CHAMPION OF THE GODS

CHAPTER 12

Hippolyta moved swiftly before Clark could step back from Diana. She grasped him by the scruff of the neck, and flung him into a group of dustbins on the pavement. He toppled over the bins and fell heavily onto drain in the road. Hippolyta was over him, as he shook his head and looked up. "Daughter?"

She withdrew a sword. "It is death to even defile the hem of the heir to the throne of Themyscira much less kiss her, boy!"

Clark looked bemused. "Heir?"

The sword was coming at him .He was so stunned by Hippolyta's words that he did not anticipate the blow. He raised his arm too late only to have the blade came down upon his skin and to his greater shock, the metal actually cut him. He grimaced and swat the blade back hard. Hippolyta toppled back like a tumbleweed in the road. Her eyes gleamed and dug her heels in to stop herself from falling back. Clark got up, stunned, to see her take to the air land launch herself at him.

"They did say you were strong as a demi-god! Let us see if you can withstand the Gauntlet of Atlas!"

She drew back her fist to punch him when she heard Diana's voice. "Mother! No! Stop it!"

Clark caught the fist and gritted. Her strength was outstanding. He tried pushing back. Hippolyta's eyes narrowed. "You are strong."

Diana grabbed her tunic and was yanking her back. Hippolyta turned to glare at her and shake her off. "What do you think you were doing?"

Diana gritted her teeth and pulled her back with all her strength. "You cannot! He is my friend!"

Hippolyta looked at her disgusted. She shook her off and clenched her sword. "Friend? Do not lie to me! I will end this now."

Diana ran in front of Clark. Her arms spread as if to defend him with her own body. "You do not understand. He is a good person. He has helped me. Kept me safe. Given me shelter. You cannot hurt him .Strike him and you have to strike me."

Hippolyta's eyes flashed. "Are you insane, child! You would defy your Queen, your Mother, by defending him? Have you forgotten what his kind did to me? To your sisters?

Clark stood up, with a bewildered expression .He held his arm gingerly which was bleeding from the deep gash. They had reverted back to Diana's native Greek.

Diana looked at her resolutely. "I am not defying you. I am telling you that you are misjudging Clark. He is not the enemy here. He is not Heracles. Stay your sword. I beg of you."

Hippolyta looked dismayed as her daughter turned to look at Clark. "Are you alright? Oh Hera, you are bleeding." Diana tore off the frill from her skirt and began to staunch his arm.

Clark stiffened and seemed to pull away. He demanded, "What is going on here, Diana? Is this who I think it is?"

Diana looked at him awkwardly. "This...is my mother...she...I meant to tell you earlier...but the time did not seem right. This is Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons..."

Clark's jaw tightened. He looked at the woman glaring at him. "The Queen? Then...she was talking about you? The heir of Themyscira?"

Diana looked guilty. "Yes. I am Princess of my people. Let me bind your cut..."

He looked at her as if still trying to digest what she was saying. He shook his head. "A Princess? As in royalty?"

Hippolyta gave him a cynical look. "Yes, boy, as in royalty. What is the matter with you, daughter? Why did you not tell him who you were? Are you ashamed of your station?"

Diana looked aghast. "No! I just thought it better no one knew I was heir to Themyscira..."

Clark looked pale. He looked awkwardly at Hippolyta."I guess I can imagine how this must seem to you but I meant no disrespect to Diana...ma'am..."

The Queen eyed him testily. "You have disrespected her by touching her .What did you think you were doing? Had I not stopped this, you would have taken her on that machine."

Diana blushed in shame at her mother's blunt if somewhat wild exaggeration. "Mother!" she protested. "It was no such thing! It was just a kiss."

Hippolyta snapped. "There is nothing as just a kiss, daughter." She eyed Clark. "Is there, boy? Dare to tell me you have not thought of bedding my daughter?"

Clark looked embarrassed at her .Her words were entirely out of context. Sure he had thought of Diana in a sexual way. He was not some monk and her power level did more than once make him think that he might have found someone who was physically compatible with him. With Lana, or any other normal human female, sex was out of the question unless he wanted to hurt her. The times he and Lana had been intimate she had either gotten powers temporarily or he had lost his. He had never believed there was a female out there he could even contemplate being with at his full strength. Yet thinking about it did not mean he was ready to go down that road.

He said truthfully to the queen. "I respect your daughter and would never force nor fool her into anything she did not understand."

