There's a little black spot on the sun today

It's the same old thing as yesterday

There's a black hat caught in a high tree top

There's a flag pole rag and the wind won't stop

I have stood here before in the pouring rain

With the world turning circles running 'round my brain

I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign

But it's my destiny to be the king of pain

-King of Pain, Sting

“I hate wearing ties.” Tom Serra said as he grappled one last time with his tie in the limo. “In fact, I don’t believe I’ve ever worn a tie until I started working for you guys.”

Reinhardt Schroeder, in the front as the driver, scoffed in reply. “You aren’t Tom Serra anymore. You’re Phillip Delacroix, so act like it.”

Tom stopped fidgeting with his tie. “Damn, this is nuts, and you know it. Wonder Woman is going to be present. What if she recognizes me?”

“Then better we find out now than later.” Ares remarked, sipping from a small glass of champagne. “This is remarkably good alcohol. Take this opportunity to get yourself drunk, Delacroix. It’s good for your image with women, strangely enough.”

Tom groaned. As a matter of fact, he was getting used to being called Phillip Delacroix. After all, Tom Serra was just another false name given on a spur of the moment, years ago. One false name replacing another. Or were they all his names, equally accurate? 91, Tom Serra, Phillip Delacroix.

Just how important were names, really? Or were they simply labels, signifying nothing? He could call himself anything he wanted, except that right now, Ares needed him to be Phillip Delacroix.

This was to be his actual debut in public, for the very first time. He had just concluded the deal with the US government two days ago, and the success had catapulted Ares Macrotech into a major player on the market. Aggressive moves to take over ailing manufacturing companies, as well as buying out certain technological firms which had suddenly come down with serious lab accidents, had boosted the company’s prospects.

Of course, Phillip knew that his careful nighttime sabotage had a lot to do with it. It was all geared towards pushing them towards the highest echelons of the market as quickly as possible. And in just a few days, Ares Macrotech was already a top 200 firm. If the research efforts from the acquired companies paid off, then they’ll be a top 100 corporation in two months.

Phillip couldn’t wait. Joshua had once spoken of the thrill of success, of winning in the financial field, and his first taste was as addictive as marijuana. He knew what was happening, what Ares was doing. He wants me to like this. So that I would not leave his service. He glared at Ares, who smiled back knowingly.

Ares needed a reminder. “I’m doing this only because of your promise to help me attain my vengeance, my lord. Don’t forget that. And for the record, I am not enjoying this.”

“Fine. Whatever you say.” Ares smiled broadly, his eyes glowing red with power.

Wonder Woman smiled for the umpteenth time at the arriving guest, her genuine smile hopefully melting their hearts enough for them to donate more to her charities.

Vanessa Kapetalis and Cassie Sandsmark, Wonder Girl, were working the crowd with their mothers, explaining the exhibits and the displayed artifacts. In their own way, they were helping her, and Diana swelled with pride at how they had taken on the responsibility like true Amazons.

Jonah McCartney stood beside her, softly murmuring the names of the guests into her ear, just in case she had forgotten, or more likely, never met them. Then he spoke the words she had been waiting for.

“Phillip Delacroix.”

The man approaching her at the entrance was tall, taller even than her. He had blond hair and blue eyes, and a lean build. Diana sized him up, trying to sense Ares’ presence. For some reason, he looked familiar. His eyes were cool shade of blue, hard and calculating. Where had I seen those eyes before?

“Welcome, Mister Delacroix, to the exhibition,” Wonder Woman said smoothly as she shook his hand, ignoring the flash of cameras around her.

“Pleased to be here,” he replied. Diana was perceptive enough to note his nervousness, and a sense of unease.

She decided to try a question, “Have we met before?”

He shook his head, laughing just a trifle too artificially, “I think so, except that I would not forget such a beautiful woman like you, Princess.” Her heartbeat picked up a bit at his complimentary words, more than it should, even though she had heard similar words from so many men before.

The people around them laughed at his rather dull wit, and Diana smiled again as she allowed him to pass. He seems so familiar. I know I have met him before, somewhere. He was also speaking the truth, but that meant nothing. At least I don’t sense Ares. She also felt a strange sensation, as though she was floating through air. She had rarely felt this way, except around men she liked, like Trevor Barnes, and a few other men she had ever considered dating.

The next few guests passed by in a blur as Diana struggled to gather herself.

The next guest she really noticed though, needed no reminding. The woman strode forward almost brusquely, as though challenging Diana. The Amazon snapped out of her daze.

