Prologue:
Three of Great Import

"It is something great and greatening to cherish an ideal; to act in the light of truth that is far-away and far above; to set aside the near advantage, the momentary pleasure; the snatching of seeming good to self; and to act for remoter ends, for higher good, and for interests other than our own."
-Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

In Which Our Story Begins •
In Which A Curious Star Falls To Earth • In Which A Promising Son Is Born • In Which A Clay Figure Is Given Life

It wasn't a falling star that fell on the farmlands outside Smallville, Ohio [1], but something rather different in nature. Had the circumstances of that June 12th, 1840 been different, perhaps someone else would have discovered what the star actually was...or perhaps no-one ever would have. However, the fates had something else in mind, and it would be a local farmer out on his nightly rounds of his homestead.

Johnathan Eben Kent [2] was from a long-line of farmers, his father and grandfather and great-grandfather all having at some point tilled the soil, whether it was his great-grandfather Fredrick back in Yorkshire or his own father having been the first in the family to till the soil in this state. Farming was in his blood, though he'd been having thoughts of perhaps opening a store in nearby Smallville. But such thoughts were pushed aside as he continued his rounds, checking to make sure the chickens were all asleep in their henhouse, that the few cows were quietly resting in the barn with the horses, and the other things that needed to be done before dinner and sleep.

However, his chores were interrupted by the sound of something whistling in the distance, growing louder into a roar. Glancing up in surprise, he saw what looked like a falling star passing overheard, rocketing towards the western-fields. Watching it arc, he saw and heard it land, a dull thud, barely perceptible in the earth traveling through the ground and up his body.

" What on earth could that be?" he said, stroking his beard. Deciding that he might as well make sure it didn't set fire to things, having heard that some of these falling stars were incredibly hot with what remained, he didn't need his wheat field burning down, just when he was sure a good crop was going to come in this year, perhaps enough to get that hole the porch roof fixed proper this time or getting a new plow blade. Dusting his hands off, he grabbed his lantern and began tromping off in the direction of the fallen star.

Knowing the fields well, having grown up in them since he was a small boy, Johnathan found the object in short order, barely a five minute walk from the edge of the fields near the house proper. Course, finding it turned out to make things more confusing than he anticipated. Instead of some rock, he found what looked like a oblong, brass colored object, with blackened windows near one end, and a mass of pipes and funnels near the other end, though a large portion of the object was covered in dirt and debris from the impact. Making his way closer, what appeared to be steam was venting out of some of those pipes. However, as he moved closer, what looked like a saucer on a thin piece of wire, popped out, and a bright flash of light blinded him for a second.

" What in blazes..." he said, struggling to see through the spots of light dancing before his eyes. A strange sound came from the object, and a panel near one of the black windows opened. As Jonathan managed to regain his senses, he suddenly found himself not in his wheat field, but in the midst of what looked to be a great city, with towering buildings, of greens and whites and blues and other colors, and people in strange garb. He could only stand gaping at the scene that surrounded him. However, he managed to realize someone was trying to speak, though not in any language he understood.

" Ren farh kenai lu'ai raskh...ertin frin." a figure standing to one side was saying, but as it repeated the phrase, it seemed to slip into English.

" Whoever is listening to this message, this craft contains the last survivor of our world."

The bearded and white-haired speaker, for Johnathan could make him out clearly, being the only one garbed in dark blue and white in this place, gestured to the craft.

" My son, sent that some remnant of our world be preserved somewhere. A world gone now, through the destruction of our worlds core. I ask he be raised among you. Perhaps, perhaps he may prevent the same complacency that allowed our people to die. He will be different from the peoples of your world, your worlds sun granting him abilities beyond that known to your world. I hope that whoever finds him as you would one of your own."

Johnathan was still trying to understand half of what was going on, the amount of information and the late hour making his judgement and ability to keep up with everything lessened somewhat. Perhaps having planned for this eventuality, the saucer on the wire aimed in his direction again, and a flood of information, enough to convince him this wasn't some hoax, was suddenly flashing through his brain.

" Dear god..." he said, as he saw visions of this other worlds destruction, taken during the moments before this craft had been sent on its voyage. While not familiar with the energies required to destroy a planet, Johnathan had no trouble understanding that the death of this other world had been total. As he stared down at the craft, the blackened windows slid back into the craft, showing its occupant, a sleeping baby boy, barely six months old as far as he could tell, and already showing a fine crop of black hair. The lad turned over in the small space where he lay, and yawned. Seeing this, Johnathan gave a little smile.

