Author's note: I'm not even halfway through my ARAT and I'm writing another SMWW story *crosses arms sulkily*. Loosely based on New 52, Smallville, Man of Steel, and Justice League. A short story.
EDITED HAH! The previous chapters I made didn't satisfy me so I rewrote everything. As in everything (not really). Enjoy!
There was a prophecy born to the throne of Olympus. A lump of clay given life by the gods and it became the fruit of the Amazon Queen's labor. For years, she had wished for a child. A little girl to nurture and love. It was until she had meandered through the shores of Themyscira when she was given one. The Queen shaped a baby from the ground and fell asleep in exhaustion. The following morning, the sound of a newborn's gurgle woke her up. She found the most beautiful thing she had ever laid her eyes upon beside her. She named her Diana.
The Queen's bliss ended briefly, however, when the Oracle came to her one morning and told her of a new Prophecy that involved the tiny princess. Diana was the prophesied one to oust Apollo from the Olympian throne and bring forth the true king of the gods. She could not believe her ears! Her innocent Diana! Another child to be taken from her after her years of yearning.
The Goddess Athena had appeared to warn them of the danger of this prophecy. Apollo would come down himself and take the princess away, ensuring the throne was his. To save the princess, she must first be hidden from the eyes of the Greeks. Circe was picked to take care of the princess until she was of age. The sorceress was under the process of being redeemed and it appeared that her retribution was raising a child.
Circe was against the idea but, tired from being a pariah, she saw this as an opportunity to fully redeem herself and finally become an Amazon again. She was immortal. Eighteen years was seconds to her. Of course as long as the child wouldn't give her a hard time and be a brat. There were conditions. She had to live a normal life and make sure the princess's gifts were hidden until her 17th birthday.
In no time, she was sent, together with the infant, to a quiet, remote place in the amiable town of Smallville, Kansas. It was the stupidest place to reside at really, she thought. The Meteor Capital of the World? The oracle said something in the place would play a big part to the prophecy. Still stupid, she thought. Especially the people living in it. Always smiling about something what knows what. It was sickening to look at them everyday so she kept herself lock inside the house and tended to the princess.
Occasionally, the couple next door would knock and attempt to invite her to lunch or dinners. They had a five-year-old son with dark hair and blue eyes. She knew this because she could often hear the boy's shouts whenever he had his friends in the yard. He was rambunctious and polite and Circe found it annoying.
Gossips spread. The town was whispering about her for days. They had thought she was a single mother. Stories of the father's baby running away from ehem his responsibilities circled around the town like wildfire. Ugh. Mortals. They had short lives and yet they had nothing better to do but meddle.
Whilst time progressed, Circe found it hard to not love the little Diana. She was charming. Damn it, why did she have to be so? And incredibly gifted. She hid the child from her origins. Diana was curious. As well as inquisitive. If Circe was too irritated at her questions, Diana would open a book and search for the answer.
"Aunt," Four-year-old Diana called, tugging down at her violet shirt. Circe put down the knife — she was cutting some onions — and turned to the little girl.
"What is it now, child?" Asked Circe.
"I saw the boy next door going home from school today." The princess grinned up at her. "Why can't I go to school like him?"
Circe wanted to roll her eyes but she wanted to teach the child not to be like her so she simply sighed. "I told you, Diana, homeschool would be the best option for you. Trust me."
"Homeschooling doesn't give me any friends." Diana pouted. Circe let herself smile a little at the sight. The princess was adorable.
"Am I not your friend?" Asked Circe.
"But you're my aunt!" Diana cried. "It doesn't count!"
Circe put her hand onto her hips. She began accusingly, "Young lady, it does count. I am your aunt, as well as your friend and I'm disappointed to hear that from you."
Diana giggled and it sounded like bells. "I'm sorry. Can I ask you one more thing, auntie?"
Her large blue eyes were too beautiful to resist. Circe couldn't help but nod. "Would I be going to a school soon? I read from a book that adolescents go to highschool or college."
Circe nearly snorted. An Amazon princess would need none of that. "You're only four, my love. It would be a long way to go but," she patted her raven curls, just to feel her baby soft hair. "We'll see."
