeah, I think I do,' he replied.
Sitting at the table in the back of the cafeteria were Wally, Shayera, Zatanna, Dinah and Mari. It had started as just an off-hand thing, but each time all five were on the station together, they would meet here and one of them would tell a story. The only rule they'd made was that the story couldn't be about superhero stuff. It could be any length, any type, have any or no meaning, just that it was a story.
"All right, this story was told to me by a friend,' Wally began. "You know how we all have those moments where we speak before we think?"
"Some of us have more of those than others,' Dinah observed dryly.
"Let him tell the story,' Zee chastised her, and gave her a smack.
"Ow!"
"Go on, Wally,' Mari said. Dinah gave Zee a scowl but didn't say anything this time.
"Well, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted,' Wally said, giving Dinah a glance. "Those times, we might regret it afterwards or not, but it is almost like something is compelling us to say something we know we shouldn't. This is a story about one of those moments.
Popcorn sat in a bowl on the table. Everyone had a beverage in from of him or her. Wally took a long gulp of his soda and then started in.
"So this friend of mine is working with this hot new girl, okay?"
"A 'friend' you say,' Shayera said with a smirk.
"Yes, a friend,' Wally replied. "He's a banquet bartender, okay, so it's not me. Anyway, the hot girl, she's a new hire and this is their first night working together. My friend, he wants to make a good first impression, you know, so he's nice and helpful when he can. They chitchat between serving the customers and she happens to mention it's her birthday. My friend says happy birthday and she says thank you. So a little time goes by, you know, they're working and then during a lull in the night a fly starts flying around the bar. My friend takes a napkin and kills it. Very Kung-Fu like, you know to impress her."
"Yeah, cause that really impresses the ladies,' Dinah said, the snark plain in her voice.
"It does? That's what he said, but I didn't believe him,' Wally said.
"Don't be an idiot, just get on with the story,' Shayera replied.
"So where was I? Oh, okay, so he kills the fly and the girl says 'you should put some salt on it,' Wally continues. "My friend is like, huh? The girl says that if you put salt on it, it will come back to life."
"So she's an imbecile,' Zee asked.
"Did you not hear me say she was hot,' Wally replied.
"Hey!" All the women at the table objected to this.
"My friend asks her to repeat it, cause he's thinking he must have mistakenly heard what she said, but she repeats it. She says to him, put some salt on the fly and it will come back to life. A million things come to my friend's mind, but he stops himself. Like a said, she's hot and he's thinking if he lets it go he might have a shot, you know?"
"So he's delusional?' Zee asked.
"He's a friend of Wally's isn't he?' Dinah sarcastically adds.
Wally makes a face at her, but continues with the story.
"He lets it go and they continue to work, talking now and then. About an hour before closing time, he figures he'll make his move."
"This should be good,' Mari said with a smile.
"No, he's smooth, trust me,' Wally replied. "He starts out casually, asking if she has any plans for her birthday? He asks if her boyfriend is taking her somewhere special to celebrate? See? Smooth."
"Like a blacktop road,' Shayera observed.
"Anyway, here's where the irresistible urge comes in,' Wally said. "The girl says, no, her boyfriend's dead. He killed himself about six months before. For some reason the fly comes into my friend's head and he knows he's going to ruin everything but he finds himself saying _."