Uncanny Wonder Woman

Chapter 12: Mark of the Gorgon- Part 2

By

The Uncanny R-Man

Disclaimer- All familiar characters belong to DC.


Boston, Massachusetts-

Diana was taking a little time off from her duties with the Justice League. The princess of the Amazons tapped the arm of her chair impatiently. She never knew that maternity leave could be so boring.

There was nothing on television that Diana fancied watching. Donna was off with Titans East, and Hippolyta had taken over Diana's duty with the League. Perhaps Bruce would be up for a visit.

Diana headed over to the telephone and dialled Bruce's number.

'Wayne Manor, how may I be of service?'

Diana recognised the cultured British voice straight away. It was Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce's butler.

'Oh, hello Alfred...' Diana smiled jovially. 'Is Bruce there? I'm at a bit of a loss what to do. I was wondering whether Bruce was busy or not.'

'I am afraid that Master Bruce is indeed busy right now, ma'am.' Alfred replied apologetically. 'It seems that there was a disturbance at the Gotham City National History Museum.'

Diana frowned at that. She knew that Bruce was a very busy man prowling the streets of Gotham and all, but she was hoping that he could spare some time to spend together.

'Having a little trouble, princess?'

Diana spun around at the sound of the voice, dropping the phone.

'Circe!' Diana snarled as she recognised the figure before her.

'It's nice to see that being a mother hasn't dimmed your memory.' Circe smirked evilly. 'Now, I have a proposition for yo...'

'Get out of my house, witch!' Diana snarled as she swung a punch, only for her hand to pass straight through Circe's head.

'What in Hera's name...?'

'Astral projection, dear.' Circe admired her nails nonchalantly. 'Now, do you want to hear what I have to say, or are you going to keep swinging at me like a silly person?'

'Make it quick, witch.' Diana demanded, barely keeping her anger in check.

Circe waved her hand, conjuring a magical scrying pool.

'Now, as you can see, I have your beloved Dark Knight held captive...'

'As Hera is my witness, if you have harmed Bruce in any way...'

Circe shook her head and tutted at Diana's temper.

'Dear, dear. Such impetuousness.'

Circe continued.

'I have your beloved Dark Knight held captive at my castle in Gotham. You can't miss it. It's a great big thing. It's all gothic and foreboding-looking. You are welcome to try and free him. If you can.'

And with that, Circe disappeared as suddenly as she had appeared.

Diana didn't even have to think what her next move was. She had to save Bruce!


Gotham City-

The wall to the castle exploded inwards in a cascade of bricks and mortar. Diana couldn't care less about taking the stealthy approach. All she cared about now was finding Bruce.

Diana looked about at her surroundings. She seemed to have landed in some kind of banquet hall. There were torches lit all around the room. There was also some kind of great big grille on the floor as well. Diana couldn't make out what, if anything, lived down there. It was too dark down there.

Diana's head snapped up as she heard a groan.

'Bruce!'

Diana ran straight towards some kind of energy cage that was holding Caped Crusader.

'Bruce, are you okay?'

The Dark Knight slowly sat up with a start.

'Diana! Look out!'

Bruce's words came too late as the grille underneath Diana's feet opened up, dropping her down into the room below.

'Well, that was silly of you, wasn't it?' Circe laughed as she stepped out of her hiding place in an alcove covered by a curtain. 'Very amateurish, princess.'

Diana flew up and attempted to smash her way through the now-closed grille. Unfortunately, the grille wouldn't budge. She was trapped.

'That's made out of enchanted steel, darling.' Circe knelt down to look down at Diana. 'Not even your god-given gifts will let you escape. That is unless you do one thing...'

'What do you want from me?' Diana asked, bristling with rage.

'Defeat my champion and I shall release you. Your beloved Dark Knight too.'

Diana's whole body felt repulsed at the mere thought of doing Circe's wishes, but there was no hope of escaping unless she did as the immortal witch said.

'Very well.' Diana relented as she landed back down on the straw-covered ground. 'I shall do as you wish.'

'Oh, this is going to be fun!' Circe clapped her hands excitedly. 'Perhaps I should have sold tickets.'

Diana spun on her heels as she heard a gate open behind her with a groan. She also heard the sound of several snakes hissing.

'I can't say that I like the venue, but who cares when I get the chance to kick your royal backside?' Medusa the Gorgon chuckled as she stepped out to meet her opponent.

Diana immediately averted her gaze. Even one little look at the Gorgon's fearsome countenance would turn her into stone.

'Very, good.' Medusa nodded. 'Hippolyta has trained you well. Most warriors would charge right in to battle. And we all know what happened to them, don't we?'

'Keep on talking, fiend...' Diana thought to herself as she scrabbled in the dirt for a weapon to use. Her golden lasso wouldn't be much use when she couldn't even look at her opponent.

Diana smiled to herself as she touched a shield that some unfortunate warrior had left behind. With one swift heave, Diana threw the shield at Medusa, promptly cutting off her head.

'WHAT?' Circe yelled in anger. 'What in the name of the Pits of Tartarus was that? This was supposed to be a battle to the death!'

'Best laid plans never go well, Circe.' Bruce smirked from his magical cage. 'Now, I believe we had a deal...'

'Deal, nothing!' Circe sneered. 'I wanted a fight to the death and I intend to get a fight to the death!'

Circe reached down to open up the grille so she could take on Diana herself. That was all the Princess of the Amazons needed. Circe was knocked off her feet as Diana came flying through the open grille.

'I shall make you pay dearly for this, witch!' Diana told her foe. 'Nobody kidnaps the father of my child!'

'Do your worst.' Circe sneered arrogantly. 'You can't hurt me, princess. I'm immortal.'

'Bruce, avert your eyes!' Diana ordered the immortal witch as she reached behind her back.

Bruce covered his eyes with his arm as Diana pulled out Medusa's head. Even in death the Gorgon's gaze could turn people to stone.

Circe cried out as she felt her skin begin to harden.

'I shall make you pay for this, Princess of the Amazons! Don't you think that I won't make you paaaaaa...'

'That's enough from you, witch.' Diana retorted as she tossed Medusa's head back into the pit.

'You do realise that she'll be back, don't you?' Bruce stated, now freed from Circe's magical cage. 'Things like that have a way of happening.'

'I'll be ready for her.' Diana sniffed as she helped Bruce up to his feet. 'But I am wondering where that male Cheetah and the Silver Swan have disappeared to.'

'Most probably planning a way to release Circe from her petrified tomb.' Bruce suggested as he let himself be led away.

Diana shook her head with a gentle sigh.

'Bruce Wayne, you really are a pessimist.'

TBC...


Next: Hippolyta Goes Wild

Hippolyta goes on her first mission with the Justice League. Could there be sparks between the Queen of the Amazons and the hero known as Wildcat? Tune in next time to find out...