Flight
_
When she fell from the sky, it was not what anyone expected. She changed midair from a normal girl to- well no one was quite sure. Even Superman, who was horrified. In her landing, she had sliced two of the creatures in half, knocked a dozen down and had helped her orange-clad companion send a few flying into each other. The one with the bow in her hair had whipped a chain that looked molten hot through the creatures swinging it back with finesse as she knelt for the other to use her back as a launching pad into the air where she sliced the invaders without mercy.
“Who’re you?” asked the Green Lantern, as the white haired woman slammed into the ground with such force that she broke the pavement. Today had not been his day and he wasn’t interested in games, and that included weird powered people he never met.
“I’ve never seen you before,” added Captain Marvel.
“She’s no one,” Superman replied forcefully, “Go home. Now.”
“Touchy, touchy,” the blonde replied, smoothing out her silver skirt and allowing her angel-like white feathered wings to fade into a silver cape. She was petite even in heels with long, slender legs and a tiny waist.
“I’m Sailor Venus,” said the bright blonde with the bow in her hair. This woman was just a bit taller than the other, with her chain looped around her waist. Her heels were high and her legs were long, and muscular, adding to her sloped nose and cornflower blue eyes. “Guardian of Love and Beauty, Princess of Venus.”
“Dibs,” whispered The Flash to Green Lantern.
The white blonde one smiled mischievously, “And I am Sailor Cosmos. I am the Champion of Love and Justice.”
“Well, all help is good help, I suppose,” said Green Lantern.
“No way,” said Superman angrily, “Go home. Now.”
Batman narrowed his eyes, “What-”
Sailor Cosmos rolled her eyes and flipped her bright white hair behind her before standing toe to toe with Superman. He was about a foot and a half taller than her, and far wider with broad muscles that seemed tense.
“How’s mom?”
“Uh-”
“Oh,” said Sailor Cosmos, “Superman is my brother. I’m his favorite and only sister.”
“Though she be little, she be fierce,” Superman ground out.
“Who are you calling little?” the blonde shot, “I’m older than you.”
“Is this the day from hell, or what?” asked Green Lantern.
“Yup. That’s why he wants me to go home. It’s also why I’m not going. You’re too overprotective. Besides, it isn’t just me. I called Supergirl too.”
“She should not be- I can’t believe you!- Venus is hardly-. That’s not the point. It’s dangerous. And you have your entire life ahead of you. Go. Home.”
“Hey, I’m 1017 now. That’s pretty adult. I can do what I want. Besides, if I leave, then they’re going to leave with me.”
Behind her, several more girls jumped from roofs and huddled up.
“Sailor Mars,” said a raven haired warrior in red with a flaming bow in her arms, “Scout of Fire and Passion.”
“Sailor Mercury,” said the next, with a water harp in her arms, “Scout of Water and Wisdom.”
Next was a tall brunette, with electricity crackling from her fingers, “Sailor Jupiter. Scout of Thunder and Protection.”
“Sailor Uranus. Scout of Flight and Heavens,” came the next, with a sharp blade in her hand.
“I am Sailor Neptune. The Scout of Deep Seas and Affinity,” she said as she toyed with deep blue mirror.
“I am Sailor Saturn, the Scout of Death and Rebirth,” said the smallest one, with her hands grasping a tall, sharp staff.
Last the tanned one stepped forward, arms on a giant jeweled key, “And I am Sailor Pluto, the soldier of Afterlife and Guardian of Time.”
“This is almost as weird as whatever is happening here,” said The Flash.
“They’re terraforming,” Cyborg said helpfully.
“That fits.”
“How do you figure?” asked Green Lantern.
“Well for one thing, the water’s on fire.”
“Mercury, Neptune,” stated the silver blonde evenly.
“On it,” they replied, shooting up in the air.
“Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!”
“Neptune Deep Submerge!”
“You must be Princess Diana of Themyscira. It is an honor to meet you,” the blonde continued, and curtsied regally, “I am Princess Serenity zi Lunaria, of the Moon Kingdom.”
Wonder Woman stood to attention and bowed deeply, “The honor is mine, Your Highness.”
“Go home,” Superman insisted again.
“Not in your dreams,” Sailor Cosmos replied.
“She’s a princess,” Venus said, “She’s stubborn.”
Superman turned his form on his sister and gave her an even look, “If you die I’m telling mom.”
“Whatever, dweeb.” She turned to Venus, “Contingency 62A.”
Venus nodded and turned, “62A.”
“On it,” replied Mercury before she created a deep fog.
Mars raced up a building and began shooting off arrows to draw fire from the invaders. Jupiter raced behind her and struck lightening through the sky.
“So who’s this Darkseid guy?” asked Flash, “What’s his play?”
Cosmos and Venus shared a look as the rest of the team mates raced away, “He’s a gatherer. After his planet was destroyed, he vowed to destroy each star seed to find the anti-life equation. Lexi has it, and he wants it.”
“Who?” asked Shazam. “Is she single?”
