Chapter Eleven
Her heart was pounding.
It felt as if it would burst through her chest.
She did not want to be here.
But what was this place?
She could not see any end to the darkness that surrounded her. It was just endless, winding tunnels that seemed to meander aimlessly.
She smelled death.
She wanted to go home.
But where was home? She could not remember.
At every turn she heard the voices and mocking laughter.
"No one wants you."
"No one cares whether you live or die."
"They abandoned you to your fate."
She shrieked at them, "Be quiet!"
She flew onwards. Only to pull up abruptly.
Demon Dogs leered.
She gasped and spun about.
Furies.
They snarled and laughed raucously.
"I swear that pretty little face will feel the cut of my Fahren knife."
She turned again.
Parademons. Armed and firing at her.
She slammed her fists into a wall to break free but Darkseid himself looked down at her. "You are mine, Amazon. You cannot hide from me."
She gasped and saw Grayven.
"This is where you do not understand, little princess. I am Grayven. I do not ask your permission."
He was leering and coming towards her. He caught her and she tried to scream.
No sound came out.
"Diana."
"Diana."
She found herself in a hole once more, scratching the dirt and the voice called from above her. It was a gentle voice.
"Listen to me. Fight them. They have imprisoned you in your own pain and mind. You can do it. You must remember. Your life was better than this. You were stolen from those that love you. Think back. The sky was blue. The seas were calm. The large eagles soared over head. You were with Donna. You were playing in a rock pool…Think back…"
She looked at her nails. Torn and bleeding. She touched her cheek.
The mask. She could feel it. It gave her a sense of safety and she cried, "No! You are a liar. Leave me and get out of my head!"
She could see herself in a mirror. The ape and boar helm looked terrifying. It would keep them all away from her. It would keep her safe.
She heard a voice but this time a face with intense blue eyes and the annoying lock of hair appeared in the mirror.
"Yield"
Her fists arched and smashed it to smithereens. The glass shattered and fell and the telepathic link was severed again.
The Martian Manhunter opened his eyes and looked up at Epione who held the lasso around Diana. She undid the rope and looked at Diana as she lay as if asleep.
She looked at him with a glum expression as he shook his head tiredly. "No success. She still will not go back."
The Healer rubbed her sunken eyes. "Gods, it has been seven days. Seven days of intense intervention and she still fights us. I am weary to the bone."
J'onn nodded. "Yes. I think you need to take a rest yourself, Epione. Too much of this can be draining; emotionally, mentally and physically."
Epione wound the lariat and looked at him solicitously. "How do you deal with such intensity? Actually going into her mind? Seeing all that pain?"
"It is the gift and curse of a telepath. To help and to see suffering. But it more than makes up for it when you have success in helping those that need you. I expect a physician can relate?"
Epione nodded. "I think I can."
"Additionally I am many centuries old and have lived through tragedy myself. I have ways to purge my mind of any residual darkness and find a place where I can be at peace."
She sighed. "I heard that you lost your family and race. You know the Amazons and Martians are not so far apart in their shared past."
"Yes and we have learned how to use our gifts to help the world. It is the only way I find of seeking absolution. Helping others overcome." He touched her arm. "Go and rest."
She patted his hand. "Thank you but what about you? Surely you need a respite from this?"
He considered her words. Indeed he was feeling as if weighted. Apokolips' brain-washing and torture techniques were powerful. "Perhaps we should take a 24 hour rest. I could go back to the Satellite and use the Transconscious Articulator."
Epione looked a little confused. "What?"
"It is a Martian invention. It helps the mind to deal with the bad memories or the overload of any of the negativity I have gotten as a result of what I would have faced in Diana's subconscious. Your traditional earth therapy does not always help if too many things pile up at once. It is the only thing that can stop me from overloading my own brain. And I get a chance to rest and refresh myself."
"Oh. Could we have used this for Diana? It may have been faster"
"No. It is not for that. It is not used to make people feel better about the bad things they did or forget the things they did. If a Leaguer is really stressed and has seen too much death and tragedy with my help, we can use the machine to try to resolve their conflict and guilt by at least having them put them in some sort of perspective. A quick release so to speak. But it may not always work. Martian physiology is different from other sentient beings and we see things rationally and logically. We can accept many things that humans cannot. Your minds are wired differently and connected to your emotions. It is why you are so unpredictable a race."
