The white house stated that I could address the press after the east Gotham raids. "Wonder Woman! Wonder Woman!" they yelled over each other as I walked up. Lex had also wanted to give the press a more...visceral view of what was taking place here. It was suggested that I keep the blood from the slain on my armor as a symbol. It was indeed graphic, but this was the new age we found ourselves in. It was the age of necessity; for that was the only morality.
"To all Americans...tragedy continues to follow us. We are in a new era of American history. For too long we have looked down at our phones and not looked up enough to deal with what is before us. There is indeed real evil in the world. Any who deny it are in denial themselves. We have to think differently now...and President Luthor is the man that will lead us forward into a bold new future..." There were murmurs among the press and civilians gathered. The horror was plain on their faces from the instant I'd started to address them. I'd also removed my helmet before doing so; I'd wanted to humanize myself a little more in contrast to what the rest of my appearance appeared as. It was all so striking; and perceptions of me would continue to change and never be the same again. It would certainly grow more negative, but wonder plane estimates indicated it would become just more controversial overall. In any event Ares and I would play our eternal game until this latest game was done.
"There are many hard choices ahead to be made. There are many dark forces at work that would seek to undermine all that America stands for and would stand for. These forces are not just mortal; they are demonic as well. There is magic involved..." This is where I had to take the lie to the next level for the good of all. "My brother Ares, the god of war, is behind the nonwhite uprisings. It is because of him that these evils are taking place. That is why I am helping President Luthor with this matter. I have more experience fighting demons - and Olympians - than anyone else around. I am the ultimate specialist in this matter."
"Ares is coercing and influencing all nonwhites to rise up against the white majority. That is why these matters have reached crisis level proportions. The divisions were always there and had the potential for social volcanic eruption. My brother manipulated them as he does better than any other. Make no mistake - this is far from over. Ares is truly the devil in all things. He has many servants - mortal and god - and will not hesitate to use them to achieve his global dominion; starting right here in the homeland."
"Superheroes have been disappearing from the world; this is no accident. The death god Hades, allied with Ares, is making this happen. The superhuman champions left capable of protecting the nation are growing fewer by the day. In time...I may be the only superhuman left capable of doing such..."
"I am asking you all to stand with me to do whatever it takes to stop this. If we want to save the greatest nation in history...then the hardest of choices will have to be made; and President Luthor is the man of destiny to make them. Thank you all, and may the gods ever bless America."
I walked away as they yelled my alias over and over. I walked over to the police command center where Gordon was there with a phone. "It's the president." I nodded and took it. "Yes sir." "Excellent address wonder woman. You've done so well with this. Getting you on the team was definitely the right answer. And your statement about making Ares the real villain and me the hero was the right move on steroids. And with you as my chief enforcer we shall free this nation from those that threaten it." "Yes sir." Lex laughed. "You and your brother really are the dynamic duo of reality you know that?" I sighed. "Yes; many have said that."
"Flotus Hera believes we will succeed...and that your father will not intervene. This is incredible! We can make the world however we want it." "It's not how I'd prefer it..." "I know Diana; me neither for what it's worth; but I guarantee you...after that little speech by earth's greatest hero that will all change. You'll always have your critics; but your admirers will grow. Take it from a man of perpetual controversy such as myself. People will always admire those that do what's right no matter how hard it might be to do. And the fact that you will live with it and keep doing it anyway proves what kind of person that you are."
I'd never look to Lex for pep talks; this was hardly such a time, but he was Cinc and I was not. "Mister president...what will my address do to 'the policy'?" "It'll help it; big time. I alone couldn't sell it like you just have. Together...and with the...subtle influences ever at work there will make this all happen like never before. Even now my analysts assure me that the relocation agenda will start to go through congress as planned. There will be initial rejection from the courts but that's to be anticipated. If this were a conventional threat it would never happen; but with magic and demons...the impossible just became possible where national security is concerned. Keep up the great work wonder woman."
Gordon walked back over and took the phone. "I trust that went well." "Well enough." He looked down at the phone in his hands. "I'd thought of resigning...but even as much as I couldn't live with myself for what we're doing it might just as well prove to be worse to not still make a difference somewhere it might still be possible." I nodded slowly. "I understand. I do this to keep the world from being destroyed." "It's still being destroyed in its own way." "Yes; it is. But have hope commissioner. It's not over yet." "Not for a god like you that can just go wherever the hell she pleases. It's us poor mortals that will have to pick up the pieces, the messes, when it's all said and done." I could only nod and not argue against it.