“Sailor Galaxia of Star Galaxia.”
Green Lantern veered away before bringing up his hand in a defense measure, “Galaxia of Star Galaxia is a wanted fugitive for her crimes against this universe. A warrant is out for her immediate arrest.”
Cosmos rose a pristine brow, “Galaxia has done her time at Sagittirius Zero and is now the trusted keeper of the Anti-life equation.”
“How did she get her hands on-”
“I gave it to her for safekeeping,” replied Cosmos.
“What’s an anti-life equation?” asked Superman.
Cyborg answered, “It’s the end of life knowledge. It’s a myth.”
“It’s not a myth,” stated Venus, “There are three people who know it, and none of them are Darkseid.”
“Well, how do we defeat him? He’s bomb proof. And Shazam nearly ate it trying to take him on,” said Flash.
Cosmos shuffled, “Well his eyes are his greatest offense but they are also a weakness.”
“So we blind him! Like poor damned Oedipus!”
“Yes, Wonder Woman,” Cosmos said, “Saturn will join you. Venus, myself and Green Lantern will distract him.”
-
Venus raced down the road her chain swaying at her side. She unwrapped it and pulled it taught in her hands. The metal glowed a deep orange and she swung it with precision around a monster and swung him straight into Darkseid.
“Hey, Darkseid!” she yelled mockingly, “You couldn’t defeat Galaxia, but guess who did?”
“Yeah!” yelled Cosmos, “It was nothing. I squashed her like a bug under my foot. She was nothing. And you’re less than nothing.”
“You’re pissing him off,” Lantern said.
“I’m a princess. It happens.”
“Venus Meteor Shower!” yelled the orange wearing blonde, summoning firey stones down on the enemy.
From the corner of her eye, Cosmos could see Saturn preparing to swing her glave through the air and into Darkseid’s left eye.
“Hey, asshole!” shrieked Cosmos, “What did you do with my brother, you piece of flaming shit?”
She watched his eyes turn orange and the Omega beams burst from his eye.
She smirked and focused hard on the beams, waiting for it to reach her before putting her scepter out and using her own power to completely deflect the beams back towards Darkseid.
In his stunned surprise, Saturn got the drop on him and shoved her glave through his eye ferociously, pulling it back and flying to the ground before he could retaliate.
Unfortunately, he knew that she had sent the blow and immediately punched her with his full strength through a building.
“Sailor Saturn!” called Flash in horror.
“She’s fine,” said Cosmos dismissively.
“She’s a child!” replied Flash angrily.
Cosmos scoffed, “Please. Sailor Saturn is older than humanity itself. She’ll be fine.” No sooner had the words come from her mouth did Saturn emerge from the rubble, with only minor scratches.
“She looks pissed,” Venus said, as she sent a crescent beam through a dozen of the monsters.
“She doesn’t enjoy being thrown into structures,” Cosmos said drily, “Anyway, nothing tops when Lexi sent her through that moon. That ticked her off for ages.”
“You guys are really strange,” said Green Lantern.
“When you’re over 1000 years old, you run out of entertainment,” Venus replied as she sent her chain through the ground and split the earth open in a rain of fire.
“I can send them back!” yelled Cyborg.
“get them in the
“Moon-babe?” Venus continued.
“Yes, V-Babe?” the Princess replied politely.
“How about some of that Cosmic Moon Magic of yours?”
“Certainly,” said Cosmos. She summoned her staff, which appeared in her hand
_
When Darkseid was gone, Cosmos finally got the chance to talk more thoroughly with Batman.
“Thank you,” she said, “For saving my brother. I owe you one.”
“It was the right thing to do,” he replied gruffly.
Cosmos smiled, “But you still chose to do it. Thank you,” she leaned up and kissed his cheek slightly.
Batman didn’t move.
“If you ever find yourself in Metropolis, call me,” Cosmos said, as she slipped him a note with her number on it, “Bruce.”
Before he could reply, she walked to chat with Wonder Woman, linking arms with her and giving both of her cheeks a kiss before tugging on Superman’s arm and hugging him goodbye. Aside from the other blonde, the rest of her flock was already gone. A white horse appeared in the sky and landed gracefully. With one last look to the Dark Knight, she took off.
“She’s got style,” said Cyborg, “I like it.”
_
“How’d she know who I was, Clark?” Bruce asked as the two ate lunch on the harbor between their two cities the next day.
Clark shrugged his massive shoulders, “She’s-”
“My ears are burning,” came a voice.
A petite silver blonde young woman, looking around twenty-two with deep molten silver eyes slid into the booth next to Clark. She smoothed out her oxford shirt and leaned her chin on her fists.
“Hi, Bruce.”
Clark rolled his eyes, “Seriously? What about me?”
The woman rolled her eyes, “I saw Diana earlier. You should ask her out on a date.”
“How come I didn’t recognize you?” Bruce cut in suspiciously.
