Promises
"You Set My Soul on Fire"
Metropolis
Wally was the first on the scene, as usual. The entire sidewall of the central bank had been ripped open. Standing at the entrance were Live Wire, Grundy, Cheetah, Toyman and his toy army. The toy army was a hodge-podge of green army men, knights on toy horses, ninjas and samurais, cowboys and Indians, Roman Legionnaires along with soldiers and fighting figures out of stories and films. Toyman chewed the end of his bubblegum cigar as he marched back and forth in front of them.
"You're all good men,' he shouted to his ranks. "Remember, winning is it's own reward for you! I'm going to keep the money. When those heroes get here, you're going to hit them hard and hit them again and again, cause you're tough! I'm not going to lie to you; this is going to get tough! But what happens when the going gets tough?"
The toy soldiers just silently stood there looking at him. Toyman stopped and took the bubblegum cigar from his mouth.
'Oh, right, sorry, I forgot most of you guys don't talk," Toyman said. "Well, the tough get going, that's what happens! Now I want you all to pay special attention to a couple of cuties. One has an S on her chest and the other has a lighting bolt. Don't let their hotness fool you, they're crazy chicks and can't take a compliment! Ah, I love the smell of plastic in the morning, it reminds me of victory!"
"I think I'm going to kill him if the Justice League doesn't,' Live Wire grumbled.
"Give it up, guys,' Wally called out. "The Justice League is on the way. It's over!"
In answer, Live wire sent several shocks of electricity at him. Wally dodged them, but they seemed to turn and follow him.
"They never want to do it the easy way,' he lamented. As he zigzagged back and forth avoiding the electricity, toy helicopters suddenly appeared and began strafing the area. "Hey! One at a time, guys!"
Shayera finally arrived just as Dinah and Jonn transported in.
"Shayera!" Dinah called out, tossing her mace in the air. A big smile came to Shayera's face as she caught her mace and headed for the toy helicopters.
"What did you guys walk?' Wally shouted.
"It appears we are in luck,' Jonn said. "We arrived before Supergirl did."
"Maybe we finally caught a break,' Dinah started to reply, but then the area exploded with music. "What the hell?"
"It's a military band,' Toyman shouted with glee. "With those fishnets on how about a little dance, honey? I'm sure there's a pole around here somewhere."
"Don't let him bother you, Dinah,' Jonn warned.
"He doesn't, Jonn, I've heard a lot worse,' Dinah replied.
"Finally one of you doesn't go all hormonal,' Toyman sighed. "You're hot, babe, but sadly a little old for my tastes."
"Okay, now he's pissed me off,' Dinah grumbled, clenching her fists in anger.
"What are all you gals cycling with the moon or something?"
Dinah took a step towards Toyman, but suddenly Cheetah leapt at her from behind. The two women rolled on the pavement, wrestling.
"I've fought Wonder Woman, so you should be no trouble,' Cheetah rasped in Dinah's face.
"You also lost to her every time,' Dinah replied, kicking Cheetah off her.
"Ooh, cat fight! Cat fight!" Toyman shouted, as he jumped up and down. "What's the matter, Martian, don't they have cat fights back home?"
"Your taunts are useless against me, Toyman, I will not be angered by them,' Jonn replied.
"Well, aren't you soooooo mature,' Toyman mocked. "How about some fire then, Scarecrow?"
Toy soldiers with flamethrowers stepped forth and unleashed a volley of fire directly at Jonn. A primal fear gripped him and he turned transparent, dissolving into the pavement.
"Guess he decided to burn and run, ha!" Toyman laughed and then turned to watch the cat fight between Dinah and Cheetah. As he did, he suddenly came face to face with Shayera.
"Aaaawwwwww!" he screamed and jumped back.
"No pervy comments, Toyman,' she sarcastically asked, raising her mace to hit the soldiers coming at her.
"Um, ah, you have a nice ass,' he offered.
"Why you little bastard!" Shayera screamed.
"You asked!"
Metropolis – Above the scene
Kara, Courtney and Mary were flying towards the scene of the robbery. They had been delayed by a rescue.
"I can't believe you made us stop to get that kid's cat out of a tree, Mary,' Kara groused.
"It was a cute kitty and the little boy was so happy,' Mary replied, defending herself.
"It's a big city, Mary! It has firemen, you know!"
