(AN: This is it. This is the official last chapter of New Gods of Olympus. I want to thank The Lady Isis for co-authoring this, and for being a wonderful beta. I also want to thank everyone who has read and reviewed, read and made this story a favorate, read and made me one of their favoriate authors, and read and put this story and myself on alert. Thanks. That said this chapter is going to be a bit different than normal, but then again what is really normal?)

New Gods of Olympus

Chapter 24

(Metrotower – two months after the last battle with Darkseid)

Hephaestus wondered through the halls of the Metrotower. Mt. Olympus was now secure thanks to measures both he and the Batman had taken, but for the most part the entire council seemed to want to stay among the mortals. Athena's words when they had come together seemed to have touched everyone. They had broken themselves apart from the mortal world before, and that break had caused a lifestyle which not only left them open to attack, but also made them far less than what they could be. He looked at his side and smiled at Aphrodite who walked next to him. His beloved wife rarely left him except for the most basics of needs, or to do some retail therapy with some of the women who had become her friends. He stopped at the cafeteria and saw Artemis sitting by herself. Aphrodite gently touched his arm and he nodded. They walked in and took a seat near the goddess of the hunt.

"It's my fault. Neither of you need to sit near me. I am tainted, ruined, and ashamed," Artemis said sullenly.

"What happened was not of your doing," Aphrodite said softly.

"I've heard that from Apollo as well. I know better. I should have been able to withstand the torture they used on me. I should not have failed so horribly. What I did was far worse than anything any of us have done before. I wounded the mortal goddess Supergirl, and then Athena… In the name of Olympus itself, you saw what I did to her. I don't deserve to be seated here. I deserve the torture given to me before for what I've done," Artemis said plainly.

"Artemis, the things you did were not done by any other being, but at the same time it was not your choice. You must understand that you shared a similar fate to that of Diana. Have you not witnessed her? She has risen above what she was, and she is more than she was intended to be. If Darkseid hadn't attacked us, and if we remained the gods and goddesses we once were Diana may not have left Themyscira, or if she did her mission may not have been so focused. Instead she now reaches out toward the entire world in an attempt to bring forth the message of truth and love. The founding ideals we instilled in her because of what happened have given her more to become. Perhaps, sister, it is time you do the same," Aphrodite said softly before she followed Hephaestus.

Artemis sat there thinking about it. Aphrodite was wise. It wasn't to say that she was on the same level as Athena, but the goddess of love did have a point. Diana had recovered from what she had become, and she had done so because of them and because of the Batman. The goddess of the hunt didn't attempt to hide the fact that the mortal had reached Diana in the way she truly needed. Aphrodite had said Diana needed love – to be loved – and she had been right. Still the idea of allowing a mortal to touch her, to feast his eyes and senses upon her brought a sense of hesitation. She had been so against the possibility of lying with a mortal before, and she doubted that has changed inside of herself. She had thought of lying with the mortal god Superman, but that had been a mistake. He was bonded to the mortal he took as a mate. She was his heart and it was wrong to attempt to break the bond. Perhaps her road to recovery didn't need to start externally, but internally. Perhaps what she needed to do was to work toward redeeming herself, so she could love herself.

(Gotham – Saint Matthew's Cathedral – three months after the battle with Darkseid)

Dick stood at the front of the church watching the men and women fill the congregation pews. Had someone told him a year ago that he would be marrying a woman who was not human, and had been an enemy of the Justice League at one time he would have said that they needed to be admitted to Arkham. Instead now he stood waiting for his bride-to-be. The attack on Apokolips had only cemented what he and Galatea felt toward each other. Tim had become fine with the idea of him marrying someone who was obviously crazy about him, and Barbara had come to like the feisty blond as well. It really shouldn't have been a surprise that Barbara and 'Tea would have become friends. After all she and Kara had been the best of friends and still were. Dick looked at Tim who was his best man, next to Tim was Roy. It was odd seeing Arsenal. Dick hadn't heard everything that happened, but what he had heard broke his heart. Roy had lost his only daughter, and it had put the former Titan through an amazing amount of hell to get back to where he was. Standing near Roy was Kyle Rayner.