The wonder plane beamed me up from there and back to its ever still comforting confines; and to that of Lois. "Oh my god..." she muttered in horror with hands over her mouth at my blood covered appearance. "Oh my god..." she said it more softly that time. The plane beamed my armor away and I entered right into the shower. There was nothing I could say to her; and I wouldn't try.
I took a long hot one. I ran my hands through my long raven hair as the endless stream of perfect hot water ran over my face and head; I stood right beneath it. Was it a form of purification/absolution? Maybe; but I typically did that before Athena in prayer. I would likely pray to her but praying was so hard right now. I couldn't lie (beyond what I was already doing...) - this was the most questionable mission I had ever done to date - and despite knowing full well the wrongness of it I always remembered what the stakes were... Brother didn't bluff; he didn't have to. None could understand that but me.
I lost track of how long I was in the shower. I wasn't in a hurry; the plane would alert me if something was up. The blood had washed off long before, but it would never wash off my soul... I finally got out feeling a little better and donned a robe. As I dried my hair with a towel I walked up to where Lois had fallen asleep on her side in a plane bunk. I quietly pulled up a chair near her bedside and sat upon it. Looking at the plane deck plating I slowly dried the longer locks while becoming lost in thought. I felt like tonight was yet another turning point in brother's plans for the world. Demons magic and the other things mortals weren't used to dealing with would become more prominent in the days ahead. Everyone would be focused on brother whether he was actually there or not; the mere specter of him would be enough to keep people on edge paranoid and divided. He would link the supernatural to the nonwhites; he would use this to focus all hate on him, which he could handle and even revel in, and continue to make Lex the hero when in truth he was his key agent in all of this. It was all classic misdirection; and I too would be a top pawn in all of it.
"Diana...?" I'd lost track of time; I'd gotten completely lost in my thoughts. "Mm?" She sighed and slowly came out of her bunk. She was definitely depressed; despairing. "I'm sorry you saw that..." The bloody armor. "I've seen it before." "Yes...and you will definitely see it again." Lois sighed set her long dark hair behind her ears and then set her face into her hands. "I haven't been following events like I usually do... I need to..." I put a hand over hers. "No need. Your instincts know how things are." She looked up at me. "Now what?" "Step by step; as with everything else."
"I can't get Ares out of my head..." "I know." She started to cry; I took her into my arms. I pressed my face against hers and stroked the back of her hair. "Just let it out Lo...just let it all out. I'm here for you."
We stayed like that for long moments. I was so glad brother hadn't done anything else crazy yet, but knowing him he'd permitted this downtime between us as he'd imposed to keep us focused on our role in his greater plans for the country. When we finally did pull back Lois' tears had long dried. She reached up and touched my face first; she used her fingertips to trace over the details of my divine face. "You're as beautiful as Clark ever was..." "I'm sorry." I smiled a little. "Don't be. That's a compliment. A high one at that." "The world will hate you forever for doing these things Diana... and for what you are yet going to do." I nodded. "Yes, but I will be queen of all regardless of what happens here. And as much as I hate this I must realize this is yet another stage in that journey of preparation for me as creation's savior." "I hope you beat that bastard brother of yours someday." "I will Lo...it's destined." "Doesn't mean much to a mortal girl like me." "No; but trust in me that it will." "I do."
She slowly pressed her lips against mine. Our kiss grew in intensity, as did our sense of imposed longing for the other. Yet despite Ares' having forced our relationship I had no issues being with Lois; and despite the horrors she'd already suffered and would no doubt suffer as this insanity went on she too realized that we were both slaves of these circumstances. To be just an amazon to be a slave of anything was unthinkable; but I was also Olympian; and heir of Zeus. My position in creation wasn't simple by any means; nor could my perspective be. I know I said these things often (and redundantly so) but they ever played a role in everything that happened, no matter how big/small. For me perspective was everything. Nothing was trivial for a savior.
