Isle of Themyscira

Noon

The tide of battle had turned.

With the arrival of The Superman, The Amazons had been saved.

However, this final battle was far from over.

In the throne room of Themyscira, Wonder Woman Princess Diana and Master Sorceress Circe were circling one another, preparing for their final surge of combat.

"It's over, Circe," said Diana, trying not to allow her stride to bely her woundedness. "Stand down, break yourself and return under the rule of The Queen. You are one of us, and there may still be forgiveness for you."

"To join you, I would have to find forgiveness for the world within me, Princess, and there is none," Circe replied spitefully.

"Perhaps it's in a higher power, Empress," Diana told her. "You have to believe. I believe."

"A higher power," growled Circe. "I want to see a greater level, and you are the key, Princess. I'm going to force it out of you."

"What are you talking about?"

Circe executed a smoothly vaulted flying flip which sent her cascading to the other side of the throne room. Then, snatching up her sword, she quickly slipped over to stand over Hippolyta. Staring down at her, Circe placed her high heel on Hippolyta's neck and raised her razor sharp blade above her head.

"Nooo!" hollered Diana.

"Call out to your mother!" screeched Circe.

"Hippolyta!" said Diana, prepared to give Circe whatever she wanted.

"No! I said call your mother!" yelled Circe, starting to swing her blade downward toward the center of Hippolyta's face.

Diana lunged, knowing that she would be too late …

With one last look toward Diana, Hippolyta slowly closed her eyes …

Then, for a moment, time stopped … and a doorway opened …

There was a loud clang of metal upon metal, a sword blocking Circe's blade, and then … stillness.

In the sudden calm, a blinding light appeared, filling everything around it, able to be seen for miles. All hands inside the throne room raised to cover their eyes from the intensity, some already bowing to their knees knowing they were in the presence of divinity. Many of the Amazons even knew who had rejoined them.

The light emanated from the angelic body of a woman. Her garments were identical to Diana's, but pure white. A long mane of black hair flowed in the supernatural winds surrounding her, blowing her long cape outward as she hovered in the air majestically.

Grand Queen Lynda had returned.

At the glorious appearing, a wave of pure energy radiated outward, traversing the entire island.

On the northern coast, Superman and the Amazons were clearing out the remaining undead soldiers. The monstrous creatures had been driven back to the shore, but were still battling without end. For his part, Kal was very focused on protecting the Amazons and seeing to it that no more of them perished under his charge.

As the bright light appeared in the citadel, the wave of energy swept over the shore. Although it only knocked the warriors to the ground, it completely incinerated the undead. As everyone recovered, they all ran toward the source of the light.

The Man of Steel recoiled from the wave, then he quickly flew back toward the palace.

In the throne room, Diana shook her head to clear away the shock of the power which had just radiated over her. All of the women in the room, including Circe, had been thrown backward and nearly knocked unconscious. Slowly, Diana began to try to stand to her feet.

A glowing hand extended down to help her stand.

Diana looked up, and paused. The woman of light hovered over her. The resemblance between them was evident, obvious and undeniable.

Somehow, Diana knew. She just knew. But she asked anyway.

"Who … Who are you?"

"Don't be afraid. Take my hand, Diana. Let me look at you," said Grand Queen Lynda.

As Diana finally reached up and grasped her hand, Lynda lifted her, and the two women hovered in the air together.

Surrounding them, all of the Amazons bowed on their faces before Grand Queen Lynda. Even Queen Hippolyta took a knee. Only Circe stared on in anger and awe.

"I have missed you so, my child," said Lynda, holding back slight tears in her eyes. "I gave birth to you, and you have grown into the woman I always wanted you to be. I'm very proud of you, Diana."

"How do you know me?" asked Diana, her mind and heart reeling in stunned awe.

"From the higher heavens, I can watch over your battles, sometimes," smiled Lynda. "I was even with you during some of them, every now and then. You have more power than you yet know, Diana."

"I want that power!" Circe suddenly screamed. "Please, Grand Queen, grant it to me. I beg of you."

"You cannot have it, Great Empress," Grand Queen Lynda said forcefully, turning from Diana to face Circe, frustrated by the interruption of her first moment with her grown daughter. "You have always been a great warrior Circe, but your quest for power to take vengeance upon the world has corrupted you. You cannot wield the knowledge of the higher heavens."

"The Great Grand Queen has passed judgement upon me. No! I will take the power for myself!" screeched Circe.

Snatching up her sword, Circe leapt into the air toward Lynda.

"Back to the depths, you must go!" said Grand Queen Lynda.

With a single powerful, precise and graceful swing of her sword, Lynda cut Circe's weapon in half, releasing a massive discharge of energy which sent Circe falling backward. Amazingly, at the moment her back struck the floor, her corporeal form became ethereal, and she sank into the ground. Circe uttered a cry of denial which resounded as a distant echo.

Turning back to Diana as she sheathed her sword, Lynda reached out her hands to touch Diana's face. However, her extremities had become ethereal, and the rest of her body quickly began to fade out of the realm of visible sight. Lynda drew back.

"It seems I have to go now," Lynda said quickly. "There's so much to share with you one day, Diana. I love …"

"Wait! M …," cried Diana.

But she was gone. The light quickly faded away. Diana dropped to her knees.

"Diana!" Kal's voice suddenly called out as he landed inside the throne room.

"Arrest him!" Queen Hippolyta ordered her warriors.

"What?" exclaimed Diana, standing to her feet. "Why?"

"He is of the race of men, Diana," Queen Hippolyta said firmly. "Despite his … impressive … abilities, it is in his very nature to betray us. He must be detained."

"He saved us!" said Diana.

"For the moment, yes, but he will turn. All people do. There is none good, no not one."