Epione smiled wryly. "Indeed."
"Additionally, I do need to write up a report on my mission here. Batman prefers we not let too much time pass before we submit them." He looked at Diana. "She'll waken soon enough and it might help her to have time on her own to reflect. We cannot overload her as well."
Hippolyta was sitting with Donna and Phillipus in the receiving room of her royal chambers when Epione and the Martian Manhunter appeared to update her on Diana's progress and the need to take a break.
She sighed as she heard that they had not made any significant breakthroughs. "I understand. It is dismaying at this obstacle we face. Is there nothing else we can do?"
Epione said, "We can only keep trying."
J'onn said, "Often times it can take one thing to trigger back a memory."
Donna asked curiously, "Like what?"
"Oh it could be a face, a phrase, a place, a voice…anything…but it needs to be significant and important to that individual. The mind is a powerful thing and has ways of defending itself from attack. It represses to survive or even splinters itself into madness than face reality. Diana refuses to take my lead. There is very little trust left in her. She feels fenced in by us and Apokolips. I just hope we are not doing any more damage."
They all looked grave and even a little helpless.
Hippolyta cleared her throat and stood up. She held out her hand. "J'onn, I send my greetings to the Justice League. We will see you on the morrow. General Phillipus will escort you out of our zone and you can then fly to the Watchtower safely."
He bowed over her hand and left with Phillipus.
Donna walked to a window and stared out to sea, where she could just about see the Healing Isle. She looked furtively at Penelope and her mother talking to Epione and her eyes fell on the lasso in the healer's hands as she handed it over to Hippolyta.
At the end of every session the lariat was given to Hippolyta who would place it on the mantle in her bed chamber, until such time it was required the next day.
She watched her mother leave them to go and put it away. Hippolyta returned a minute later with an open scroll in her hand. She glanced at the sky. The sun was in the west, making its slow descent in the sky. It was mid afternoon. She had a late sitting of the Senate and then would join her sisters and daughter for supper at dusk.
Satisfied with what she had written on it, she rolled up the scroll. "Epione, go and rest. Let us go to the Senate."
The two older Amazons bowed obediently. Donna's hand snaked out and grabbed the nearest volume on a book shelf and asked buoyantly, "Mother, may I stay back and finish…er…Theogony?"
The Queen's fine brow furrowed. "You are reading Hesiod?"
Donna looked at the book. "Mmm…yes. It is very interesting."
Penelope smiled. "I found it very confusing."
"Oh, er, that too."
Hippolyta gave Donna an amused stare. Her daughter had never been quite scholarly but she assumed Donna was trying to avoid sitting in the Senate. Hippolyta thought it useful for the heir, now that she was eighteen, to sit and see how Themyscira was run but it seemed Donna found it not to her taste. She had often been caught yawning or nodding off. That she made an excuse to read Hesiod, an ancient Greek writer and poet, was an obvious, if poor attempt, to evade her lessons in governance.
Hippolyta smiled and sighed as she looked at the book. Diana had always been the scholarly one when they were children. Donna always wanted to play than learn her lessons. She imagined Diana would have devoured the books on the shelf had she grown up on Themyscira.
"Very well, my child. Stay and I only ask you do not snack while you read. That volume is old and I do not want food stains on the pages."
Donna smiled. "Of course, Mother." She took the book and dropped upon a chair with her feet up.
She waited until the door closed and their voices and footsteps could not be heard. She jerked to her feet, shoved the book back unceremoniously in its place and hurried to her mother's bedroom.
Donna's eyes fell upon the lariat on the mantle and she grabbed it.
She then turned towards an open window and flew through it.
Donna alighted on the Healing Isle behind the main sanitarium building. She looked up at the two story edifice and pin pointed the room where her sister was being held. It was on the second floor and facing the east. Donna flew upwards to the window. She needed to avoid the guards women stationed outside Diana's room and within the compound.
She hovered and stared in at the window. Sitting on her bed, Diana seemed to be staring blankly at the opposite wall. Food on the bedside table seemed to have been barely touched.
Donna knew the room was bound by magic but fortunately for her Phillipus, Epione, Penelope, J'onn and her mother all spoke before her .They had no need to hide anything.
