Let Us Prey [Vicki Vale, Livewire, Wonder Woman]

[Deleted]

Vicki Vale was so engrossed in working on her latest article for The Gotham Gazette that she wasn't even aware two ladies had entered her office.  They were so quiet that their presence on the other side of her desk actually startled her when she looked up and finally noticed them.  One was a stocky woman with long red hair, while the other was shorter in stature, and was leaner, and had her face hidden under a wide-brimmed Fedora.  Both women were wearing long, gray trench coats.

"May I help you?" the news reporter asked, standing to her feet.  "I'm Vicki Vale."

"Yes, we know who you are," the smaller woman hissed with a British accent, sounding feral.  She kept her head bowed, making sure Vicki couldn't see her face.  "My friend and I are in need of your assistance in contacting Wonder Woman."

"Um, . . . Wonder Woman . . . doesn't work here," Vicki replied hesitantly.  "Maybe you should try the Hall of Justice instead of the Gotham Gazette?"

"Oh, you don't understand what I'm saying," the stranger replied snidely with a low growl.  "We don't want to go to Wonder Woman.  We want Wonder Woman to come to us.  That's why we need you, Miss Vale -- with or without your consent."

A shiver tingled up and down Vicki's spine.  She didn't like how this conversation was going.  "You're right.  I don't understand," she stated firmly, the smile disappearing completely from her face as she reached for the intercom button on her telephone.  "Let's see if you can explain things better to security."

Suddenly, a furry, clawed hand slapped Vicki's hand away from the phone. 

Vicki's eyes widened.  "Who did you say you were again?"

"I didn't!" the stranger snipped, removing her hat and trench coat.  "Perhaps instead of asking 'WHO are you?', you should be asking 'WHAT are you?'!"

Vicki gasped when she saw the woman's face and naked body.  It wasn't what she was expecting at all!  This stranger was covered in tan fur, except for the pure white on her belly, and black, paw-printed-shaped spots marking her legs, head, and . . . tail?!?

"I've met some strange looking characters in Gotham City before, but never like you!" Vicki exclaimed, her eyes filled with shock and awe.

"I'll take that as a compliment, Miss Vale," the feline female purred sarcastically, her prehensile tail swaying back and forth behind her catlike head with little round ears.  Her mouth revealed needle-sharp teeth.  "Let me introduce myself.  I'm the Cheetah, and I assure you, I'm one-of-a-kind!  Don't you agree, Giganta?" 

Remaining slient, her partner simply nodded and sneered as she removed her trench coat.  She was dressed like a strongwoman from a circus, complete with a loincloth halter and skirt, bangle bracelets, and anklets.

"What do you want with me?" Vicki asked as Giganta forced her hands behind her back and tied them.

"We don't want you, Miss Vale," Cheetah answered dryly.  "Wonder Woman is our prey.  You're just the bait."

"Bait?" Vicki asked.  "What does that --"

"Enough talk!" Giganta interrupted, hitting Vicki with a karate chop to the neck.  The reporter fell into unconsciousness and collapsed into the villainess's arms.

Cheetah grinned like a Cheshire cat.  "This is all going according to plan!" she purred.  "Quickly!  Get outside!  I'll run interference!"

"I'm outta here!" Giganta grunted, hoisting and draping Vicki across her broad shoulders.  Then she dashed out of the office and down the hallway as fast as she could.  Vicki's co-workers saw what was happening and started yelling and screaming.  There were audible gasps as three men tried to tackle Giganta, but she bowled them over like the human juggernaut she was and kept on bolting for the nearest exit.

Meanwhile, Cheetah was running on all fours behind Giganta, only stopping to slash anyone who even appeared to be thinking about getting in their way.  Then, without warning, she grabbed Ginger the receptionist and used her as a human shield.

"What do you want?" George Ackerman, the editor-in-chief, asked nervously.  "Don't hurt my employee!  I'll give you anything you want!  Just please let her go!"

"Very well then," Cheetah laughed, tossing Ginger aside and staring straight at him.  "Get Wonder Woman here on the double, or in five minutes your precious Vicki Vale is a dead woman!"

As Cheetah went on her way, George gulped and raced to the nearest telephone.