" I suppose I should take you back home...won't do to leave you in this thing tonight or at all.." the farmer said, more to himself than to the child. Gently picking the lad up, he carefully swaddled him up in the few blankets that were inside the craft, and picked up his lantern. Now, to make his way back to the house, Martha, and figuring out what to do next. Sighing somewhat, he thought mainly on her reaction to all this. Having lost their first and only child Samantha only a few weeks after her birth, it had been hard on both of them. But perhaps...perhaps this child might help the both of them. For now though, he'd have to keep the childs true origin secret from her. Sky-children were not something brought up at the dinner table. Perhaps telling an altered version of the truth, that he had been left on the edge of the property in a basket, perhaps by someone who couldn't take care of him.

Yes, that would do as a cover, until he could move that object in the fields to a better place, and prepare Martha for the truth. As he got closer to the farm, he could see her in the kitchen, patiently waiting. Well, better get it over with. Moving out of the field, he briskly walked up to the side door and knocked.

" Johnathan? Is that you?"

" Yes dear...got a bit of a surprise for you..."

He heard his wife come over to the door, and unlatch the lock. Swinging into the house, the door allowed him to see her, and her to see him.

" Johnathan, what have you got there?"

He held the boy out to her. Her face underwent several changes. Surprise, confusion, joy, sadness, and concern.

" Someone left him in a basket in the western edge of the property. Didn't see who did. No note, no nothing beyond him, those blankets, and the basket."

She was still stunned, and was looking at the child.

" I couldn't leave him out there. And...well, I thought, what with, the difficulties, and no one claiming him, we might take him in. The nearest orphanage is all the way up in Maumee."

She nodded, but took the child. Finally, she spoke.

" I prayed that perhaps we might have a child, but I feared...after...after Samantha, I thought the Lord hadn't heard. But...here, he's answered."

Johnathan scratched the back of his neck, and thought that sounded as good as anything regarding the events...certainly, the boy was heaven sent in one manner.

" I suppose, dear. But if we do keep him, he's got to have a name, don't he?"

She nodded.

" Yes. How about Clark Atticus Kent ?"[3]

" Naming him after grandfather Clark and uncle Atticus? Sure is nice sounding name..."

Martha nodded, and held the boy closer. Clark Atticus Kent slept on, unaware of how much his life had changed. And Johnathan thought about what he had learned, and pondered if there were other worlds beyond the one this lad had come from...and what that meant for this world if others came here.

- O - O - O - O - O - O - O - O -

Gotham City was a city clothed in darkness at the best of times. Perhaps this had to due with its persistent cloud cover, which covered the sky almost all year round. Adding to that was the man made clouds and smog of what William Blake may have referred to as "Dark Satanic Mills" coming from the cities industrial centers. Steel mills, shipping yards, railways, and other forms of mass industry covered the skies with black smoke and steam. And it was in this city, that one Bruce Anthony Wayne was born. At the time however, it would be the worry of his father, one Thomas Solomon Wayne [4] about the state of affairs as he paced outside the central guest room in Wayne Manor, hands wringing in anticipation and worry. The families trusted butler/valet Alfred Pennyworth was dusting a nearby grandfather clock, his own concern being put to use doing menial chores. Sitting in a chair nearby sat Thomas Wayne's freedman secretary Lucius Fox, who held Mr. Waynes leather document bag in his hands, quietly waiting along with the other two men.

From inside the room, the muffled sounds of the doctor and the nurse who had accompanied him, as well as the cries of Thomas Waynes wife, Martha. He kept wringing his hands in concern, worried about all the variables that might happen. Alfred continued dusting, and Lucius was glancing through some paperwork about the Wayne Industries purchase of Jacobs Shipping and Transport. All three men had their way of dealing with the stress, and knowing that the best course of action was to wait.

Finally, after the longest time, the door opened and Doctor Trevor Kenwall stepped out, shirtsleeves rolled up and hair a mess. However, the smile on his face gave the three men in the hall a raise in spirits.

" A healthy baby boy, Mr. Wayne. And Mrs. Wayne's fine as well, though she'll need a lot of bed rest mind you. Even a successful delivery like this one, the mothers not going to be moving about for about a week as she used to." he said, while straightening his tie. "And, I can't take all the credit for the delivery. Nurse Thompkins [5] helped a lot."

Said nurse could be seen behind him doing the last minute cleaning and packing of the equipment.

" Anyways, I'll be back to check on your wife and son in a few days, make sure they're all healthy and what not. I suggest you find a room in this house with a good airflow, but not drafty. Don't want the lad to get too warm or too cold."

Thomas nodded.

" Now you can go see them. Just don't overtire her or the child." the doctor warned. He placed his top-hat on his head and his cloak around his shoulders.

