NEW FIC: The Calling
Thank you Djinn, Heybats, and Athena Phoenix for the beta.
NOTE (Please read to better follow the story: I wanted to go back in DC time to tell a story when our heroes were young and somewhat naïve. Therefore, in this story, Dick Grayson is ten years old and is Batman’s partner Robin. Wonder Woman is still fairly new to Patriarch’s world and its customs, having only been here for a few short months. I’m using mostly the ‘Trinity’ universe, but will also implement some story elements of Gotham Knights and Wonder woman Volume 1 Issue 1.
DISCLAIMER: I don’t own much, but if I owned any of these characters, I’d probably own a heck of a lot more.
This story is a WIP. Because this installment is too large for LJ, I broke it up into two parts. Part two will follow.
The Calling
By DC Lady
It was dark and cold. Once, she’d been impervious to both, now she shivered as she walked beneath the dim and broken street lights that cast uneven shadows in her path. She’d taken the only shelter that she could afford after leaving the embassy -- after her duties as Themysciran Ambassador were taken from her. Now she walked these filthy streets trying to clear her mind. Planning her new life.
A life away from Themyscira.
Her breath hitched as unbidden memories of home flooded through her. She exhaled in a puff of white as the cold air met the warmth of her breath, and the realization of her plight took hold. She missed her home -- her mother, her sisters. But, in her short time in man’s world, she’d discovered a sense of purpose that had eluded her on the small island. She’d always been loved, but now she was needed. She had a destiny to fulfill, whether the gods approved or not. She’d won her title. She was Wonder Woman.
She slowed to a stop, remembering when she’d first arrived in Patriarch’s world as Wonder Woman, investigating a nuclear submarine explosion near Themyscira. She’d falsely accused Superman of carelessness, and recalled her relief when he explained that he hadn’t been the cause of the explosion. She was instantly smitten -- captivated by his passion for justice which rivaled her own.
But now, Diana began to doubt her decision to remain in this world -- doubted her motivations when she refused the gods’ command to return home. They’d felt that she’d lost her way and was settling into the customs and attractions of this world.
But, had she lost her way? Had she let her personal feelings guide her mission? She touched the lasso that remained steady under her coat. Would it even work for her now that she was devoid of the blessings of her Amazon heritage -- searching for deceit in the secret corners of her heart?
She sighed, resuming her walk. Listening as her heels clicked on the cold, damp pavement, echoing in the silence of the night. It was late and she was alone. She’d never been this vulnerable. Closing her coat tightly against the winter cold, she trembled in discomfort at the elements -- a constant reminder of what she now was: a mortal woman.
The hint of movement ...
The gods had taken away her power, but her instincts had not diminished. She was a trained warrior -- trained from birth. So, when the uneasiness of the night hit her gut with a familiar dread -- a dread she’d often felt before battle -- she was immediately on the defensive. Danger was within reach, and she braced herself as the sound of footfalls echoed behind her.
Calling upon her Amazonian training, she decided the element of surprise would be her weapon. As the yet unseen assailant closed in on her proximity, she abruptly stopped and turned -- obtaining a much needed advantage as the thug took an instinctive step backwards.
He was a big man, whose attire told a story of drugs and desperation, and her anger boiled at his willingness to take advantage of the helpless for his own selfish needs. She also smirked inwardly at his pending doom -- she wasn’t helpless.
“What do you want?” she asked.
“I ain’t lookin’ for no trouble.” His gaze shifted from side to side. “Just hand over the cash and no body gets hurt.” When he seemed certain that they were alone, he pulled out a knife and held it up in warning.
“Is that supposed to scare me? Or does possessing such a weapon make you feel like a man? A man who preys upon helpless women in the middle of the night?”
The thug was nervous.
“Just hand over the cash, bitch. I ain’t got time for no naggin’.”
She took a step toward him and grinned, like a hungry tiger circling her prey. “Then, let us put an end to this.”
Grabbing his wrist with both hands, she cracked it upon her knee, causing the knife to fly from his grasp and hitting the cold pavement with a metallic ping. He threw awkward and clumsy punches, trying to make contact with any part of her body. Rolling onto the ground, she escaped the impending blows, springing again to her feet. Her agility seemed to surprise him, and she used his hesitation to knee him in the groin, and then followed with a swift kick to his face as he doubled over in pain -- sending him backwards onto the grimy pavement.