Once outside, Giganta concentrated and increased her size and mass.  As soon as she was fifty-feet-tall, the giantess started scaling the Gazette building with Vicki in hand, just like King Kong did with Faye Wray in the old black-and-white movie classic!  Meanwhile, Cheetah was perched on Giganta's shoulder, enjoying the ride and the view.

Using the windows as handholds and footholds, Giganta reached the roof in no time.  "Now what?" the beautiful behemoth asked, setting Vicki down.  The reporter was still unconscious.

"We wait for our quarry to arrive," Cheetah replied, slinking into the shadows.  She was certain Wonder Woman was on her way by now.  Soon this hunt would be over, and the Amazing Amazon would be dead.  Then Cheetah would claim what she was really wanting -- Wonder Woman's magic lasso!   

[Deleted]

Leslie Willis, a.k.a., Livewire, was out and about in her living electricity form roaming the power and phone lines of Gotham's west side. She was still giving the good guy thing a shot, and was looking for anything suspicious. As she neared the Gotham Gazette newspaper building, she couldn't help but notice a fifty-foot suspicious-looking someone hanging out on its roof! It was a gigantic red-haired woman wearing what appeared to be a strong-woman's outfit!

'What the hell?! That's one big-ass woman! Guess I should go see what's going on. That's what the good guys do, right?' she thought, directing herself towards the Gazette.

After travelling through the building's electrical grid, Leslie "poured" out of the the heating and air conditioning unit on the roof in a flurry of sparks before reconstituting herself into her solid, physical form. Her sudden appearance immediately got the attention of the enormous woman, who whipped around in Leslie's direction. The red-headed giant bent down to look at her with a large eye. Leslie briefly thought of frying that eye, but managed to restrain herself.

"You're not Wonder Woman," the behemoth said in a deep, almost booming, voice. "Who are you?"

Leslie cringed and waved her hand in front of her face. "Whew! You need a breath mint, lady!" she half-quipped. The giant's breath did kind of smell. "The name's Livewire. Who are you?"

"Giganta," the enormous woman answered with a frown. "What do you want, electric lady?"

Livewire snickered at the name, and replied, "I could ask you the same question, Giganta! What are you--"

Just as she was about to ask Giganta what she was doing there herself, Leslie noticed a normal blonde woman lying upon the floor of the rooftop. Her instincts told her that this was probably a set-up for someone. Leslie had held people hostage before herself to get at Superman, so she sort of knew the signs of one. Taking the few steps over to the blonde, she bent down to check her pulse. She was still breathing.

"Well, well! What do we have here?" purred another female voice from somewhere within the shadows. "Has Livewire gone over to the good side?"

Leslie recognized it almost immediately, since she had worked with the woman once or twice in the past. She wasn't a friend, which was probably a good thing, but she had still been a good acquaintance.

"Cheetah? What are you doing here?"

Obviously, she was planning something, and the behemoth was her muscle. But what was she planning? Livewire hoped to find out soon, and then put a stop it. She was the good guy now. It was her duty to help keep innocent people safe.

[Deleted]

Earlier that morning, Princess Diana had gone for a stroll in Robinson Park.  It was a beautiful day in Gotham City, and she was out and about, enjoying the warm sunshine and the cloudless blue sky.  But most of all, she delighted herself in the sight of small children.  They were so young and innocent, and reminded Diana of her childhood.  When she was growing up on Paradise Island, there had been no other children.  As she watched in awe at their play with family and friends, she felt an ache she had never known -- a yearning in her spirit for a child of her own.  Yes, she was a warrior, but first and foremost she was a woman with feelings, emotions, and needs.  Now she could relate to how her mother must’ve felt before baby Diana was molded from enchanted clay and brought to life by the gods.  Diana wondered if having a family of her own was even a possibility in her lifetime.  First of all, she’d have to find a man.  Secondly, raising children would distract her from her mission as Wonder Woman.  At the moment, she wasn’t comfortable with either of those things happening.

Diana was fascinated by men, but she didn’t fully trust them.  Her mother had raised her to believe that all men were basically evil, with hidden agendas and prideful mindsets that would ultimately lead to their demise.  Back in the days of WWII, Diana had met a man who had proven her mother wrong – Major Steve Trevor of the United States Air Force.  Diana regretted going back to Paradise Island after the war had ended instead of making a life with Steve.  Her life would’ve been so very different today.  She’d probably have children.  She wouldn’t be lonely.  She’d be happy.  And she would’ve known a physical love by someone she had loved very much.

