A/N

Firstly: The centring on the chapter number seems to be getting messed up by the site's chapter selection dropdown box

Secondly: As for Angry Angry Aquaman. I had recently watched the episode(s) of justice league where he first appears. He was an angry guy in those, so I think it coloured my writing of him a bit. Technically at this point, Aquaman is already a member of the extended Justice League, but I'm having him part-time like how Batman is in this series, but even more part-time. He shows up when he's really needed only and when he feels like helping.

Thirdly: I was going to do more segments, but 5 feels like a nice number. I thought I would be better to introduce some of the characters I intended introducing here in the full P2 as it would be more of a surprise, then do their backstory in a 2point5.

I'm having fun writing these stories. Hopefully, they're as fun to read.

Episode Five

Changes

Chapter One

Gateway City High School

Gateway City

United States

12:05 – Western Summer Time

May 08, 2007

Cassie Sandsmark closed her locker and snapped the padlock shut. Satisfied that it was secured, she turned to her friend Kati, who was putting some books into her own locker.

It was lunchtime and they were going to grab something to eat and probably sit with their other friends, before the two of them headed to the library as Kati wanted to do some research on; well Cassie didn't know what it was she wanted to research, but she was still going to sit with her mainly due to the fact there wasn't much else to do during lunch break and mainly because it was quiet and somewhere out of the way.

As Kati closed and locked her locker, their least favourite person in school came around the corner, followed by her lemming-like friends as though they were in one of those bad high school movie.

Cassie liked to refer to them as the "Bitch Squad". Every high school had them and they were as nasty as they were cliché. Bumping into them usually resulted in insults and general mockery for no other reason than to boost their leader's ego and cover up her own sense insecurity.

"Hey, look who it is," the leader, a girl by the name of Anaya said with a smirk. "It's the Geek Squad."

Cassie frowned unintentionally. Sure, Kati needed corrective lenses, but neither of them was close to what was generally considered to be geeky. Well, if you ignored their tendency of going to the library at lunchtime that was.

The two decided to just ignore them. They just weren't worth it and Cassie had already been kicked out of a few schools simply just because she stood up for herself. Apparently, she was supposed to go to the teachers and tell them about it, but that usually didn't help and only made things worse. So it always ended up with her taking matters into her own hands. Why should she suffer while the teachers did nothing when she could sort it out herself?

As Cassie and Kati moved past them, Anaya stepped in front, blocking their path.

"I'm talking to you," Anaya said.

"She's talking to you," one of her parrots repeated.

Cassie rolled her eyes.

"Don't roll your eyes at me."

Cassie wasn't about to let her intimidate her. She moved forwards and went to move her out of the way with a gentle push, only instead Anaya staggered back and bashed the back of her head into a locker.

"You bitch!" Anaya spat.

Kati grabbed Cassie's arm. "Let's just go," she urged.

Cassie agreed without question and they both hurried off down the hallway, leaving Anaya and her friends stood there in the hallway.

"That's right, run away!" Anaya shouted after them. "Scared like when you wet yourself at the museum. Yeah, that's right, I heard when your mom's museum was robbed how you cried like a baby!"

Cassie ignored them as her and Kati continued on to the cafeteria. She couldn't afford to get into any more fights. The number of schools were quickly running out and her last, Saint Elias had been nearly the final straw for her mother. She had gotten herself kicked out of the best school in the city and to say her mother was livid at the time was definitely an understatement.

As the two of them picked up their trays and got in line, Kati nudged her. "Why did you push her like that?" she asked in a hushed voice.

"It was an accident," Cassie whispered back.

"You shoved her, Cassie," Kati said. "I saw you."

"I didn't shove her," she protested, her voice growing louder. "She was either acting up and pretending, or she was stood at a funny angle. I just wanted to move her out of the way and she tripped or something."

"You sure?" Kati asked.

"Of course I'm sure. I didn't push her like that. I barely even touched her."

The line moved up and the two made their food selection before making their way to an empty table and sat down next to each other. The two of them ate their dinner before they headed off to the library as they had planned.

Cassie just hoped her little spat with Anaya didn't come to bite her later.

