by Erica David
“Diana, this is a dance, not a battle!” said Zee.
“I understand that, Zee Zatara. But can you not find me something functional?” Diana asked.
Zee folded her arms in frustration as Diana tossed yet another dress over the stall door. This one landed squarely on top of Zee’s head. Jessica plucked the dress from Zee and added it to the return rack.
“Are you sure you don’t like that one?” Jessica asked. “It’s made out of sustainable fabric.”
“It is like wearing the heavy chains of Prometheus,” said Diana. “But this next one I like.” She opened the door and emerged triumphantly from the stall.
Zee took one look at her and said, “Absolutely not! You are NOT wearing a pantsuit to homecoming!”
“Why not?” asked Diana. “This jacket provides protection, and I am still able to kick and lunge in these pants.”
“She does have a point,” Jessica said.
“We do not kick and lunge at homecoming!” Zee replied. She would have argued further, but her phone rang. It was a video call from Babs, Kara, and Karen, who were still back at school.
“How is the repair going?” Diana asked, peering over Zee’s shoulder into the screen. She could see her three friends on the roof of the school building. After Lois Lane’s complaint, they were fixing the school’s broadcast tower to restore the Wi-Fi.
“So far, so good. We’re almost done,” said Babs. She flipped the camera so that Diana, Jessica, and Zee could see the progress. In the distance, Kara hovered near the top of the tower. She was carrying Karen, who worked diligently with the tools hanging from her belt.
“How are the students doing without the internet?” Jessica asked.
“Don’t you mean what are they doing without the internet?” Kara called out. “Answer: nothing.”
“It sounds like they are taking a much-needed break from their infernal devices,” said Diana.
“Those devices are what keep the peace,” said Babs. “If we don’t finish up soon, it’s going to look like a post-apocalyptic future around here.”
“I see,” Diana said seriously. “Then perhaps I will purchase protective pantsuits for all of us. We will match!”
Zee shook her head, exasperated. She decided to ignore Diana’s comment and focus on the campaign instead. “I bet Oliver is freaking out right about now,” she said. “What good is a selfie with him if no one has the Wi-Fi to post it?”
“That is why I am glad our focus is on school improvement,” Diana said. “It is my hope that this repair will win me the hearts of my peers.”
From the top of the broadcast tower, Karen gave Babs a thumbs-up. Babs flipped a switch, and the hum of electricity crackled through the air. Diana, Jessica, and Zee heard the sound of students cheering in the background. Wi-Fi service was restored!
Babs didn’t waste a moment. She whipped out a second phone, and her fingers danced across the screen. Moments later, the whole school received a text alert telling them that Diana Prince had saved the internet! It ended with the catchy campaign slogan “Diana Delivers!”
“Excellent work!” said Diana, thanking her friends.
Kara and Karen joined Babs at the bottom of the tower. Now that the internet was working again, they were ready to get back to campaigning. Karen had Diana Delivers! buttons to make, while Kara planned to hang posters. Babs would continue to post to social media using #voteprinceforqueen. With just twenty-four hours until the homecoming dance, every second counted.
Zee ended the call and turned back to Diana, who was admiring her pantsuit in the dressing room mirror. She and Jessica exchanged a look. It was going to be a long afternoon of fashion faux pas.
* * *
Later, on their way out of the mall, Diana, Zee, and Jessica had an unexpected encounter. They accidentally bumped into Selina, Doris, and Harleen, who were loaded down with shopping bags.
“Hey, watch where you’re goin’, toots!” Harleen said.
“Excuse me. I did not see you,” said Diana. She pointed to their bags. “It looks like you are also shopping for the homecoming dance.”
“You could say that,” Selina purred.
“I have recently made a purchase at a store for professional women who value comfort,” Diana told them. Zee covered her face with her hands.
“Yeah? We bought stuff, too,” Doris said, holding up her bags. Selina stepped on her foot. She didn’t want Doris to reveal anything about their shopping trip.
