Hello dearies! I'm baaack, lol. Please enjoy.
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"Celeste, can I ask you a personal question?" Black Arrow asked. They were in the Invisible Jet, which Renegade was driving expertly at this point, on their way to Themyscira to enter the Gates of Tartarus. They hoped that the Amazons wouldn't attack them on sight, the fact that they were both girls gave them a slightly better chance. But they were still outsiders.
"You can try," Renegade responded, weaving through the sky, not taking her eyes off the sky.
Black Arrow was quiet for a moment before she finally spoke, "Have you ever met your grandmother?"
Renegade immediately froze up, tightening her grip on the steering wheel. "No," she answered briskly. "I have never met Queen Hippolyta." She loosened her hold. "She and my mom had a falling out before I was born. They haven't spoken since. I don't even think she knows I exist." Honestly, she couldn't even imagine not speaking to her mother again and vice versa. If you love your family enough, you should be able to overcome all you differences. She looked at her friend pointedly. "And we're not going to tell her."
"But she's your family," Black Arrow protested.
"But she despises mortal men," Renegade retorted, mimicking her tone. She sighed. "Livy, this is not the right time, alright? Just leave it at that."
Black Arrow nodded, knowing that her friend was an emotionally complex person. "Alright," she agreed. There was silence for the rest of the ride before a huge body of land came into view. "Is that...?"
Renegade nodded. "Themyscira," she confirmed. "Home to the Amazons."
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As soon as the girls hopped out of the jet, they found that spears were pointed at their necks. "Intruders!" shouted a redheaded Amazon. She vaguely reminded both Renegade and Black Arrow of Hawkgirl. "State your purpose!"
"We're here to see the Queen," Renegade said smoothly, not threatened in the least. "It's very urgent."
Another Amazon with darker skin put a shoulder on the redhead's shoulder. "Calm yourself, Artemis," she ordered. She looked at the girls with narrowed eyes. "What business do you have with the Queen, children?"
"It's about the Princess, ma'am," Renegade told her. "She's in danger and we need the Queen's help to save her."
"Phillippus, they could be lying," Artemis pointed out.
"We promise we're not," said Black Arrow innocently. "We're with the Justice League."
Phillipus considered them, especially the one with black hair. Her grace and the way she carried herself with confidence reminded her of the Princess at that age. Her body, lean yet strong and muscular, practically screamed Diana. "This way," she said finally, gesturing for them to follow.
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Phillipus and Artemis led Black Arrow and Renegade to the throne room where the Queen herself was perched on a magnificent gold throne. Next to hers was a smaller one, but it was in no way any less grand. This must be Mom's, thought Renegade. The Queen herself was just as magnificent, maybe even more so, than her throne. She sat up regal and tall, looking down at the two girls with a calculating gaze. Her light blond hair and Renegade's own blue eyes complimented each other nicely.
"Phillipus," spoke the Queen, her voice strong and commanding. "who are these young women?"
"They say that they stand with Princess Diana's Justice League, Queen Hippolyta," Phillipus told her. "They claim that she is in danger."
Hippolyta seemed to think about this. "Leave us at once," she ordered her guards.
"My Queen, that would leave you defenseless should these outsiders attack," Artemis argued, mistrust in her hazel eyes.
Hippolyta narrowed her eyes. "You hear me Artemis," she said icily. "Leave us." Phillipus and Artemis looked at each other before bowing their heads and leaving the room. The Queen turned to the girls. "Explain, foreigners." She stared at Renegade just like Phillipus had and the vigilante had never been so glad to be wearing a mask.
"Queen Hippolyta, I am Renegade and this is Black Arrow. The entire Justice League has up and disappeared," Renegade informed her. "Including your daughter. Hades, ruler of Tartarus, has sent us a message claiming to know who took them. We ask that you allow us to use the gate here."
"You can not trust Hades, children," warned Hippolyta. "He is deceitful and dishonest."
Renegade nodded. "I understand that, but he is our only lead. Without him, the entire League and your daughter may never be found."
Hippolyta seemed to consider this. "Do what you must," she agreed. "Just save my Sun and Stars."
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"You ready Livy?" Renegade asked as they approached the gate. This was not just another mission. This was entering (practically) hell. The fate of the League and the entire world rested on their shoulders.
Black Arrow smiled at her. "As ready as I'll ever be, Leste." Renegade smiled back as they pushed open the gate together and entered Tartarus holding hands, neither knowing if they would survive, but glad that they had each other at the same time.
Unknown to them, however, terror befell the island just after they left.
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Hippolyta glared viciously at the two intruders in front of her. "You!" she spat. "You are forbidden to come here! Get off my island this instant!"
The woman smirked. "Oh, but Hippy," she taunted, cupping her chin. "what's the fun in that? Aren't you happy to see us?"
"You both can rot in Tartarus for all I care!" Hippolyta hissed.
The man leered at her. "It's really a shame that you and your granddaughter only had a brief conversation." He grinned maliciously. "It will be the last you ever have with her."
"What granddaughter?" Hippolyta demanded.
The woman chuckled. "Oh, you didn't know? Princess Diana's been a very naughty girl. She went and married the mortal named Batman and had his child." She paused for effect, very much enjoying watching Hippolyta squirm. "Renegade I believe she named herself."
Hippolyta's eyes widened. "But she was..."