For a moment, all was still.
With hands on her hips, she inhaled deeply, trying to catch her breath. She wasn’t used to the exertion level of her now mortal body, and was distracted -- and thus surprised when he grabbed her from behind.
He pulled her tightly to his broad chest, and pressed the knife against the flesh of her neck. “Bitch! Don’t move or I’ll cut you good,” he said, riffling through her purse with his free hand.
“I don’t think so.” The thug froze when a form in red and blue hovered in front of him.
Dropping the knife, the thug stumbled away, only to find Superman now blocking his escape. He lowered his head, apparently trying to bowl over Superman, but only managed to knock himself unconscious. Ripping a parking meter out of the sidewalk, Superman used it to secure the attacker to a lamppost. He then turned to Diana, who was busily rubbing her arms trying to stimulate much needed warmth through her limbs.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She was ashamed. Ashamed that she needed him to rescue her from a common thug. She was Wonder Woman. She belonged in the sky at his side, not here in the gutters requiring his aid.
“What are you doing here?” Her voice trembled slightly from the cold.
He unfastened his cape, placing it around her shoulders. “I could ask you the same thing. I went to your quarters at the Embassy after you called. They said you’d left.” When she wouldn’t meet his gaze, he lifted her chin with his hand. “I’ve been looking for you for hours. They said you remained in the city, but didn’t leave a forwarding address.”
“The gods have rescinded my ambassadorship. I no longer hold an official title to remain at the Embassy. I left this morning.”
“When you called, you told me that you’d lost your powers. What exactly happened?”
She frowned. “The gods felt that my presence here in man’s world was not garnering the attention they desired for themselves, and became jealous when my name became known above theirs. So, they called me home. When I refused, my powers were stripped from me.”
“Why would they do such a thing? Can’t they see the good you’ve done?”
She smiled sadly. “Their goal was to obtain this world’s adoration. My accomplishments meant very little to them.”
“I see,” he said.
The silence was awkward.
He took in the surroundings, and Diana could tell that he was using his enhanced vision to see the goings on in this less than savory neighborhood. He frowned as he rubbed his brow. “Diana, do you have a place to stay?”
“Yes, Kal. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
He glanced over at the thug secured to the lamppost. “I can see that.”
Her face grew hot in a mixture of embarrassment and anger. “I would have obtained the advantage. I merely underestimated my new level of strength. I will learn to adjust my technique.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “How?”
“What?” His question took her by surprise.
“How will you learn to adjust?”
“I’m not a novice, Kal. I’m a warrior, trained for generations by great warriors.”
His tone softened. “You’re a highly skilled fighter, Diana. I’m not questioning your abilities. But you need help. Someone who can teach you to use the skills you’ve acquired with the level of strength you now have.”
She slipped the cape from her shoulders, handing it back to him. “I can take care of myself.” She turned to leave.
He put his hand to her shoulder and her resolve faltered at the warmth and caring she felt from a simple touch. “Diana, you can’t do this alone.”
She turned to face him. “I have no other choice. The gods have abandoned me. I will not, in turn, abandon my mission.”
“I’m not asking you to abandon your mission. Just let us help you.”
Her brow creased in confusion. “Us?”
“Myself… Bruce. If you let us.”
She laughed. “Bruce? Bruce doesn’t approve of me.”
“He’s never said that, Diana. Bruce admires you.”
“He can barely stay in the same room with me for more than a few minutes at a time, Kal. How can you say that he admires me?”
“Well, Bruce isn’t much of a people person. It’s his charm, really.”
She raised her eyebrow in amusement. “Really?”
He grinned sheepishly. “Well, no,” he said. “But I know he cares, he just doesn’t like to show it.” He saw her skepticism and continued, “Why else would he fight with us?”
“And just what can he teach me that I don’t already know?”
“A lot, actually. I’m still learning a thing or two from him myself. Setting aside the fact that he’s a brilliant detective, he knows every martial arts technique there is and then some. And he’s not super powered.” Superman fastened the cape to his shoulders. “Let’s face it, Diana. Do you know of anyone else who can hold his own against super--powered beings?”
