Chapter 4 – Wonder Woman

Present

I groan.

The throbbing in my head is still working it way through my skull.

I have never hurt like this before.

My eyes snap open and there is nothing. I strain to push myself up, I fall back to the ground. I cannot find Doomsday or Zod.

I hear the sound of fighting.

Could one of us still be fighting? I wonder which one of us could possibly still be holding our own against these two.

The only one that I can think of is Kara, but I thought I had seen her go down.

Who?

My eyes are still blurry, the magic that the gods had gifted me with is working to heal me, but my body still hurts.

I had fought Kara to a near standstill and yet it still had not prepared me for this. As strong as Kara is, Zod found a way to be just as strong, and coupled with the unstable, unstoppable, force of Doomsday.

I don't know how we are going to survive.

"Gaaah," I try to push myself up, only to have excruciating pain shoot up my arm. It is broken. I drop back to the ground, panting as the pain slowly ebbs. This is something that I have not experienced since I was a small child.

Gods, this monster is strong.

I rolled over in time to watch Doomsday and Kara skid by me. Rubble pelts my face as the strongest warrior in the League does battle with the beast that had torn through all of us.

Where is Zod?

"Stay down!" Zod's voice is panicked.

My eyes turn, tracking the sound of our enemy's voice. I gasp in amazement.

He's really here.


Eleven years ago, Luthor Building, Lab 1

"Goddamnit," Steve cursed as he tried to navigate the cluttered halls of the main Luthor lab.

It looked like a great deal was changing at the company, much to the government's dismay.

I took note of several vicious looking weapons that were in the process of being broken down, and a stunned scientist looking over, what looked to be, the early stages of a type of hay. I can honestly say that I did not expect to see Luthor willingly dismantle his war machine without being at the point of the sword.

When word came down that Luthor had canceled his contracts, there was dead silence in the pentagon. CNBC and other business media outlets bemoaned the colossal failure that the younger son was bringing to the once proud industrial giant, right up until they announced Persephone, a nutrient that would reclaim arable land from over farming. It was expected to produce billions in revenue.

"I still can't believe that bastard Luthor had the gall to pull this shit," Steve viciously swore looking at what was his personal project, the X-19 Cobra Fighter.

It was supposed to be the first Space Superiority Fighter in the world, but the project had been shelved and the prototype that Luthor had been working on was being scrapped. Rumor had it that Luthor had taken personal joy in calling Steve and telling him that the new armor would be used in creating water purifiers for the African continent.

"You know that Lionel is no longer in control of the company," I add looking around, rather stunned still at the sudden change in this once largest weapons supplier on the planet.

It was said that the company was also working on wheat crops that would be able to grow in harsher environments and other projects that would help a starving world.

It was not without its bumps as many of the old Board of Directors had resisted the change, but Alexander Luthor had quashed any hint of rebellion within the Company almost as efficiently as his father did.

"And this prick Lex thinks that he is going to make its image better by," Steve's voice trailed off as he caught sight of a large man approaching them.

"You know, Douche Bag," the dark haired man said with a growl. "You really should learn to keep your mouth shut. You never know what type of garbage might come out of it."

"Kent," Steve snapped. I am surprised at the venom in Steve's voice. What happened between them to cause such animosity? "What the hell are you doing here?"

"What I always do," the now named Kent shrugged. "How the hell did you get past the front gate anyways? The Government has no need to be here now."

"You know what general stars can do Kent, they open doors," Steve mocked. I watched Kent bristle. I could tell that there was bad blood between them, but as far as I know they have only met once before. "Where the hell is Luthor at? I want to have a few words with him."

"Seriously, that's the best you can do?" Kent looked at me. He had a look of mock shock at Steve's behavior. "Is he always like this, Sweet Cheeks?"

"Sweet…Cheeks," I blinked. No one had ever called me that. Was he really "flirting" with me right now?

"Shut up, Kent!" Steve screamed.

"You sound constipated, Douche Bag," Kent shot back at Steve.

Everything in his posture screamed danger, like he was looking for an excuse to lash out and hit Steve.

I remind myself again that I am Diana Prince and that I should not intercept any attacks he might launch.

"How hard is it to get that we want nothing to do with you? I thought we made that abundantly clear after you met our sister," Kent growled.

Steve had had enough. He lunged forward only to be stopped by a blow to the jaw. I blinked, barely catching the shift in his shoulders as Kent laid into Steve. I was about to move when another cold voice called out.

"Honestly, Douche Bag," Lex Luthor walked towards us. It was a testament to how secure he felt in his own buildings that Lex never had bodyguards, even with the board and his father gunning for his life.

"You think you would learn not to let Clark get to you. But it seems the military doesn't require intelligence to move up the ranks these days." Lex continued contemptuously.

