The Princesses of Power Series

"Peace meets hope"

Part I

Diana stood by her hotel window, looking at the twilight sky. Her eyes bore worry and wisdom, but she was unsure how to best present her case. She had spoken at the UN many times before as France's diplomatic representative, but this time was different. How could she show something that should already be so obvious? How could she make those leaders understand what was at stake? Children had been separated from their families. They were alone and scared, hoping for someone with power to piece their lives back together. All the world leaders understood the gravity and absurdity of those events, but a handful were blind to the fact that breaking innocent lives is not the answer to make the world a better place. The challenge for her was to convince them that the path they were trailing was dark and could not lead to light from any perspective.

As the last golden rays of sun touched the horizon, the city of Geneva grew quieter. A chilled breeze played with Diana's dark hair and announced that tomorrow might be a day that will change the course of events.

"Kara! Get in here!"

"Yes, Ms. Grant?"

"Jason has food poisoning, he won't be able to cover the UN conference is Geneva tomorrow. I want you to get a flight and make your way there now. Fly economy."

Kara wasn't used to flying in an airplane. She usually flew herself…

"Why are you still standing there? This is important! They will be discussing the fate of those poor children separated at the border!"

"I'm sorry, Ms. Grant, I'll get on a flight right away. I just never covered an international story before. Why are you sending me this time?"

"Something tells me you are the right reporter to write about this. Now go!"

Kara was very aware of what the UN would be discussing the following day. She had been planning to fly there as Supergirl and perhaps be able to find a leader she could count on to help that craziness stop. She remembered all too well what was like losing a home, a family, be separated from her loved ones. She wanted to prevent that from happening to any more children and hopefully help the ones that had already suffered with it, but she couldn't just burst in those containment areas as Supergirl and rescue them, she had to find a solution to stop it from happening all together. Perhaps there was a way to do that as Kara Danvers. She packed her bags and went to the airport.

A sweet and powerful light pierced the curtains on Diana's room. She woke up with the sun and meditated, hoping that the wisdom of Athena would guide her during her speech. Then, she put on her white suit and golden necklace, tided her hair up in a bun and looked in the mirror. She had been through so much after leaving Themyscira all those years ago. After defeating Ares in 1918, she had hoped that the world of Men would be peaceful. How naïve she had been. So many evils had emerged since then that it was becoming more and more difficult to keep her faith in humankind. But she knew that where there was darkness, there would always be light to fight it.

As she made her way to the UN office, she thought about all of those who had fought by her side since then. She had made many friends and lost many others, but all of their sacrifices would not have been in vain. She would keep on fighting to make the world a better place.

Arriving at the Palais des Nations, she saw the peacocks roaming around, in peace, oblivious to what was happening to the world of Men around them. She remembered the white peacocks in Themyscira, which made her smile and reminded her of the small acts of beauty that still exist amidst fearful times, as symbols of hope.

Diana walked down the path leading to the main entrance, admiring the flags surrounding her. How could so many nations be able to coexist in permanent peace, respecting each other's cultures and beliefs? It was a challenge for many, but yet so clear to her. Humans always seemed to be in conflict, and Diana was still not sure why. There were so many beautiful things around them, why not just enjoy the treasures that the world had granted them, instead of keep fighting over them, against each other?

Kara entered the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room. She wore a deep blue dress and had her blonde hair tied up in a loose bun. The moonstone pendant in her necklace matched the colorful ceiling. She took a seat at the section designated "USA Press" and awaited for the countries representatives to enter. She had never covered a story this big before and was looking forward to what those leaders would say.

She wondered how her mother felt like when she addressed the High Council of Kripton. Having all the world's leaders looking up to her in search of answers was something Kara had not yet experienced in her young years. As Supergirl, people expected something of her and she knew she could deliver, but as Kara Danvers, she felt vulnerable.

The lights blinked and the leaders began to enter the room. Kara watched as each of them took the seat assigned to their country. The diplomat who sat in France's seat caught her attention. In the middle of many men in dark suits, a woman walked in white and Kara had an odd feeling that she had seen that woman before.