She shook her head. “He’d never agree to help.”
“I’ll take care of it. But first things first. Where are you staying?”
“Up the street.” She nodded toward the trash--lined street to her less than favorable hotel.
He sighed. “You can’t stay there. It’s not safe.”
She lowered her head. She felt like a child, lost and alone, dependent upon the kindness of friends and strangers.
“I have no place else to go,” she whispered hoarsely.
“Come on. Let’s go and get your things. We’ll call the police and let them know of our friend, here, then I’ll take you to a hotel uptown.” He held a hand up and stopped her protests. “At least until we can sort through this.”
“You don’t have to do this,” she said.
“You’re not alone, Diana. We’ll figure something out.”
**
Small shadows flittered across the expanse of the cave as the bats stirred from their perches, signaling his presence. Then Clark noticed a larger shadow that loomed in the distance, sitting quietly on his throne in the dark. He’d never understood the calmness the dark invoked in Bruce -- a darkness that Bruce had embraced.
“What are you doing here, Superman?” It was Bruce Wayne who spoke, sitting at the massive Cray computer, dressed in a tuxedo with his tie pulled loose. Clark smirked, thinking that he’d never seen Bruce in the cave without the cape and cowl.
“Just getting back from a party?” Clark asked.
“I don’t think you’re here to inquire about my personal activities. What do you want?”
He sighed at Bruce’s abrasive tone and flew to the computer platform to face him. “Are you always this rude to guests?”
“Only to uninvited ones.”
Clark had learned to ignore Bruce’s abrasive manner -- they were friends, of this he had no doubt. But, sometimes Bruce pushed the limits of his patience.
“I’ll make this quick then -- she needs your help.” He stood his ground, arms folded. Diana’s survival in this world depended on Bruce’s cooperation.
“Does my reputation reach as far as Metropolis?” He remained focused on his task as he spoke.
Clark could feel the heat rising in his face, both from embarrassment and frustration at Bruce’s nonchalant attitude. “You know who and what I mean, Bruce.”
Bruce swiveled his chair to face Clark, and steepled his fingers to his lips. “I don’t see how I can be of help. I can’t restore her powers. She should have gone home.”
“Maybe. But she didn’t. She wants to stay. Wants to make a difference.”
Bruce laughed. Clark didn’t think he’d ever heard Bruce laugh before. But he knew this laugh wasn’t one he’d want to hear again.
“Just how does she intend to do that?” Bruce asked.
“You do it. Why do you think she can’t?”
“Because she depends too much on her powers and her ties to her past.”
“She knows she needs help. Who better to teach her, train her, than you?”
Bruce closed his eyes in apparent thought, then stood to face Clark. “Why don’t you train her? I’m sure you’d both prefer that arrangement.”
Clark’s anger flared at the insinuation. “What are you implying?”
Bruce gave him a smug look before walking past him. “Don’t be coy, Clark. It doesn’t suit you.”
Clark followed him -- he always seemed to be following this man. “Okay, I admit to an attraction. Who wouldn’t be attracted to her -- she’s Wonder Woman. But there’s nothing else.”
Bruce turned to face him at the foot of the stairs leading to the mansion. “Are you sure?”
“Does it really make a difference?” Clark asked. “Why are you suddenly interested in my love life, anyway?”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Clark. If I’m to train her, there can be no outside influences, especially from you.”
“And am I such a bad influence, Bruce? The only reason I don’t train her is because, like her, I depend on my powers. There’s nothing she can learn from me.” Clark was angry and frustrated, and then more than just a little relieved when he realized that Bruce was setting the ground rules for training Diana.
“That’s why you’re a bad influence. You’re a reminder of what she once was.” Bruce began his climb to the Manor. “Have her come to the Manor tomorrow morning. I’ll tell her of my decision then.”
He disappeared behind the door, leaving Clark alone in the cave. Clark rose up into the air using his enhanced vision to navigate in the darkness, thinking that as confrontations with Bruce went, this wasn’t as bad as he’d expected.
TBC...