As the Amazons stood, they hesitated. Despite the fact that they all despised men, they couldn't deny that his one seemed different. With their being a warrior race, his vaunted power had of course impressed all of them. Not only had he single handedly turned the tide of the battle, but he had also avidly protected them as they had fought. They wanted him with them. Still, they believed in the judgement of their Queen and in the inherent evil of all men, and they made their choice.

The Amazon imperial guard moved over to point their spears at him as two of their best warriors strapped his hands with their most impenetrable bindings. Kal stepped forward, presenting his hands to them without resistance as he looked over to Diana.

"It's all right, Diana," Kal said calmly. "I understand. Great Queen Hippolyta, may I address the throne?"

Hippolyta's eyes widened. She was surprised to hear a man speak with such poise, dignity and respect. This Kal-El was truly unique.

"You may," said Hippolyta, weakly walking over to where the throne seat once stood, quickly taking the arms of two of her Amazons as they ran over to her sides to assist their Queen.

The small squadron of Imperial Guard moved along with Kal as he walked to the bottom of the short stairs separating the main floor and the throne level. With a nod to Queen Hippolyta, Kal opened his hands and started to walk up the staircase.

The bindings snapped as if they weren't even there.

All of the Amazons, except Diana, recoiled from Kal warily. The grandeur of his power, even on small scales, was astounding. With a calm poise, he walked up the stairs and then turned to face the Amazon race as he stood beside The Queen.

"Amazon Warrior Women of Themyscira, please hear my words," Superman said loudly so all could hear. "Your honor is without question. I stand before you today to bring you the message that the time has come for you to return. You have remained outside the world for a great many years. However, the world needs you. Your beauty, grace and peaceful persuasion are without measure. I know you have been wronged. Yet, the purpose for which you were created still stands before you. The world needs you. Men need you. We need you. Thank you for hearing me. Great Queen, I humbly await your judgement."

With those words, Superman turned to bow to Queen Hippolyta before calmly walking back down the throne room steps. Diana stepped over toward him, purposefully standing by his side. The security detail which had escorted Kal to the throne area stood still, his words having moved them to take no action against him.

There was a long pause of silence as the entire audience awaited Queen Hippolyta's decision.

Then, with her two aides by her sides, Queen Hippolyta stepped forward to the edge of the staircase and prepared to speak. However, before she could say anything, everyone noticed the slow but hurried movement of the injured Seer trying to make her way up to Hippolyta. In contrast to their Queen, none of the Amazons moved to touch their mysterious mystical figure, but they all waited patiently for her to complete her business.

As the Seer reached Hippolyta, she spoke into her ear in a quiet whisper.

"Tread carefully, Hippolyta, for destiny stands before you."

"Explain yourself," The Queen ordered in a stern whisper.

"Look at them," The Seer told her. "He shall never leave her nor forsake her. They shall be the epitome of agape in its physical manifestation. They are destined to be together in all verses. Throughout all lifetimes, incarnations and possibilities, they come together for the good of all. Their love will protect the universe through ages, eras and generations. You can try to keep them apart as you will, but you cannot fight the future."

"Are you certain of this as a universal truth?" asked Hippolyta, her eyes wide.

"I have foreseen it," The Seer said with positive finality.

Hippolyta hesitated for another long moment, trying to decide if she could open her heart to ever trust a man again. Then, she raised her voice.

"You have spoken well, Warrior," she said strongly. "Your words were from the heart, and meaningful, intended to pierce the hardened hearts of strong women. If I were a younger woman, you may even have persuaded me. Be that as it may, I must judge in regard to the heritage of my people. It must be this way. You are hereby banished from Themyscira, the same as all of your kind."

"Mother!" hollered Diana.

"I understand, Your Grace," Superman said humbly. "Thank you for hearing me. I hope, in time, you and your valiant warrior women may reconsider."

"Kal, I'm sorry," Diana whispered.

"It was my honor to be of your assistance, My Princess," he whispered back.

With that, The Man of Steel slowly began to float up into the air.

"Warrior," Queen Hippolyta called in a low voice, stepping over to the very edge of the platform as her two aides assisted her. "Thank you for what you have done for us this day. It will not be forgotten."

"I'm always around, Great Queen," Kal said quietly.

Then, staring over at Diana, he soared up into the sky, turned, and was gone.

"Mother," Diana began.

"Hold your peace, Wonder Woman of Themyscira," Queen Hippolyta said formally. "You must also be judged. At present, it is unknown how you even knew of the danger to the island."

"This was my doing, Great Queen," The Seer admitted, dropping to her knees before Hippolyta. "I saw the end of our race upon us, and I acted in desperation. It is a testament to her untapped abilities that she was able to see the visions I sent to her. I humbly accept whatever judgement I have incurred."

"You will be dealt with later," Queen Hippolyta said firmly. "As for you, Princess, your banishment must stand."

"Mother, this can't be. I have so many questions. I …," began Diana.

"You shall not find your answers this day. Perhaps, your destiny does indeed lie elsewhere," Hippolyta said, trying to hide the broken sadness in her regal voice. "Diana, you have been my greatest joy. Today, you are my greatest sorrow."

At her immensely hurtful words, Diana stood speechless.

With one last look at Diana, Queen Hippolyta slowly turned her back to her. She stepped forward out of the grasp of her two aides, seemingly in anger, but in truth because she didn't want them to see the tears which threatened to slip from her eyes. Her head lowered.

Around the throne room, the Amazons quietly began to follow suit of their queen. Slowly, reluctantly, they too turned their backs to Diana. Only Hessia, Artemis and The Seer remained turned toward her.

With a final silent bow, Diana took to the sky and left Themyscira behind her.