Hipplyta was about to say something sarcastic, when they heard footsteps behind them. It was Cleo, Mnemosyne, Phillipus with her arm in a sling and Althea, who had been behind the Queen, and were just catching up. They ran up, swords and arrows pointed at Clark.

"My Queen, do you need aid?" cried Phillipus.

Diana spun around and saw them all armed. She shouted. "Not you too! Stop!"

They looked bewildered. They had not expected this. Hippolyta put out her hand. "Desist."

The four halted and lowered their weapons. Hippolyta announced coldly, "I came to find my daughter. I have found her. This male is not the issue here. Are you ready to go home, Diana?"

Diana suddenly paled. "Home?"

Hippolyta looked impatient. "Yes, home."

Diana turned to Clark. Hippolyta snapped. "Why do you look at him? I am your mother. I know what is good for you. It seems being here has not only affected your judgment but clouded your mind. It is time we leave this place and return to Themyscira. Where it is safe and where you belong."

Clark looked at Diana. "I think this is it,'' he said softly, painfully aware that the time he had dread had come all too soon.

Diana looked at him helplessly. "I...I won't even get to say good-bye or thank you to the others, Mrs Kent, Chloe, Michael, John, Dinah...I...Mother, I..."

Hippolyta said stiffly, "Remember your station, Diana." She looked at Clark. "It seems from what my daughter says, you helped her, for which I am gratified. But you must understand, no matter if you are a god yourself, Diana's destiny lies with the throne, not here. Even if you were king of these lands, you can never understand her heritage nor culture. Come, daughter. The sooner we get home the better. You two had better say your farewells."

Diana's eyes held Clark's . "I am sorry. I have to go," she began stiffly, trying her best not to let her voice tremble with emotion.

Clark said slowly, "I guess this is good-bye. For good. I..."

The Queen commanded, "Quickly! The longer we stay here the greater the danger of being discovered."

Diana choked. "Good-bye, Clark."

Before he could reply ,Hippolyta took Diana's arm and dragged her off. "That'll do. Let's go."

Clark watched the Amazons vanish into the night with Diana looking back at him dejectedly. He stood like a statue, his hands hanging limply at his side, not heeding that the blood from the gash was dripping to the road. He could not believe it. She was going. His mind was in chaos. He should stop her! He took a step forward, and he froze. He could hear their voices even from where he stood.

Hippolyta was speaking. "You have a lot to answer, Diana, you will be expected to stand before the Senate for breaching the rules."

"Yes, Majesty, I understand I would have to when I returned home."

"I expect they may be lenient. You were misled by those nymphs after all."

There was a pause, and the Queen's voice has softened." Thank Zeus, are safe. I prayed to the Gods for days for your return. All your sisters will be happy to see you. We missed you...I missed you"

"And I missed you, mother."

Clark sank upon the pavement with a groan and ran a hand through his hair. She was with her mother, going to her people...he was nothing pitted against that...what had he, at twenty two, still in University and dependent on his mother and a part time job to offer an Amazon princess?

"Nothing," he muttered.


Martha Kent looked at Clark as he sat listlessly on the chair in the porch and stared out at the horizon. Since he had returned home on Friday night, he had been quiet .He had told her all that had happened, and Mrs Kent had been dismayed to hear of Hippolyta's harsh attitude towards him and the world and that it was unlikely that they'd ever see Diana again. She sighed, watching him from behind the screen door. He had been like that for the last two days and he was due to go back to Metropolis that afternoon. She just wished he'd talk about it instead of saying he was okay and then vanishing into the barn or the fields.

"Sweetheart, lunch is ready," she said coming out onto the porch.

Clark looked back. "I'm not hungry."

Martha frowned. "You haven't had anything but a cup of coffee for the day. You need to eat something."

"I will...just not yet, alright?"

She sighed and came around to look at him. She rested a hand on his shoulder. "Clark, sometimes talking helps."

He shrugged. "What more should I say that I haven't said?"

She sat next to him. "It's okay to say you'll miss her."

He said nothing.

His mother continued, "You should be proud of yourself, Clark. You met a strange girl from a land so unlike our own. Took care of her. Befriended her. Protected her. I am sure the Queen of the Amazons understands that."

Clark spoke. "She also understands that Diana and I could never have worked. Two different worlds. Two different cultures."

"Kindred spirits always find each other, darling, but I am sorry it couldn't work our for you."