“You went dress shopping at Harvey’s Hardware?” Jessica said, looking at Doris’s bags.
“Harvey’s Hardware? Why did we not go to this store, Zee Zatara?” Diana asked. “It sounds like they carry functional attire.”
“Very functional,” Selina said, swatting Doris’s bags out of view. She didn’t want the other girls to see what was inside. They would certainly question the selection of ropes, lockpicks, and grappling hooks.
“It just depends on the function,” said Harleen with a giggle.
Diana nodded and wished them well. Selina and her friends were eager to be on their way. Fashion was the least of their worries. They had plans to make the homecoming dance a night the school would never forget.
The night of the homecoming dance had finally arrived! A bright full moon hung low in the sky. Thanks to all the improvements, the school looked brand-new. Windows sparkled, lawns were freshly mown, and the gym was beautifully decorated in the style of an outer space adventure. The building looked almost as good as the students, who showed up dressed in their finest.
Diana, Zee, Babs, Kara, Jessica, and Karen were also dressed to impress. Diana wore her pantsuit with pride, and even though Zee disagreed with her fashion choice, she had to admit that Diana looked good. The girls had more important things to think about than fashion, however. Tonight the Star of Andromeda would make its appearance! And where the tiara was, Catwoman and her crew were sure to follow.
But the thought of Catwoman was not enough to dampen the excitement. Soon, the girls would learn who would be elected homecoming king and queen. They would finally see if all their hard work on Diana’s campaign had paid off.
“This is Lois Lane, reporting live from the homecoming dance!” said the school’s intrepid reporter. With the Wi-Fi repaired, she had quickly resumed her broadcast duties. She spotted Hal Jordan by the punch bowl and hurried over to him. “Hal, tonight’s the night! What do you say, sport? Which one of these fellas has what it takes to be king?”
Hal flashed a brilliant smile at Lois and said simply, “Me.”
“Check the polls,” Lois said smartly. “You’ve got the looks but not the likes. You’re running way behind Oliver Queen.”
“What?” Hal said, whipping out his cell phone. He turned away from Lois to scroll furiously through his social media feed.
Lois moved on to interview Steve Trevor, a visiting student from a nearby military school. Though Steve wasn’t eligible to vote, he had his own ideas about who would be elected king. “All the candidates are just swell. There isn’t a bad pick in the bunch! I’m sure the student body will make the best choice,” he said brightly.
Lastly, Lois spoke to Barbi Minerva. The popular girl was annoyed that her ritzy theme for the dance hadn’t won. So it was no surprise when she said, “I think the classiest, most glamorous candidate will win.”
Lois was about to comment when suddenly the lights dimmed. The student body president took the stage. He picked up the microphone and cleared his throat. A hush fell over the students. This was the moment they’d all been waiting for.
“My fellow students, for the first time in the history of the school we have only one winning candidate,” the president said. “Oliver Queen is the first person ever to be elected both homecoming king and queen!”
“But the Wi-Fi! Diana delivered the Wi-Fi!” Ze
e said, shocked by the results. She was equal parts confused and disappointed. But Diana remained exuberant.
“You are right, Zee Zatara. I may not be queen, but I delivered many improvements to the school, and by Zeus, that is cause for celebration!” She hugged each of her friends and thanked them in turn. As for Oliver, Diana was the first to congratulate him.
The entire gym went completely wild with applause. Even Carol Ferris cheered happily…until she realized what Oliver’s win meant for her. She had not been voted queen, and there was no way she could make Hal Jordan her king. Carol’s eyes narrowed and her hands began to shake with anger.
Oliver didn’t notice. He grabbed the microphone and delivered his acceptance speech. “My loyal subjects, as your newly elected king and queen, how can I ever thank you?” he asked. “No, wait, I have an idea. I can treat you to the sight of me in my shining tiara, dancing with me, ruling together in peace and harmony with me!”
Zee rolled her eyes, but for Diana’s sake, she smiled and applauded graciously. But just as Oliver took the stage to be crowned, the lights went out.