"The girl you spoke to today?" guessed the man. "Yes. She was. The poor dear was too afraid to approach you for fear of rejection." He took out a sharp sword. "Pity that she will never know her grandmother." With that, he plunged the blade into Hippolyta's stomach.
The woman cackled. "Finally, the wench is gone."
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The boys waited in anticipation for the girls to come back, both silently praying that they made it back alright. "Crap!" hissed Warhawk as an alert popped up on the monitor. "We're screwed, we are so screwed!"
"What's wrong?" asked Superboy, walking over.
"There's been a prison break at Belle Reve!" Warhawk answered. "The worst of the worst are out on the streets and free to terrorize the world! This is just freaking perfect! Now it's up to us to put them all back!"
Superboy sighed. "I hope the girls are having better luck than we are."
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Renegade grunted as was thrown to the side. Unfortunately, there were monsters and demons everywhere you turned, which forced her an Black Arrow to fight through them. "At this rate, we'll never get to Hades!" she complained.
Black Arrow helped her up. "I hope the boys are having better luck then we are," she quipped. "Any ideas?"
Renegade looked at her wrists. "Just one," she said before slipping her bracelets off. "Livy, hide behind that rock and whatever you do, stay away from me." She wouldn't have been able to bare it if she hurt her best friend. Black Arrow did as she was told. Renegade concentrated all her emotions to her palms. Come on, just this once do what I say...
As if on cue, blood red flames shot out of her hands and at the monsters. It didn't hit any of them, but it did have an interesting effect. As soon as they saw the flames, in fear. The looked at Renegade apprehensively and quickly fled.
"Whoa," uttered Renegade in shock, looking at her palms. "Did I just do that?"
Black Arrow came out of hiding. "Leste, that was so cool!" she exclaimed.
"I guess so," said Renegade quietly, putting her bracelets back on. "Let's just keep going."
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Eventually, the girls reached Hades' castle where Hades was sitting on his throne. He smiled at them. "Ah, Granddaughter," he greeted. "And I see you've brought Black Arrow."
Black Arrow grinned and waved. "Hi!"
Renegade nodded. "Hades. We are here as per your requested. Now, I believe that there is some information you wanted to discuss with us?" She wanted to make this quick so that she could get her parents and the League back.
Hades nodded back. "Of course." He smirked. "But first, would you like to know where your fire power comes from?"
Renegade gasped, touching her right wrist. "You... you know why I have these powers?" she asked, surprised. "Do they come from you?"
"Yes," Hades answered. "Celeste, you have the power to control hell fire, command the creatures of Tartarus, and so much more. Your powers exceed even mine. You are the one and only heir of Tartarus."
Renegade blinked. "Come again?"
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"That's not working," Bruce snapped as his wife punched the wall for the tenth time to no avail. He missed their daughter too, but she was going to bruise her knuckles and waste her energy.
Diana glared at him. "Nothing. Is. Going. To. Stop. Me. From. Getting. To. My. Baby," she insisted, speaking through each punch. Bruce shook his head and watched as she continued to try to punch through it.
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Black Arrow watched as her friend paced around frantically. Great, now she was all worked up. "Celeste, please calm down. This isn't the worst thing that could ever happen, right?"
Renegade stopped and turned to Hades, obviously seething with anger. "No!" she shouted. "I will not calm down! I have been upset about this for five freaking years, man! I have been stressing over it for days wondering what in Hera's name I was! What made you think that it was a good idea to name a six year old the heir of Tartarus!?"
Hades was not fazed by this. "Celeste, dear, try to relax," he advised. "This much stress is not good for a girl your age."
Renegade shook her head, forcing her frustration down. "Okay, whatever, I don't care anymore," she said. "How do we find League? Who took them?"
"I'm not sure who," admitted Hades. "but I know how you can find your parents. They are your blood. Concentrate on them and your magic will lead you straight to them."
Renegade shook her head. "No, no, no," she denied. "I can not do magic. I am a warrior, not a magician. I can't do magic."
Black Arrow frowned and took her hand. "Of course you can," she insisted. "You're Celeste Wayne. You can do anything. I believe in you."
Renegade smiled. "You really are my best friend in the world." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Alright, I'll try." Mommy, Daddy, please. I'm sorry I got mad. I love you so much. "Take me to them." And with that, she was enveloped in a bright light.
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Diana stopped punching and froze. "Bruce," she uttered quietly. "Did you hear that? I'm not just going crazy?"
"If you're going crazy than we both are," Bruce replied standing up quickly. "I heard Celeste talking to us in my head. But there's no way she's here."
There was a giggle. "Of course there is," a voice said in amusement. They both turned and saw Celeste standing there in front of them. "Hi, Mommy. Hey, Daddy. What's up?"
"Celeste!" exclaimed Diana, crushing her daughter in a hug. "Oh, my baby! I'm so sorry I lied to you and I promise I'll never do it again! I love you so mu-" She stopped short. "Celeste Martha Hippolyta Wayne, what in Hera's name did you do to your hair!?"
Celeste chuckled nervously. "Heh, long story."
"Celeste, how did you get here?" asked Bruce.
"Hades," Celeste answered. "He taught me how to teleport." She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "But I can only do it with blood relatives. Grab unto my shoudlers and I'll get us back to Tartarus." They each grabbed a shoulder and Celeste brought them back to Tartarus.
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I apologize if this seems rushed, but I am frustrated and sleep deprived. Chrome was being a jerk and not letting me save or update, so I had to use freaking Internet Explorer.