“Welcome, Miss Cale.” Wonder Woman said through gritted teeth. She had not forgot nor forgiven Cale for daring to strike at her through Vanessa. While Cale had been dealt several setbacks, she was still active and a persistent thorn in Diana’s side, always stirring up unflattering rumors against the Amazon Princess.

Cale did not come alone. Her best friend Leslie Anderson, a rather insecure and nerdy type, had turned up as well, along with Cale’s personal bodyguard and chief of security Fallon.

Diana forced her anger down. Cale was an enemy, but that did not mean she did not do her part for the needy. The proceeds from the auction and the exhibition were more important that her pride. One day, she would obtain the evidence to put Cale away.

Just not today.

Phillip sighed inaudibly in relief as he passed through the entrance into the exhibition hall, where throngs of the rich, powerful, and famous had gathered for the reception. That had been the hardest part, and for a moment he thought Wonder Woman had recognized him as Tom Serra. Good thing he looked so much different without his beard and cleaned up, clad in an expensive suit.

Phillip did take note of how good Wonder Woman looked as well. She wore a stunning red dress that all but prompted many of the younger men to practically drool and salivate whenever they looked at her.

He didn’t know why he felt an urge to beat those men up. Primal feelings, Phillip, primal feelings experienced by all men in the presence of a goddess. No need to get too worked up over her. Remember, the job for today is just to be seen. Plus one other small matter.

Be seen, socialize to get some more business contacts, and make a few bids for pieces which Ares had commented would be worth having, especially those associated with him and his portfolio of war. Fitting pieces to display in the offices of the firm. Like Stanley had said, it would be good fengshui.

Mustering all the lessons he had learnt in the past few weeks, he started to make small talk with a few other men.

“Wow! Veronica, look at that!” Leslie exclaimed as she pointed to a tall and handsome man standing around with a serious expression on his face as he talked with a few other investors.

Veronica Cale took a closer look at the man, then frowned when she realized she could not recognize him. A new player, she thought. And a real hunk too.

“Maybe you should try to approach him, ask him out?” Veronica nudged her friend slightly. Leslie is always so socially inept. I must get her out of her shell one of these days.

“Me?” Leslie stammered. “Oh no. I can’t do that! Not like, well… this!” The doctor pointed to her decidedly ordinary gown, while Cale tried to suppress a sigh.

“Leslie, it’s not just how you look. It’s who you are that’s important. If he can’t see that, then that’s his loss.”

“How about you try it?” Leslie tried to deflect the focus away. “I mean, you’re interested too, right? And you never have any problems with men!”

Cale had to admit, she was interested as well. Then she saw a gorgeous young model approach the man, asking for a dance to the slow music which a small band had started playing. She sniggered when she saw the man stare at the model for barely a second before turning back to his conversation with the other men. As though she never existed! The girl stomped away.

Veronica decided to hang back for a while, observe him for a while. She laughed with Leslie as they saw woman after woman, all good looking, and undoubted searching for a nice catch for the night, walk up to him and get turned away almost without a full sentence from the man, who seemed more eager to talk shop than dance with the many lovely ladies who had approached him.

It was only after the twentieth woman was turned away that Cale decided to take her turn. He talks business, so I’ll do that too. I get his attention first, then I try to get him to a dance.

They were discussing the prospects of nanotechnology and the legal aspects when Cale approached them.

“Its control must be strictly regulated.” One man was saying. Cale knew him as an government official. “Who knows what dangers could arise from its being wielded by terrorists and criminals?”

“But on the other hand, if we restrict it too much, then people without it have even less defense against the misuse of nanotech. Isn’t that right, Mister Fields?” Cale cut in smoothly.

“I don’t believe we’ve met, my lady” the stranger said, “Phillip Delacroix.”

“Veronica Cale.” She knew him now. The reclusive owner of Ares Macrotech, which had been making a few headlines recently for its aggressive takeovers and surging expansion.

She offered him her hand, and he raised it to his lips, kissing it gently. He smiled at her, and she could feel herself drowning in his blue eyes. He was indeed very handsome, but those eyes that seem to be hiding something.

No matter. She had not felt anything for a man since high school, most of the time simply enjoying the sex, but without any romantic attachments. This was the first time she felt a stirring in her heart, a pleasurable warmth, and she was determined not to let it go.

Moments later, the other men of the group excused themselves, leaving her alone with Phillip Delacroix.

Diana searched through the reception, deftly talking to people even as her eyes scanned the hall for Phillip Delacroix.

One woman was gossiping about the mayor of the city, talking about his working habits to a group of apt ladies. Diana had tuned the conversation out, focused on looking around her. There was the dance floor, but only a few ouples were on it. She saw Vanessa and Cassie both surrounded by a group of young men, and laughing merrily.