The students in the gym murmured in confusion. It was pitch black, and they heard a thumping noise, followed by a muffled squeal.
The lights flickered back on to reveal a very strange scene. Onstage, Oliver Queen was tied to a chair! Behind him, Catwoman and Star Sapphire were caught in an intense tug-of-war over a…punch bowl!!!
Meanwhile, Garth, so used to being overlooked, was now the center of attention. He stood right next to Oliver with the Star of Andromeda perched on his head! With everyone looking at him, he realized that he was wearing the tiara. Immediately, he crossed his fingers and squeezed his eyes shut.
Catwoman and Star Sapphire howled in indignation! They tossed the punch bowl aside and snatched the tiara from Garth’s head. Garth ran for cover as Giganta, Livewire, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn stormed the stage. They formed a chain behind Catwoman, adding their strength to hers to wrestle the tiara away from Star Sapphire. But Star wouldn’t be stopped! Her love for Hal Jordan burned brightly and powered her ring. Even though she was outnumbered, her power ring made her strong.
“Pink pinto refried!” Babs exclaimed.
Diana and her friends ducked into the locker room and quickly transformed. Moments later, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl, Zatanna, Green Lantern, and Bumblebee emerged! They charged toward the villains!
Catwoman spotted the super hero girls out of the corner of her eye. “As much as I love a catfight, Carol, this isn’t the time!” she snarled.
“I told you not to call me that!” Star Sapphire snapped.
“Listen to me,” Catwoman said. “You know what happened the last time we played tug-of-war. Those ridiculous goody-goodies took the tiara. If we work together this time, we can beat them!”
“Why should I trust you?” Star Sapphire said, suspicious. “You don’t deserve this crown!”
“You’re right. I don’t deserve it,” Catwoman said. “That’s why I plan to share it with all my friends.”
“You mean I’ll get a wish from the tiara?” asked Star.
“Of course!” Catwoman purred. “Deal?”
Star Sapphire hesitated, but her love for Hal won out. “Deal!”
The villains turned to take on the super hero girls….
For Catwoman, Star Sapphire, and the other villains, their first act as partners in crime was to escape the gym with the Star of Andromeda. Catwoman placed the tiara on her head for safekeeping, while Star Sapphire created a diversion. She rose into the air and let loose a stream of heart-shaped blasts!
The super hero girls dodged the blasts and quickly moved to protect the students. With the power of her ring, Green Lantern conjured a giant umbrella to shield the crowd from the falling hearts.
“Uh-oh. Looks like love is in the air,” Supergirl said, using her heat vision to pop the hearts one by one.
This gave the villains just enough time to push their way out of the gym. Star Sapphire was the last to leave, covering her exit with a brilliant burst of violet light that temporarily blinded everyone.
In the hallway, Catwoman and Star Sapphire went in one direction, while the rest of the villains split up in the hopes of dividing the super hero girls. But Wonder Woman was ready with a strategy of her own. “I will lead the students out of the gym to safety while you stop the villains,” she told her team.
Zatanna raced after Catwoman and Star Sapphire. The tiara sparkled on Catwoman’s head as she ran down the hall. That gave Zatanna an idea.
“Oorehctiws, oorehctiws!” she said, casting a spell of illusion. The air crackled as the magic began to work. When Catwoman looked up, she saw the tiara on Star Sapphire’s head!
“Give me that!” she growled, taking a swipe at Star.
“What are you talking about?” said Star. To her, it looked like the tiara was on Catwoman’s head—and it was glowing! “You’re using up the wishes!” she shrieked.
“How can I wish when the crown is on your head?!” Catwoman snarled.
Zatanna smiled. Her illusion was working perfectly! The villains were fighting each other.
Meanwhile, Batgirl chased Harley Quinn into the school cafeteria. Harley cartwheeled over the lunch tables and hurled chairs at Batgirl.
“Have a seat, Batsy-Watsy!” she cackled.
