The Power of Gods: A Wonder Woman Fanfiction Story
Episode 17:
In the damning fires of Tartarus…
The good spirits cry out in mental overload. The demons blast their spirit fireballs away. But, this time around, there's shadows on the move. They have bright white hair and bright white circles for eyes. In the shadows of Tartarus's spirit flame walls, they run and play. They're called the Mannishade…and sometimes called the Bragmanni. But at heart, they're the closest thing to a Tartarus resistance movement. Their spirits were too strong to be tortured in spirit flames…and so their spirits became shadow beings: Partially still in Tartarus.
Thousands have left Tartarus to live on the edges of known society of the modern world: Only caring about themselves. But hundreds remain in Tartarus…fighting to free their brothers and sisters from Tartarus. Some are shadow children with shadow frisbees, laughing to themselves. Some are shadow being fighters, led by Nightshade's own silhouette. Nightshade has on a bubble wand like purple outfit. Two of the Mannishade pause: In a spirit flame wall's shadow. Their shadow dot eyes blink, in a kind of mystical Morse code. Silently and swiftly, several more of the Mannishade blink: Including Nightshade.
Across most of their minds, her voice echoes, "ahem, shadow children! Be little dears, and play on that side of Tartarus for making ourselves look like we know what we're doing. Larry, turn around already!" Pitch black vine like tentacles come swooping down for the Mannishade fighters, destroying several in shadowy dust. The shadow children slightly laugh, blinking away. Hades himself is puppeteering the vine like tentacles, in the form of a giant pitch black shadowy dragon. Across most of the Mannishade's minds, a voice of theirs chimes, "by the gods, Nightshade: You don't need to shout!" Nightshade slightly chuckles.
Hades laughs twistedly, "you can run…but no one can destroy the essence of fear! You can only fight it." The Manishade fighters charge with their shadowy blades, slashing at Hades's vine like tentacles. They charge through, but Hade's vine like tentacles restore themselves in seconds. Around the Mannishade's minds, they call out, "now!" Twenty of them create shadowy disks from behind to shield thirty more of the Manishade. Nightshade leads the front, when she hears something on a comlink on her person. She falls back a bit, but blinks in reconfirmation to her fighting force. Over comlink, Nightshade mutters coldly, "this better be worth it." Over comlink, the President's computer scrambled voice slightly laughs, "it will be. Aresia was last sighted in Las Vegas. A cover is set."
The front of the Mannishade's forces phase through some of the good spirits left: Bringing them towards Mannishade transformations, as Tartarus's eternally damning cycle of demons and spirit flames begins again. Nightshade slightly chuckles, "covering your Cadmus butts…like usual. I'll be there shortly." She and Larry fall back, along with the rest of her Mannishade forces. They use the cover of resurfacing Tartarus spirit flames all around to escape Hades's sight: Much to Hades's destructive frustration.
Not long after, in the city Las Vegas of Southern Nevada…
It's the middle of night. The traffic is so much like bumper cars, it isn't funny. The neon signs and nightclubs are everywhere. So are LexCorp, and practically every other mega-sized corporation in the country. After the America of the Lands came to be, the mortal city representatives in Las Vegas soon left: Due to personal problems. But, the corporations stayed in Las Vegas…and they're completely in charge. Even United States fighters would need a special border pass to pass in without trouble. So, Steve and Wonder Woman are in action: Just in a jet black car by themselves, fighting for control on the highway.
Wonder Woman mutters lowly under her breath, "if this town is just as corrupt as you say, Steve..." Steve steers the car tightly past a dark red and black striped car, which nearly charges right through. Seconds later, the other car speeds into the corners of several cars. They spin off, crashing upward in a pile up. Steve urges, "damnit, Diana: We had this discussion before! Hard sigh. Ambrosia party or not, we're not missing much. The guests will be just as late as everyone else." He steers clear of the pile up, using it as cover to spin turn into the center of Las Vegas: The Las Vegas Strip. Wonder Woman punches out the side window. She slightly sighs lowly, "fine! Have it your way: But I'm not going to miss Aresia!"