She waved her hand, “You can’t unless I make it so. It’s a magical thing. Unless you see me transform, or I tell you either directly or indirectly, you’d never know,” she smiled, “I’m the prettier Kent. Serenity Kent.”
“You’re Miss Teen Metropolis.”
“That I am.” She leaned back and stuck a knee sock covered leg onto her brother’s leg, “Hey, Clark. Do you like my shoes? They got sent to me yesterday night and I love them.”
“They have cats on them,” Clark answered noncomittingly.
“I love cats.”
“I know you love cats,” Clark said dryly, “How’s Luna doing?”
“You ask her,” Serenity said, pulling a cat out of her canvas tote bag.
“Did you just bring your cat into a restaurant?” Bruce asked.
Serenity shrugged.
“What if it… pees.”
The cat glared, “I have more than enough manners not to urinate in a public place, Mr. Wayne!”
“Did that cat just talk?” Bruce replied with aversion in his voice.
“It’s getting her to shut up that’s the trick,” Serenity replied, laughing at Luna’s outrage.
Clark cleared his throat, “So… Diana mentioned me?”
Serenity snorted, “You are so ridiculous. Duh she mentioned you, dork. You should ask her out on a date.”
“But where would I take her?”
“How the heck should I know?” Serenity asked, “Bring her to meet mom.”
“On a first date!” cried Clark in horror.
“Whoops. I already told mom you were gonna ask her out so you might want to fix that.”
“Serenity!”
“Is this what having siblings is like?” Bruce cut in curiously.
“Sure,” said Clark, “I’m the oldest, but Serenity and Kara like to claim oldest on accounts of immortality and being stuck in a time vortex.”
“I’m totally the oldest,” said Serenity, “This June I’m turning 1018.”
Clark scowled at his sister, “Don’t you have somewhere to be? Don't you have school or something?”
“Do you go to University of Metropolis?” Bruce asked genially.
Serenity looked at him queerly, “I’m still in High School.”
“What?” hissed Bruce.
“You didn’t know?” asked Serenity, “Why else do you see me with a side bag that has notebooks, a laptop… normal things you bring to school.”
“I just…”
“Look now you’ve scared him off,” said a flirtatious voice. Another petite blonde slid into the booth next to Clark.
“They’re multiplying,” he said drily.
“Hi Clark.”
“Hi Mina.”
“Hi Sere.”
“Hi Bruce,” Bruce said to himself.
“You can still ask her out on a date,” Mina said helpfully.
“W-” began Bruce.
“You had better not ask my underage baby sister out on a date!” Clark growled aggressively.
“I’m older than you are, you potatohead!”
“I’m going to tell mom if you go out with him!” Clark threatened, “He’s a playboy and he’s no good for you.”
“It’s not like I’m standing right here or anything,” Bruce said as the two squabbled.
“They’re like this all the time,” Mina said unhelpfully, “You get used to it.”
“If you try to stop me from going on a date with Bruce I’ll tell mom about you-know-what!”
“You wouldn’t!”
“Try me!” screeched Serenity gaining the attention of the tables around them.
“I swear to-”
Then she pinched him really hard and growled something inaudible.
“Okay, fine,” ground out Clark, “But if he hurts you I’ll separate his spine.”
“Um-”
“So,” said Serenity, “Pick me up at 6?”
_
Bruce pulled up in front of a 4 floor white, townhouse at 6 sharp. It was unsuspecting, with a neat garden and perfectly edged lawn lining to a path to a red front-door. Before he could knock the door was opened.
“You’d better come in,” said the girl – Mina – as she waved him in. “Clark is being an idiot.”
“No way!” he heard yelled.
“Yes way!”
“He’s too old for you!”
“I’m almost a thousand years older than him buttmunch!”
“But-”
“I’ll tell mom about what you and Diana did this morning if you don’t hop off!”
“EVIL!”
At that moment, legs came into view and he watched as Serenity rushed down the stairs. She was wearing light blue floral pants and a tan cashmere sweater.
“Sorry I’m running late. Clark tried to lock me in my bedroom.”
Mina snorted from the corner. “That hasn’t worked since we were twelve.”
Another blonde shrugged, “Clark still grounds me.”
Serenity sighed and put her arms on the girl’s shoulders, “Kara. You’re almost an adult-”
“She’s only fifteen!” Bruce heard Clark yell from upstairs.
“And that means that you can start sneaking out of the house.”
“Serenity!” yelled Clark.
“In fact, I know of at least 18 separate ways to get out of the house without Clark even knowing. Only one of those involves a blender and a potato gun.”
Bruce was regretting his decision already.
“Oh, Kara. This is Bruce Wayne. Bruce, this is Kara. She’s Clark’s first cousin from home.”
“Ah,” Bruce understood.
“Are those for me?” she asked, pointing at the flowers in his hands.
Mina took them, “I’ll put them in water. Go enjoy your date.”
Bruce’s nerves were getting the best of him as he helped her into the car. He hadn’t been on a real date in a while. This was so awkward.
“So, what are we doing tonight?”
