TRINITY

Prologue

INTERESTING TIMES

An Editorial by Lois Lane

Like it or not, we live in interesting times...

A wise man once said this of the era he lived in, undoubtedly describing a time of great social and political upheaval that defined his world at the time of the saying. The historical date of that famous saying pre-dates the birth of Christ and yet it is no relevant today than it was two thousand years ago. Whether it is said to describe a new level of thinking, a momentous birth that would change the world or the fall of an empire, it always amounts to the same.

The coming of change.

In recent months, Metropolis has seen its fair share of strange occurrence. The appearance of Superman, a visitor from a dead world, now a staple in the daily landscape of Metropolis, has answered quite definitively whether or not we are alone in the universe. However, even on our own world, we have never truly been alone, as we believed.

Last month in New York, the General Assembly of the United Nations was interrupted by the appearance of an Amazon delegation. No, we aren’t speaking of natives from South America or even a group of internet retailers; we speak of the original holder of the name.

The Amazons of ancient Greece, described by Herodotus in 450 BC, and referred in the Iliad as the Antianeira ("those who fight like men"). They were known to have occupied Pontus (modern day Turkey) near the shore of the Euxine Sea, what we now called the Black Sea. The historical Amazon nation was known to have founded many towns, Smyrna, Ephesus, Sinope, and Paphos but their chief capital was the isle of Themiscyra on the River Thermodon. History and mythology loses track of them after the sacking of the city by Heracles.

The envoys that arrived at the UN Assembly revealed that following the sacking of their city, the Amazons withdrew to an island paradise which according to every piece of satellite and cartographical instrument on Earth, does not exist. On their island, named Themiscyra after their original city, the Amazons have thrived for three millennia, living in a completely matriarchal society, graced with immortality by gods almost as forgotten as they themselves.

Obviously, the initial response was one of scepticism. Following an invitation by the Amazon leader, Queen Hippolyta to the Assembly to visit the island where she has enjoyed uninterrupted rule for 3000 years, much of this scepticism was met with compelling evidence. The invitation was extended not merely to luminaries from the political stage but also, religious leaders and scientific authorities, not to mention the greatest doubting Thomas’ of all, the media. This reporter was honoured to be chosen by name.

During our widely documented trip, we found the snapshot of an ancient culture, steeped in mysticism, with a reverence to the natural world but as capable of combat as the Spartans of Macedonia. The Amazons have lived in peace for more generations than we can imagine and the citizens of Themiscyra are now working to be welcomed into the UN General Assembly as a new member nation.

Next month, Queen Hippolyta and her entourage will soon begin a tour of several American cities, beginning with Metropolis where she will be speaking to civic leaders, lecturing at universities and granting interviews to local media. The Queen has offered an invitation to those who have questions about the Amazon way of life to attend the open days being held at each city across the country.

“We have no wish to shroud ourselves in anonymity,” quoted Hippolyta during our visit to Themiscyra. “Our desire to become a part of the Patriarch’s World hinges on our ability to communicate, openly and honestly. The Amazon way is a way of truth. When we visit you, such will be the foundation of our relationship. The basis of all trust between us must be truth.”

Truer words have never been said.

Chapter One:

Ceremony

Pretzels went flying through the air when Clark Kent was jostled forward by a man carrying wrestling a five year old, sending the baked goods in all directions before landing in a scattered mess across the sidewalk and the grass framing it. The man completely unaware of his crime went on along on his way trying to find a rest room, according to Clark’s super hearing, for his daughter Ellie before she unloaded the contents of her stomach on him. With a resigned sigh, Clark decided that no rebuke could compare to the hell the man already faced and bent down to pick up the ruined pretzels for appropriate discard.

Gathering up the mess, he fought his way through the bodies moving back and forth across Hayes Park, before finding a trashcan. Once he was done, he turned to the crowd moving over the manicured lawns, across the walkways and along the cobblestone path that meandered around the lake. Clark considered briefly whether or not he ought to be keeping an eye on things from above the ground as Superman instead of being one of the thousands fighting for park space as they waited for the ceremony to start.

Unfortunately, his dalliance with that thought was fleeting because he remembered that Perry had assigned him the job of covering the story welcoming the Amazon Queen Hippolyta to Metropolis. With her entourage, the queen would be attending a ceremony at Hayes Park, followed by an open day of sorts of as the public would be able to interact with the Amazons. Lois who had been one of the few journalists allowed on Themiscyra would be conducting a personal one on one interview with Hippolyta after the ceremony.

Clark had been exceedingly proud of Lois, almost as proud as Lois was of herself, at being one of the reporters asked by name to accompany UN delegation to the island of Themiscyra for an invitation only visit. The journey, which Clark, had secretly watched from a distance as Superman, was almost as mysterious as the Amazons themselves. To the disbelieving eye of thousands, the waters of New York harbour had parted like the Red Sea had been opened for Moses. As waters were held back, Clark watched with a knotting stomach as Lois and a number of important dignitaries walked into to the watery corridor and then vanished.

They appeared seven days later in absolutely the same way as they had arrived, on the shores of New York Harbour. Armed with evidence that had since been authenticated by every means known to modern science, Lois’ story about the Amazon nation had become headlines across the globe and sure to land his girl her next Pulitzer. Clark had spent those seven days trying not to panic that Lois was lost somewhere he’d never find her while at the same time, reminding himself that it was her wish to go in the first place. Once Lois decided that, not even a Kryptonian with the planet to juggle planets (okay that was an exaggeration) was going to stop her.

With their claims authenticated and the UN General Assembly forced to accept that the Amazon nation did indeed exist, the Amazons, led by Queen Hippolyta had embarked upon their tour of the Patriarch’s world. Metropolis, like New York before it, was polarized by the visit and the city began its preparations as if the next Olympic Games were coming to town. The ceremony was set to be held at the Gazebo in the heart of the park, with lights and sound equipment set up as if a rock concert was being held. People gathered around it, some having arrived hours before to find the best seat. The Amazons had required that no money be made by the event, so that meant crowds in great numbers. Clark saw policeman on bicycles, on horseback and simple beat cops keeping an eye on things to ensure no one got to rowdy.

Thankfully, his press pass got him through the barrier keeping the crowds from the large gazebo sitting atop a slight hill. Used on previous occasions for other similar celebrations, the Gazebo was the closest thing that Hayes Park had to a stage and was elevated enough to ensure the enthusiastic crowds were able to get a good look of Amazons. Clark intended to sequester himself somewhere discreet when the women arrived (in case something like this did happen) and wanted to catch up with Lois while he could. He had written off spending any time with her today since the Daily Planet’s ace reporter would be accompanying the Queen to her hotel when they were done here to conduct her interview.

Moving past the small army of security men, Clark brandished his press pass like a badge of honour before being subjected to their scrutiny as they tried to determine whether or not he was any kind of threat. Fortunately, for him, his persona as the mild mannered reporter from the Daily Planet seemed to do the trick. Must be the glasses, Clark decided, although to this day, he still could not believe how some people were fooled by them.

With glasses and floppy hair, no one had thought to equate him with Superman.

The security was not merely for the Amazons, however. Even though they were the draw for the crowds, there were many other luminaries attending this ceremony as well. Some local celebrities, municipal leaders like the Mayor and the Chief of Police and of course, the social elite, those who had paid for this welcome celebration as sponsors. Luthor Corp, Wayne Enterprises and McDonalds logo were almost as visible as the banners emblazoned with Queen Hippolyta’s image. Undoubtedly, Lex Luthor would be here today with Lana, proudly displaying his return to grace.

Since his release from prison, Lex had used the sympathy engendered by his five years of wrongful conviction to put him back at the top of the social ladder. He took control of Luthor Corp, restored the mansion in Smallville and played up to the press, to great effect, the image of a man reunited with his wife and daughter. Clark couldn’t begrudge him any of his of course but it still stung when Clark remembered what Lex’s release had cost them both. Clark had lost all connection to his father Jor-El and Lex’s memories had been raped by the Construct, removing all traces of their friendship.

Sweeping his gaze across the area cordoned off by the barriers for guests only, Clark took a look to see if Lex and Lana had arrived yet. While he had no desire to see Lex, he did want to catch up with Lana. As anticipated, once Lana had calmed down and in better mood to listen, she had understood why Clark had vanished for five years although she readily admitted that his silence on Lex’s innocence would be a sore point for some time. Still, they had managed to maintain some kind of a friendship and Clark made sure she knew that in times of crisis, she would always have friends to turn to.

His enhanced vision was still shifting through the faces in the crowd when suddenly; he sighted someone he hadn’t expected to see.

Bruce.

What was Bruce doing here?

Even though the Wayne Foundation had co-sponsored this event to ease the spending on the City’s coffers, Clark hadn’t expected to see the billionaire playboy making an appearance today. Bruce attached his Foundation to many notable charity events over the years but that did not guarantee his attendance. For most part, Bruce preferred to remain close to Gotham City where the Batman ruled the night.

Superman had made headlines first but in truth, Batman had been in operation far longer. According to Lois, Bruce had been careful to ensure that there was very little evidence to prove that Batman actually existed and to many in Gotham, he was just an urban legend, cooked up by the Gotham City Police Department to scare the hell out of the criminal element. Whether or not they believed he existed, there was no doubt about the effectiveness of the Bat in Gotham, a city where crime had been rampaging so badly it was almost anarchy.

For the moment however, Superman and Batman was the furthest thing in Clark Kent’s mind because right now, he was trying to decide if he would approach his best friend after a five year absence. Clark had managed to avoid making the decision prior to this, largely because he had no idea what to say to Bruce. If Lois had been hit hard by Chloe’s death then Clark couldn’t even begin to imagine what Bruce would have gone through. Clark watched Bruce in the company of the mayor, from the other side of the designated area, appearing as always, the charming, affable aristocrat without a relevant thought in his head.

Making his way through the phalanx of media people, back stage technicians, bodyguards and other crew, Clark drifted into the reception area blocked to the public off by white canvas. Hands in his pockets, he approached Bruce somewhat casually, certain that Bruce would see him without difficulty. Even without x-ray vision, Bruce missed nothing that transpired around him. Five years to hone his already impressive skills made Bruce’s reaction time a good deal faster as his eyes subtlety shifted to Clark’s face and then back to the Mayor.

“Excuse me, Mr. Mayor,” Bruce Wayne told Mayor Keogh, “I see an old….acquaintance.”

Acquaintance.

Ouch, Clark thought to himself, certain that Bruce’s use of the word was intentional because he would know Clark could hear him.

Bruce walked over to him as casually as Clark had done a moment earlier, his eyes still depicting that superbly vacant stare that revealed nothing, the one behind which Bruce Wayne hid his true self. In all his life, Clark had never created a mask that perfect. He simply could not disconnect himself the way that Bruce seemed to. Perhaps, it required the tragedy of Bruce childhood to accomplish, in which case Clark was thankful he was spared the experience.

“Bruce,” Clark opened the dialogue first.

“Clark.” Bruce spoke simply.

“It’s good to see you,” Clark said sincerely.

Bruce didn’t speak for a moment. “Hard to believe since you’d been back for nearly two months now.”

“I’ve been busy,” he returned, unable to offer any other excuse than that.

“I noticed,” Bruce Wayne nodded, “I suppose Superman makes good copy.”

Clark’s eyes locked onto his and returned in kind. “As good a copy as Batman makes.”

A faint smile crossed Bruce’s features, a crack in the armour almost. “Don’t believe everything that you read Clark,” he remarked smoothly. “The Batman’s just an urban legend.”

“My reporter’s gut says otherwise,” the Kryptonian served and suddenly it felt as if nothing had changed, it was back to their old game of verbal fencing. Of course, in any battle of wits, Clark knew that Bruce outmatched him every time and this détente was temporary.

“So I’ve read,” Bruce commented. “I especially liked the story about Milton Fine.”

Very temporary.

The white elephant in the room that had to be addressed before they went any further made its inevitable appearance. Clark had left five years ago after Chloe’s death, without a word to anyone to begin his training at the Fortress. In the wake of his disappearance, Lex Luthor had been convicted of the crime and for the next half a decade, the world believe the killer of Chloe Sullivan had been brought to justice. When Clark returned two months ago, he had set some of those wrongs, right. However, he had left one thing undone because he couldn’t bring himself to face his best friend and tell him the truth.

That Bruce had spent five years hating the wrong man.

“Bruce,” Clark swallowed thickly, “I’m sorry…”

“Forget it,” Bruce cut him off before Clark could get the words out. “Everything is in back in order now. The guilty have been punished and the innocent have been freed.”

Clark wanted to explain himself but this was hardly the time or the place for it. Clark made a resolution to go see Bruce in Gotham at first opportunity. He had been putting this task off for two months when it was one of the first, he should have seen to. Bruce deserved the truth as much as Lois and Lana..

Knowing that Bruce would not discuss the subject in any shape or form at this time, Clark decided to change the subject. Instead, he looked to the banners and the fanfare surrounding the arrival of the Amazons for assistance. “So, what do you make of these Amazons?”

Bruce seemed to relax, apparently grateful for the change in subject matter as well, “it’s a new world out there Clark. Two months ago, people didn’t know that life beyond the Earth existed. Thanks to Superman, they do now. Is it so strange that some of our home grown myths aren’t just stories but a truth as tangible as a Krypton?”

Bruce had a point.

“I suppose,” Clark shrugged.

“Hey Smallville!” Clark suddenly heard Lois’ exuberant voice carrying across the crowded area and looked up to see her approaching. Despite wearing an impeccably cut black Chanel suit, with silk crème blouse beneath, Lois bounded over as if she was still wearing jeans and her favourite (his as well) orange t-shirt. Clark had the strongest suspicion that she would always look that way to him, even when she was fifty.

It was only when Lois Lane closed in on Clark, did she realise that he wasn’t alone. While Clark had stayed away from Bruce since his return home, Lois had kept in contact with the playboy billionaire who had been her partner in misery during the five years of Clark’s absence. Even though their relationship was platonic, there was an intimacy in their shared pain that had help Lois to cope with the loss of both Chloe and Clark from her life. Together, they had nursed each other through their sorrows and reached the mutual decision of picking up the threads of their lives once that mourning period was done. Lois had thrown herself into her work and Bruce had given the criminals of Gotham a reason to fear.

“Bruce,” she burst into a wide smile which surprised Clark when he noted a corresponding response from the til now stoic billionaire. Lois didn’t waste time giving the man a hug, not giving a damn about how many cameras were here because the world knew that Bruce was almost a part of her family

“Still scooping everyone I see,” Bruce smiled, returning the hug.

“Can’t be the best without doing that can I?” She winked, pulling back and shifting her gaze to Clark, knowing that this had to be awkward for both men. As far as Lois knew, Clark and Bruce had not spoken since prior to Chloe’s passing.

“Congratulations on your forthcoming interview with the Queen,” he commended.

Clark cleared his throat, feeling a slight constriction that could have been jealousy. Just how close had these two been while he was gone? As soon as the thought entered his head, a small voice reminded Clark that he had given Lois no reason to wait for him when he left her. She had every right to pursue a relationship elsewhere. Still it was not a thought he liked to entertain and Clark forced himself to look away, to not let his imagination run away with him. Choosing to survey the area, upon doing so, he saw the arrival of several dark cars, flanked by motor cycle escorts.

That had to be them, he decided.

The motorcade travelled down the access road through Hayes Park, flanked on either side by well-tended grounds and tall, thick-canopied trees. Once they cleared the tree line and emerged between the manicured gardens, they were spotted by the public whose reaction to their arrival was just as abrupt. Chaos erupted across the park, the air became charged with the excited vocalizations of onlookers, expressions of excitement and awe, followed by the inevitable jockeying for position as everyone tried to get the best vantage point to view the spectacle.

The cacophony of noise seemed to reach crescendo as the cars came to a gradual halt, the second vehicle pausing strategically at the pebble stone path leading to the Gazebo. The anticipation of the crowd diminished as people waited with held breaths for the car door to open. The first car opened to unleash men in dark suits, clearly security guards who were treating the Amazon Queen like any Head of State. They stood by vigilantly with their stern features, close cropped hair and earpieces, watching for any sign of trouble.

When Queen Hippolyta emerged, there was no need for Lois to tell Clark who she was. Indeed, there was no need to tell anyone because it was obvious.

Even the crowd was affected as they fell silent with awe, watching this woman step out of myth as a flesh and blood being they could see and touch. Clad in a purple toga gown, with a gold necklace hanging from her lightly bronzed neck and a royal tiara glimmering through the locks of jet coloured hair, Queen Hippolyta surveyed the scene with a hunter’s blue eyes. Appearing to be in her late thirties, she was a striking woman. Her looks were matched by her formidable physique. The Amazons were a warrior race and if the Queen was anything to judge, then they had the physical prowess to match any army of men.

She was elegant and regal in a way that very few monarchs could match. Her was the kind of face painters put to the canvas, the reason sculptors tried so hard to put form to shapeless clay. There was also a sense of patrician dignity about her. One could not look at the woman without feeling some sense of awe and reverence.

Following her were two others, a serene looking creature whose features could barely be seen beneath the hood of her cloak. Lowering the hood revealed a face framed with red curls and green eyes that matched the fabric of the cloak. She surveyed the crowd with interest as well as some anxiety. She was nervous to be here even if her queen projected nothing but supreme confidence.

The second woman to follow the queen was not concealed a cloak. A magnificent looking Negress with high cheekbones, she stood more than six feet tall, Clark estimated. Her body was well muscled under her toga. He spied well-defined biceps and had no doubt that she could take any man in combat and then some. Projecting the same authority and dignity as her queen, the woman was imposing, as she was elegant.

“That’s Menalippe and Philipus,” Lois explained, having met both women during her trip to Themiscyra. “Menallippe is the Amazon high priestess. She is the spiritual connection to their gods.” Lois knew she sounded like she was reading one of her articles but she had become so used to describing the Amazons in such detail that it was habit now. “Philipus is their military commander.”

“I can believe that,” Bruce remarked, watching the hawkish way the woman was studying the crowd. He didn’t have to read her mind to know that she was watching everything and everyone closely. The Amazons had been protected in their island for almost 3000 years; he couldn’t imagine that it would be an easy thing to venture out among men again.

They can’t be happy with all this protection,” Clark added, sharing the same unspoken thought, “especially by men.”

“They weren’t,” Lois confirmed, recalling how distasteful Philipus found the subject of the Secret Service, particularly when she had described to Lois what her last experience with a man had been like. “However, Hippolyta feels that it is necessary to establish the trust so she let the UN have its way. Still…” her voice faded into nothingness and for a moment, she was silent in thought.

“Lois I know that look,” Clark Kent stared at her.

“What look?” Lois glanced back at him with doe eyed innocence.

“The one you have just before you get into trouble,” he accused since this was a pattern well developed for as long as he had known Lois Lane. How she hadn’t gotten herself killed during the five years he was away was enough to make Clark believe in the divine.

“Is there something we should know?” Bruce’s questions were more pointed.

“No,” Lois replied, not ready to voice her suspicions since this was more of a feeling than any concrete evidence of mischief. In truth, she sensed a secret but whether or not the secret constituted a threat to anyone, she couldn’t say. Frankly, Lois couldn’t bring herself to believe that Queen Hippolyta intended any harm to the Patriarch’s World. Even the most guarded Amazons she had encountered during the visit to Themiscyra, had no ill will towards the male societies beyond their island, just understandable caution.

“Not really,” she added after a moment, “just a feeling I get that whatever they’re hiding, it’s something they’re not ready to share with us just yet.”

**************

The girl watched from a suitable distance, perfectly aware that she shouldn’t be here.

Blending into the crowds of people (there were so many!), she watched everything with fascination as she walked through Hayes Park, with only mild interest in the arrival of the motorcade. There were other things of far greater interest happening around her and though she had been asked to stay out of sight (more specifically, back at the hotel), she couldn’t resist. She wanted to see everything. Such was the impetuousness of youth that she was unafraid to surrender to its temptation.

Children amazed her most of all. She had never seen one other than herself. Watching mothers trying to control unruly children, be they male or female, infants or adolescent, made her laugh because she remembered how much of a handful she had been. She saw the men who shared these women’s lives, marvelling at the unity of their familial existence. Fathers who carried their daughters on their shoulders, who’s large, hands held with delicate care, tiny fingers in their own. It was beautiful in a way she hadn’t anticipated.

She had never known that kind of influence in her life.

A dog ran up to her, sniffing and the girl laughed in delight as she patted its russet forehead, watching its tail wag in pleasure at the attention. She had always had an affinity with animals but this was the first one of this type she had encountered. Perhaps, some could be brought home when this visit was done. The child to whom this animal belong, came to claim it soon after and she watched them bounding off to join the family they belonged to.

The girl continued her observations, far more interested in the world before her than the events taking place at the Gazebo. Amazons she knew intimately.

The Patriarch’s World, now that was the mystery.