Diana didn’t like thinking about “what could have been”.  She had chosen her path and was dealing with the consequences of her decision.  Being Wonder Woman that first time had opened her eyes to a whole new world -- literally!  In the end, she had chosen to return to the comfort of the only life she had ever known with her mother and sisters.  If she could do it all again knowing what she knew now, she wouldn’t have denied herself personal happiness with a true love.

Suddenly, Diana noticed something in the distance – a giantess with red hair!  It was her old foe, Giganta!  Acting on instinct, Diana found a secluded spot and spun into her iconic red, white, and blue costume.  Then she jumped into the air and glided effortlessly on air currents toward her adversary.

“Look!  It’s Wonder Woman!” a little girl exclaimed, pointing to the flying figure.  “She’s pretty!”

In response, Diana simply smiled and waved, her bracelets and tiara glistening in the sunlight.

* * * * * * *

When Diana neared the Gazette building, she saw Giganta and Livewire on the roof, engaged in conversation.  An unconscious woman was lying near them.  What was happening here?  Diana decided to confront them both and find out!

Meanwhile, Giganta saw a tiny figure approaching in the distance.  “It’s Wonder Woman!” she announced.  “Wonder Woman’s here!”

“Stick to the plan, Giganta!” Cheetah ordered, still hidden in the shadows.  “Help me get what I want, and I’ll help you get what you want!”

Giganta’s luscious lips curled into a snarl.  “I’m holding you to that promise, girlfriend!” she growled.  Then she glared at Livewire.  “Either help us, or get out of the way, Sparky!” she ordered.  She was about to flick Livewire with her fingers when a golden rope snared her right wrist and jerked her hand away and into the air.

“You’re a big girl, Giganta, but you’re not very bright!” Diana shouted.  “You should know better than to grow to this size and give away your location!  Did you think for one second that I wouldn’t come here to stop you?”

“On the contrary, that’s exactly what I was hoping you’d do, puny Amazon!” the brazen behemoth replied, tugging at the rope.  “Your magic lasso won’t stop me!”

“Guess again!” Diana corrected.  “Anyone caught in my magic lasso must do my bidding!  I order you to surrender to me -- NOW!”

For a moment, Giganta paid no mind to the Amazing Amazon and started thrashing her arm violently to shake the lasso off her, but Diana used her incredible strength to keep her grip.  Suddenly, the lariat began to glow, and then Giganta obeyed Diana and stood frozen in her tracks!

Landing on the roof, Diana bent down and checked Vicki Vale’s pulse.  Then she looked up at Livewire.  “Did you have anything to do with this?” she asked, trying to place the face.  Her eyes widened when she realized who it was.  “You’re Livewire, one of Superman’s enemies!”

Instantly, Diana sprang into action, leaping at Livewire and taking her to the ground!  “When will you criminals ever learn to stop preying on the innocent?” she asked rhetorically, smacking the lightning lass back and forth across the face a few times.  Then she wrapped the other end of her lasso around Livewire’s wrists and gripped it tightly.  Her lips opened to give a command.

[Deleted]

Plan? What was going on here? Wait. If Leslie remembered correctly, Cheetah and Wonder Woman are enemies. The cat lady had always gone on about how she wanted the Amazon's magic lasso. Her initial thought had been right, then. Giganta and Cheetah were using the blonde as bait to try and capture Wonder Woman. Well, that wasn't going to happen. Not if Livewire had anything say about it, anyway. She was supposed to be a good guy now. It was her job to help protect the innocent. She honestly kind of liked doing it, too. It actually made her feel good to help others, rather than hurt them.

Leslie frowned at the name "Sparky", and was about to hit the giant woman with an electrical blast when said woman got ready to flick her away with her huge fingers. Wonder Woman beat her to the punch, though, flying in and lassoing Gignata's right wrist, disrupting the large red-head's attack. The two women started to exchange words while Livewire just stood there. She watched the exchange with something akin to awe, as Wonder Woman managed to overpower Giganta using both her great strength and her magic lasso. It was kind of cool.

