EPILOGUE
Themyscira Industries
Los Angeles, California
6:00 P. M.
Returning to their civilian disguises, the team met Etta Candy inside the meeting room where she set up a celebratory spread to congratulate them on completing the mission and defeating Urzkartaga. Food and champagne were served as the group relaxed and enjoyed the festivities.
"Will you be returning to the IADC?" Dawn asked Zatanna, as she sipped on her champagne.
The sorceress nodded. "Yeah, the department has other supernatural threats that need to be dealt with. Henry will be accompanying me soon."
"Speaking of demigods," Kory, in a slinky, purple dress, jumped into the conversation. "Did anyone look at Ferdinand in his human form? The guy is hunk!"
The ladies gawked at the tall, muscular athletic, dark haired gentleman in a fitted t-shirt and jeans standing next to Nubia, looking quite elegant in a white cocktail dress. For a Minotaur, the man looked like he could be a print model or on the cover of Men's Health magazine. They certainly approved.
"I agree," said Rose, choosing to wear a hoodie and jeans to this event. She pulled out her phone. "I wonder if he had any shirtless pic online."
Dawn raised an eyebrow. "Jericho, is that you?"
"No, it's me Rose again," answered Deathstroke's daughter. "My brother gave me my body back, but I promised to take him to a New Wave cover band concert next week. At least, I owe him that." She scrolled through her phone. "Found them! He has an Instagram account! Check him out!" Rose showed them the risqué photos.
They looked at the phone, turned to look at Ferdinand and then returned to Rose's cell.
"Wow!" They all said in unison.
On the other side of the room, Etta thanked Henry and Helena, now hiding behind their secret identities, and praised their efforts on a job well done. Standing next to her in a dark suit was Artemis who also applauded them.
"You'll be happy to know that Themyscira Industries is now contracted with the IADC as a freelance investigative team." Etta explained to the IADC operative. "We will have agents at your disposal if you need them. In fact, Helena here has signed on as one of them."
"That's great!" Henry exclaimed. He looked to his wife and embraced her. "I didn't know you enlisted!"
Helena smiled, pushing her glasses back and flipping her dark brown hair. "I've already been working with Themyscira already as a spy. Why not expand my services? Plus, Sandsmark's Antiquities has a slew of international contacts that might help us in the future."
Etta nodded. "It's time we start working together, instead in secret. We all have a common goal and that is protecting the world."
"You do good work, Henry." Artemis complimented him. "I look forward to allying with you again in the future."
The IADC operative looked at her in surprise. "Finally, you're warming up to me!"
The Amazon shook her head. "No. I'll always hate you, but I figure you're trying to serve your penance. I can respect that. Just don't expect me to share a drink with you."
"Point taken." Henry agreed. He watched as the tall warrior exited the room. Once she had left, he pulled Helena aside. "Can I talk to you outside in private?"
Helena followed her husband into the hallway, while Etta attended to her guests. They stopped by a secluded area.
"What is it, Henry?" She asked.
Swallowing his nerves, he started to speak. "Look Helena, I know I don't deserve your forgiveness and with everything that happened between us with the lying, deceptions, and falsehoods that I brought into our marriage, I want you to know that I never stopped loving you. Now that everything is out in the open, I was hoping to see if we can start over. You, me, Cassie. I want us to be family again. This mission taught me what was important and the possibility of losing you and Cassie nearly killed me…"
His words were interrupted, as Helena jumped into his arms and kissed him. The kiss felt real and loving and for the first time, it felt like home.
She withdrew from his arms as she smiled. "I love you, Henry Sandsmark, and the answer is yes!"
The blond man's eyes lit up. "I love you, Helena Sandsmark, and I'm never letting you go!"
Their arms found each other once more as their lips reconnected, not caring if anyone saw.
A quiet cough broke them from their spell as they turned to see their daughter, Cassie, grinning widely at them.
"I guess this means you guys are back together?" She giggled.
"Together forever, and ever!" Her mother laughed, wrapping her arms around her husband.
Cassie went to embrace her parents. "I'm glad, you've patched things up!"