Wonder Woman lets herself out the window, swing tumbling out of Steve's car. He sighs hard to himself, "good god! This is going to be one of those nights." Wonder Woman continues on, jumping onto a random speeding by car. A magic car made of gold bricks speeds on a parallel road: With the Themiscyra International logo across its front doors. Wonder Woman pieces it together instantly. She slightly chuckles to herself, "not even trying to hide." Wonder Woman gets her golden lasso around a tall neon sign, for a silver L LexCorp logo. She swings fast over a jet black rimmed LexCorp skyscraper, tumbling high over one of its windowed balconies. Wonder Woman jump dives off of it in seconds. She free falls right for the gold bricked car.
Inside the car are several of Aresia's Amazons, relaxing in a magically maintained Jacuzzi floor: With white starred dark red portable magic mirrors in some of their hands, and matching bathing suits. The car itself has no wheel or pedals: It's easily controllable, with a portable magic mirror providing touchable controls. Around this time, there's a news broadcast over one of the portable magic mirrors. A random news reporter in dark blue is in the midst of reporting, "…thing's for sure: Angels and demons have come down to Earth. Living symbols of love and hate. The footage before us tonight is leaked by good hard working people: Right here in San Jose, California and in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida."
On a side screen are demons launching fire breath into exploding cars, angels struggling to hold them off, and many modern citizens abandoning their cars on the road and running for cover. Then the reporter hears a backstage guy shout, "you can't keep us out of our own studio! You have no…!" Then, there's a thud. The reporter adds nervously, "not much else can be…confir…" Several laughing demons barge onto the set, dragging away the crying out reporter. The live camera is slashed apart by a bright red demon. The broadcast goes black.
A few mortal minutes after, Wonder Woman brings her legs down to kick the gold bricked car up. Wonder Woman lands on her feet, jump tumbling off. The gold bricked car's dark red front bumper flies off. It tumble crashes off into a sparkly ruby lined casino resort. From the impact of such a high height, Wonder Woman's legs ache in spite of being on her feet. A golden eagle makes up the arches over the entrance: With the marble styled words "The Aresia Jewel" over it. Many mortal guests run for it: Through magic mirrors turning into doors. Wonder Woman moderately sighs, "all right. We can do this the easy way, or…" Coming out from the gold bricked car are several gold colored eagles. They're charging right at Wonder Woman. She suddenly pieces it together, "oh, damn."
The gold eagles turn back into Aresia's shapechanging Amazons, inches away: Now in their Amazon battle wear. Wonder Woman tumbles backwards: Only letting one of them kick her hard against the LexCorp skyscraper. She crashes into the glass, coughing hard on the floor. One of Aresia's Amazons laughs, "and Aresia thought she was tough." She fires a bright yellow spirit energy arrow at Wonder Woman, but she quickly deflects it with her spirit energy blade: Into the black carpeted floor. Flames start to spread. With very curly medium brown hair, the first of Aresia's Amazons shouts, "well, what are you girls standing around for?! Get her!" Then she suddenly realizes why. Some LexCorp Security officers call out, "fire!"
They swiftly fire their Laser System Helmets at Aresia's Amazons, who have them on the run from LexCorp now. But, the first of Aresia's Amazons disappears in the flames. Her portable magic mirror falls next to a garbage can. Most everyone else in the building is evacuating, but the elevator jams on its way up. No one bothered to put a fire sprinkler system here. And, the stairs are blocked off by flames. In the confusion and crackling, Wonder Woman quickly takes the fallen portable magic mirror. She places it on her belt. Quickly noticing the jammed elevator, Wonder Woman pauses a bit in worry.
On her way out, she hurls her tiara into a water cooler. Water goes flying towards the stairs, clearing the way for the relieved and now wet mortal citizens to run. Wonder Woman barges through another window, smashing it. She keeps running. The front of The Aresia Jewel is already being looked over for intruders: By many Wonder Doll duplicates of Aresia and Queen Bee. Three blocks away, Wonder Woman pauses for breath, "good gods…sigh…what next?!" She glances at the portable magic mirror. Wonder Woman mutters, "oh, come on: The Ambrosia party is right back where I was! Deep sigh. Now how…?" She then sees a second gold bricked car, driving up right to her.
In it is Nightshade herself, with very long white hair and Aresia's Amazon battle wear on as part of her disguise. She opens the front door for Wonder Woman. Nightshade slightly laughs, "Cadmus sent me as…insurance against Aresia. Figured you'd do something recklessly." Wonder Woman uneasily gets in, "thanks." She notices a lot of Aresia's Amazons unconscious in the back. Wonder Woman closes the door. She comments, "I'll send Steve "your regards"." Nightshade starts driving, "it's nothing personal, dear: Just comes with being made out of clay." Wonder Woman mutters lowly, "sure sounds personal."