Museum of Antiquities

Gateway City

United States

16:06 – Western Summer Time

May 16, 2007

The Gateway City Museum of Antiquities had undergone a hefty refurbishment after the battle between the Justice League and the thieves who had wanted to steal some powerful and dangerous artefacts. That had been back in March and the place was almost back to the way it was.

While they no longer had the artefacts in question, them being returned back to Themyscira, they did now have some non-magical Themysciran artefacts to display, donated to them by the Amazons themselves. It was a nice gesture after what had happened and they even brought in tourists who wanted to see a little bit of Wonder Woman's homeland.

Cassie was heading there to see her mother, Helena, who was a single parent. Cassie didn't know her father, never had. All she knew was he was called Frank or something like that and it was a short romance. Why he had left, where he had gone she had no idea. He was a mystery, one that Cassie had never gotten a straight answer out of her mother on.

It had been a few days since the minor incident with Anaya as Cassie stepped through the front doors of the museum and said a friendly hello the new security guard on watch. As she stepped up to a "Staff Only" door near the rear of the museum, a guard she didn't recognise blocked her path with folded arms and a stern gaze.

"Sorry," he said, pointing out the sign. "Staff only."

"I'm off to see my mom," she told him. "I'm Cassie Sandsmark."

He eyed her sceptically as he lifted the radio that was on his shirt and pressed down the button. "Hey, got a Cassie Sandsmark down here who's trying to get into the back offices."

A voice came over the small radio's speaker. "Let her through."

The guard frowned. "Don't we need confirmation that it's her? A name ain't much good if anyone can use it."

"Blonde, wearing a Captain Marvel T-shirt. Yeah, I'm looking at her on the surveillance monitors. Let her through, she's Helena's daughter."

The security guard stepped aside, clearly not happy. "You can go through I guess. But I'll be keeping an eye on you."

"Thanks," she said ignoring the idle threat as she pushed the door open and made her way up the stairs. She knocked on her mother's office door and waited.

"Come in," came her mother's voice.

Cassie pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"Hey, I thought you were going to Kati's house after school?"

"She went home sick," Cassie said as she sat down on the chair opposite.

"I can't babysit, Cassie, I have work to do," Helena told her as she signed a piece of paperwork.

"I don't need babysitting," Cassie said as she picked up a glass paperweight off of her mother's desk. Strange, it seemed a lot lighter than she was expecting. She put it back down and looked at her mother. "Do you need help with anything?"

"No, I don't," Helena told her. "Nothing you can help with, anyway."

"Come on, there must be something you need doing?"

A small smile crept onto Helena's face. She picked up her empty mug and held it out. "Okay, go to the kitchen and make me a coffee." Cassie groaned. Helena's brow raised. "Hey, you said you wanted to help."

"Yeah, but not that," Cassie said. "Something useful."

"Getting me a coffee is useful. It helps me concentrate."

Cassie stood up and grabbed the mug from her mother. "Okay, I'll get you a coffee."

"That's a good girl. And I want a proper coffee, not that instant stuff or out of the machine."

Cassie stuck her out tongue then promptly headed to the kitchen. She put the coffee cup down on the side and opened the cupboard door and found that it was a new jar of coffee beans.

She hated new jars as they were always a pain to open. She took the small container out of the cupboard and gripped the lid, giving it a twist. To her surprise, it came off easily. A little too easily.

Looking at the lid, she realised why. It had a crack on the side which she hadn't noticed. She put it down and pulled off the foil cap before retrieving a spoon, scooping some coffee beans out into the mug. She then put some water in the kettle and turned it on.

While she was waiting for the water to boil, she stepped up the vending machine and shoved some coins into it, grabbing herself a can of Soder Cola. She drunk it down and threw it in the trash then made her way back to the kettle as it boiled. She poured the hot water into the mug and stirred it.

With the coffee back in the cupboard, she took the steaming mug of black coffee back to her mother's office.

"Thanks," Helena said as she took the drink from her daughter. "I've been needing this."

"You're welcome," Cassie said as she sat back down in the chair.