The former Green Lantern looked slightly out of place, but then again when the reason he was in the wedding was because of Dick's soon to be 'stepmom's' sister asking for him to be he supposed anyone would look a little out place. The sound of the wedding march and heels clicking gained his attention and Dick looked to see a vision dressed in white walking toward him. She looked positivity gorgeous in the wedding gown, but then he was certain that she would look in anything she wore. He watched as she neared him.

"So, when is this over and I get to claim you in the legal sense?" 'Tea asked with a smirk.

(the front pew on the groom's side)

Bruce took a seat after escorting Galatea down toward Dick. He watched as the two said their vows toward each other. Silently he thought back to the few times he had come close to marrying. There had been Andrea, Poison Ivy's plant clone, Talia, and of course the time he nearly married Selina. The thought of the cat burglar caused his mood to sour slightly. Selina had betrayed his trust time and time again, but the last time she had killed someone. It was in self defense – after all he knew Manhiem – but it didn't justify her reasons for being there, or the fact that she had gone in knowing there was a chance she would have to kill. She didn't have any excuse on the matter. She had broken all of his rules by that point and no matter how he felt about her there would be no second chance.

The slight movement beside him reminded him that not only was it for the best, but he had found what he had always been looking for. The elder Amazon Princess – who had become the Amazon Queen – had come into his life in an odd way perhaps, but there was simply so much they shared. It wasn't just the sex – although with Diana he found a willing and capable student who was quickly surpassing her teacher – but it was everything. Their very souls seemed to connect, and while the thought of having someone so close to him did frighten him the thought of his enemies getting to him through her was slowly disappearing.

Her reaction to the Joker had proven that. The clown prince of crime had managed to spring a trap which infected him with Joker Venom, and then he attempted to use a holding cell which had been used for Croc for Diana. He had lured her into the cell and made the joke about becoming her new boyfriend. Bruce couldn't be sure, but he was almost certain that he heard a lightly playful slap, and that had been the beginning of the end. Diana didn't kill the Joker, but his screams echoed through Arkham. She had proceeded to break his arms, legs, and hips in that order then when she finished with that there was the attempt to manually castrate him. If it hadn't been for Bruce's intervention the Joker would be missing some vital pieces to his manhood.

His mind was suddenly brought back to the present as he felt a hand gently grasping his own.

"I wish Kal was here," Diana said softly.

"So do I, Princess," he replied.

They watched the wedding and he could feel Diana leaning into him more. He had already thought of asking her to marry him. Of all of the women he had been with she was the only one that seemed to touch his soul.

(Ten months after the battle with Darkseid – Wayne Estate – The gardens)

Hera looked at the other gods and goddesses before her. The decision had finally come to light. She watched as the other gods and goddesses slowly filled the area. She looked to her left and smiled lightly. Athena – the former goddess of wisdom and now goddess of war – stepped forward. It had been the Batman who set into action and saved her. The magic she had used caused her to become mortal, and if not for Batman's actions she would have died. As it was the arrow Artemis had used missed her heart and instead had struck a lung. Hera didn't presume to understand all of what Batman had done, but she had personally given him the title of being the first of the new generation of heroes to be smiled upon by the gods.

Athena knelt before Hera and the queen of the gods touched her step-daughter's face. While Athena was born of Zeus' mind it didn't change the fact that Hera was very proud of her. Athena had fought hard for the gods to stay here. She explained how their being a part of this world was important, and she had been correct in doing so. She looked at the first goddess whom Athena had recommended to step into the role of being the goddess of Wisdom.

Hera watched as the new god Barda Free watched the gods around her. Hera cleared her throat and motioned for the new goddess to step forward.

"Barda, it has been motioned and seconded that you be appointed the goddess of wisdom. This should not be taken lightly for it is a heavy weight, and one that the wearer must bear proudly. Do you accept your station as the goddess of wisdom?" Hera asked.

"Will you be returning to Olympus?" Barda asked.