Batgirl ducked and trailed the villain into the kitchen. The first thing Harley did was raid the refrigerator. She wasn’t hungry, though. She lobbed the leftover food at Batgirl, tossing bowl after bowl of cold, wet lunch in her direction.
“Time for a little indigestion!” said Harley Quinn.
“Why don’t you chew on this?” Batgirl responded. She grabbed a stack of plates and sent them hurtling after Harley.
On the other side of the building, Supergirl’s superhearing detected the crash of dishes in the lunchroom. But she already had her hands full—literally. She muscled Giganta across the weight room and slung the giant villain into the wall. All around them, barbells and dumbbells clattered to the floor. Giganta stumbled, dazed, but quickly climbed to her feet.
“So many dumbbells, huh?” Supergirl said with a smirk.
“I don’t get it,” Giganta told her.
“Exactly,” said Supergirl, winding up to throw another punch.
Meanwhile, on the roof, Bumblebee squared off against Livewire.
“Beat it, bug! Before you get zapped!” Livewire said, flinging bolts of electricity from her fingertips. Bumblebee nimbly climbed the broadcast tower on the roof, dodging Livewire’s blasts. When she reached the top, she used her high-tech suit to shrink to the size of an insect.
“Huh? Where’d she go?” Livewire asked. Bumblebee flew up behind her. She tapped a button in her suit. Suddenly, she was full size again! Livewire jumped, startled by her sudden appearance.
“Shocked you, didn’t I?” Bumblebee said as she launched her stingers.
On the ground below, Green Lantern chased Poison Ivy into the greenhouse, where the villain felt right at home. She blew a handful of sleeping blossoms at Green Lantern, but the Lantern was ready for her. She used her power ring to create a blow dryer and blew the flowers back at Poison Ivy, beating her at her own game.
“You reap what you sow!” Green Lantern told her.
Meanwhile, Wonder Woman led the students out of the gym to safety. She gathered everyone underneath the lights of the football field and told them to remain calm. Then she doubled back to join the fight!
By that time, most of the super hero girls had driven off the villains. Without Catwoman to hold them together, Harley Quinn, Giganta, Livewire, and Poison Ivy decided it was more important to save themselves than to worry about the tiara. One by one they slipped off into the night, leaving Batgirl, Supergirl, Bumblebee, and Green Lantern victorious!
But Catwoman and Star Sapphire wouldn’t give up! Zatanna had been keeping them busy with her disappearing tiara trick, but they were beginning to catch on. Catwoman touched a hand to her head and felt the tiara, which spoiled the illusion.
“Looks like your little magic show is over,” she told Zatanna.
“You mean there’s a wish left for me?” Star Sapphire said, her eyes widening with joy. With the illusion shattered, her hopes to make Hal Jordan her king had returned. Love swelled within her, and her powers grew stronger. She conjured a giant heart, so big that it nearly filled the hallway, and sent it flying toward Zatanna.
With the huge heart bearing down on her, Zatanna flew swiftly back toward the gym. The tables had turned! Now it was Catwoman and Star Sapphire who gave chase.
They hadn’t expected to meet Wonder Woman, however. At the last moment, she appeared and pulled Zatanna out of the heart’s path. The huge blast of energy crashed through the wall of the gym, leaving a giant heart-shaped hole!
“Phew! That was close,” said Zatanna. She thanked Wonder Woman.
“I did not want you to be heartbroken,” Wonder Woman said with a twinkle in her eye.
“Was that a joke?” Zatanna asked, surprised.
But there was no time for small talk! Catwoman and Star Sapphire charged toward them. Catwoman swiped at Wonder Woman with her claws. But Wonder Woman was ready for her. She blocked the blows with her gauntlets and delivered a few blows of her own! Wonder Woman kicked, spun, and chopped, backing Catwoman into the gym. Zatanna couldn’t help but notice that Wonder Woman’s fighting looked just like her dancing. Her moves weren’t exactly graceful, but they were fierce!