She watched as Diana went away, her eyes sad yet hoping. Circe shook her head. If only Hippolyta could see her daughter now.
Years proved that the couple next door was a nuisance. They would come and knock at their door persistently and asked that she should come and dine in their house.
"Thank you, Mrs. Kent." Circe gritted out, plastering a forced smile on her lips. "But my niece and I have already eaten. Diana has a very small appetite," Ha! A lie! Diana could eat like a damn minotaur and would still be hungry. "And she's very shy."
"It's only natural that the little girl is shy. She doesn't go out. A pretty thing like her shouldn't be locked indoors." The older woman scolded sternly. Circe inwardly inhaled and calmed herself. She was close to saying that royalty didn't dine with peasants when the said princess came barreling at their direction. She was in her pyjamas with pink ribbons as designs.
Mrs. Kent's eyes lit up. "Hello, little lady!" She exclaimed. Circle glared at her and lifted Diana with her arms.
"Shouldn't you be in bed, Diana?" Circe said.
"It's early, aunt and you haven't read me a bedtime story." Diana retaliated with the same tone. Circe shook her head in exasperation. She looked at the older woman.
"I'm really sorry but I have to decline your offer."
"What offer?" Diana perked up.
"Dinner."
"Nothing."
"Where?" Diana asked, a little excitedly.
"At our house."
"Nowhere."
Diana faced her aunt. "May we, please? I've never seen their house and I want to meet the boy next door! Aunty, please."
Circe wanted to rip the woman's throat at the moment. The older woman looked like she had won a lottery. "No."
"Just dinner." The older woman almost pleaded. "No more, no less."
Oh, how she really wanted to disembowel the infernal woman. Diana was looking at her pleadingly, combined with her pouted lips and puppy-damn-dog eyes. She was not a sucker for those kinds of look but it was the girl she grew fond of! How in Tartarus's pits could she not? She'd have to be a stone cold bitch to not give in.
"Fine." Circe spat. The six-year-old hollered. The sorceress slowly put her down. "Go change into something casual, Diana. We will have dinner with the Kents."
To say the girl was shy was a bit understatement. Diana buried her face on Circe's legs as Mrs. Kent introduced them to her husband and son. Her face was red and her hands clammy. This wasn't her first time to meet someone but . . . it had been years since she faced a stranger. A new face meant a new friend. The only male she knew was the officer who tried (several times) to court her aunt and failed. He gave her lollipops and toys. She wasn't stupid to not see that he was just using her to charm her aunt but she liked the attention.
"Come on, Diana. Say Hi." Circe encouraged her.
Diana closed her eyes and huffed. She was embarrassing herself and her aunt. She would go there and introduce herself. Yes, she would. Swallowing her shyness, Diana curtsied and met the eyes of the Kents' admiring eyes. "I am Diana Prince. I am six-years-old and I live next door. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Mr. Kent gave his ten-year-old son a little push. The boy blushed and held out his hand. "Err . . . Clark. Clark Kent. Nice to meet you, Diana."
Four years later
"My god, Diana! You're making me late for school!" Clark Kent shouted at his neighbor's window as he held two bikes on each sides. He used his super vision, not that he used it on her very often (this situation seemed to call for it), and saw she was still wrestling with her sock. It was obvious the girl was having a hard time to put her black and white knee-socks on. The fourteen-year-old boy sighed frustratedly and stomped his feet on the ground.
"Be patient, Kent!" Diana hissed loudly. "We're still 10 minutes early!"
"Just so you know, Di, we have five minutes to pedal ourselves to school! With your turtle butt, we would be late!"
"Who are you calling turtle butt!" She retaliated, getting up as she finally put her socks on. She grabbed her bag from her bed and smiled. "Ready!" The fourteen-year-old sighed in relief and waited for Diana to get down. He heard her say goodbye to her aunt and heard the door open.
"Finally." Clark said, giving her her bike and mounting his own. "Now, hurry up."
"You're such an early bird, Clark." Diana teased. They began to pedal their bike and turned to the driveway. The young man silently basked in the sun's rays while the young girl savored the smell of fresh grass and the warmth.