Once the giant was immobile, Leslie watched the Amazon Princess land on the roof and check the blonde woman's pulse. Before she could answer Wonder Woman's question, she'd been recognized and (rightfully) accused of being Superman's enemy! The next thing Livewire knew, she was being attacked! Wonder Woman was fierce, tackling her to the ground and smacking her across the face a few times. This act made her dizzy for a moment, causing her to barely register the Amazon putting her lasso around her wrists. Until she pulled and held it tight, that is.

"Ow!" she yelled, interrupting whatever the dark-haired heroine was about to say to her next. "I didn't have anything to do with this! I'm trying to turn over a new leaf!"

Leslie then sent a little wave of electricity through Wonder Woman's lasso in an attempt to at least break her grip on the rope. She didn't want to hurt the Amazon, but she also didn't want to be controlled by her either. Just after she sent out her little current of electricity, she saw Cheetah approach Wonder Woman from behind.

"Look out!" she warned, pointing behind the Amazon and hoping she would listen to her.

[Deleted]

When Livewire revealed that she was changing her criminal ways, there was no reason for Wonder Woman not to believe her.  After all, she was bound by the Lasso of Truth.  She couldn’t lie.  As the words registered with the Amazing Amazon, she felt a bolt of electricity surging through the magic rope.  Before she could say anything, she was zapped just enough to lose her grip.

And that’s what Cheetah was waiting for!

“We meet again, Wonder Woman!” the feline felon growled, pouncing on Wonder Woman from behind.  Seconds later, the two women were wrestling on the ground, away from Livewire.  Cheetah’s moves were fast and deliberate.  The element of surprise had definitely worked in her favor, giving her a much-needed advantage.  Sitting on top of the heroine and pinning her shoulders in place with her strong legs, Cheetah raised a clawed hand above her head and prepared to slash the Princess’s throat!

“Great Hera!” Wonder Woman exclaimed, bucking Cheetah off her body and blocking the sharp talons with her bracelets.

Meanwhile, Cheetah continued with a frenzied assault to keep her adversary from breaking free and pulverizing her!

[Deleted]

Just then, Vicki Vale began to stir, her long eyelashes fluttering as her eyelids slowly opened.  At first, she had no idea where she was.  All she could see was endless blue sky and puffy white clouds.  Then she felt the rocky terrain underneath her back and realized she was lying on the roof of a building.  How did she get there?

Sitting up, Vicki knew the answer when she saw Cheetah and Wonder Woman fighting like two female wrestlers in the distance.  Then she saw Giganta standing stationary, simply watching them, along with another woman who Vicki didn’t recognize.  Assuming the stranger was a foe because she was glowing with electricity and bound by Wonder Woman’s lasso, Vicki tried to shake the cobwebs out of her head and stand to her feet.  Despite the odds, the reporter noticed that Wonder Woman was doing pretty well at holding her own in the fight.

As the battle raged, Vicki decided to stay out of the way.  The last thing she wanted was to be used by Cheetah to manipulate Wonder Woman!

When Wonder Woman turned her head and saw Vicki, Cheetah took full advantage of the distraction and delivered a stunning uppercut to the Amazon’s chin.  Another few blows, and the Power Princess was rendered unconscious!  Stopping to catch her breath for a minute, Cheetah kept nudging Wonder Woman to make sure she was truly comatose.  Then she crawled off the lifeless form and went to collect the magic lasso.

“Grab Wonder Woman and let’s get out of here, Giganta!” the leopard lady panted, freeing her partner’s wrist.  Then she turned and leered at Livewire as she gathered the lasso.  “Thanks for the distraction, Lightning Rod.  I couldn’t have taken Wonder Woman down like that if it weren’t for you!  I’d invite you to come along, but you’re no longer welcomed,” she hissed as Giganta scooped up her and Wonder Woman.  “I'll spare your life this time to even the score, but from this moment forward, I don't owe you anything else.  The next time we cross paths, I will kill you.  That’s not a threat.  It’s a promise.  Consider yourself warned.”

Giganta roared with a belly laugh as she carried her friend and their quarry away.

As the giantess disappeared from view, Vicki ran over to Livewire. “Are you okay?” she asked, keeping a safe distance from the electricity. “I take it, you three aren’t friends, right?”

