Chapter Forty

Museum of Antiquities

Gateway City

United States

17:44 – Pacific Standard Time

March 17, 2007

Circe hovered there, a fury on her face that Diana couldn't recall ever seeing before. She wasn't quite sure if it was that she had been betrayed by Giganta, or the humiliation of being so easily overpowered. Whatever it was, the sorceress clearly wasn't at all happy.

Knowing it was time for reinforcements, Wonder Woman reached for her ear to contact the Watchtower. Only she found nothing but static.

"You're not calling anyone!" Circe said coldly.

Aresia grinned as she ran over to where Circe was hovering, standing underneath, the Sword of Athena still firmly in hand.

Circe scanned the museum with her eyes, looking from person to person, both awake and unconscious.

"Where is she?"

"Who?" Wonder Woman questioned.

"Giganta, where is she?"

Wonder Woman looked over to where she had last seen the giant after she had been knocked unconscious.

She was gone.

"It appears that she has run away," Wonder Woman responded.

"Coward to the end," Circe said.

By now, the sounds of police sirens was loud outside. They all knew that there was little the cops would be able to do here except get themselves hurt. Still, several climbed in through the wreckage, their guns were drawn, ready to shoot if they had to.

"Back off, it's too dangerous!" Wonder Woman warned.

The cops trained their guns on Circe and Aresia. The former waved her hand, a magical barrier formed in front of them and swept them back out of the museum violently.

Circe then focused back on Wonder Woman. "That should make them rethink their course of action. Now, where was I?"

Aresia looked up at her. "Stop talking and attack them."

The immortal sorceress looked down at her, her gaze fierce. "The game is over."

The blonde Amazon frowned. "What does that mean? Attack them, now!"

Circe raised her hand, a ball of energy forming in it. Aresia grinned, anticipating what was to follow. What she didn't anticipate was the energy bolt striking her, smashing her against the ground. The sword flew from her grasp and skittered across the floor.

"As I said," Circe began, "the game is over. I am no longer taking your orders, I only followed along for my own amusement. I am no longer amused."

An arrow flew at her, shot by the green archer. With a wave of her hand, a magical bolt knocked it aside.

"You have no idea who I am, do you?" she questioned to him.

Green Arrow notched another arrow. "Another bad guy that we're gonna take down, like all the others."

"Silly man," she scoffed. "Your sticks of wood won't do anything against me."

"Let's see about that."

He let loose another arrow. It flew straight and true. Circe went to knock it away with another magical bolt, but it went off in a flash of white.

She rocked back in the air and covered her eyes.

"Now's our chance," he called out, only to find himself dodging bolts of energy thrown by the sorceress.

"Petulance!" Circe shouted angrily.

Black Canary swiftly moved forward towards the sorceress and took in a deep breath and let out a Canary Cry before she could react. Circe clutched her ears, before sending bolts of energy flying at Canary.

Wonder Woman used this distraction to fly forwards as fast as she could. Her goal was to strike the sorceress with her fist, only she noticed her approach and struck her at close range with a powerful magical attack, sending the Amazon crashing to the concrete floor.

"No one humiliates me!" Circe screamed out. "Not a Robin Hood wannabe, not an Amazon and especially not some monkey masquerading as a human. Once I've dealt with you, I will find the monkey and I will deal with her accordingly for humiliating me."

Circe's gaze fell onto Stargirl, who was still unconscious. "But perhaps I could have a little fun first." She smiled sickly. "I wonder what she would think if she awoke as some rodent?"

"Leave her alone!" Canary shouted out.

"Can you stop me?"

Just then, part of the ceiling that was directly above Circe caved in as Starfire and Emmylou came hurtling down, grappling with one another.

All three of them, Circe included crashed into the ground. Emmylou Brown cried out in pain as she rolled awkwardly, fracturing and even breaking a few bones.

Starfire who was still on top of Circe was blasted off with a powerful magical attack, sending her flying. The Tamaranean hit the ground with an "Oof." before casting an angry glare at Circe.

"I have had enough of all of you!" the Sorceress shouted as she took to the air. "You will all feel pain beyond anything you've ever felt before."

She began to gather her magic. Green Arrow notched an explosive arrow and fired. It got close to Circe but exploded against some kind of shield that surrounded her.