Chapter Two:

Magnificent

By the time the Mayor had completed his opening speech to the crowds assembled at Hayes Park, their anticipation, already whetted by the initial appearance of the Amazons, was almost at fever pitch. Mayor Keogh kept his oratory brief, citing the effect of the Amazons’ arrival unto the world stage, the implications of their existence on several theatres of belief, scientific, religious and social before welcoming the ancient race to the city of Metropolis. The cynic would see his endorsement as politic since the public approval of the Amazons would only add to his own standing with them.

In any case, the subject matter kept the public at large enthralled, the reporters scribbling away at their note pads while television crews recorded the event with digital means. With their attention solely fixed on the oratories held at the Gazebo, the crowd settled in to listen, getting comfortable until the introduction of the Amazon Queen inciting a raucous burst of applause and cheering as the woman took centre stage. Large video screens were erected in some places for those in the park who were unable to gain an adequate place from which to watch the proceedings live.

Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons waited patiently until the applause died down, watching the crowd with thoughtful impatience. Blue eyes scanned the faces before her and marvelled at the variety. When the silence had fallen over the crowd, she spoke into the microphone and raised a brow at her voice echoing throughout the park. Even though she was accustomed by now to the technological advancements of the Patriarch’s World, there were still some things that marvelled her still.

“Greetings,” she opened simply and then continued. “This is how salutations are offered in what we call the Patriarch’s world, your world that is. This,” she raised her arms, crossing the iron bracelets that all Amazons wore on their wrists over her head, so they would make contact, “is how Amazons greet each other. Glory to Gaea.”

The introductions was met with an explosion of applause as some of the crowd mimicked the greeting but largely it was clapping that the Queen received from her audience. Smiling, the lady lowered her hands and waiting for the cessation of the applause before beginning again.

“Three thousand years ago, an act of violence on both our parts, caused the Amazon nation to leave the Patriarch’s world to establish a new home on our island. The fault was equally ours as much as the men who violated our ancient home. We had hidden ourselves and thus engendered hostility that culminated in the sacking of our city. In the aftermath of that devastation, we examined our own behaviour and saw our faults in the ashes.

The Amazon race was created as a bridge of understanding between the sexes. Man and woman were always destined to live in peace but it has been a message lost in ideology, politics and all the mistakes that history is infamous. Instead of being that bridge of understanding, between the two genders, we chose instead to withdraw into ourselves, fostering an atmosphere of fear and hostility, which ultimately led to tragic results.

My sisters and I are here in the Patriarch’s World to ensure that the mistakes of the past do not repeat themselves. It is our sincerest hope that we can learn from each other. There is much we can teach each other, not merely on things that are already to known to us but in preparation for the future to come. The world is a place of wonder and already perceptions that have existed for so long are being broken. However, change is how life surprises us and we hope in the months to come as more of my sisters walks among you, you take the time to understand us, to ask your questions for surely, trust can begin no other way.”

Hippolyta ended her speech to the sound of another burst of wild applause. The sky thundered with it, frightening birds out of the trees and drowning out all other noise. The Queen accepted this applause with a radiant smile, commanding the attention of everyone in the audience as she waited for the clapping to die down.

Withdrawing from the stage, she was replaced by the slight figure who would resume the speech to address the most contentious issue to emerge from the revelation of Amazon Nation in the world. Menalippe was not as imposing as Hippolyta but there was something about her that seemed serene in contrast the applause that greeted her upon her arrival before the crowds. Looking about demurely, Menalippe hesitated a moment, clearing her throat before she spoke. Her voice was soft with dulcet tones.

“Glory to Gaea,” she offered the crowd the Amazon greeting once the clapping had died. “I am Menalippe, High Priestess to the Isle of Themiscyra. Since our arrival in the Patriarch’s World, we have learned that the cause of greatest uncertainty among you is the connection to our Gods, what you know as the Olympians and have relegated to the realm of myths. Prior to our embassy at the United Nations, some of us had ventured into the Patriarch’s World to gain intelligence as well as to learn what had transpired beyond our homes. We learned that there are many different spiritual arenas, some that were known to us and some that are new.

Suspicion has been levelled at us because we commune with our gods in a way you do not. Faith does not depend on whether or not the divine touches us personally. It exists because you choose to feel it. Our gods speak to us, sometimes to me personally, I hear them and I know they exist. Does that make your unseen and unheard gods any less? I do not believe it so. The Amazons are taught to believe that faith is what makes our Gods divine. They speak to us at their own counsel and our prayers are no more answered than yours. Only you can decide if they are real to you, as so many people of faith had done so from the beginning of time.”

*********

Clark had intended to get out of sight when the speeches began but seeing that he had run into Lois and Bruce, he opted to remain with them as the Amazon gave their stirring speeches. Whether or not the crowd believed every word spoken, there was no denying the sincerity in the Queen’s words or the truth in Menalippe’s. Menalippe’s oratory seemed to strike as potent a chord as Hippolyta’s in quashing the public’s anxieties.

The biggest outcry since the Amazons had arrived in the Patriarch’s World had come from the bastions of organized religion. The proof that the Amazons claimed to be Immortal rocked the foundations of all the major faiths as it contrasted directly with the tenets of life everlasting and original sin. Fortunately, the Amazons had been careful not to make direct comment on any of these contradictions. In fact, Clark found Menalippe’s speech to be an elegant solution that challenged anyone who questioned their faith to look to their own spirituality for answers.

Philipus was the last one to speak before the speeches ended and as the tall, regal woman took the stage, it was not difficult to believe she commanded the Amazon army for more than three thousand years. Statuesque, she stood before them like a Nubian goddess of old.

Offering the customary greetings to the crowd in the traditional Amazon way, with an accent that was exotic and lyrical in comparison to Hippolyta’s commanding eloquence or Menalippe’s calming tone; Philipus’ began her contribution to the speeches of the day.

“As described earlier by my queen, we withdrew from the Patriarch’s World following the sacking of our city by the hero Heracles. However, that is not to say that we haven’t ventured forth since our permanent departure from your shores. Over the centuries, we have sent out covert embassies across the globe, in part to gain intelligence on the state of mortal affairs but also to learn. Our ability to speak many of your languages is a result of this. I myself am able to speak English, Mandarin and French. The Queen much to her credit knows at least a dozen languages...”

********

Watching Philipus make her speech, she felt like she was a small child once again.

The general’s ability to leave her in awe had not faltered one wit in her twenty years of existence. While Philipus presented an image of Amazons grace and strength, only she in the audience knew that at the heart of her, Philipus was a woman who felt deeply, cared greatly for those she loved and had a softness that might not seem apparent in her sturdy carriage on first sighting. She remembered receiving her first lesson with the sword under Philipus’ tutelage, terrified that the general would have no patience for a child but there had been nothing to fear. Philipus had been kind because she was happy to have a new student.

She would not be here in the Patriarch’s World if not for the tutelage of Philipus and to be here, to witness first hand, the triumph of the three most important people in her life was worth the risk of a little scolding.

Moving through the crowds, she was surprised how her physical appearance could allow so many to stand aside for her and let her pass. There were easier ways to witness these oratories of course but to do so would earn her mother’s ire beyond simple irritation. The anger of Queen Hippolyta was nothing to provoke. It was often easy to forget that the mother was also the Queen and the daughter was required to obey. Nevertheless, a smile, a look of gratitude and the men who saw her stood aside gaping. They were very odd creatures.

Almost near to the stage, surrounded by more people than she had ever seen in her life, an assortment that varied in gender and colour, she noted the one thing all had shared in common; their complete attention on Philipus. As a child, she understood how it felt to feel such awe and she hoped that this reception was indicative of their effect on the people of the Patriarch’s World. If all could view them with such respect, perhaps Philipus fears about exposing Themiscyra was unfounded.

Suddenly, she caught sight of one face that did not appear to be transfixed. If anything, the man’s expression was dark. His eyes were fixed upon Philipus with burning intensity. It made her uncomfortable, sending a chill of uneasiness down her spine as she saw the look on his face. Her experience with malice was limited but they told her from birth that she had the gift of insight into men’s hearts from Aphrodite herself.

And her insight told her there was danger.

If this is comes ill, I shall be on hand to do something, she told herself.

Then the man did something that made her heart stop cold in her chest. He threw a sidelong glance and the girl with the hunter’s eye, followed the direction he had hurled it. Not far away, there was another, wearing a face just as stern, as if Lyssa the Goddess of Rage had painted his features with her venomous brush. How many were there? She asked herself. Was their hatred benign or would it manifest itself violently?

“Our way of life is different and it is old, steeped in tradition. Some of it may be familiar,” Philipus, continued to speak, her speech reaching crescendo. “Those who know the Achaeans, what you call the Greek, may recognise our rituals and our beliefs. We have no desire to convert but we are willing to teach if you will it. We have learned much from you. We hope that you will be curious about us enough to learn….”

“HERETIC WHORE!” The man she had been watching screamed on top of his lungs, causing the proceedings to fall silent as eyes turned to him. However, it appeared words were not all that he had in mind. From beneath the folds of his coat, he pulled out a weapon and though she had little experience with them as she did so many other things in the Patriarch’s World, she knew what it was. She had seen a weapon of this kind the night she faced the challenge of the Flashing Thunder. She knew what they could do.

“YOU ARE NOT GREECE!!!” The man screamed again and aimed the long barrel of the weapon at Philipus who was staring at the man in shock. The sight of the weapon threw the entire proceedings into utter chaos as people began screaming, running away as if the Furies were in pursuit. Gunfire erupted from several places throughout the place and confirmed her suspicions that the man had not been alone. This was an organised assault by several men.

How foolish they were to think that everyone would be moved by speeches, she thought. For some violence was the only thing that could affect them. Like this murderer who intended to slay Philipus right before the eyes of thousands.

Wasting no time, the girl thought nothing of the danger or the exposure to herself as people trampling each other, desperate to escape the fury of the flashing thunder. Fear for their safety and that of their loved ones was driving normally rational people into madness. She could hear screaming from women, the wails of frightened children and the chaos that came with panic. On the stage, the UN security forces assigned to protect the Queen and her entourage ran across the stage, determined to protect Philipus. A gesture the general would have found ironic if the situation wasn’t so dire.

This has to be stopped, the girl told herself and discarded the coat she had been wearing over her clothes, and it would only be in the way. She was told when she was given her amour that these were the heraldic colours of the Patriarch’s world and she had seen proof of this since her arrival. Hopefully that would ease the disruption.

The only calm in a sea of pandemonium, Diana of Princess of Themiscyra, leapt into the air.

*********

Standing next to Lois and Bruce, Clark was just as transfixed as everyone else was by the stirring speeches being given by the Amazons. When the obscenity was screamed at Philipus, he knew immediately who had uttered it and it took less than a second for him to discover the man was armed. If he didn’t have to worry about his identity, he could have reached the gunman before the first shot was fired. Unfortunately, Clark Kent did have an identity to protect and he couldn’t risk its exposure because it was those who were closest to him that would suffer.

“Oh my god!” Lois exclaimed as the second scream of rage was punctuated by gunfire. People were scattering across the green like ants. Authorities were trying desperately to gain control but the crushing crowds running the opposite direction was making it difficult for the police to reach gunmen. The Amazons were wrestled off the Gazebo but Philipus was still trapped, unable to move from where she had conducted her speech.

“Go!” Bruce hissed at Clark who was already searching for a place to make a quick change, knowing perfectly well that Clark could hear him despite the noise around them. “There’s more than one of them!”

Clark nodded, taking Bruce’s word for it because the man was never wrong and five years hadn’t changed that opinion one damn bit. On the stage, security people were ushering everyone to safety as Secret Service men rushed out to protect Philipus from the gunfire. The Amazon was pinned down, unable to move save she was caught in the gunfire cutting the Gazebo to shreds. One or two of the Secret Service men attempting to approach were caught in the cross fire of what was now without a doubt as Bruce had said, multiple gunmen.

Finding a stack of road cases, Clark streaked past it barely noticed because everyone else was interested in getting away. Fleetingly, he hoped Lois had sense enough to get out of here and not chase after a story, which was her usual habit. Fortunately, if there was one person he could count on for her safety, it was Bruce. There was hardly a second of time passing between his stealing a discreet moment to the emergence of Superman.

Meanwhile, Lois had managed to break away from Bruce in the confusion was making her way not out of the line of fire but as close to it as she could get. Confident that Superman would save the day, she took advantage of the commotion by taking refuge behind the gazebo stairs so she wouldn’t be scooped from another major story. Jimmy Olsen, where are you when I need you, she grumbled. Single minded as ever, Lois opted using the camera on her cell to take pictures.

“Do I have to carry you out of here Lois?” Bruce asked as he finally tracked her down.

“Oh chill Bruce,” Lois retorted. “Superman will be here in a second.” She said confidently.

“Famous last words…” he suddenly stopped talking as his eyes caught something in the air that wasn’t Clark.

“What?” Lois demanded as she looked over her shoulder at him to see Bruce Wayne gawking.

***************

Clark was in the air and on his way to the scene when he saw the girl.

In the years to come, Clark would look back on this day as one of the defining moments of his existence. In his whole life, he could remember only a few occasions that held similar importance. The first time he laid eyes on Lana, the day his parents told him how they had found him, the loss of his father and Chloe, the first time he realised with utter certainty that Lois Lane was the soul mate he had been searching and now there was this; the first time he laid eyes on Diana of Themiscyra.

Lois would always be the most compelling woman he would ever know but on this particular day, Clark Kent met the most magnificent.

Like him, she was in flight.

With dark jet hair trailing behind her, she was perfectly sculpted. The perfection of muscle, curves and sinew could not have been better combined if a sculptor had moulded her from clay. She was tall and slightly bronzed. Blue eyes stared at the scene before her. She was wearing some kind of costume (well actually not that much of a costume), which bore the colours of the flag, right down to the white stars against satin blue. Across her chest were stylized letters in gold that looked like ‘WW’. The lasso hanging from a belt around her narrow waist and a tiara on her forehead was also gold and for a moment, Clark had no idea what the hell he was looking at, only that he was staring at her like teenager who just discovered porn.

It was only when Clark saw the silver bracelets around each wrist that he realised that she was an Amazon.

*************

She reached the gunmen first, unconcerned that people were now starting to stop in their tracks, the sight of a flying girl in the air was overriding their initial panic. Placing herself between the gunmen and the Gazebo, Diana saw the barrage of gunfire coming and immediately went into action. She had passed this test before although there were more bullets now than during the initial trial with Philipus. Nevertheless, Diana did show know fear and as the bullets came towards her. Moving her wrists with near lighting speed, she deflected each bullet with her bracelets, much to the astonishment of anyone in sight of the spectacle.

The shock of seeing the bullets halted in such a fashion caused the gunman to stop shooting and as he lowered his weapon, uncertain by what she was, Diana closed the distance between them and snatched the weapon from his hand.

“You barbarian!” She barked enraged, snapping the rifle into two and tossing the weapon that was little more than scrap aside. “You were going to murder a defenceless woman, like some hunted animal! What kind of coward are you?” She picked him up by the scruff of his neck, shaking him hard enough for it to leave an impression if not permanent injury. The other gunmen both frightened and shocked by these latest turn of events had opted to turn tail and run, some were apprehended by police and security who were finally able to reach them.

Whoa, Clark thought to himself as he watched the proceedings long enough to know that he had better intercede. Still confused as to how she could fly and possess the abilities she did, since Lois’ reports about the Amazons said nothing about superhuman powers, Clark flew towards the girl and landed behind her.

“Miss,” Clark said putting his hand on her shoulder, intending to draw upon his small town manner to disarm her. “I think you should put him down before you really hurt him.”

In retrospect, he probably shouldn’t have touched her.

Unaccustomed to being manhandled, especially by a man, Diana’s reaction was swift and Clark wasn’t expecting the punch that sent him through the base of the Gazebo with such power that everything between him and the ground he eventually landed on was destroyed. The posts and side panels holding the structure up were smashed into splinters as Clark tore through them. The Gazebo collapsed spectacularly as Clark smashed into a tree, splitting the trunk at base and causing the tall beech tree to topple forward on top Gazebo’s domed roof.

Seeing what she had done with rising mortification, Diana released her captive and flew at top speed to catch the beech tree before it landed on the room, crushing everyone beneath it. Causing leaves to whirlwind behind her as she sped over the ground, Diana took hold of the tree and hoisted it away to safety, leaving the destroyed vegetation on an empty piece of parkland. By now police and onlookers had swarmed in, drawn back by the appearance of Superman and a new personality of which they knew nothing but had captured their imaginations.

That…actually hurt, Clark thought lying on his back.

Clark heard footsteps approaching him and looked up to see Lois and Bruce approaching, both having gotten clear of the Gazebo when he went barrelling through it. Both appeared dishevelled and covered with dirt and leaves as they approached him and the sight of them, prompted Clark to his feet.

“C…Superman are you alright?” Lois skidded to his side, fighting the urge to hug him. Sometimes this secret identity thing really sucked, Lois thought inwardly. “Did she hurt you?”

“No,” Clark grumbled, rubbing his jaw. He was uninjured. His pride on the other hand was smarting from being blindsided by a punch from a girl.

“Then what the hell just happened?” Lois demanded, hating it when he made her worry.

“A left hook, I imagine.” Bruce said with a perfectly straight face.

Clark shot Bruce a dark look before flying after the girl who was going the gunmen her captive who was surrounded by policemen. Considering the strength at her disposal, Clark wasn’t letting her harm another person.

“Alright Miss that’s enough,” he said firmly, grabbing her arm to keep her from approaching the police or their prisoner. This time when she swung to hit him, Clark was ready for it and caught her fist with all the strength he could muster, allowing it to go no further. “I don’t want to hurt you but you’re not hurting anyone else.”

“I am not going to hurt anyone else!” The girl said indignantly, blue eyes flashing at outrage of the accusation. She was also rather stunned that he had managed to stop that punch. “How dare you accuse of me of the same crime this monster has tried to inflict upon innocent people! He tried to slay my sisters! He could have harmed everyone here! How can you protect him?”

“DIANA!” A voice said sharply and Clark saw a most amazing thing happen. The girl’s expression of fury melted and for the first time he saw apprehension crossed those radiant features.

Looking over his shoulder, he saw Queen Hippolyta striding towards them. The woman’s expression was stormy and Clark was suddenly very grateful that it wasn’t him she was mad at. Reminded of those times when Martha was angry with him and would call him by his middle name, Clark Joseph Kent, aka Superman, took a step back.

“You were supposed to stay at the hotel.” Hippolyta said sweeping past Superman, more focussed on the girl whose name he guessed was Diana.

The confident combatant he had seen a moment ago vanished, Clark now saw a young woman, uncertain and somewhat overwhelmed by everything that was happening. With a flash of insight, Clark realised that this particular Amazon didn’t sound like she was three thousand years old. In fact, he was fairly convinced that she was as young as she appeared. Suddenly, he felt a surge of guilt realising that he had handled this whole thing rather badly.

“I wanted to hear your speech,” Diana answered the Queen with guilty eyes. “And that man was going to slay Philipus! He wasn’t alone mother! There were at least four of them.”

Four? Clark saw only sighted three. Clark searched the area and saw that the police had indeed captured three suspects, which meant a fourth had gotten away. Who were these guys? He wondered.

“Superman,” the Queen regarded him for the first time. “We have heard of your great deeds since our arrival to the Patriarch’s World. Indeed our friend, Lois Lane, speaks of you often. We are honoured to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Clark said finding this whole thing rather bizarre. “I am sorry if I scared your friend a little,” he tried to offer the girl a smile but she seemed more concerned at the Queen’s anger.

“She is not my friend,” Hippolyta shot the girl a look. “Just a child who had disobeyed her Queen. Superman, allow me to introduce my daughter, Diana.”

Chapter Three:

Prometheus’ Clay

Seeing the Queen approaching Clark, Bruce decided the danger was over since all parties were talking. Although, he noted as he swept his gaze across the crowd, that he doubted that they would be able to remain where they were to have any in depth discussions. Already he could see the crowds beginning to surround the Queen and her entourage. Led by the press and security people, the fear of terrorists by the public was now superseded by the desire to see the flying beauty that was capable of holding her own against Superman.

From where he was, Bruce had a clear view of her standing between Clark and the queen. He had seen her when she first appeared in the air a short time ago and the distance had not lessened the effect one bit. It was as if someone had decided to create a flesh and blood depiction of the feminine ideal and Bruce wasn’t ashamed to feel just as enamoured as any other male who looked upon her. He could tell that Clark was affected and upon that thought, looked around for Lois.

“Lois,” he looked over his shoulder and saw the Daily Planet’s star reporter brushing herself down from the dirt and grass that was clinging to her expensive suit. “Looks Clark is getting her to talk.”