Donna knew the spell key.
She recited it and for a moment the magical blanket vanished and she was able to fly into the room via the window.
Diana spun around as she heard the sound of Donna's sandals hit the floor.
She looked at her bemusedly and even more perplexedly when Donna lassoed her.
Diana growled as she felt the noose tighten again. "Have they sent you now to do their pathetic healing?"
Donna shook her head. "No. They do not know I am here. We must hurry. Phillipus will be back and most likely make a final check to make sure you are safely secured while J'onn is away."
Diana regarded her with a disbelieving expression. "Are you insane, Amazon?"
Donna tugged at her. "No. I am not. Come with me. Now."
Diana had no choice but to rise and follow her. The lasso compelled her.
The two of them floated out of the window and with a wary look to ensure that no guards were nearby, Donna led her away from the Healing Isle.
Diana squinted at the sunlight. She could not put her hands up to cover her face. She gasped as she saw the blue of the ocean below them as they flew across to the mainland. But Donna was skirting the shoreline and flying away from the Palace.
They came to a halt. Donna descended and they landed on a stretch of the beach. Diana watched foaming waters hitting the golden shoreline. The tide was coming in. She saw strange bits of wood, and sea vegetation peppering the shore. The wind whipped her hair and she could smell the salt.
Donna pointed out. "There. That's where they came for us. See those rocks? You were there! I was on the sand about there. Ione and Liandra were watching us from over there. Can you remember?"
Diana said bluntly, "No."
Donna picked up some shells and showed her. "Look. See. You loved collecting shells. I bet mother still has your collection somewhere."
"Apokolips does not have shells." She turned her back to the sun and the breeze.
Donna looked at her exasperated. "How could you not remember? This is where it happened! Where you saved me. You pushed me out of the way of their nets and diverted their attention off me onto you…"
Diana squinted again looking up at the green hills and the island in the distance. She said emotionless, "I said I did not remember."
Donna scowled and yanked on the lasso and forced her to fly. "No. Not yet."
They now flew into the interior and into the green lush forested area. They landed. This time Diana's eyes widened as she saw birds flutter, deer skitter and the smells of the earth and vegetation hit her. The call of animals and the rustle of the trees made her head hurt. Flowers bloomed along the path. Their scent and color so delicate or wildly vibrant. Diana shook her head again as if in discomfort.
"Take me back to the room!"
Donna tugged her along. "We are not going back there yet…I thought you would be happy at least to stretch your legs. You have been like a prisoner in one set quarters for a week! Look at this place. You and I would sneak away and come and play here. We loved it. Sometimes we would see dryads or fauns. They are very shy but one or two did venture out. And Chiron our centaur friend even came…"
Diana snapped, "Stop your chatter. You are making my head ache!"
Donna turned and saw that she looked pale. Her eyes were sunken in. She had an unhealthy pallor. She knew from Epione's reports Diana had not been sleeping well and her appetite was poor.
Donna said softly, "I am sorry for what they are doing. It must pain you immensely. If we could spare you it, we would. I know mother would take any pain to spare you if she could."
Diana gritted, "Yes, Amazons are so kind and empathetic. But not when it mattered."
"We never left you, Diana. We did not know where they took you. Please stop believing that rubbish those brainwashing brutes have taught you. They are the ones that do not care. They left you for dead. Superman was kind enough to bring you to us. He…"
They had broken into a glade and Diana suddenly stopped. Donna turned and saw her gaze at her surroundings in some confusion. The old ruined temple of Apollo was still there so many years later. More vegetation covered it. The entrance was covered with the branches of a tree that now arched itself against the broken façade.
Butterflies fluttered from wild flower to flower. Birds sung from the trees and shrubs. The breeze rustled the leaves and seemed to whistle as it moved around the temple.
"This place…" Diana looked around warily.
"We used to play here," sighed Donna.
Diana's eyes fell on some yellow headed flowers with a black center. She saw a flash of childish hands linking them into a garland.
Donna murmured, "Black eyed blooms. You use to make chains for me."
Suddenly as if compelled by some unforeseen force, Diana stumbled towards the temple entrance.
Donna felt her pull on her like an impatient animal on a lead.
"I want to go inside."