"You will all feel my fury!" Circe proclaimed.

Then the ground began to rumble. The Sorceress turned around to see a giant fist fill her vision, then strike her. Circe was sent rocketing against the far wall, smashing into it and bouncing off like a ragdoll.

Wonder Woman was quick to react to this. She grabbed the Sword of Athena and flew towards Circe, hoping to reach her before she recovered from Giganta's punch.

Everyone, including Helena, was so engrossed in what was happening, that none of them noticed Cassie pulling the Sandals of Hermes off of the unconscious Emmylou and putting them on her own feet.

Circe saw Wonder Woman hurtling towards her and was about to react with powerful magic, when twin lasers struck her, followed by energy bolts. The sorceress barely managed to erect a magical barrier before they hit, exploding against it.

She glared over at the Tamaranean who had thrown them. "You will pay for that."

She rose up off of the floor, her barrier still surrounding her. She was then knocked back when Wonder Woman reached her and struck the barrier with her sword.

Circe cast a spell which sent Wonder Woman crashing to the ground. She lay there for a moment dazed by the impact when she saw what display she was near. It was a shield, the one Nightwing had described earlier.

All she needed was a distraction, which she got.

Cassie came rocketing in, the Gauntlets of Atlas on her hands and wrists and the Sandals of Hermes on her feet.

The blonde teenager punched the barrier that surrounded Circe hard, knocking it back, where it bounced off of the back wall. Circe gritted her teeth and snarled at her, only to have Starfire also take a swing at the barrier.

She turned to the Tamaranean and the alien smashed from the air to the floor by a powerful magical bolt. She hit the ground and rolled, her limp arms flailing.

Nightwing, who had regained consciousness, forced himself to his feet and hobbled over to her, while Circe turned her attention to Cassie.

"Fly away!" Helena pleaded with her daughter. "Don't fight her, just fly away!"

"You should listen to her," Circe mocked as she looked the blonde up and down.

"I'm gonna fight you!" Cassie shouted at her.

"Look at you, playing Amazon. If that's what you want, then I shall strike you down as one."

Circe fired a powerful energy bolt at Cassie, only for it to be intercepted by the shield firmly in Wonder Woman's grip.

The energy was reflected back at Circe, going right through her own magical shield and hitting her head on.

There was a bright flash, causing both Wonder Woman and Cassie to shield their eyes.

When they recovered Circe was gone. It took them a few moments to see the small shrew on the ground looking up at them. The small rodent turned and scurried away through a crack in the wall and disappeared from sight.

"Was she?" Cassie began. "Did she?" she stammered in shock. "Was she going to turn me into a shrew?" The teen landed and took the boots off, then the gauntlets. "She was going to turn me into a rodent."

Wonder Woman stepped over to her. "I will be taking those off of you."

"Sure," Cassie said, passing them over suddenly not feeling quite so heroic. "They're yours."

Helena ran up to them, giving her daughter a hug. "That was so stupid of you," she scolded.

The cops began to move into the museum. Arrow approached them and talked with the one in charge, while Wonder Woman spoke to Helena Sandsmark.

"I will be confiscating these four items," the Amazon told her, indicating the sword, shield, gauntlets and boots.

"Take them," Helena said, her whole body sagging. "If they're responsible for all of this, then take them. I don't want them here." She looked around at the crumbling museum floor around them. "I don't even know if this place will ever open again."

"I'm sorry for the damage," Wonder Woman apologised.

"You certainly didn't try to contain it." Helena accused. She then sighed. "What's done is done, I suppose."

Green Arrow and Canary walked over to them, the latter holding an unconscious Stargirl in her arms.

"They aren't equipped to hold them," Arrow informed Wonder Woman, referring to the cops regarding the villains. "Also, Aresia's gone."

"Gone?" Wonder Woman asked, looking at where she had last seen her unconscious form, finding no one there.

"Yeah, gone. Looks like she slipped away. He looked behind him. "What's going to be happening with Catwoman and Giganta?"

"They didn't actually break the law," Wonder Woman said. "At least not this time. We'll have to take all of them to the Watchtower, give who needs it some medical attention, then put them in a cell while we wait for instructions from the authorities."

"Including Catwoman and Giganta?" Canary asked.