[Deleted]

Livewire struggled to free herself of the magic lasso as Cheetah and Wonder Woman battled it out. She managed to work it slightly loose, but she still couldn't get herself out of it; therefore, she tried to just melt the thing away. That didn't work either, so she just stopped using her powers all together and continued to wiggle her wrists around to try and loosen it even more. What amazed Leslie was the fact that not only was she bound up in the Amazon's lasso, but Giganta still was as well.

'How long is this thing?' she questioned herself silently. 'Damned magical items.'

Suddenly, Cheetah managed to get the upper hand on Wonder Woman and knock her out! Leslie couldn't help but to be a little shocked by this, and she struggled a little harder. Finally, she managed to work her hands free. She tried to gather up the lasso before Cheetah could, but failed. Livewire sneered when the leopard lady addressed and threatened her.

"Fine! I never really liked you that much anyway! You'll be like a cat on a hot tin roof the next time we cross paths, which will be soon! That's my promise, you furry witch!" she yelled, allowing some of her electrical energy to surge over herself threateningly as Giganta carried Cheetah and the unconscious Wonder Woman away.

She threw out a blast in their direction, but it missed. The giantess was already at least two blocks away due to her large stride. Roughly a moment later, Leslie heard another woman's voice ask her if she was okay. It was the blonde who'd been the bait for the Amazon Princess.

"I'm fine," Livewire said with a heavy, aggravated sigh. "No, the three of us are not friends. Not even good acquaintances. Not anymore, anyway."

Livewire ceased the electrical energy that was coursing over her and approached the now conscious woman. "How about you? The behomoth and the cat bitch didn't hurt you too badly, did they?"

She then held out her hand in greeting. "The name's Livewire. You must be a pretty important or well-known person for them to use you as bait. You got a name, toots?"

[Deleted]

Meanwhile, Giganta and Cheetah neared their secret hide-out –- a condemned building on the East Side of Gotham.  “That place is purrrrrfect!” Cheetah laughed in her partner’s ear.  “No one will ever think of looking for us there!”  Then she considered Giganta’s current height.  “Quickly!  Size yourself down before we’re spotted!  We don’t want to give the location away!” she ordered, but it was too late.  Suddenly, three military jets appeared in the distance.

“Take Wonder Woman,” Giganta told Cheetah, placing her passengers gently on the ground.  “I’ll handle this!”

Wonder Woman remained unconscious.

Without saying a word, Cheetah threw Wonder Woman over her shoulder and raced toward the hide-out with her incredible speed.  She didn’t even look back to see if Giganta needed any help or not.  Quite frankly, she didn’t care.  The beautiful behemoth was expendable, as far as she was concerned.

When the jets opened fire, Giganta screamed and then grimaced.  She took all three of them out with a swat of her enormous hand before the bullets could pierce her skin.  At her current size, she knew the projectiles would only sting.  They wouldn’t hurt her very much or take her down, but she still didn’t want to allow the aircraft to fire at her for very long.  One of the flying vehicles exploded in mid-air, while another spun out of control but somehow made it safely to the ground.  The third pilot managed to maneuver his jet away from Giganta’s hand and retreat to safety.

“Stupid puny humans!” Giganta growled, shaking her fists in defiance as she stepped on the second jet and crushed it under her bare foot.  The occupants died instantly.

A few seconds later, Giganta heard sirens wailing in the distance and decided to avoid capture by shrinking to normal size and joining Cheetah at the lair.  Giganta despised being human.  She hated everything about it.  All she wanted to do was return to the life she once had in Gorilla City with her true love, Grodd.  That’s why she was allied with Cheetah.  In exchange for helping her get Wonder Woman’s magic lasson, Cheetah was going to reverse the scientific experiment that had evolved Giganta into her human form.  And if Cheetah didn’t live up to that promise, Giganta was going to make sure the big kitty lost one of her nine lives!

[Deleted]

Vicki watched Livewire and Cheetah interacting in the distance.  At first, they seemed to be in a cordial conversation, but then the situation changed as Livewire surrounded herself with an aura of electricity and began yelling and hurling an energy bolt at the fleeing Giganta.  Vicki assumed it was safe to approach the electric lady because the woman had remained behind.