Donna looked a little surprised at her insistence but she yanked at the vines and branches to make way for them to enter the ruined temple.
It was darker than usual with the shadow of the trees but inside still had the altar that they used to hide under.
Diana gazed at it and her color fluctuated. Suddenly she closed her eyes and gasped. It was as if her mind lanced with hazy images.
Two little girls.
Both in white tunics with flowers in their hair.
Laughing as they ran through the dappled sunlight and flowers that kissed their ankles and shrubs that caught onto their skirts.
Jumping over the pillars; hovering up to trees to pluck fruit; lying on the grass looking up at the clouds.
"I know this place…" she whispered.
Donna's eyes flickered with hope. "We came here often. We would run away from lessons. I was only six but I remember …It was some of the happiest times of my childhood…being with you."
Diana looked mesmerized and she stumbled towards the altar. She gasped. "We hid under there."
Donna's eyes widened. Her voice trembled. "Yes…yes we did."
Diana's legs seemed too weak to hold her up. She sunk to her knees. She whispered, "Phillipus and…Euboea…yes, that is her name…Euboea…they came looking for us."
Donna's eyes glistened and she knelt beside her. "Yes…you made a necklace and wreath of the black eyed blooms for me."
She began to pant. She was sweating now.
Donna cried in alarm, "Diana, are you okay?"
She choked, "I feel sick."
Donna hastily uncoiled the lasso from her and she fell prostrate over the ground as more images assaulted her. It was mixed up with her life on Apokolips.
She was being chased by winged monsters.
A little girl with flowers in her hair was flying haphazardly away from the creatures.
Kanto with a blood stained sword stood looking down at her.
She was holding her lower rib as she rose with a sword in hand. Blood seeped through her fingers, and she stared down at the other contenders, who now lay in pools of blood. She looked up at Granny who scowled in annoyance that she had survived the running of the Gauntlet.
Grayven's eyes watched her as she walked towards the Orphanage. Her face was bloodied and bruised from the contest.
"How fortunate that beautiful visage will heal. Such a pity if it was marred permanently."
She stood in the armory and reached for a mask. It was the last time the face of Opaque was seen in public.
Donna was rubbing her back. "You remember! Gods, Diana…you remember! Easy. Take a breath. It will be all right. I swear to you."
Diana looked up at her disorientated and bewildered. She remembered that day but she once again felt great agony as she tried to go back. Nothing seemed to make sense.
Darkseid appeared once again. A gigantic presence.
Desaad's insidious whispers crawled her blood.
Granny smiled viciously as she heard from Bernadeth that the Amazon had made her first kill.
Granny pinched her cheek hard. "Now that was not so hard was it, Little Princess? Did you smell the blood? Lowly blood stinks. The more refined the race the finer the aroma. Get use to it and you will learn to enjoy it."
Diana screamed. "NO!"
She looked up at Donna with disgust and fear. She slammed the side of her palm into Donna's throat and as she choked in pain, she followed up with a fist to the younger Amazon's stomach. She turned blindly and stumbled out of the ruins.
Donna lay on her back gasping. "D- Diana! W-ait…" She coughed and spluttered and tried to catch her breath. She shakily rose to her feet, picking up the lariat and muttering, "At least she did not take it."
She flew out of the temple and looked around wildly for a sign of her sister. She saw the grass had been flattened and tree branches broken as Diana seemed to head deeper into the forest. Donna followed only to come to a halt at the start of a descent that took one close to the mystical areas.
Donna put a hand on her head. "Hera, I am in big trouble."
Queen Hippolyta glared at her younger daughter. Donna squirmed under her mother's gaze as she handed over the lariat with an embarrassed air after confessing what she had done.
She had tried to follow Diana but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. After an aimless half and hour of flying in the forest, Donna gave up. She was too wise to go too deep without back up anyway and by now she guessed Phillipus might have found out that the prisoner was missing.
Donna had flown back to find dozens of guards scattered all over the Palace grounds, gardens, arena, farmland and shoreline looking for signs of Diana. She had been informed that Phillipus was with her mother, who was holding an emergency meeting of the Senate.
When had Donna entered, looking guilty and carrying the lasso, Hippolyta suddenly knew how Diana had gotten away. It had been of no use reproaching Donna who looked ashamed and a little emotional. Especially after she had informed them that Diana had remembered.
