Chapter 29

"I Did Not Know That"

Themysciran Embassy

Vigilante saw the murderous look in Diana's eye and feared she was going to kill Wildcat if someone didn't act fast.

"Don't kill him, Diana, he's your father!" Vigilante shouted.

"What?" Diana gasped, turning to look at Vigilante.

"What?' Artemis exclaimed.

"What?" Wildcat shouted, as he too looked at him. Vigilante was the center of attention and they were all looking for an explanation.

"Yeah, I was just grasping at straws there, darling. I wanted to slow you down a bit so you didn't do anything rash,' he said.

"And that's what you came up with," Wildcat asked in disbelief.

"Spur of the moment thing," Vigilante admitted. "Just kind of pulled it out of my ass."

"He has insulted my mother, this isn't rash," Diana growled as she pulled the knife from the table.

"I'd advise you quickly grab your money," Artemis whispered to Vigilante. He looked at her and she nodded as she scooped up her winnings. He quickly followed suit and a moment later Diana tossed the table across the room.

"I saw that coming a mile away," Artemis added.

Diana took a step towards Wildcat ready to tear him apart. She was furious with him. He didn't move, just sat there looking up at her.

"There is a price to pay for lying about an Amazon, Wildcat,' she said. "Especially about my mother, the Queen."

Rage was churning through Diana as she looked at him. She held the knife inches from his face. Artemis and Vigilante stood, watching and knowing there was nothing they could do.

"I imagine there is," Wildcat calmly replied. "Just one thing, I'm not lying."

"You are!" Diana roared. "You know nothing of my mother!"

"Why don't you use your rope and see," he offered.

"What?"

"That's a good idea," Vigilante piped up. "We all take a step back and you use your lasso on him, Diana. It makes people tell the truth, don't it?"

"Or you could beat him to a pulp and then use your lasso," Artemis offered. Vigilante looked over at her.

"Kinda bloodthirsty, aren't you," Vigilante said to her.

"Well, the card game's over and he did talk about her mother," Artemis replied.

"Go ahead, Princess, use the lasso," Wildcat said.

"Easy on the Princess stuff there, pardner, she's already fixin' to whoop you, don't make it worse," Vigilante quickly said. Wildcat hadn't taken his eyes off Diana the whole time.

"You value the truth, don't you, Diana? Use the lasso."

She stood looking at him, wanting more than anything to rip him limb from limb. Her Amazon blood was up and the call for battle/violence was pounding in her ears. This man had been pushing her and pushing her for the last week and a half and now he'd gone too far. It was one thing to taunt her about being a poor loser, but to bring her mother into it broke all rules. Her mother was the one topic you didn't dare bring up without facing her wrath. Men had died for less at an Amazonian's hand.

It would be so easy to give into her primal rage, but Diana's patrons had endowed her with a sense of truth as well. She had even been the Goddess of Truth for a while and knew its value. As much as she knew he was lying, she felt compelled to give him a chance. It was what made her a hero, that even when every fiber of her being wanted to destroy this man she would offer him another option. Growling with frustration, Diana flung the knife away embedding it in the far wall. She snapped her lasso from her belt and held it in front of her.

"Leave us," she commanded Vigilante and Artemis. The two could see she wouldn't brook any disagreement and reluctantly headed for the door.

"First the card games ends, now I miss the beating, "Artemis grumbled. "This is a most unsatisfying evening."

"Well, at least you were winning, how do you think I feel, darling," Vigilante replied.

"You know, you have a likable quality to you. For a man you aren't as repulsive as most,' Artemis said as they headed out the door. "I enjoyed winning your money, Vigilante."

"You just have a way with words, don't you, Artemis,' Vigilante said with a shake of his head. "I hope you were fixin' on giving me a chance to win it back."

"If you feel like losing again, I'd be happy to take your money, but the cards are in there."

"Maybe we can find something else to bet on," Vigilante offered. "How about racing?"

"On foot? You wouldn't stand a chance,' she said.

"No, not of foot, I was thinking Harleys, motorcycles, winner take all."

"I've never been on one, but I'm willing to give it a try,' she replied. "If you can master it, I'm sure I can."