“Terrific,” Lois grumbled, “because this whole event couldn’t get any more complicate….” She stopped talking upon seeing the girl next to Clark. Something tugged inside Lois’ chest, something that felt ugly and petty. It was not a sensation that Lois liked to think herself capable of having and thus brushed it away immediately before it had time to settled in and take root.

“Wow, very super model,” she remarked somewhat sedately.

Bruce turned to her, detecting a tone in the woman’s voice that signalled ‘danger’ of an entirely different kind.

“I suppose,” he said clearing his throat, not about to show any interest of his own.

Although he didn’t see her often, Bruce considered Lois one of his closest friends, a person he might even consider a part of his family. If it had not been for Chloe’s death, Lois would have been. During the last five years, their friendship had become something he cherished and just as she had been on the front lines to view his grief at losing her cousin, Bruce had been similarly present to view Lois’ anguish at Clark’s abrupt disappearance from her life. They had nursed each other through these trials and even though neither had anything more than platonic affection to offer each other; theirs was a relationship of intimacy.

“You should go up there,” he suggested. “Tell the Queen that this place is about to become a mob scene. She should get out of here while she can.”

Lois glanced at Bruce and then at crowds that were closing in on the small group from all directions. This was the same kind of frenzy that gripped the population following Superman’s first appearance in Metropolis and it seemed like history was about to repeat itself. Only this time, it would be courtesy of a strange woman with the star spangled chest and the legs up to Canada.

“Right,” she nodded and started running forward, “I’ll tell you how it turns out later!” She hollered back at him.

Bruce watched her departure before he himself retreated from the scene. Metropolis wasn’t his town and there was nothing for Bruce Wayne to contribute at this moment but his absence.

***********

Clark had thought the terrorist attack was reason enough for chaos in Hayes Park but when the Amazon princess appeared, the earlier panic seemed pale in comparison to the mania sweeping through the crowds in their efforts to get a closer look. They came in a tide of reporters, police, bystanders, security folk and every type imaginable, clamouring to view the latest spectacle generated by this beautiful woman who had arrived so suddenly to stop an assassination in its tracks. Even the terrorists seemed an afterthought in the face of her arrival. Nothing appeared to be as important as satisfying the public’s demand for knowledge about Queen Hippolyta’s stunning daughter.

The object of all this attention, Diana, viewed the crowd with growing alarm. She wore an expression of anxiety and anxiousness on her lovely features as she saw the hordes close in. Undoubtedly, this attention had to be overwhelming for someone who was unaccustomed to it and as Clark saw her panic, was himself overcome with the desire to whisk her away from all this, to spare her the scrutiny he lived with everyday as Superman. Deciding on what was the most decisive course of action, particularly when he saw Lois approaching, Clark turned to the Amazon Queen.

“Your highness,” Clark said quickly, “I think its best that you and friends return to your hotel immediately and allow the crowd time to calm down.”

“He’s right,” Lois chimed in as she reached them, slightly out of breath in her effort to reach them before the rest of the press. “We can carry out the interview there and make a statement to the press about…” she glanced at Diana, “about this incident.”

“Yes,” the Queen nodded, agreeing with the advice from both Miss Lane and the being called Superman. Unveiling Diana was not something she had anticipated dealing with so soon. “Diana, you will return immediately to the hotel.”

“Yes mother,” the girl obeyed without question, glancing shyly at Clark with a look of helplessness that irked Lois Lane more than the reporter would care to admit. Of course, it didn’t help that Clark was staring at her like a teenager either.

“I am sorry,” she apologised to everyone present, “I did not mean to….” Her voice faltered as the press finally descended upon them, armed with cameras and microphones, shouting question like artillery fire. Flashbulbs exploded in her face and as security and police fought to maintain some crowd control.

“Diana,” Clark said addressing her for the first time. “Come with me.”

Diana gave him a look at the sound of her name spoken through his lips. It felt strange. Until now, she had been the secret her mother and the rest of her sisters had hidden from the Patriarch’s World. While she was more prepared than any other Amazon for life in this realm, she had not had any real contact with its citizens until now. Certainly not, this being whose powers seem so much like her own, whose blue eyes looked back at hers with the same intensity. Trusting her instincts, she nodded her agreement to follow.

Gaining her permission, Superman launched himself into the air, leaving Hippolyta, the Amazons and Lois behind.

Diana stood there for a moment, watching him soar into the air, marvelling at the sight of his red cape billowing behind him as he disappeared into the clouds. It was the first time, she realised that she was the one looking up. Always, she was the one was flying away. The realisation made her smile to herself and offering her mother and Miss Lane a nod, she pushed off the soft grass and soared into the clouds after him.

“See you,” Lois spoke under her breath as she watched Clark disappeared into the clouds with the beautiful Diana of Themiscyra in pursuit, feeling that same uneasy sensation stabbing at her innards as she watched them soar into the sky.

Together.

************

Clark was grateful to return to the serenity of the sky after the commotion and furor at Hayes Park. Even with the control he had over his super hearing, it was sometimes a relief to be away from the source of so many voices. Aloft, the voices became soft drones that he could ‘hone’ in when needed. Clark flew just high enough to ensure that no intrepid observer with a telescopic lens could violate their privacy.

Waiting for her to join him, Clark watched her progress and wondered if she could fly this high. He hadn’t met anyone other than another Kryptonian could fly so the question hadn’t occurred to him until now. It seemed to be an unwarranted concern because Diana did not seem to have any trouble keeping up with him. She came to a stop in front of him, her dark hair billowing around her like a tide of ebony under the sunlight. Once again, Clark found himself marvelling at her beauty.

Diana didn’t speak at first. She was too busy studying him. She had seen men since her arrival in the Patriarch’s World but none that looked like him. His costume was not dissimilar from her own. Were the colours representative of a personal herald? What did shield on his chest signify? How did he attain his power of flight? Diana had a thousand questions to ask him but manners kept her from blurting them all out. Thus for a few seconds, all she could do was stare, taking in the physical beauty of the man as well as the mystery of him.

Why was she staring at him? Clark wondered as she continued to look at him without speaking. He wondered if she was shy. Somehow, she wasn’t like other Amazons who seemed to exude confidence. There was strength in her, he had no doubt of that but there was also a quiet trepidation. Deciding that this silence couldn’t continue, Clark tried to break the ice.

“I’m sorry about startling you just now,” he offered her a little smile of encouragement. “I didn’t mean to grab you like that.”

Jonathan Kent had always said that when correcting a misunderstanding, an apology was always the best place to start.

His smile put her a little more at ease and Diana found her voice by answering him. “I am sorry I reacted badly. You surprised me.” She spoke slowly because English was still a new language to her and while she was as proficient as any Amazon going into the Patriarch’s world was, this was the first time she had spoken it exclusively to one its natives. “I hope I did not harm you.”

Clark found that funny for some reason and chuckled, “don’t’ worry I’m pretty tough.”

She shared his laughter if somewhat uncertainly. His use of the language was much more informal than she was accustomed to and Diana had to listen closely to understand him. He was very beautiful though, she thought secretly to herself. His visage reminded her of the statues of the great heroes in the temples of Themiscyra. “I hope you do not think me rude but you are not a child of Prometheus’ clay are you?”

That was a new one.

“I’m sorry I don’t get what you mean,” Clark looked at her with a raised brow.

Of course, he would not understand and Diana felt embarrassed she had asked such a question when it would make no sense to him whatsoever. However, since she had been impertinent enough to ask, she felt she owed him an explanation. “I feel Gaea’s strength in all things,” she tried to explain; “I do not feel it in you. You were not made by Prometheus, as all men of Gaea were made, fashioned out of clay.”

It took Clark a second to realise what she was talking about, remembering the ancient mythology class he took at Central Kansas during his first year at college (it was either that or art appreciation) to understand the reference. “I see what you mean. No, I’m not from this planet. I’m from a place called Krypton. Prometheus probably didn’t get out to that neck of the woods very often.” He smirked.

Once again his speech took a few seconds for her to translate but Diana soon realised he was joking.

“You are making me fun of me,” she smiled back.

“Not at all,” Clark answered, enchanted somewhat by that radiant smile. She was the most stunning woman he had ever met but her demure manner made him think of a shy, teenager. “It's not a description I hear often. What about you?” He asked in turn. “I didn’t think Amazons could fly or for that matter tear machine guns like scrap metal.”

The irony of him asking that question was not lost upon Clark Kent.

“Oh,” she blushed. “I am different. I am the only one who can fly. My mother tells me that when I was born to her, I was blessed with gifts from the gods. My ability to fly comes from the god Hermes and my strength is a gift of Demeter.”

For a farm boy raised with strictly Protestant beliefs, Clark found this hard to swallow. However, he knew he had no right to discount Diana’s faith in her gods. It wasn’t as if the Bible had a special annex for folks born on Krypton so Clark couldn’t look to it as the end all and be all of all spiritual truth.

“I see.” He nodded, not sure what to make of her answer but decided that since she believed, he would respect it. “I know it’s probably rude to ask but are you thousands of years old too?”

“Oh no,” she shook her head and laughed. “I am only 21 years old.”

“21?” He stared at her surprised because the Amazons were all millennia in age, immortals. Yet Diana was not much younger than him. “I thought you would be older…” he declared and then realised what he had just said. “I mean, not that you look older but rather that you’d be older like you know other Amazons?”

”I am not offended by the assumption,” she looked at him quizzically. “It is only logical that you would think so. Many of my sisters look the same as me even though they are far older.”

“I know,” Clark replied. “Just trying to remember that you’re not a woman from the Patriarch’s world. Here, the assumption of age can get a guy into some serious trouble.” He laughed.

“I see,” she answered, even though she didn’t really.

“We should get you back to your hotel,” Clark suggested, even though he did want to talk to her some more. Besides Lois would be wondering where he was and Clark Kent couldn’t be absent for too long a period without someone asking questions.

“Yes,” she agreed, not looking forward to the lecture she would receive from her mother once she returned to the hotel. “Those men who tried to hurt my mother and sisters, what will happen to them?” Diana asked instead.

“Most likely they’ll be charged and held accountable for their crimes,” Clark explained, taken back by the sudden change of subject. “Unfortunately, justice is slow here but rest assured they will get what they deserve.”

Diana absorbed the news stoically before asking a moment later. “Would it be possible for me to see them?”

Now that he didn’t expect and had to ask. “Why?”

Diana considered whether or not she would trust this stranger but one of Athene’s gifts to her was the gift of wisdom. Her instincts told her she could trust this man and for what was to come, she needed allies. Her mother believed that introducing the Amazons into the world of men would give Diana the assistance she needed to complete her mission for the Gods. Diana knew better. What was at stake was not merely Themiscyra and the Amazon way of life but also the existence of the Patriarch’s World. Menalippe’s vision of its annihilation was not simply prophecy.

It was a threat already in motion.

Superman was the champion of the Patriarch’s realm and if his power was as formidable as she had seen, he was the ally she needed to prevent the destruction of both their worlds.

After a long pause, Diana finally answered him. “I need to know who really sent them.”

**************

His name was Dimitri Theophilus.

He was born to a family of fishermen in the coastal town of Stilidia in Greece but had no taste for the life. At 17, he had left home for Athens to become embroiled in the military junta that saw Greece under the rule of military for almost seven years. Detesting the American interference in his country’s existence, Dimitri had been one of the junta’s staunchest defenders until the regime was overthrown and like so many who found themselves on the wrong side was forced to disappear into obscurity.

When he was invited to join the small select group known as November 17, Dmitri had thought he would be fighting against the further Americanization of his country. However, November 17 was a group like no other. Its number did not exceed twenty-five and whole families made up its membership. Not only was he required to join the organisation but also three of his sons were force to swear allegiance in a dark ceremony that reeked of superstition and old legends. Familial blood ensured utmost secrecy and for decades, November 17 operated without the authorities having any idea how to track them.

The masters of November 17 decreed that a new age was coming and he believed them because they had shown him their power and it was far more real than any ideology he had ever sworn his life too. Before the Americans, before the world had made the cradle civilization into just another holiday resort, his country had been home to gods like no other. These were gods who demanded his obedience and rewarded failure with fatal consequences.

Like his failure this afternoon.

On his hands and knees, Dimitri’s cheek scraped the stone upon which he was kneeling, begging for forgiveness. Surrounded by near darkness in the cold room, he recounted the events of the day even though his master knew already what had transpired. There was liberation in knowing that at least. Nothing he said would be a surprise thus removing the need to lie. Lying only made things worse.

“You did not kill the Amazon whores.”

“No,” Dmitri shook his head, speaking in Greek. “The operation was progressing smoothly; we had three men stationed at strategic points in the crowd. One of us would have succeeded in killing the Amazons but something unexpected happened…”

“We know,” his master rose from his seat, an elaborate construct carved from the bones of wolves and jackals. “You were never meant to succeed.”

Dmitri looked up then, puzzled at why they were sent out at all. “We weren’t?”

“No,” the figure answered automatically, his voice sounded like the dying gasps of a condemned man. Serpentine hair dragged against the cold, slate floor and Dmitri tried not to shudder as he saw the living heads of asps on the end of each strand. “Today, we saw the fulfillment of prophecy.”

“Prophecy?” Dmitri stuttered. The man could only bear to look at his master for a few seconds before dropping his head down against the floor. Dmitri tried to ignore the hissing made by the asps, choosing instead to listen to the words, echoing in his ears like the song of a haunted soul.

“In the days when the great barge is fashioned from bone;

And the Gods prepare their final journey.

The daughters of Zeus will fashion a champion.

A child born not of the womb but of clay;

To stand against the darkness and prevail.”

The voice paused for a moment, taking a breath almost before resuming again. “She is known to us now,” his master announced to Dimitri with a satisfied smile. With black eyes, he gazed upon the muted television set in the far corner of the room. There was no need to hear, the images flickering across the screen causing the darkness to dance, spoke far more clearly than words could.

“Diana of Themiscyra,” Deimos, God of Dread declared, “it will be a pleasure to meet you.”

Chapter Four:

The End Of Days

E! News

By Candi Gramme

And the prize for hottest new couple in Metropolis has got to go resident super-hero, all around hunk and guy voted by our female readers as most wanted to introduce to mom, Superman and gorgeous to die for Diana of Themiscyra!

That’s right boys and girls! Online polls have declared that the Amazon, dubbed by the press as Wonder Woman (and what a wonder she is!) might be the perfect gal for Superman! They’re both super strong, able to take moonlight flights together and even wear the same primary colours! This reporter’s nose says that it’s a match made in heaven!

Is Lois Lane on her way out?

Sources inform us that Lois’ soon to be ex met with favourable reviews from Diana’s just as stunning mom, Queen Hippolyta during the dust up at Hayes Park where Diana made her debut. It was love at first sight when both Diana and Superman met while stopping evil terrorists from gunning down the Amazon entourage. They even took off together for a romantic interlude, leaving poor Lois in the dust with the competitions mother! Ouch Lois! But way to go Supes at winning mom’s approval. You’re half way there!

Of course, if Lois were to be dumped spectacularly by the man of steel, we’re sure she’ll land on her feet by finding solace in the arms of totally dashing Bruce Wayne of Gotham. Seems that the two have been friends for just ever and there has been speculation over their relationship before. Is it true? Only time will tell my fellow celebphiles. Stay tuned!

*************

“So it is true?” Jimmy Olsen asked sitting on the edge of Lois’ desk in the Daily Planet’s newsroom , leaning in close, his expression all seriousness.

“Is the great romance between Lois Lane and Superman all washed up? Do I have to get Lucy to bring over that quart of double choc chip ice cream and rent a copy of Titanic….ow…ow ow…Lois! I’m kidding!” Jimmy whined as he felt his ear being twisted hard enough to hurt. “Hey this is considered workplace bullying you know? Man! No wonder Superman is breaking up with you!” He muttered before breaking free of her fingers.

Lois’ eyes narrowed before shoving him off her desk.

“I…am…not…amused.” She said through gritted teeth.

Jimmy stared at her blankly, realising that she really wasn’t taking this with good humour and was quite ticked off. “You’re not seriously jealous are you?”

“Of course not,” Lois snorted dismissively, even though her gaze did fall upon Clark Kent’s empty chair, trying not to remember why he wasn’t present that morning.

“Sure,” Jimmy rolled his eyes, knowing better. “Where is Clark?” He asked instead, hoping a slight change of subject would put her in a better mood although the article by Candi Gramme (was that even a real name?), had been particularly nasty. Since Superman and the Princess had encountered each other at Hayes Park, wild tabloid speculation had sent circulation for these trashy magazines skyrocketing.

If Jimmy had thought asking the question would alleviate Lois’ annoyance, it did the nothing but the opposite as Lois continued to smolder. Shifting her eyes back to the screen of her laptop, Lois didn’t look at him as she answered his question. “He’s attending to private business.”

Private business for Clark Kent usually involved a cape so Jimmy didn’t ask for further elaboration when Lois add with low hiss.

“With her.”

“With her?” Jimmy’s brows raised and he leaned forward. “Doing what?” He asked, wondering if Clark was really that thick or just completely clueless. Running around with a goddess in bathing suit that the entire world assumed you are going to dump your girlfriend for, was not a good idea.

Her fears were unfounded of course. Jimmy knew that and was convinced that one some level Lois knew it too. Under normal circumstances, Lois’ confidence in herself was granite and in the past, her relationship with Clark rested on the same stable bedrock. Unfortunately, that was before Clark had up and left for five years without a word to Lois that he was going. Jimmy had been there to pick up the pieces and even if Clark and Lois’ relationship seemed on the mend now, he suspected that her mood now had much to do with being discarded so easily once before.

“Diana wanted to talk to the terrorists who attacked her mother,” she answered after a moment. “Superman used his connections to get her an meeting.” Lois shrugged, having wanted in on that particular audience but the Princess had asked for privacy and that more or less settled the matter. Clark was as much in the dark as she was but as he was arranging the meeting, he had to be present.

“Anymore on those guys?” Jimmy asked, realising he had inadvertently put his foot in it again. Hopefully, this would be a safer subject.

His gamble paid off because Lois expression shifted into the animated reporter he had come to know and love. “Not much but what I did get was telling. The authorities had a hard trouble identifying these guys at first but I managed to do some investigating with customs and immigrations and it appears, our terrorists are Greek.” She said with a satisfied smile. “They came in with bogus names but the point of embarkation was definitely Athens.”

“Athens?” Jimmy exclaimed bewildered. “What’s their beef with the Amazons? You would think they’d be kind of a pleased that their mythological heroes are just fiction but real.”

“You would think,” Lois shrugged, hating to admit that she didn’t understand this either. “However, there has been a terrorist group in Greece, operating since the 60s called November 17.”

“Never heard of them,” Jimmy retorted.

“That’s not surprising,” Lois returned swiftly. “I have a source at Embassy Row who tells me November 17 was a splinter group formed after the junta in Greece during the 60s. They don’t have a particular ideology although they definitely resent American influence in their country. What’s new right? However, I did find out that it is almost impossible to catch these guys because the group doesn’t have any more than twenty members at any time and they’re in family groups, so they don’t betray each other either for anything.”

“Why does this freak me out more Al-Qaeda?” He retorted. Having spent some time abroad as a photojournalist, Jimmy had spent enough time in war torn countries to know that the smaller the group, the harder they were to find.

“I know,” Lois nodded, feeling similar concern. “I just don’t understand what these guys have against Amazons.”

Her reporter’s instincts did tell her however, finding out the answer to that question was going to be a hell of a story.

*************

“These men are kept like animals,” Diana remarked with clear distaste while she and Superman waited for their prisoner to be presented to them.

Her sense of smell could barely stomach the stench emanating from the hallways they had walked through to reach this room surrounded by three walls and bars. Let alone the cage like enclosures that past for living arrangements. From what little Diana had been able to see as Superman and a guard led her through the walls of the Metropolis State Penitentiary, she had nothing but contempt for what passed for the penal system in the Patriarch’s World.

“You should give them their final judgments and be done with it,” Diana retorted. “All this,” she regarded the structure around her, “seems extraneous.”

“Really?” Clark said with a hint of sarcasm, reminding himself for all her sweetness, the Princess came from a warrior race that prided itself in its practicality even if its methods were somewhat Spartan. “I’m afraid we don’t do capital punishment unless we really have to.”

“It’s better to allow the offender to die with honour and do no further harm.” Diana countered.

“Well it seems kind of hefty for someone who might have just stolen a car stereo that’s all.” Clark returned, amused by some of the conversations they had have so far. He found Diana interesting company. Despite her naiveté, she had strong opinions that made him stop short sometimes before he realised the philosophy was from that of a culture living in isolation for three millennia. There were bound to be some quirks.

Diana sighed, realising she was being a little hard headed again. Her mother had warned her that she needed to remember that the Patriarch’s World was very different from Themiscyra, that men were different from women. Until she had arrived here and seen for herself, Diana had not understood how vast those differences could be. Fortunately, Superman or Kal, as he allowed her to call him, seemed to be the best example of the gender even if he had not been born on Gaea’s clay.