“Er-”
“There’s a meteor shower tonight,” Serenity said, taking pity on Bruce. “I have two tickets to watch it from Meioh Observatory.”
“That sounds very interesting,” Bruce said, “Dinner, afterwards?”
Serenity smiled as she leaned closer to him in the driver’s seat. “You don’t need to try that hard, Bruce. Let’s go to the arcade. It’ll be fun. Relax.”
_
The date went a lot smoother than Bruce thought it would. After Serenity picked up on his nerves, she made sure to make him feel comfortable.
They were leaving the arcade around 9:30.
“This has been really great,” Serenity said, “I don’t really want it to end.”
“It’s been a great date,” Bruce admitted, “I’m not used to doing such… normal activities.”
“Gold-diggers and villains?” Serenity guess.
Bruce shrugged non-commitingly.
“Well…” Serenity said as she looked into her bag, “I have a key to my house and I left a spare uniform in my bag…”
Bruce stiffened, “Serenity…”
“We don’t have to do anything. Just sleep. Sleepovers aren’t weird.”
“This is our first date.”
“Third,” Serenity corrected.
“How do you figure?”
“Battling Darkseid counts. This morning we had lunch. Boom. Third date. Sleepovers at date number three are not weird.”
“Clark will be furious.”
Serenity shrugged, “I’ll text Mina and she’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything crazy.”
“You’re underage,” Bruce tried.
Serenity rolled her eyes. “I turn 18 in two months. If this is an age thing, we’re only physically like 8 years apart. That’s not even weird. Plus, if we want to get really into it, I’m way older than you anyway.”
“But-”
“Bruce,” Serenity forced, “Stop coming up with lame excuses as to why I can’t sleep over. If you’re not ready, you’re not ready, but don’t come up with dumb excuses. I don’t want this date to end. Do you? Be honest with me, and yourself. Do you want me to stay over?”
Bruce paused for a moment before saying, “Yes.”
“Then I’ll stay over.”
_
“Wow,” said Serenity as the pulled up to Wayne Mansion, “This is your house? It’s so big. You live here alone?”
“Alfred lives with me,” Bruce replied as he helped her out of the car.
As they walked in the door Serenity looked down at her scuffed silver Keds, “Er, should I take my shoes off?”
“No,” Bruce said, “Alfred would be delirious with more things to clean.”
“I’m sure I would, sir,” Alfred spoke evenly.
“The bedrooms are this way,” Bruce said. They walked around the house and eventually stopped in front of a set of double doors. “This is my bedroom.”
Serenity stepped inside and put her bag down, kicked off her shoes, and smiled.
“Just sleep,” Bruce reminded her.
“Just sleep,” Serenity reaffirmed.
_
He hadn’t had such a good night’s sleep since before his parents died. Serenity was calming. She slept deeply, but radiated peace that he had never been able to find himself. Her silver-blonde hair was so long that even curled up into his side of the bed her hair pooled to the floor in her side of the bed.
He couldn’t remember feeling like this for a very long time.
He was happy.
Presently, she was in his shower, preparing for school.
“Shall I prepare you and Miss Kent breakfast, Master Bruce?”
“Did I hear breakfast?” yelled said Kent from the bathroom.
“Yes, please, Alfred.”
Fifteen minutes later, Serenity was tying her tie and pulling her navy blazer on. Seeing her in her plaid skirt, perfectly pressed white oxford, and knee socks made him cringe.
“I haven’t had a real breakfast since I moved to Metropolis. Nobody in the house can cook so Clark usually just orders pizza.”
“Every day?” Bruce questioned.
“More or less. Mina can make spaghetti and Kara can sort of make grilled cheeses and some desserts but the cooking skills in the house are limited to sandwiches and dialing from a take-out menu. We only get actual food if our friend Lita comes over.”
“Alfred is an excellent cook,” Bruce assured, “He usually makes a light breakfast for me but I suspect he will show off for you.”
And right he was. Plates of sausage, pancakes, eggs, toast and a pot of tea were waiting for them in the dining room.
“What time do you need to be at school?” Bruce questioned as he ate his fruit and omelet.
When she didn’t answer immediately, Bruce looked up. Serenity was stuffing her face with breakfast. She wasn’t eating grossly but he wasn’t sure how someone so small could eat so much food.
“Class starts at 8 but I have a free first period so I don’t need to be there until 9.” Then she blinked, “I suppose you’re wondering how I can eat so much food.”
“Er- yes.”
“It’s simple. In order to fuel my lifeforce I need to take in roughly ten thousand calories a day. Before and after big battles that can be up to tripled.”
Bruce looked at his watch, “We should get going. Your school is an hour from here without traffic.”
The ride was long but it didn’t feel that way
“Okay,” said Serenity, organizing her favorite school bag as she opened the door to get out of Bruce’s car, “Let’s freak out the nuns at the hell I call High School.” She smiled at him and smoothed over her uniform blazer before kissing him on the cheek as some of her classmates gaped from the windows of the school. “I’ll text you.”