"Down there,' Courtney shouted. "There's the bank robbery! Oh, wait, is that? Oh, I'm so going to hurt him!"
"Who,' Mary asked, as she turned to look down.
"Toyman!" Kara growled, clinching her fists in anger.
"Toyman, that bastard,' Courtney shouted.
"AAARRRRRRRRRRR,' Mary just growled and put on a burst of speed heading straight for him.
"There she goes again,' Courtney screamed. "Get her Kara!"
"What's the hurry,' Kara asked, slowing down a bit.
"Don't be a bitch, Kara, she's going to kill him,' Courtney replied. "If she kills him I'll never hear the fucking end of it from Billy!"
"How did you ever think you could keep your promise not to swear,' Kara said. "You're like a fountain of dirty talk, you know?"
"Shut up and get down there!"
"Oh, alright, since you got one whole sentence out without swearing."
Kara put on a burst of speed and headed after Mary. Courtney watched her for a moment, before following.
"Bitch," Courtney said under her breath.
"I heard that!" Kara shouted over her shoulder.
The Street Below
Shayera was fighting her way through wave after wave of green army men, storm troopers and Knights who say 'Ni', all the while getting angrier and angrier.
"Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni!"
"Would you please shut the hell up?" She shouted, swinging her mace back and forth trying to clear a path. Dinah had broken away from Cheetah and turned to assist Shayera. She let out sonic burst knocking a whole squad of toy soldiers out of the way.
"NI! Ni! ni!" The stragglers slowly said in diminishing voices. Dinah turned towards Toyman and couldn't help the smile on her face.
"Knights who say 'Ni" really?"
"Well, they're knights, fighters,' he explained, as he dodged behind some of his toy soldiers. "Wait till the rabbit gets here!"
Despite herself, Dinah started laughing. Wally and Shayera turned and looked at her in shock.
"You find this funny,' Shayera shouted, as green army men latched on to her wings trying to pull her down to the ground.
"I think Cheetah must have hit her in the head,' Wally offered, pulling green army men off Shayera.
"It's just so stupid and silly,' Dinah tried to justify between laughs. The ground behind her suddenly shifted and morphed into Plastic Man. He did not look happy.
"You laugh at him,' Plastic Man shouted. "Toyman, that pervert? I've told you a million jokes and all you do is shout for me to get out, but he does one stupid thing and you laugh? I don't believe you? Here I finally thought we were on the escalator of love and you wound me like this!"
"The escalator of what,' Dinah replied in confusion. "Look, I can't help it, I just…"
Her explanation was cut off as Cheetah attacked her again. The two of the plunged into the crowd of soldiers, fighting as they rolled over and over. Plastic Man had a hurt look on his face as he moved to help her.
Inside the Bank
Grodd and Killer Frost were stuffing bags with money and gold from the vault. Frost turned and looked at the mayhem just outside.
"Brilliant plan, Grodd, it looks like the whole Justice League is out there,' she said. "Why did you have to include Toyman in this, anyway?"
Grodd stopped what he was doing for a moment and looked at her.
"Because he's an annoying little bastard,' Grodd explained. "If that rumble you hear is what I think it is, the Justice League will be too busy with him to worry about us. We get to walk scot free and have more to split."
The rumble got louder and Frost began to smile.
"Maybe you are as smart as you say,' she offered.
"Smarter, my dear, smarter."
Outside
The rumble was even louder on the street. As they continued to fight, everyone turned to see toy soldiers being tossed haphazardly out of the way. Mary Marvel suddenly appeared and she was pissed.
"Toyman!" She shouted, flying straight for him.
"Oh, Jeez, time to call in the reserves,' Toyman nervously said. He pressed a button on his belt and suddenly another wave of toy soldiers joined the fight. A rather large one landed right on top of Mary sending her bouncing off the pavement.
"Night Elf Mohawk, take that,'' Toyman shouted happily. He gave a smirk as he looked at Mary sprawled on the ground. "I see London, I see France, and I see Mary Marvel's underpants! Hee-Hee!"
"You dirty bastard,' she shouted, pulling her skirt down quickly.
"What? I saved that one just for you,' Toyman replied. "I thought you'd be flattered!"
As she rose, glaring at him, two red beams flashed down from the sky and cut the medals off Toyman uniform.
"AAAAA!" He screamed in shock and then looked up. Kara was hovering above the mêlée and she looked almost as pissed as Mary did.