Then a group of people scattered, yielding a clear view of Veronica Cale and Phillip Delacroix talking to each other. Diana felt a chill run through her body. Could they be working with each other? Cale Anderson Pharmaceuticals was not really a threat to her as LexCorp was to Superman, but Ares Macrotech, with their technology and the buyouts of several defense firms, was a different matter.

She left the group of gossiping women, and headed straight for Cale and Delacroix. Her sensitive hearing picked up their conversation. They were talking about biotechnology and possible applications to combat hunger.

Cale was saying, “Leslie over there has recently managed to engineer a new strain of wheat that contains all the essential nutrients. We’re planning to market it to African governments.”

“Governments which could not afford to pay for it?” Diana stepped in, facing both Cale and Delacroix, nodding once to Delacroix, who nodded back in greeting, along with what seemed to be a tight smile.

“Unlike those blessed by the gods, the rest of us have mouths to feed and employees to pay.” Cale snapped. “I’m running a business, not a charity.”

Diana smiled, baring her teeth as she replied, “True, but are your profit margins really so important that you would allow children to starve?”

“And they would not value it as much if it was given freely.” Cale countered. “By paying for it, they recognize the cost of the grain and how important it is, and will not squander it.”

Diana had a rejoinder ready, “And they will treasure it just as much even if it was free.”

Phillip felt as though he was at a tennis match as his head swung from side to side to keep track of the heated exchange between the superheroine and the businesswoman.

He was also feeling a strange pressure in his head. Must be the wine, he decided. Both women seemed to glow in his eyes as they argued, and Phillip thought he had never seen anything more beautiful.

Then he blinked, and then the glowing effect was gone. That was some hallucination. Damn, what is wrong with me? And why do I get the feeling that the atmosphere here is getting just a little bit too… explosive?

As the two women bickered, he coughed once, then twice to get their attention. They both turned to him fiercely and glared at him, asking simultaneously, “Yes?” That made them both look at each other, suddenly embarrassed at the scene.

Delacroix stepped back and held up his hands. “Woah, ladies! Cool down, cool down! How about this? Let us dance for a while, and forget about such matters? This is a reception and we should enjoy ourselves.” He grinned in an attempt to defuse the tension, “It’s my fault for talking business.” How the hell did I get into this mess in the first place?

He held out a hand towards Wonder Woman, “Your highness, would you honor me with a dance?” Time to carry out Ares’ orders.

He tried to ignore Veronica’s stare of sheer jealousy directed towards Wonder Woman. Phillip Delacroix tried to act nonchalant, but it was tough to ignore the butterflies in his stomach as he held Princess Diana’s hand.

Diana knew how to dance, one of the skills she had learnt was useful in social functions, especially in situations such as this.

Wonder Woman forced herself to cool down after her heated exchange with Cale. The other woman simply raised her hackles with her mere presence. Their history did not help either. Diana half toyed with the idea of letting Vanessa know that the women responsible for her condition was present at the reception, but shoved that idea away. Her young friend still needed to mend from that terrible time, and reminding her of what Cale did to her would only open those wounds again.

“You’re a very good dancer, your highness.” Delacroix remarked as they held each other closely, twirling round the dance floor slowly.

“And you’re very good yourself,” Diana said sincerely. “And call me Diana, Mister Delacroix.” She was indeed enjoying herself, and she could feel herself reveling in the dance. And the warm, comfortable feeling in her body that made her wish she could remain like this with him forever. She could feel the attraction, drawing her face to his, his eyes shrouded in mystery. His movements gentle and considerate.

“Only if you call me Phillip.” He was the perfect gentleman, keeping his hands where they were supposed to be, instead of pulling the many moves other men had tried to grope, fondle and otherwise take advantage of her flawless body when they danced with her.

Time to try to find out more. Is he working for Ares? “I can’t help but find the name of your company… somewhat troubling.” She watched him intently for his reply. “Ares is one of my greatest foes.”

“Ah yes, Ares Macrotech. Named after the god of war.” He smiled, and suddenly his smile wasn’t so genuine. “And named for a very specific purpose, Diana.” The undercurrent of malice and regret in his voice made her suddenly halt in their dance. She stared at him. Is this man my enemy?

“My lord Ares would be pleased that the company is doing well.” Delacroix said to her seriously. “Don’t try to stop us, Diana.” He touched her gently, and pulled her along to continue their dance.

In shock, she whispered softly, “You work for Ares.”