That evening when Bruce was washing before bed he opened his cupboard. Inside was a womens’ deodorant and razor.
_
Bruce’s phone was consistently buzzing during his daily meetings.
Usually they were nonsense texts from his girlfriend.
Yes. Serenity was his girlfriend.
The girl in front of me totally just farted and then looked at me like I did it? Like?
Isn’t that gross?
Okay, whatever, TMI.
Then he received a picture of his coworker tripping publically. HAHAH look at this pic of Clark that Kara sent me!
Babe, what are you doing?
Want to get pizza tonight?
Serenity, I’m in a meeting.
Finally! I thought you were ignoring me.
I was.
Rude.
Aren’t you supposed to be paying attention in class?
Math is boring.
What are you wearing?
Bruce, stop bothering me. I’m supposed to be paying attention in class.
“What are you smiling at, Sir?” asked his secretary with a smile. “Is it a woman?”
Bruce cleared his throat, “I read something funny from a friend.”
“Ah,” replied the woman, not believing him at all.
_
On this particular day, he had picked Serenity (and by extension Mina and Kara) up from school so that they could have dinner that night. Bruce had volunteered to cook and Clark, being an overprotective brother had made their private dinner date a family matter.
“We should have tacos,” suggested Kara, as she eyed a ripe avocado.
“We should probably do the grocery shopping while we’re here,” Mina replied, “We’ve run out of food.”
“Yeah all we have left is canned artichoke and potato salad,” Kara mourned, “Serenity ate the last of the Double Stuff.”
Serenity rolled her eyes, “We should have left you two numb-nuts at school.”
“Clark would have picked us up,” Kara said.
“No way,” Mina snorted, “He has a date with Diana tomorrow and I’m pretty sure I heard him on the phone with Aunt Martha earlier freaking out about whether or not to give a princess flowers on the fourth date.”
“What a dweeb,” Kara laughed.
“Such a dweeb,” Serenity continued.
Bruce just looked at the group in resigned silence.
“Okay, go away,” Serenity fired at her cousins, “Bruce and I are going on a grocery shopping date.”
“That’s not a thing,” Kara said.
“Do I look like I give flying tuck?” Serenity replied, “If you don’t scram I’ll tell Clark that you have tequila in a lead box in your closet.”
“It’s your tequila!”
“I would never drink tequila,” Serenity feigned innocently, “I’m Miss Teen Metropolis. I abide by all the laws of this nation.”
Kara gave her the stink eye before dragging Mina towards the cosmetics section.
“So, are you coming to my graduation?” Serenity asked, “Clark is throwing me and Mina a party afterwards in the backyard. He got Diana and Barry to help.”
“Do you want me to come?”
Serenity looked at him cautiously, “Well, we’ve been dating for a month and a half now. And graduation is only two days before my birthday.”
“I’ll come,” Bruce said with a small smile, “Save me the best seat in the house.”
As he kissed her goodnight that night he shot off a quick text.
I need your help.
_
“At least we don’t have to wear caps and gowns. You’d be in a pickle with your crown, wouldn’t you?” Mina said as she smoothed her spicy orange shift dress as they waited in line for the processional.
Serenity shrugged as she adjusted her Miss Teen Metropolis sash. She had managed to find her white and coral floral caped dress at Bergdorf Goodman and had paired it with a pair of metallic kitty flats.
“So, what’s Ami saying in her valedictorian speech?”
“Who the hell knows?” asked Lita, “Blah blah blah Doctor.”
“What are you saying in your speech Miss Student Body President?” asked Mina.
Serenity smiled, “You’ll see.”
As the music began and they walked towards their seats, Serenity joined the valedictorian, salutatorian, and class president in the front row.
Ami spoke about the future, and the excitement to come. The salutatorian spoke about the future too, but he wasn’t as applauded as Ami. The class president spoke about remembering the good times of high school. Everyone was pretty ready to graduate after being together for so long so she only got moderate applause.
Serenity cleared her throat as she stood at the podium, “Hello, everyone. I know this day has been long, and you’re going to hate me but I need to commemorate this moment so… we’re taking a graduation selfie!” The entire class laughed as Serenity turned around to take a selfie of them all. “Definitely going to use the Valencia filter when I post this on Instagram so we all look tan. It’s not like we all skipped school last Friday and went to the beach or anything.”
Laughter from her classmates, extreme disapproval from the administrators, resignation from the professors, and a deep sigh from Bruce and Clark.
“Okay, now that that’s out of the way… I know that we’ve heard about the past, and the future. But I want to talk about the present. I want to talk about now. I think that sometimes millennials spend a lot of time thinking about the future because we’re nervous. All the good things we have seem to disappear. Social security, unlimited data allowances, and remember when Gossip Girl got cancelled? How could it end like that? Anyway, most of us just think College will end up being part II of the emotional beatdown that we call life. Especially if they’ve chosen to major in philosophy because literally who could get a job with that?”
Laughter from her classmates.