" If anything changes in the childs behavior or health, don't be afraid to have me come over. But I believe the little lad will be alright. Come along Nurse Thompkins [4], we've got to see Miss McCready on Wilshire and Jasmine about that cough she's developed."

With that, Thomas Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth and Lucius Fox were left alone as the doctor and his nurse left.

" I believe, Mr. Fox and I can wait, Master Wayne, before seeing the child. Besides, I believe Mistress Wayne will wish to see you first."

Thomas Wayne nodded, and quietly entered the room where his wife and son were. At first it looked like both were asleep, but then his wife turned, and smiled.

" He's handsome, dear. Just like his father."

She turned a little more so that the bundle in her arms was more visible. Thomas motioned if it was okay to hold the child. She nodded yes. Taking the child gently, Thomas noticed the boy looked like both his parents. He had his mothers nose, but his own chin and ears. Indeed, he could spend hours staring at his son, trying to figure out who in the family he resembled, but he knew that Martha would wish to have their son back for a bit. He smiled, and handed the child back to her.

" What should we name him?"

" Hmmm...how about Anthony as his middle name? [6] And perhaps Bruce, after your father." he said. She nodded.

" Yes...I rather like it. Bruce suits him."

Thomas Wayne stared down at his wife for a second, before speaking again.

" Do you mind if Lucius and Alfred see him briefly?"

She shook her head.

" They're welcome to see him...just not to long, I'm very tired."

" Of course dear." Thomas Wayne said, before making his way to the door, and inviting the two other men in. He was ecstatic to be a father, but decorum and consideration for his wife and childs tiredness required that he keep calm for now. But he knew, in his heart, that his son was destined for great things.

- O - O - O - O - O - O - O - O -

On a small island, somewhere in the south-western Atlantic ocean, a ritual was underway that was old and new. A long stretch of beach, beautiful as any place untainted by the rest of the worlds industry and capacity for pollution, was currently being occupied by three women. One wore a golden tiara, ornate, but not overly so. The second wore a long gown, and carried several scrolls under her arms. And finally, the third wore armor and carried a long spear and short-sword, looking on as the two other women consulted each other. The light from the small fire burning nearby flickered and sparked occasionally, its embers dying down.

Phillipus, Captain of the Amazonian Guard, watched in a mixture of tiredness and concern as Queen Hippolyta and Phoebe, a scholar of old and ancient knowledge, read through the scrolls.

" The Gods have already given their blessing, my Queen. It is now up to you to create the...vessel, or form of the child. A mixture of sand and clay should do, as the texts and the Gods prescribe," the scholar said. The queen nodded, and sat on the ground, the sand shifting as she did so. Phoebe glanced at Phillipus. The captain of the guard looked back, and scowled. While there were few things on the island that could pose a threat, beyond some animals, the threat of an incursion by one of the Amazons ancient enemies, or at least enemies of one of their patron God's and Goddesses, was possible. As one of the queens most trusted guards, Phillipus was not comfortable leaving the queen alone on the beach.

" You know we cannot watch, Phillipus," the scholar said. "It is between the Gods and the Queen now. To stay would invite their displeasure..." the scholar said, a warning tone in her voice. Phillipus gave her a look, but nodded that she understood.

" I will be fine Phillipus. Go. I shall meet you as we agreed back at the palace when all is done. Do not worry, old friend."

Taking a deep breath, Phillipus nodded and saluted, before letting the breath out.

" Yes, my Queen. May the Gods grant you the boon you asked for."

With that, she was lead off by Phoebe, and soon, the beach was quiet except for the sound of the sea washing against the shore, and empty except for the queen and a few crabs that scuttled about in the dark. She sat quietly in the dark, before she began to move again. Carefully, using the wet sand near the edge of the water and clay that had been brought along, she began to sculpt, her mind set to the task. Over a period of time, several hours at least, she sculpted and modeled and formed the wet earth into a more definable shape. Finally, she was done, and held her creation aloft, examining it, her golden hair falling behind her head as she gazed up a little. [7]

Hippolyta of the Amazons...a voice from nearby said. She didn't turn, but recognized the voice. It was Athena.

You have done as asked. Your boon will be granted. Hold the form higher. This was Hestia. She did as asked, and one by one, the forms of several Gods and Goddesses stepped forward and breathed upon the still clay form.

I give unto her the Eye of the Hunter and an affinity with animals, said Artemis.

I give unto her knowledge and wisdom, and the desire to learn, said Athena.

I give unto her beauty and grace, said Aphrodite.

I give unto her boundless strength, beyond even that of the strongest of the Amazons, and the will to use it, said Demeter.