"Me too," Henry beamed. Then dose of reality hit the man and he paused. "But what about Cassie? Where are we going to live? I mean you got your business and I'll be out on missions. Your Gateway mansion has been destroyed…"
"Shh," Helena put a finger on her husband's lips. "We'll figure it out. Don't worry, it'll work out in the end. For now, let's just enjoy the party."
The trio walked back down to the meeting room, only to see Nubia and Ferdinand outside entwined in each other's arms. Their shared an exceptionally long kiss.
Upon seeing the pair, Helena gasped. "Nubia! Ferdinand!"
The pair quickly broke apart embarrassed as Cassie danced.
"I knew it! You two have a thing!" She laughed.
Nubia straightened her composure. "I'm sorry Helena and Cassandra, but this certainly is unprofessional but even an Amazon and Minotaur submits to their mortal weaknesses."
"By Poseidon's beard!" Ferdinand shouted. "We've been together so long that we were bound to hook up sooner or later! We have needs!"
Nubia pointed to her partner. "What he said."
Cassie ran over and hugged the couple. "I don't care! I'm simply happy that you're together!"
This statement comforted the pair as Henry reached in and shook Ferdinand's hand.
"Welcome to the family, sport!"
Helena clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "All right, all this lovey-dovey stuff later. Let's return to the reception."
The five of them entered the room as Etta stood next to a tall beautiful, raven-haired woman dressed in a long fitted red dress. Her beautiful features exhibited a regal aura as her piercing blue eyes stared at Cassie the moment, she entered the room. Helena, Henry, Nubia, and Ferdinand dropped to one knee as they bowed in front of this woman.
"Hello, Cassandra Sandsmark." The mysterious woman greeted her.
Cassie recognize her face from image on the television. "You're the Wonder Woman!"
"Princess Diana of Theymscira to be exact," Diana smiled. "Diana Themyscira to the outside world and Diana Prince in my third, secret identity." She placed a hand on Cassie's shoulder as her family got up from the ground. "You are the next in line to be called forth after the death of my Amazon sister, Donna Troy. Welcome and may the Gods protect you, Wonder Girl!"
The teenager sighed. "I just hope that I can match up."
"You already have," Diana informed her. "You courageously fought Derinoe and defeated the Urzkartaga. You battled with compassion and love, something that I still need to improve on. I can learn a lot from you."
"Me?" Cassie's eyes widened. "But you're the Wonder Woman! What can I teach someone who already has been a hero for years?
The Amazon princess casted her eyes down. "I'm afraid I've lost my way. I let my arrogance and my anger to best me, resulting in me resorting to extreme vigilantism. I've killed a man in cold blood, tortured and maimed suspects, instead using the magical gifts bestowed upon me by the Gods. I want to be a person that Wonder Woman represents and that is of peace, kindness, compassion and love."
"Don't forget virtue and faith."
"Ah," Diana laughed. "The Five Fruits of Goodness by Zalmoxis. You know it?"
Cassie grinned. "You could say that I do."
Diana continued. "I want to be that superhero. That Wonder Woman the public needs and I'm hoping that you can help me."
The teenager sighed. "Maybe we can learn together?"
Diana smiled. "I'd like that."
"Pardon me, Princess," Henry interjected. "Cassie still needs more training since she is now taking over the mantle as your protégé."
"Henry Sandsmark or should I say Hercules," Diana addressed the demigod. "It's good to finally meet you." Henry grew nervous, knowing his past with her Amazonian sisters. She reassured him. "Don't worry, I've forgiven you." She turned to Cassie. "See? I'm already starting." Diana continued. "Cassandra will still require the best training possible and I believe as long as Nubia and Ferdinand continue to shape her into being one of our finest warriors, she'll eventually grow into own as a hero!"
"Of course," Nubia and Ferdinand answered together.
"Then it's settled," Diana announced. "Cassie will return to Gateway City with her guardians and continue her training there and be called upon to assist in any future threats."
"I apologize, Princess," Helena jumped in. "But my home was destroyed by Derinoe's men. We no longer have a base of operations."
"I think we can help with that," suggested Dawn, accompanied by her fellow Titans.