Clark looked cynical. "Lana and I failed, even after trying so hard. With Diana I didn't feel as if I had to struggle with my secret and myself,...it felt so natural...she understood but it was based on a half truth. I did not realize how important she was to Themyscira. I guess I was stupid thinking even if she was an Amazon, she'd opt to stay here."

Martha covered his hand. "Sometimes we have to do our duty, and happiness takes a back seat because of it. If this is hard for you imagine how it must be for Diana."

Clark sighed. "There was no question of stopping her."

"I know. That would have hurt and alienated her from her mother more." Martha looked at his arm. It had healed but there was a scar. "That was quite a cut."

"It would have been my head were it not for Diana. The blade was tempered with magic. The scar will probably go eventually."

Martha asked, "Have you spoken to your friends about her?"

"Most of them know the truth. The likes of Lois and Jimmy believes she was called home as her father is unwell. Chloe and I had to do some fast tidying up and packing whilst Lois slept and we told her Diana flew out that following morning and had no time to say goodbye. I think she swallowed it. The guys are bummed, particularly Michael. He is also peeved that Hippolyta dented his car roof. I have to shell out some savings to pay for that."

"I can help."

"No, this was my mess. I will sort it out."

Martha sighed. "I wonder what she is doing?"


Diana had been questioned thoroughly by the Senate about her excavation of the Eye of Ra and her sojourn in the Patriarch's world. After a day of interrogation they decided that the initial act of taking the Eye was not entirely her fault, but once she had gotten out into the world she had been very weak and succumbed to ways of that world. Her innocence was taken into account as well as Clark's compassion in assisting her but that she should have not only fraternized with him and lost the Eye, the fact that she allowed him liberties with her person could not go unpunished.

She was sentenced to going into seclusion for a month with the priestess at the Retreat of Healing and Transformation, where she would have enough time to contemplate her actions and its consequences. She had been there for seven days, helping the priestess in their daily chores and spending much of her time in study and prayer. She was not allowed any contact with her mother nor friends, so she had no idea about what was going on in the Senate nor on island life as a whole.

Diana sat out in the vast gardens surrounding the retreat and stared out to sea instead of the book on her lap. She shook her head as if to rebuke herself for daydreaming. She focused on her volume of Plato and muttered, "Stop it. There is no use thinking of it."

She began to read aloud and her brows creased and she let out a sound between a groan and a snort and flung the book aside in frustration .She held her head with her hand.

"Hera, help me!"

"I am so sorry, Princess."

Diana looked up to see a timid figure emerge out from the shrubbery and pick up the book from the ground. Althea, the wood-nymph, handed the volume over. "I think this must be very valuable and Mnemosyne will not appreciate you flinging to the ground."

Diana winced guiltily. "I know. Thank you, Althea. How are you? How is Zoe?"

Althea said, "Zoe is fine. She has been keeping a low profile. She's too scared your mother will tell Nereus...Diana, I know I have not gotten to speak to you since your return but I have been watching you for the last few days when you come out for your stroll or to sit and read ...and I can see that you are not ...well, you seem not glad to be home. I know being confined is awful but..."

Diana put the book down upon the stone seat and got up. She looked at Althea forlornly, "Is it bad of me to feel this way? I love my home, do not doubt that, but after what I have seen and experienced the last weeks was nothing I could have ever in my wildest imagination think of...They say the Patriarch's world is evil, but I was there, Althea, and yes, there are evil men who are greedy, power-hungry, cruel,...but there are good people also. People who are not born royal nor have the sheltered upbringing I have had, and they are so generous and open-minded. Never once was my being an Amazon an issue for those that knew...They opened their homes and arms to me. I can never forget that."

Althea asked, "What is his name again?"

"Who?" Diana looked irritated. He had been taken into such dislike by her mother and sisters, the mere mention of him made her fire up in his defense.

"The one your mother caught you kissing. Oh, do not look so embarrassed."

"How do you know? I thought only my mother and the Senate..."

"Come on, Diana, everyone was not born yesterday. It is common knowledge around the island. And not everyone was happy to hear their future Queen was cavorting with a man."

Diana sighed. "They will never understand, not while they cling to their ancient dogma. His name is Clark Kent."

"You miss this Clark Kent?"

Diana turned and said gravely, "Yes, I do. But what I feel is not only because I miss him. Themyscira itself seems so confining. There is a whole world beyond our borders just waiting to be explored...a world that is wonderful as it is terrifying. A world that I felt I could have helped had I been given the chance."