Helena frowned. "Getting me coffee wasn't an invitation to stay, Cassie. I'm sure there're better things you could be doing than hanging around a museum with your mom."

Cassie shrugged. "Yeah, I guess I do, but that means heading home."

"Why didn't you?"

"It's too far to walk."

"Take the bus."

"I missed it."

"How can you miss the bus?" Helena asked.

"Because I came here."

Helena sighed. "I can't wait until you've passed your driving test. Then I won't have to deal with excuses like that."

"Me neither," Cassie agreed.

Helena eyed her daughter. "So, you really want to help?"

"Yeah."

"Then get a mop and bucket and clean the floors in the hallway."

Cassie recoiled in her chair. "Not at all the kind of help I'm offering," she said a little too loudly. "Besides, don't you have janitors to do that sort of thing?"

"I don't have the time to look for something for you to do. Take the job I've offered or go home."

Cassie stood up. "Okay, fine, I'll go. See you tonight."

She stood up and made her way out of the office and headed back down onto the museum floor. She looked at some of the Amazon artefacts before she left the museum and headed to the nearest bus stop.

It didn't take long for the next bus to arrive, which she took to the bus terminal. From there she decided to head to the Pacific View Mall. It wasn't a long walk and in five minutes she was there.

It had been a few weeks since she had last been here at the mall and that had been with Kati and Jayna, a friend who had dropped out of High School at the end of the last term. Jayna worked at the mall, in a Gothic clothing store these days and she was the real reason Cassie had come here.

Cassie pushed the door open to the store and stepped inside. All around her were dark clothes, chains and metal studs. There was some kind of heavy music playing in the background with growling vocals and down-tuned guitars. Nothing here appealed to Cassie, except hanging out with her friend who was stood behind the counter.

"Hey, Cass," Jayna called over, her face pasty white and her hair dyed a dark purple.

"Hey," Cassie said, leaning up against the wall. "Had many customers?"

"A few," Jayna replied. "Been quiet mostly, just how I like it."

"Apart from the music," Cassie commented.

"It's not that loud."

"No, but it's awful. How can you stand listening to this garbage all day?"

"This music is great," Jayna objected. "Just because you like to poppy trash doesn't mean everyone does."

"It's called pop for a reason. Because it's popular and it's popular for a reason, Jay."

"Yeah, because you sheep listen to it."

Cassie rolled her eyes, folding her arms across her chest defensively. "I'm not a sheep."

"Keep telling yourself that, Cass," Jayna said. "Wearing the Flash T-shirt, like a fangirl."

Cassie looked down at herself. "It's Captain Marvel, not Flash."

"Whatever. Superheroes are overrated."

"Overrated?" Cassie asked in disbelief. "They save the world and keep us safe."

"Tell that to the guys who live down south that got their city blown up by those aliens two months ago. I'm sure they feel safe and secure. Not to mention all those times aliens have tried to enslave or kill us."

"Come on Jay, that's not fair."

The goth girl shrugged. "Whatever. How'd we even get onto the topic of superheroes anyway?"

"You brought it up."

"Oh, that's right. I saw your Flash T-shirt."

Cassie gritted her teeth. "It's Captain Marvel."

"Isn't he like a little kid?"

"No," Cassie said defensively. "Haven't you seen pictures of him? The guy's definitely a man."

Jayna shrugged. "If you say so. I just heard rumours."

"They're lies."

"Oohhh, did I hit a nerve. Got the hots for Captain hunky?"

"No," Cassie said looking away, feeling embarrassed. She was glad there weren't any customers in the store right now, otherwise, she would have wanted to run and hide and never show her face here again.

"I don't really care if you do or not, actually," Jayna said with disinterest. "So, did you come in here to dis my music and tell me how much you love Captain Marvel or was there something else you wanted?"

"Nah, just came in to hang."

"You don't want to buy anything?"

"No thanks. Choker chains and leather isn't my scene."

"Prude."

"Hey, I'm not a prude."

"Coulda fooled me."

"Jay, can you not?" Cassie asked.

"You're so easy to get going, Cass," Jayna teased, shaking her head.