They had become close friends after their brief dinner with the Kents. Martha Kent had insisted her son to befriend the little girl so she'd have a reason to go out more. So he did and Clark was happy to gain a friend like Diana. She was sister to him. A sibling he had wished to have. Later then, he introduced her to his small group of friends consisting Lana Lang and Pete Ross. Since Diana was younger, she was out of place often and played by herself. She would only become engaged when she was spoken to so Clark always paid her more attention.
He stood as her big brother and Clark felt protective of her since day one. They bantered, of course, but it was more of a teasing kind and they always ended up laughing.
Minutes later, Clark and Diana arrived in Smallville in High. They simultaneously parked their bikes in the school garage and ran inside the school. They were three minutes early and there were still many students lingering around the halls. "Well, see you later, Di!" Clark said, escorting her to her fifth grade classroom. He patted her head of dark curls. Diana glared. "Be good."
"Since when am I not?"
Clark grinned. "Okay, bye, Di." Diana muttered her goodbye and turned around to go inside her room.
Class progressed and Diana found herself in the middle of cafeteria sandwiched between her two friends named Monica and Taylor who was joyfully eating their recess. She looked at her large muffin and frowned. The muffin wasn't enough to satiate her big appetite but knowing her aunt Circe, there was a secret ingredient in the muffin and she would be stuffed in a matter of seconds after eating it.
"Will you be going to our house to finish our project, Diana?"
Diana looked thoughtful. "If my aunt Circe would let me." She replied, picking up her muffin and taking a bite out it. She hummed in approval.
Taylor proposed, "We'd go to your house if you can't." She said, smiling.
"Come on, Kent! Too scared to stand up?!" Diana's head whipped to the right far side of the cafeteria and saw Clark and his friend Lana sitting alone in a table with Whitney attempting to tower over and intimidate them. She watched as she saw White Fordman grabbed Clark's juice carton and splashed it on the floor. The ten-year-old gasped.
"Di, no! Wait up!" Taylor exclaimed, scrambing to stand up and follow Diana who was taking heavy, quick steps to Clark's table. The two friends looked at each other. "Uh-oh."
"Hey!" Diana shouted, stomping over Whitney with such fervour that those who stared at her backed away in fear. "Get away from Clark and Lana!"
Whitney looked bemused at the small figure charging at him. He folded his arms across his chest and raised a brow. "Really, Kent? You have a kid standing up for you?" Clark cleared his throat and stood up, shaking his head at Diana who was looking like she was going to throw the bully off the roof.
"But Clark. . ." She protested in a small voice. He shook his head again. Lana was silent but her fists were clenching in her sides. Diana ignored Clark. "Stop being such a bully, Whitney!"
Whitney only laughed in amusement. "Or what? Poor Kent though. He doesn't have it in him to defend himself and has to recruit a little girl to fight his battles for him."
"I can fight my own battles, Whitney!" Clark said, gritting his teeth.
"Oh?" Whitney mocked and stepped on the carton box he had spilled. "She seems to do all your job for you." He took a step towards them but Diana maneuvered herself and stood in front of Clark and Lana. Her best friend looked angry at her but Diana paid no attention to him.
"Get out of my way, tiny!"
"What did they do to you?" Diana snapped.
"Diana, stop!" Clark said, scowling at her. He took a deep breathe to calm himself and concentrated on what was happening. Oh how he really wanted to fight Whitney bu if he did, his parents would be disappointed in him and all the words they taught him would be all for naught.
"I said move!" Whitney said, pushing Diana out of the way. Caught off guard, Diana was knocked to the ground. Her body wasn't hurt but her dignity was. So she stood up and was about to launch a punch in Whitney's stomach when Clark beat her to it and tackled the bully to the ground. His breathing was harsh and seeing Diana getting pushed by Whitney made him see red. He gathered all his willpower and socked his bully's nose in the face. His punch was not brute force but it was enough for Whitney Fordman to cry out in pain. He should be thankful that Clark was being generous and it was the most gentle force he could muster.
Clark stood up and brushed the crease off his white shirt. Taking a deep breath, he led Lana out of the cafeteria, leaving his younger bestfriend in shock and dismay.