“Yes. Longevity benefits, good pay, a slice of the world after he becomes the ruler of the gods. What’s not to like?” Despite his words, she could feel that his heart wasn’t truly in it, as though he was finding it hard to tell her he was her enemy. “We’re going to make the world a better place, Wonder Woman, and you’re standing in our way.” The warm feelings she had for him a moment ago disappeared in a flash, yielding to cold anger.

Diana pulled herself away from him, disentangling her body from his hold. She glared at him, “Tell your lord that I will oppose him with every fiber of my being.” Why am I feeling that this was a mistake? I don’t wish to be your enemy!

They stood there staring at each other for long moments before the tableau was shattered by the sound of gunfire.

“Hand over your valuables!” The masked robbers yelled as they ran through the panicking crowd. “Get down on the floor!”

Phillip found Wonder Woman springing into action almost immediately, dashing over to a group of robbers and laying them flat with a flurry of blows. He felt a flutter of concern for her, but he suppressed it brutally. Must be a side effect from the dance.

There were more though, and he saw a young blond girl punch out one thug after the other, sending them flying through the air. That’s Wonder Girl.

The reception hall was pandemonium as robbers fought with the superheroines and the scattered security personnel, who were trying to safeguard the guests a the same time. Phillip was half tempted to join in, but he forced his hands to stay by his side as he found a secluded corner to watch the action. He was also acutely aware of the weight of the 9mm Beretta on his waist holster.

He saw a guard quickly usher a group of VIPs into a separate room. Stupid. It’s only a partition made of flimsy plywood! It can’t keep out the bullets!

The gunfire was getting more sporadic as more robbers were disabled, and Phillip marveled at their stupidity in attacking the reception even though they had to know Wonder Woman was present. Oh well, that’s cleaning out the gene pool for you. They had no clear plan, other than trying to hold some of the guests as hostages, which didn’t work out at all as Wonder Woman would simply send shockwaves through the ground to unbalance their aim.

It was all over in a matter of minutes. The guests stared up from their positions on the ground, or from their hiding spots. The thugs were mostly on the ground, unconscious and separated from their guns. A whole bunch of them were wrapped up in Wonder Woman’s golden lasso.

Then there was a shriek. A robber, taken to be unconscious, suddenly stood up and grabbed a nearby girl, then slid a knife under her throat. “Everybody don’t move!” He held the girl in front of him, reducing his target profile.

That drew Wonder Woman’s attention, and she quickly stood before the man, “Put down your knife!” She was joined by several security personnel, all with their own guns pointed at him.

The thug roared as he pressed the knife hard against the girl’s throat. “No way!” Shit, Phillip thought, he’s getting desperate!

Backing slowly, the robber found himself up against the plywood wall. Phillip saw that one of the security guards was about to fire when he yelled, “Don’t shoot! There’re people behind the wall! It’s only a thin partition!” If they miss, the bullets could hit somebody behind the partition. Even if they hit the thug, the rounds might still go through, especially at close range.

That froze everybody in their tracks. The robber laughed, “Oh yeah! Looks like I have the upper hand now. Put down your guns, all of you!” The security people looked at each other, then slowly started to lower their guns to the floor. Wonder Woman only stared angrily at the thug.

“No, don’t do that.” Phillip ordered as he walked over. He stared at the thug. “Nobody is going to put down their guns.”

“You dumb fuck!” His knife started to draw a thin line of blood from the girl’s neck, and she whimpered softly. “I’ve got the upper hand here. Put down your guns and kick them over, or she gets it!”

Phillip forced himself to focus. “No.” There was a gasp from the gathered people as he drew out his Berretta, aiming it at the thug. “Let her go, or you’ll regret it.”

“Then watch her die!” The thug started to press in, and Phillip acted.

Diana watched in horror as she saw the knife start to cut in. She was unable to do a thing. All her powers, and she was helpless against a thug with a knife. She could not try the same stomping technique, as the knife was pressed too hard against the girl’s throat. Her fists clenched uselessly.

Then there was the sudden roar of gunfire. The thug stared blankly in surprise, and Wonder Woman realized that he had been hit on his left shoulder, the side with the knife. His knife dropped onto the ground, while he slid slowly down against the wall, leaving a thin trail of blood on the partition wall. The partition wall was not punctured…

The girl ran into Vanessa’s arms, who tried to calm her down with soothing sounds and human contact.

Then Diana turned to look at Phillip Delacroix. His face was grim and intense, splattered with blood. So was his suit, tiny droplets of blood splayed all over.

His own blood.