"That's the spirit I was hoping for." Vigilante smiled. He opened the door and gallantly held his hands out to her. "After you."

Artemis glanced at his hands, as one moved towards her back to usher her through the door.

"As it should be, 'she said. "Don't touch me, I still have several more knives."

Vigilante pulled his hand back quickly, but did risk letting his eyes roam down her figure.

"Wouldn't dream of it, darling."

He closed the door behind them leaving Wildcat and Diana alone. The room was silent and the tension high. Diana moved towards him, almost like a predatory stalking her prey.

"Give me your arm,' she commanded.

Wildcat held his arm up and she grabbed it, nearly pulling him from the chair. Diana ripped the cloth away and looped her lasso around his arm pulling it secure. Wildcat winced.

"Little tight, Princess?"

'Hmm,' Diana muttered, a small smile of satisfaction briefly crossing her lips. Holding the lasso in her hands, she stepped very close to him and looked him dead in the eye.

"Tell me you're lying about my mother,' she said.

"I'm lying about your mother." Wildcat instantly replied, the magic of the lasso compelling him to.

"I knew it! You deserve what you're going to get,' Diana spat out. "That you would sully my mother's name with your lies is beyond the pale!"

Once more the lasso's magic seemed to force Wildcat to speak.

"I wasn't lying, I do know your mother."

"What?" Diana gasped. Her fist was cocked and ready to smash his face in, but his words caught her off guard. "You just said you were lying!"

""Your lasso," Wildcat replied. He was struggling against the magic, but it was too powerful for him. "You told me to tell you I was lying and the lasso made me do it. That's how it works, isn't it?"

"Well, yes, it is." Diana admitted. "But you're lying about my mother admit it!"

"I'm lying about your mother," he instantly repeated.

"A-HA!"

"Same deal, you told me to admit it," Wildcat replied with a shake of his head. "You have used that thing before haven't you?"

Diana gave the lasso a tug, tightening it around his forearm.

"Of course I have," she fired back. "All right, let me rephrase the question. Tell me the truth about whether you are lying about my mother or not."

"I'm not lying, I know your mother."

"How?"

"It's sort of complicated," he replied. The magic of the lasso was forcing him to talk. He hated being out of control like this and fought it every step of the way.

"Tell me,' she said, jerking the lasso again.

"It was when she was Wonder Woman, okay?"

"When she was Wonder Woman?"

That caught Diana off guard. There had been a brief period when she was the Goddess of Truth where the Queen took over that role of Wonder Woman as penance.

"How well did you know my mother," Diana asked.

Wildcat struggled harder, trying not to answer the question. Even he knew there were limits to just how far he could push Diana. He already feared he'd pushed too far and this might send her over the edge.

"Very well," he finally gasped. He tried to prepare himself for her punch, but in the back of his mind he doubted he would come out of it okay.

"What? What does that mean," Diana exclaimed.

"Diana, please, don't make me say things that will upset you,' Wildcat said. "Well, upset you more. Your lasso proved I am not lying. As for the details, I suggest you ask your mother."

Diana's anger had lessened, but now her curiosity was peaked. Her mother? Queen Hippolyta, the symbol of the Amazons, with this man?

"I will ask her, but she will deny it," Diana said.

"Take her the White Linen, that should let her know that you know," Wildcat suggested. Diana looked at him for a moment and then nodded. She pulled the lasso off him, leaving a burn on his forearm. As he rubbed it, a smile came to Wildcat's face. The crisis was over and he'd survived.

"That was very gracious of you, Diana,' he said. "Maybe your reputation as a poor…"

Diana stopped him by grabbing his throat and lifting him off the floor.

"Don't tempt me, Wildcat! If the words 'poor' and 'loser' comes out of your mouth together, I swear, you will wish you'd never heard of the Amazons," Diana roared. She tossed him back into his chair and glared at him.

"Wouldn't think of it,' he replied.


