Chapter 7: Hidden Shadows

*Flashback on Batman's Original World*

The league had just formed, the aliens that were awakened on Mars vanquished, and the watchtower just christened.

"...I'm not really a people person, but when you need help, and you will...call me." Batman said as the Justice League solidified their team.

As the group began to disperse, talk, and celebrate their first victory, Superman and Batman kept Hawkgirl, The Martian Manhunter, and Wonder Woman behind.

"So listen…" Superman began, "I look out for my team and I don't know your financial situations, or what you're used to, or if this is ok but. Uh…"

Bruce decided to interrupt the big boy scout, "What Superman means is that you're welcome to room and board on this watchtower. A Martian, Thanagarian, and an Amazon-I don't think you have a regular apartment to head back to, do you? So you can each live on the watchtower if you choose."

Hawkgirl spoke up, her mace up on one shoulder leisurely, "Thanks, Mr. Bat but I don't take handouts."

Batman glared at the winged girl, "It's not a handout. You're expected to work to keep this planet safe." Bruce straightened up again and continued, "Every league member has a room on the tower and access to the kitchens and food whatnot. We just wanted to give you three a more formal invitation as you might live here full time for a while, at least until you become more comfortable with the outside world."

"-And the watchtower has spectacular views, we'll all be coming an' going so you won't be too lonely, there's a gym, training facilities, you get your own shower and bathroom, hanger access to the Javelins, a game and media room." Superman added in as he moved in front of Batman

Bruce just pushed Superman out of his way, the Man of Steel laughing a bit at taking the edge off of Batman.

"Man of steel or real estate salesmen? *Sigh* Ok, yes, you get all that, the Javelin access though is after a training course, any other questions, what do you three think?"

J'onn J'onzz was the first to speak, "Thank you Batman, I would be honored to take up residence from the league."

Batman nodded curtly to the Martian, "Superman, can you show J'onn to his room?"

"With pleasure, c'mon bud." Superman waved his hand for J'onn to follow him and they started down one of the hallways.

Hawkgirl spoke up next, "Fine, but only cuz I'll love using the training rooms."

Batman smirked, "Good, keep those skills sharp with that mace of yours." Bruce turned to John Stewart, "Hey, Lantern!"

John turned away from his conversation with the Flash and came over, "Yeah Batman?"

"I showed you the tower yesterday, do you remember how to get to the residence rooms?"

"Uhh yeah, I think I could manage, why?"

Bruce gestured to Shayera, "Hawkgirl will be living in the tower for a bit, can you help her find her room, A-3?

"Sure, C'mon flygirl." Green Lantern took off down the same hallway Superman and the Martian Manhunter went.

Bruce turned to Diana, "Last one, what do you think?"

Diana seemed deep in thought for a moment, but then gave a smile, "I too, would be honored to accept your offer of shelter."

Bruce nodded again, he turned and started to walk, "Follow me."

They walked down the corridors and Diana quickly caught up to walk by Bruce's side, "Why are we going this way, it's different from J'onn's and Hawkgirl's path?"

"Decided it was best to keep half the league on one side of the watchtower and the other half on the other, so if there's ever a problem or emergency, it wouldn't affect both living areas."

Diana nodded, "Strategic, makes sense."

Bruce nodded back, "Here we are, place your hand on the scanner."

Diana seemed a little perplexed but followed his directions. A light on the door turned green.

*Beep*

The door opened to reveal her room, it was built like the others, spacious, with a bed, dresser, table, and a bathroom. The entire back wall showed a window out into space. The sunrise was coming over the earth and the view was perfect for her room at the moment.

"Wow!" She exclaimed as she ran to the window to watch. "This is all mine?"

Batman nodded, "Yes,"

Diana was in awe of the Earth, "I thought only the gods would ever have a view this grand."

Bruce rolled his eyes a bit under his cowl at the mention of the Greek gods but listened to her as she continued, "The world is so big….so blue, it looks like the brightest Aconite."

"Aconite?"

"Yes, my favorite flowers, blue, about this high," Diana said, gesturing with her hand.

"I'm not familiar with that plant."

"It probably has a different name now," Diana mused, "But it's beautiful, but poisonous, it was used by hunters, to tip their arrows, or to lace drinks sometimes."

"Mmm...Maybe Wolfsbane then." Bruce offered

"Haha sounds like it would fit," Diana said, "...it reminds me that even the most beautiful flowers can wreak havoc if not understood."She was silent for a moment before continuing, "The Amazons have been gone for so long. I want to help anyone who needs me. I'm starting so late, not like the rest of you."

Bruce could only stare, she seemed so different than any other woman, he shook his head to clear it. he coughed, "...Superman also thought about this but asked me to verify with you, but we were wondering, did you bring any other clothes with you? Or just the armor?"

Diana turned back with a sheepish expression, "Just this, I was so scared of being discovered, I just grabbed the essentials."

Batman just nodded and gave a "Hmm" in acknowledgment. Then he gestured to a box on her bed that she hadn't noticed before. "Consider that a personal donation then, take whatever you want."

The princess approached the box and opened it, revealing a pile of clothes, "Oh, I...I can't accept this."

Bruce just waved his hand, dismissing the objection, "Nonsense, you'll need some things if you want to go out in public. There's a dress or two in there, some more casual basics, and a few sets of pajamas. Gala's, fundraisers, anywhere you might need to make a public appearance not as Wonder Woman and more just as Princess Diana."

"And what are Pajamas?" She said with a raised eyebrow.

"Er...uh, sleepwear."

"Oh, alright," She glanced back at the box and bit her lip, "Are you sure?"