“But also because we’re hopeful. We’re a generation of people who want more. And not in a glutinous way, but a we-want-to-change-the-world way. I think we forget that we already have. For example, Jack King just won a world chess competition and beat out the number one under 18 chess player in the world who held the spot for 6 consecutive years.”
Applause.
“Lita Kino got accepted to Le Cordon Bleu. Ami Mizuno got a full ride to MIT to study bio-medical engineering and Holly Timbers just qualified for the Olympic figure skating team. Dylan Hill is going to Harvard to study Neuroscience because this year he got a grant using nano-technology to surgically remove brain tumors and aneurisms”
More applause.
“The thing is, we’re doing great stuff now. We all are. Jonah Olsen won a Pulitzer prize for a photo taken of the Justice League on a camera phone and Alice Law just launched an entire fashion line made out of clothing repurposed from plastic water bottles backed by her duel enrollment program with Fashion Institute of Technology. Mina Aino just signed a record deal with Universal Music Group. George Kane is heading to India to observe the mating habitats of wild versus captured elephants. Harry Thompson just climbed Mount Everest and this year will be the first to successfully climb Annapurna II in the winter. Next time you see me, I might be Miss Delaware. Heck, I could end up Miss Universe. Guys,” Serenity said seriously, “If this stuff isn’t cool, I don’t know what is. No matter if it’s fashion, education, sports, or art, the class of 2016 is doing amazing things and half of us aren’t even legal adults yet! What I know from this is that yeah, the future is going to hold amazing things for us – how could it not? – but we’re already doing amazing things. We’re only a class of 28 students, but we’re like family. We’ve grown up together. We’ve become something together. So, yeah, I’m excited for the future. But I’m also excited for right now. I’m excited because we’re already successful, and that makes me proud to be graduating with you all today.”
_
“Okay, time to take some pictures!” Martha Kent said excitedly, as she snapped photos of Serenity and Mina.
“This was an interesting experience,” Diana said, “Is this a sort of coming of age ceremony?” she asked Clark.
“Er- sort of.”
Bruce made his way over with several bouquets of flowers, and a few envelops that he passed out to the girls, “Congratulations, Sere,” he said, “Mina, Lita, Raye, Ami.”
“Thanks, Bruce!” Mina replied with a wink after opening the envelop. That was a lot of zeros on the check, but she knew he was good for it.
“I wish I were graduating,” bemoaned Kara, “I still have two more years to go.”
“Don’t wish away time,” said a tall tanned woman, joined by a woman with short blonde hair and another woman with shoulder length aqua hair and a young girl with dark hair.
“Trista! Hotaru! Amara and Michelle!” said Serenity excitedly as she hugged her friends. “Have you met Bruce?” Serenity questioned as she tugged Bruce towards them.
“I haven’t met Bruce,” grumbled Martha.
“After, Mama. Bruce this is Trista, Hotaru, Amara and Michelle. Guys, this is my boyfriend, Bruce.”
He could almost feel the hatred radiating off of Amara but chose to be polite.
“He’s handsome!” whispered Hotaru, “Congrats Serenity-mama!”
“Mom,” Serenity continued, “You skyped Bruce once. But here he is again.”
“Well,” said Martha, “I talked to him more recently too.”
“Uh- why?”
“Why for your graduation gift of course.”
“Wait- wha-”
At that moment, Bruce stepped forward, “Here,” he said as he handed her a second envelope, “From me.”
Serenity gave him a concerned look and opened the envelop discreetly. Then closed it quickly.
“No.”
“No?”
“You’re right. That’s wrong. Absolutely not!”
“What is it, Sere?” asked Raye.
“Nothing, because you’re returning it, right, Bruce?”
“Incorrect. It’s yours, now.”
“Is there any way I can convince you to take this back?”
“Not in the slightest.”
“Well?” asked Diana, “What is it?”
Serenity shifted uncomfortably, “Bruce gave me a private island.”
“Cool!” yelled Kara.
“Do you think you can jet ski?” asked Raye.
“Wow, I wonder if there are cool animals,” said Hotaru.
“Imagine how beautiful the agriculture is,” sighed Lita.
“You’re one lucky hoe,” continued Mina.
They were cut short by the sound of a whirring helicopter.
“Are you kidding me?” Serenity cried out.
“Alright,” Martha said, “Everyone say goodbye to my middle daughter. She’s going away for a while on a well-deserved trip.”
“Ha,” said Clark, “I told you I was older.”
Bruce helped Serenity into the helicopter. When they were seated, she glared at him, “I can’t believe you bought me an island.”
“Well,” Bruce chuckled, “Technically, I gave you an island that I already had. Mina and Martha thought that might simmer you down a little.”
“Minako knew? I’m about to be one cousin short.”
“And, your birthday is less than 48 hours away,” Bruce reminded her, “Whatever are we going to do in that time?”
_
Serenity did a final comb through of her long hair and smoothed out her chiffon gown. Today was the day. She would be competing to be Miss Delaware USA.
