JL: The Newest Recruit

Part Twenty-One

Comeback

In the batjet, Batman sat in his seat brooding while Diana leaned against his chair. Her thoughts were on what she and Batman witnessed going on in the Metro Tower. "They've all been turn into beastiamorphs! It is possible my sisters, my mother, Kal…" Diana couldn't finish her words.

"We better go back to see what damage Circe has done to the world," Bruce said.

"No." As much as she wanted to go back and see if her husband was all right, Diana knew she couldn't be so rash. "We can't just go back by ourselves. If everyone in the world is like this, they'll attack us. Circe is in control with everyone being beastiamorphs."

"Everyone might not be enraptured in Circe's spell," Bruce pointed out as he switched the channel from the Metro Tower to the Watchtower. "We have Justice League members in the Watchtower."

A visual of the Watchtower showed Justice League members as beastiamorphs fighting each other in the Watchtower Control Room.

"Looks like they were changed, too, but how?" Batman wondered. "The Watchtower is outside Earth. They should've been safe from Circe's magic."

"They should've. I had no idea Circe's powers could stretch so far." As Diana she stared at the screen, Green Lantern came into view. "Bruce, look! John didn't change."

Dinah came into the view of the camera and her screech pushed back the beastiamorphs around her while Green Arrow fired his arrows to fend off the attacks. "So we do have survivors."

"The first thing we need to do is round up anyone who's escaped Circe's spell."

Bruce agreed. "Since there is very little to no human thought when one is changed into a beastiamorph, we could call out to any Justice League members who weren't changed and have them meet us at one of our rendezvous without any worry we're letting the enemy know where we are."

"Agreed, but we still should addressed the rendezvous points in Watchtower code," Diana advised.

"Which one? Watchtower and the Metro Tower are out of the question."

"Here," Diana decided. "You make the call. I will address my Sisters on this matter. We will need their help."

****

Shayera awakened on the cold floor of Level 21. In the distance, she could hear the sounds of animal growling. She shook her head to clear her mind, thinking she heard wrong, but as she looked at the end of the hall, she saw Zatanna battling three monsters. Zatanna was using her magic to subdue, or as it appeared to Shayera, go easy on the monsters. Grabbing her mace, Shayera went to help.

Before Zatanna could stop her, Shayera hit the panther beastiamorph with her mace. Electricity poured through the beastiamorph as he screamed in pain. Shayera stilled for a moment as the beastiamorph's screamed sounded very familiar.

"Don't hurt them!" Zatanna shouted at her. Zatanna spoke an incantation and each of her attackers were subdued: the panther was wrapped in chains, the giant snake was wrapped in his own tail and the dragon had a muffle over his mouth and his feet and tail chained to the floor. "Take a closer look at them, Shayera, and you will see why I was trying to be light with them."

Shayera looked at each monster. One was a snake wearing remnants of Elongated Man's clothes, the panther wore armor like Steel and the dragon wore Firestorm's clothes.

"Is that…? What happened to them?"

"Magic. You where knocked out when it happened, but I held a shield up protecting us. When it was over, I went to see what damaged was done and found them. I'm sure this has happened to everyone in the Watchtower."

Shayera immediately thought of John. Even though he was with Vixen, she still cared for him. "We need to be sure."

"Okay, but you better be prepared to fight our friends who have been turned into monsters," Zatanna warned her.

Shayera gripped her mace. "You know you don't have to ask me that."

Zatanna prepared to transport them when Batman's voice came through their earpiece. "This is Batman. The people of Earth, including everyone in the Metro Tower and the Watchtower have been turned into beastiamorphs by the sorceress Circe. Wonder Woman and I have been spared the spell. If any Justice League members can hear us, rendezvous at Watchtower Six in two hours. We will coordinate a plan for attack."

"Watchtower Six?" Zatanna repeated. "Isn't that Themyscira?"

"Things are worse than I thought," Shayera said. "We better check the Watchtower for survivors."

Zatanna agreed. "TROPSNART SU OT LORTNOC MOOR!!"

In seconds, Zatanna and Shayera were taken to the control room where they found themselves in the middle of a war among friends. Green Lantern, Black Canary, Green Arrow, Mr. Terrific and Vixen were fighting off Justice League Members transformed into beastiamorphs.

Zatanna and Shayera joined the fight. Shayera subdued her former friends with her mace and sometimes her fists. Zatanna cast her spells to bind her allies.

It took over an hour to subdue all the beastiamorphs. John turned his attention to Zatanna and Shayera. "It's good to see you two made it out." His relief soon turned to anger when he demanded, "Would someone mind telling me what the hell is going on? I heard Batman saying something through the earpiece but I was too busy fighting these monsters to listen."

Zatanna gave John and the others the quick summary of what Batman relayed to them.

"If we go to Themyscira, these guys will be left unguarded," Oliver gestured to the beastiamorphs. "We have them trapped now but I don't want to leave them here alone."

