Barry and Donna's apartment building
Barry and Donna walked side by side through the entrance of the building. Barry didn't expect Donna to be coming home today, he thought that she wouldn't be able to get away from her mother or Diana so soon. Not that he was complaining, now more than ever he wanted to be close to her. He smiled as he couldn't help but wrap his arm around her shoulder as they stopped in front of the elevator. Donna smiled as she snuggled even closer to him, resting her head on his own shoulder and closed her eyes quickly before taking a deep breath.
"I love you" Barry whispered in her ear, he didn't know why he said it but it just felt right.
"I love you too" Donna kissed his cheek, smiling happily as the elevator doors opened and the two stepped inside, still holding onto each other.
Barry pressed the button that was about to take them both too their floor "did you talk to Hal?" She asked.
Barry chuckled at her question "oh yeah, I talked to him. He was definitely surprised but he's on board. He didn't even know who you were until I said 'Princess'" he informed as they both felt the elevator come to a stop.
Donna laughed at that "I guess that's true. I haven't technically met him before, I've just seen him at that one meeting we had with the league. Remember?" She asked as the doors opened.
Now it was Barry's turn to laugh "how could I forget?" He asked sarcastically "that was when we first met"
Donna laughed even louder as they started to walk down towards the corridor to their apartment "and you made a complete fool of yourself" she mentioned.
"you say a made a fool of myself, I say it went according to plan" Barry said.
Donna looked at him skeptically "oh? How to you figure?" She asked.
Barry shrugged "well you may think I made a fool of myself but it worked didn't it. I mean we live together, love each other and now have a baby on the way" he smiled brighter "you and everyone else who was there that day might... will call me a fool, but it worked didn't it, I got you in the end, right?" He said as they reached the front door.
Donna turned to face him and leaned back against the door "you did get me" she smiled before leaning in and kissing him passionately.
"and not a day goes by where I'm not thankful for it" he confirmed.
Donna smirked at him before leaning in and whispering "keep talking like that and I'll make sure you understand what the perks of 'having' me are"
Barry smiled brightly at her "yay" he said sounding like a little kid "I want perks" he smiled before looking at his watch quickly. One o'clock, he sighed "but it might have to wait"
Donna frowned for a moment before looking at his watch and remembering what day it is "you gonna go see your dad?" She asked.
Barry nodded "yeah, I have some very" he kissed her "good" kissed her again "news to give him" he smiled "and I know for a fact that he's gonna take it much better than your mother is. Let me just grab a few things" he placed the key in the door.
"are you sure you don't want to just speed him out of there, it wouldn't be that hard to get him a new identity" Donna said as they both took a step in to their apartment.
Barry couldn't help but sigh at her "believe me Donna, I want nothing else then my dad to be here with me, with us, but if I do that and we get him a new identity. The police will still be all over me to see if he makes contact, so he'll never be able to see us, or his future grandchild. I think that might hurt him more than being in prison" he said sadly.
Donna saw the pain on his face and decided not to press him about it "ok" she said softly before giving him another kiss.
Before either of them could say another word the sound of a throat being cleared caused both of them to turn around to find the source of the sound. Both their eyes widened at the sight of Kal-El sitting on the sofa as his sword rested on the coffee table. He was wearing the same uniform he wore during the U.N meeting, he had an unamused face as he looked at the two.
Barry quickly sped out of the room and appeared micro seconds later in his flash uniform "what are you doing here?" He demanded as he lifted his fists up ready for a fight.
Kal stood up to face the two "Princess Donna said she wanted to meet me" Kal informed him.
Barry's eyes shot open as he turned to face Donna "what's he talking about?" He asked.
"I think he knows" Donna said before looking to Kal "at the U.N, why did you congratulate me?" She asked.
"I was led to believe it was polite to congratulate someone who is pregnant" he answered.
"how do you know she's pregnant?" Barry demanded.
Kal tilted his head at Barry, this was the first time he's seen him act aggressive. Kal pointed at Donna "I can see the fetus. And based on the small amount of lightning it's generating, you are the father but what I don't understand is why I'm here. why did you want to meet me princess?" He asked looking at Donna.