“I apologise,” she said after a moment. “I forget where I am.”

There it was again. The sudden shift in personality that made Diana such a contradiction. It was jarring and yet engaging all the same time. Fortunately, years with Lois had trained him well for this kind of turbulence.

“Don’t worry about it,” he smiled, “sometimes, I don’t understand it either. Nor do I understand what you hope to get from this prisoner. He hasn’t been very cooperative at all with the authorities. I’m sure that part of the reason they allowed you to meet him is because they’re hoping you’ll have better luck.”

Diana said nothing for a moment, still uncertain of how much she could trust Superman. What she was bringing to him was the knowledge of a terrible prophecy waiting to unfold if she did not stop it. Her whole existence was dedicated to ending the menace that was threatening to destroy not only Themiscyra but also the Patriarch’s World. Unfortunately, her tools to fight this war were limited and scattered across unfamiliar territory. While it was in Diana’s nature not to ask for help, she knew that for the sake of all, her pride would have to be forgotten.

Fortunately, she did not have to answer since the guard arrived with their prisoner, one of the men captured at the park. Upon seeing her, the would be assassin tried to retreat through open door of the interrogation room he was being ushered into.

“Get this Amazon whore away from me!” He cried out, his heavily accented voice shuddering with obvious anxiety. “I will not speak with her!”

“Watch your mouth,” the guard barked sharply, shoving the man back through the doorway. “He’s all yours Superman, Wonder Woman,” the warder replied and retreated but not before stealing an appreciative look at the beautiful woman with the man of steel.

The steel door shut behind them, sealing their quarry inside who stared at Diana with nothing less than terror. “Stay away from me!!!” He shouted, flinging himself against the bars, determined to escape. “I will tell you nothing!”

”You don’t have to tell us anything,” Clark retorted, prepared to put the man in a chair himself if the prisoner didn’t calm down. “We know your name is Nikos Papadopoulos and you arrived in this country only a week ago from Athens. We know that you are most likely a member of the November 17, terrorist group.”

“You know nothing,” the man spat over his shoulder as Clark reached him and picked him, kicking and screaming before sitting him down at the chair.

One hand on his shoulder, Clark ensured that Nikos would not be standing up any time soon. Raising his eyes to Diana who had been content to let him take the lead, Clark declared with a little smile.

“He’s all yours.”

Diana rose to her feet, blue eyes affixed on the man and knew immediately that he was deathly afraid of her. Reaching for the lasso hanging from her girdle, she approached the man with an expression of quiet contemplation. “Why did you try to harm my mother and my sisters?” Diana asked.

“I will tell you nothing Amazon bitch!” He shouted and spat.

“Hey!” Clark tightened his fingers on the man’s shoulder as he saw Diana wiping spittle from cheek. Her eyes narrowed in anger but Clark saw her rein it in, maintaining her composure.

“I am fine Superman,” Diana assured him that only her pride had been hurt, little else. “He has so much venom only because he is afraid of what he might tell me.” Stopping in front of Nikos, she looped the fine strand of golden rope and wrapped it around the man.

At first Clark was uncertain of what she was doing, watching with some fascination as Diana bound Nikos in the strands of the golden lariat. Her long fingers worked the gold expertly and very soon, Nikos found himself enclosed several times over with the strange metal rope.

“Whom do you serve?” Diana asked calmly.

Clark saw the prisoner prepare to open his mouth, undoubtedly to let fly more insults when suddenly, his expression changed and the words tumbled from his lips, almost against his will.

“I serve the God of War, he whose name I am unworthy to speak.”

Clark looked up at Diana in astonishment but held his tongue as she continued her interrogation. What the hell was he hearing here?

“Why did you seek to harm my mother and my sisters?” Diana asked, showing no reaction to the revelation and Clark knew then, she was not surprised by the news.

“We know that the Amazons have come to bring forth their champion to fight against the End of Days. The whore created from clay who will enter the world seeking of Harmonia’s talisman..”

“What is he talking about?” Clark demanded. “What’s the End of Days?”

“Kal, please,” Diana shot him a look to stay his questions for now. “Where is Harmonia’s Talisman?” She demanded, tugging harder at the rope.

Before could utter anything else, Nikos began to convulse violently in the chair. His body shaking so hard that saliva was coming from his mouth. His face was contorted in pain as he struggle and fearing she might harm him, Diana removed the lariat from around his body.

“What’s happening to him?” Clark demanded and shouted for the guard.

“I do not know,” Diana declared anxiously, working faster to remove the lariat. “This should only make him speak the truth, not harm him in any way. The golden lasso is not a weapon.” Her concern for the man told Clark that she was sincere in her belief that she was not responsible for harming the prisoner.

Scanning Nikos, Clark could see the man’s chest pounding hard in his chest, so hard it was almost on the verge of explosion. Indeed, even if he didn’t need a visual, Clark could certainly hear it. “GUARD!” Clark hollered again.

Yet as he looked down into Nikos Papadopoulos’ face, Clark knew it was already too late.

*********

“What the hell was that?” Clark demanded once they had left the prison and were a hundred feet above it, obscured by clouds.

The preliminary examination conducted by the doctor called to the scene had revealed that Nikos had died of a heart attack. Clark did not mention anything about the lasso because Diana appeared shaken by the man’s death. Whatever had happened Nikos, she hadn’t expected it and so Clark did not think responsible. However, he did want answers. The content of what she extracted from Nikos was confusing enough, not to mention alarming.

”I do not know,” Diana shook her head, never having anyone die by her hand before. “He was not going to be harmed. I asked my questions of him but I think,” she swallowed thickly, trying to wrap her mind around what had happened in that room, “I think he died because of the lasso.”

“You said it wasn’t a weapon,” he countered, remembering her words, not to mention her shock, when Nikos had been pronounced dead.

“It is not,” she met his gaze, dark hair swirling around her lovely features, with tears filling her eyes. “I think he died because I used the lasso. I think that something inside him would not allow him to be commanded by the god’s gift.”

“You saying he was booby trapped to die in case he was interrogated by that thing?” Clark declared, glancing at the lariat at her waist.

She didn’t quite understand the full measure of the phrase but the word trap was clear enough for her to answer. “Yes, I believe so.”

“Christ,” Clark found himself muttering, feeling as out of his depth as someone might have been told about Krypton and Jor-El. “Alright, I think it’s time you levelled with me. What is this end of days he was talking about?”

Diana faced Superman, this being whose abilities were god-like and knew with utter conviction that his heart was true. She had to trust him even though everything she had been taught from birth, told her that men could not be. Yet she knew, she was a different kind of Amazon, created with a destiny and purpose. She was unique among her people, just like him. His world was in danger as much as hers and like her, he had the right to defend it.

“It is the time when the God of War will set the world aflame, to take his place in Olympus as the lord and master of all. We Amazons, have known of this terrible time for thousands of years but only in recent months have the portents told us how close it is. I was chosen by my sisters as the champion against this terror. It is my duty to end this threat. However,” she paused, letting out a breath as if what was to come next was difficult to say, “I know little of the Patriarch’s world and the war god has had many years to hide his agents in it. I need your Kal, to face what’s coming for the sake of all of us.”

It felt almost surreal what she was asking him. Gods and myths. Talismans and Armageddon. Clark was ready to tell her she was crazy but knew what he had seen and there was proof enough for him to believe her. “I’ll help you Diana,” he reached for her hand. “It’s my world too.”

Diana smiled at him radiantly. “Thank you Kal,” she squeezed his hand back. “We have a long road ahead and we still need to recover Harmonia’s talisman.”

“What is this talisman?” Clark couldn’t believe he was asking such a question. Then again, it was no stranger than having to travel half way across the world to find pieces of an artifact that ended up creating the fortress either.

“We are not certain,” Diana explained. “We know only that it is a talisman that is needed for the battle against the War God. My first task after arriving in the Patriarch’s world was to find Harmonia’s talisman. Unfortunately, I have not succeeded in finding any clue to its whereabouts.” She answered, appearing somewhat disappointed with herself.

“Well if it’s as important as you say then it’s probably been hidden pretty well. These things usually are,” Clark remarked, already thinking on how they might narrow the search a little. He was no expert in the subject of ancient talismans but then again, he did know someone who was an expert.

In just about everything.

With a little smile, Clark met Diana’s gaze and replied, “I think I know someone who might be able to help us.”

Chapter Five

Belief

In retrospect, Jeanine Harris realised the short cut she opted to take through the Napier Park was not her most sensible decision of the day.

At first, it seemed harmless enough, a fifteen-minute walk on paved sidewalks through the park that stood between her and her apartment on Kane Avenue. Returning from her job at a boutique in one of Gotham’s fashionable districts, she was exhausted from putting in overtime due to a stock take exercise her manager decided to spring on them this morning. The ten minutes shaved off her trip home seemed like a good enough reason to take the short cut. As she walked into the hedged entrance of the park, it seemed like a small price to pay until she could finally afford that car she wanted so much.

********

He was on his way back to the car when he saw her crossing the street with the clear intention of entering the park at 7.00 pm at night, unaware of the danger she was inviting upon herself.

Napier Park serviced several neighbourhoods in the area, with a demographic that ranged from middle class to low income households. It was government funded and thus maintained just enough to keep it serviceable without the robust grounds keeping that was indicative of parks in wealthier neighbourhoods. Nevertheless, it was, during the day, a place where nannies and homemakers gathered to trade war stories, where children could run unfretted through the playgrounds or where people could enjoy the sun lying across the grass.

However, when the sun went down, it was a decidedly less hospitable place.

********

Jeanine Harris was painfully aware of this as she delved deeper into its expanse and discovered rather belatedly, that Napier Park was a quite scary at night. Some of the bulbs in the lampposts along the pathways were dead, leaving patches of terrain near pitch black. She saw no signs of life, save her own, making her more anxious as she continued walking down the lonely paths.

Jeanine’s growing fear made her jump at everything, from the tall shadows to the chirping of insects in the dark and then the deafening silence in the wake of so much emptiness. Hastening her pace didn’t help the situation as it only made her heart pound louder in her ears until she could hear nothing else.

Finally, the chilling emptiness filled with the sound of voices and for a brief instant, Jeanine was almost relieved. Until she rounded the turn of the path and realised what she had walked straight into.

She stopped short at the sight of them gathered around a picnic area partially framed by trees. She counted seven of them, not quite teenagers, not quite adults either. They were of an age where they could become anything given the right impetus. Unfortunately, the shaved heads, the leather jackets and the cigarettes burning holes through the night, told Jeanine the final path they had already started to take.

Upon sighting her, their eyes latched on to her like the wolf pack that had suddenly picked up the scent of the lamb that had wandered inadvertently unto their territory.

Jeanine tried to walk past them, keeping her eyes down, making no eye contact or offering any response to their chillingly suggestive greetings. There were seven of them, her terrified mind identified, seven of them and just one of her. Seven was supposed to be a lucky number but it wasn't for Jeanine tonight.

Her silence was all the provocation they needed and the next thing Jeanine knew, she was surrounded with no hope of escape.

“Please don’t hurt me,” she pleaded softly even if it was an exercise in futility.

“Don’t worry,” one of them revealed a predator’s leer as he flicked his cigarette into the bushes. “It won’t hurt long.”

*********

Well that didn’t take long, he thought when he heard the scream he almost expected to hear.

Jeanine’s troubles were almost inevitable in the face of human nature and its uglier impulses. The night was the breeding ground of all sin, the keep for the monsters of our lesser natures.

He followed the girl in discreetly, using the darkness that was the source of his crusade as his cloak as he moved through trees and used the curve of lampposts like a shadowy wraith on the hunt. He had intended to follow her long enough to ensure she cleared the park without incident but clearly, that was not meant to be. As he caught sight of what had forced her to scream, he counted seven thugs wearing the colours of a local skinhead group. Most of its members had seen the inside of the jail at least once in their youthful lives, one or two he even helped there.

By the time he closed in, they had already dragged the girl off the pathway and forced her against the picnic table. The sound of tearing fabric had reduced her cries of help to whimpers of desperate pleading. The mind had great capacity to prioritize in such situations. The absence of escape had turned her focus towards survival.

If the Batman had anything to with it, she would have both.

**********

“Those verminous curs are trying to force themselves on her!” Diana exclaimed as she witnessed the scene unfolding while hovering some distance from the ground with growing fury. “We have to help her,” she declared, preparing to intercede on the atrocity about to be committed.

“No,” Clark said firmly, barring her way with a one arm. “He’ll handle it.”

“There are seven of them,” Diana countered. “You said he had no powers.”

“Yeah,” Clark nodded with a little smile as he watched the Batman closing in on the thugs and their victim. “I’d think they’re in a lot of trouble. ”

**********

This wasn’t happening, Jeanine told herself frantically, feeling her skin exposed to the cold air as something was torn away from body. This isn’t happening! Closing her eyes, wishing for it only to be over as she felt rough hands preparing to destroy her both body and spirit, Jeanine withdrew into her mind to hide from overwhelming despair. Suddenly, she heard something that sounded like the flapping of fabric, a thick, sweeping sound that seemed to fill the world.

The sound was followed by a cry of pain that was not hers. Confused, Jeanine dared to open her eyes and saw that something, dark and terrifying was moving through the seven men, its dark cloak swirling around them like a whirlwind.

“It’s the bat!” One of the thugs shouted as he saw a friend slamming head first into a lamp post with such force that upon bouncing off the column, landed hard onto the concrete floor, unmoving. He brandished a blade and ran toward the demon, just a second before another comrade staggered backwards, blood flowing freely from a shattered note.

“You’re just a fucking man!” He hissed. “I ain’t afraid of you.” He prepared to bring down the blade on the curve of a bicep when something gleamed under the light of the moon, an instant before he screamed in pain and grasped his bleeding hand. Something that looked like a ninja shuriken but shaped like a bat, protruded from his flesh. He looked at his hand, shifting his gaze away from the dark shape long enough to be distracted. When he raised his eyes again, the last thing he saw was a dark gauntlet knocking the consciousness from his world.

With three of the seven down, two had opted to take the safer road and flee. The two that chose to remain decided to up the stakes. A gun was brandished…briefly. Unaware of the Batman’s inherent dislike of any weapon requiring bullets, one of the two thugs standing took aim not at the dark avenger but at the girl he would have saved. Underestimating the Batman’s speed, he had a moment of clarity when he saw something spinning through the air, landing against his wrist hard enough for him to hear bone break.

With a sharp cry, he dropped the weapon and gave the Batman the clearway to reach him. A one two punch, a side kick and the sixth of the seven had gone down. The last had taken the opportunity to rush Batman while he had been dealing with the gunmen, attempting to lock an arm around his neck. The Batman reacted as only a perfect engine of coordination and instinct could, with ruthless efficiency. Within a fraction of second, the thug was thrown over the Batman’s shoulder, landing hard enough to end the thread of him for the time being.

Jeanine had recovered her senses enough to see rescuer surrounded by her would be rapists. The Batman lifted his eyes to her and said coldly, with a voice of brittle glass. “Go home and call the police.”

She nodded, wildly and covered up her exposed chest. She wanted to speak, to make him understand what it was he had saved her from, to let him know that at her most despairing moment, he had shown her that hope was never futile. Tears in her eyes, she wanted to tell him thank you.

“Go,” the hard voice spoke again with less of an edge, “where it’s safe.”

Jeanine wished she could tell him, that safe was where he was.

*********

After the girl had gone and Batman had ensured the thugs who had not run off were held captive until the arrival of the police, he resumed his journey back to the car, reaching in minutes of the safety of the rooftops. Achieving his own kind of flight with superb acrobatics and high tension grappling hooks and wire, Batman moved through the night air with ease and was well and truly away from the scene of his heroics before he stopped and looked up to the sky.

“What do you want?” He asked tautly, knowing that there was someone to hear him. “I’m working.”

Clark smirked and descended from sky where he and Diana had kept pace with the Batman as he made his departure from the park. “Took you long enough,” he said landing on the rooftop, with Diana at his side, a few meters away from where Bruce awaited impatiently for them. “I thought you’d never spot us.”

“Well I was busy with verminous cur,” the Batman retorted, turning his eye on Diana.

“You knew we were watching?” She said with surprise. “I thought you said he had no powers,” Diana turned to Clark questioningly.

“I can hear well enough,” Batman said shortly, irritated that the question hadn’t been directed at him. “I’m surprise those goons didn’t hear you either. Did you want something in particular Superman or are you here to introduce me to your new girlfriend?” He couldn’t resist taking a jab considering what the tabloids had been screaming of late about Superman and Wonder Woman.

“Very funny,” Clark brushed the comment aside although for the first time, the notion of what Metropolis and the world must be thinking of him and Diana disturbed him. “Diana, I’d like to meet Batman.”

Diana didn’t know how to regard this man in the dark costume. Something about him, elemental almost, made her cautious to approach him. He had no powers and yet he had heard her and Kal while he had been in combat. He had revealed extraordinary combat ability, which always impressed a warrior like herself, but everything about his manner told her to stay away. Why did he choose to wear such a costume, to wage a one-man war against evil?

“I am pleased to meet you Batman,” she greeted extending a hand towards him. “I am Diana of Themiscyra,”

“I read the tabloids, Princess,” Batman said shortly ignoring the greeting. “I take it this isn’t a social call.”

Clark grimaced, deciding the years had done nothing to improve Bruce’s people skills. He could be charming enough when he was wearing the playboy façade but when he was with the people who knew his true self, the man was as abrasive as sandpaper.

Diana withdrew her hand, having great reservations of entrusting someone so disagreeable with a mission of such importance and only Kal’s endorsement forced her to remain. Despite herself however, Diana was rather curious as to the tale behind the man in the mask and kept silent her reaction to his rudeness.

“We need help,” Clark sighed getting down to business, since Bruce wasn’t going to make this at all easy. “Diana is looking for an artefact that’s pretty important to the Amazons and some danger that might affect us as well.”

Reservations aside, Diana spoke up because she didn’t feel Kal was providing this man with an accurate accounting of how important Harmonia’s talisman was to the End of Days. “It is foretold since as long as we can remember that there will be a day when the god of war will rain devastation upon the world to take his place at the ruler of the gods. Of late, the portents of this have grown much stronger and we Amazons knew that if we did not do something, both our world and the Patriarch’s World would be devastated. Key to this final battle is a talisman, fashioned by the war god’s daughter, Harmonia. We must find it if we are to stop what’s to come.”

Batman listened without speaking and when she was done, lifted his steely gaze to Clark. “You believe this?”

“She believes it and one of the terrorists who tried to gun down the Amazon at Hayes Park sure ass hell believed it. It doesn’t matter what we think of their gods, we can’t take the risk of not believing her.”

Batman stared at the woman for at Clark and then Diana, his gaze lingered for a moment, appreciating the beauty of her. Up close it was even more overwhelming and for all the haughtiness of her rather imperious tone, her voice was lyrical, soft and exotic.

Turning away, he said abruptly. “You two can handle it on your own. You don’t need me.”

Dark cloak trailing away them, Clark saw Bruce preparing to leave. “Diana can you give me and Batman a moment please.”

Diana wanted to protest but noted the expression on his face and opted to obey. She walked way to the edge of the building, leaving him alone with his supposed friend.

***********

When she was gone, Clark spoke again. His request to Diana had halted the Batman’s departure for the moment.

“I don’t have all night,” the implacable man started to say.

“I’m sorry,” Clark spoke before he could finish the sentence. Bruce was taken back a little by the apology that come out of left field but said nothing. “When Chloe died, I should have told you about the Construct. I was so messed up about how I failed her that I ran off like a self centered jerk and left everything and everyone behind. I didn’t think of how leaving would affect the people cared about, Lois, my mother and you. I don’t expect you to forgive me but try to understand that I loved her just as much as you did. She was my best friend and knowing that I had failed her because I had been too busy worrying about my high school crush instead of my training, was more than I could stand. I ran away like a coward and I am sorry. You and Lois deserved better than that.”

Clark sucked in a breath, never realising that such words could be so hard to say. “You don’t have to like me or forgive me Bruce, but Diana believes that something big and bad is coming at us and as strange it may sound to either of us, I think she’s on the level.”

Batman didn’t speak for a long time and even if he wasn’t wearing a mask, Clark wouldn’t have been able to figure out what was going on behind his eyes. Bruce was the most compartmentalised person he had ever met and when he went to ground, not even a being with x-ray vision could find him.

Finally, the Batman spoke. “Bring the Princess to the cave tomorrow,” he replied turning away. “Take the long way and tell her to bring everything she has on this talisman. If we’re going to find this thing, I need all the information she has on it and this prophecy she’s talking about.”

Clark let out an inward sigh of relief. He didn’t know if his apology had made or difference or the threat of Armageddon had caused Bruce to change his mind but it was start. “We’ll be there.”