"Some of us will have to stay back then unless…" John looked at Zatanna. "Can you reverse the process and get our friends back?"

"It's not as easy as that, John," Zatanna said. "Mixing magic is dangerous, John. From what Diana has told me about Circe, this is her signature move. Something she created and perfected over the centuries. I don't know what effects it might have on our friends if I try it. I rather find Circe first to learn what spell she used or force her to change everyone back."

Shayera snorted. "That's not likely."

"You got that right."

Everyone turned to see Circe standing in the Watchtower. She looked over the beastiamorph Justice League, tied and caged. "This is how you treat your friends? Hmph! They will be in much better company with me."

"Oh, yeah?" John challenged as he stepped forward. "You're not taking them anywhere."

Circe laughed. "You're in no position to challenge me." She eyed the group that surrounded her. "In fact, none of you are."

John attacked first sending the power of his ring on Circe. Circe only deflected the blast back on John, slamming him through one of the steel walls of the Watchtower. John wouldn't stay down as he came after her again. He created a cage to trap Circe but she caused the cage to trap John instead.

Circe stared at John as he struggled to break from his power. "Hmm. Such fire in your eyes. How did my spell miss you? An easy way to remedy that."

Seeing what Circe was planning, Zatanna intervene Circe. "ECNELIS ERCIC!"

In the middle of her incantation, Circe's lips were merged together. Smiling, Circe wiped a hand over her mouth, magically repelling Zatanna's power. "Such cheap parlor tricks do not work on me. Try this!" Circe released a blast of her magic on Zatanna encasing her in magical ice.

As Zatanna struggled to break free of Circe's power, the other Justice League members took part in the fight. Circe silenced Black Canary by molding her lips together. She pinned Green Arrow to the wall with his arrows. She knocked out Mr. Terrific when he tried to sneak up behind her. She trapped Vixen in a cage with magical chains preventing her from morphing into an animal.

With the remaining members of the Justice League defeated, Circe finished her spell turning John into a bull beastiamorph. When Zatanna finally freed herself of Circe's power, Circe, John and the rest of the Justice League members who were changed into beastiamorph were gone.

Zatanna freed the rest of the group. "This is bad. Where could Circe be taking our friends?"

Vixen crossed her arms. "She's gonna unleash them on some unfortunate people."

"What's worse," Oliver growled. "It doesn't seem we can stop her. She knocked all of us on our ass."

"There has to be a target," Shayera voiced her opinion. "Circe is Diana's enemy. She hates her more than anyone. Plus there's some prophecy surrounding them. I think she's going to attack Diana's home."

****

Clark couldn't believe it. Everyone in the room transformed into beastiamorphs. Lois' father, Sam Lane was changed into a bull. Jimmy Olsen was a turtle. Perry White was a walrus. Steve Lombard was a donkey. Clark stopped the fights and subdued everyone in the room, chaining and tying them with whatever he could find.

When he left the building where the memorial was being held, he found the citizens of the Metropolis fighting each other. He was left with no choice but to leave them be. The only way to help them was change them back to normal. That didn't mean he didn't fight beastiamorphs as he flew to his destination. He fought several until he got to his parents home in Smallville.

Jonathan was changed into a bloodhound hiding from Martha the lioness. After subduing his parents where they couldn't kill or rather, where Martha couldn't eat Jonathon, Clark flew to his Fortress of Solitude.

Clark heard Bruce's message and was pleased to know he and Diana were safe on Themyscira. Now he had to make sure the Amazons that were in his world were safe too. He knew Diana was worried for them and he sought to ease her worries and bring them home.

Upon arriving at his fortress, Clark went to his control room. On his computer he located the Amazons by the tracers they were given. It was a precaution taken in case something happen and this certainly was something.

He found Hippolyta, Phillipus, Penelope and Acantha in Washington, D.C. Euboea and Timandra were in Gotham. Magda and Ipthime were in New York City. From the satellite images that scanned into his computer, he saw they were changed either. It was strange to Superman. He was vulnerable to magic. Why didn't Circe change him and the Amazons?

Those were questions that would be answered later he hoped. Flying off in Diana's jet, Clark flew to where the Amazons were and hoped they hold their own until he got there.

****

Ipthime watched from her balcony of her hotel room in New York City as beastiamorphs fought with each other in the streets. Some flew in the skies, fighting and killing each other. "Hmm, how mankind have turned into their true selves. Savages."

Ipthime's bedroom door flew open with Magda rushing in and slamming the door shut. "Ipthime, it's total madness out there! The humans have all turned into monsters!" Magda barricaded the door with a desk. "We must contact Diana and her Justice League friends. It won't be safe for us if we stay here. I pray that our fellow Amazons are safe out there."

"Who's to say Diana's friends haven't been turned as well?" Ipthime asked.

Seeing the joy on her sister's face, disgusted Magda at her sister's behavior. "I don't know but I've turned on the tracer Diana gave us in case something happens. If we can't wait for them here, we should try to get to the safe house Diana told us about."