I undid my robe and shrugged it off. Lois was quick to take in my greater divine beauty; drawn to it as much as she had been to Clark. My beauty too, ever a divine gift and blessing from my father, could draw anyone too it with powerful desire. Was there a seduction element here? Yes; but nothing dishonest as I had been with the world at that press gathering. No; this was my use of beauty to help soothe Lois' troubled spirit; to give her something wonderful and beautiful to love and cherish. I always said love was the greatest power of all. And that was true for all kinds of love - from the romantic to the altruistic/suffering servant. This wasn't just to be a distraction for her, or to embrace Ares' foolish "erotic" notions but rather to be to her what she had had with Clark; at least on some level. I couldn't replace him and I wasn't trying to, but for better/worse we were now in this mess together. I intended to see it through with her as well.
I let her take the lead here. She pulled me into the bunk and from there we remained locked in each other's arms. I reciprocated her passion with my own. And as I returned my love to her in growing fullness I didn't just love her as she was known to have experienced. I loved her as an amazon would love another. Lois, a woman of man's world, had never experienced such a thing before. In its own way it would change her forever.
XXX
Our many hours of sex I easily depleted her of her mortal strength and drove her into nonetheless contented slumber. It had been a small miracle given the occasion, but I'd also prayed to Athena to grace our sex as we made it. Our sex had indeed been divinely blessed in ways most mortals would never experience. I normally didn't go to such lengths, but our bond would need to carry us through and this was how it would do it.
Beyond that assist by sister Athena she'd been quiet otherwise. I got it early on. This was my test; my struggle. And it would be that until it was over.
Leaving Lois there in her near heavenly rest I donned my armor again; now clean. I would no doubt wear it for the duration of this mission.
Gotham was still in trouble; again, it was nonwhite areas...but this time magic had indeed entered the visible fray. Demonic entities had been sighted with these minorities. Ares had "demonized" them literally; and he was going to play the press like a fiddle with it. I also donned my sword/shield and also the bow of Apollo for this. The conflict was getting more intense; and this would be the meanest battle to date; especially for mortal protectors. I bent over Lois and kissed her head. I then pulled back put on my helmet and beamed out to the next battle space where death/destruction awaited.
XXX
The cops were pale as ghosts as I landed in full amazon battle dress. "Wonder woman...there are 'real' monsters in there..." "I know guys; hang in there." I pulled off my Apollonian bow that instantly formed from a simple handle to that of a full bow that required no quiver of arrows whatsoever. A grim faced Gordon walked up to me. "Wonder woman; the mayor's called the national guard. They're at full alert to go in." "Understood commissioner." "My men can only do so much against...things like that." I nodded. "I'll lead the way." He scoffed. "I'd hope so."
We walked over to the officers manning the command center proper. They reported, "There are at least...five...demon things along with dozens of nonwhite fighters in this AO." "Nonwhite?" said Gordon. "Isn't this mostly a black area?" "Yes sir, but word has gotten around that other nonwhites - Mexican and Middle Easterners - have gone in as well to reinforce the black forces already in this area." "It makes sense," I said. "They're the likeliest groups for mass deportation from the US. The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
Another item that had predictably come up, especially among police and fire unit was the high decline in a nonwhite presence - especially in crisis sites like this. The majority of police/fire units had been white anyway, even in Gotham, but commanders had reassigned their nonwhite members in light of these racial crises; there had also been a sharp rise in resignations from such units; intel also indicated these same former members were taking their skills to the underground to stand with their fellow nonwhites in the great race war that was to come. They too would become sons of war on Ares' sacrificial chessboard. We all would.
As for Lex's policies regarding nonwhites being involved from the protector/rescuer side of things he'd left that up to unit commanders at all levels. Ultimately they too would be deported, along with all nonwhite military personnel, regardless of what they'd given. Trust was no longer something that could be given; the stakes were everything. It all actually did make the Japanese internment look like a joke by comparison.
Gordon stepped off to the side; I joined him. "I've ordered all nonwhites off of these matters." "I figured; I can tell." He sighed. "This is getting crazier by the minute wonder woman. There have been incidents of violence among white and nonwhite officers. It's going to get worse." "It's going to get worse everywhere as Ares pursues his goals for the country. Remember - this is all him." "I get that...but I've never felt so powerless." I put a hand on his shoulder. "I know this means nothing right now but most people will survive. Ares usually pursues mass murder/genocide; this is actually a new one for him - mass relocation." "It doesn't sound lighter." "I know; but it is; trust me." "I don't have much choice." "No; none of us do."
Monster roars gunfire and explosions went off. It was time to put the next set of evildoers down. With me with them we'd no doubt win this...and this next bit of news would be the thing that turned public opinion - white opinion - against their nonwhite countrymen. This is what would begin the immediate formulation of EOs and laws that would start the expulsion process of nonwhites/anti-Americans from the nation once and for all.