Everything was like a haze. They asked her a few questions on everything from how she would make Delaware a more tourist filled location to how to answer the Superman question.
“Of course as citizens of Delaware, we know that our great state has so much more to offer than just a bridge between Maryland and New Jersey. I would like to market on Superman’s propaganda. I believe that he is the key to getting people into the state so that we can show them all of the other things we have to cherish in this Great State.”
“And what do you think of Superman, Miss Teen Metropolis USA? Some say he is a nuisance; some say he is a savior. What is your opinion?”
Serenity smiled, knowing that this question would come up. “I think, just like the rest of us, he is a man who wants the best for Delaware, the United States and this planet. I think we hold him to a higher standard because he is capable of incredible feats that we cannot hope to possess. But I also believe that we the people of Delaware are capable of incredible feats. Metropolis’s finest works around the clock to see that we are safe, and the charitable donations of our people as well as our hard work and commitment are what make this state such a great place to live.”
As she stood on the stage with her opponent, Serenity prayed that she had reached her goal. She held Miss Teen Wilmington’s hand. “Whatever happens,” she said, “I know that both of us are amazing women who would help to lead this great state.”
“I know that too,” the brown haired beauty replied, “But I think you deserve it more. I’ve heard the things that people say about you. You’re kind. I think we need more kindness.”
“And the next Miss Delaware USA is… Teen Metropolis!”
As she hugged Miss Teen Wilmington and accepted her new crown, sash and flowers, she saw a pair of familiar blue eyes in the audience.
_
“Congratulations!” yelled Mina as she dragged Bruce, Kara, Clark, Diana and Martha along with her.
“I do not understand the point of this ‘beauty pageant’,” Diana stated bluntly.
Serenity laughed quietly, “It’s a competition, Diana. The point is to praise people for their beauty, but also wits and behavior.”
“I can’t believe my baby’s graduated and become Miss Delaware in less than a month!” cried Martha as she squeezed Serenity tightly. “Your father would be so proud.”
Serenity smiled sadly and hugged her mother and Clark.
Bruce smiled from beside her, “Pretty flexible, ay?”
“Watch it,” warned Clark with a growl.
Serenity rolled her eyes, “Clark, we were on a secluded island without supervision for 5 days. I hardly think this is necessary.”
“Serenity Elizabeth!”
“Damn, momma K,” Mina said, “Breaking out the middle name.”
“Shut up, Mina,” glared Serenity.
“At least it’s not me getting yelled at this time,” Kara said.
“Just you wait, young lady,” Martha shot, “Clark told me that you’ve been sneaking out!”
“Clark, are you kidding me?” hollered Mina.
“She can take care of herself!” agreed Serenity, “Bitch is bulletproof!”
“Serenity Elizabeth! Watch your language!”
“Mortals are so strange,” Diana said evasively.
“I’m just so proud!” cried Mina, “You’re going to be Miss USA!”
“Let’s not count our chickens,” Serenity laughed.
_
“Bruce Wayne and Miss Delaware, Serenity Kent: In a relationship?” Serenity read from a headline.
“We kept it a secret for a while,” Bruce said, “It took them four months to figure it out.”
Serenity shook out her hair and adjusted her crown. “Are you ready? The fundraiser starts in thirty minutes. We should leave.”
They were getting close to the car when Serenity reached for his keys, “I’ll drive.”
Bruce gave her a look.
“It’s fine. I’ve never even totaled a car.”
“That’s so comforting.”
She sped down the lanes with precision and they rolled up to Metropolis Children’s Hospital’s yearly fundraiser.
“I could drive the Batmobile,” Serenity said as the valet took Bruce’s Rolls Royce. She adjusted her crown and sash and waved to the photographers.
“Well,” Bruce said as he gripped her waist, “The secret is out now, so we might as well enjoy it.”
“Miss Delaware! Miss Delaware! Is it true that you and Bruce Wayne have been dating for months?”
“Don’t answer that,” Bruce groaned.
Serenity rolled her eyes.
“Miss Delaware! Who are you wearing tonight?”
“What do you have to say about the allegations that you and Bruce Wayne are dating for apperances?”
“Miss Delaware, what do you want to say about recent conjecture that pageant women don’t eat?”
“Miss Delaware,” called a reporter.
Serenity turned to look – it was Lois Lane.
“Why hello, Lois; Jimmy.”
The rest of the reporters glared.
“Miss Delaware, is it true that you’ll be hosting this year’s Women’s Rights summit?”
Serenity grinned, “It absolutely is true, Lois. Thank you for asking.”
“Hey – why did she answer you?” asked one man offended.
Lois glared, “Maybe if you asked questions about her instead of about Bruce Wayne, Miss Delaware would answer!”
_
“Katana needs backup.”
“I think Katana is fine.”
“She and Rick Flag need one more person to watch their backs,” the woman countered, “And it will be you.”
“I know your particular brand of blackmail, Waller. It won’t work on me. I’ll do it voluntarily.”
