Let me apologize. It's been about 11 months since I've updated. That's pretty inexcusable. But, for anyone out there who still cares, I still want to finish this story. So I present to you this section today, which is a flashback Interlude, with a proper continuation of the main story to be published in a day or two. I'm gonna do the best I can here, but life happens, as well as my other creative interests. I love this story and I deeply appreciate all the interest you guys have shown in it. So please, enjoy, and I'll try to finish this bad boy.

INTERLUDE: TWO YEARS AGO

In the main banquet hall, in the central palace of Themyscira, Queen Hippolyta sat at the head of the royal dining table. Seated around the heavy marble table were her most trusted lieutenants, academics, and advisers. Laughter echoed as wine was drunk and food was eaten.

This particular feast was held in honor of one of their own. But the Sister in question did not appear to revel in the merriment. Hippolyta reached to her right, where her daughter Diana, the Princess of Themyscira, sat. So beautiful, so radiant, and so completely sad.

"What is wrong, my child?"

Diana put on a brave face and smiled. "Nothing, Mother. Nothing at all. I'm very happy to be home."

It wasn't too long ago that royal edict prevented Diana from returning to Themyscira. But then she and her winged ally thwarted a devious plot of Hades. Blessedly, Hippolyta had all the reason she needed to lift her daughter's exile.

Since that time, every few weeks, Diana would return to Themyscira and regale her Sisters with tales of battles fought in Man's World. Just three weeks prior, Diana had eagerly recounted such a story.

"I know not what magic the villain used on me, but I was suddenly sapped of my power," she spoke, her Sisters hanging on each word. "My body failed me. I was left with all the strength of a newborn child, except even a child can cry for help, but even that was impossible for me."

Diana threw herself into the story, her voice rising to a feverish pitch as the tension increased. Even Hippolyta found herself edging forward in her seat, enthralled by the tale.

"I plummeted back to earth, my body limp and feeble. Beneath me, a vat of chemicals, the pollution and slime of Man's World. Make no mistake, my Sisters, were I to have fallen in, my soul would have earned passage upon the Ferryman's boat, transported to the fields of Elysium."

"So what happened?" Andromache asked.

"What did you do?" Eurydice insisted.

"I could do nothing, my Sisters," Diana said. A serene smile graced her lips. "Luckily, he was there to save me."

The table fell silent as her Sisters stared in slack jawed bewilderment. One finally uttered, "...He?"

Diana chuckled. "When I first arrived in Man's World, the idea would have insulted me. But it's actually quite comforting to have a Knight in Kevlar Armor around to catch you should you fall."

None knew what this "kevlar" was. But each understood the implication of a man saving their princess' life. Most at the table were veterans of the conflicts against Hercules centuries before. The thought was...distressing.

But one Amazon was intrigued. Celeste, a renowned philosopher and teacher asked, "The dark wraith? Of the tribe of Goth-ham?"

"Yes, my Sister," Diana smiled. "The dark wraith."

Another Sister, Alkyone, timidly spoke up. "Is he not...evil?"

Diana laughed. "Only when he doesn't get enough coffee. A decaffeinated Batman would make Lord Hades himself tremble in fear."

Decaffeinated? The princess used such strange words.

But now, Hippolyta worried for her child. It was clear her sun and stars suffered from heartsickness. Though she might find the answer distasteful, the Queen knew it was her motherly duty to ask the question. So, when she finally found her daughter alone, perched upon a nearby balcony, the moon high and alight in the sky, a warm salty breeze from the ocean upon their faces, she did just so.

"Diana, my beloved daughter, what is wrong?"

A single tear ran down her daughter's cheek. Diana roughly wiped it away, then brought a wine goblet to her lips, taking a deep drink.

Hippolyta phrased her next question carefully. "Is it...one of your friends?" The way Diana wavered, Hippolyta feared the worst. "Did one fall in battle?"

"By the blessings of the gods, no," Diana thankfully spoke.

"Then what, my child? What grieves you so?"

Diana gripped the marble railing tightly, her gaze fixed upon the water. She would compose herself. She would purport herself as a princess.

"It has been a difficult month, mother. The Justice League faced a great enemy...and even a threat amidst our very ranks."

"A traitor?" Hippolyta asked. She feared such an event might occur, threatening her daughter's safety. Men could only be trusted so far.

"No. I mean, not exactly," Diana said. "We won the day, ultimately thanks to his help. But in the aftermath, we were forced to exile him from the League."

"Ah," was Hippolyta's simple reply. To her, the answer was obvious. "It was the Dark Wraith?"

Diana looked to her mother in surprise. "Why do you say that?"

"More than any of the others, he seemed the least trustworthy." Hippolyta chose not to voice her other thought. Only the Dark Wraith could provoke such a reaction in you. I have noticed this.

"Why? Because he doesn't wear summer colors?"

Hippolyta knew not what a summer color was. "All mothers take care to learn of their child's friends. Any being who embraces darkness the way this wraith does cannot be expected to exercise a purity of heart."

Diana, her beloved daughter, Princess of the Amazons and Champion of Man's World, suddenly looked so small and pitiful. "But he's a good man, mother. He made a mistake and helped us fix it. In his own way, he thought he was protecting us and the world." Diana sighed. "And now he refuses to let us protect him in his time of need."

Hippolyta said nothing. What could she say that her daughter wished to hear?