"They won't be in my report as villains, but as allies. Catwoman is till a wanted felon, though."

"Right," Canary agreed. "I'll get Stargirl, Nightwing and Catwoman up to the Watchtower now. They all need medical attention. I talked to Starfire just now and she was okay, no real injuries."

"Everyone will get a check-up, even me," the Amazon said, gesturing to the gash on her leg, which had already started to heal. "Everyone took a few hits."

"But they took more than anyone," Canary pointed out, before looking at Green Arrow. "And you better get that throat looked at."

"I'll be fine," he dismissed. "Only feels like my neck was in a vice clamp."

"No, you go with Canary," Wonder Woman ordered. "When you're up there, tell them to send down a power inhibitor."

"Only one? "hat about the others?"

"You can't inhibit Cheetah, Emmylou or Tsukuri. I only need one for Volcana."

"What about Giganta?"

"I don't see a reason to," Wonder Woman responded.

"We'll head up there now," Canary said, as she and Arrow headed towards where Nightwing and Catwoman were currently sat, injured.

Wonder Woman called Starfire over to help her as she gathered the villains and tied them up together with her lasso.

She then looked to Giganta. "What made you help?" she questioned, resting her fists on her hips.

"I don't know."

"I could get my lasso and make you tell me."

"I'll tell you, later, not here," she promised. "But I want to see Flash."

"Flash?" Wonder Woman questioned. "Why?"

"Please?"

"I'm going to be contacting the Watchtower anyway," the Amazon informed her. "You will see him once we are up there."

"Okay. Thanks."

Wonder Woman regarded her. "You have gained some respect from me. Though, just a little."

"Thanks," Giganta said.

"Don't thank me. I still don't like you very much."

Watchtower II

Earth Orbit

18:01 – Station Time (EST)

March 17, 2007

Shayera and Flash approached the infirmary to find that Batman was already there waiting as Nightwing, Catwoman and a protesting Stargirl were brought in on stretchers.

While Stargirl only had a few dark bruises, Both Catwoman and especially Nightwing looked like they'd been thrown through a couple of walls. Nightwings costume was torn in several places, showing lacerations, the same was true of Catwoman.

"What happened?" Batman asked Canary.

"We ran into Aresia," Green Arrow answered for her. "Nightwing had his arm broken in the first few seconds."

"Aresia," Batman repeated.

"I thought she was dead?" Shayera questioned. "She fell into the ocean."

"We never found a body," Batman said. He looked back to Arrow and Canary. "All of this was done by Aresia?"

Canary shook her head. "The real damage was done when they were thrown by Circe."

"Circe?" Flash nearly shouted as he stepped forwards up to Canary. "Circe was there?"

"Yes," Canary responded.

"Who else?" Flash demanded.

"It's actually a bit complicated as two of the villains switched sides at the start of the fight."

"Catwoman?" Batman questioned.

"She helped Nightwing out of the combat zone after his arm was broken. That was right at the start of the fight. We didn't see either of them until Circe threw them violently back into the museum. The two of them are pretty hardy, a throw like that could easily have killed them."

"And the other person who switched sides?" Flash asked.

"Giganta," Arrow responded.

"Her opening attack was on Circe. She knocked her out for most of the fight. She was thrown a few blocks so we left her to deal with the others. That bit us later."

A smile spread across Flash's lips. "Giganta's not a bad person, I told you, Bats."

"How are the local law dealing with the villains?" Batman asked.

"Terrific is already sending down an inhibitor."

"Only one?"

"Yeah, only Volcana is a true metahuman. You can't inhibit Cheetah as what she is is now genetic. Same with Emmylou brown."

"And what about Giganta?" Flash asked.

"She'll be coming up with Diana."

"I'm off to go meet with them in the teleporter room," Flash said as he began to move off.

"No, you're not," Batman said. "You are going to go to the Founder's conference room and you are going to wait there while we all convene and discuss this."

"Discuss what?" Canary asked.

"Flash's relationship with Giganta," Batman answered.

"Can you please not tell everyone about it?" Flash protested to the Dark Knight. "Like, I think at this point you've blurted it out in front of just about everyone."

"You and Shayera go to the meeting room," Batman ordered, ignoring him. "I will make sure the rest are there shortly.