“I’m glad we see eye-to-eye.”
“We don’t,” the blonde said, “I’m doing it because I want to, not because you’re forcing me. And be aware, Amanda, that there are no pressure points on me for you to exploit. It won’t work.”
“We’ll see.”
_
“Come with me, Madam President,” Sailor Cosmos, Harley Quinn said, as she shielded him from bullets. She lifted her cape around him and then pushed him into a violet colored tear in the air, much to the dismay of his secret service.
“My name is Sailor Cosmos. I’m an active member of the Justice League. Right now I am keeping Task Force X in line. I have orders from Amanda Waller and Rick Flag to bring you to your safe house. Your husband, children, and several secret service members are already there.”
“Thank you,” the President responded, albeit warily.
Cosmos dropped the President off and turned to Harley Quinn, “If Joker shows up here, I will personally de-scalp you, cut off your head, his, and feed you to Killer Croc.”
“You wouldn’t-”
“Try me.”
Harley narrowed her eyes but nodded sharply. She’d grown to respect the petite blonde. She was still irritated by her – mostly because she was really pretty and Mr. J had done a few double takes when looking at her.
But Harley wasn’t bitter or anything. She and Mr. J had a history.
“Let’s go, Harleen,” Cosmos said as she pulled her through the void.
_
“And next up is Miss Delaware!”
Serenity pulled a question out of the glass bowl and handed it to the host with a grin.
“Miss Delaware, if you were Miss USA, you would have to represent the ideals of all Americans. How would you approach the current division between the two major political parties?”
Serenity did a mental sigh of relief, She had prepped for this one with Bruce. “Well, Miss Grant, I believe that the government is a body that was created by the people, for the people. I would like for them to represent all Americans, and avoid a tyranny of the majority, just as our Founding Fathers wanted when they declared Independence in 1776. Our constitution protects us from imbalances of power, and I trust it completely.”
Applause. Ha.
She walked back to her spot and smiled widely with her hand on her hip in her white bikini and sash.
After Miss Oregon bumbled her way through her question it was her turn again.
“Miss Delaware, as Miss USA you should inspire women. How do you plan to do this during your reign?”
Was her godly mother on her side today? How was she getting such easy questions?
“That is an excellent question, Miss Grant. I believe that inspiring women in the most important job that any woman can have. We have mothers, aunts, idols, and many other women in our life who inspire us each day. As Miss USA, I would inspire women – of every race, religion, and ethnicity - to aspire towards achieve their dreams. I believe that anything a man can do, a woman can do just as well. We have a female president, today, and I could only hope to be half as inspiring as President Adamson to the growing young women of the United States.”
She got called back to the final round after performing her talent. The lights in front of her were blinding, but she could see Bruce in the audience. He was smiling at her. She had this in the bag.
This was the final question of the night. If she aced this, she would be Miss USA.
“Miss Delaware, as Miss USA you are expected to be an ambassador of the United States. How would you perform this role admirably?”
She tried not to let the panic take over her. She hadn’t prepared for a question like this. She calmed herself. She was Sailor Cosmos, she already did ambassador duties!
“Miss Grant, that is a very important duty of Miss USA. I believe that I could fulfill this duty by representing the beliefs and opinions of all women in the United States. Our country is a land of diversity in all forms of the world, and that is most definitely one of the strengths of our great nation. Therefore, I would like to represent that strength on both foreign and American soil.”
Okay, that wasn’t too bad. People were clapping, and at least two of the judges looked very satisfied with that answer. She stepped back to her spot and gave a blinding smile in her white chiffon gown. She knew she hadn’t won though. Miss Montana had given a far better answer concerning meta-humans. She could only hope for first runner up – Miss Illinois had bumbled through her answer about immigration laws.
As the judges deliberated, Serenity’s eyes searched the audience. Her eyes met Bruce. He smiled slightly and gave her a deliberate look and then mouthed, “I love you.”
She couldn’t help but mouth it back. Little did she know the camera had caught it, and she would be trending twitter that night as #MissUSALovesBruceWayne.
In her love-daze, she missed 1st runner up.
“And the next Miss USA is… Miss Delaware!”
Huh?
Miss Illinois jumped for joy and hugged her tightly.
Serenity walked forward in shock (which must have shown on her face) to be crowned and accept her flowers and new sash.
She might have cried.
_
“My girlfriend, Miss USA,” Bruce whispered as they cuddled after their private celebration.
“Hey, that’s me,” Serenity giggled back.
“I may or may not be slightly bitter about this,” Bruce groaned, “now every horny teenaged boy in America is going to be jerking off to pictures of my girlfriend in a bikini.”
“Ew, Bruce!”
“Do you think they might arrest Clark and I if we just… take care of that little problem?”
“Bruce!”
“Kidding! Kidding! Sort of.”
“Hey Bruce,” she whispered.
“Hey Sere.”
“I love you, you know?”
“I love you too.” And then she gasped a little has her boyfriend’s head disappeared under the sheets.