"The next blast is going to be aimed a lot lower, you little pervert,' Kara shouted.
"AAAAA! Mohawks, Knights of Ni defend your leader,' Toyman squealed in panic, crossing his hands in front of him. Toy soldiers seemed to drop from the sky, grabbing at Kara and Courtney pulling them down to the street where other toys soldiers were waiting to jump on them.
"Watch the fucking hands! God! Even his toys are perverted,' Courtney shouted.
"NI! NI! NI!"
"When I get my hands on you Toyman," Kara grumbled as she shook off toy soldiers left and right and continued towards him.
"GRRRRRRRRR!" Mary Marvel grunted in anger, spinning faster and faster, smashing all the toys around her.
"Grundy! Don't just stand there you freak, help me,' Toyman shouted.
"Grundy waiting for Superman," he replied. "I know my part of plan, little man."
"Screw the plan, improvise!"
"Improvisation not my strong suit,' Grundy admitted.
"Learn!"
Kara and Mary were getting closer and closer all the time. Toyman began to back up, but just as he was about to turn and run, Mary broke through and lunged at him.
"GRRRRR!" She growled at him, even as his Mohawks jumped on her again.
"AAAAIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Toyman screamed in panic and took off running.
On the Edge of the battle
Superman and Wonder Woman transported in. They were both ready for any attack.
"Let's see what the situation is,' Clark offered, but he was cut off.
"AAAAAAIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE!" Toyman screamed as he came running by. He saw Clark and Diana and stopped. He gave Diana a rather lingering, lecherous look.
"Finally the A team shows up,' he said and then gave Diana another leer. "In your case, the T and A team, sweetheart!"
"Why you dirty little…," Diana started to shout, but an even louder shouting cut this off.
"Toyman!" Kara and Courtney were rushing straight for him.
"AAAAAIIIIIEEEEEEE!" He squealed again and took off running.
"Well, I guess we know what the situation is now,' Clark drily said. "Help me stop these two, please, Diana."
"Why,' she replied. "Let them tear him a new one as Kara says."
"I knew she was going to be a bad influence on you,' Clark grumbled. "Please?'
"Oh, all right,' Diana grumbled.
"Stop, Kara, Courtney, stop right now,' Clark said, stepping in front of them. Diana reluctantly stepped to his side.
"Oh, come on,' Kara lamented. "You never let me hit anyone, Kal!"
"Kara, you want to kill him,' Clark pointed out.
"No, just rip his head off and stuff it up his…" She replied.
"I think that would kills him, Kara,' Diana offered. "Although, it would shut him up."
"See? Even Diana agrees with me,' Kara grumbled. "You never want me to have any fun!"
Courtney was trying to use this exchange to quietly slip around them, but Diana had her eye on her.
"Star girl, stop right there."
"Fuck," Courtney said at being caught.
"Excuse me, young lady,' Diana replied in shock at her language.
"Sorry."
"Get the fucking hell out of my way, bitches, damn it,' Mary suddenly shouted, pushing Kara out of he way.
"Jeez, Mary I'm on your side,' Kara groused.
"I'm not a bitch,' Courtney shouted, her feelings hurt.
Mary suddenly stopped as Superman and Wonder Woman confronted her.
"Mary?"
Diana looked at the young hero, shocked at how angry she was. Her language wasn't helping either.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Wonder Woman, Mr. Superman,' Mary suddenly offered rather meekly.
"Ladies, we don't let personally feelings affect how we do this,' Clark said firmly. "I want you to act like adults and be mature about this."
Suddenly Shayera came flying over them.
"I'm going to kill that little bastard,' she shouted, gripping her mace with both hands. Kara, Courtney and Mary looked at each other and then took off after Shayera. Clark put his hand to his face and groaned.
"I thought I had them there for a moment,' he said.
Before Diana could reply, Grundy barreled into Clark, crashing them both into a building.
"Kal!"
"I'll handle this, Diana, you have to stop them,' he shouted.
"I'd rather help you,' she offered. He punched Grundy, sending him reeling back. Clark moved over to Diana.
"Diana, please,' He started. "Look at me. If you do this, when we have that date at the end of this week, we'll do anything you want, I promise."
"Anything,' Diana asked, the image of a heart-shaped bed suddenly coming to her mind.