Shayera rested her hand on the speedster's shoulder. "Come on, we might as well get it over and done with."

Flash looked over at her. "Yeah, we might as well."

18:24 – Station Time (EST)

Shayera and Wally had been sat in the conference room a good ten minutes when the doors slid open and the other founders walked in, including much to Flash and Shayera's surprise, J'onn.

"When did you get released?" Shayera asked him.

The Martian responded, "A few hours ago. I returned here briefly before heading home to China. I had hoped to spend my time there until the nineteenth."

"Sorry to bring you back up here," Shayera offered.

He bowed before he made his way to his seat along with everyone else.

Green Lantern was the first to speak. "What in the hell do you think you're doing, Wally?" he demanded. "Dating a known supervillain? Are you completely stupid?"

"Ease off," Shayera warned.

There was silence.

Lantern looked to Batman. "What do you think?"

"I can't say much," Batman said.

"And why not?"

"Catwoman, Talia al Ghul to name two reasons."

Superman webbed his fingers, looking at the Speedster intently. "What I want to know, is has she changed?" he asked.

"I believe she has," Flash said honestly.

Diana added, "She did help us during the heist in Gateway City. She could have fled at any point, but she stayed and fought. There is something to be said about that."

J'onn simply looked at Flash. "Giganta has never been a serious threat, she has only ever been a pawn used by more problematic villains for their own gains. I never sensed true malicious intent from her, not like Killer Frost for instance who is nothing but malicious."

"What does that have to do with Flash being involved with her?" Lantern questioned. "Am I the only one that sees a problem here?"

"No," Superman said. "She will have to earn our trust. She's already gained some by helping Diana, but she has a long way to go."

"What if this is a ruse?" Lantern questioned.

"That is a legitimate question," J'onn conceded. "I will say this. Shayera has let us down once again."

All eyes fell onto the former Hawkgirl.

J'onn continued, "How long did you know about this relationship?"

"Not long," she answered. "He confided in me and I take that trust very seriously. That's why I didn't rush to tell you."

"I understand that kind of loyalty," Diana said with a nod.

"I think we can all understand confiding in a friend," Superman agreed. "But you still dated a villain, one that might be fooling you just so she can get access to the Watchtower."

"There's one way to find out for sure," Diana said, resting her lasso onto the table. "I haven't used it much since mother showed me how to unlock the ability, but my lasso has the ability to force people to tell the truth."

"Is that moral?" Superman asked. "To force her to tell the truth?"

"It may be necessary," J'onn added. "And it would be better than me forcing my way through her mind. For both of us."

"I agree," Batman said.

Lantern agreed, "So do I."

Shayera looked at Flash. "It's for the best."

The speedster sighed, his shoulders slouching. "Fine, use your lasso on her."

19:12 – Station Time (EST)

Giganta had been sat in the small room for a while now. The door was locked and outside were two guards, making sure she didn't try to escape. She took another glance at what was around her. Apart from a bed and a small desk, there was nothing else in here. Not even something to read. To say she was bored would be an understatement.

Her boredom, however, was somewhat offset by her nervousness. While the butterflies she felt in her gut had diminished substantially since she had arrived up here on the league's space station, they were still there.

The door slid open suddenly, causing her to jump in surprise. She began to feel really nervous again as the league founders stepped in, including Flash. She stared at him, wondering if he now hated her. She had been with villains when they went to rob a museum. Sure, she had switched sides, but she had still been with them.

Wonder Woman held her lasso up. "I am going to be using this to get the truth out of you."

"Truth?" Giganta asked, her voice shaky.

"When tied around you, I will ask a question and it will force you to answer truthfully."

"O-okay?"

"It won't hurt," Wonder Woman promised. "As long as you don't fight it."

"If we're going to do this, then I only want you and Wally in here."

"Fair," J'onn said as he turned and left, followed by Superman and Shayera.

The former Hawkgirl then stopped, looking back at Lantern and Batman who hadn't moved. "She wants a little privacy."

Lantern clenched his jaw and moved past her, followed by Batman. The door slid shut leaving Giganta, Flash and Wonder Woman alone in the room.

Wonder Woman stepped forward. "I'm going to put this around your waist," she informed her.