Several mortal minutes after, in The Aresia Jewel…
The tall walled gold bricked lobby wraps around the dark red white starred casino tables. At center is a glass painted dance floor, with tables surrounding its rims. On some of the tables are Ambrosia gift baskets: Already mostly empty. Wonder Doll duplicates are Security around here: Mostly in Aresia's image. Back through the magic mirrors, most of the mortal guests are back: Both men and women. On a floating open magic bubble, Mega and Fury are watching over the crowd: Interestingly enough, with Aresia and her cat Nemesis. At a whisper, Fury says, "you seem…quiet tonight. The sight of men get you all cold and bothered?" Aresia mutters back, "nothing that Amazons Attack can't fix...one way or another."
The ruby speaker boxes on the magic bubble are playing music: By one of Aresia's Amazons, with the stage name of "Explosive Minnie". She looks like Black Canary with a tight black jacket and tangled wire like foot stockings, and works a Irish styled nightclub called the Black Canary for the heck of it. Nearly shouting, Explosive Minnie's voice twistedly sings, "some boys want to take my load off, some girls get my soul…I tend to kick their bubbles away! But in the moonlight… It's another tail of a tale. Fire burning, fire burning, fire burning in these eyes of mine: What could make me break away from your moonlight? Come on, come on! I got a thing for super crazy…and there's only a little night for going all full moon!"
Across the dance floor, Wonder Woman and Nightshade are blending in with the crowd: With both of them now in Aresia's Amazon battle wear. Slightly chuckling, Wonder Woman whispers, "well, "not everyone" is made of clay…are they?" Nightshade whispers harshly, "don't get smug with me, girlie! So, I'm not a dancer. Nor are the "children" here." Explosive Minnie's song goes on, "drop and load your sights on me, drop and load your sights on me! Don't have fire burning in your eyes for mine, damn your eyes! Who can't be thunderstruck for a girlie like little ol' me? Fire burning, fire burning, fire burning in these eyes of mine: What could keep me away from your moonlight?"
Wonder Woman and Nightshade get off the dance floor, walking for a blocky gold bricked staircase. Wonder Woman adds, "I'm not smug: Just…truthful." Two guys in silvery light gray and jet black open jackets come around to face them: One named Grego with frontless very dark brown hair, the other named Jacken with short dark brown hair. With a slight laugh joined by Jacken, Grego wonders, "and what do we have here? Two lovely birds…trying to fly south. Just when the real party is about to get started." Nightshade slightly chuckles, "we don't want a cage: We're just…college friends." Jacken takes out a small blade, "too bad." Wonder Woman slightly chuckles, "for you, maybe."
Nightshade slightly smiles. The song strikes a chord, "come on, come on! I got a thing for super crazy…and there's only a little night for going all full moon. In the night, I want to play some fine pennies for collect. Can you be a collector for me?" Wonder Woman spin kicks Jacken into a casino table, knocking him out instantly. The song cycles through, "Fire burning, fire burning, fire burning in these eyes of mine: What could keep me away from your moonlight? Come on, come on! I got a thing for super crazy…and there's only a little night for going all full moon."
Grego charges with his small blade, but Nightshade just punches him down. Under Grego's breath, he mutters, "damn cops!" Nightshade figures, "tempting…but we have bigger birds to fry." She knocks him out. Wonder Woman and Nightshade walk up the stairs, happy enough not to comment more. They're looking for a good position to charge at Aresia by surprise.
Around this time, on the golden pyramid themed upper levels…
The guest rooms are decorated in golden eagles, with dark red buttons at center. They're mystical door locks, numbered 1-10 for combinations. The only mystical thing about them is that they only unlock for the right touch: No one else's. In one of the guest rooms is surprisingly Hercules, with Persephone in Aresia's Amazon battle wear. She slightly laughs, "almost thought you wouldn't show. Well done on your part." Hercules mutters coldly, "I have Amphitrite right here. Where is Guinevere?!" Beside him, Amphitrite slightly laughs, "how sad." Persephone figures cruelly, "here's who really took your Olympian Muse."