"We don't need to go anywhere," Ipthime said confidently. "We'll be fine."

"You certainly are sure of yourself," Circe said as she appeared before the Amazons.

"Circe!" Magda shuddered in fear of the sorceress. "What are you doing here?"

Circe ignored the Amazon but was thrilled at the fear she instilled her. "Just having a conference with my partner in crime."

"Partner in…" Magda looked at Ipthime. "Sister, what is she talking about?"

"Why are you here?" Ipthime demanded, ignoring Magda's question. She didn't mind being Circe's partner but she didn't want her sister's to know of her deception.

"Oh, are you shying away on your part in this?" Circe mocks her hurt. "Why? This is a momentous event. If it weren't for you, mankind wouldn't have been turned into beastiamorphs."

Magda turned Ipthime to face her. "This was your doing? How could you?"

"How could I not?" Ipthime defended herself. "The humans are nothing but savages and our princess is trying to save people who don't want to be saved. Not only that but she does the contemptible by mating with a man."

Angry, Magda slapped Ipthime. "You fool! That is why you joined forces with Circe? The only one who is a savage and has done anything contemptible is you, and if I didn't need your help against those beastiamorphs, I'd beat you for your betrayal!"

"The beastiamorphs won't harm us," Ipthime assured Magda.

"Do you think that because you allied myself with me?" Circe asked. "Enlighten me. I'm genuinely curious."

Ipthime turned to face Circe, her body turning cold at Circe's words. "You can't mean to betray me."

Circe's supercilious laugh was chilling to the Amazons. "Oh, no, I won't betray you. The beastiamorphs will not attack you. You helped me concoct this plan. What kind of person would I be if I kill you after you've helped me so much?"

Magda didn't like her words. There was something suspicious about that tone and how she only looked at Ipthime. "You say you won't kill Ipthime. Something tells me the rest of the Amazons are not so safe."

Circe smirked at Magda. "You would be right. In fact, all the Justice League members who were changed into beastiamorphs are going to Themyscira."

"Our sisters will be overwhelmed with the swarm of beastiamorphs," Magda said. "They may not stand a chance."

"Oh, not 'may not'," Circe corrected the Amazon. "Will not. That's very important to remember. Diana might but I have something for her."

"How could you?" Ipthime demanded. "I helped you make the people of Earth this way and you send them to attack my Sisters?!"

Circe wagged her finger at Ipthime. "I never said I *wouldn't* send the beastiamorphs after you. You assumed I wouldn't because of our deal. I cannot have all my children attacking each other. They need something to target and what better target than the Amazons."

"Traitorous witch!" Ipthime lunged herself at Circe. Circe sent forth a blast of magic that force Ipthime to her knees. She gave a warning look to Magda. "I wouldn't try anything if I were you." Magda remained where she was. "Good girl."

Circe stared down at Ipthime. "Such betrayal. I cannot allow it. I was going to spare you. Now I relinquish it. I hope the beastiamorphs in this city give you a taste of the pain and suffering as what the Amazons on Themyscira will face."

Circe malicious smile was the last the Amazons saw before she disappeared.

The thought of her sisters on Themyscira vulnerable to an attack brought tears to Ipthime's eyes. "It's all my fault. I've doomed us all. Every sister's death will be on my head."

"Ipthime, you should've known better than to make a deal with Circe. No matter how much you were displeased with Diana's life in this world," Magda chastised her. "You've doomed us all."

Ipthime couldn't say anything to defend herself. "I know." She punched the floor. "If only I didn't make a deal with her."

Magda didn't ask but Ipthime confessed in details about her deal with Circe. When she finished, Magda said, "Oh, Ipthime, how could you be so foolish? You hated the princess' beloved that much?"

"I only wanted to show her the evil of men."

"And yet, you showed her how one sister can betray her own kind; how one sister can betray the planet she loves so much and protects," Magda pulled Ipthime to her feet. "I'll let the princess deal with you. For now, we must fight off the beastiamorphs and find a way to save our Amazon Sisters."

****

"This is your fault, Princess! You've endangered the lives of our Queen and Sisters by having them go to Man's World!"

Hellene was the first of many Amazons to chastise the Princess over the unknown fate of the Queen and the Amazons now in danger in Patriarch's World.

"Hellene! Sisters!" Diana addressed the Amazons in the Senate Room, "You have every right to be angry with me but now is not the time. The Earth is now in Circe's control. Our Queen and our fellow Amazons may have been changed into beastiamorphs. We must work together to save them and everyone on the Earth."

"I agree with helping Queen Hippolyta and sisters but why must we aide the people of Earth?" Hellene questioned. "They are nothing but savages."

"There are many things that differ us from the people of Patriarch's World but there is one thing that has not and will not change, Hellene. We all live on this planet. The Earth is our home as much as Themyscira, more so because if anything should happen to Earth, we all will die."

"We have our Gods to protect us," Hellene said.