**********

Thanks to Diana’s accidental exposure to the world at Hayes Park, the demand for Diana to make an appearance at some of the social engagements attended by the Amazons was high. Inadvertently, Diana’s heroic turn had made her the darling of the Amazon tour and it seemed like everyone wanted to meet the new ‘Wonder Woman’, a name Diana still had difficulty accepting. While she preferred to concentrate on her mission, Diana was nevertheless a Princess of Themiscyra, with obligations to her people.

When Hippolyta learned that Diana would be journeying to Gotham, she had taken the opportunity to accept an engagement in that city on Diana’s behalf. Hippolyta wanted her daughter to be seen as an Amazon, not some sensational celebrity with an equally sensational moniker.

Thus, Diana found herself, an hour after her encounter with Batman, walking up the red carpet leading into the O’Neill Art Gallery, representing the Amazon nation. Kal had engagements of his own in Metropolis and left her to the ministrations of the aide appointed by the UN to assist the Amazons during their stay. Miss Candy had explained to Diana that wealthy contributors would be more inclined to part with their cash if they could meet her.

Diana did not understand the correlation between the two.

Fortunately, Kal had assured her before his departure that her presence would be in aid a good cause and Diana sensed she could rely upon his guidance in such things. Since her arrival in the Patriarch’s World, she had enjoyed a new kind of friendship with Kal-El of Krypton. He was the first man she had considered a friend and it surprised her how much they had in common, not only physically but also in spirit and manner. Although he was very much a product of the Patriarch’s World, his belief mirrored very much the Amazon ideals of peace and harmony.

As she made her appearance at the gallery, Diana wished Kal where here to talk her through the evening. Even though she was a formidable combatant on the field of battle, the art of socializing in such a new setting was unknown to her. Nor did it help that she felt exceedingly uncomfortable in the dress she asked to wear.

When news of her attendance at this function was known, several garment makers contacted Diana offers to wear their gown. It required Miss Candy’s explanation for Diana to understand that this was an honour of some kind and so for the sake of good relations, she agreed to wear one of the gowns for the evening.

Unable to fly, Diana was driven to the gallery and was immediately beset by a barrage of exploding flashbulbs when she emerged from the limousine. Everyone appeared determined to get a picture of the Amazon Princess in the Oscar de la Renta gown of red sheath splendour. The colour was very similar to her own standard and Miss Candy had suggested she wear her hair up and leave her tiara behind. In fact, the only things that she had worn of her costume were her silver bracelets, forged by the flames of a god.

Immediately escorted inside by the host of the event, a well meaning official who took every opportunity to be photographed with her, Diana spent the next hour tediously shaking hands and meeting people who seemed only interested in her celebrity. She had begun to lose track of all the faces when suddenly, the hand that she had extended to shake yet another well wisher was commandeered and Diana felt herself being tugged gently away from the group.

“Don’t worry Farley,” a cool, somewhat relaxed voice in the midst of all the fawning adulation called out to her host as she was led away, “I’ll have her back after this song was over.”

Only relief at the unexpected but welcomed escape prevented Diana from protesting his forward manner. Despite herself, she was mildly curious as to who her mysterious rescuer was but with his back turn, his identity eluded her momentarily. Only when they reached the centre of the dance floor, where other couples had gathered to dance to the music of four piece jazz band, did Diana get her first look at him.

Like the other guests, he was dressed formally, however, on him, the clothes, which she still, found odd compared to the dress of Themiscyra, seemed to suit. His build was powerful but not exaggerated, with blue eyes and an intense gaze that didn’t seem as sharp when he rested them on her. Diana stared at him for a few seconds, taking in the sight of the ruggedly handsome face and trying to determine how he could look as beautiful as Kal and yet be different as well.

“I do not know how to dance,” Diana confessed sheepishly. Her cheeks bloomed a little in colour.

“I get the feeling you learn quickly,” he offered her a smile and Diana was surprised by how much she liked it. “Just let me lead.” He slid an arm around her waist and entwined her fingers in his.

It was the first time she had been so close to a man and Diana could not help be affected by it. It caused tingles under the skin she couldn’t identify and seemed to make her heart beat just a little faster. She wished her mother were here to explain it. Glancing past his shoulder, Diana observed other couples on the floor and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. The music like everything else in the Patriarch’s World was a new experience but it was also very charming and lyrical. Diana watched where the other women, who were dancing, put their hands and did the same. The gesture made him smirk.

“What amuses you?” She inquired, once again liking that roguish smile.

“Just knowing that I was right,” his eyes twinkled. “You do learn quickly.”

After a few minutes, Diana had reached the point where she was able to move to the tune of the music without embarrassing herself. It felt nice and she noted that all eyes were open them, watching her as well as him, she realised with a mixture of excitement and fascination.

“You did not tell me your name,” she pointed out, as she grew comfortable in arms, much to her surprise. .

“Bruce Wayne,” he replied. “You’re Diana of Themiscyra.”

“Yes,” she nodded shyly. “Is this a customary practice then, among all men and women in the Patriarch’s World? “

“The dancing?” Bruce asked. “Yes, as far as back as one can remember. It is a socially accepted way of the sexes to share an innocent personal moment.”

“Is that what we’re having?” She raised a brow, “an innocent personal moment?”

“Nothing’s ever really innocent,” he smiled. “However, you did look like you needed rescuing.”

She could not deny him that. “Are you in the habit of rescuing women all the time Mr. Wayne?”

Bruce held a straight face. “Occasionally,” he replied, “but I also wanted to meet the most beautiful woman in the room.”

Diana laughed softly, “Does that charm work on everyone?”

With a wink, Bruce drew her in just a little closer, “you tell me.”

***********

Since his return to Metropolis and Lois Lane’s life, one of the more annoying aspects of a dual identity was the need to maintain the lie that he and Lois were just colleagues, not intimates. Before he had left for his training, Clark and Lois had begun living together at the farm and now that he was back, it was not a simple matter of returning to that familiar arrangement. While he spent most nights at Lois’ anyway, Clark did have an apartment of his own in the city, a couple of blocks away from Lois.

Fortunately, being able to fly faster than the speed of sound enabled him to come and go from Lois’ apartment as he pleased. Flying through her balcony, Clark noted by the clock that it was late. On his way back from Gotham, he hoped Diana was faring well at that charity benefit she was forced to attend, Superman had been needed to put out a chemical fire in Illinois, foil a robbery on the way back through Ohio and then deal with a few brush fires in his home town of Metropolis.

“Lois,” Clark called out when he stepped onto the balcony. The first thing he noticed was that the balcony door was shut although not locked. Still, Lois usually left it open for him. Wondering if something was wrong, he stepped in cautiously and noted the sofa. A pillow and a blanket was sitting on it.

Clark entertained two possibilities; one Lois had a houseguest and two, he was in trouble. Suddenly Bruce’s comment about showing off his girlfriend returned to haunt him.

Scanning the house, he saw Lois was already in bed and approached the bedroom door cautiously. “Lois?” He asked gingerly.

The next thing he knew, the door swung open and Lois was there.

“Lois, is something….” He didn’t get a chance to finish as she tossed his pajamas pants at him and slammed the door.

Clark stood there for a moment and sighed, “yup, definitely in trouble.”

Chapter Six:

The Grand Gesture

The man of steel was not having a good morning.

First, Lois had made sure she left the apartment before he woke up. A pretty impressive feat considering he was the one with the super hearing.

Since coming back to Metropolis, one of the highlights of his life was waking next to Lois every morning. Even though he had an apartment of his own, Clark spent most of the time at Lois’. Before he had left Smallville, they had been living together and it had been easy to fall back into old patterns. Besides, his activities as Superman took up so much of his time that he was determined to spend as much time as he could manage with Lois. Plus, the benefit of being able to fly at super speed was the fact that no one saw him leaving or entering her apartment, maintaining the illusion that Lois Lane and Clark Kent were just professional colleagues.

Clark left her apartment, returning to his for a fresh change of clothes before setting out to the Daily Planet via a more conventional method of transport. Riding the train to work, Clark winced as he saw other commuters flipping through pages of the Inquisitor with pictures of Superman and Wonder Woman emblazoned all over he place. What bothered him most was the fact that there were a lot of these pictures. It seemed like almost every moment that he and Diana had spent time together had been caught on film somewhere.

With an inward groan, Clark banged his head lightly against the railing he was holding onto inside the train, realising what effect this intense media coverage was doing to Lois’ confidence about their relationship. Diana was very beautiful, of that there was no doubt. She was probably the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and there was sweetness to her, a naiveté that reminded him a lot of his own farm boy origins that made him naturally protective. Nor did it escape him that physically, they were very compatible.

However, she wasn’t Lois.

Five years at the Fortress, training and only one thought sustained him during that isolation; coming home to Lois. Once upon a time, he thought that Lana Lang was the only woman for him and how wrong he had been. It was Lois and it would always be Lois. Diana as enchanting as she might be could never hold the place in his heart as Lois did. He wished she would understand that. Of course he hadn’t done much to assure had he?

Bruce had tried to tell him of course, in that round about complete oblique way that only Bruce could. Of course, when it came to relationships, Bruce was never easy to read or fathom for that matter. No, that was unfair, Clark thought to himself. Chloe had never been as happy as she had been when she was with Bruce. Whatever it was that they had seen in each other, it was enough to burn a flame of passion and love that was as bright as any that Clark might have shared with Lois.

With a surge of grief, Clark mourned the sweet, young woman who was his best friend and confidante. She had been unfailing brave when confronting things that were so beyond her it was almost incomprehensible. Yet Chloe always rose to the occasion, always with more heart than any of them and with a start, Clark realise that maybe that’s why Diana touched him so.

She reminded him of Chloe.

When the doors to the train opened, depositing him a block or two away from the Daily Planet, Clark knew what to do and supposed that while this might be a bit grandiose, sometimes a grand gesture could do wonders instead of grovelling, although he wasn’t ruling that out.

Yet.

***********

Lois was transcribing her notes from her interview of Hippolyta the day before, trying to focus on work instead of how annoyed she was at herself at her reaction to Clark and Diana. She had been foolish, she knew that. What was she thinking? Hadn’t Clark proved time and time again that he loved her? Unfortunately, as it was the case with Lois whenever her emotions get the better of her, she leapt first and thought later. Seated at her desk with an expression on her face that told everyone to ‘go away’, Lois noted that even Jimmy had opted to maintain minimum safe distance.

She was still seething from Clark’s expeditions with Diana when she came to work that morning but that mood went from angry to exasperation with just a touch of mortification when Lois saw the headline on the front page of the newspaper this morning.

BRUCE WAYNE COURTING AN AMAZON PRINCESS?

And of course, there were pictures. There were always pictures, she thought ruefully as she read the article that placed Bruce in Diana’s company most of the evening. The captured images revealed Diana and Bruce slow dancing at some benefit in Gotham City. Bruce wore that usual mask of playboy charm that hid the very intense guy he really was while Diana seemed, well she seemed rather intrigued. Lois stared at the picture realising that she had locked Clark out of her bedroom when he had clearly left Diana to her own devices to come home to her.

Oh Lane, sometimes you could be such a girl.

Suddenly, there was a flurry of excitement emanating from the other side of the bullpen. Lois set aside what she was working on and left her desk to go investigate. People were hovering at one of the windows, having gone so far as to open it to see what was outside... Strong winds were rushing through the opening as they were on the almost on the top floor of the building. For a moment, Lois thought that someone had done something stupid, like throw themselves out or something. Papers were rustling on desks. Hairdos were becoming dishevelled and windswept.

“What’s going on?” She asked nobody in particular.

Jimmy appeared through the crowd covering the open window. “You’ve got a visitor.” He smirked, his expression so full of mischief that Lois wanted to smack him just on principle.

“What?” Lois stared blankly and noted that everyone seemed to step away when she spoke, gawking at her.

When they no longer blocked the open window, Lois realised why.

Clark…no Superman was out there.

He was hovering just outside the window, inches from the window sill. Jaw dropping, Lois stared in astonishment as she went to the window and looked through to figure out what the hell he was doing.

“What...are you doing?” She asked staring in astonishment at him, painfully aware of the eyes fixed on them. She could feel the gazes of her colleagues on her back, making her cheeks bloom with heat in self consciousness. .

Clark flashed her one of those PR perfect smiles, with his red cape swirling around him. There was a twinkle of school boy mischief in his eyes and Lois wondered what he was playing at.

“Well Miss Lane,” he spoke in that Captain America voice he used whenever he was playing the part of the great hero, “I’ve been somewhat busy of late but I wanted to drop by and give you something to remember me by.”

Lois’ eyes widened at his answer and threw a look over her shoulder. She was certain she could see some of her female colleagues swooning. Jesus.

“Wh…what?” She stammered, not used to being off balance like this.

“This,” he handed her a latte and a single red rose.

Oh he didn’t, Lois thought as her cheeks reddened even further if such a thing was possible. Caught between embarrassment and the fierce desire to kiss him silly, Lois forced herself to maintain her composure instead of appearing as utterly flattered and flummoxed as she felt. With a sedate voice, she met his gaze with an expression that said clearly, ‘you are so going to pay for this’ but actually responded with, “you shouldn’t have.”

“I just wanted to know that I’m thinking of you Miss Lane,” he winked as she took the tokens, holding the soft petals of the rose to her lips as she took in the scent of it in her lungs.

“It’s nice to know,” Lois started to regain her own balance. “I was wondering what I had to do to get your attention.”

“You’ll never have to do anything to have my attention, Miss Lane.” Clark smiled at her. “I’ll always be around for you.”

And with that, he turned around in mid air and with cape billowing behind him like a red cascade.

Lois watched in vanish from the sky, feeling like she was flying too when she turned around to see the newsroom floor staring at her.

“What?” Lois shrugged nonchalantly, the rose held against her jaw line as she looked back at them innocently. “Never seen a girl get flowers before?”

*************

“Get in here!” Clark heard Lois snap when he stepped off the elevator unto the newsroom floor a few minutes later.

She was waiting for him in the store room across the hallway from the elevator when Clark joined her, convinced that his little gesture had put things right between them. Of course, one could never be really certain where Lois was concerned. She had a habit of almost always catching him off guard and Clark resigned himself to the fact that this was no different. Bracing himself to be yelled at again once he stepped into the confines of the storage room, surrounded by old typewriters, boxes of forgotten ribbons and other dusty material, Clark found Lois staring at him.

“You are still in trouble.” She pointed out defiantly, lips curled into that engaging pout.

“I kno….”

He didn’t have a chance to finish because the next thing he knew Lois was shoving him against the wall and kissing him so passionately, he forgot everything else.

Sometimes being caught off guard felt pretty good.

***************

He could tell the instant they arrived.

On the roof of the cavern, the occupants that shared this place with him, stirred at the disturbance. Fluttering and screeching wildly in the darkness, their blindness adding to their panic, they sensed the approach with rising anxiety. Like them, Bruce too heard his guests long before sighting them. The warning given by the bats gave him time to slip the cowl over his face, having no desire for his identity to be revealed at this time.

The cave had under gone something of a transformation since Clark had last visited five years ago. Bruce had only started the construction work to turn the place into the Batman’s centre of operations. The craggy outcrops of jagged rock, some of the larger stalagmites and stalactites had been jack hammered away; giving him more space to house, the tools he needed to continue his work as Batman.

Within the cave, Bruce had everything he needed to maintain his vigil on the city of his birth. From a fully equipped workshop, where he constantly modified and improve the design of the suit he wore, to perfecting the non-lethal weapons in his arsenal. Within the dark chambers of this cavern was also one of the most sophisticated computer network systems in the northern hemisphere capable of making the techs at NORAD, NASA, Cal Tech and MIT sit up and take notice. With a Blue Gene/P prototype calculation machine hooked up to the latest generation connection machines and a Cray for good measure, there was virtually no firewall on the planet he could not penetrate.

Inside this place, Bruce Wayne could forget that the world expected him to be a vacuous specimen of the indolent rich and aristocratic elite. Here he could be himself. Someone who spent his entire life trying to honour the people he had loved and lost but ensuring that no one else suffer the same sorrow. Putting down his coffee cup onto the collection of papers he had on his computer console, to keep them from flying away, Bruce swung around as that familiar gust of wind unsettled anything that was light to be swept away.

“It’s about time you got here,” Bruce said to Clark as he saw Superman appear with Wonder Woman at his side. Behind the white eye-slits of his mask, Bruce took a moment to take in the sight of Diana. Whether in an evening gown or in that bathing suit of a costume she wore, she was equally stunning and Bruce had to remind himself that she and Clark were here on business.

“Nice to see you too,” Clark retorted, somewhat amused by this cold, abrasive act that Bruce was putting on for Diana’s benefit. If it wasn’t for the photograph he had viewed in the paper earlier today (the picture that incidentally helped to get him off the hook with Lois), Clark might have bought the act. Of course, trying to figure out Bruce and his motivations was almost as hard as trying to figure out which left curve Lois would throw at him next.

Diana looked around the place, feeling a chill that had nothing to do with the lack of sunlight. She could hear the bats in the roof and wondered why anyone would claim such a terrible place for their own. It reminded her of Doom’s Door on Themiscyra and supposed its isolation was exactly what someone who liked people so little would find comfortable.

“Princess,” Bruce greeted, noting her eyes moving around the cave with clear apprehension. “They’re perfectly safe.” He commented. “Unless you disturb them.”

“That will not be an issue,” she answered haughtily, finding him infuriating, even when he was trying to be polite. He did not do it well.

“You’ve done a lot of work here,” Clark commented, trying to break the tension somewhat. “Last time I was here, you hadn’t remodelled the place.” He joked.

“Well I’ve had plenty of time the last five years to fix things up,” Bruce retorted, trying to keep his voice neutral.

Clark stiffened, guessing that was another jab at him for his disappearing act. “Diana,” he looked at the girl who was hugging her arms close to her body as if she were cold. “Are you alright?”

“Yes,” she nodded, aware that her discomfiture was more spirit rather than flesh. This man made her uneasy, she did not know why. “I have brought a lithograph of the only image we possess of Harmonia’s talisman.” She said deciding to move to this discussion instead of delaying here with weaknesses that had no place in the resolve of an Amazon princess.

“It looks familiar to me,” Clark explained. “I can’t explain but I’m sure I’ve seen it before.” Indeed, since Diana showed him the lithograph, Clark had been trying to place why it was familiar. Although he was, certain he had never seen Harmonia’s talisman as Diana called it before; there was something in the picture that seemed familiar.

“If you have,” Diana replied, “it would make our search much easier, although I fear that if my presence has now been noted by the War God’s minions, they too will seek out the talisman.”

Bruce didn’t answer, allowing Diana and Clark to continue speculating. For his part, he turned his formidable intellect on the problem as he studied the picture, drawn in the style of Cretan and Mycenaean art of Ancient Greece so famously depicted on the ceramics of the time. He stared at it for a long moment, long enough for Clark and Diana to exchange glances at each other at the prolonged silence.

”Uh Batman,” Clark spoke up, wishing he could call Bruce by name. “Are you keeping us in suspense or you’re going to share what you’ve obviously figured out?”

Five years hadn’t changed Bruce’s flair for the dramatics, Clark thought. Before he died, he would love to see someone beat Bruce at his own game. Unfortunately, Clark knew that it wasn’t going to be him.

Bruce crooked a brow at the Kryptonian. “Your patience is just about the same I see,” he returned although there was a decided thaw in his voice that Clark would undoubtedly recognise.

“Have you found something?” She asked hopefully, wanting to believe that this man was one of Athena’s favoured.

Bruce tried to remain unaffected by her but that doe eyed look of hers could disintegrate a lesser man’s resolve. “I don’t know if it relates to your talisman as such but the marking of this object, bears a remarkable resemblance to an artefact that was recently stolen from the National Archaeological Museum of Athens about a week ago. It is one of two pieces that make up a set, called the Sacred Folly of Phayllus. According to legend, Phayllus raided the consecrated treasures of the Phocians to funds his war and gave this particular piece to his mistress. She was killed in a fire and the necklace was split into two. When it was recovered in the 1800s, one of the pieces stayed in Greece but the other has only recently surfaced at the British Museum.”

“A necklace!” Diana exclaimed and thought of the stories she had been told of Harmonia. “There is a story told that when Harmonia married Cadmus, she was given a gift of a necklace by Lord Hephaestus.”

“The talisman could have been a pendant,” Clark suggested. “We need to take a look at this thing.”

Bruce turned back to the keyboard of his computer and immediately began typing. The large monitor screen, the size of a big screen television set one might find at a sports bar or something began to flash a series of images before settling on the one that they were seeking out. The necklace stolen know as the Sacred Folly was an ornate strand of gold, in the shape of two serpents whose open mouths formed a clasp on one end and held two pieces of a pendant that locked together.