Later that afternoon, the Kents, Fordman and Diana's aunt were called into the principal's office. Diana, Clark, and Whitney were outside of the office, sitting on the bench, all the while glaring at each other. Whitney's nose was not bleeding anymore but it was broken. His hatred towards Kent even fueled his anger instead of teaching a lesson to him.
"I'm sorry, Clark." Diana whispered, head bowed low. "I just wanted to help."
"Well, you didn't." Clark snapped. "You made things worse."
Diana was silent. Her lips trembled and she tried very hard to keep her tears at bay. It was no use crying. He was right. Diana inhaled and she raised her head, avoiding his eyes.
If Diana hadn't meddled, he wouldn't have punched Whitney! And he'd go home without thinking of this bully and his broken nose.
"You shouldn't be mad at tiny, Kent." Whitney rolled his eyes. Diana frowned at his nickname for her. "If you had just stood for yourself, then —"
"I did, didn't I? What happened? Look at your face and see why I don't." Clark replied, narrowing his eyes at Whitney. "Don't act like a saint. Don't defend her after you've pushed her out of the way to deal with me because last time I checked I do those things, not you."
Whitney scoffed and went quiet. Minutes later, their guardians and the principal exited the office. Ms. Crete held out a hand to Diana. The princess jumped off the bench and looked guiltily at the chastising expression on her aunt's face. They walked outside.
"I must say, Diana dear, that I'm—"
"Disappointed in me?" Diana cut off before Circe could finish. Her aunt raised a delicate brow.
"Who said I am?" She smiled. Diana paused.
"You're not?"
Circe shrugged. "Just surprised." She replied quietly. "I'm happy that you defended them while Clark defended you. It was very noble of him."
Diana's eyes cast downward. "Clark's mad at me."
Her aunt raised a brow. "Why?"
"I . . . I guess he didn't want me to fight for him. He was used to getting trampled over by that Whitney guy that he was used to being silent and let things be." Diana, who was merely a decade old, was very mature. Circe was very proud of her growth. "Well, I've had enough."
"I may not know your friend, sweetheart, but I think Clark's just struggling betwen keeping to himself and standing up for himself. He seems to be a pacifist and wants peace and quiet. Besides, I'm very glad that you held your temper. Keep in mind, Diana, that your powers are a gift as well as a burden. It would do you no good to use it against something little."
Diana looked at her feet. She nodded understandably. "Okay."
Three years later, Diana sat on Clark's bed watching him fidget with his tie nervously. It was quite comedic since her bestfriend had been fussing anxiously for the past hour. It was Smallville's prom and all the seniors were required to attend. She had to admit. Clark Kent was dashing in his black tuxedo, looking elegant and virile as ever. She had always viewed Clark as quite a beautiful boy but now that he's seventeen-year-old, he's a very handsome man. With his strong chiseled jaw, greek-shaped nose, and cerulean blue eyes. Lucky girl, thought Diana.
"Clark, for god's sake, would you relax? I'm getting dizzy with all your pacing."
He threw his hands up. "I . . . I can't, Di! I just . . . this all seems surreal!"
"You wearing a suit?"
He rolled his eyes. "Don't start."
Diana laughed. "Sit down, would you? It's not like Lana would ditch you for looking like a sweaty mess."
He shot her a withering look. "Let's just hope she wouldn't."
There was a knock and Martha's head popped. "You kids okay over there?"
Diana chucked and pointed at Clark. "Ask him, Ma Kent. He's been like this for the past hour."
Martha smiled at them before sauntering over Clark and fixing his tea and soothing all the nonexistent crease on his suit. She kissed his cheeks and held his hand. "You're not getting married, Clark, calm down."
Diana bursted out laughing. Clark shook his head at his bestfriend who was laughing at his expense. Her laughter was contagious and he eventually joined her. With his Ma and bestfriend in the room, Clark regained his composure and looked at Diana. She was still high on her mirth. He rolled his eyes. She could be sometimes endearing and boisterous. He could see Diana growing out of her baby features. She was getting more beautiful and beautiful each day and this, Clark noticed. He had once found Lana very pretty, but Diana outshone her in many ways. Outshone every woman he knew in many many ways. And she was just in the pinnacle of her girlhood.
"The day will come that you would fidget too, Di." Clark warned.
Diana's lips twitched. "I'm looking forward to that day, Clark."