"They do but they haven't answered our prayers on our Sisters whereabouts have they?" Diana countered. "It's very possible, even our Gods will not be able to save us. They may be leaving this to us to solve on our own."

"Diana is right." Menalippe spoke in support. "We must work together now and reserve judgment for later. As for now, our Queen is out of action and per the laws of Themyscira, Diana is now Queen. We must obey her."

Everyone including Diana knew this but this was something Diana didn't want to do. "Unfortunately, it *does* fall upon me to act as Queen. I will gladly step down once my mother is found but until then I shall rule. We need a group of Amazons to stay here to protect our home, but we need many to come with Batman and myself to Man's World. I prefer not to choose names but ask for volunteers."

It didn't take long for those to volunteer to go with Diana or stay behind. Once the decision was made, Diana left the Senate Room to talk with Batman as he waited outside. "It shouldn't take long for our forces to gather."

Batman nodded. "I'll go out and wait for our friends to arrive."

Zatanna mystically appeared before them. "That won't be necessary. We all are here now."

"Even Superman?" Diana asked hopefully.

"Zatanna," Batman said cautious. "It's good to see you."

Zatanna smiled at Batman. "Likewise, Bruce." She turned her attention to Diana. "Sorry, Diana. Superman wasn't with us. There's not many of us. We were attacked by Circe and she took all the Justice League members in the Watchtower that were turned into beastiamorph. She got John in the fight, too."

Both Diana and Bruce were shocked by the news. Bruce's mind began thinking of what Circe mean to do. "If she took the ones in the Watchtower, she took everyone from the Metro Tower, too."

"Yeah," Zatanna agreed, "I think so, too. Shayera thinks Circe's coming here."

"Shayera's right. What better way to destroy me and my sisters by sending my own allies from Patriarch's World to destroy my people."

The warning horns sounded throughout the palace. The three raced to the nearest balcony to see all the Justice League members who are now beastiamorphs on the sandy shores of Themyscira. Leading them was Circe.

Diana jumped off the balcony and flew to the beach. She could see many Amazons on the beach, some standing in battle armor, others on horses ready for their Queen to lead them battle. Standing with the Amazons was the Justice League just beaten by Circe not long ago, ready to fight again.

Diana landed before her allies as she faced off with Circe and her changed friends. Diana could feel Zatanna standing with her and hear the sounds of the Batjet above circling the area. As Diana looked at her friends now under Circe's power, she was pleased to see Clark wasn't among them. But if he wasn't a beastiamorph, why hasn't he come to Themyscira as Batman ordered. Where was he?

"Diana, how glorious is it for you to see the fall of the Amazons," Circe gloated. "It's fitting you should die on the island you were born."

"Leave this place and turn everyone back to normal," Diana ordered.

The beastiamorph Flash and Green Lantern came to Circe's side as she commanded it. She rubbed Flash's head and he purred. John was on all fours. Smoke fanned his nostrils as he growled at Diana, not remembering they are good friends. "I rather like everyone this way," Circe said.

"Amazons," Diana warned her sisters. "They may appear to be animals but they are humans. Fight them, injure them if you must but do not kill them."

Circe laughed. "No killing? Oh, you have doomed your people. Lucky for me, I have no such concerns on killing. Kill them!" she commanded.

The beastiamorphs charged on the Amazons and Justice League. Zatanna used her powers to subdue the beastiamorphs coming her way. Black Canary used her voice, Green Arrow had his arrows, Vixen morphed into formidable animal, Shayera used her fists and mace, Mr. Terrific had his fighting techniques and Batman dealt with his former allies in his jet, shooting weapons that would subdue them. Flash and Green Lantern attacked Diana as Circe watched.

****

The Queen of Themyscira's suite in the White House was barricaded with furniture to keep them safe from the beastiamorphs destroying the White House. The Amazons were in a meeting with the President of the United States when Circe's spell took over. Before their eyes, the president, his advisers, and the secret service members all transformed into beastiamorphs. The Amazons fought their way out of the room and the beastiamorphs roaming the halls until they reached the safety of their room.

The Amazons were quickly making weapons using objects around their suite. Though barricaded in their room, they could hear the sounds of fighting outside. "We can't stay here, Hippolyta. We must find a way out."

"I don't think that will be wise, Phillipus," Acantha said. "We are outnumbered."

"Nor do we know the terrain of this area as we do Themyscira," Penelope added. "We should pray to our Gods."

"We have our invisible jet," Phillipus argued.

"Our jet is at an air force base," Hippolyta reminded Phillipus. "It will not be safe for us to travel with so many of the beastiamorphs out there. We will stay here but we will arm ourselves. I have faith Diana and Kal-El are alerted to our troubles and will find us."

Phillipus didn't share in Hippolyta's decision. "You put a lot of faith in Superman, Your Highness."

"Why not?" Hippolyta asked. "He is the most powerful force on this planet."

"He is just a man."

"Phillipus, you witnessed Superman's strength at first hand. You know he is more than just a man."