"Whatever, Jay," she said as she grabbed a chain off of a hook and began to play with it.

Jayna changed the subject. "So how's Kati?"

"She went home sick today."

"What's up with her?"

"I dunno. Something."

"Well, I figured it was something, Cass."

"Yeah, I guess she just caught a bug or something," Cassie said as she wrapped the chain around her knuckles.

"Planning on punching someone?" Jayna asked.

Cassie looked up. "Huh?" she asked confused.

"Why are you messing with the merch and why are you wrapping it around your knuckles?" Jayna questioned. "Could you put it back?"

"Sorry." As she unwrapped it from her knuckle, it snapped.

"Hey, you're gonna have to pay for that," Jayna told her with a frown.

"I didn't break it. The thing must already been damaged."

"Just give it here," she quickly tested the unbroken piece for strength. It seemed sturdy enough. "I guess you couldn't have broken it unless you suddenly got super strength or something."

"See, it wasn't me. The thing must've been defective."

"Sorry, I guess."

"No, it's okay. I should probably be heading off anyway. We still on for Sunday afternoon?"

"Yep, as long as Kati's feeling better."

"Yeah, let's hope," Cassie said. "See ya later."

"Bye."

Cassie stepped out of the Gothic store and back out into the mall plaza. From there she headed to the food court and bought a burger and some cola before heading back to the bus terminal and then home.

DMV

Gateway City

United States

13:16 – Western Summer Time

May 26, 2007

The passenger door closed and the examiner rested the notepad on his lap. He then strapped himself in and looked over.

"Okay, Cassie, once you're ready."

She nodded, checking that she had her seatbelt on, which she did.

"Take us out onto the road," the examiner said.

Cassie nodded again as she checked her mirrors then released the parking brake after checking the car was in gear.

She was glad that she had learnt to drive stick instead of auto. At first, she had regretted it, but perseverance had gotten her through it. Learning on a manual opened her up to what she could drive and didn't limit her. Her mother had urged her to go manual because of that fact.

Ten minutes later she was on the road after doing a quick vision test, which she easily passed. That didn't ease her apprehension though and her heart thumping hard in her chest. This wasn't just another lesson, this was a test and she was starting to grow nervous about it.

"Make a left turn up here," the examiner instructed.

Cassie slowed her approach to the junction and turned on the turn signal. She checked there was no traffic coming before she turned the wheel and guided the car smoothly around the corner.

As more time passed the more comfortable she felt. At least up until the final five minutes when they were heading back to the DMV. That's when her nerves started to flare up again. She became more than convinced that she had made too many mistakes.

Finally, she was pulling back into the DMV car park and her heart was thumping harder than it had done when she started the test.

She gripped the wheel tightly as the examiner turned to her.

"Well, I'm happy to say that you passed."

Relief washed over her and she began to shake. "Thank you," she said, releasing the wheel.

"Let's head inside," he said getting out of the car.

As Cassie opened up her own door, she noticed that the steering wheel seemed to be deformed. Taking a closer look she saw that it was. She thought it was strange. The car didn't look that old and it would take some force to bend the top of the wheel like that.

"Everything okay?" the examiner asked.

"Yes, everything's fine," she said as she pulled the keys out of the ignition and stepped out of the car.

The rest of the day was almost surreal for Cassie. She couldn't believe it. She had now passed all of her tests, which was great and a huge weight off of her shoulders. Having a drivers licence would open up all sorts of avenues for her, but the best thing of all was that she wouldn't have to take the bus any more.

Well, she would until she got a car, which was still a way off yet. But at least she had a licence.

Gateway City

United States

09:16 – Western Summer Time

June 02, 2007

"Come on sleepyhead, finish your breakfast," Helena said to her daughter as she stepped into the kitchen to find her daughter hunched over cereal.

Cassie looked up from her bowl in surprise. "Why aren't you at work?"

"Day off," Helena said. "Come on, your corn flakes will go soggy."

Her mother's cell phone rang and she quickly left the room while Cassie finished her breakfast. A moment later her mother was back in the kitchen.

"Come on, we have something to show you."

"We?" Cassie asked as she followed her mother to the front door.