Titans Headquarters
San Francisco, California
Three days later…
Dawn and Rose enjoyed the new comfortable couch and coffee table that Cassie's mother purchased for the living room. In addition, she added a few vintage Tiffany lamps and knick-knacks to spruce up the place.
"Wasn't it sweet for Helena to buy us some new furniture?" Dawn asked her friends.
Rose placed her feet up on the new apothecary table supplied by Cassie's parents. "Loving this new coffee table, there is plenty of storage to put my knives in."
"At least this beats the damaged furniture that Zatanna destroyed with her spell," Kory added, sipping on her vodka tonic. She turned to Dawn. "Did you put our new uniforms away."
Dawn flipped through her magazine. "I did. Themyscira Industries happily repaired and upgraded our costumes and they said that if there any further damages, we can go to them to fix it." She looked at Kory. "They're hanging on the mannequins in the weapons hall."
"It's great to have Themyscira Industries as our other sponsor," Rose noted. "Trying to get Wayne Enterprises to do something is like pulling teeth."
Kory looked around. "Where's Cassie?"
"She, Nubia and Ferdinand are on the next floor down." Dawn explained. "They're claiming that level of the tower and moving some things in. They'll be up in a few minutes."
With the support of Cassie's parents, the teenager and her guardians became part of the Titans team. The Sandsmarks figured that with the attack on the mansion in Gateway City and Cassie's sudden change of appearance might make the public suspicious so they relocated her to San Francisco. Helena quickly returned to work as antiques dealer, while Henry and Zatanna resumed their covert missions with the IADC. They promised to visit their daughter every so often.
Themyscira Industries offered to sponsor the Titans Tower. With their advanced technology and magical weaponry, it provided the supergroup resources for crimefighting. In addition, Wonder Woman informed them that they might require their services in the future.
The elevator dinged as Dick Grayson, Hank Hall, Gar and Conner got out, followed by their dog, Krypto. Dressed in their camping gear, the Titan ladies greeted the men.
"We're back!" Hank announced.
"How was camping?" Dawn asked the boys.
"Great!" Conner said proudly. "I caught a fish with my mouth!"
Krypto barked as Gar rolled his eyes.
"I was that fish!" Gar argued. "I figured out how to turn into one!"
Dick's eyes suddenly noticed the new furniture. "Did you girls redecorate?"
"A little," Kory grinned, sipping on her drink.
Hank frowned. "Hope you didn't touch the weapons hall!" He raced down to the room. An angry yell came out of the chamber. "When did you get new costumes? Why does Dawn's look so much cooler than mine?"
"I want to see!" Gar declared, followed by Conner and Krypto who darted into the weapons hall. Again, the green-haired boy shouted back. "No fair! Even Kory's gets a costume! I want one!"
They returned to the living room as the women acted nonchalantly.
Dick raised his brows. "What's been happening since we've been gone?"
"Nothing much," Rose replied unfazed. "Let's see. We stopped an evil witch and some were-monsters, got rid of a plant God, and…oh, we killed a mythical beast called a chimera!"
"And I got a power upgrade and I can fly now," Kory added.
Gar's mouth dropped, unimpressed with Kory's revelation. "You got to see a chimera? What did it look like? Was it like in my Final Fantasy game?"
Dawn interrupted. "One more thing, guys. Themyscira Industries is sponsoring us now and that means…"
Dick flinched. "Diana is financially supporting us?"
The elevator dinged as a beautiful blonde girl with piercing blue eyes in a fitted sun dress got out, followed by a tall beautiful African woman in a designer suit and a muscular man in a t-shirt and jeans.
"Hi, I'm Cassie!" The teenager extended her hand to Dick.
"Dick," replied the Titan surprised, shaking her hand. "Dick Grayson."
"Dick, and the rest of you guys," said Kory. "Meet our newest member. Cassandra "Cassie" Sandsmark. Our new Wonder Girl."
The rest of Titans men shook her hand. Conner, especially, became enthralled by the young girl standing in front of him. Cassie noticed him too and blushed.
"She's pretty," he said to Gar.
Gar whispered his ear. "Yeah, but she's out of your league and underage."
Krypto barked catching Cassie's attention as she knelt and petting him. The dog began licking her hand.