Windows shattered and four beastiamorphs flew in. The Amazons jumped to battle, fighting the beastiamorphs with their weapons, fists and legs. The Amazons were holding up well against the beastiamorphs except for Penelope.

Penelope was a priestess and the least trained fighter among the group. The lion beastiamorph knocked Penelope's weapon out of her hands and pounced on her. He sunk his teeth and claws in Penelope. Penelope tried to fight the lion off but she didn't have the skill or strength. Seeing her blood splatter on the lion and herself, Penelope thought it was over for her until a force lifted the lion off her. Penelope thought one of her sisters came to her aide until she saw the flutter of a red cape.

Penelope could only watch as Superman beat up the rest of the beastiamorphs. Then she herself was lifted in the strong arms of Superman. Though her interest lied in the arms of a woman, Penelope could see the appeal Superman had and why her princess loved him so much.

"Kal-El, it's good to see you," Hippolyta addressed Superman.

"Euboea and Timandra are waiting in Diana's jet. I'll lead the way."

Superman led the Amazons safely out of the White House and into the Invisible Jet. Acantha tended to Penelope's injuries as Superman explained to Hippolyta the situation that was happening on Earth. When they flew to New York to rescue Ipthime and Magda, they realized they were too late to save one.

Ipthime was covered in blood, some of her own, most belonging to Magda who lied on the floor at Ipthime's feet unmoving as Ipthime fought the beastiamorphs surrounding her. Superman knocked out the beastiamorphs around her. He was glad to save Ipthime but he was regretful he wasn't in time to save Magda.

"She died saving me," Ipthime cried. She was on her knees crying while the Amazons surrounded her. Superman was diligently covering Magda's body with a cloth. "This is my fault."

"Don't talk like that, Ipthime," Hippolyta comforted the Amazon. "Magda did the honorable thing dying for her sister. You didn't know this would happen."

"But I did," Ipthime cried as she looked to her. "This is my fault. I joined forces with Circe to turn mankind into beastiamorph."

Everyone in the room was shocked to silence at Ipthime's revelation. Like the others, Superman wondered what was going through Ipthime's head. He also wondered how to tell Diana she lost one sister and was betrayed by another.

Hippolyta was the first to react to the news. She angrily yanked Ipthime to her feet. "You know the history between Circe and our people, particularly our princess, and you ally yourself with her? Explain yourself!"

"Please, Your Highness," Ipthime pleaded. "I was foolish and driven by anger. Slay me if your must but listen. Circe is leading Justice League beastiamorphs to Themyscira. She plans to kill all the Amazons."

"What in the Gods name were you thinking, Ipthime?" Timandra asked. "You not only caused Magda's death but the possible genocide of our people!"

"I was thinking of nothing but my own selfishness, and in the process, I may have killed the one person I wanted to protect. My princess."

Superman was silent through Ipthime's confession for he saw it as an Amazon matter, but hearing Diana's life was in danger caused Superman to step in. "What does Circe have planned for Diana?"

"I don't know," Ipthime told Superman. She never feared a man, but seeing the hard eyes on the Man on Steel made her quiver in fear and it also made her see how much Superman cared for her princess. "But whatever she has planned, it's deadly for Diana."

A gust of wind blew in the room, causing the Amazons to fight for their balance. When the wind passed, Hippolyta noticed Superman was gone.

"I pray that he reaches my daughter in time." Hippolyta pushed Ipthime to the floor. "And if he doesn't, you will have my wrath before I kill you with my hands."

****

It was all out war. Amazons against beastiamorphs. Justice League members against their own allies. While the Justice League and Amazons refrained from killing the beastiamorphs per Diana's orders, the Amazons were harsher in their fighting techniques. The beastiamorphs weren't dead but they weren't equipped to fight either.

Diana was getting attacked from both sides as she tried to hold off her strength while fighting Flash and Green Lantern. If she wasn't fighting off the brute bull strength of Green Lantern and the power of his ring, she was avoiding the speed and dangerous cheetah claws of Flash. When Diana thought she had Flash unconscious, she loop her lasso around Green Lantern. She had him subdued in her lasso but suddenly her back was slashed with thick claws. Diana screamed as her loosen the control of her lasso around Green Lantern. It was enough for him to charge on Diana, head bowed and hit her squarely in her center.

Diana was knocked off her feet and slammed onto the sandy beach. Above her, Diana could hear Circe laughing.

"So much for the Champion of the Amazons. Taken down by two men. I thought you were more powerful than that."

Diana rose, blood dripping down her back, her uniform partially torn. "Hiding behind your victims like a coward instead of taking me on yourself? I thought you were better than that, Circe."

Circe laughed. "Those words won't get me, Diana. If I didn't hate you so much, I would be impressed with your refusal to die. Your cool is remarkable. I wonder what it would take to get you angry. What if I involve Superman in the equation? Would I finally see that Amazonian anger?"