She pulled it open as her grandparents walked up the path.

"There's our little granddaughter," her grandmother said, opening her arms wide wanting a hug.

Cassie refrained and just waved. "Hi," she said. "I didn't know you were coming around today."

Her grandfather smiled broadly. "Well, since you passed your test, we and your mother decided to get you something." He gestured over to a small two-door car in the driveway.

Cassie couldn't believe it. "You bought me a car?"

"Yes," Helena said, putting her arm around her daughter. "Think of it as a birthday present."

"But my birthday isn't until-"

"A very early birthday present," Her mother interrupted.

Cassie turned and hugged her mother.

"Ow," Helena protested, "Trying to crush me? Not so hard."

Cassie let her go. "Sorry, just excited." She gave her grandparents softer hugs before walking over to the car. It was a two-door red Chevy Cavalier. Not exactly a sports car, but it was still something.

"It's about seven years old," Helena told her. "Not a new car, but perfect for a first. Doesn't matter so much if you put a few dents in it."

"Hey," Cassie objected. "I'm not gonna put any dents in it."

"We'll see," her grandfather said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out some keys.

"Can I take it for a spin?" Cassie asked, taking the keys from him.

"In a little while," Helena said. "Let's all head inside. They didn't just come to give you a car, they came to visit too."

Cassie refrained from back chatting or complaining, even though she really wanted to go for a drive now. She knew she could wait until her grandparents went home. After all, it had been a while since she had seen them.

Gateway City

United States

13:24 – Western Summer Time

June 02, 2007

Cassie slowed the car to a stop outside of Kati's house, a huge grin plastered on her face. She still could barely believe that not only did she have her licence, but a car too.

She turned off the ignition, pulled out the key and climbed out of the car, locking it. She then made her way up to the front door and rung the doorbell and waited.

A few moments later the door opened, revealing Kati's mother.

"Hey, is Kati in?"

"Yeah, she is. Just a moment."

The door closed and Cassie waited until it was opened again by Kati.

"Wasn't expecting to see you today," her friend said.

Cassie held up the keys. "Guess who has a car."

Kati looked past her at the car in the street. "Seriously?" she asked in surprise.

"Yep."

"That's awesome."

"You wanna go for a ride?"

"Sure, I'll just get my bag."

Kati disappeared for a moment, then came out of the house with her handbag, closing the front door as she stepped onto the path.

"Where are we going?" Kati asked as the two of them walked over to the car.

"Thought we'd pick up Jayna then go for a drive. Not sure where, maybe just about, y'know."

"That's cool."

The two of them climbed into the car and Cassie started her up after they had both buckled themselves in.

"This is pretty nice," Kati said as Cassie released the parking brake. "We could go anywhere anytime."

"Yeah, if you're willing to pay for the gas," Cassie mused. "Mom says I'm gonna have to get a job now. Thinking of asking Jayna if there're any spots open where she works."

"I thought you hated the whole Goth scene?" Kati asked.

"I do, kinda, but cash is cash."

"What about at the museum where your mom works?"

"Only jobs open that I can do is as a janitor and no thanks to that." Cassie checked her mirrors before she pulled out and drove up the road.

"There're websites you can go on to help you with job searches," Kati pointed out. "Just apply to stuff and something will come up."

"You think?"

"Yeah."

Cassie turned on the left turn signal as she slowed down for the junction. She checked both ways and waited for a car to pass before she pulled out heading towards the city.

Kati leant over and began to fiddle with the radio. "Does this thing work?"

"Yeah, it does," Cassie said.

Music began to play loudly. Kati turned it down a bit then sat back. "I like this song," she said.

"Yeah," Cassie agreed, too focused on the road to really pay attention to what her friend had said.

It wasn't long until they arrived at the apartment where Jayna lived with her father.

Kati got out of the car and headed inside. A few minutes later she emerged with her close behind. The Goth girl stood while Kati pulled the front seat forward and climbed into the back. Jayna then pushed the seat back into position and got in.

"Not much space back here," Kati commented.

Jayna pulled her seat forward. "That better?"

"Yeah, That's better," Kati said.