“Great Hera,” Diana exclaimed. “That is her talisman. It does not look exactly like the lithograph but the resemblance…”

“Well assuming that this is a piece of your talisman,” Bruce turned back to them both and began theorizing. “Your presence as the champion who stops this great disaster, has forced your enemies to make a pre-emptive strike by taking one part of it.”

“Yes,” Diana agreed, finding her admiration for this grim man increasing. “They are just as aware of the prophecy as the Amazons. They would know the significance of it.”

“So they took one part,” Clark continued. “Thinking that it might prevent her from being able to stop what’s coming. So if this one of two, then we need to get to the second one before they take that one as well.”

“I think we can do better than that,” Bruce said looking thoughtful. “We can…”

“We can lay in wait and follow them to the first piece when they come for it,” Diana declared before Bruce had a chance to finish, taking him by off guard with her deduction.

“Uh yes,” Bruce remarked, clearing his throat. Impressed and somewhat titillated that the enchanting Princess of Themiscyra might have wit to match her other attributes. “That’s about the size of it.”

Clark said nothing, enjoying immensely the rare occasion when someone had out maneuvered Bruce Wayne for a change. Without an ounce of shame whatsoever, Clark found he was unable to resist commenting. “Now I can die happy.”

Chapter Seven:

Decay

“It almost feels like my mother’s palace.”

Bruce Wayne looked up from beneath the Batman’s cowl and supposed such a statement could come from no other place than a princess from a far away land to not sound odd. Fixated on reviewing the plans of he had uploaded into his PDA, Bruce was more concerned with how thieves would attempt to steal Harmonia’s talisman from the near sacred halls of the British Museum. Like the Louvre, the British Museum’s security was damn near impenetrable. If someone was planning on breaking into the place to steal it, Bruce wanted to know how so he and Diana could intercept the thieves and take the talisman themselves.

“It was built to mimic Greek architecture or more specifically Ionic styles.” He remarked offhandedly before returning his attention to the PDA again, searching for the way in. He had mapped out several possibilities already but unaware of what kind of resources the thieves had, Bruce couldn’t be certain about which would be the most likely avenue in. In the museum in Athens, the theft had been undertaken using conventional burglary methods. Difficult of course but within limits he could appreciate.

However, once you added meta-humans like Clark and Diana – the limits tended to shift quite a bit.

Diana marvelled at the structure, thinking that the craftsmanship rivalled that of the buildings in Themsicyra. She found it odd that the statues of the gods were displayed so prominently and yet they were neither worshipped nor remembered by most. Even at night, the marvels of the patriarch’s world had allowed the building to be illuminated with soft light that seemed to add to the grandeur of the structure. Diana made a mental note to tell her mother about this and perhaps even to the masons at home at how to enhance their craftsmanship with clever lighting.

“It is very beautiful,” she continued to speak. “It is a pity we are unable to go inside. I should like to see the treasures within.”

Underground? Bruce thought to himself, half listening to her. Possible, he decided. Coming through the sewers and then out again was the best way of making an effective escape, particularly if one was armed with a good set of blue prints of the London’s underground tunnels. There were passages beneath this city that were almost a thousand years old. Someone with the intelligence and the time could slip out into one these tunnels during a pursuit and never be found.

“Get Superman to bring you back for a tour after we save the world.” He grunted in reply.

Diana threw him a look from the edge of the roof top they had been standing on for the last hour and frowned. “Must you be so abrupt?”

Bruce blinked and raised his head to look at her. “Don’t worry, Superman will be along soon. He’s better at the small talk than I am.”

”You are charming, ” Diana retorted with sarcasm. It was not in her nature to be acerbic but this man brought the worst out in her. She recollected how pleasant Bruce Wayne had been, to say nothing about Kal’s warmth since they had met and thus found this Batman’s cold manner grating.

With a hidden smile, Bruce retaliated. “Considering you’re from a race of females, I’m surprised you’re able to tell when a man is being charming at all.”

“I have met enough of them to know the difference,” she replied mildly offended. “It doesn’t take enormous hours in the company of your gender to recognise rudeness.” Diana pointed out.

“You think I’m being rude?” He asked with amusement, eying her through the white lenses of the cowl.

It took all of Bruce’s concentration to not be distracted by Diana of Themiscyra. She was so incredibly beautiful that it was easy for a man to become tongue tied and stupid around her. Considering he needed his wits in this situation, Bruce found the best way to keep his balance was to ignore that aspect of her, a thing not easy to do when she kept insisted on having a conversation.

“You should appreciate rude. It’s the charming ones you need to be wary of.”

“Do you have so little faith in your own people?” Diana accused, disliking his inference that she was easily deceived. “I am accustomed to such words from Philipus and my mother but I did not think that you would be so suspicious of your own kind. I refuse to think that all men speak with a serpent’s tongue.”

“You’d be surprised what they speak with when they want to get laid,” he replied, positive she wouldn’t get the reference.

Diana wasn’t entirely certain what he meant but it didn’t seem very nice. “You are making fun of me.”

“On the contrary Princess,” he slipped the PDA onto his belt and approached her. “I am being honest. People lie, men and women. I prefer to speak plainly at all times. Unfortunately, I don’t have the patience to make it sound charming.”

Tilting her chin up slightly to meet his eyes, eyes she could not see through that costume he wore, Diana found the need to take a step back. He was taller than she was and made Diana, for reasons she could not explain, nervous. It was ludicrous of course. She could kill him without even trying and yet he managed to be imposing even though she was the one with the power to fly and bend steel.

“I do not require charm, merely politeness.” She countered. “Your words drip with derision. What offends you so much about me?”

“Nothing about you offends me Princess,” Bruce returned and knew that now he was lying, to himself most of all. There was an answer to that question but admitting it made Bruce Wayne extremely uncomfortable. Therefore, he did what he did best when confronted with an emotional moment that was more than he could handle. He withdrew.

It was bad enough that he could smell her scent riding on breeze of the cold night air, taunting his senses and the sparkle in those eyes had power enough to make his heart beat just a little faster. While he was Batman, he didn’t want to be affected by anything, least of all by an Amazonian Princess with absolutely no clue how filthy and ugly this world could be.

Get a f**king grip, Bruce told himself sharply and turned around. “However if you want charming or polite, I suggest you wait for Superman or…” he smirked, “Mr. Wayne.”

“What would you know about Bruce Wayne?” Diana snapped, feeling her cheeks bloom with annoyance.

Bruce held a straight face, “obviously not as much as you.”

“He was perfectly charming,” she used the word like a weapon, “and expected nothing from me.”

“Well there’s always the second date,” Bruce deadpanned, feeling a little more on firmer ground now and enjoying her take on ‘Bruce Wayne’ immensely.

Diana almost let out a groan of exasperation but chose instead to turn away when the sudden sensation of breeze overhead and the gentle sound of flapping material made her look up to see Kal descending.

“Kal,” Diana burst into a radiant smile, partly borne out of pleasure to see him and relief for a third party. “I am very glad to see you.”

”Hello Diana,” Clark greeted, landing in the space between them both.

Clark’s super-hearing had picked up the conversation well before he arrived at the roof top a short distance away from the National British Museum and he listened barely able contain his laughter. Privy to their conversation, Clark suddenly had an idea of what it felt like to be Jimmy Olsen caught in the crossfire of the Lane and Kent team.

“It’s about time you got here,” Bruce replied, foregoing the niceties as always.

“Nice to see you too,” Clark gave his friend a look.

“Can you not be pleasant even to your friends?” Diana shook her head in disapproval before turning back to Clark. “There have been no signs of disquiet, Kal.” She explained.

“As far as we know,” Bruce interceded, not so eager to jump to that conclusion yet. “There are numerous ways into the museum through the London tunnel system. Unfortunately, without actually breaking in ourselves, it’s impossible to tell.”

“Okay,” Clark nodded, walking to the edge taking in the two reports. “Let me take a look.”

Scanning the grounds of the Museum with his x-ray vision, Clark was able to see inspect the famous archaeological treasure house with a good degree of certainty that for the moment, it was safe. With the exception of some lead lined doors, he was able to see everything, from the levels of ancient artefacts to the rooms barred to the public. Workrooms, security stations and staff rooms were thriving with activity at this time of night, even though the rest of the museum closed for the day. Eventually, his gaze fell on the talisman itself, kept in the section of the museum called the Parthenon Gallery. It too was undisturbed for the moment.

“Everything seems peaceful,” Clark remarked and couldn’t resist adding, “which is more than I can say for out here.” He tossed Bruce a look.

“If nothing avails our presence this moment, you will excuse me, I require some air. I shall return soon.” Diana replied pushing herself off the ground and sailing upward, disappearing into the darkness a few seconds later.

When she was gone, Clark turned to Bruce. “You are such a bastard.”

*********

Diana felt flustered and she didn’t know why.

Flying through the air above the city of London, the wind through her hair and the peace away from the busy city below gave her some measure of peace. The Patriarch’s world was such a different place from Themiscyra and yet she was to be their champion as well as that of the Amazons. Batman’s words, as barbed as they were, had driven home how little about it she understood, how much of a mystery men were still to her.

For years, she had heard the tales of men, the cruelties that had led to her sisters’ eventual banishment to the island guarding the Doom’s gate. She knew that there were injuries not easily healed in the minds of the Amazons and necessity and only fear of Ares’ plot had instigated them to re-enter the Patriarch’s World. Ares would undoubtedly employ minions who were men and they would speak with a serpent’s lying tongue as Heracles had once done to her mother.

The Batman was an arrogant, obnoxious prig but he was right, charm was a tool employed by men to pierce a woman’s heart and hers, it seemed was vulnerable as any woman born under the sun. She would burn in Tartarus before she ever admitted this to him of course. Diana did not think she could endure that smug, satisfied voice crowing over her in triumph. Although it was unbecoming of Hippolyta’s daughter to be so prideful, Diana refuse to apologize for it.

And what of Bruce Wayne? What if the Batman spoke truthfully? That Bruce’s charm and pleasing manner was merely a façade for more unbecoming behaviour.

Questions for another time, Diana thought to herself and turned back to join Kal and Batman. Insufferable man, she thought to herself when suddenly, a siren screamed loudly in her ears from below and immediately, she dove down to seek out its origin. She had gone above the cloud for some quiet but upon breaking the barrier of cumulus, Diana saw that the noise was coming from the museum.

Their hunt it seemed was a foot.

*************

“You realize Bruce,” Clark was saying, “that if Diana ever finds out that you are Bruce Wayne, she’s going to kick your ass to the other side of the planet.”

“Eavesdropping again?” Bruce accused, bristling at the smug look on Clark’s face. Times like this, he wished for a piece of a blue kryptonite so that he could kick the farm boy’s ass instead.

“Oh come on,” Clark laughed, “the only thing you didn’t do is stick her pig tails in…”

The conversation was cut short by the sudden sound of an alarm screaming from across the courtyard between them and the museum.

“It’s happening!” Bruce declared, “Let’s go.”

Clark didn’t waste any time, grabbing Bruce and taking off over the edge towards the courtyard. Even though he could make the trip in a seconds, having a passenger required him to slow down somewhat. Clark could reach terminal velocity and rip the skin off Bruce’s bones even with the layers of Kevlar without a seconds’ thought. They flew across the grand courtyard, one of the largest in the world, to reach the main frontage of the building.

”Use your x-ray vision,” Bruce ordered, “we need a visual of what’s happening.”

“Uh Bruce,” Clark replied, “I have done this before.”

“Then stop wasting time talking,” the Batman retorted swiftly.

Clark debated dropping him.

The urgency of the situation was soon escalating with new sounds heard over the screeching of the museum’s alarm system. Following gunfire and breakage was the piercing sound of screaming. With no doubt as to the reason for the sudden pandemonium, Clark sought out the talisman but what he saw when he laid his eyes upon it, astonished him.

“Jesus Christ.”

“What?” Bruce demanded, hating it that he couldn’t see what had turned Clark pale with shock. “What is it?”

Clark looked at him, “I don’t know.”

*************

Smashing through a wall, Clark discarded ceremony for speed, giving only enough quarter to ensure that Bruce was unharmed in his care. As soon as he penetrated the chamber where Harmonia’s talisman arrived, he relinquished his hold of his friend and went promptly to deal with the reason for all those horrified screams and his utter horror. Debris crumbled around him as he landed on the marble floor covered with dust and debris.

As Clark advanced, Bruce swept his high-powered gaze over the surroundings. The second piece of the exhibit called the Sacred Folly of Phallyus remained so far untouched in its glass casing. Guarded by numerous security sensors inside the glass display case and in the ceiling above, the cabinet was surrounded by velvet ropes and security guards.

Except the security guards were all dead and Bruce could understand why Clark had been so taken off balance. The men lying on the floor clad in uniforms were hardly men now. They were withered skeletal husks. It was as if in a matter of seconds, the life had been drained from them and their bodies forced through the process of decomposition until they resembled the mummified corpses housed in other parts of the museum.

”What happened to them?” Bruce asked, not expecting an answer from Clark. “What did this?”

“That.” Clark looked up at the ceiling to see someone or something, descending onto the marble floor in front of them. With blistering red eyes, it stared at them, a face that was little more than rotting skin sheathed over the skeletal frame of a woman. Her hair flowed down her shoulders like the decaying roots of a dying tree. When she smiled at them, she revealed brown teeth. Wearing an indigo toga, she regarded the two men with amusement.

“The life in you,” she looked at Clark. “Is like a feast.”

“Superman, get out of here right now!” Bruce warned, realising what this thing had done to those men and how much power she might be able to take from Clark if she did to him, what she had done to the guards.

“Forget it!” Clark retorted, blasting her with a wave of heat ray vision.

She uttered a screech of indignation as the heat consumed her clothes but it did not stop her. Instead, the creature retreated to the far wall and placed her hand against its smooth marble surface. The effect was almost immediate, like cancer consuming healthy tissue. Clark watched as the wall turned grey, the paint peeling off its surface before fissuring, with might cracks running up and down until it reached the ceiling and kept going.

“Superman! That’s a load bearing wall!” Bruce warned as he saw the results of the weakened structure on the ceiling above their heads. “We’ve got to get everyone out of here. If that ceiling goes, it’s going to take the lower floors with it!”

Larger cracks had started to form, chunks of rock was raining down on them. Bruce went for cover, taking refuge behind a column as he fired something in her direction, anything to distract her. The gas pellet exuded smoke around her but instead of being affected by it, the creature merely inhaled it as if it were a breath of fresh air.

“Foolish mortal,” she cackled, “I am Decay. You cannot ruin my flesh for it is already ruined; I am she who brings forth destruction. Stand aside or become my bread for another day.”

As she uttered those words, a might crack was heard and some part of ceiling finally gave way. Clark immediately flew up to support the rest of the structure, leaving himself wide open as the creature named Decay intended.

“SUPERMAN NO!” Bruce shouted as she opened her mouth and what seemed like a swarm of bloated black flies flew out of her mouth and enveloped Clark in a matter of seconds. Bruce watched as Clark uttered a gargled cry as he was consumed by the things. Bruce felt his own fury bubble at his friend's ordeal. He flung a batarang at the creature, the sharp weapon spinning in mid air to strike her in the arm. She turned her menacing glare at him, before drifting towards Bruce at a leisurely pace.

“Puny mortal,” she hissed. “You are not even a crumb but I will eat nonetheless.”

Bruce moved quickly, looking over the beast’s shoulder and doing what he did best in situations like this; come up with a plan. Hurrying to the display cabinet where the talisman was kept, he reached into his utility belt and produced a vial kept safe in a metal case. The creature saw him as insignificant and thus made no effort to hasten her pace. Snapping open the vial, he tipped some of its contents against the glass and immediately caused it hiss as the acid ate it away.

“You’re not the only one who knows how to destroy things.” He stepped aside and showed what he was prepared to do. Another drop of acid landed next to the talisman, eating into the satin cushion.

Decay paused in her steps, “you would not dare. You need it as much as we.”

“Lady, I don’t even know what the hell it is.” Bruce warned and tilted his wrist just enough for more drops to fall causing the highly corrosive acid that he used to get past some especially stubborn locks, eat more of the case. “But I’m sure your master wouldn’t want it destroyed and if it is, I’m equally sure he’ll be just as forgiving.”

“You will never have the chance to destroy it,” she hissed. Decay opened her mouth when suddenly she was yanked violently backwards. Forced back so hard, the creature uttered another furious scream as the golden lariat circled her body.

“Nor will you have a chance to harm him, Gorgon!” Diana of Themiscyra declared as she flew through an opening in the ceiling, taking Decay with her.

Bruce had seen Diana’s approach and his gamble to distract Decay had paid off, giving the Amazon Princess the opportunity to attack or more importantly remove Decay from the museum. The building was perilously close to complete structural failure and Bruce hoped to hell that security had removed everyone.

Bruce tossed aside the pieces of vial and shattered the weakened glass housing with one well-aimed punch. Fragments of glass crumbled around his gauntlet as he reached into it and grabbed the talisman, slipping it into the folds of his cloak before turning his attention to Clark. God only knew what Decay’s attack had done to Clark, was he as susceptible as the other poor bastards lying around them?

No sooner than the question had entered his mind, a sudden flash of heat filled the room and the bloated dark flies that had swarmed around Clark were incinerated in mid air. If they had voices to scream, Bruce was convinced the high-pitched wail he heard was it. They fell around Clark like ash, leaving the Kryptonian whole but clearly injured. His flesh was blistering red as if the things had managed to break skin and Clark’s movements were sluggish.

“Superman,” Bruce ran across the floor, sidestepping falling debris and other pieces of mortar raining down upon them. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” Clark nodded, feeling the weakness in his body but aware that if he didn’t do something soon, they were going to have a catastrophe on their hands. Even though it hurt to move, Clark looked up at the ceiling and immediately aimed his heat vision against the largest cracks in the ceiling. If he could fuse them together, the ceiling might hold long enough for the emergency services crew to get in and apply a more permanent solution. Rays of crimson energy escaped Clark’s eyes to be applied against the mortar. Bruce could smell the stench of hot brick as he went to a window, trying to see if he could spot Diana.

**************

“Release me or pay the price! You Amazon bitch!” Decay screamed in fury as Diana dragged her out of the museum through the opening she had created with her destructive attack. However, instead of taking to the skies, the Amazon princess searched in place for a place to land. This battle would not be decided in the air.

“I will release only into the custody of Tartarus, Gorgon!” Diana snarled back, landing in the middle of park a short distance away from the museum proper. Snapping the lariat hard, she ensured that Decay’s landing against the ground was hard.

The beast crashed through trees, with any contact made to the greenery resulting immediately in turning the leaves black with and killing the mighty oaks where they stood. Diana felt a surge of grief for the demise of such magnificent growths but there was no choice in the matter. Gorgons had allegiance only to their hatred. While Decay served Ares, she would enjoy inflicting as much death and misery in the undertaking of her duty to him. Diana would not allow that to happen.

She wailed like a banshee as she turned the vegetation in the park Diana would later learn was Bedford Park into a wasteland of dead foliage. The ugly bloated flies that were the carrions of her will, laid waste to everything in sight. Fortunately, the spectacle had given any bystanders warning enough to flee for their lives and as Decay continued to struggle against the bindings forged by a God, Diana dropped to one knee. Maintaining her grip on the lariat, Diana pressed the end of the golden thread to the soft, damp loam of the ground beneath her.

“You cannot bind me forever Amazon!” Decay screamed at her again, struggling against the rope that simply would not break. “I am Decay and there is nothing that you can do harm me.” Her eyes blazed with red menace and she sniggered. “I can turn your flesh into the dung you came from.”

She opened her mouth to unleash more hellish spawn when suddenly energy travelled up the lariat, emanating from the ground like the light from morning. It moved along the golden rope, along the loops of glitter that surrounded the monster trapped by its bindings.

“What have you done?” The Gorgon cried out.

Diana held firm and answered her, “you may embody decay but against the power of Gaea, decay is transitory. While all things may decay, it is also Gaea’s will that they will also know renewal. You are as bound by this cycle as the rest of us. Hephaestus forged the lasso in the fires of Hestia. It was once apart of Gaea’s golden girdle and it is her will that binds you, not mine.”

“NO!” Decay screeched realising what was happening to her. Already her own form was breaking down, entering the cycle of decay and renewal that bound all living things. Her flesh began to crumble and as she opened her mouth to gasp out one final bit of venom her Amazon conqueror, her body disintegrated completely. Decay crumbled to the ground in a pile of dust and her last gasp had release not vile black flies, but a glittering shimmer of fireflies that soared into the night without malice.

Wasting no time, she launched herself into the air again, returning to the museum to find Kal and the Batman.

”Kal!” She hurried to them both. The Batman was helping Kal to his feet, which alarmed Diana to no end for she had seen first hand his strength. “Are you alright? Did she harm you?”