Althea said, "The tournament is tomorrow, you know."

Diana's brows knitted. "I thought it had gone."

"No, with your disappearance, your mother had to delay it. And Phillipus, who was to be one of the judges, had been injured. She is better now. The purple ray sped up her healing. They are making final preparations to the field as we speak. I even think they have extended an invite to the Bana to send their best warriors."

Diana clenched her fists. "The Bana. Everyone has a chance. Except me. Even if I were not confined, she would not let me!"

Althea said slowly, "This contest was willed by the gods, Princess, not your mother. I do not believe she could deny anyone."

Diana looked at the wood nymph bemused. "What are you saying?"

Althea said ruefully, "I will no doubt get turned into a tree for this, but what is to stop you from taking part?"

"They will see me and stop me of course ! I will not be able to even step onto the field..."

Althea whispered, "I have seen warriors in past contests wear all kinds of armor, including helms."

Diana's eyes glowed. "Gaea, that is it! I will do it. I will join that contest."


The day for the contest dawned and dozens of hopefuls from Themyscira and the Bana lined up to take part. Diana had slipped away from the retreat. It was not noticed today of all days because most of the Amazons who could be spared from their duties went to view the tournament. Epione as the most skilled healer had to be there as with any physical sport injuries were inevitable. So, when Diana relayed a message to one of the women that she did not feel well and would remain in her quarters, there was no one to question it. She had flown quietly to the armory the night before, and gotten herself a visored helm, breastplate, gauntlets and shin-guards. There was no need to carry weapons as those would be provided.

She stood in line, heart beating fast, as she approached the head of the Palace guard, Euboea, and thankfully realized that the woman was not taking names but tying colored pieces of cloth around the arms of the contestants. Diana was placed in a group of six wearing blue. They would compete against each other, until one person stood standing from the group.

Then these individuals would in turn face each other on the field of battle to become the ultimate victor.

The preliminary round went fairly well. It was decided by timing the individuals on an obstacle course. Diana easily won her group. She soon found herself in the next round facing nine other sisters in archery, javelin and horsemanship. As the day wore on Hippolyta who sat up in the high dais of the arena turned to Phillipus. "That one in the gold helm is very good, isn't she?'

Phillipus nodded. "She is strong and fast. But I am impressed by her equestrian skills. If I hazard a guess, I feel it will be between her and Mala."

The General proved to be correct after the final two participants faced off. It was indeed Mala and this masked warrior. Everyone was watching with interest as the two women faced each other in the final duel. They were given two falchions. It proved to be a contest of strength, skill and endurance. Diana was being pushed back; she lacked the experience Mala had but she had courage on her side and remained standing even when her sword was knocked out of her hands. She refused to surrender. She watched her opponent as she swiped at her. Diana caught the blade in her gauntlet and with one foot caught Mala's inner calf and flung her to the ground. She caught up the sword and pointed it at Mala's throat.

"You are undone, Sister!"

A great cheer when up as Mala slapped the sand in defeat.

Hippolyta watched the winner approach the dais. She rose and began down the steps to meet her. Phillipus followed her,bearing a pair of silver bracelets on a tray.

The Queen said indulgently as the winner went down on one knee. "A fine display of skill, my Sister. You do us proud. I have here your prize for winning this tournament. These bracelets were forged by Hephaestus from the shards of Zeus' Aegis .Come, rise and unmask and let us see who will be going out into the world to champion the cause of the Gods and spread the ideals of the Amazons."

Diana rose and undid her mask.

There were gasps all around. The tray fell from Phillipus' hands and Hippolyta turned white. "You!"

Diana was standing in her mother's audience chamber as the Queen paced and Phillipus and members of the Senate stood by and looked on.

"Do you have any idea what you have done?"

Diana said unflinchingly, "I won the contest."

Hippolyta halted and glared. "You broke the rules! You left the Retreat without permission and then entered the tournament..."

"There are no rules on who is eligible, Mother. And I won it fairly."

"I will not allow it! My daughter is not going out into the world again as Champion."

Diana said passionately, "I am eighteen .You cannot treat me like a child. I accept maybe I shouldn't have left the retreat but the Gods willed this contest, not you nor the Senate."

Hippolyta looked hurt. "How can you speak to me like that? I am trying to keep you safe. Away from the wicked ways of the Patriach. None want to see you hurt...your heart broken."

"Mother, I was out there for five weeks and I have faith that I can make a difference."