My magical bow powered up to surprise the officers. They looked to me. "Lead on wonder woman." They were definitely afraid, but they drew strength from me as well. I prayed to mighty Athena for all of us - and to forgive us our sins in advance as we did the next terrible deed to save the world from itself. Another thankless job to be sure; but then they always were...
An air demon screeched and shot down at us through the urban night. The officers cried out in alarm and fired at it but the bullets did little. I put one magical energy arrow into it and blew it to pieces. That helped them to find greater courage yet. We pushed forward. The mortal nonwhite shooters were well positioned throughout this assault corridor. They'd know this hood/ghetto better than we ever would; at least from the mortal standpoint. My divine warrior senses could no doubt place them where they were; this was why I needed to be at point position.
I slowed; the many officers trailing me did the same. Even though the officers didn't know where they were precisely they knew something was up. I did one better; I had the wonder plane put the local enemy positions into the minds of the officers with me. Their muzzles shifted high/low accordingly. They tensed; a big fight was going to occur on this street alone.
A group of black shooters came out firing with assault weapons; their rounds bounced away from me/my armor with no trouble. I let them focus their fire on me so as not to go for the cops instead. The swats were quick to move out from me and fire on them to kill them. Heavier enemy fire came out yet with two technicals rolling out from hidden alley positions; they fired both heavy machine guns and rockets. The assaulting officers found cover as the rockets struck in/around them. I sent an energy arrow for one technical and blew it to hell; the other's main gunner was nailed solidly by a supporting cop sniper back a ways. I sent another energy arrow for this vehicle too and it too was sent to hell.
This was where it would enter my world... The demon shrieks were in my godly ear even before I heard them sound. But they did and it rattled the cops. The initial strikers were aerial, like the scout we'd encountered early on. These by contrast were actual hitters. They swooped in for the kill; talons extended. My energy arrows were quickly off to take out the first few; cop fire followed right after that. A few more were taken down. We'd done good so far but it was still very much early.
Then a number of mortal brown shooters emerged and fired; demon foot soldiers fought with them. Ares had truly engineered his next battlefield; these would be the images he'd use through his top agent Lex to justify forced relocation of all brown people from the nation; he had created his race war after all. Now we had to play our part to sell the lie. I switched to sword/shield and surged ahead at the combined ground force of anti American brown mortal fighters and hell demons of my brothers. A demon's claws raked across my shield before I cut it in two; I then cut down two brown fighters nearby that had exposed officers in their sights.
More cop units entered the fray, and from various directions. Gordon was gradually increasing the overall police presence here in tactical phases so to keep up the pressure on the enemy combined with containing them effectively. If the guard was needed they would be under police control; it was still about arrest/deportation of those mortals that resisted the law.
The fighting intensified; and it was all being captured on cop cameras everywhere. We pushed on; I remained in effect the only superhero on earth now; and/or the only one that could defeat these Olympian generated threats. This was a family matter as usual, and it was costing mortals once again as it had during ancient days. The drama played out yet again. I cut down brown fighter and demon in a tireless combination battle series. Most of it was captured on video; some of it might even be streamed live. This was mostly a PR fight; the scales had already been tipping our way; now there was little doubt they would go that way entirely.
More demons appeared; they breathed fire and killed assaulting officers. I cut one's head off and crushed another's neck with a super punch. We now took casualties; the public needed to see that too. They needed to see that white officers were giving their lives to save theirs; that this madness would devour them too in time. This was all what Ares wanted, and it was working super well. We did our part to keep fighting, to keep sacrificing...to keep selling the lie.
More technicals appeared; they were engaged. A mortal enemy assaulted us with a flamethrower; several cops screamed as they were burned alive. The scum shot the thrower's flames at me...only to find me right at him in the fire an instant later and removing his head for good.
"Wonder woman...!" It was a pronouncement/roar put together; it was demonic. Xhax... The winged demon of Hades appeared before me. The cops were terrified took a hint and fought the enemies they could actually deal with; good idea. "We meet again at last," he said through smashing teeth; acidic poison traveled through his mouth and down his chin/neck. "I wondered when your scum would enter into this." He laughed. "But don't you see? We're on the same side now you and I." "Nice try Xhax; but we're not." "You're doing your brother's bidding...aren't you?" I lopsided grinned at him from behind my helmet. "Your mind games won't work with me scum." He went down on all clawed fours and snarled. "I look forward to devouring your flesh..." "Bring it on pea brain!"