Distracted, Diana was knocked down by John. "I won't let you do anything to Kal." Diana pushed Green Lantern off her. When Flash came to her again, Diana kicked his gut and slap a karate chop to his neck, had him groaning in pain as he went down.

"Stay down!" Circe slapped Diana with her dark magic that left the Amazon Princess muscles immobile. Circe sauntered over her. "Hmm, I already did. I'll let you in on something. It was I who gave Lois Lane the power to be Mysteria. She foolishly thought if she had powers like you, then Superman would leave you to be with her again." Circe laughed. "She really was a pathetic woman. Humans and their fixation on love are the weakest of people and so easy to manipulate. Lois Lane could've recovered from the beating you gave her but I didn't want that to happen. It wouldn't benefit me at all."

"How could you be so heartless?" Diana asked as she struggled to break free of Circe's power.

Circe laughed at the ridiculous question. "Because it's so much fun! As the foolish humans say, 'Duh!' As I was saying, I was the one who killed Lois Lane and it was such fun seeing the horror and guilt on your face when you thought you killed her. The confrontation between you and Superman later on was priceless. My only regret is Lois' death didn't end your relationship with Superman. It was a long shot but worth it. The plea in Lois' eyes to live, her desperation. Oh!" Circe placed a hand over her dark heart. "It was so delicious to see. You should've seen it yourself. It was beautiful."

Diana heard enough. To think an emotionally tormented Lois was used and manipulated by Circe for her joy. To learn it was all an elaborate scheme to breakup her and Superman. Time and time again Circe used people for her own enjoyment and Diana had enough.

To Circe's shock, Diana broke free of the magic Circe had over her body. Diana's eyes were full of rage. Secretly, this was what Circe wanted. To get Diana angry.

"You monster!" Diana lashed at her. "First Aresia and now Lois, not to mention all your other victims I don't know about! I'm tired of you using people as your playthings! This ends now!"

Diana flew at her, full of fury, ignoring the incantation Circe was saying until it was too late. Diana only got one punch against Circe until she felt the sand from the ground rise and latched onto the Diana's feet, slowly making its way up her legs. "I knew your anger would blind you."

The sand melted into Diana's legs as if blending with her body. Diana saw her legs were melting. She screamed in unimaginable pain as she collapsed on the sandy beach from when she was born. "What have you done to me?!"

"I'm bringing you home, back to the sand you were born from. I think a family reunion between you two is long overdue!" Circe was too busy enjoying her triumph over Diana she was unaware of a strong force coming for her.

A blast of blue energy struck Circe from behind. She felt her own body crumple to her knees. Who would dare strike Circe in her moment of triumph? Circe turned to see Zatanna standing behind her. "You again!"

"SNIAHC FO ERIF!"

Circe looked perplexed until she saw drops of her blood on the beach (thanks to Diana punching her) turn to fire and creating a ring of it around the witch. Circe found herself momentarily trapped.

"POTS!" Zatanna said to Diana followed by another incantation. Slowly the sand seeped from Diana's legs and back to the beach.

Two of the Amazons with Zatanna went to Diana's side. "Thank you," one of the Amazons told her. "Did you reverse the spell?"

"Sort of," Zatanna answered. "I've only slowed the process. Only Circe can completely reverse it."

Green Lantern and Flash attempted to help Circe but were burned in the fail attempt. They soon turned their wrath on Zatanna and the Amazons. The Amazon raised their weapons ready to fight but Zatanna took command.

"SNIAHC!" Chains rose from the sandy beach and attached themselves to Green Lantern and Flash's legs. The two beastiamorphs struggled in vain but the magic cast around the chains would not be easy to break.

The distraction was enough for Circe to finally free herself. She snarled at Zatanna. "Subdue me with your magic? It's nothing against my own!" Circe fired her dark powers on Zatanna.

Zatanna created a shield to defect the power as it near her and the Amazons guarding Diana. "Protect Wonder Woman!" Zatanna ordered the Amazons. The shield she created was already cracking. "We have to hold Circe off until Superman arrives."

"Superman?!" Circe laughed and poured more power against Zatanna. "He can't stop me! None of you can!"

The shield cracked and Zatanna use an enormous amount of her power to send the blast upward where the sky was its victim. If Zatanna took the blast, even she wasn't sure she would make it. Fighting off such dark magic left Diana unguarded and at Circe's mercy.

While Zatanna was distracted, Circe turned her attention to Diana and the Amazons. She repeated her incantation and Diana's legs started to melt with the sand once more.

Diana was to her knees in sand when she weakly told the Amazons, "Get the lasso around Circe."

"You'll never get that around me!" Circe pointed at the weapons the Amazons were holding and turned it into snakes.

While the Amazons had their own fight on their hands, Circe took notice of Zatanna who was recovering from deflecting Circe's power. She saw the magician was breathing intense. "A little in over your head?" Circe taunted her as she landed.