Phillipus said gravely, "The mystical areas are vast and dangerous. And from what Princess Donna is saying her sister is disturbed and confused. We need to find her before she comes to harm. I will have a search party assembled."
The Queen nodded gravely. "Go. Quickly. Find her, please."
Phillipus bowed and turned to go.
Donna began eagerly, "I could help…"
Hippolyta gave her a stern look.
Donna repaired meekly, "Or not."
Hippolyta looked at the Senate members. "If we retrieve her we do not know what state her mind will be in. I hope it is as Donna says that she does remember some of her past."
Penelope said, "Well, the lasso does not lie. So she must have begun to remember." She looked at Donna with a rueful smile. "I know what Princess Donna did was incorrect protocol but it seems that might have been what she needed. What we overlooked because of our fears and misconceptions. Donna trusted in her sisterhood and love and it seemed to have broken that wall. We need to contact J'onn J'onnz. Let him know what happened. He should be here. He could help with the search. He's been linked to her telepathically for over a week."
Epione, who had been roused from her bed and none too pleased, said, "I do not think J'onn will even be available. He is most likely undergoing mental rejuvenation."
Hippolyta sighed. "J'onn will be with us tomorrow. Let us pray Phillipus finds Diana."
Clark Kent stepped out of the taxi and stood before the Amazon Embassy in Washington DC.
He straightened his bow tie and jacket as he walked up to the gate and flashed his invitation and press pass at the security. He quirked a brow as he took in the big names in business, government, advertising, and charity organizations walking in. He smiled a little, knowing Artemis would hate every bit of tonight. She was never the best at being the most diplomatic or adopting the airs and graces required of hosting galas but she knew she needed publicity and money to get the venture going. Like all Amazons, she felt very strongly about women being used as sex objects or undergoing any form of abuse. Tonight Clark didn't know which he wanted to see more. Artemis smiling and simpering or seeing her and Bruce lock horns.
He knew Bruce would not have arrived as yet. As press he was obliged to come in a little early, to try and see if he could get good sound bites and look at the gala from a different slant that would interest readers in picking up the Daily Planet than some gossip rag. Perry had been very happy when he heard he had landed an invite. The Planet was now back up and running after being down for the week. They could do with the story.
He entered the large foyer and there was Artemis dressed in a green Grecian style gown, her titan hair up and she was shaking hands with her guests. She smiled a lot. It was a smile reminiscent of a Cheshire Cat. Broad with no real sparkle. He never really saw Artemis smile at anything of anyone softly anyway. She always had a thin mocking curl to her mouth.
"Mr. Kent, good to see you here."
Clark smiled. "Thank you for the invite."
She raised an ironic brow. "Your benevolent friend is not with you?"
Clark grinned. "It's too early. The sun is still up. Playboy billionaires normally do not arrive until nightfall and when most of the ceremony is over."
Artemis rolled her eyes. "Yes, I imagine he will make quite an entrance. Do help yourself to refreshments and the usher will show you to your table."
Clark was ushered into the main dining room and he took up a glass of non alcoholic wine. He was on duty after all. Plus alcohol did nothing for him. He spent some time linking up with fellow journalists, making sure to stumble occasionally or spill his drink on himself to keep up appearances. He spoke to some of the very women that the shelters were being built for. He got some very touching and interesting feedback about the women becoming empowered and making positive changes to their lives.
It was six o'clock when the formal part of the ceremony started. The room was mostly full except for the odd seat here and there. One of the main tables at the front had four empty seats. Clark could see from where he sat it was reserved for Bruce Wayne and guests. He wondered who the guests were because Lucius Fox was sitting next to Helena Sandmark. Lucius apparently brought the check because Mr. Wayne was known to be a little tardy on occasion.
The ceremony opened with an Amazonian prayer and song. Then Julia Kapatelis introduced Artemis who gave the featured address. Following her were several of the women from established shelters who came with testimonies and words of hope to their fellow sisters who had nowhere and needed help. The handing over of checks and donations by guests followed. It was seven pm when dinner was served. An hour later hot beverages and desserts were passed around while a small classical ensemble played from a small stage. This part was informal and allowed people to get up and mingle and many even took the opportunity to dance out in the wide open terrace that was lit up with golden lamps.