Jayna immediately turned her attention to the radio. "What's this garbage?" she asked before she began to flip through channels until she found the rock station. The goth girl then sat back. "Not as heavy as I'd like, but it'll do." she looked over at Cassie. "Hey, is that a black Wonder Woman t-shirt you're wearing?"

"Yeah," Cassie said. "Got it from the same place I got my Marvel t-shirt."

"How many hero t-shirts have you got?"

"Two," Cassie said. "And this one's fairly new."

"So, got a crush on Wonder Woman now or something?"

Cassie rolled her eyes, knowing what was coming. "No, I don't."

"I bet you do," Jayna teased annoyingly. "I bet seeing her in real-life beat the crap outta those badguys at your mom's museum was quite the thrill."

"It was, but not in that way," Cassie said. "Besides, I helped defeat them."

It was Jayna's turn to roll her eyes. "Sure ya did."

"No, I'm being serious"

"Then why wasn't that mentioned in the papers or on the news?" Jayna questioned.

"Because Wonder Woman told us to keep it quiet," Cassie told her.

"Sure, and how did you manage that again? Magic gloves or something?"

"They were gauntlets," Cassie corrected. "And the magic artefacts were the reason they were there trying to rob the museum in the first place."

Jayna turned around to address Kati in the back. "Do you believe her?" she asked, wanting some support.

Kati shrugged. "I guess I do," she said, unsure.

"Sounds like too much time spent daydreaming to me," Jayna said, turning back around to face forward. "I can't see you fighting supervillains Cass, no offence."

Cassie decided to change the subject. "Forget it. Listen, mom says I need a job. Any vacancies at the place you work at?"

"No, not really. If you want a job, I know of this diner place that are looking for waitresses."

"No," Cassie said shaking her head vehemently. "I'm not gonna be a waitress."

"Come on, it can't be that bad," Jayna said. "What else are you gonna do? Wear a cape and fight crime?" she joked.

"I'm not working as a waitress and that's final."

Enzo's Diner

Gateway City

United States

12:30 – Western Summer Time

June 16, 2007

"Good afternoon, may I take your order, my name is Cassie."

She hated this. She hated the uniform, she hated having to have her hair up in a dumb bun, she hated the fake smile she had to have on her face and so far she hated the customers. She had to keep reminding herself that this was only a part-time weekend job. If it were full-time, then she might actually end up murdering someone.

The customer, a man in a dark suit looked up from the newspaper he was reading. "Coffee, one sugar, plenty of cream and I wouldn't mind one of those beef burgers. Just the bun and the burger please, no extras, understood?"

She wrote it down, before repeating it back to him. He confirmed with a look of annoyance, as though her confirming that it was the correct order was somehow wasting his time.

Still, she kept the fake smile plastered on her face and fulfilled his order without verbal complaint. In her head, however, she was cursing up a storm. The tip he gave when he left wasn't even a tip. More like loose change that he couldn't be bothered to carry about with him.

She was on what was called the afternoon shift, despite it beginning at eleven. It ran through until five which meant six long hours of tedium and boredom. The other thing was that for most of it, she was going to be the only waitress there, which she felt was odd considering she hadn't done this job before.

The only other waitress was there until one o'clock in the afternoon and when the time finally came where she left to go home, Cassie felt like her safety net had been removed. From that point until five, she was on her own.

By the time four o'clock rolled around, she was ready to go home. She had thankfully only made a few mistakes by mishearing customers and the only reason she hadn't confirmed the orders was due to how some others had reacted. As though making sure it was correct was the worst thing she could possibly do to them. Like they were now going to be late for whatever because she had made sure their order was what they wanted. It was frustrating, to say the least.

As the five o'clock rolled around and two other waitresses arrived for the busy five until eight shift, Cassie practically ran into the back, throwing off her apron and signed out. With a goodbye to the manager, who confirmed she would be in tomorrow for the lunchtime shift, she headed out to her car and climbed in.

She took a deep breath, knowing that she really didn't want to come back tomorrow, but it was tough luck because she had to.

With a twist of the ignition, her car started and she headed home.

Updated January 2018