I give unto her the abilities of speed and flight, said Hermes.

And to her I give her resistance to damage from flames, and the ability to tell when untruths and falsities are spoken, and what the truth is, said Hestia.

As each granted their gifts, the clay and sand formed creation slowly changed. It became more, and more like a real child. As Hestia bestowed the last gift, the change was complete. Instead of a form of clay and sand, the queen now held a living, breathing baby girl, softly sleeping in her hands. Holding the child closer, she thanked them, but in a way that did not insult them. Each of the Gods nodded, and disappeared, their part done. Now, it was just Hippolyta and her new child alone on the beach. Standing up, she began to make her way back towards the Amazons main city on their island, heart filled with something she hadn't felt in a long time. She couldn't quite name it, but certainly it was a mixture of joy, pride, and happiness...something long gone from her heart in the amount it is now.

Hippolyta managed to return and enter the palace without much problem, partially because she took a side entrance off a quiet street, rather than through the main doors that opened on the main square of the city. She soon found Phoebe and Phillipus near her quarters.

" It is done then?" the captain of the guard asked. The queen nodded.

" It is. The gods have granted my request. Now I must rest, as well as the child."

Phoebe paused, while straightening the scrolls under her left arm.

" What shall you name her?"

Hippolyta looked at the child in her arms, stroking the black hair that had grown during the transformation from clay and sand to flesh and blood.

" Diana...yes, I shall name her Diana. Princess of the Amazons." she said, a note of pride in her voice. Even Phillipus, the normally resolute and soldiery captain of the guard, had slightly wet eyes, at the scene before her. No Amazon had seen a child in such a long time, that one among them now was something to behold. However, she did not say anything as the Queen and her new daughter made their way towards the royal quarters.

The Amazons had a Princess...and what portents that might bring would come in time.

General Notes:

Hello all. This is a story I've been working on for some time. My love of alternate history and the classic A Tale of the Batman: Gotham by Gaslight comic brought this to fruition. Technically, this is the second edition, the first having been written at a time when I had less grasp of time and ability to write coherently. But I hope all the same that this story is entertaining and interesting to readers here, and if not, I am but a poor scribbler of words for not doing better. Anyways, what follows is some basic background and notes on this first bit.

I tend to borrow character elements from all over the DC universe, though most will before the New 52 series that DC is currently publishing (easier for me to work with, as the new stuff shifts a lot of origins and character backgrounds that I'm unfamiliar with, or don't wish to work with.)

This is obviously an Alternate Universe, and as such, events, characters, and the like are different from what readers and fans of comics may remember or know. I tend to think of this as a larger expanded Elseworlds story, with a wider emphasis on the effects of the DC superheroes/villains/characters on our worlds history. While this story will have romance, it is not intended to follow any particular couple exclusively, but will show how characters interact, feel, and basically differ not only from modern day interpretations, but also how the different social mores each may mold for themselves and their outward expression, might change the world.

Anyways, here are some minor notes on references for those who may not have the time or interest in digging about online for some of these things:

[1] I decided to place the Kents and Superman in Ohio instead of Kansas, as has been the tradition since the mid-sixties in most Superman background stories, as a change of pace from the norm, and also to allow Superman to be more involved in the Civil War, considering the widespread number of Ohio regiments which were involved in the various battles of the war. Secondly, the Kansas Territory at the time that Kal-El arrives on Earth in the 1840's, official settlements will take time to grow big enough by the time the territory is officially opened for settlement. Another reason is that Superman originally was in Cleveland way back when, before it becam Metropolis. So, its a bit of a tip of the hat to the original stories.

[2] Another comics reference, Johnathan Kent's name is a reference to one of the original names of the Kents, Eben and Sarah (which will be Martha's middle name in this version as well).

[3] Atticus is taken from the Elseworlds "Superman: A Nation Divided".

[4] Thomas Wayne's middle name refers to Judge Solomon Wayne, who is Thomas Wayne's grandfather in this universe (Bruces great-grandfather).

[5] Considering it would be another decade or so that a woman would have full doctoral training, Leslie Thompkins is a nurse at first. However, Thomas Wayne, in a show of thanks, sends her to higher medical school, and pulls some strings for her to be accepted without too much complaint. She'll still play an important role in Bruces life beyond just his birth.

[6] Anthony refers to Mad Anthony Wayne, who is sometimes depicted as an ancestor of Bruce Wayne. In this universe he is a distant cousin to the Gotham Waynes.

[7] The origin of Wonder Woman has varied ever since her conception as a character, either being a natural born daughter of Hippolyta and some God (currently Zeus in the New 52), clay figure brought to life (as shown here).