It was by nine pm that Bruce Wayne sauntered in with three tall, willowy and striking females on his arm.
A reporter from the Washington Herald whistled next to Clark. "Well, he's either very smart or stupid bringing them here."
Clark glanced at Artemis's face and saw her lips twist in irritation. He said lamely, "Well, the publicity is good, I guess."
Bruce greeted people he knew with the kind of foppish carelessness Clark had come to associate with his friend's alter ego. The women on his arm smiled and preened for the photographers. The guests glanced at them; in curiosity, amusement and annoyance.
Even without super hearing Bruce's voice was loud. "You know I totally forgot. I sent Lucius…Where is the old boy? Ah there he is! I can count on him. My mind is reeling from the last board meeting. I had this car show to attend and then we got side tracked with the after party…Dull affair really. But a lot of models. These fine ladies I met there. They heard about the gala and want to make a contribution too. Come on, girls, let us take a seat. Dessert is my favorite part of a meal."
But no sooner had the Ambassador walked by with Martin Garibaldi, he was up. "Madam Ambassador, we meet again! Always such a pleasure to see you looking so glowingly beautiful. Did Lucius give you our donation?"
Bruce grabbed her by the upper arms and kissed her on both cheeks as one would a longtime friend. There were a couple flashes from shrewd photographers who knew that a picture of playboy Bruce Wayne with any beautiful woman was news worthy. Artemis glared at him. His lips curled a little at the corners. He knew she longed to punch him.
She said through her teeth. "Yes…and I thank you for your generosity, Mr. Wayne."
He looked at Martin. "May I borrow the Ambassador? She and I have so much to talk about. Specifically what she is going to do with the donation. I was thinking a wing dedicated to my mother, Martha Wayne. My mother always supported ventures like this, God rest her soul. Please, may I have a dance?"
Martin bowed politely and allowed Bruce to step up beside her.
Artemis said stiffly, "Well, I wouldn't want to take you from your lovely companions. They should sit and eat. They look like they could use a good meal."
But Bruce had taken her hand and tucked it into his arm and was already walking her towards the open terrace.
She growled, "I will break your arm, I swear."
"Not without the Gauntlet of Atlas. Tonight you are as human as I am."
They joined over a dozen couples on the floor who made way for their hostess and Gotham's most wealthy and eligible bachelor.
Artemis had been out in the world long enough and schooled in the etiquette of being an Ambassador to know how to at least conduct herself on a dance floor. It was one of the things Julia had taught her. She knew how to waltz. She just never enjoyed it and was rather stiff as they moved around the floor. Natural grace was not something she possessed. She was too much of an athlete and warrior to appreciate it. Even back on Themyscira or the Bana Mighdall when her sisters danced in festivals she preferred to sit or stand around.
"I do not know why you are doing this," she began trying to ignore the muscles she was feeling on his shoulders, the firm clasp of his hand in hers and his palm at her waist.
"You told me to come. I am just obeying you."
She snorted. "Obeying me? And I was, how do you say, "born yesterday"? I know you are doing this to exasperate me. You could not come in like normal guests at the correct time. You stroll in late, and bring those creatures that seem to have no interest in this cause other than this is some high profile function where they get their pictures taken."
"For shame, Artemis, you told me to bring a woman or two. I brought three and how judgmental you are about the girls. They got their picture taken many times with me before we came here. It might occur to you they came with me because they like my company and want to spend the rest of the night with me. I have a very big bed at Wayne manor, you know," he added mockingly.
Artemis narrowed her eyes at him and said sarcastically, "Well, you should go and start your orgy soon. You are wasting time here. A brief appearance is more than adequate."
"You want to get rid of me so quickly? Now that would be such a pity. Especially seeing that the whole League and Clark are very interest in the outcome tonight."
"What? What do you mean?"
"They are betting on us."
"Betting? Oh you mean what that idiot Wallace does every week? Well, that is a waste of a wager. I would win easily."
Bruce's brows quirked. "What?"
She said confidently, "Or course. I know you are well versed in many forms of combat but with my tools and Amazon training, I can take you down easily. Batarangs and utility belts are no match for the Gauntlet of Atlas, the bow and Sandal of Hermes."