His left hand was stretched out in front of his gun, and there was a bloody hole in the middle of the palm. He had used his hand to reduce the bullet’s velocity, ensuring that it could not punch through the wall.

Security personnel rushed in to secure the thug, as Phillip laid down his hand and holstered his pistol. His left hand was bleeding profusely, a steady drip of blood from the wound forming a small crimson puddle on the floor. She looked at him, and found that he was staring back at her. In his eyes were a challenge and a plea, mixed together. It seemed as if he was telling her, I am more dangerous than any of your previous foes. Do not try to stop me, or I will destroy you. I would not enjoy destroying you.

Part of Diana wanted to rush over to him, to see if he was okay, and thank him for his help, but she found that she couldn’t. Not after he admitted he was working for Ares. That he was her enemy. That he would hurt her just as without compunction as he had hurt the thug.

She recalled that warm, comfortable feeling earlier in the night when she was dancing with him. She had thought she had found somebody she could try to love, but he had instead turned out to be an enemy. Why does this keep happening to me? Diana wanted to scream in frustration.

Then she saw Veronica Cale rushing over to Phillip, anxiety written all over her face. She took his injured hand gently in her own, and shouted at her bodyguard to get a first aid kit. Diana remembered, Cale is a doctor. She would take care of him.

Not knowing why, but feeling as if she was making a huge mistake, Diana turned away. She did not notice the tears trailing down her face.

“Well, that was a surprise.” Ares grunted as they sat in the meeting room going over the events of the night. “And you revealed more than you should, Phillip.”

“What else was I supposed to do? Let the girl die?” Phillip winced as another burst of pain shot up his left arm. Veronica Cale had bandaged up his left hand in exchange for his number. He had refused painkillers though, wanting to remain clearheaded for the night.

“Maybe. You know, we’ve never really given you a codename.” Stanley said as he grinned at Phillip’s discomfort.

“Oh please, those are so tacky!” Delacroix glared. “I prefer a normal name, thank you very much.”

“No, no, no, you must have a villainous name. Comes with the job,” insisted Stan. “We didn’t like ours either, but uhhh, it’s a tradition.” Phillip got the feeling that they hated their codenames as well, and simply wanted him to suffer as much as they did.

“Exactly,” Ares added. “So what should we have as your other identity?”

“How about the King of Pain?” suggested the Earl of Greed, “Since he seems to enjoying torturing himself so much.”

“Good name.” Ares nodded while Phillip sat with his mouth open for a moment, flabbergasted. “I agree. You shall be known as my King of Pain. To bring pain to my enemies. Suitable.”

“Wait a minute! This is ridiculous!” Delacroix protested.

“Uh uh, buddy, you’re outvoted.” Stan smirked, followed by nods all around the table.

“Great. Just friggin great.”

“Now, into more serious business.” Ares rapped the table for attention. “We’ve accomplished our primary objectives tonight, and I have noticed a few opportunities as a result of Phillip’s actions. Opportunities which can very well speed us on our way.”

Ares smiled, and Phillip tried to quell the uneasy feeling in him as his master turned to him. “Veronica Cale seems rather taken with you, isn’t she?”

“So what?”

“Make her your friend, your lover if necessary. Get into her confidence. She detests the Amazon, perhaps even more than I do. You saw that at the reception. She will make a most useful ally against the Princess.”

“You want me to be a pimp?” Phillip was aghast. “What next, getting me to marry somebody to advance your goals?”

“Why not?” Stan commented, “And from what we saw on the security tapes, Veronica Cale wasn’t the only one attracted to you. Wonder Woman looked as though she really liked dancing with you.” Deception smiled lewdly.

“And that may be more useful than you will ever imagine.” Ares smiled triumphantly.

“That’s wrong.” Phillip decided he had to take a stand. “I’ll sound out Veronica, but I will not, I repeat, I will not seduce her. Same goes for Diana. You can’t force matters of the heart, my lord, and I’ll not lower myself to manipulating their feelings. It’s just wrong.”

Ares stared at him, and for a moment Phillip thought the god of war might be angry, “Very well then, since you’re so adamant. We’ll carry on as planned. But I do hope that you’ll not let your own feelings interfere with your tasks.”

“I won’t. You can count on it.” I can’t let anybody fall in love with me. Because all that awaits me at the end is insanity and death.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Next chapter, it’s assassins galore! And poor Phillip Delacroix(or is it Tom Serra? 91?) gets himself into hot soup and he realizes that love triangles are very messy matters!

The punch line for the next chapter:

Deadshot: “You can’t kill me! I’m Deadshot!”

King of Pain: “No, you’re just dead.”