Hercules realizes too late that Poseidon has appeared. Poseidon angrily god water blasts Hercules: Straight through the guest room door. Sickly, Amphitrite sighs heavily, "not even a hello. My king, how I've missed you so." Poseidon mutters harshly, "good. Don't get in my way!" Hercules reactively grabs the middle of Persephone's vine like arm, dragging her along with him. A coughing hard Hercules slams her Olympian Muse body against the hallway walls: Both of them crashing towards the lobby below. Hercules mutters, "then join my wife in Tartarus, enchantress…of…evil!" He slashes his glowing black spirit energy blade into Persephone several times, before she can twist around to strike back.
At the top of the stairs, Nightshade and Wonder Woman hesitate a bit: Nightshade with a jet black grappling hook launcher, Wonder Woman with her golden lasso. A wave of water comes down upon the frightened crowd, as Hades himself appears with Devastator Woman. Hades looks up at Persephone, too shocked for words. Devastator Woman though could care less. She laughs wildly, "water, water…everywhere!" With most of the Ambrosia eaten, most of the crowd gives into their darker thoughts. They're starting to turn into angels and demons, like the ones from the broadcast not too long ago. Devastator Woman draws out the water from all the guest rooms's refrigerators: Launching the refrigerators twistedly at the crowd.
Persephone's unconscious body lands hard into the then popped magic bubble, stunning Mega and Fury hard against the flooding floor. Aresia makes Nemesis disappear from the water, not giving her own body a second thought. Wonder Woman calls out, "now!" She gets her golden lasso around Aresia, pulling her in like a fish out of water. Nightshade slightly smiles, "not bad." She launches her grappling hook around Fury herself. And in seconds, Nightshade makes a shadowy hook appear to tie the grappling hook's cable in place. She glides herself down: Right into Fury and Mega with a full degree spin kick. Both of them fall unconscious. Nightshade lands on top of their bodies, using them as a raft.
Meanwhile, Athena appears before the crowd. The angels are trying to save the remaining modern citizens from sinking: While the demons are standing in the way and battling them in the water. While the magic bubble pops, Athena calls out, "enough!" She makes a giant semi-solid magic mirror in the air, which the crowd appears on top of. The modern citizens are too scared to say much. The angels are kind of shaken. And, the demons are laughing it off. Hercules tumbles off of Persephone's body, swimming to the foot of the stairs. Hades appears right there.
From high above, Poseidon laughs sickly, "Hades can take care of Hercules from here." Amphitrite slightly laughs, "we can watch it on your Olympian Teardrop." Poseidon says, "possibly." They both disappear.
Athena moderately sighs, "this is going to be less painful than I thought. I am the Greek goddess Athena, and I have the power to give back to you what you deserve. I take it you don't want your newfound power gone: Do you, demons?" The demons grin evilly. A bright red one figures, "looks like." Athena slightly chuckles, "good." She has the semi-solid surface disappear in places: Dropping the demons into the water below. Athena concludes, "I said what you deserve. And, you all are good people at heart. So, I'm offering each of you a choice: To be a angel, or to stay mortal. What is your decision?" Very few angels remain angels. They vanish with a smiling Athena. The others appear outside: Safe and sound.
Meanwhile, Aresia mutters harshly, "you take me out right now…and you'll doom all mortals. You know that, don't you Wonder Woman?" Wonder Woman slightly sighs, "you don't know me that well." She knocks out Aresia. Nightshade makes a shadowy paddle appear, using it to head back to the stairs. Hades mutters twistedly, "I don't care what Zeus does to me: I will destroy you for what you've done!" He god rock blasts Hercules to the floor, making him cough hard as he starts falling unconscious.
Hades, darkly happy enough here, disappears. Wonder Woman rushes over to Hercules, "Hercules! What in Tartarus were you…?!" Hercules groans hard, "I couldn't…stand the thought of...losing my wife. Destroyed or not…it's better this way." A teary eyed Wonder Woman solemnly nods. Interestingly, Hercules glows bright red: With Apollo appearing in a brief flash from the nearest painted window. Hercules's very spirit turns into a smiling archangel, with dark blue wings. Wonder Woman slightly chuckles, bittersweetly looking to archangel Hercules.
The next day, in Tartarus…
Nightshade is sitting on a shadow throne, looking down at a bright white picture: Of a bright white medium haired Mannishade named Maureen, in a dark blue bubble wand skirt. Nightshade sighs heavily, "I'll get you back, mother: No matter how many centuries it may take."