After Livewire confirmed that she wasn’t affiliated with the other two, Vicki sighed with relief.  Then she watched Livewire power down and approach her.  As they shook hands, Vicki was impressed with Livewire’s concern for her well-being.  Although the stranger looked dangerous, Vicki trusted that no harm would be inflicted upon her person.  However, she didn’t like being called “Toots”.

“It’s nice to meet you, Livewire,” Vicki said, retrieving her hand.  “I’m Vicki Vale, star reporter for The Gotham Gazette.  Yes, I’m a public figure in Gotham City.  I had no idea who those two women were or what they wanted when they entered my office this morning.  The big one knocked me out and must’ve carried me up here.  My neck is sore, but other than that, I feel fine.  Thanks for asking.”

With that, Vicki brushed off the shoulders of her jacket and smoothed out her skirt.  It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the Wonder Woman was in danger.  Vicki couldn’t even begin to imagine what the cat-lady would do to the Amazing Amazon before she took her life. From the looks of it, they had encountered each other in the past. There was definitely a history there concerning their enmity.

“So, can you turn off the sparks?” Vicki asked as she eyed Livewire from head to toe. “If not, you’ll have to fly.  Either way, we have to get going!  They’re getting away, and we’ve got to tail them so we can save Wonder Woman!”

At that moment, Vicki reached for Livewire’s hand, but pulled it back for fear of getting electrocuted.  “Sorry, but I don’t need a frizzed hairdo!” she apologized sarcastically.  “And, yes, I’m going with you to rescue Wonder Woman.  That's what you're going to do, right?  You’re one of the good guys, aren’t you?  Well, you can come with me or I’ll go it alone.  With or without you, I’m getting this story!”

Suddenly, a group of policemen stormed out of the door leading to the roof and drew their weapons on the duo.

“Hey! Don’t shoot!” Vicki ordered, raising her hands into the air. “We’re the good guys!”

* * * * *

Twenty minutes later, Vicki was in her car, heading in the same direction Giganta had gone – due east.  She was driving as fast as she could without breaking any laws.  Despite the giantess’s headstart, soon Vicki saw Giganta in the distance, fighting aircraft who were attacking her.  An explosion startled Vicki, causing her to pull over on the side of the road for a few minutes because of falling debris.

When the dust settled, Giganta had disappeared from view, but Vicki continued in the direction she had seen her last.

[Deleted]

"Oh! I've heard of you! Pleasure to meet ya! Too bad it had to be in this circumstance, though. Ha!" Livewire said with a grin and resting her hands on her curvy hips. "The 'big one' you're referring to calls herself Giganta, and the cat lady likes to be called Cheetah. You're lucky that you were just their bait!"

She'd seen Cheetah in action before, when she did that short stint with the Secret Society of Super-Villains. Much like an actual wildcat, the fiercesome feline was cold, calculating, and brutal in taking down her prey. Livewire could only imagine what she had planned for Wonder Woman. She didn't know much about Giganta, other than the fact that she's a giant, well-muscled red-head.

"Of course I can turn off the sparks!" she answered Vicki with a hint of offense in her slightly high-pitched voice.

The blonde had gone to grab to her hand, but quickly retreated. Livewire frowned a little more.

"Why does everyone think that I'll fry them every time they go to touch me?! Sheesh! I can control my powers, ya know!" she went on, a little annoyed. "And you're crazy! Yes, I was planning on going after them, but I was gonna do so alone. If you wanna get yourself hurt, or worse, though, then fine. I'm not gonna stop ya."

Suddenly, a squad of police officers stormed through the door that led to the roof of the building, their weapons aimed at both she and Miss Vale. When Vicki held up her hands and told them that they're the good guys, the cops immediately lowered their guns and rushed over to make sure that the two women were all right. After confirming that they were, Livewire told Vicki that she would travel her own way, and proceeded to use the electrons in the air so that she could fly. Electricity surrounded her as she lifted into the air and started heading in the direction that Cheetah and Giganta had gone off to.

******

The trip from Gotham's west side to its east side took her about ten minutes, give or take. She had to stop at a couple of transformers along the way to re-juice herself. Livewire could have travelled her usual way through the telephone and powerlines, but she wanted to go a bit slower in order to give herself time to think of how she might be able to save Wonder Woman. If she learned anything from the Black Canary when they'd worked together, it was that one should always be sure to assess and think scenarios through before acting. Patience can be a virtue.