He was at me with super speed; his right hand claws raked across my chest plate but did nothing. I gave him a mighty left that shook the crap out of him. I spun the other way and slashed his chest open with my blade. He cried out in pain leaped back and shot out acid at my face. My shield was up and blocking most of it; I was right back at him and smashing my shield into his face. This super blow stunned him further.
I then cut out his hands at the wrists in one low super slash. He screeched in agony; this caused fighters around him to stop and look upon our fight. I didn't hesitate but rather sent my blade into his heart. It went up to the hilt with the action. Xhax breathed his last for this time and was taken in magical fire right after that. The cops seeing this had their morale bolstered. They fought on, and hard. More cop casualties continued to be generated by our historic actions but the enemy - mortal and demon - fell with greater frequency.
It was another bloody fight... but in the end it was ours. But as aforesaid - the greater victory here was not our actual tactical victory...but rather the political one in Washington that would need to be made to perfect what had occurred here.
XXX
It was done; and done the way it had needed to happen. The police footage had been sent to every news outlet by direct order from Lex. He wanted it to be seen in all of its graphic nature. The media was permitted to go into that latest Gotham raid site to report on the aftermath directly; they captured the many dead remains of brown fighters and demons alike; not all of the demons had disappeared in magical fire like my old recurring enemy Xhax had. Plus my fight with Xhax had been recorded in real time by cop cameras and been reported to news outlets. Lex had wanted that shown constantly to anyone who wanted to see it.
A solid majority opinion of the country, in other words the white voter, had been made known. They had long suspected but were now convinced beyond doubt that the nation needed to be made very different. The demographics had to change, and just as Ares had willed. Through a combination of theatricality/deception, like the LOS/A, brother had played them all like that very fiddle I'd mentioned. I was his sister and had played a key role in that agenda too. That's what I would need to carry with me.
Nonwhite public servants everywhere were resigning out of both fear and protest. Initially they'd tried to speak out against what had happened, to compel logic from everyone, but it was not to be. Whites would no longer listen to them. The closest of friends were now driven apart due to the Great Lie Ares had now made Manifest Destiny. It was a sight not too dissimilar from the civil war. I remembered those days as well; when brother had gone against brother for whatever reason. Such moments weren't unheard of although they were always tragic.
I hadn't given any other public statements for the time being. Lex had believed that latest raid's results spoke for themselves. Plus it showed beyond doubt whose side we were all on; and that Lex was indeed the hero that this nation needed to guide them out of the darkness. Congressional vacancies made by nonwhites were being filled with emergency substitutes. Lex wanted to get the relocation agenda on the fast track. Of course it would all still take time to occur but things were now moving right along, as it should to meet Ares' ultimate agenda of demographic destiny for the nation. He hadn't uttered his policy intentions for the nation in this regard; it was still a little early for that but it was definitely on the near term horizon.
I flew for the white house to meet with potus just hours after this had occurred. I'd been willing to meet with Lex right after the raid but he'd wanted things to simmer at their own speed/temp for a while. He'd wanted the public to fully digest what Ares wanted them to. This too was no less brilliant. The media and its manipulation was the key to everything else nowadays; objective truth was now subjective truth; brother had made them indistinguishable.
"Wonder woman...it's happening," said potus as I entered the oval. Hera was there too; standing behind her "man" with arms folded; her expression was interestingly blank. "Congress is voting on the removal bills?" He smiled/nodded. "Yes. All is going according to your brother's plan." "Of course it is," said Hera; "he's War." "Yes, well, word did have it that he had a...dead Superman on standby to cause havoc if needed...and only you the great wonder woman could stop him." Lex laughed. "I never thought I'd live to see this. I would truly make things the way I'd always wanted them to be but never could for some BS reason; not anymore." "I really do owe you a debt wonder woman; I really do." Yes, it was still early, but the signs were all adding up the way they needed to.
Lex stood from the most powerful chair in the world and walked over to me. "I know this is not how you wanted things...but it has worked out well enough. As I said early on - they will go without much of a fuss - if given the incentive to do so." With brother and his mother driving things that was very likely the case. But it would hardly be the end of the bloodshed. That was for sure.
