Beyond Smallville: Fan Fiction

…And Justice For All:  Chapter 4

Oliver and Dinah had nearly finished getting ready for the gala. He’d checked with the team and reported the good news to Black Canary. “Not bad, slick.” Dinah praised as she kissed him passionately.

 “You and the crew broke into a supposedly secure government system over a thousand miles away, rescued Chloe, and returned to Metropolis in a span of six hours.”

“We’re just good at multi-tasking.” Oliver said with unusual humility. “We’ll have quite a team from now on.” Dinah added. “I hope that Clark decides to join up formally.”

“You kind of like the overgrown Boy Scout, don’t you?” Ollie teased his girlfriend, kissing her neck, and clipping an expensive diamond necklace together around it. “He’s okay.” Dinah downplayed. “Clark always seems to have that ‘deer in the headlights’ look going on.”

She let Oliver zip up the back of her fancy black and gold evening gown. “Yeah, he’s almost alien.” Green Arrow said, unaware of how close he was to the truth. “Shall we attend the ball m’lady?”

Oliver overacted, bowing low before Dinah, whose big bright eyes glistened. One wonders if that was her natural look. “Anyway, we couldn’t let Chloe rot in jail for helping us on our missions. Besides, she knows far too much about our team. Clark seemed to think that Chloe was different somehow.”

Black Canary, the Mistress of Disguise, was much more than Oliver’s girlfriend. She had no idea how she came upon her unusual sonic superpower. In her mind, she woke up one day and it was there. The twenty-something blonde used her power of sound frequency disruption as a weapon, usually for defense. Clark found that out the hard way. (“Siren”)

Dinah also possessed far more agility than a normal human, perhaps a Meta-Human?

“I know how the government works when questioning a suspect. They probably forced Chloe into sleep deprivation, pumped her full of hallucinogens, and that’s if they go easy on her.” Dinah informed him. “I’m surprised that she decided to join us at the gala.”

Meanwhile, across from the Royal Metropolis Arms Hotel, where the charity event was to be held, some of the invited guests weren’t quite ready yet. Bruce, Dick, Barbara, and Selena had taken up positions atop the Sentinel Security Building, which had been partially funded by WayneCo. They were in full costume. The SSB rooftop was directly across from the hotel.

“Aren’t we supposed to be in the dance, not gaping at it from across the street?” Selena complained. She’d opted to wear her black strapless dress and her Catwoman mask. Barb and Dick were in their usual Batgirl and Robin outfits. They’d change in the limo downstairs.

Bruce was in his traditional Batman costume, minus a number of bat utility belt items to save space. He pulled a bat communicator from his side pocket. In the other hand, he held super powered bat vision night goggles, which acted like high powered binoculars.

“Catwoman, haven’t you ever heard of being fashionably late?” Batman taunted over the bat comm. “I suppose, but I would have rather been making out in the limo, than standing on this grimy old roof.” Robin snickered as Batgirl snorted in disgust.

Batman reddened, but of course no one could see it. “Just a few more minutes Selena.” Bruce assured her. “I wanted to get a look at some of the rich and famous natives of Metropolis.” If you want to find something out, follow the money. Detective 101, Bruce thought cynically.

“I’m recording all of the guests, Batman.” Robin said as he pushed a key on his own bat communicator. “I’m tracking all of the license plates of the rich and shameless.” Batgirl put in. “No offense, Batman.” Bruce chuckled. “None taken.”

“There’s Oliver Queen and his arm candy.” Catwoman mentioned. “You know Oliver?” Barb asked. More than likely you stole from him, she silently criticized. “No, but I do read GQ, Forbes, and Newsweek.” Selena answered.

“Were you searching for a new Tom Cat?” Barb jabbed, making Dick uneasy, who’d unwisely placed himself between the two girls.

“Somehow, I can’t see you two sharing a domestic litter box.” Batgirl continued to berate Selena. “Meow!” Catwoman gestured with one hand in a cat scratching manner, fingernails extended. “Aren’t we being catty tonight?” Selena countered as Robin sighed.

This was going to be a long night. The gala had been in full swing for about an hour by now.

Batman had placed two motion sensor devices on the fire escape and the edge of the rooftop guard, to give him the advantage, were he to need to escape quickly or face a foe. The others hadn’t remembered to do so as they watched from a different rooftop section. This gave the crime-fighters two opposing perspectives on the Royal Arms entrance.