"Anything, I promise."
"Well, all right, but I'm going to remember your promise,' she replied.
"I'm sure you will,' he said with a smile and then turned as Grundy attacked again. Diana stood there for a moment watching them, but then turned and headed off after the three teenage heroes. She sympathized with them, but more pressing desires trumped their killing Toyman.
Gotham
Bruce had heard all about the bank heist in Metropolis, but Mr. Terrific assured him the situation was being handled. Frankly he wanted no part in trying to stop Kara, Courtney and Mary. He'd seen the mood they were in the last time they met Toyman, so he was happy to let Clark and the others deal with it. He was currently perched high atop a building in downtown. He was the Batman. There had been some suspicious activity in this area lately, so he was here to nip it in the bud.
The hairs on Bruce's neck stood up as the air behind him seemed to transmute and shimmer. He didn't even turn around, as he knew it was her.
"So what are we looking for,' Zatanna asked as she came up and stood next to him.
"WE are not looking for anything,' Batman said. "I'm working, Zatanna."
"Wow, you are really deep into the whole Batman thing tonight,' she observed.
"What are you doing here,' he asked.
"Well you missed me earlier, so I thought I'd drop by after my show,' she explained. "I have to admit, I was expecting a better welcome than this, Bruce."
"I never said I missed you,' he objected.
"Sure you did, right after you went all jealousy boyfriend on Constantine," she replied.
"I don't remember that at all,' Bruce grumbled. "Then again, you always did have a overactive imagination."
Zatanna folded her arms in front of her and gave Bruce a look.
"And to think I almost let you kiss me,' she complained.
"Ha! You kissed me as I remember,' Bruce countered. Zee smiled now.
"See, I knew you remembered," she teased.
"You are such a snot, you know that don't you?"
"That must be part of why you missed me,' she continued teasing.
"All right, I can see you're never going to let that go,' Bruce replied. "Yes, I missed you, but don't read too much into it, please? This isn't the place for you, Zee. This is my world and you…"
"Oh, God, you're not really going to use the different worlds excuse on me, are you? You should copyright it, you get so much use out of it,' she said, cutting him off.
Bruce turned fully towards her now, the original reason he was here forgotten.
"It's not an excuse, it's a fact,' he said.
"Blah-blah-blah, Bruce,' Zee countered. "For your information, I don't want to live in your world anyway. It's grimy, dirty and stinks, why would I? I just like dropping in now and then, is that so bad?"
"You don't want," Bruce started in surprise. "It's not grimy."
"You keep telling yourself that,' Zee replied. "Besides, I've got a life of my own, you know. I hate to burst your bubble, but not everyone dreams of sitting up in Wayne Mortuary waiting for you to come home.'
"Mansion,' he corrected her.
"Shut up,' she fired back. "Look, I know who you are; Bruce and I know you're not going to change. I don't expect you too. I'm not going to change either. I just thought we might be able to not change together sometimes, you know?"
Bruce was completely caught off guard by this. She had a way of doing that to him.
"I think I'd like that,' he admitted. This brought a big smile to her face.
"Good, I would too,' she added. "Jeez, did you think I wanted you to do what Clark and Diana are doing? Really? I know you could never do that in a million years."
"That's not true,' he objected. "If they can do it, I certainly could.'
"Never," she laughed. "Look, I'll let you get back to your Lone Wolf thing now."
"Not lone wolf, dark knight, if you want to be technical,' he corrected. "And I most certainly could do it."
"Yeah, whatever,' Zee said dismissively. "Look how about breakfast tomorrow? Say ten? I'll wake you up?'
"Make it ten thirty, I'll probably be here awhile,' Bruce replied. He actually smiled as he looked at her.
Metropolis
"AAAIIIIIEEEEEE!"
"Come back here and take your beating like a man," Kara shouted, ripping toy soldiers in half, left and right.
"Ninjas! Samurai! The sexy little thing in the short skirt, stop her,' Toyman squealed. "The one with the lightening bolt too. Hell, just stop all of them!"
With the marching band playing and the general chaos of the scene, it was impossible to hear the ninjas and samurai descend down nylon ropes to cut off Toyman's pursuers. Smoke bombs erupted all around and a thick cloud covered everything. Diana finally managed to catch up with the three and Shayera, just as the toy warriors attacked. Their swords flashed and slashed out. Diana raised her bracelets to block them and was surprised the swords didn't break. It seemed Toyman made at least one thing of high quality.