Bruce laughed dryly. "They do not mean fighting. They mean hooking up."
She stiffened. She was long enough in the world to know what that meant and it revolted her. The very idea was insulting and ludicrous. She, Artemis of the Bana Mighdall, would not defer to any man. Much less want to engage in any courting ritual with one like him.
"Me? Hook up with you? Are they insane? If my life depended on "hooking up" with someone like you I would rather be dead."
Bruce gave her a probing look. As Batman and Bruce Wayne he had his share of women who admired and wanted him. He got it why they would Bruce Wayne. He never got why women wanted Batman too. He had tried his best to be cold and grumpy as he could to ensure no one, male or female, got too close to him. Of course Clark saw through the act and never paid attention to what he called his "posturing". But the women seemed to be intrigued by him and would have wanted more if he had tried. Selina, Talia, Zatanna, Silver, Sasha, Vicky, even Lois in the early days...over the years there had been attractions but Bruce has quelled his feelings and gotten on with his job. He needed no strings.
But Artemis was one of the rare creatures that did not even like him. They drove each other up a wall because as Clark said they were too alike. Bruce, if he was truthful, admitted to finding her very desirable and it piqued his pride a little to find she would rather die than date him. But he was experienced enough to know that as much as they drove each other up a wall, part of her was not physically revolted by him. The sexual tension between them was palpable.
"Is that a fact? What exactly is someone like me?"
His hand tightened on hers and she felt him draw her even closer. Artemis' nose flared but she did not push him away. Green eyes studied him boldly. "You have a fair enough face and a strong body from what I can see. Combined with much wealth, it is not surprising women chase after you. But you are like most men, whether you are Batman or playboy Bruce Wayne. Arrogant, stubborn, judgmental, rude, and irritating."
He leaned in closer. "Now that's interesting. I would say those adjectives described you too. But you left out pain in the ass."
Her lips curled as her eyes dropped reluctantly to his mouth. The aggravating creature did have nicely shaped lips. She was a tall woman. She was only an inch shorter than he was at six foot two. Their eyes were nearly on the same level, staring unflinchingly at each other.
Before she could retort they both heard a cough and felt someone brush past them. It was Clark looking at them both with a raised brow as he walked towards the balustrade and pretended he was taking air and looking at the night sky.
They finished the dance and then casually walked over to stand next to him.
"What do you want, Kent?" Bruce asked.
"I had a call from the Watchtower."
Artemis asked concerned, "Trouble?"
"Princess Diana has escaped."
"What?" Artemis' body language changed instantly. She looked ready to spring into action. "But how? She was under strong security and magic."
Bruce folded his arms and asked dryly, "Where is she heading? To find your ex to slit her throat good and proper this time? Lead Apokolips to the Watchtower?"
Clark looked at him wryly. "I don't have all the details. Diana had escaped since late afternoon and the guards have been scouring the island for some hours with no luck so far. It seems she has wandered into the mystical areas and they are concerned she is disorientated and vulnerable because she had shown signs of her memory returning. Hippolyta is requesting my help. J'onn is in the Tranconscious Articulator, and cannot be brought out prematurely."
Artemis hissed, "Then you should be the last one to go and look for her. Magic affects you."
Bruce interrupted, "I am sure Clark knows that but it is obvious they want him as the first one there when they get her back…if they get her back."
"I'll keep the Watchtower updated," he promised turning to go.
Artemis began confounded, "The Queen did not ask for me to come home and help?"
"No, she knows you have duties to attend and in any case as soon as J'onn emerges from his session, he'll join me. Besides," he added with a twinkle in his eyes, "you two need to get on with whatever you were doing just now."
Bruce and Artemis began, "We were not doing anything…"
Clark winked as he left. "Yes and you should continue to "not doing anything"."
Artemis and Bruce rolled their eyes simultaneously and took a step apart.
Superman flew to coordinates he had memorized when he was last shown out and, sure enough waiting for him in the middle of the night sky over the Atlantic Ocean, was a winged chariot driven by Euboea, Captain of the Guard. She filled him in on the details as she escorted him to the island.
"Phillipus has been scouring the forest for hours and there is no word from them whether they tracked her or not. The mystical areas are vast and dense and at night it is almost impenetrable and dangerous. Some sisters have been attacked by centaurs and boars and have had to come back home for treatment. And what is worse, the weather seems to be changing." She looked up at the sky as the clouds seemed to darken and move across the moon.