Barry turned to face her as well "yeah Donna, why did you want to meet him?" he asked, his voice laced with a slight amount of anger.
Donna sighed "I want Kal with us when we tell Mother and Diana about us" she said.
"what" Both Kal and Barry said. Barry spoke with a voice of shock, Kal with one of confusion.
Donna sighed "Kal-El, we haven't told my mother or Diana about me being pregnant, or that we are even in a relationship. And based on my mother's reaction to men, the likely chance is that she will attack Barry in some sense. So, we need some type of protection"
Kal starred at her for a moment before speaking "you really believe that your mother, the one who raised you and no doubt loves you unconscionably. And your sister, another woman who loves and is a close teammate with your chosen mate. Will attack him?" He asked.
"yes" Donna quickly said.
"definitely" Barry agreed.
Kal tilted his head at the two "this can't help but make me wonder about something I've been curious about for quite some time now" he started as Donna and Barry couldn't help but wonder what he was talking about "why do your Amazon's hate men so much?" He asked.
The question hit Donna like a bombshell, she had no idea how she was going to answer that question. She never thought about it, she just assumed he would know, why wouldn't he? She turned to face Barry "you should go, go see your dad. Tell him the good news" she smiled before Barry reluctantly nodded to her and speeded out the room.
Donna turned to face Kal wondering how she was going to explain this.
The Watch Tower
Diana was standing in her room with her arms crossed as she looked out the window and down at the earth, she hated this feeling. The feeling of uncertainty, the feeling of not knowing what to do. She hated it. A worrier must be able to plan ahead but now she couldn't do that because she didn't know what to do. what was her plan, she needed to find the rest of the injustice league members, find a way to stop Luthor from becoming president and most important of all talking to Kal about their kiss. It was not a secret that Diana was not a patient woman and not knowing way Kal had stopped kissing her was driving her mad.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before turning around and heading to the bathroom, deciding that a nice shower wouldn't be the worst thing right now. Turning on the water and waiting a couple of seconds before the water turned warm. Stripping out of her armor and underwear, she stepped into the water and sighed with pleasure as the water slid down her skin. Rubbing herself clean with a bar of soap. She needed a plan, deciding that she had waited long enough. She was going with the direct approach. Next time she was free, she was going to head straight for Kal's home and ask him. But that would have to wait until at least tomorrow because Donna said she needed to speak with her about something important.
Diana thought it was weird for Donna to ask her to meet for something important, she wasn't that type of person, if it was her fault for doing something bad, she would try and cover it up, if she needed help she would deny it and try to fix the problem without anyone knowing. It was a very strange situation. What made it even stranger was that she wanted to meet on Themyscira, so she wanted to either be somewhere she knew no-one would be able to over here her, or she wanted to tell their mother too, or both.
All Diana could do was hope that it wasn't anything bad as she turned the water off and wrapped a towel around her chest before heading out of the bathroom. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped in shock as she saw Hermes, the messenger of the gods lying down on her bed with his arms behind his head, looking very comfortable. His eyes found hers and he smiled warmly at her "Diana, so good to see you" he said standing up off her bed.
"Hermes" Diana said instinctively as she quickly bowed her head in respect "how can I assist the messenger of the gods" she asked, her voice full of loyalty for her gods but before Hermes could say anything else Diana's head snapped back open and she realized the position she was in "do you mind?" She asked.
Hermes quickly realized what she was saying and turned around so Diana could change without any prying eyes. Her towel dropped to the ground and she went to grab some clothes "so why are you here?" She asked.
Hermes sighed, knowing that she wouldn't like this at all "Zeus has given you a new mission" he stated.
Diana frowned at his words as she pulled her underwear up her legs "but what about my mission to bring peace and freedom to the world?" She asked, wondering what could be more important than that.
"that's been put on hold until this mission has been completed, it's of the utmost importance" he said as he crossed his arms "Diana, we need you to get close to Kal-El" he said.
Diana paused as she finished placing her uniform on, she couldn't help wonder what he meant by that "define 'get close to him'" she said placing a hand on his shoulder and turned him around to face her, he was not finding it difficult to see that she was angry with what he was saying "and do it very carefully" she warned.