When she arrived in the east side of the city, she saw Giganta taking out three fighter jets as if they were mere toys. Just after she was done with the planes, the giantess began to shrink within the settling debris!

'What the hell?' Livewire thought as she closed in on the scene from a safe distance. 'I didn't know she could shrink! Guess I'm more out of the loop than I thought!'

Giganta's human-sized form disappeared into a condemned building, apparently not seeing the lightning lass arrive. Livewire noted how the jets had been smashed like aluminum cans under the behemoth's feet as she floated amongst the debris. The pilots inside had been instantly crushed and killed, by the looks of it. It wasn't a pretty sight. Landing on the ground, she took some energy from a nearby building's generator to make sure that she was fully charged. Then, Livewire began to follow Giganta into the falling apart structure that was most likely Cheetah's and the giantess' hideout.

[Deleted]

The sound of voices brought Wonder Woman back to reality and stirred her from her slumber.  When she was fully awake, she was surprised to find herself hovering in mid-air!  Taking in her surroundings, she soon discovered that a huge metal disc was attached to the ceiling, and an identical one was underneath her on the floor.  A beam pulsated from one to the other, holding her in its grasp!

“What?!?  I can’t move?  Great Hera!” she cried, trying to flail her arms and legs, but to no avail.  No matter how much effort she put forth, her body just wouldn’t respond and remained stationary.  She was trapped!

Across the room, Cheetah was at a workshop table, studying the magic lasso that was now in her possession.  It was beautiful to behold.  The sinister scientist couldn’t help but be mesmerized by its soothing glow.  Giganta was just arriving and noticed their prisoner was conscious and alert.

“It looks like the little Princess is up,” Giganta informed Cheetah, tapping her criminal cohort on the shoulder.  Then she turned and faced Wonder Woman.  “Did you have a nice sleep, Wondy?  That’s the difference between scuffling with me and Cheetah.  If I had hit you, you would’ve never woken up again, ‘cause we’re gonna kill you!”

Hearing those words, Cheetah turned to face the Princess of Power as well.  “Welcome to our humble abode,” she purred, prancing over and sitting down on all fours in front of Wonder Woman.  “Do you like my latest invention?  It’s a stasis beam.  When I designed it, I wanted something different from a cage with metal bars, knowing full well that it would never hold you."  She laughed cattily.  “And Giganta is correct.  We are going to kill you, but I promise you it will be a slow death – one that I will enjoy immensely!”

Wonder Woman smirked.  “Keep laughing, cat-lady!  I’m warning you now.  When I get out of here, I’m going to trim your whiskers!”

Cheetah stopped laughing.  “You’ll never get out of there!  Not alive, anyway!”

Giganta was confused.  “How are you going to get free?” she asked.  “The lever to shut down the stasis beam is over there.”  She pointed to the far corner of the room.  Then she noticed Livewire standing in the room.

“You fool!” Cheetah hissed at Giganta, crounching into a defensive position.  “You’ve been followed!”

Giganta snarled at Livewire, curling her fists.

“I knew I should’ve killed you back on the rooftop!” Cheetah continued, eyeing Livewire like she was her next meal.  “I told you what would happen if we ever met again, and I meant it!”

Meanwhile, Wonder Woman smiled and prayed to the gods that Livewire had been around long enough to hear how to shut down the stasis beam device.

[Deleted]

Vicki Vale was traveling on foot, searching for the villains’ hide-out.  Fortunately, she had seen Livewire in the distance, entering one of the condemned buildings.

“Hey!  Wait for me!” Vicki called, but she was too far away to be heard. She ran to catch up to the heroine before she lost her altogether.

When she got to the entrance, Vicki heard talking inside and froze in her tracks.  This was definitely the place, and it sounded like Livewire was going to become a prisoner, just like Wonder Woman!

“Great!  Now I’ve got two of them to rescue!” Vicki said to herself.  “Where is Batman when I really need him?”

With that, Vicki ran around to the back of the building to see if there was another entrance.  The last thing she wanted was to get captured, too!

Finding an open window, Vicki crawled through it and went in search of the quarreling quartet.