All of these are in a series, but this chapter especially won't work if you haven't read part 11 first. As always, both comic book logic and crazy sex fantasy rules are in effect.
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Cassandra passed several gloriously relaxed days in the Batcave, reveling in her new self. It wasn't just that she could read body language perfectly and fight again, though that was nice. And it wasn't even that she could fuck Superman any time she wanted, though that was ecstasy.
What mattered was that she was fully and truly herself, more than she had been in a long time. She'd had long discussions with Barbara about how little sense their world made sometimes and whether or not it actually had anything to do with the Writer entities everyone was concerned about. Though Cassandra wasn't sure what she believed about that theory, she had to admit that outside control would explain her own behavior over the past several years.
But every period of relaxation had to end eventually. This time, the end came in the form of a cryptic message on one of the League of Assassins darknet sites. To most it would have been incoherent, but to Cassandra it was clear as day: Lady Shiva was inviting her to another duel and threatening collateral damage if she didn't comply.
"You're not seriously considering going into this death trap, are you?" Barbara glanced from the message to her, then sighed. "I see you've already decided to go."
"It's undoubtedly a trap," Cassandra agreed, "but I have a bit of an ace in the hole this time. All I need to do is convince him to fly me across the world and this can end today."
"Well, if you need help convincing him..."
Barbara's raised eyebrows didn't turn out to be necessary, because Superman appeared behind them a moment later. "I've been listening to the conversation. Considering how quickly we can respond to the challenge, I think the risk of a trap is significantly reduced."
"Then stay safe, you two."
With that, it was decided. Cassandra already wore what little equipment she thought she'd need, and Superman needed nothing except himself. He picked her up and she found a comfortable position against his chest. In seconds they were out of the Batcave and slicing through the clouds overhead.
Though Superman's body seemed to shield her from the wind pressure, the air was still chill around her. That was exactly what she needed. Cassandra let her mind and body cool until all of her being was refined to a perfect weapon. It was the first time she'd meditated while flying in someone's arms, but she'd become so comfortable with Superman that she easily reached her desired mental state.
"You're ready?" He spoke softly seconds after she had finished. She still wanted him through her steel-minded state, but it was mediated by her focus.
"You could sense my meditation?"
"I've been paying attention to you. I don't want any other martial arts masters to be able to escape me by hiding their presence."
Most likely he could learn the skill with considerable speed. Superman was a better warrior than Cassandra had expected, even discounting his powers: he would have to be, given that he had more years of experience than almost any other hero. For the moment, all she said was, "Yes, I'm ready."
They left the ocean behind them, cutting across the top of Africa before turning toward the Himalayas. In order to prevent any damage to her body, Superman hadn't been able to accelerate as quickly as normal, but he was still taking them to their destination with incredible speed. Though they'd reviewed the hidden base's location before leaving, she wasn't sure how he could move toward it so unerringly without any GPS. Perhaps that was another of his powers.
When he began to slow down, Cassandra took another deep breath before speaking. "You should know that this base has been used by Ra's al Ghul in the past. As far as I know, the League of Assassins abandoned it, but he may still have some influence."
"Who's in charge of it now, then?"
"Unless nothing has changed, Nyssa Raatko." She saw Superman's face shift slightly, not recognizing the name. "Ra's al Ghul's first daughter, I believe with a Russian woman many years ago. Lady Shiva suggested her base as a neutral location, but it's well-known that Nyssa still has connections to the League of Assassins."
"After this, Ra's will know about me. I'd like to take him out today if possible."
"You may be able to learn his location from her, then, or at least find Talia. But we should discuss..." At that moment the world beneath them finally slowed from a blur to a gorgeous Himalayan landscape. Though snow fell around them, Cassandra's mind felt even colder. Somewhere in the temple beneath them, Lady Shiva was waiting.
Superman descended toward it, still nothing more than a speck in the sky to anyone below. Besides, they wouldn't be expecting her so soon. That was assuming she understood what kind of trap it was in the first place.
"Is Lady Shiva even present?"
He didn't answer for a moment, eyes sweeping the temple, then nodded. "She seems to be meditating in the central shrine in front of the courtyard. There are multiple people in the tower, but no assassins anywhere near her."
"She knows I wouldn't fall for any trap that obvious. Anything more subtle?"
"Low tech weapons all around the courtyard, but they look poisoned. There's some kind of electronic signal, so they must be wired to fire automatically at her command. If you were standing in the courtyard when you confronted her, even someone like you might have a difficult time avoiding all of them."
Cassandra nodded. "This isn't a duel, then, it's an assassination. Shiva doesn't think I'm worth a fight anymore." She wasn't upset, just a little disappointed in her old self.
"Well, she's getting a surprise." Superman's eyes glowed red and before Cassandra could stop him, heat scorched just above her head.
The crimson beam devastated the mountain, sweeping around the temple in an instant. It left the tower standing and simply tore the top off the central shrine, but the buildings surrounding the courtyard were left nothing but shattered wood and molten stone. Lady Shiva barely escaped the collapsing shrine, which brought her onto the still untouched courtyard. Though the large tiles had been spared, a momentary blast could annihilate them and Lady Shiva.