"What a cute dog!" She giggled.
"His name is Krypto!" Conner said proudly. "He's my dog."
"Nice," Cassie blushed again. The two glanced at each other nervously as commotion from the kitchen broke their spell.
Hank eyed Ferdinand suspiciously as he went through the cabinets, cupboards, and refrigerator.
"What is he doing?"
"Oh, that's Ferdinand." Dawn stated unsurprised. "He's our new chef. He's also a Minotaur."
Ferdinand finished his overview of the kitchen and came out. "I see some expired food, wilted salad, and what I think to be moldy microwave lasagna. I'll head down to the grocery store and restock. Please leave me a list." He looked at the green-haired Titan. "You must be Gar and I've heard you have trouble shapeshifting into animals. I can help you with that! Oh, and I can also do vegetarian and vegan dishes!"
"You're a Minotaur?" Gar's eyes widened. "Cool!"
"We have a chef?" Dick asked the ladies, confused by what is going on.
"Mr. Grayson," greeted the tall African woman. "I'm Nubia Phillipus. Cassandra's guardian and nanny. I'm also an Amazon and know a thousand ways to take down an enemy. With the proper training, I can assist you and your Titans to improve your combat skills. You have a few minors in your employ who are not in school so they will need to be homeschooled too. A high school is necessary to improve their education. Plus, this place could use a bit of organization and cleaning." She wiped a counter nearby and picked up dust. "Don't worry, we're occupying the level below and our salaries are being provided by both Helena Sandsmark and Themyscira Industries."
Dick turned to the women. "When did we get a den mother?"
"Now." Rose stated. "Besides, it would be good to have a woman's touch around here.
Hank addressed Nubia. "Does this also mean that we get new uniforms?"
"Of course," the Amazon nodded.
"Cool!" Hank answered excitedly.
"I guess the only thing we can do now," Dick turned to Cassie. "Is to welcome Cassie to the team!"
All the Titans applauded and cheered.
"Thanks guys," she laughed. "My strength is my greatest power." She whispered to herself.
MDC Penitentiary Ladies Division
Los Angeles, California
Veronica Cale sat behind the glass partition of the prison as she waited for her attorney to appear. He finally did, sitting in the small chair and picked up the phone.
"Clifford DeVoe?" The villainess and owner of Cale Pharmaceuticals questioned the lawyer. "This is the form you chose?"
"How else would they let me in this prison?" Blackfire pointed out. She used Tamaranian technology to mind control and possess this human host.
"Anyway," Veronica returned to business. "Did you secure the patient?"
"I did," replied Blackfire. "I retrieved the ambulance and transported the body to one of your facilities nearby. What about your end of the bargain? Did you locate my sister?"
Veronica nodded. "I contacted the Collective, a group that caters to people like us. Meet them at the facility once the patient is delivered, they will have their trained mercenaries ready to hunt down your sister Kory for you.
"Very well," said Blackfire, approving their agreement. "One more thing, I do have to ask. Why do you need this comatose Vanessa Kapetelis?"
The villainess smirked. "She's my revenge on this Wonder Woman. The bitch put me in here and I'm going to need a weapon to carry out my plan. Vanessa Kaptelis will be my perfect soldier for my Silver Swan project!"
The Island of Theymscira
Home of the Amazons
Rachel stood in the temple as she listened to the island's magic users around her.
"Remember, Rachel. Once you enter the Dream World, you must locate Donna's soul and retrieve it."
Rachel nodded. Drawing upon her dark power, she drew forth the darkness, allowing it swirl around her as it consumed her in complete blackness.
The Dream World
Trigon's daughter raced down the void to see a glimmer light up ahead. Already, ethereal robed figures stood in front of a raven-haired woman in white robes.
Rachel called out to her, but no sound emitted from her mouth. All she could do was listen.
"Step forth, child!" The voice called out. "You have been chosen for your next journey. As a champion of the Amazons, you have been selected to ascend! You have fought bravely as a hero, loved with the compassion and goodness in your heart to smite the evils that plague this world! For that, you will be rewarded!
The mystery woman walked up to the omnipotent figures.