The leaders began to speak, each mentioning how this situation needed immediate remedy. Each speech kindled the spark of hope in Diana's heart and she was finally ready to take center stage. As she walked to the central stand, she looked around her and saw unity. All those representatives of the UN Human Rights Council – men and women of all colors and cultures – saw the dangers that had been troubling the world and were willing to speak up and try to fix it, and yet she knew that their voices would not be echoed by everyone.

She took center stage. All eyes upon her. She thought of Athena and started her speech:

"Ladies and gentlemen of the council, thank you for coming here today. As you know, our world is currently facing a new evil, a threat quiet and dangerous as the night: hatred. With each passing day, hate grows within people's hearts, while peace and love seem to be getting further and further out of reach. Each of us have a part to play in this world, and even the smallest person can change the course of the future. Let's remember that kindness is not a weakness and that compassion is strength, and only through love we will be able to fight this darkness."

Kara watched as the French ambassador, Diana Prince, spoke the truest words she had ever heard. Finally she had found someone who also shared her values and was in a position of power to be able to nurture change. She listened attentively.

"And therefore, families should not be ripped apart, children should not have to endure such traumatizing suffering and parents should be able to care for their children and provide them with a better future. Borders are something that only exists in our minds. Earth was not projected to have lines dividing us, on the contrary, nature has given us many gifts and treasures to share with each other. Let us embrace what makes us different, for that is also what makes each of us unique and special. Let us be humble, for we are made of earth; let us be noble, for we are made of stars. Let's fight to keep the light shining upon our world!"

In a deafening standing ovation, Diana Prince left the stand and walked back to her seat. Other leaders spoke and the hours passed by. After the Secretary-General closed the meeting, all ambassadors left the room to attend the press conference. Kara Danvers was anxiously waiting for this moment to be able to speak with the diplomat in white. She raised her hand and directed her question at Diana:

"Ms. Prince, I'm Kara Danvers, Catco, US press. What would you do to help solve this situation right now?"

Diana took a deep breath. As Wonder Woman, should could simply walk into those containment areas and release all those children. But she knew that would not solve the problem, it would only be a temporary fix.

"I think all of us would like to go to those children ourselves and bring them back to their parents. However, the root of the problem runs deep and we must find a permanent solution and a way to stop this from happening ever again. I hope that all the countries representatives here today will take this message to their leaders and make themselves heard."

As the day ended, both Diana and Kara were exhausted. Diana decided to walk back to the hotel to rest and prepare for the grand dinner the next day where she would be able to speak more closely to the other ambassadors and hopefully find an answer. The press would not attend the dinner, but something told Kara that she needed to speak to the French ambassador again, so she waited outside the building.

As Diana walked down the corridor of flags once again, she saw the reporter that had asked her that question with eyes glittering with hope. She approached Kara.

"You were listening very eagerly over there, I guess this is a problem that deeply bothers you as well."

Kara was happy that Diana came to talk to her, but when she was about to answer, they heard and thundering sound. Screams came from the other side of the building while bullet sounds pierced the air. They looked at each other and said at the same time: "I have to go!" and each ran into a different direction.

A few seconds later, Wonder Woman and Supergirl had arrived in the middle of the chaos. They looked at each other with both amazement and confusion, then ran towards the bullets. Supergirl flew straight to one of the shooters, while Wonder Woman deflected the bullets with her bracelets, protecting the people behind her. The ambassadors were frightened and began to flee back into the building. Supergirl knocked out one of the shooters and was searching for the other one. He was nowhere in sight. Wonder Woman found a few injured diplomats and carried them all on her back, straight to the building, while Supergirl used her x-ray vision to search within the close by buildings, looking for a sniper. She was unable to find him.

Meanwhile, the UN staff was already doing triage for the wounded and accounting for all the ambassadors and press representatives. There were two missing: Diana Prince and Kara Danvers. They both barged into the room at the same time, in their own clothes, but with loose hair. They again looked at each other and Diana said: "We need to talk."

To be continued.