"Just catching my second wind," Zatanna returned. "DNAS! ERIF!" Sand rose from the beach covering Circe which soon turned to fire encasing Circe in glass and with her own magic glass. It wouldn't last Zatanna knew but it would buy some time hopefully.

Zatanna tried to slow the process of Diana's body reverting to sand but couldn't. "I can't stop it. Circe altered her spell. Only she can save Diana."

The magical glass case Zatanna trapped Circe in shattered. Splinters of glass spilled across the beach. "And I will not save Diana. I humor you, Magician, but it ends now. All of you will die!"

A sonic boom pierced the skies above everyone. Everyone could only make out a red and blue blur. Circe felt an earth shattering punch across her face and her body pummeling deep in the sandy beach of Themyscira. Circe felt her head ringing and her vision tripling as she looked up with shaky eyes to see Superman standing over her.

"I try to refrain from hitting women, even if they are on the wrong side, but you, Circe, are no woman."

Body still wrack in pain, Circe did her best to smile even though with the punch Superman gave her brought Circe difficulty in moving her mouth to do so. "So… the big hero comes to rescue his lady. It's too late. Diana is dying and I refuse to stop the spell."

Circe started to fade and retreat to her island but Zatanna's, "POTS!" caused the witch to revert back to flesh. "I can't…" Circe tried again. "I can't transport!"

Zatanna stood by Superman. "You're gonna stay here and fight instead of run like a coward."

Circe rose to her feet. "Fine. I don't need to leave. I can take care of you right here!" Circe turned her eyes on Superman. "How about serving me again? I'm sure you will love that."

"TCETORP NAMREPUS!" Zatanna cast a blue glow surrounded Superman. "I wouldn't try it, Circe," Zatanna told her. "Your powers are strong but so are mine. A simple spell from you will not change Superman into a beastiamorph."

Circe was displeased with that revelation but as she stood, she refused to let it get to her. "Very well. I don't need to pull Superman under my control to defeat him."

As Circe prepared to fight Superman, a gold lasso looped around Circe. "What?!" The witch cried outrage. "NO!" She saw Diana using the last of her strength to trap Circe in her lasso.

Superman took hold of the lasso as he angrily told Circe. "You will reverse the spell on Diana."

Under the lasso's power, Circe had no choice but to do as commanded. She spoke the spell; watching with everyone else Diana's body turning to flesh once more. It was a relief to everyone to see Diana standing on her feet.

Diana approached Superman and took the lasso from him. "Now you will free everyone on Earth of the spell you cast on them."

"What you ask is dangerous for me to do," Circe told her. "That is a lot of power to unleash upon the world. It could drain me of my powers where it may take me years to recover."

"So, that is why you used Ipthime and had her trap your crystal in the Watchtower," Superman said.

Diana was stunned by his words. "What? Ipthime?!"

"I'll explain everything later," Superman told her.

Diana nodded and turned to Circe. "Remove your beastiamorph spell you cast on everyone on Earth."

Forced by the lasso, Circe spoke reverse her spell. Her eyes and soon her body glowed as an amazing amount of energy left her body. The power traveled over all the beastiamorphs on the island turning the Justice League members back to normal. The power soon spread over everyone on the planet, changing them back to humans.

Circe collapsed to the ground, frail and drained of her power. Her skin was wrinkled and saggy of a woman centuries old, her hair white and frazzled. Her youth and beauty were gone.

"When my powers return," Circe vowed, "I will return with a vengeance."

The skies rumbled as a large bolt of blinding lightening struck the beach. "I think the world has had enough of your vengeance and it is time you are silenced."

The words came from the Hermes the messenger god. With him were Athena, Demeter and Artemis. "It is time your evil spirit is vanished for good."

Circe's eyes widen in horror. "No. You can't mean to take me to Cronus."

"As holder of Hecate's soul, the very being who betrayed Cronus on Zeus' orders, it is only fitting you are taken to his burial where he can exact his proper revenge."

Athena smiled at Diana. "You prayed for our help Diana and on Queen Hera's command, we've come to act at last."

And just as quickly, the Gods and Circe were gone.

A recovered Flash stumbled to the group, "Is it over?"

"Yes, Flash, it's over," Diana told him. "It's good to see you back to normal."

"Good. Could someone explain to me what happened? The last thing I remember was being at the Metro Tower and why do I have this unusual thirst for milk?"

****

After the repairs were made to Themyscira, the Justice League left Themyscira to attend to the damage that was done to the rest of the Earth while the citizens were turned to beastiamorphs.

While the Amazons were recovering from the day's event and preparing for Magda's burial, a more serious discussion was taking place in the throne room of the royal palace. Diana and Hippolyta listened to Ipthime as she was on her knees cowering to the Queen and Princess of Themyscira, begging for forgiveness for her misdeeds.

"As much as you plead, as much as you admit your mistakes, Ipthime, we cannot easily forgive you. Your actions caused deaths around the world. Humans as beastiamorphs unwilling and unknowingly killed each other," Diana said.