"Whatever comes to pass, we must take solace and comfort in the knowledge that the gods decreed it so."

Diana sniffed loudly. "I wish the gods would cut him a break for once."

Hippolyta stiffened slightly, put off by her daughter's casual speaking of the gods. "Then you must pay proper homage and respect. Speak to them, my daughter, and they shall listen. Pray for your...friend."

I already do, Diana thought. "Thank you, Mother."

Hippolyta hugged her daughter and gently kissed her cheek. "Now, about this other issue..."

Diana smiled, amused by her mother's discomfort. "Mother, isn't it long past time that Themyscira stepped out into the world? And with my duties in the Justice League, I simply cannot serve as a full time ambassador."

"I completely agree, my child," Hippolyta said.

Diana couldn't hide her surprise. "You do?"

"Indeed. In fact, I've a Sister in mind for the task. A volunteer, no less."

Just then a soft voice called out, "My Queen?"

Hippolyta and Diana turned to find their Sisters, Celeste and Echo, standing at the entrance to the balcony. "Please, Sisters, join us," the Queen beckoned.

"Celeste," Diana smiled. "Why am I not surprised?"

Celeste bubbled with excitement. "It's been so long since I've been party to a great adventure! Paradise or not, sometimes it's good to get out into the world and stretch your legs."

Diana turned to her companion. "Echo, I take it you wish to volunteer as well?"

Echo frowned sourly, as if biting into a lemon. "I have no wish to partake in Man's World. But where Celeste goes, I shall go."

Celeste laughed and playfully elbowed her friend. "No sense of wonder in this one. I, however, am delighted to be privy to such a grand exercise. A chance to study modern society in Man's World. How can an academic refuse such an opportunity?"

Diana also laughed. "I must confess, Celeste, I was hopeful that you would volunteer. I cannot think of another Sister more qualified for the task."

"I am honored to be thought of so highly," Celeste modestly said. "I understand the gravity of this undertaking and solemnly swear to execute the duties to the best of my abilities."

Diana smiled. "And try to have some fun, too. Gotham has amazing nightlife, so long as you don't mind the occasional explosion or gas attack."

"It is in regard to this point that I must show consternation," the Queen spoke. "I do not understand your reasoning for positioning our embassy in that...cesspool."

"Yes, what of Metropolis?" Celeste asked. "Is that not the haven for Apollo's child? The Superman?"

Diana chuckled. She spoke once how Superman derived his powers by soaking up the yellow sun. Henceforth, her Sister's referred to him as Apollo's progeny.

"From what I gather," Hippolyta said, "Metropolis appears one of the few shining beacons of Man's World. And being as how its champion is the child of a god..."

"Metropolis is a wondrous city," Diana assured. "And Superman is a remarkable man. But his obligations stretch beyond the bounds of the city. He is this planet's greatest champion. Perhaps even the universe's."

"So you would have our embassy in Gotham?" Hippolyta distastefully asked. "A city that by all accounts could be an earthly dominion of Hades? A city occupied by your Batman?"

"My decision isn't without logic, mother. Superman, kind and noble as he may be, will keep too close a guardianship. He will try to be an ever present protector. That serves no one's best interests. As Amazons, we must learn to stand on our own in Man's World, with strength. And Superman hardly needs the added distraction. Batman understand this. He will keep watch over the embassy and our Sisters, but he will not intrude. Please, trust me."

Hippolyta softened. "And I do trust you, my dear. I just worry."

"Completely unnecessary, my Queen," Celeste assured. "Though it's been ages since I've seen battle, I am still Amazon." She wrapped a friendly arm around Echo's shoulders, pulling her close. "WE are Amazon," she amended. "And we are quite capable of fending for ourselves."

Echo chin lifted resolutely, her eyes gleaming with power and confidence. "I assure you that no harm will befall our Sister, my Queen."

Hippolyta smiled. "It appears the decision has been made."

"With your permission, my Queen," Celeste said, "I was hoping that I might steal the Princess away for a bit. I wish to learn as much about Gotham as possible before my duties commence."

"An excellent thought," Hippolyta said. She nodded to her fellow Amazons. "And with that, I do believe I will retire for the night. Sleep well, Sisters. Good night, my daughter."

Once they bid goodnight to their Queen, Diana looped her arm around Celeste's, guiding her Sister back into the palace, Echo following close behind.

"So what do I need to know?" Celeste inquired.

"Well," Diana gleefully began, "you simply must go down to the garment district on Saturday mornings. The sales are ridiculous, whether you're into vintage or modern. The First Friday Art Walk is an absolute must to experience. Oh! And there's a small Polish restaurant on the corner of Synder and Tomasi that makes the most amazing pierogis imaginable."

Celeste stared blankly. "Princess...I know not what you speak of. I was actually inquiring about what I should know to perform my duties as ambassador."

"Oh, there will be plenty of time to discuss business later," Diana assured. "But first, let us discuss the important stuff: food, clothes, art, and entertainment." The princess actually bounced in excitement. "Oh, I'm so jealous, because you'll get to experience this all for the first time! Now, there's a bakery down on Grant Street, right across from a theater that shows a horror double feature on Saturday nights, that makes cannolis so divine that you will swear are made by the gods themselves..."

END PART

Next! Crabcakes! Backwards magic! Batman vs Superman! Oh, and Bruce might figure out who the killer is.