As the others began battling the toys, Kara took a rather direct approach. She just waded into to them, letting their swords bounce off her, as she punched and kicked her way forward.
"I'm coming you little prick,' she shouted through the smoke. Suddenly a large figure came barreling through the haze and drove it's shoulder into her midsection, driving her back.
"That's a big fucking night elf Mohawk,' Courtney gasped, as she continued to fight.
"Star Girl, language,' Diana chastised her.
"Sorry, Wonder Woman."
"It is pretty damn big, Diana," Shayera commented.
The large toy stood up and glared at them.
"Not a night elf Mohawk, a Night F-ing Mohawk,' it shouted.
"F this,' Kara growled, punching her fist through the toy's chest and out the back.
"RRRRRRRRRR,' Mary screamed and raced forward into the fog. She suddenly came flying back out. The silhouettes of a whole squad of Night F-ing Mohawks began visible.
"I'm going to kill him,' Kara grumbled.
"NO,' Diana shouted. "Nobody's killing anyone. I sympathize, I do, but it's really, really important that you don't. Please, for me, don't kill him!'
The others looked at Diana and saw her almost pleading with her eyes and they reluctantly agreed.
"Oh, all right, for you,' Kara grumbled.
"Okay,' Courtney said.
"Shayera,' Diana said.
"No killing him, yeah, okay."
"Mary?"
"No!"
"What,' Diana said in surprise.
"I want to kill the little bastard!"
"Mary Marvel, that's enough of that sort of language from you,' Diana firmly said. "Is that clear young lady?"
"Yes, sorry,' Mary replied, dropping her head in embarrassment at being yelled at by Wonder Woman.
On the other side of the haze, Toyman had a whole troop of samurai waiting. He rushed behind them and glanced back in terror.
"Boys, it's up to you! Stop anyone that comes through that smoke!"
He took off, heading down one of the side alleys. He almost felt safe, when he saw a tall figure dressed in black step out of the shadows. Several toy samurai lay at her feet and she held up two of their swords.
"Not bad."
"Who the hell are you,' Toyman gasped. "You must be new to the League. I like the bondage gear, but … AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
He screamed in pain as a whip flicked out of the darkness and wrapped around his throat. His whole body shook as the electrical current overloaded his system. The whip flicked back and his unconscious body fell to the ground.
Diana, Shayera, Kara, Courtney and Mary were fighting their way through the fog and the seemingly endless array of toy soldiers. Diana had picked up one of the fallen swords and was using it with expert skill. Shayera waded in with her mace, smashing everything in sight. Star girl floated up, using her staff to fire short energy bursts through the Mohawks and ninjas. Kara and Mary simply punched and kicked their way forward. Slowly, they made headway and soon the resistance failed.
"Kara, can you do something about this smoke and fog,' Diana asked. Kara nodded and drew a deep breath, sucking the smoke in and then expelling it up into the night. As it cleared they all stopped as they saw the limp body of Toyman lying on the ground. They moved cautiously towards him, finishing off the last of the toy soldiers. Diana knelt down and checked him and found he was alive but unconscious.
"He's out,' she said to the others.
"Lucky bastard,' Kara grumbled. Mary silently walked over and kicked him.
"Mary!"
"I didn't kick him that hard,' she quietly justified.
"Can I kick him too,' Courtney asked.
"NO,' Diana firmly stated.
"The others," Shayera said, seeming to remember how this started. "I'm going to go back and help the others."
She lifted off and started to fly back.
"We should all help them,' Diana suggested.
"You go ahead, I'll stay and watch Toyman,' Kara offered. Diana gave her a look. "What?"
She gave Diana her sweetest, most innocent look.
"I'll stay, " Diana replied. "You three go."
"Damn it,' Kara muttered. The three of them reluctantly headed back to the bank.
Once they were gone, Diana bent down and examined Toyman's body closer. She could see the burnt skin around his neck and a tremor went up her spine. She had seen this before.
The sound of metal scrapping against the pavement had Diana standing and on guard. She could see two swords being dragged and the sparks flying off of them.
"So you survived, Princess. Well I guess I'll have to finish what I started."
Diana gritted her teeth and raised her sword as she saw the figure emerge from the shadows.
"Lashina!"