Bruce’s section faced the alley below, and the others faced Main Street, where the valet parking company moved the cars. Batman was convinced they’d seen enough. Bruce Wayne was due to give his speech in less than a half an hour. “Okay Robin, fire off the mini bat microphone and let’s get down to the hotel and change.” He directed. “Finally!” Catwoman grumbled.

“What’s the matter, Catwoman, didn’t you get your full cat nap today?” Batgirl slammed. “Ask Brucey.” Selena smirked seductively. Barb made a vomiting noise, as Robin fired the bat mike.

The speed propelled launcher was true, however, Dick’s aim was not. The miniature bat shaped mike flew through the open window, sped across the room, and sliced through a certain female reporter’s martini glass, shattering it.

Lois Lane held back a shriek. “WTF!” she exclaimed as Clark quickly came up beside her. The bat mike whizzed past her, and stuck itself to the wall behind the Hors D’Oeurves table. “What’s wrong, Lois?” He’d had his back turned and therefore never saw the bat mike sail in.

“My martini glass is trashed!” She replied and waved for the waiter. “Was the glass half full, or half empty?” Clark teased her. “Real cute, Smallville.” Lois grinned as the waiter took the glass stem away, and began to frantically search for another one.

“Maybe you shouldn’t be downing your martinis so quickly?” Kal suggested. “Oh pu-lease, Smallville! A few watered down martinis don’t mean that I’ve fallen off the wagon. Besides, it just might put me in the mood…” She flirted heavily, embarrassing Clark.

“Great shooting, Bird Boy!” Selena hissed, literally. “What? What happened?” Batman asked warily. “Oh nothing, Batman. It’s just that dead eye here shot out that reporter chick’s martini glass.” Barb spoke quietly into her wrist communicator. Bruce sighed. “Is she okay?”

“Yeah, no harm done.” Robin cut in. “The bat mike is on the wall by the snacks. Is that okay, Batman?” Silence. “Batman?” Robin twisted his communicator around, assuming that it stopped working. Even state of the art WayneCo technology could sometimes be quirky.

Laura Lake got out of the cab and stretched leisurely. It felt odd to her going to an adult, semi-formal charity benefit at her age, and dateless besides. Curiosity had gotten the better of the teenage meta-human, since she’d met Bruce Wayne, Richard Grayson, and Barbara Gordon. Selena Kyle she could do without, yet they’d all be together at the gala tonight.

Laura was wearing her expensive black dress for the very first time. That, and the way she’d been made up with a little help from her Aunt Wanda, made her look much older. She crossed the street heading towards the Royal Arms Hotel lobby. Something caught her eye.

There was a greenish reflection on the dimly lit rooftop above the alley. Laura’s eyesight was very good, and had even improved since she’d ingested the loracite. (See Laura Lake origin)

She saw a dark, hooded figure leaning over the roof’s edge of the SSB Building. Laura was certain that he or she was up to no good. On the other hand, he could have just been an overzealous security guard for one of the local big shots attending the benefit.

As my luck would have it, probably not, Laura thought, so much for my nice new dress. She slipped into the alleyway. Laura glanced around, and then pulled off a twenty foot vertical jump, settling on a fire escape landing, some two stories high.

 She quickly ascended the next few levels of the fire escape, until she reached the landing just below the entrance to the rooftop.

Laura spotted a small, black, device shaped like a bird, which hung magnetically on a vertical rail, at about her ankle’s height. It was likely an infrared alarm, she guessed.

Someone doesn’t want any company up here, she mused. Laura leaped above the device, perching on a horizontal rail just long enough to flip up on top of the roof, cart wheeling over another infrared device, roughly in the shape of a bat. The alarm was along the edge of the roof.

Sure enough, the figure was gazing through binoculars at the Royal Arms’ entrance.

            Laura’s stealthy approach enabled her to check over the alleged peeping Tom. She didn’t see any weapons, but noted that the watcher was dressed oddly, in a cape and cowl? Laura silently wondered. That could be only one person, but why was he here in Metropolis?

            Laura had read about the Gotham City bat man in the Daily Planet, Nebraska Times, and a host of other periodicals. The Batman was a type of vigilante helping the Gotham Police Department to solve crimes, she recalled.

She used her super speed to come up behind the masked man, and not frighten him off. Laura put one hand on his shoulder, squeezing it tightly.