"It is that boy, is it? You want to run back out of here because of him! I swear I taught you better."

"No, Mother. Before I met Clark I wanted to do something other than being a princess of privilege. The Gods could not have blessed me with all this power to remain isolated here. Can you not see it? Feel it too?" pleaded Diana, reaching for her. "I know it now in my heart I have a destiny, and it is to be this champion and defeat the will of Ares."

Hippolyta grasped her shoulders. "You are a child still! We here are three thousand years old. We have lived since the dawn of civilization. We have seen kingdoms rise and fall. We know that men have advanced in many ways but they remain no different to what they were since ancient times. Greedy, grasping, cruel,...willing to succumb to the will of Ares despite knowing the price of destruction..."

Diana covered her hand. "There is always hope, Mother. Hope is what made you survive. It's what forged Themyscira. It was the difference between you and Antiope. You did not become embittered and seek vengeance. You taught me better. It is better to forgive. Even you forgive Heracles because your compassion moved you to pity. I should be no different to my sisters. You cannot protect me forever."

Phillipus suddenly spoke up. "Majesty, she has a point."

Hippolyta looked as if she was struggling between anger and a reluctant pride at the words of her child. Where was the impetuous, impatient girl she knew? There was a kind of new found temperance and grace in her overall manner. But the Queen was still not happy to let her go. She shook her head. "No. This is my final word. You will stay. As runner up, Mala..."

Before she could make her decree, there was suddenly a flash of light in the chamber and one of the gods that blessed Diana upon her birth appeared: Hermes, the winged messenger.

He carried a lariat made of tiny gold chain links in his hand. All the women gasped and went down upon their knees.

Hermes gestured to them. "Rise."

He looked at Hippolyta. "Queen Hippolyta, I bear word from those that blessed your child, from Hera, Aphrodite, Athena, Demeter and Hestia. They have heard and seen all that has happened here. The decree of Zeus has been carried out and won fairly by Diana. It is not up to you , Hippolyta, to undo that binding contract. The champion has been chosen and she is now commanded to go and be an Ambassador of Peace and Knowledge to the world."

Hippolyta looked as if she had been hit in the gut, she looked at Diana who bowed as Hermes approached her. He handed over the lariat. "Hestia's lasso. It is of infinite length and indestructible. It can also force anyone, god or mortal, within its circle to speak the truth. Come, rise and accept your mission."

Diana took the lariat and looped it on her belt.

He turned to Phillipus,who obediently came forward with the silver bracelets. Diana undid her own old ones and put on them on with awe. Hermes said, "There is one last test."

From under his robes, he produced a revolver. Diana's eyes widened. "A gun! What?" She looked alarmed. The last time she faced a gun it left a bullet in her shoulder. Hermes gave the gun to Phillipus.

Diana watched as the General walked away from her and the rest of the women withdrew behind her. Diana stood in the middle of the airy chamber looking at Hermes in fear.

Phillipus looked at Hermes,who nodded. Diana saw Phillipus take aim. She heard the gun report and closed her eyes and lifted an arm as if to shield her face. To her astonishment the bullet bounced off the metal. She gasped. Phillipus was firing again and this time Diana watched and waited. She deflected the other five bullets in a row.

Hermes smiled. "Well, done."

Diana touched her brow. She had actually broken out in a sweat. She looked around at the room, at her mother. "So, I am the champion?"

Hermes said, "There is no doubt. And you need to prepare for your official entry into the world."

Diana's eyes sparkled. "Thank you, Hermes. It will not be very difficult for me. I have friends there. I can go and help..."

Hermes shook his head. "No, Diana, you will not be going back there, not yet at least. You will be coming with me. You have much to see and learn about the world before you even take on this mantle. We will travel, you and I, and explore the continents and allow you to understand and see how people live. You need to learn yourself before you can even begin to presume to teach others. In the meantime, I will leave it to your sisters to create a costume for our champion. Once you take your place you will be seen as a symbol of the gods and Amazons and will serve as an example to all."

The implications of what she had taken upon her shoulders dawned on her face. She looked grave. "I understand."

Hermes nodded. "Good." He turned to Hippolyta. "We will return after I am satisfied Diana is ready to re-enter as the champion."

Hippolyta was pale but bowed. "If it is the will of the gods, so be it."

Diana turned to her mother, before she left with Hermes. "It will be well, Mother."

The Queen said nothing.

Hermes took Diana's hands in his and they vanished.