I looked back at Steve, raising an eyebrow. "Douche Bag?"

"You don't know why we call him that?" Lex smirked slightly. "Douche Bag here made a comment that he shouldn't have the first time he met our sister. He not only got a broken nose and put through an ice sculpture for it, but he also earned the name Douche Bag from her. And she was right, so the name stuck."

I looked at Lex and watched as the younger man stepped towards me.

"Alexander Luthor," he took my hand and kissed the back of it before stepping back. "I take it you're Diana Prince."

I nodded, still stunned that Steve had earned the name Douche Bag and wondering what he had said.

"I guess from the looks of Douche Bag, you're here to try and get me to continue the weapons projects," he shook his head. "In all honesty, what I am going to do will make me more money than dealing with the government in the long run so you can really forget it."

He turned around and stepped to one of his holographic displays. With a few keystrokes the nutrient that I had heard about was spinning before us.

"This is Nutrient 123, codenamed Persephone," he looked at me, a look of complete understanding. I have not seen it, even from Bruce. "I am sure someone of your stature, Diana, can appreciate the reference."

My heart stopped at that; Persephone, the goddess Demeter's child, the reason that humans had winter. Did he really know my secret?

"Persephone is a nutrient restore for soil that has lost all nutrients to grow food," Lex smirked back at us. "At 500,000 lbs sold I will be in the black, and here is the great part. It enhances areas that haven't lost everything yet, and it works on a yearly basis. This is renewable, long term income for my share holders and this is the tip of the iceberg."

I know he is not exaggerating. It's barely been a month since the announcement that weapons contracts would cease.

"This is why I am not doing the weapons deals anymore," he said simply. "I make money for my shareholders and money for myself doing this."

He stepped back towards us and glowered at Steve. "So get this through your skull. Don't come back."

Glaciers were warmer than Luthor's voice as he looked down on Steve.

"I should thank you though. Your little stunt today revealed the mole you had in my security, and now that means that I can sure up things around here without worrying about government spies. So thank you."

Steve could only rub his jaw, which I am pretty sure is broken. I had never seen a man hit Steve so hard before.

"Even if I am trying to turn over a new leaf in this world, I am still a business man. The first rule of business is to make money for those who invest in your business. While the government contracts seem like good money, you would not believe how much in the way of extra costs I pile up trying to get the changes you fools want approved and the contracts changed to reflect it." Lex explained.

Lex looked back at the model and then at his brother. "Here, doing this, I get to do good for the world, and still make money. People don't seem to get that genius and saving the world can go hand and hand."

Kent looked at him proudly, as if he had made a major step forward.

Lex looked me in the eyes and I noticed the shift. His eyes were as cold as Kent's. "I have the ability to change the world, and if I focus myself on it I can, and keep making money."

He looked down in disgust at Steve. "Take Douche Bag and get out of here, I really don't need to remind you that you're not welcome back."

I nod slowly, still reeling at the thought that Lex knew about my her secret identity.

I stopped as Kent stepped in front of us.

"I don't want to fight," I said looking up at him.

"You're not going to get one, but Douche Bag is going to listen," he said simply. "Try and intimidate my family again I will rip you apart and not even the government will be able to stop me. Do you understand?"

Even through the pain he was in I could tell that he got it. Steve nodded, looking down as his jaw was now showing a visible bruise.

I walked past, only to stop as I felt a tap on my butt.

"See ya, Sweet Cheeks," he said with a grin as he walked back towards his brother.

He was so going to pay for that.


Present

Clark Kent. He has not turned away.

I watch, fascinated, as he dances inside of Zod's guard and slams his fist into Zod's throat. The former General of Kara's home world is gasping for air.

He is strong! Stronger than even I had imagined.

The more I had gotten to know him, the more convinced I became that he was a meta-human, but there had been nothing to prove it. Until now.

He is more than holding his own against the Kryptonian General that had nearly killed me.

How?

Clark looks towards me. How did he know that I was awake?

"Well, Sweet Cheeks," Clark smiles in spite of himself. The darkness that surrounded him years ago has passed. In its place is a confidence that I thought I would never see. "How's it going today? Does Douche Bag know about your second job?"

"What are you doing?" I nearly screamed. The idiot, stepping out into the light was the last thing that he wanted.

"Don't you know what's going on here?" I ask.

He nodded. "I am trying to save the world."


Metropolis, 10 years ago

Lex Luthor was standing in the rain with him. He was on the ground, and I could hear the sobs coming from him. I want to step closer, but they appear to be in a private moment.

"Wonder Woman," Isane said softly.

I looked over at the small girl. She knew my name, they all did. I discovered a year after our first meeting when Clark had let it slip. Isane at least had sense to use my name when I was in uniform.