The Palace

The royals had gathered to sign the peace treaty. This was the binding version; a formal one would be signed on the wedding day. Both Kings were eager to sign, having no wish for fighting. Queen Flavia sat back with satisfied look on her face taking it all in. Across from one another sat Princess Sabine and Prince Griffin. She was in a very good mood, but he was not. His hopes of pursuing the pure Magi, Zatanna hadn't been working, while his fiancée was having quite the time of it with the Earth hero.

"This is a great day for our people," King Rudolf said.

"Yes, yes, it is," King Alexander replied. "Why don't you take the honor of signing first?"

"Gladly."

Rudolf moved into position and with a flourish signed his name on three copies of the document. With a satisfied smile, he handed the pen to King Alexander. He quickly repeated the process, signing the three documents and then offered his hand to Rudolf.

"To an everlasting peace,' he said.

"To an everlasting peace,' Rudolf repeated. Assistants and secretaries moved fluidly into the room, gathering the documents and laying out refreshments for the royals. Champagne seemed in order and they all shared a glass at their accomplishment.

"It is a glorious day for all Illyria!"

"Our people are united once again!"

There were several more toasts and everyone seemed in high spirits. Prince Griffin had been watching Princess Sabine the whole time and now spoke up.

"I'm surprised you were able to make it, Sabine," he said. "I assumed you would be occupied with your Earthman."

There was a sarcastic tone that was unmistakable in his remark.

"I am equally surprised you found the time to climb out from under all the chambermaids to notice, Griffin,' she countered. Queen Flavia almost choked on her champagne at this and then stifled a laugh.

"Now, now, let's not mar this glorious day,' King Rudolf said.

"Yes, this is a day for celebrating," King Alexander said.

"We know how you'll be celebrating, don't we Sabine," Griffin added.

"Yes, we do,' she said with a smile.

"You would make a mockery of our marriage with this speedster."

"If it is a mockery, it already was before he got here,' Sabine fired back.

"Stop!" Queen Flavia spoke up. "I think we should all remember this is about more than just us, but our planet. We are all adults; so let's not start having illusions about what this is. You have been having your fun my son, so it is only fair the Princess has hers. We all have our flings now and then so don't be disingenuous. Now we will speak no more of this. The wedding is in less than a week."

"Perhaps it is, and perhaps it isn't," Prince Griffin replied and then stormed out of the room.

"I will go speak with him,' King Rudolf said and headed out after his son. King Alexander sighed at this, but his mind was still on Zatanna. If his mages could find a cure, perhaps he could still get her away from Superman.

"A troubling turn of events,' he said. "I have no doubt things will work themselves out though. If you ladies will excuse me."

The two women watched him leave. Sabine felt guilty for what she'd said to Griffin and offered an apology to his mother, the Queen.

"That is not necessary, Sabine," the Queen replied. "He's just frustrated he hasn't been as successful in wooing the Earth magi female as you have with Wally."

"I suppose," Sabine admitted. "Wait, did you called him Wally?"

"You and I have more in common than you think, Sabine."

The two women huddled and began to talk.


The Capital

As Scaramouche smoothed over everything with the palace guards, the circus tents began to rise. Ogres, elephants, bears and dragons did the heavy lifting, as Snowball stood watching. Many were still trying to work out an act for the coming show. Punch walked slowly over and stood next to Snowball.

"There's nothing like the excitement of a show. The smell of sawdust and grease paint, it brings back so many memories, " he said.

'How nostalgic of you, Punch," Snowball replied with contempt. "While our proletariat brothers struggle beneath the wheel, your bourgeoisie fantasies don't allow you to see it, do they? They are digging their own graves without access to the means of production."

"Oy vey, not another rant about the proletariat, Snowball, please. Didn't your experiences on the farm teach you anything," Punch asked.

"The revolution continues!"

"And what do they think of your ideas," Punch countered. "The ones actually doing the work?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, there's the proletariat right there, why don't we ask them how they feel," Punch suggested. Before Snowball could object, Punch called out to Steve the ogre.

"Hey Steve, could you come over here a minute? And bring Pete the dragon with you."

They two made their way over to Punch and Snowball.

"Yeah, so what's up?"

Punch turned to Snowball.

"Go ahead, ask them."

"All right, I will," Snowball replied. "Brothers doesn't it bother you that you are being exploited as simple labor? That you are just cogs in the machine!"