"Worse, you betrayed our people to our worst enemy and nearly caused our own extinction. Death is the only just punishment for your actions," Hippolyta added.

Ipthime kept her head bowed. "I accept my Queen's command."

"However, talking with Diana, I will not order your death. Diana thought of a punishment herself."

It was clear Hippolyta didn't approve of the punishment Diana thought of but was willing to abide it.

"Ipthime, your actions were cruel and unforgivable. Because of your hatred to men and your displeasure of my relationship with Superman, you nearly caused genocide to the whole world and our kind. You need serious help and counseling, Ipthime. Therefore as much as my mother disagrees with this decision, I won't allow your death but rather your banishment from Themyscira."

Ipthime's mouth dropped in shock. "Banishment?"

"Your isolation from Patriarch's world lead to your actions. You don't know how men have changed in the world. It's time you do."

"I can't live in that world," Ipthime protested. "I rather die."

Diana's kind blue eyes turned dark. How dare Ipthime reject her offer after all she's done? Diana had the desire to slap Ipthime but didn't. "You won't die, Ipthime. Death is too easy a punishment. I want you to live a long life. I want you to think about the innocent deaths you've caused and let it eat at you as you repent your sins. Plead and beg for death all you won't. I won't allow it."

Ipthime accepted her punishment and knew it was not wise to questions Diana's actions. "As you wish, Princess. I apologize for questioning your punishment."

"Gather your things tonight, Ipthime. We will leave in the morning," Diana ordered.

****

Superman was waiting for Diana in her bedroom. He was out of his uniform, fresh from his bath and wearing a terry cloth robe. When she entered, Diana knew Clark heard the meeting in the throne room. "Ipthime agreed to your terms I see."

Diana sat on her bed and slipped off her boots. "She was reluctant but she saw it my way."

"I hope you know what you are doing," Clark told her as he sat beside her.

Diana thought she did. "Isolation from Patriarch's world has not been a good thing for all of my people," Diana admitted. "I think this will help her."

"Maybe, but I wonder what she would do if she's in the company of Flash again." Clark shook his head. "He may send Ipthime over the edge. Even after learning what she did, Flash volunteered his services to convert Ipthime."

Diana groaned. "I rather he didn't, but Ipthime will deal with different types of men. If she can deal with Flash, I think we may be safe from genocide again."

"I hope so." Clark rubbed her back, his fingers tracing over the claw marks on her back that had yet to heal. "How are you?"

Diana leaned on his shoulder. "For the tenth time tonight, Kal, I'm fine. I'm fully recovered from Circe's spell and these scars will heal in no time."

"We still have much to talk about."

"Yes, we do," Diana agreed.

"I'm sorry about Magda."

Thinking of her beloved sister who was killed by a beastiamorph brought fresh tears to Diana. Clark embraced Diana, holding her tightly as she cried softly against him.

"I'm so sorry, Diana. I wish I could spare you this pain."

Diana pulled away wiping her tears, "I know you did everything you could. Thank you for saving my mother and sisters from the beastiamorphs. I could've lost them all it if wasn't for you."

"Don't think anything of it," Clark told her.

"I'm sorry about Lois," Diana apologized.

Clark kissed her forehead. "I know you are. It wasn't your fault she died, whereas it was my fault for pushing you away. I'm sorry for my behavior towards you. I shouldn't have done that. You said we shouldn't keep secrets with each other and I was it by keeping my feelings from you, for not telling you my fear. I owe you a big apology."

Diana placed two fingers on his lips. "I think we've done enough apologizing. Let's promise to not to repeat our actions."

Clark kissed her fingers. "Promise. I love you."

"And I you," Diana closed her lips over his.

The kiss started off as soft and gently but quickly turned to hard and needy. They had to make up for the distance put between them and reconnect as a couple in love once more.

Once Clark freed Diana of her uniform, Diana straddled him as he told her. "I've missed your hands on me."

"I've missed your lips on me," Diana told him. Slowly, Diana pushed Clark down on the bed, subtly letting Clark know she was going to be in control for the rest of the night.

To Be Concluded

Johnceg: I know a little Spanish but I didn't understand everything but I will take it as a compliment. :)

EroslackerMicha: Well, she finally got what was coming to her.

Lilbit4: Wow, didn't you just misunderstand what I was saying. I'm not bitter at all. A reviewer gave me a long review critizing my stories citing things that didn't happen in my story. I respond in a long review correcting her mistakes. Nothing bitter at defending one's story if it is misinterpreted. If you read her review and my response, you would get that.

Animeroxz: Thanks. It would've been nice if the JL series were nicer to SM and WW. But alas, they didn't.

Crazyforfanfic: Circe can be funny at times and at others she could've been downright either. It's unfortunate the JL series didn't show how truly wicked Circe is. That would've been an awesome two part if Circe was given the respect of a true villain as Joker and Lex Luthor were in the JL series.

Thanks for all the reviews everyone. I had fun writing it even though I was taking longer than I should've in wrapping it up. I hope you all like it.