"No, the gods and goddesses of Olympus have learned the folly of distancing themselves from the world. We are going to live among those who serve us, and we shall endeavor to protect them to the best of our abilities," Hera answered.

"Then I accept the station of becoming the goddess of Wisdom," Barda said.

Athena stepped toward her and raised her hand. Unlike before the powers which had been sealed away from her now flowed freely. She touched Barda's head and a rush of knowledge filled her.

"All wisdom shall come from you, and you shall inspire all battle tactics. Be proud of who and what you are," Athena stated.

Persephone watched and stepped near Barda. She touched Barda's stomach and the goddess moaned softly.

"I would have given this regardless of your decision. I know of your desire for a child, and I have unlocked the ability which Darkseid attempted to remove. Go to your husband and be fruitful, sister," Persephone said with a small smile.

The meeting broke up and soon most of the gods and goddesses left with the exception of Artemis, Hera, and Athena. Athena watched Artemis as the goddess of the hunt attempted to stay away from her.

"Artemis, wait for a moment will you?" Athena asked as she neared her.

"I… I would rather not," Artemis said as she attempted to leave.

"You know I don't blame you for what happened. I don't blame you for any of it," Athena stated.

"I nearly killed you, and what happened to Superman… I don't deserve to be here, Athena. I've tried to do what Diana has done, but it is impossible," Artemis stated.

Athena gently touched the face of the goddess of the hunt. She smirked and motioned toward a cement bench. The two of them took a seat beside one another.

"Artemis, do you remember how you reacted to finding out that I had traded my virginity in order to bring about vengeance and freedom for all of us?" Athena asked.

"I couldn't believe you would do such a thing. We were not like Aphrodite. We didn't lie with any god or mortal simply because we chose to," Artemis answered.

"Yes, that's exactly how you felt. I could see it in your eyes, but it wasn't that long until you attempted to follow in my footsteps. You were ready to end the wish you asked of Father in the arms of Superman. I know I haven't set a very good example. I traded my virginity to a man who was cruel, and I did it so that I could learn the depths of his powers. It wasn't until years later that I gave myself again to another man, but this one was different. Where the first to have me was vicious and cruel the one I chose was kind," Athena smiled at the memory. "I say this because you should know that you have suffered a similar experience. While Darkseid did not steal your virginity he did remove the last vestiges of your innocence. He did so in a cruel and wicked manner."

Athena watched as Artemis scrunched up her face trying to figure out what she was getting at.

"Sister, I tell you this because you deserve to know love. You deserve to find someone who will be your other half and who will love you not for what you can give them, but for who and what you are inside. I found that with Viktor, and the memories I have of us together are enough that it has kept my heart from falling into the abyss. You need to move on Artemis. You must forgive yourself, but if the only way to do so is to find love then, sister, find it," Athena said as she stood.

"But the object of my desire refused me," Artemis said.

"That was not love, Artemis. That was lust, desire, and an attempt to control. Find someone who will accept you for who you are, sister," Athena replied before she stood and walked on.

(Two years after the battle with Darkseid – Metro tower medical unit)

Diana gripped the metal rail of the hospital bed so tightly that she swore it would simply bend and twist into nothing more than junk. She breathed as the Lamaze instructor told her, but the woman was wrong. The breathing did not help, nor did it remove her mind from the fact that an entire human being – a miniature one, granted – was being squeezed out of her. She looked toward Bruce and glared at him.

"You are NOT allowed to touch me ever again!" she exclaimed hotly.

Bruce didn't take her words to heart. He instead took a seat beside her and took her hand. Hera – after learning that Diana was with child – had reduced Diana's strength to that of a mortal woman until after her child(ren) was born. Still she was gripping Bruce's hand tightly enough that he was sure she could have given Clark a run for his money. Diana pushed again as J'onn instructed and the next sound to fill the room was a beautiful sound. There was the sound of crying coming from their child.

"She is not finished," J'onn said

"What are you talking about?" Bruce asked.

"She is having twins," J'onn said simply has the sound of another child crying filled the air.

