The Vanishing Act Of The Lasso

*Note*

The setup seems good enough, so I think I'll be able to continue writing from tomorrow onwards.

I've decided to release this extra chapter because I'm in a cheerful mood.

———

Oliver had a hard time putting his complete trust in his sister, Diana, and it all boiled down to one simple thing - her constant companion, the lasso of truth.

There were a few others that weren't as significant, but this one was the most important.

As they walked along the bustling yet peaceful streets of Washington, it stayed securely attached to her waist, serving as a constant reminder of her frightful power.

The lasso possessed an immense power, capable of delving into the depths of his soul, exposing all his concealed truths.

It could even turn against Diana if wielded by an adversary.

Diana had a knack for being unable to keep secrets and was always ready to speak the truth whenever she had the chance.

The main reason for this was the lasso of truth, which compelled her to lead a righteous existence.

Oliver's identity as a transmigrator didn't match with this at all.

But as the years went by, and the departure date felt distant, he chose to disregard this ability.

He felt it wasn't worth his time or mental effort to dwell on it excessively.

The distribution of skill slots was highly valuable, and he was determined not to waste one on something as insignificant as this "trivial" matter.

It wasn't so trivial as a future consideration, but he had too few skills to waste a powerful skill over the existence of the lasso so early when Diana didn't use it much in Themyscira.

'There's gotta be a clever way.' Oliver pondered silently.

Minutes ago, as he gazed upon the beautiful woman, Diana, with a childlike expression, a sudden gentle realization had struck him - she was his sister, and a world of infinite possibilities opened up before him.

The possibilities were only available if he managed to steal her lasso of truth and permanently make it vanish…

Suddenly, the most absurd solution came to him.

He could easily accomplish the task, but he was about to discard an exceptional tool…

At first, he struggled with making the decision, but eventually he managed to make up his mind.

Once he and Diana reached a busy road swarming with cars, his determination solidified.

…

Diana came out from the house, donning a striking red ensemble, while Oliver chose a stylish green outfit, hat-free.

It had become his go-to style, a habit he had developed over time, even during his years in Themyscira.

They were twins, standing at the same height, and looking remarkably alike, except for their distinct muscular features and, of course, their different genders.

"Hey Ollie, did you see that loud contraption? What's its name?"

"That? Diana, that car is actually called a Porsche. It's just a different type of car... It's a fancy option that some people often prefer for driving."

Walking amidst the bustling streets of Washington, Diana engaged in a playful conversation with her brother, innocently posing questions about unfamiliar sights and puzzling wonders that had yet to grace her curious eyes.

She was overflowing with joy, her eyes shining with excitement and wonder, pleasantly surprised by the new discoveries she made.

She looked like a child, finally living out her dream of being part of a civilized society, in the midst of a lively carnival with people strolling along the wide streets.

Little did she know that tonight, her trusty lasso of truth would disappear forever…

Once she uncovered more truths and gained a deeper understanding of city life, along with the bangles and trivial trinkets Oliver had purchased for her along the way, they ultimately agreed to take a break and find a spot to grab a bite to eat.

Oliver was feeling too lazy to cook tonight, so he decided against going to the grocery store to stock up their fridge with items they wouldn't use for long.

Plus, he knew that she would definitely join him now.

Once she became a part of his world, she couldn't go back, as he wouldn't allow it.

"What are these delicious treats called?" Diana, the princess lost in her own world, looked at the milkshake and pancakes that Oliver had ordered for her. They had just arrived at the table. Curiously, she turned to him and asked.

Initially, she doubted Oliver's alleged understanding of the world of men.

But then, in a blink of an eye, all those doubts just vanished.

Instead, she became completely enthralled by his immense knowledge and pondered the origins of his extraordinary and unfathomable wisdom.

He hadn't revealed the secret behind his vast and profound knowledge to her, not just yet.

He just wasn't feeling up to it because it seemed pointless.

After all, a trip and some time would naturally take care of many things…

He had a secret that he would always keep hidden from her and everyone else though.

"These mouthwatering goodies go by the name of pancakes, while this delightful drink is known as a milkshake. Do you happen to like them?" Oliver said.

Diana loved indulging in delicious food, especially when it came to satisfying her sweet tooth.

As a twinge of guilt washed over him regarding his upcoming actions tonight, he resolved to indulge her desires for a brief period, yet with his own distinct way of making amends to her.

He discovered comfort in easing his troubled conscience by sharing delightful meals with others.

It wasn't too bad to get them ready for the worst like that.

"Mmmh! It's so good!" Diana's mouth was filled with the yummy food as she replied. "Both taste delicious! Where has this been all my life?"

"I'm glad you're enjoying it." Oliver's face lit up with a mischievous grin, prompting him to playfully shield his mouth with his hands, hiding the wicked-looking smile he wished to keep a secret.

As he observed Diana relishing her meal, he too indulged in a delectable and nourishing dish, accompanied by a refreshing coke.

He continued eating until he completed his meal, only to then realize that she had already finished hers as well.

"You want more?" He asked.

"No that's okay." Diana said.

Oliver gave a nod, and then their multipurpose bodyguard, who also doubled as a nanny and driver, went to settle the bill on their behalf.