Steve the ogre looked at Pete the dragon, who shrugged and then turned back to Snowball.

"How so?"

"Well, while Scaramouche and the other bourgeoisie sit back, you must slave away at setting this all up. Does that seem fair to you?"

"We're the biggest and strongest so it kind of makes sense that we would do the heavy lifting,' Steve replied.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need," Pete the Dragon added.

'Thanks guys, that's all," Punch said. They nodded and headed back to work. Punch turned to Snowball and smiled.

"There's your answer," he said. Punch chuckled as he walked away.

"I don't know how I'm going to start a revolution if they're too stupid to want it," Snowball grumbled.


The Javelin

Clark sat at the main table reading when Wally finally emerged from his room.

"Back with the living, huh," Clark joked.

"I needed more ice," Wally replied.

"There's plenty in the galley, I stocked up on ice packs figuring you might need some more.'

"You really are a Superman," Wally said with appreciation.

"I do my best.'

Wally nodded and went into the kitchen and grabbed several ice packs. He came back out and dropped gently down into the seat across from Clark. As he covered the lower half of his body with ice packs, a smile of contentment lit up his face.

"I'm going to send the inventor of ice a thank you card when we get back."

"I take it things aren't going as you planned," Clark asked.

"Well, yes and no," Wally admitted. "You know how if you love pizza you think you could eat it all the time? It's like that, except even when you're full it keeps coming at you, more and more of it all the time.'

"It's really hard to feel sorry for you, Wally,' Clark admitted. "A beautiful woman wants to sleep with you, most guys would envy you."

"I'd envy me too," Wally replied. "It's just that Sabine doesn't seem to have an off switch, you know. And don't even get me started on Queen Flavia!'

"You didn't?"

"It wasn't my fault, she forced me," Wally exclaimed.

"Sure she did.'

"It's true! I was just minding my own business and the next thing I know we're trying some position called the Ballerina!"

"The what," Clark asked.

"You don't even want to know, trust me,' Wally said. "I barely escaped with my life!"

'You realize you could just say no," Clark offered.

"How's that?" Wally said in confusion.

"No, it's the opposite of yes,' Clark continued. "Just because they offer doesn't mean you have to accept."

"What world are you from again," Wally asked. Clark couldn't help but chuckle.

"I know it sounds amazing, but it is possible to say no, Wally.'

"Sure it is," Wally laughed. "So are you telling me if Zee came to you and wanted to, you could say no?"

The memory of the previous night came rushing back to Clark and he squirmed a little.

"We're not talking about me, Wally, we're discussing your problem," he quickly replied.

"Hey, where is Zee, anyway," Wally asked. 'She didn't float away, did she?"

"No, she's changing her clothes. The gravity boots seemed to be working,' Clark informed him. As if on cue, Zee came out of her room. The boots were cumbersome and forced her to walk rather stiff legged and robotic. Wally turned and watched her.

"So you're finally up," she said to him as she slowly made her way to the table.

"Yeah," he replied. "You know you better be careful walking about in those, the villagers will probably start gathering pitchforks and torches if you do."

Wally laughed and smiled at her. Zee stopped and just stared at him for a moment, the expression on her face making it plain she was not amused.

"Nice bracelet,' she sarcastically said. "Was it a gift or did you pick it out of the hideous collection yourself?"

"Well, I wanted some boots, but apparently you bought the last pair," he countered. She reached over to smack him, but he moved quickly out of her reach.

"Elohssa! Oh, you are so lucky I have these boots on!" She said even as she waved her fists at him.

"Okay, Let's everyone calm down," Clark said. " We're teammates and friends, remember?'

"I suppose," Zee reluctantly admitted.

"Yeah, I guess," Wally added.

"I hate these boots! I can't wait to take them off," Zatanna lamented.

"Well, go ahead, I've got you," Clark replied. She brightened at this and as quickly as she could, moved over and sat on his lap. Wally just stood in stunned silence as they took off her boots and she wrapped her arms around Clark's neck.

"Better,' Clark whispered to her.

"Much,' she replied with a smile.

"How long was I asleep," Wally wondered out loud.