"You shall remove this mortal shell of yours and become a new hero, a symbol of us, the Titans of Myth! No longer are you Wonder Girl or Donna Troy, you will be something more! An emissary of power and justice!"
"You are Troia!"
THE END?
AUTHOR NOTE: THANK YOU FOR READING WONDERS NEVER CEASE, A TITANS/WONDER WOMAN CROSSOVER. SINCE THIS IS A DCU THEMED FAN FICTION, THERE ARE PLENTY OF EASTER EGGS SPREAD AROUND. AS YOU ARE AWARE KORY, DAWN, ROSE, DICK, HANK, RACHEL, GAR, CONNER, KRYPTO, AND DONNA TROY ARE PART OF THE TITANS/TEEN TITANS UNIVERSE, AS WELL AS THE VILLAINESS BLACKFIRE.
VILLAINS DERINOE, ALKYONE, ZARA, CYBORGIRL, URZKARTAGA, THE BOUDA, VERONICA CALE, SILVER SWAN ARE PART OF THE WONDER WOMAN UNIVERSE. JULIA AND VANESSA KAPETLIS, HELENA SANDSMARK, CASSIE SANDSMARK, DONNA TROY, ARE ALSO INCLUDED, THOUGH HELENA WAS NEVER HELEN OF TROY FROM THE COMICS. THAT WAS CREATIVE LICENSING ON MY PART. FUTHERMORE, CASSIE'S FATHER WAS ACTUALLY ZEUS IN THE EARLY PART OF THE MYTHOLOGY AND LATER IN THE FLASHPOINT 52 WAS ALTERED TO DEMIGOD NAMED LENNOX.
GATEWAY CITY WAS HOME TO WONDER WOMAN AND BECAME MY STARTING POINT FOR CASSIE. NUBIA WAS AN AMAZON FROM THEMYSCIRA AS WAS PHILLIPUS. I COMBINED INTO ONE PERSON. THERE WAS A MINOTAUR NAMED FERDINAND THAT LATER BECAME DIANA'S PERSONAL COOK.
NOW FOR THE FAILED PILOT. IN 2011, WRITER AND PRODUCER DAVID E. KELLEY SHOT AN UNAIRED, UNFINISHED PILOT FOR NBC STARRING ACTRESS ADRIENNE PALICKI IN THE TITLE ROLE AS WONDER WOMAN. THE PILOT WAS NEVER PICKED UP FOR SEVERAL REASONS. IT DEVIATED VERY MUCH FROM THE SOURCE MATERIAL. PRINCESS DIANA HAD THREE IDENTITIES: CEO PRESIDENT DIANA THEMYSCIRA OF THEMYSCIRA INDUSTRIES, DIANA PRINCE, AND WONDER WOMAN. THE PUBLIC KNEW WHO HER PERSONA SO THERE WAS NO NEED FOR A SECRET IDENTITY. THOUGH HER AMAZON HERITAGE IS MENTIONED, IT IS NEVER SHOWN.
WONDER WOMAN IS AN EXTREME VIGILANTE, WORKING ABOVE THE LAW AND NOT ABOVE TORTURING, MAIMING AND KILLING SUSPECTS IN COLD BLOOD. HER FAMOUS STAR-SPANGLED UNIFORM WAS POORLY DESIGNED AND CHEAPLY MADE THAT IT LOOKED RIDICULOUS ON SCREEN AND THE SCRIPT WAS WRITTEN TERRIBLY THAT IT APPEARED MORE LIKE A PARODY THAT A SUPERHERO SHOW. HENCE, IT NEVER GOT PICKED UP AND THE CHARACTER WENT INTO DEVELOPMENT HELL FOR YEARS BEFORE THE FILM WITH GAL GADOT WAS FINALLY RELEASED. YOU CAN STILL VIEW THE PILOT ONLINE.
SEEING HOW TITANS AND THE WONDER WOMAN PILOT WERE QUITE SIMILAR IN TERMS OF EXTREME VIOLENCE, I WROTE THIS CROSSOVER STORY AND SET IT ON THE TITANS EARTH-9 WORLD. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS STORY. PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER WRITINGS AND LEAVE SOME FEEDBACK.
-KIDSCOMIX