A few moments later found both parents each holding a child. Diana looked at the babe in her arms. There was a few wisps of dark escaping from the pink blanket she was wrapped in.

"Hippolyta, I want to name her after my mother. I believe she would be proud," Diana said softly as she marveled at the newborn.

Bruce studied the newborn son he held. He had seen the baby pictures his parents had of him and a smile escaped him. If Diana could name their daughter after her mother it would only be right that he named their son after his father, well fathers.

"Thomas Alfred Wayne," Bruce said as he looked at his son.

(Eight years after the Battle with Darkseid – Kent Farm – Barn)

Jonah looked at his father as Clark walked toward the end of the barn and knelt down with the use of his cane. His Kryptonian nature had healed him to a degree, but unfortunately he couldn't completely heal. This had left with limited mobility in the way that he couldn't run, but he could walk with the aid of a cane. Surprisingly Johan's mother Lois found this to be fine. She and his father had moved out to the country with him and together they lived with his grandparents – who absolutely adored him – and it wasn't long after they had moved that his mother became pregnant. He looked at his sister who had followed them out to where both he and his father stood.

"Jonah, I want to give this to you. I want to because I know that you've been using your powers to help people already, and I believe that you are old enough now for it. Son, I'm proud of you," Clark said as he handed Jonah a blue suit.

Quicker than a mere mortal could blink Jonah changed into the suit and looked at his father.

"You're a spitting image of me when I wore that. Jonah, like I said I'm proud of you. I'm proud to call you my son. I want you to keep everything that Grandpa, Grandma, your mom, and I've taught you close to your heart, and son know that no matter how hard you try there are going to be things beyond your control," Clark said.

Jonah smiled and lifted up into the air. For a second he lingered over the farm and then he shot off toward Metropolis.

"Will he come back?" a small voice asked.

Clark turned to see his daughter Maggie looking at him. He walked toward her and picked her up on his shoulders. He marveled that seven years ago Maggie had been born – especially since the chance of Lois becoming pregnant was so low – and he was amazed at how much like her mother Maggie was.

"He'll be back. He couldn't leave his little sister," Clark said as he carried her into the house.

(Themyscira – Palace – 68 years after the final battle with Darkseid)

Diana looked at old man whom she had given her heart to so many years ago. His hair had receded quite a bit, and his body was frail, but inside of him his warrior's spirit stayed strong. She smiled and walked toward him.

"My αγαπώ, how are you feeling?" she asked as she took a seat near him.

"My age. I'm feeling my age, Diana," he smirked and looked toward her. His eyes still the same blue of a storm. "Persephone came again last night. She and Hades has a place set aside for me, but they are waiting out of respect for you and for what we've done."

Diana looked out at the bright sun which filled the room they sat in.

"You've become so much a part of my life," she smiled sadly. "I can't picture a life without you. It's funny in a way. My mother taught me the evils of men. She and Phillipus raised me to believe that there was no man worth having or saving, but they never had the chance to really get to know any man beyond their limited experiences. I fear that when Persephone and Hades claim you that a part of me will die as well."

"When I'm gone just promise me… It won't any of his that take my place," he said with a smirk and then laughed a little. "I'm joking of course."

She smiled and kissed his cheek. "What was it 'Tea called us? Oh yes I remember now. It was the dysfunctional duo. I believe Kal would have been found of that name."

Diana looked up to see her grandson – Bruce II – carrying a bucket of iced water. A moment later there was a shout and she watched as he was being chased by an irate quarter Kryptonian.

"Bruce when I get a hold of you I swear you'll wish you would have never of done that!" The quarter Kryptonian girl shouted.

"You have to catch me first Maggie!" Bruce II shouted as he ran.

A smile crossed Diana's face and she turned to Bruce who watched the ordeal. He turned toward her and could see the smile fading from her. She leaned into him and nuzzled into his neck slightly.

"I can have today right? You'll give me that?" she asked.

"Of course you can Princess. You can have all the days I have left. They're yours. They've always been yours," he answered before his hand squeezed hers lightly.