“I’m okay,” Clark assured her although he wasn’t. He really did feel like hell. Sick was something he was unaccustomed to experiencing and the sensation was no less pleasant even if the episodes were rare. “We have to get out of here,” he looked up at them both, able to hear the distant approach of police sirens. “I can hear the authorities on their way. I rather not cause an international incident by being here when they arrive, considering we thrashed the frigging British Museum.”

“At least you have your sense of humour,” Bruce remarked with a little smile, grateful that Clark was well enough to joke about his situation. “Diana, can you get Superman out of here? He needs to be in direct sunlight to recover.” Hopefully that would be enough to restore the Kryptonian to full health. Clark could be extremely resilient under the rays of a yellow sun but Decay’s attack was something entirely new. Bruce wasn’t sure what to expect.

“I can make it on my own,” Clark protested but Diana already had his arm.

“Don’t make me call you know who. ” Bruce warned.

“You wouldn’t,” Clark stared at Bruce in annoyance. ‘You know who’ being Lois.

“Try me,” the Batman retorted and Clark cursed under his breath knowing that Bruce would call Lois.

Not pretending to understand what these two men were talking about, Diana was more concerned with getting Kal the help he needed. However, she wasn’t happy about leaving another comrade behind either. “What of you?” She asked the Batman.

“I’ll be fine,” Bruce dismissed her concerns brusquely, “get moving before we end up on the front pages of the British tabloids.”

Diana shook her head and wondered why she even bothered.

Chapter Eight:

Ritual

He had only been to this place once before.

It had rained that day. The heavens had unleashed a drizzle of rain upon them, covering the landscape with a rising mist of grey. He remembered thinking that the colour had bled out of the world although in retrospect, blaming the rain for that was unfair. The colour had left his world not everyone else’s. Over the years, many had accused him of ignoring her funeral but Bruce Wayne had always been there, watching from a distance. He shared his grief with no one, not then and certainly not now.

He remembered staring at Lois, looking tragically beautiful, like Hecuba of Euripides remaining strong in the face of overwhelming grief. Alone. At the time, they didn’t know it but Clark had run way to confront the destiny he had always tried to escape. His absence at the funeral was gaping. There were other absences too. Lana Lang Luthor had not shown up for the funeral, deciding to avoid any grief she might cause by her presence since it was her husband accused of Chloe’s murder.

Martha Kent had stood by the grieving Gabe Sullivan, the father who had lost a wife and now a daughter. These days, as Bruce knew it, Martha and Gabe were something of a couple, two old friends taking comfort in the bonds forged by the friendship of their children. Bruce had ensured Gabe’s security by making him the manager of the Smallville Granary, abandoned by Luthor Corp after Lex’s arrest. Gabe didn’t know it but Bruce had bought the place for that purpose alone. When Gabe was ready to retire, he would find his gold watch to be the ownership of the business in its entirety.

It was the least Bruce could do for him.

That was five years ago and the destiny he thought he might have avoided when Chloe entered his life was now his existence. Bruce wondered if there was any doubt that it would be anything else. Still for that brief moment, she had shown him another possibility and Bruce would always cherish that. It was the dead of night at the Smallville Cemetery and the only time that Bruce could assured of his privacy. Standing in front of her headstone, Bruce stared at the name carved into the marble, feeling the ache in his gut that only came when she entered his thoughts. Even now, five years after he had lost her.

“I…” he opened his mouth to speak, “miss you.”

The words were so hard to say and escaped him as a whisper. Indeed anything emotional was always difficult for Bruce to express but this was different. Closing his eyes, he could still imagine the softness of her lips, the way her smile had the power to chase away his demons and how right she always felt in his arms. When he was with her, he had been able to picture a life as a husband and a father. Since she died, it felt inconceivable.

“I should have been there,” Bruce whispered as he placed the rose in his hand upon the bed of grass before the headstone. “I am sorry I wasn’t.”

Tendrils of cold air escaped his lip with each utterance, curling like smoke into the darkness around him. Bruce felt rooted to the spot, not wanting to be there but not wishing to leave either. Perhaps he should have done this before today and couldn’t understand why it felt necessary now. Something had happened in his life, a slight shift he hadn’t noticed until now and in realising it, unsettled him. He came here to heal himself, to maintain the status quo and fight back the change.

Suddenly, he heard the rumble of a car in the distance. Headlights travelled through the dark, announcing its presence as it drew closer and came to halt near the road. His night vision was good, enough without the suit so when he saw who emerged, he supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised.

“Alfred?” Bruce asked.

Lois smiled faintly and nodded. “Alfred. He was worried about you.” She explained. “He said he thought you might need the company coming up here and I’m due for a visit anyway. So I thought I’d drive up.”

“What about Clark?” Bruce pointed out.

“What about him?” Lois asked. “He’s out saving the world. He’ll catch up when he can.” She replied with a little smile, coming up along side of Bruce and intertwined her fingers with his. Bruce didn’t withdraw, accepting the warmth she provided on this terribly cold night.

“I should have been here before this.” He admitted after a few minutes had passed with the two of them saying nothing while they stood there before Chloe’s grave.

“You weren’t ready,” Lois replied, leaning her head against his shoulder.

Bruce smiled faintly, leaning over to plant a soft, chase kiss against her hair. A sign of affection for someone who was almost family by marriage and become so with a death. “I don’t know if I still am,” he replied. “I remember everything about her but its getting harder to feel her. I don’t want that gone.”

Without powers of any kind, Bruce Wayne was the strongest man she knew. Stronger even than Clark who needed people in his life to remind him of his humanity, Bruce was a force of nature, unyielding, relentless and all too human, whether he would admit it or not. Over the last five years, Lois had come to enjoy a strange friendship with Bruce. Theirs was a relationship devoid of sentimentality yet intimate nonetheless because on a very basic level, they understood each other. They loved hard and passionately. They even loved eternally. The people who loved them back often had their work cut out for them.

Just ask Clark, Lois thought with a little smile.

“Bruce,” Lois blinked and surprised herself with the tear that rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away with one hand while the other squeezed his tighter. “Maybe its time to let her go.”

Bruce suspected that this might have been the case but clinging to Chloe’s memory was all he had left of her and letting her go seemed unimaginable. “I can’t.”

“Bruce,” Lois turned to face him, her hand touched his cheek so that he would look at her. “Chloe wouldn’t want this. You know that. You made her so happy Bruce. That light you saw in her eyes was because of you, no one else. Bruce, I know Chloe and she wouldn’t want you to mourn forever, she would want you to let her go.”

He couldn’t answer so Lois took both his hands in hers and stood there, forehead against his, being there for him because for Lois, he was family too.

*****************

An hour later and they were still on the grass, this time, sharing the bottle of wine Lois brought along for the occasion. It was her ritual to come out here and talk to Chloe about all sorts of things in the dead of night. It made Lois feel that Chloe was still a part of her life, even in some small way. Recently, she had company, sometimes Clark came with her and other times Lana. It felt good that she was doing this with Bruce too.

“So Mr. Wayne, tell me about the Princess.”

Bruce gave her a look and handed her back the bottle after taking a swig. “Clark has a big mouth.”

“Oh I didn’t need Smallville to let me in on that scoop. Remember I have the Queen’s ear.” She teased.

“Really?” Bruce eyed her mischievously. “And what does her highness have to say?”

“Well she doesn’t like a man sniffing around her daughter, that’s for certain.” Lois pointed out.

”I was hardly sniffing,” Bruce defended himself immediately. “We danced. That’s all.”

“Not according to Cat Grant’s column,” Lois pointed out. “Now I might have issues with what Cat calls journalism but I know for a fact that she is pretty good at what she does and she says you spent most of the night at that ball dancing with Diana.” She winked at Bruce in challenge.

“She was out of her depth and I was being nice,” Bruce explained, denying nothing.

“Oh you are so transparent,” Lois groaned. “She is an Amazon princess. You wouldn’t be the first guy to be running after her like a puppy. I mean, look at Smallville for god sake.”

“You mean the big dumb alien who so in love with you he couldn’t even conceive of being with anyone else, let alone think you might have reason to be jealous?” Bruce pointed out with a smirk. Tit for tat.

“Uh…yeah,” Lois blushed, conceding defeat since that was more or less Clark in a nutshell. “But Diana is so beautiful and she’s perfect for him really,” her eyes dropped away, unable to admit that there was still some insecurity there. “Clark is going to do so many great things, I just wonder if I’m holding him back Bruce. Diana could keep up with him in every way.”

“Lois,” Bruce stared at her as if he were addressing a small child. “He could have gone anywhere in the world after being away for five years. There’s only one reason he came back to Metropolis and that’s you.” He smiled throwing her own word back at her. “Clark looks at Diana and he sees someone like him, not someone for him. That person has always been you.”

Lois smiled radiantly at Bruce, grateful for the reassurance from the smartest human being she knew and one of the few people who knew Clark as well as her. “What do you see when you look at Diana, Bruce?”

Now it was Bruce’s turn to look away but he answered softly, allowing the dark to hide his eyes as he answered. “Light.”

***************

After conducting his usual patrol of Smallville, ‘Superman’ returned to Lois’ apartment only to find a note left behind that she was travelling to Smallville. He was aware of her nocturnal visits to Chloe’s grave and knew that these were terribly personal outings for Lois, so when he flew to Smallville to give her a ride home, he approached the cemetery cautiously, with consideration to her privacy.

What he did not expect to find was Bruce.

From a distance, he watched them both at Chloe’s grave, wanting badly to eavesdrop but restraining himself for violating their privacy. Yet when he saw Lois take Bruce’s hand, something inside of him felt uneasy about the intimacy between the two. Not for the first time, Clark wondered about the relationship between Bruce and Lois. After all, he had been gone for five years and the manner of his departure hadn’t been kind. She had no reason to wait for him.

Feeling like an intruder, Clark left them alone, trying to ignore the gnawing sensation in his gut that perhaps Bruce could give Lois something he couldn’t.

**************

“If this thing has any kind of supernatural properties, I can’t see it,” Bruce commented within the confines of the cave a day later.

Studying the artefact Diana called Harmonia’s talisman, Bruce had spent the last week since their acquisition of the object trying to unravel its secrets. Upon closer examination, the necklace looked like any other artefact of the period. It was constructed from metals that were specific to the era, in terms of smelting techniques and regional availability. If this was a key piece to averting an apocalypse, Bruce couldn’t imagine how.

“You sure?” Clark asked, feigning interest although the exchange between Bruce and Lois in the cemetery still bothered him.

Neither were in their costume even though Clark’s visit today was very much business. Diana had trusted Clark’s advice that the Batman was the best person to uncover the secrets of the artefact. The Princess was making yet another appearance with her mother on the historic Amazon tour that was gaining more and more popularity throughout the country. Clark still found it hard to believe that they were living in a world where they were real live Amazons walking amongst them. It was almost as hard to be as a real live alien named Superman, he supposed.

“As much as I can be about any of this,” Bruce frowned, disliking it when he couldn’t unravel a puzzle. “I can definitely see where the piece was separated into two parts. It was carefully done with tools, not by accidental impact. If we’re to believe the significance of the object to Diana’s mission here, then I’m going to speculate that it will only work if the two pieces are brought together. Call it a mythological safety feature.”

“So until we find the second piece, it’s a dead end.” Clark declared, shifting uncomfortably in the chair he was seated.

“Not necessarily,” Bruce replied, “I think the November 17 group is our best bet at finding the second piece. From what I understand about this organisation, the reason they’ve been successful as terrorists is because their members are all related, they never break rank. Cults begin that way and as far fetched as it is, I think November 17 is a cult. You have to admit, we’ve seen strange things in the last few weeks, so this isn’t that much of a stretch. Whatever we think of Diana’s beliefs, the Decay monster was real and I believe this Apocalypse she’s talking about is also real.”

“No kidding,” Clark nodded in agreement. “I was wiped out after what that thing did to me. I mean I was okay the next day but until the morning, I felt like I had to flu and trust me, Florence Nightingale Lois isn’t.”

“I hear you,” Bruce chuckled and continued. “I’m certain that November 17 is the link to this War God of Diana’s. I would bet they have been followers for generations.”

“So you think they were responsible for the theft of the first piece in Athens.”

“More than likely,” Bruce replied. “I think we need to find out everything we can about the assassin who tried to kill Hippolyta and find out about any existing cults dedicated to Ares. I’m convinced one of these is masquerading as November 17.”

“The police didn’t have any information on him” Clark pointed out. “But I think this cult angle is definitely the way to go and for that we need to be absorbing a little local flavour to get our answers. We’ll need Diana with us on this one.”

“You read my mind,” the Batman grinned. “You can catch the Princess up when you see her next.”

“Since as Bruce Wayne, you can’t tell her when you see her this evening?” Clark pointed out with a smug look.

Diana was making another appearance at a charity event in Gotham City and had asked Bruce Wayne to join her, citing that he was good company the last time they had been at one of these events together. The invitation came through the Amazon Tour Secretary, Miss Plum and it did aided Bruce Wayne’s public image to be seen with such a beautiful celebrity. Of course, he had personal reasons for accepting as well, wondering if Batman’s conversation with Wonder Woman would have any effect on her view of Bruce.

“I’m playing her escort, nothing else.” Bruce returned, giving Clark an equally withering glare. “Batman will not be present this evening.”

“Yeah,” Clark nodded and decided that Bruce had given him something of an opening. “You do get around for a guy who doesn’t fly. I mean tonight its you and Diana, a few days ago it was you and Lois in Smallville.” He commented, feigning nonchalance.

Bruce stiffened, “you were there?” It had been a rather emotional night for Bruce and he wasn’t comfortable for anyone other than Lois to see that side of him.

“Only long enough to see that Lois had company,” Clark returned, trying to sound perfectly at ease. “Then I left. I didn’t want to intrude.”

And yet Bruce could feel his burning curiosity without Clark having to say a word. The man of steel could be terribly transparent at times.

“Yeah I tried to convince Lois to run away with me to a deserted island for the weekend but she turned me down,” he said sarcastically. “You know how picky she is.”

“Very funny,” Clark bit back at Bruce’s obvious derision, suddenly feeling stupid for ever doubting Lois. Still, he was curious as to what they were talking about. “So you and Lois were just talking?” He probed further much to Bruce’s increasing annoyance.

Bruce didn’t like the idea that Clark might have overheard his confessions to Lois, even if Clark’s action indicated the opposite. And he liked it even less that Clark was thinking there was more to his relationship with Lois than just friendship.

“Of course not,” he declared using his best idle playboy tone. “We were going to do the wild thing behind Chloe’s gravestone but that would seem a little crass. Why do you ask?”

Clark winced at the imagery and realised he should have just kept his mouth shut. “Okay, I’m an insecure jerk. Forget I said anything.”

“You sure?” Bruce continued as he stood up from his chair, to go have the lunch that Alfred was preparing them both. “You don’t want to hear about the time Lois and I sailed to Barbados in one of my yachts wit nothing but sin on our minds and a do not disturb sign on the door...?”

”Alright, alright already,” Clark growled following him out. “I getthe point.”

*****************

Major Andrei Nikolaevich woke up in a cold sweat yet again.

Beyond the walls of his assigned quarters, the wind was blowing a gale and he remembered vaguely hearing a weather report that cited the temperature being somewhere near –25 degrees Celsius. He hardly noticed it as he sat there on his mattress, body moist with sweat, trembling in silence as he waited for the dream to pass out of his memory. Accompanied by the slow ticking of the old clock his father had given him years before, Andrei waited for the uneasiness to pass from his body and was further unsettled when it didn’t.

It was little after three o'clock and he could not sleep. Unfortunately, this was not an unusual state of affairs for him of late. For almost a month, his sleep had been uncomfortable to say the least. Every morning, he woke up with the ache inside his stomach that something, somewhere was stalking him like a great Siberian wolf, waiting to take him kicking and screaming when he least expected it.

The officers under his command had noticed the change, unable to ignore the dark circles under his eyes or the irritability he never found difficult to conceal until now. A man in his position, with his responsibilities, couldn’t have mental problems of any kind and Andrei was on a razor’s edge, waiting for someone to take action, aware that his career would be over if such a thing happened. A military man most of his life, he had nothing else other than the job. The loss of it would be unimaginable.

He stood up from his bed and went to the bathroom. Washing his face, he hoped the stench of sweat against his skin and the rush of cold would shake the sensation in his stomach. If not, at least he would be awake to do something else. Staring at the mirror, he saw what everyone saw, a man in his middle age, the relic of an era that was quickly being forgotten, exhausted and expendable.

“You’ve looked better Andrei,” he said to himself.

It not your fault Andrei, it’s the times, his reflection answered back.

Startled by the voice that came from his lips in the mirror, Andrei stumbled back.

You heard me, Andrei. It’s not your fault. The voice spoke again.

He had gone crazy, Andrei thought frantically as he heard the face in the mirror continuing to speak. It was his face but unlike him, it was calm and collected, looking in better shape than he did.

“What is this?” He uttered a strangled demand.

Think of me as your subconscious Andrei, the reflection smiled. I’m giving you a wake up call. I know what you’re thinking and you’re right. You have every reason to worry about Russia. She has lost her way. The west and its ideas are not ideas for Russia, not the great Soviet state. You have everything you need to show them what real order is, you’ve seen it.

“I don’t understand…” He stammered, still trapped between what was real and unreal.

You are all that is left of the old Soviet State, Andrei. The others are weak and they won’t do what must be done but you can. You can bring Russia back to its greatness, not this pale shadow of itself. They thought putting you here would make you powerless to affect their decadence from this forgotten edge of the world. They are fools. Thanks to their foolishness, you have a great deal of power.

This was not happening, Andrei told himself as he stared mesmerized at the stronger image of himself, speaking words that struck more of a cord with him than he dared to admit.

You can show them what real power is. In one bold stroke, you can show them how great Russia can truly be. All the motherland needs is someone strong enough to make the sacrifice. Someone unafraid to spill blood, the way Stalin had spilled blood to make Russia great. The people call him a mass-murderer but his bloodied hands took Russia from the wooden yoke to the atomic bomb in twenty-five years.

It was true, Andrei thought, most Russians called Stalin a butcher and yet they could not deny the results of his ruthless leadership. Russia had become strong, a superpower under his guidance. All it had taken was 20 million dead.

You are a man strong and brave enough to take the final step, the step so many others like viewed with great dread. Andrei, you know the truth. To save the land, one has to make her people weep for it, to lament for all it had and could be. Tears must come from seeing it in utter ruin to love it as they had never loved it before.

To save Russia, you must see it burn.

With a scream of horror, Major Andrei Nikolaevich found himself sitting up in his own bed, drenched in sweat, trembling in the dark.

******************

After spending a number of weeks in the Patriarch’s World, Diana found that the business of spreading the Amazon message of peace to be rather taxing. Still, if she had to endure another of these charity events that Ms Plum considered important for her to attend, she supposed she would try to enjoy herself for the evening at least.

In truth, if Diana had her way, she would be continuing her search for Ares and the missing half of Harmonia’s talisman. However, after her encounter with Decay, it seemed prudent to take the next step carefully since it appeared that Ares was unconcerned with how many died in his efforts to hinder her progress. Kal was meeting her later this evening to give her news on Batman’s investigation of the talisman. Perhaps they had some idea where to search next.

For now however, she had to attend to ceremonial duties of being a Princess. The Queen was making her own visits across the country and after Diana’s stunning debut in Gotham, the rest of the city were eager to have the Princess make an appearance at their social events. As these were often in the guise of aiding some charity, Diana agreed to participate. Of course, she hadn’t anticipated how proactive Etta Candy as going to be when she mentioned that she would like to see Bruce Wayne again.

Despite her annoyance at the Batman’s caustic words, Diana had to concede the arrogant prig did have something of a point. Her experience with men was limited and for her to survive in the Patriarch’s World, she needed to distinguish the good ones from the bad. Bruce was very charming and Diana was drawn to him but Batman had planted the suspicion that perhaps all Bruce wanted was a physical relationship. Men can use pretty words to trick a woman into his bed, her mother had said earlier when the spoke on the telephone. Be vigilant. While Diana suspected her mother’s opinion to contain some bias, the same could not be said of the Batman.

Great Gaea, that man was annoying.

************

“I was surprised by the invitation Princess,” Bruce commented when he and Diana left her suite at Gotham’s luxurious Grand View Hotel and headed to the limousine waiting for them below.

Even though he was accustomed to being around beautiful women, Bruce had to admit that Diana was in a class of her own. Dressed stunningly in red, in a one-shouldered gown with a cinched waist and flowing skirt, Diana was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She wore her dark hair up and her slender neck was adorned with a simple chain of gold. Everything about her spoke elegance and Bruce who was seldom awed by anything, found his breath quite taken away.

Diana’s blue eyes touched his and her cheeks flushed with colour as they stepped into the elevator. “I enjoyed your company at our last encounter,” she confessed. “I also felt that if I am to live in the Patriarch’s World, then I should become more familiar with men. My sisters’ experiences in the past make it impossible for them to give me an unbiased opinion. I am certain that the Patriarch’s World has changed in the course of two thousand years and that all men are not brutes with lustful intentions.”