Guarding them was completely pointless given their identity, but it was just part of the White House protocol.

They hadn't yet gained popularity or recognition in this particular version of Diana's past.

She hadn't rescued anyone and hadn't been captured on any camera.

The existence of the Amazon island and the extraordinary abilities of its inhabitants were not yet revealed to the citizens of the United States.

But Oliver and Hippolyta were informed that some information had leaked, so the White House sent agents for help to stop Diana from causing a big commotion and making a mess on their journey.

At this moment, they were being discreetly observed and "protected" by agents cleverly disguised as ordinary people, except for the versatile driver.

"Shall we go? Where would you like to go next?" Oliver rose to his feet and addressed Diana.

Clutching the map in her hands, she couldn't help but feel a tad stuck.

Although she wasn't completely certain, she didn't feel like going back home just yet.

Oliver smiled.

After quickly finishing their meal and ensuring that the bill was taken care of, they quietly left the restaurant.

…

After a few hours. In another part of Washington.

There were two groups of people, both on the lookout for an exciting story, who unfortunately crossed paths when they shouldn't have.

It would've been nicer if they hadn't.

At least, this was what Lois Lane was thinking…

Lois couldn't help but feel a wave of frustration wash over her as her eyes were drawn to a breathtaking blonde woman.

The woman had a chic, cropped hairstyle and a graceful figure that radiated self-assurance.

She also had an eye-catching pink top that beautifully highlighted her curves, including her ample bosom that seemed to capture the attention of many men on the street.

The woman happened to be none other than Cat Grant, her esteemed colleague and higher-up at the Daily Planet.

She was a columnist, unlike her who was just a reporter.

"Lane, Olsen… Why am I not surprised to meet you here. Where's Kent?" Cat Grant said.

The woman found herself standing alone, backed by a pack of journalists who were clearly enjoying a private joke at Lois' expense.

However, she remained unfazed and unamused.

Cat was weird to say the least.

Lois found herself increasingly annoyed by this woman's unique personality, which was both authentic and relentless in its pursuit of the juiciest stories.

"I'm not sure, but I caught wind of something and hurried over here with Jimmy. What brings you all here?" Lois said, the words slipped from her lips.

She immediately regretted saying that.

"Why are we here?" Cat chuckled and said, "Come on, Lois, you don't act with me the way you do with Perry. If you're not going back to the office, at least have the decency to admit that this time you're the one trying to take credit for my scoop."

"I would never do something like that… I'm not you." Lois tried to come up with a retort.

"You definitely aren't." Cat spoke confidently. She turned away from Lois and said to her people, "Let's go, we've spent too much precious time with the interns."

Lois was infuriated by Cat's nonchalant attitude and teasing.

She felt even more frustrated after making a disheartening discovery recently: Cat had been teasing her all this time, hoping to motivate her to grow professionally.

Fueled by frustration, she let go, and her bag slipped from her grasp, causing her precious journalistic tools to tumble down.

Fortunately and thankfully, even though it was unexpected, someone suddenly grabbed them and said, "Be cautious, Lois, I think you dropped this."

"Clark?" Lois was surprised to see her colleague with glasses, who had grabbed the bag for her. With a mix of confusion and a hint of delight, she asked, "How did you get here?"

…

Oliver wasn't exactly weak, but when he returned home, he plopped down on the couch feeling a bit mentally drained from his outing with his sister.

She developed a knack for asking an overwhelming amount of questions about civilization.

While she enjoyed a rejuvenating hot shower, he turned on the TV and immediately caught news of Superman's arrival in Washington to apprehend a group of bank robbers.

"The guy sure is busy," Oliver let out a sigh and switched off the TV.

He settled deeper into the couch, grabbing the newspapers from the small table that his driver had purchased for him outside.

As he perused the columns, his attention quickly fixated on the gossip section.

He suddenly couldn't decide what caught his attention more: the amusing rumor written with professional journalistic flair, or the name of the person who penned it.

Shaking his head he decided to go to sleep early.

It looked like he had a busy day ahead of him tomorrow, with lots of places to visit before he heads off to Gotham.

He thought it would be a good idea to be known as the Green Arrow before that guy from Seattle made a big splash.

So, maybe it wouldn't hurt to become friends with a journalist.

After thirty minutes, Oliver was just about to fall asleep when Diana barged into his room without knocking and asked, "Hey Ollie, have you seen my lasso? I can't seem to remember where I put it."

"Nope." Oliver replied.

"Are you sure?" Diana asked.

"Positive." Oliver answered.

"Really? That's strange." Diana said.

"Is there anything else you need?" Oliver asked, struggling to stifle his laughter.

"No," Diana frowned, suddenly thinking to inquire, "By the way, when did you begin going to bed so early? In Themyscira, it seemed like you would always stay up late into the night with Artemis."

"Diana, you have no idea what you're talking about... Men crave engaging conversation and companionship during the evening hours." Oliver said. "I'll stay up late with you if you choose to stay. I just need some rest, regardless, so please shut the door, whichever option you decide on."

The door shut, leaving Oliver all by himself in the room.

His sister likely didn't grasp the meaning behind his profound conversation, and her mood for the evening had taken a turn for the worse.