            “The hell are you doing here?” She questioned. “I might ask you the same thing.” Bruce grumbled. How did she get past my security alarms?  “I saw you lurking up here and decided to investigate.” Laura defended.

Bruce’s first instinct was to use his armored gauntlet glove to deflect an attack and hopefully shove his assailant away, making his escape. Naturally, Batman’s move had no effect on Laura’s iron grip. He spun one foot low in an attempt to knock Laura off her feet. She deftly leapt over his traditional martial arts move.

 “Relax, bat dude!” She reassured him. “I’m on your side, or might want to be one day.” Bruce recognized her as the girl from the pool. Clearly there was more to young Miss Lake than I know.

            “I already have some partners, sorry.” Bruce forced his voice down low, just above a growl. Batman again tried to shake loose from Laura’s grip. He nearly slipped on the grimy rooftop.

 Of course, Bruce was confident that if he fell, he could use a bat grappler hook to stay his flight. That would attract unwarranted attention, however. He decided to trust Laura.

            “What do you want?” Bruce challenged, still using his gruff voice. “You’re a little over dressed for rooftop jumping, aren’t you?” Laura would not be swayed.

“Yeah, well you’re a little over dressed for shopping on Metropolis’s gold coast.” She countered. “I’m very busy.” Batman said as Laura finally released him. “Lake, Laura Lake.” She extended a hand, and he reluctantly took it.

            “I’m heading to the gala. Did you want me to keep an eye on someone for you?” Laura offered courageously. Bruce was momentarily silent.

Laura sounded like she genuinely wanted to help, but why? Unless… “Are you from around here?” He asked in a deep voice, finally letting go of her hand. “No, I’m from Nebraska.” She replied. That shoots down the local hero theory. He mused.

            Batman was still no closer to any answers. Who was helping to control the mutant population that he’d read about? Why was Laura so strong?

He was running out of time. Bruce Wayne had to leave and join the benefit. “Are we done here?” Batman asked with attitude. "Fine."  Laura snapped. “One more question. Why bats?” She asked him point blank.

Bruce was surprised at the teen’s directness. “It’s just this thing I have.” Batman responded lamely. “Bats are one of the most misunderstood creatures on the planet.” He explained quickly.

            “I feared bats, therefore, I became what I feared most. I decided to share my misery with everyone else.” Bruce added. “Are you writing an article for the Planet?” He fished.

“No.” Laura replied shortly. “How does the bat thing help you with crime-fighting?” She persisted.

            “I can do what others can’t or won’t.” Bruce continued. “As a man I can be humiliated, defeated, or killed. As an ideal, I can never die. As a symbol, I can never be defeated.” Batman was also a master of psychology, and he had completely entranced young Laura.

            “That is so cool!” Laura said happily. Bruce glared at her with confusion. “It is?” Laura nodded. “I’m going to follow in your footsteps, though minus the costume, I think.”

Batman was unsure of what else to say. “I really have to go.” He insisted. “Okay, good bye, and nice meeting you.” Laura said pleasantly with a mock salute, she jumped off the building.

            Batman was readying his grappling hook, when he saw Laura land smoothly, with just a slight bending of her knees, on the pavement eight stories below.

He gawked, as Laura quickly looked around, and made her way across the street, stopping at the Royal Arms entrance.

Batgirl, Robin, and Catwoman rushed over to the rooftop section that Bruce had staked out. “Hey Batman!” Robin exclaimed. “We lost comm contact with you. What gives?” Batgirl slid to a stop with Selena at her heel.  “Did something happen?” She asked.

            “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” Batman deadpanned, he didn’t want to mention his encounter with Laura in front of Selena. “What ever!” Catwoman protested. “Can we go, now?” Bruce switched off his ineffective rooftop alarms. “Yes, lets.” He urged.

            They left by more conventional means, climbing down the fire escape, until they reached the ground floor. Alfred awaited their arrival at the limo impatiently. Batman was first. “Master Bruce,” The English nobleman began. “I just witnessed the most frightful thing…”

            Batman put his finger to his lips, indicating silence. “I don’t doubt it, Alfred. Let’s drop the girls off at the hotel to freshen up. Robin and I will change in the limo to save time.” He held the doors open for the disguised women. “Very good, sir.” Bruce and Dick piled in afterward.

            “Twenty minutes until show time.” Dick announced as they hurried away. When the girls had gone inside, Bruce, Dick, and Alfred changed clothing in the limo. “What did you see up on that roof, Bruce?” Robin inquired.