It was the first hint of nervousness Bruce had seen since the princess showed up.

Bruce just stared at her, keeping his normal stoic expression, "Yes, now don't ask again, just take it."

Diana's gaze hardened back to it's proud but warm normal, she approached Batman, and grabbed his forearm, in an old warrior style handshake. Bruce recognized the shake and returned it without hesitation.

"Thank you Batman, I like you, you don't mince words, and you're a man of action. I look forward to working with you," She paused, "...even if you don't have powers like the rest of us." The words containing a hint of sarcasm.

Bruce raised one eyebrow, now the first bit of humor from her?

"I look forward to it as well, and as for the powers, if I did have them, I wouldn't need this league." Bruce said, the growl of his voice disappearing for a second.

"Oh of course Batman." She said with a small smile.

There was a pause as they both stared at each other, Bruce remembered how close they were and he was still holding her arm, he quickly pulled it back and the wall was back up.

"*cough* well I have work to get done," He turned and started to walk out of her room but he faced her again before leaving, "Let me know if you need anything, Princess."

With that the door closed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"...Well, you actually managed to survive the first matches."

A voice broke through the darkness, waking Bruce up from his short nap, the image of Diana's smile as her watchtower door closed still flashing against his eyes. As his eyes adjusted to see, he was again staring at the Princess, but these eyes held less warmth, and there was no smile.

As he looked there was a shadow behind Diana, he thought it looked weird at first, it seemed different from Diana's outline and the light source was wrong to produce that shadow. More blinks though and it was gone, must be my tired brain and memories, he thought to himself.

"Hello to you too, Princess." Bruce said as he sat up, "Urhh!" He sucked in air and grunted a bit, the pain in his ribs and stomach spiking for a moment. The cut from Slade was also stinging, but that was much more bearable.

Queen Diana narrowed her eyes, "I am not a princess."

Bruce went to glare at her but couldn't hold it, he smirked a bit instead, "Yeah, I guess not, not here, sorry. In my dream you still were one." Bruce stood up, his back cracking, "Well, not you, but you know what I mean."

The queen was silent as she watched him, he had removed the top part of his armor and now in the dim light, she could make out the raised lines of a hundred scars all over his body, she was shocked she hadn't noticed before.

Finally, Bruce sighed again, "Why are you here Diana?"

Diana winced at her name being spoken, "Don't call me…"

*CRASH* Bruce interrupted her, tipping over the table, the remaining food and platters flying onto the floor, "STOP! Stop telling me that!"

The queen was taken aback, even stepping back a little at the man's outburst, she quickly regained her temper though, getting mad at her own reaction more than Bruce, "You don't know me, you have no right to call me that!"

Bruce turned and strode up to the queen. Again, only some bars in between them. He was a few inches taller than her and as he approached, she again stepped back, not knowing what he was doing."

He stared at her, her face the same, except the eyes, it didn't have the same light.

"Aconite."

Her eyebrows unknit and she seemed unprepared for that, "Wh..What?"

"It's your favorite flower." It wasn't a question.

"How do you…" She started.

"Know that?" Bruce finished, "I know you a bit I'd say."

Diana seemed uneasy, "What else?"

Bruce recalled a time when he had gone to the watchtower cafeteria to get a coffee and he heard Diana talking with Hawkgirl about things they missed, Diana mentioned horse riding on her island, her first horse…

"Abrax, your first horse."

Diana's eyes widened, Abrax died thousands of years ago, a chestnut brown horse that she had first ridden as a child on Themyscira.

She opened her mouth to speak but at that moment, a horn blew through the coliseum, "I….I need to go."

The queen turned but paused, "Get ready, you're up again, survive and maybe we'll talk again."

Bruce was silent as he watched her go, his thoughts a complete enigma as she left, then shaking it off to start getting his armor on, had to focus on staying alive .

Neither of them saw the shadow watching them both from a secluded corner.

Oh this is just perfect. The queen is distracted. Feelings, confusion, doubt, we can use all of this.

Yes, yes, another voice added in, though this one seemed more of an echo than the first, Patience though, this newcomer, he might result in….complications.

What do you mean about complications? He's a nobody, an accident here.

There are no accidents. But you are right, it is the perfect time to put our plan into motion. If successful,we will both have what we want.

*pooof* with a small sound, the shadows were gone

Bruce was still deep in thought as he donned his armor, one of the shoulder pieces was too cracked from Artemis, so he ended up breaking that piece off. Eventually, a new guard came to escort him back to the arena.

"It's time, man."

Bruce nodded and gestured for the guard to lead the way. This time though he was led to a chamber that was already filled with about a dozen men. The guard shoved him in and closed the door.

The other men all shuffled away from him, seemingly frightened of him. Most of them were under 6ft, all were malnourished, with minimal muscle mass. All had frightened looks and were looking at the ground.

As Bruce dusted himself off and stood up, only one man was looking him in the eye, "John. What are you doing here?"

Then Bruce noticed that all these men also had armor on. "Uh oh."

"Uh huh," John said, "Looks like a battle reenactment is planned. Like your teammates?"

John handed him a shield, just as the horns blew out again, and the gate at the entranceway began to raise up.

Bruce out his helmet on and moved to the front of the group; he combined his sticks to make his staff and then grabbed his shield. He pounded the ground once and then his shield. The other men winced at the sound.

"Looks like you're with me, if you want to live, follow me."

End of Ch.7

Let me know what you think, a bit faster on this next chapter. Hope you enjoy it. We're fleshing out some character developments, hints of other conflicts to come, and delving deeper. Sorry no real fighting in this chapter, stay tuned for the Next Chapter though: Chariots and Chasers

'