"What happened?" I had asked, wondering what could cause the usually happy brothers such a darkness.

"Clark made a mistake," Isane said softly. "He got cocky when those guys grabbed me and they threw me out of the plane before he could take them down."

My eyes blinked. The plane had been destroyed. She had been en route to try and bring it down when three missiles vaporized the ship. The government wanted to press charges against Luthor, but they knew with the nightmare of one of their own being part of the plot it would be a smear they could ill afford right now. How had Isane survived?

"There is a lot going on I don't know," I shook my head looking at the girl. "Are you alright?"

"I have been better," Isane admitted looking towards her brothers. "But I know it's better now."

Isane was a little, off. She reminds me of the Oracle at Delphi. She seemed to know far more about the world than should be possible.

"How..."

Isane smiled at me. "Clark is a lot more than we ever thought. While I was falling from the plane I almost passed out, but I know I saw one thing. I saw my brother falling after me, with a look of determination I have not seen. The next thing I knew I was on the ground."

Flight. He could fly. There was no other way to explain it.

"Heroes come in many forms, Wonder Woman. Some seen, some never known, and I know my brother. He's not going to walk in the same light you do."

I knew that. I had known for a while.

"I will talk with him again." I turned to leave.

"Diana, don't think that he will ever be your enemy," Isane called after me. "He can be annoying, but he is also the truest friend you can ask for. If he lets you, never forget that."

I nodded as if I understood, but I wondered what she was trying to say.


Present

He is stronger now than he had been back then. His eyes are hard, and his spirit seems to have accepted the darkness in himself. That was the scariest part of Clark Kent.

He knew that he could be dark, he accepted it, and used that part of himself to his advantage. Where others lost themselves in the anger, the rage, the pain, the sadness, Clark used it as part of the forge.

"The strongest of us are not always the ones that wear the crowns," my mother told me time and again growing up. It was a lesson I did not understand until I met Clark Kent and Alexander Luthor.

Clark Kent was the man that my mother described. He didn't have the same crown Lex did, but he was still just as strong.

I watch him catch a punch from Zod. The ground cracks under them, and for the first time I begin to understand.

I look towards Kara. She is holding her own against Doomsday, but she is still weak. She needs help. He does not.

One step, one step, I force the mantra in my head.

I stand slowly.

I will keep going forward.

I will not fall here. Not in this battle. Not today.


Indonesia, Nine years ago

Clark Kent stood amid the forest looking at the untold devastation from the volcano with almost sorrow. The boy I had met two years earlier was gone. How was he here? Why was he here?

"You're late," he looked at me. "What took you so long?"

It was an accusation. I land against the now cooled lava flow. How had he managed this? Had Luthor invented something else that the world did not know about?

"What took you so long?" he asked me again, not taking his eyes away from over the devastated land.

"We did not know," I said simply. I can tell that did not satisfy him.

He stepped away from me and headed slowly towards the village.

"There are three hundred people," he said simply. "Each of them were in the forest, they were gathering food or just enjoying the day. None of them stood a chance."

"I..."

"You don't speak," he said softly. "You don't give simple words to lives lost. Words are pale compared to that. You tell them they will be remembered. You walk the path for them and hope to God you make it next time.'

It was not a reproach to me. I could tell. He is...there is such sadness. Why?

He looked at me again. "Where is the rest of the League? Did they think you would be enough to stop a volcano?"

I nodded simply.

"You know, sometimes I think they take you and Supergirl for granted," he said looking back towards the smoking volcano crater. "All the strength in the world, doesn't mean that you don't need help."

"Why are you here?" I ask. The way he is looking at me.

"Keep a secret, Diana," he said softly. For the first time I could see him. Dressed in black, his hair was messy from trying to stop the lava flows. His eyes were red from the tears for the lost.

My heart froze in my chest. It was him. The one that we heard about, the one that was driving Bruce absolutely insane. It was him. The Unseen Champion.

"The world isn't a kind place, there is nothing that you can do about it at times," he shook his head. "The only thing you can do is keep trying, to keep going forward one step at a time."

"How..."

Before I could get my question out a gust of wind forced me to close my eyes. It was incredibly strong. I opened them as it faded and he was gone.


Present

I slam my bad arm into the beast, knocking it away from Kara.

"Diana," she said in shock. "How?"

"He has his end," I shrug slightly. "Are you alright?"

"I have been better," Kara admitted. "Are you?"

"I'll live, but I have one arm that is going to need to be looked at when this is over."

Kara smirked slightly. "You're pretty sure we're going to win."

I look back at Clark.

"The Unseen Champion stepped into the light," I say with a shrug. "Even if he is a pain in the ass, he will not let us down."

I know, in my heart, he will not let us down.