By the time they landed in front of the Palace, the rain was drizzling down. Euboea led Superman inside to a sitting room. The Queen was there with Penelope looking over ancient maps of the Themyscira that once charted the mystical areas three thousand years ago. Donna was leaning on the window sill and looking worriedly out at the darkness and the raindrops as it hit the pane. Lightning flashed in the sky over the sea. The sound of thunder rolled in the distance.
Donna turned and flushed, a little bit ashamed as Superman walked in and greeted everyone. From the gentle sympathy she saw in his eyes as he greeted her, she guessed he knew whose fault it all was.
Hippolyta touched Superman's shoulder as he bowed politely. "I am so grateful to see you, Kal-El. We are at a loss. We tried to track her but it has been most difficult at night and this weather. You put your trust in us and we failed. We did our best to adhere to strict security measures but…"
"I know. Princess Donna felt she wanted to help and things went a little awry. It is a setback to be sure but at least what she did was trigger her memory. That surely is in our favor."
Donna looked at his empathetic expression and felt even worse. She blurted out, "You are not angry?"
"Anger will not help us now, will it? But it seems a naïve thing to think you could handle her, Your Highness."
"I know but I thought I could handle the situation …I had the lasso on her and was in complete control…until she seemed to be in pain and I realized she was remembering and I made the mistake of taking it off her… Gods, if anything happened to Diana I will never forgive myself. I am so sorry."
"I know. I can see that. But our priority right now is to find her and standing around here feeling guilty is not helping." He came and stared at the map laid out on the table. There were markers on the areas the search parties had taken. At one glance he had memorized every detail.
Hippolyta began worriedly, "General Phillipus is out there with three search parties combing the forest. We have had some injured coming in as well. And it looks as if a storm is coming."
"I'll join them. So it seems I should head north, towards the mountains."
Hippolyta looked a little concerned as he moved towards the door. "Kal-El, the mystical areas are not to be entered lightly. Especially one as yourself who is susceptible to magic."
"I'll be careful."
"Mother, allow me to help," Donna pleaded.
Hippolyta frowned at her. "You have caused enough trouble, Donna. I said no. Do not ask me again. Euboea, you will take a few sisters and accompany him. She knows the terrain, Superman."
Euboea nodded obediently.
"But that may not be enough." The Queen suddenly moved to where her cape laid on a chair and gently lifted it up. On the seat was the coiled lasso. She carried it to him. "Here. You will need something to contain her should you find her."
Superman looked taken aback. "You're entrusting me with this?"
"Yes. You trusted me to bring her here. I am putting my trust in you to find her. Bring her back, Superman, please." She put the lariat in his hands.
Superman felt a tingling. It was like as if his mind was suddenly buzzing and holding the rope still connected to Hippolyta he felt her pain and sadness. He also felt his own misgivings and worries. He wanted to find Diana. He needed to find Diana. It was a powerful emotion that he was startled to find himself feeling.
"I will do everything in my power to find her. I swear."
Hippolyta said, "This lasso compels the truth. Truth can be a powerful and terrifying force. For any other it would bring grave conflict. For you, Kal-El, I sense it may not. Be careful with it. Try not to lose or misplace it. Good luck."
Superman bowed and departed with Euboea.
Donna moved to a window to see him and Euboea and four other guardswomen on winged steeds with lanterns suspended on hooker staffs fly out into the rainy night sky a few minutes later. She wondered out loud as their shadows vanished. "Do you think they will find her?"
Lightning flashed and there was a rumble of thunder in the distance.
Hippolyta looked out at the sky. She grimaced, "I hope that storm stays out to sea. If it comes inland it will make matters worse."
Penelope touched her arm. "I am going to the temple to put up an offering and prayers for the safe return of our sisters and Princess Diana."
Hippolyta looked uneasy but she nodded. "Yes…fine. I will go and see if Epione needs assistance." She turned and looked at her younger daughter who looked about to slink out the room. "Donna, you will accompany me."
Donna sighed. "Yes, Mother."
Author's Note: The Tranconscious Articulator is something used in the comics. (JLA # 83 Vol 3).