Bruce had to laugh at that description. “Well most of us aren’t,” he answered. “But I’m hardly the first man you’ve encountered. What about Superman?”

Diana shot him a look at the mention of Kal’s public persona. The way he said Superman, sounded oddly familiar and for a moment, she wrestled with trying to identify when it was she had heard it spoken that way. “Superman is rather unique I think,” she answered after a moment. “You can hardly base an accurate picture of all men on him, do you not agree?”

“I suppose,” Bruce nodded, though Clark whether he was Kryptonian or not, was a tough act to follow. “So I’m just an experiment to you then?” He teased.

“Of course not,” she said hastily, thinking she might have offended him by her comment. “I did enjoy your company from last evening and the dancing was nice…” Diana admitted shyly.

“I’m just teasing Princess,” Bruce allayed her concerns. “I enjoyed it too although I don’t know if I’m the best example of my gender. I’m sure Miss Candy would have filled you in on all the details.”

“That you enjoy sex with many women?” She asked just as the elevator doors slid open, allowing the hotel patrons waiting to get inside to hear the question, their eyes widening in surprise and shock.

”Good timing,” Bruce retorted before taking Diana’s gently by the elbow and leading her past them. “That’s not a question you ask on a first date Diana.”

“Is this is a date?” She looked at him, with that doe eyed innocence.

“I’d like to think so,” he smiled at her as they walked out of the hotel into the night air.

In the dark, Bruce felt more comfortable and under the blue light of the moon, Diana seemed more radiant if such a thing was possible. A limousine was waiting for them at the sidewalk and upon seeing them, the driver was quick to step out and open the door for them.

“What are the required rituals for a first date?” Diana asked once they were settled inside the vehicle and moving.

Bruce was about to answer when suddenly, something very big landed on the front of the car, crushing everything beneath it into the tar. The car halted abruptly, jostling them unmercifully in the carriage as the limousine ripped apart spectacularly, leaving Diana and Bruce behind in the back seat.

In front of them, standing on the crushed half of the limousine was a creature that didn’t look unlike one of the trolls in the Lord of the Rings films, with leathery skin, wielding a large, hammer and possessing one eye.

“Well,” Bruce replied still staring at the thing. “I imagine not being killed by a giant Cyclops would be one.”

Chapter Nine:

Secrets

“Diana, get behind me.”

“Bruce, get behind me.”

Bruce and Diana shot each a look at each other at the same time, an instant before that enormous hammer wielded by the Cyclops came down on the car like a judge’s gavel. In perfect synchronicity with each other, though neither had planned for it, the couple jumped clear before the hammer crushed the torn half of the limousine into scrap. Rolling across the tar road and unto his feet, Bruce stood up and saw the Cyclops howl in outrage at the near miss. Lifting the hammer of the twisted hunk of metal that was the limousine, the Cyclop turned one yellow eye at him and grinned, revealing equally yellow and malformed teeth the size of house bricks.

“Meat.” It stated and took a step towards him.

”Oh I don’t think so.” Bruce had envisioned many ways where he would meet his end and being snack food to a giant mythological beast was quite far down the list. Feeling somewhat exposed in expensive Armani when what he needed to be in was the suit, Bruce weighed his options. There were too many people on the street for him to run. If this thing didn’t have his fill of playboy billionaire, there were many other potential meals for him to choose from. Cars were screeching to a halt, some reversing and getting out of there and Bruce thought he heard sirens somewhere.

The hammer came down again and this time Bruce jumped forward, escaping the blow as it landed on the bitumen road, causing such a shockwave he could feel it in the soles of feet as he dove between the creature’s legs and ended up behind it. Suddenly, he caught sight of the limo driver who was miraculously still alive but judging by the way he was dragging himself out of the wreck, he wouldn’t be for long. There was blood all over him and his face was contorted in pain. He would be easy prey for the Cyclops.

Where was Diana, Bruce wondered as he made a dash for the man when suddenly he was airborne, being lifted away from the scene. For a moment, he thought it was Clark but then the sweet scent of his perfume told him otherwise.

“Do not worry Bruce, I’ve got you.”

Frowning, he gave her a look. “I don’t need to be got,” he declared indignantly. “Our driver is down there and he’s hurt. That Cyclops is hungry and he’s going to go for the easiest prey he can find.”

“I plan on dealing with that monster Bruce,” Diana retorted somewhat annoyed that he didn’t think she understood that, “I only you wished you out of harm’s way. Clearly that beast was unleashed because of me and I had no wish for you to be injured.”

‘I can’t take care of myself Princess,” he grumbled, staring down at the ground.

“Princess?” Diana stopped in mid air and stared at him, her eyes narrowing.

Hell, Bruce cursed under his breath, realising his slip. “The Cyclops Diana!” He reminded sharply, hoping to gloss over the moment.

Wheels turning her head, pieces beginning to fit, Diana of Themiscyra looked at Bruce and said firmly. “This is not over.”

With that, she returned to the scene of the battle and Bruce noted that she had no difficulty taking him with her this time. Suspecting that he might have a lot of explaining to do when this was over, Bruce did what he did best in situations like this. He ignored it and concentrated on dealing with the monster that was making its way towards the injured man.

“Drop me.” He ordered as they moved in closer. “I’ll get the driver, you deal with that creature.”

“Gladly,” she returned, seething and adjusted her flight plan to take them a little closer to the ground. Letting go of Bruce, she continued towards the behemoth that was fast closing in on its prey. After setting him down, Bruce saw her accelerate at top speed until the dress she was wearing began to tear under the velocity she was travelling. A whirlwind followed in her wake, sweeping up everything in its path into the air. Papers and trash became airborne, cars shuddered and window shutters flapped.

Diana struck the Cyclops in mid sternum with the force of a wrecking ball. The impact with such power lifted the creature off its feet and sent it flying backwards, landing into the middle of an intersection. The thick bitumen fissured beneath the Cyclops, creating an crater that buckled portions of the road.

“Yield monster,” Diana demanded as she hovered in the air above the dazed creature. “Yield and I will return you Tartarus. Fight me and I will destroy you.”

“I yield to no one!” It spoke with a gravely voice that sounded like grunts. Flipping off its back, it landed on its feet and made the ground trembled.

By now, everyone had cleared the streets and with law enforcement officers keeping the crowds away from danger behind barricades. Diana wished they would clear the streets because it was too easy for this battle to reach them. Suddenly, the behemoth swung its hammer at her, having clutched it stubbornly when she had struck it. The heavy hammer threatened to come down on her head but unlike before, Diana was not caught by surprise and Bruce was not at her side.

With one hand, she flattened her palm against the hammer, stopping it from travelling any further. The sudden halt sent shudders through the Cyclops who staggered back. Without further ado, she yanked it out of its hand and tossed it away. The weapon landed heavily on a parked SUV, causing its windows to shatter, the straight body to buckle and the tyres to explode in protest. Then she flew forward and threw a sharp upper cut under its misshapen jaw, breaking teeth in the process.

While Diana dealt with the mythological beast, Bruce motioned the paramedics arriving on the scene to tend to the injured driver. The man’s life was pouring out of him from numerous wounds and if he didn’t go to a hospital now, he wouldn’t make it. As the medics dealt with him, Bruce watched the battle raging between Diana and the Cylops.

God, she really was magnificent.

It wasn’t just that Diana was incredibly beautiful but when she fought, she was Bodicaea, Joan of Ark and the epitome of the Amazon race she represented. However else he might try to ignore it, when Bruce watched her like this – there was no denying what he felt or who he was.

He was the knight in search of his princess.

Fortunately, he did not need to rescue her.

Something in the background rattled. Like a rattlesnake. Bruce hadn’t paid it much attention because he was concentrating on Diana but when he heard the slow drag of sounding across the rough bitumen and maraca sound of rattling, he started to turn.

“JESUS CHRIST!” Someone shouted in horror.

It was the paramedic. One minute his face white with fear and in another, it was locked in a soundless scream as his skin turned grey and hard. For an instance, Bruce did not know what he was seeing until he saw the others become similarly frozen and then he understood. He didn’t follow their gazes. He dared not. If Diana could be fighting a Cyclops just fifty feet away then there was no reason to disbelieve that the paramedics and their charge didn’t just turn into stone.

“My master was correct,” the voice spoke with a serpentine hiss. “You are the wisest of the three.”

It could be more than ten feet away, if that. Bruce thought, staring at the hub cab on a wrecked car to see the shape of the creature that was approaching him. It almost didn’t feel real except Bruce knew that it was, terrifying real. From the snake-like body to the horrifying features and the hair made out of writhing snakes, a gorgon was coming for him.

“Which are you?” Bruce asked coolly, his back still turned. “Not Medusa, surely? The lore says that Perseus took her head.”

“You are wise,” the sneering voice said with a hint of admiration. “You are correct. I am not the sister whose head was taken by an Achaean to win his love. I am Euryale.”

Damn. He had hoped it was Medusa. Of the three gorgons, Medusa, Steno and Euryale, Medusa was the mortal. Steno and Euryale were immortals and Bruce did not know if he could stop her. He could hear her moving across the ground getting closer to him and he knew if he didn’t move now, he was dead. Watching her shape in the hubcap, Bruce sprinted forward and heard a bellow of glee as a large whooshed by his shoulder and imbedded itself into a lamppost.

Great…arrows too.

*************

The abomination born of Gaia and Uranus was not about to submit so easily.

The Cyclops’s brute strength was matched only by his stubbornness and like Odysseus before her, Diana had little alternative to deal with him in kind. Mouth bleeding, the beast stood up after her punch, bellowing in such furious outrage that the windows in the surrounding buildings shudder and cracked. With his hammer out of reach, he chose instead to pick up a vehicle, hoisting it over its head, its terrified occupants who had been in the process of leaving the area, trapped inside. Diana could hear their terrified screams as they pounded against the glass, trying to escape.

Grinning malevolently, their cries only served to make the Cyclops more eager to attack and the creature hurled the car towards her, the vehicle spinning in the air like a turtle on its back. Diana launched herself at it, using Hermes speed to catch the sedan before it impacted against the hard road. She caught it easily enough but the difficulty came in not having the frame snap, spilling its inhabitants out like the yolk of a cracked egg. Her feet dug into tar, ruining the shoes that Etta claimed were $600 Manolo Blahniks. Her fingers dug into metal as she held it aloft, ensuring that its occupants were jostled and not crushed.

Lowering the car down on its roof, Diana immediately tore open the door and helped the distraught couple out of the cabin.

“Run!” She ordered. “Get to safety!”

The woman’s answer was another terrified scream as Diana turned to see the Cyclops hammer come crashing down on her. The beast had taken the opportunity to retrieve its weapon while she was dealing with the innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of their battle.

Diana was swatted away like a rag doll, feeling blinding pain throughout her entire body as the metal forged of Hephaestus fire slammed into her body and smashed her into wall. Her shoulder took the brunt of it and she could feel the shockwave throughout her bones. She landed on her knees hard, feeling the wind knocked out of her. She tasted blood in her mouth.

The Cyclops thundered towards her, about to strike again. Diana lifted her head, her eyes burning with fury. All her life, she had been taught to hold back. Her sisters did not have her strength and so Diana’s training had been about tempering her power. However, this beast did not require such consideration and so she had no reason to show restraint. Flying forward like a bullet, she struck the Cyclops in mid sternum, driving him backwards, stumbling. Wasting no time, she threw a punch and put all the strength she had behind it. Diana felt something shatter under her fist and threw another right cross before the Cyclops had time to recover.

Like a jackhammer, Diana’s punches followed one after the other, without pause or mercy. She drove the creature to its knees until it was blind with pain. When he was at his weakest and most disorientated, Diana circled him in flight, grabbing his head and smashing his skull brutally against the concrete road. A loud crack followed - a combination of sickening squelch and rock fragmenting and the enemy moved no more.

Diana landed on the ground next to the beast, ensuring that he was no longer a threat. A lamp post that had been torn from the sidewalk was strewn across the road. Diana retrieved it and bent the steel around the unconscious form of the Cyclops. Within seconds, she had fashioned bindings that would ensure his mischief for the moment was ended. This creature belonged back in Themiscyra, behind the security of Doom’s Door.

People had begun to emerge from their hiding places, cars had started moving again and Diana saw frightened faces peering at her through windows of the surrounding buildings. What must they think of all this? Had her arrival in the Patriarch’s World done nothing but bring destruction to the people here? Ares was sending his minions into a world that had not seen the like in thousands of years.

Suddenly, a thought flashed in her mind and made all other thoughts forgotten.

Bruce.

****************

Bruce felt naked without the suit. To survive this he had to delve into those skills possessed by the Batman and ensure that no one made the connection to Bruce Wayne. Diana almost certainly had her suspicions after his faux pas earlier and he would have to do some fast talking later but the present saw him dealing with more urgent matters.

Even if she had no said so, there was no doubt in his mind that he was the Gorgon’s intended victim. The commotion caused by Diana and the Cyclops barely registered as the serpentine immortal followed him across the road. Evading arrows from an archer whose skill was supreme, Bruce searched for cover and decided quickly he had to shift the odds in his favour or he was going to end up a stone statue like the paramedics and his driver left behind.

Unable to look over his shoulder to see where she was, Bruce had to rely on reflective surfaces to track Euryale’s movements. Through the glass of car windscreens, the chrome of hubcaps and finally the large display windows of the stores framing the road he and Diana had been travelling, Bruce finally saw something that might give him an edge in this one sided battle.

“Come now mortal,” she taunted him. “Let us not make this unpleasant. Stand your ground and face me and I promise you a swift death. If I am to pursue you, I shall wish sport and that will not be to your liking.”

Bruce didn’t answer her. The words were intimidation, designed to induce fear to slow him down. It was a trick the Batman employed all too often. Instead, he ran towards the front entrance of what appeared to be a Ferrari dealership. He was about to break the door in when one of her arrows shattered a window and saved him the trouble of committing vandalism. Jumping through the pane of jagged glass, Bruce landed on the floor of the front office where accessories and other luxury items were on display. He rushed past these quickly since there was nothing he could use to defend himself.

Leaving the front room behind and certain that she would follow him, Bruce upended as many shelves and racks across the floor as he could manage. They were minor obstacles but Euryale’s form had its limitations and Bruce needed all the advantage and the time he could get. Discarding his suit jacket, the blue of his shirt was stained with sweat, blood and dirt. Once again, he wished for the security of the cowl.

The main showroom of the dealership was filled with new cars, awaiting wealthy owners. Even in the darkness, he could see their polished forms and smooth finish of paint against expensive bodies. Surveying the room for little more than a second, a plan began to coalesce in his thoughts and he went to work quickly. He didn’t have much time. Latching onto door handles as he ran past, Bruce left them agape like open mouths as he headed for the backroom.

He could hear her slithering across the polished marble floor behind him, her torso dragging across the surface and sweeping objects out of her way. Entering the mechanics garage, he grabbed what he needed and knew that this was his only chance. Finding the tools he needed, Bruce went to work.

************

It had been so long since she had a prey of note that Euryale was quite enjoying the hunt for the mortal Ares had sent her to kill. She wondered if the Cyclops and Eris were having as much enjoyment as she. For so long, she had been trapped in Tartarus, doomed to languish for all eternity until the son of the Olympian king came forth and offered her freedom in exchange for her service to him. Steno was not as accommodating, unable to trust any Olympian. After all, it was Zeus and his kind that had imprisoned them for so long. Whether it was the father or son made little difference, an Olympian was an Olympian.

Euryale cared little for alliances or grudges. She enjoyed the hunt. The exquisite pleasure of running to ground worthy prey. It had been so long and her vile blood burned with vengeance for the death of poor mortal Medusa, beheaded by a bastard of Zeus. Sweeping past the debris before her, she laughed at the obstacles this human had tried to put in her way.

“I give you one last opportunity,” she called out in the darkness. “Come out now and your end will be merciful.”

“I’d offer you the same but I’m out of mercy.” Bruce retorted and flicked a switch.

Lights flooded the showroom, revealing the mirrored ceiling above them, ensuring that every reflective surface was gleaming. He needed as many opportunities as he could to see her without actually staring her in the face. Euryale snarled angrily when she saw her own face staring back at her, the terrible visage of a woman with snakes writing out of skull leering back at her.

“Where are you?” She demanded.

Bruce stepped out and flung the floor jack against the ceiling with all the strength he could possessed, the heavy iron object striking the glass and shattering that reflective ceiling with a resounding crash. Diving into one of the cars, Bruce saw the torrent of glass shards raining down on the beast. Through the sound of breaking glass, he heard Euryale screaming. Aware that his chance to distract her wasn’t going to last, Bruce hotwired the Ferrari he was in, bringing the engine to life and clamping his seat belt into place. Not looking ahead, he kept his face turned as he hit the accelerator and sent the car lunging forward. The hood of the car struck the Gorgon at top speed, throwing her through the display window. Her back snapped against the hard edge of the window. The force of her landing jostled free a piece of glass free and it fell across her torso like a guillotine. Her tail rippled with agony before falling limp against the floor.

Her scream was piercing as green black blood spilled against the floor, eating away at the marble like some kind of corrosive acid. Bruce emerged from the vehicle, keeping his eyes fixed away from her face, even as he saw her tail ripple with agony with falling limp in a final convulsion. Picking up his jacket, he kept his eyes averted until he dumped the fabric against her face.

“You cannot kill me…” she rasped painfully through the cloth on her face. “I am an immortal.”

“I don’t have to kill you,” Bruce replied. “You’re not going anywhere in a hurry…”

Suddenly through the window, he saw Diana land on the sidewalk in front of the ruined store, her face filled with concern. As she saw the results of his handiwork, her eyes narrowed and Bruce cleared his throat, holding his ground to see what she would say.

“You are extremely resourceful Bruce,” Diana approached him as if she were a lioness stalking her prey.

“I am full of surprises…” he started to say when she cut him off.

“Surprises? You lied to me! You listened to me speak of Bruce…of YOU and you…said nothing! You made me a fool!” Diana sputtered in fury, unable to believe that this…this Bruce Wayne, this charming handsome man who had engendered in her emotions, she thought unbecoming of an Amazon princess was none other than Batman!

“I never lied to you,” Bruce said coolly, wanting to remind her that there was still a matter of Gorgon to deal with and this conversation was occurring in a place far too public for his liking. However, the fury in her eyes told Bruce that to bring that up right now would be a very bad idea. “You never asked if I was Bruce Wayne. You merely assumed I wasn’t.”

“That is beside the point!” Diana glared at him. “A play of words does not alter a lie Bruce, you played with my emotions! Why? To show me that I am just as susceptible to the charms of men like any other woman? To win an argument? ”

“Of course not!” Bruce found himself growing rapidly exasperated at her leaps. “It was never about that. I didn’t know who you were, this was merely an opportunity to observe you. To see what I was dealing with.”

Even as he said it, he knew he shouldn’t have.

“And was I good theatre?” She looked at him, trying to will away the hurt she knew she wasn’t able to hide.

Bruce saw it too and a sense of shame bubbled up from the pit of his mercurial resolve. He didn’t want to hurt her and maybe, he thought if she knew Bruce Wayne then perhaps she might be able to tolerate the Batman a little better. Oh give it up Bruce, you know exactly why you did what you did, he rebuked himself silently.

“You are an impossibly, emotional WOMAN.” He almost spat the words and saw her open her mouth to retaliate. Not wanting to hear another barrage of inaccuracies about his intentions, Bruce grabbed Diana by her arms and pulled her to him, capturing those exquisite lips in a rough, demanding kiss.

Diana blinked, uncertain of what he was doing until she felt his mouth against hers and for the first time, felt the heat between men and women she had only ever heard of but never experienced. The kiss was no act of violation. It was like an ember of fire given breath into a flame. The taste of him, the smell of him was so terribly male and unbelievably compelling, she had no words to describe it.

However, she was also a princess and no man took from her something so intimate without first asking.

“How dare you,” she pushed him away after a moment, breathless. “Do you think that a kiss forgives what you have done?”

“I had hoped,” Bruce offered her a smug smile.

“Then you have hoped in vain,” she stepped away from him. She turned towards Euryale and realised the beast was gone.

“Bruce!”

“Damn,” Bruce cursed. This was what came of giving in to emotions. “We have to find her,” he said grimly walking back to the window to see the bloody trail leading away from it.

”Where’s your Cyclops?” He asked, following the darkened fluid across the marble.

“He is bound,” Diana replied, just as capable of returning her thoughts to the business at hand as he. “It seems Ares is quite concerned at our partnership.” Diana pointed out somewhat ruefully. “He sent his minions for you as well as me.”

Bruce stopped in his tracks.

“Diana,” he stared sharply at her. “Then what did he send after Superman? ”

TO BE CONTINUED