            “Don’t tell Selena, or even Barb, but your friend Laura Lake came to visit me on the roof.” Batman explained as Dick gasped. “Does she know about us?” Bruce shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. She wanted to join me as the Batman’s sidekick.”

            Alfred rolled his tired eyes. “It was she whom I saw vaulting from the rooftop. At first, I thought that the poor young lady had fallen.” Bruce stared at him with concern. “Until she landed eight stories below me without a scratch on her.” Alfred nodded. “She jumped?” Dick asked.

Batman acknowledged that Laura had no sort of aerial device. "That’s not normal." Dick stated the obvious. "I should say not." Alfred agreed. "She wanted to join us?" Robin repeated. "Yes, and now she’s a big fan of the Batman. I blew her off for now. I hate to admit it, but she outmaneuvered me. She had an iron clad hold on me, and further, she avoided my bat alarms."

"Stealth and strength." Dick began, recalling the research he’d done on the strange occurrences in and around Smallville. At first, Robin had been skeptical, but now..."Laura’s got to be a Meta-human then?" Bruce nodded. "We don’t know anything for sure, but it would appear so." The boys changed as Alfred rang the girls’ rooms.

Barb and Selena were already entering the Silver Star lobby. "Time to collect your dates, gentlemen." Alfred joked. "As if this night could get any worse." Dick grumbled. "It’ll be okay." Bruce patted Robin on the shoulder. Now, though, I want you to see if you can talk to our Miss Lake without giving yourself away." Bruce directed. "Between you and Barbara, we may get some insight about our teen mutant."

Bruce and Dick escorted Barb and Selena out of the hotel, amid flashing cameras and nosy reporters. No one offered any comments as Bruce smiled congenially at the small crowd. Selena milked the moment by blowing kisses at the reporters, again stealing Bruce’s spotlight. He didn’t mind at all. The same chaos ensued when they pulled up in front of the Royal Arms.

Waves of fans, journalists, and awestruck bystanders lined the red carpet leading to the hotel lobby. Again Bruce and Selena waved, while Dick and Barb faded into the background. Though they didn’t cause the mass hysteria of Brad and Angelina, a fair number of people watchers followed Bruce and Selena every step of the way.

Like troopers, Dick and Barbara headed in after Bruce and Selena, Dick dutifully guiding Barb through the fans by her elbow. Selena blew one last kiss at the audience. She truly loved her newfound celebrity status. It beats scrounging a living for myself and the cats, and being Bruce’s arm candy wasn’t all that bad, she mused.

Once they hit the elevator, Dick and Barb retreated to neutral corners. Selena happily kissed Bruce, grossing Barbara out. There’s no accounting for taste, she thought bitterly. They emerged from the elevator to more formal pictures, and hand shaking. Dick held Barb’s hand as they were announced to the rest of the room. It was all part of the act of course, or was it?

"C’mon Barb, I’ll be your wing man." Dick offered. "What?" Batgirl folded her arms. "You know, your back up." Robin continued. "You find a guy you like, and I’ll go over and talk to him with you. It’s safe, easy, and fun." He encouraged. "Okay, I suppose that can’t hurt." Barb conceded.

"You’ll want me to do the same?" She guessed. Robin glanced at Bruce who had Selena hanging all over him. "Usually Bruce is my wing man. He’s otherwise occupied. Okay, let’s do it." Bruce and Selena continued to make their rounds, chatting and smiling.

Barb and Dick loitered around the snack table, and he checked on the bat mike, which seemed to be secure and unnoticed for the moment. Realizing that they didn’t know anyone, the teen super heroes quickly grew bored, munching heavily. Barb suddenly recognized Oliver Queen and Dinah.

"Let’s move, Dick!" She hurried through the crowd with Robin at her heel, and ran smack into Clark, falling backwards into Dick, and nearly knocking them both down. Superman grinned at them with bemusement. "Uh...excuse me." Barb said after shaking off the cobwebs of the hit. She momentarily regained her composure. She looked into Clark’s eyes and was stunned. "Wow!"

Dick regained his footing, and slid in behind Barb. "Pardon us, Mr...?" Clark extended a hand. "Kent, Clark Kent." Barb forgot her manners, and held Kal’s forearm. This dude is solid, she thought. "Um...Dick Grayson, and this is Barbara Gordon." They all shook hands.