Giganta nodded as the Amazon wrapped the lasso around her, then stepped back, gripping the other end.

"I will ask you some questions now."

"Okay, but I don't feel any different," Giganta said.

"First question," Wonder Woman began. "Why were you with Aresia and her gang?"

"I didn't want to be there," Giganta answered. "I was bored, so I went for a walk. I stopped at a diner and then Emmylou showed up. I didn't know who she was, but she knew me. This freaked me out, so I left. She was following me, so I went into an alleyway. My plan was to use my ability to scare her off. But I guess I was knocked out because the next thing I know, I'm waking up in an old house and I've been recruited."

"Why didn't you try to leave?"

"Because I didn't know where I was. I was told Gateway City and that it was in California, but it's a big state. I couldn't just leave, I had no money and nowhere to go. I was also too scared to just leave."

"Why were you scared?" Flash asked.

Wonder Woman looked over at him. "Only the holder of the lasso can get the truth out of her." She turned back toe Giganta. "Why were you scared?" she asked in his stead.

"Because Aresia threatened me. She knew of my relationship with Flash and so I lied to her about what the relationship was, made her think I was using him."

"Are you using him?" the Amazon questioned.

"No."

"Why did you change sides at the museum?"

"I was never on their side," Giganta told them. "And I was more scared of what Wally would think of me, then of Aresia and her gang."

"So you did it for Flash?"

"Yes."

"Not because it was the right thing to do?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure. The truth is, I never wanted to be there. I never wanted to rob some stupid museum and I'm tired of always having to hide. I just want a normal life."

"But you won't have that with Flash," Wonder Woman pointed out.

"Maybe not, but he's worth it and it will be more normal than the life I have been leading."

"Do you want to become a hero?" Wonder Woman asked out of interest.

"I don't know. I would like too, but I'm too much of a coward." Giganta slapped her hand over her mouth before she began to pull the lasso off of herself. "I don't want this on me anymore."

Wonder Woman helped her remove it. She coiled it back up and put the lasso back on her belt. "That was all I needed."

The Amazon stepped out of the room, leaving Flash and Giganta alone. The two remained silent, Giganta sat on the edge of the bed and Flash stood by the door.

"I was worried about you," he said after several moments. "Terrified when Batman identified Circe."

"I'm sorry," she said, looking down at her feet. "You don't hate me do you?"

"No, I love you."

She stood up and threw her arms around him. "It makes me happier than I've ever been to hear you say that," she cried.

"Hey, it's okay," he assured her.

She released him, taking a step backwards. "So, what happens now?"

"It depends on what Diana thought of your answers."

"What did you think of them?"

"I liked them," he said. "I think it absolves you."

"You do?"

"I do, but it depends if the others think the same."

"I hope they do."

"Listen, you're going to have to stay here for the time being. It's not safe in Central, what happened proves that. Especially with Aresia escaping capture."

"How long will I be up here for?" Giganta questioned.

"I honestly don't know. It's messed up, I know, but for now this is where you'll have to stay."

"Will you be staying with me?"

He smiled. "Maybe I will. Maybe I'll give up on the apartment and move up here. Of course with the damage caused by the Gordanians, most of the nice quarters were obliterated, so we might have to make do with this tiny makeshift room for the time being."

"As long as it's with you, I'll live anywhere," Giganta said, as she put her arms around the back of his neck.

Wally pulled his cowl off and they stared into each other's eyes. They then drew in close and were about to kiss when Flash's ear communicator went off.

He drew back away from Giganta who had a confused expression on her face.

"Sorry, I'm getting a call." He reached for his ear. "Flash here," he said.

Zatanna's voice came into his ear. "I think I have a lead on where Circe is. Somewhere in California, a place called Gateway City."

"Thanks, Zee, but we've already found her."

"You have? How long ago?"

"Half an hour or more."

"Thanks for telling me," she said, sounding more than frustrated. "I've been harassing contacts of mine for information and generally pissing people off."

"Sorry about that," he apologised.

"I forgive you, this time, Flash."

"Thanks, Zee and sorry again for not telling you."

"I'll see you later, then."

"Yeah, bye." Flash ended the call and looked back at Giganta. "Now, where were we?"

She grinned as she leant her head forwards. Their lips met and they kissed.

Updated December 2017