"No problem." Clark said, and quickly excused himself, spying Lois near the punch bowl. Lois and Clark had found a good vantage point near the open bar. Lois was clutching a fresh new martini.

This party included the who’s who of Metropolis and beyond. "That’s Bruce Wayne of WayneCo and Selena Kyle." Lois informed Clark, who wasn’t particularly interested. "I’ve seen Wayne on TV and in magazines." Superman stated. "Who’s Selena Kyle?"

Lois took a sip of her drink. "Selena is an environmental activist, and currently Wayne’s main squeeze." She added cynically. "You know, she doesn’t have a real job, like you." Lois teased. "Nice." Clark took the barb in stride. "She sure is full of herself." He commented.

"Selena keeps posing with everyone and their brother." Kal continued. "Wayne seems laid back, like this really isn’t his thing." He remarked. "Opposites attract." Lois’s eyes sparkled. "Like us." Clark smiled, but knew better than to give her a response. "That’s the lifestyle of the rich and shameless."

Lois snapped. "Party after party, benefit after benefit, and ribbon cutting photo ops." She said sourly. "At least Wayne is spreading the wealth around. There’s Oliver." She stated without emotion. "Steady, Lois." Clark teased. "Oh, I’m so over him." She said calmly. "He and Dinah were probably meant for each other." Kal was very glad to hear Lois say that.

Laura Lake had finally worked her way through the crowd to them. "Hey Clark! Miss Lane!" She greeted them politely. "Laura?" Superman was a little surprised to see his teen friend at the gala. He gulped, remembering that in another time line, he and Laura were very close. (See: Gold Wing)

Clark had thought about replacing Lana with her for a while, but ultimately they couldn’t see eye to eye. "Laura?" Lois echoed. "Oh, I’m sorry. You two haven’t met." Clark apologized. At least in this time shard, he corrected silently. The girls shook hands, and Lois swore she felt a burst of energy.

Laura was elegantly dressed in her expensive black outfit, which was strapless, and the teen had put her long raven black hair up in a bun atop her head. She left the two signature sets of golden yellow hair strands hang loosely in a curl before her ears. It gave her the appearance of being much older.

"Call me Lois, everyone else does." She quipped, beginning to catch a buzz from the martinis. "If you don’t mind my saying so, aren’t you a little young for a stuffy benefit like this?" Clark rolled his eyes. Here we go, he thought warily. "It was a last minute thing." Laura replied gracefully.

Finally Chloe and Jimmy showed up. Clark was amazed that after all she’d been through, Chloe had still managed to make it to the benefit. He fully expected her to stay in and rest. "Oh thank God!" Lois exclaimed, as she rushed over to meet her younger cousin.

Jimmy was all smiles, and filled with relief that Chloe was free, and in reasonably good health. "C’mon Laura, it’s time for you to meet the object of all our troubles." He joked, guiding the teenager through the crowd. Chloe seemed okay, but tired, Superman guessed. Lois was still hugging her.

The two chatted as rapidly as they could, but Laura’s eyes focused elsewhere. The Batman had been after somebody, she thought, but I have no idea who. "Hey! Good to see you!" Chloe patted Laura on the back. "Good job!" Lois continued to be puzzled. Chloe and Clark knew this Laura...she noted.

Bruce, Dick, Barb, and Selena had circulated through all the big shots, and had made their way up near the stage and podium. Jimmy shook Laura’s hand. "Thanks for helping to save my girl." He said, low enough for Clark and Laura to hear. "No problem!" Laura replied. "All in a hero’s day’s work."

Jimmy looked at her oddly. Kara Kent came in next with very little fanfare. She quickly found Lois and Clark. Marcus Worthington and Zara Rolfe entered amid a few camera flashes and on the spot interviews. Bruce’s pilot, Hal Jordan followed them in, and worked his way toward his boss.

Julian Luthor, and his girl, Tessa Mercer, came in next with a small entourage. They nearly upstaged Bruce, who was already at the podium. Perry White, and a new intern, Catherine Grant watched from backstage, trying to keep a low profile.

No one knew the level of super hero talent that appeared at the charity benefit that night. They’d all come together at a much later date. Only Superman knew that he’d begun to force Darkseid’s hand, by getting the Justice League together earlier in time. He’d now altered Earth’s future exponentially.

This time shard was far from perfect, as the group would soon find out.

link to Chapter 5

Please welcome Laura Lake!