He sighed again "Diana, Kal-Els appearance has put Olympus in a very danger's position. We are split in three parts, myself, Hephaestus, Asclepius and Dionysus wants to leave him alone. Hera, Athena, Aphrodite, Poseidon and Hades want to befriend him. Artemis, Ares and Apollo see him as a threat to are rain wants him dead and Zues is impartial about the whole thing. Diana, we need to do something about him"
Diana was shocked at his words, she couldn't believe that Kal-El's appearance made this much of a problem, for the gods themselves "and what do you want me to do if I get close to him?" She asked wondering what exactly she might have to do.
"Diana, I'm going to explain this as easily as I can" Hermes started "do whatever you have to in order to get close to him, to earn his trust. Befriend him, start a healthy rivalry with him, become is lover if you have to, just earn his trust. And when you do, try to learn what you can about him, what are is weakness's, his plans, his end game. We know that he lives in the artic but the shield's he has around that fortress is just something we can't get through. It's making everyone nervous, we need to know if we have a new enemy" he finished.
Diana was baffled, she only just heard the last part of his sentence. She lost her thought after the idea of becoming his lover that hadn't even occurred to her, sure she could admit that she was attracted to him but still... she had dated Steve for nearly a year and the most they ever did was kiss "why me?" She asked.
Hermes looked right into her eyes "because you're the only chance we have" he said honestly.
Diana closed her eyes and looked down to the ground for a moment before sighing "If it's at the gods request, I cannot refuse" she said emotionally.
Hermes smiled at her as he placed a hand on her shoulder "you're doing the right thing Diana" he finished before disappearing in a flash of light.
Diana closed her eyes and sat on her bed, she rested her head in her hands. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so disappointed in herself. Kal has showed her nothing but kindness and decency since they first met, she was really starting to hate being the champion of her people.
Themyscira - Courtyard
Hippolyta sat on a small marble bench in the palace's courtyard, she's been sitting here for the past five minutes waiting for Donna. She contacted her late last night that she needed to speak to her about something important though Hippolyta doubted that it would be that important, Donna always had a habit of either understating real problems or overstating stupid problems that no-one other than her would care about, like her new teacher at university being attractive or mean.
Glancing around she saw several guards patrolling the area, there was signal watch tower in the area that has a view of the courtyard. Honestly, she was starting to get bored with waiting. Until a shadow covered her eyes, looking up she smiled at the sight of Diana coming down from the sky and landing in front of her "Diana" Hippolyta smiled as she at Diana and shared an embrace.
"mother" Diana said back as the two separated.
"what are you doing here?" Hippolyta asked as she grabbed Diana's hands and brought her down to the bench to sit beside her.
"Donna called me. Said she wanted to tell me something important and wanted to meet me here" Diana explained.
Hippolyta frowned at her words "she said the same thing to me. Odd" she commented.
"do you have any idea what she might want?" Diana asked getting more and more curious by the whole situation.
"I'm afraid not" Hippolyta admitted "while I found it strange that she left quickly after the U.N meeting with Kal-El, I thought that was odd but nothing to panic about. I just assumed she went back to her school to continue her studies" Hippolyta spoke as her hands glanced down to see Diana fiddling with her finger's as she looked deep in thought "are you alright Diana? You seem troubled" she observed.
Diana's eyes met her mothers and considered telling her something else but then remembered that she could always tell she was lying. She closed her eyes and sighed before looking forward not meeting her eyes "the gods have given me another mission" she stated, not bothering to meet her mother's eyes which are no doubt wide "and while it does make sense that the mission they have given me should be completed" Diana admitted, she didn't like it but there was truth in Hermes's words. Kal could be a very dangerous enemy. Now Diana looked at her mother "I don't want to do it" she said sadly.
Hippolyta was baffled at Diana's words but she knew it was not her place to question Diana about a mission that was given to her by the gods but she was still a mother. Not saying anything, Hippolyta lifted her arm across Diana's back and pulled her towards her. Diana smiled at the gesture and rested her head on Hippolyta's shoulder, neither said a word, just enjoying that nice quiet moment between mother and daughter.
They both stayed like that for a couple more minutes until another shadow passed over head, they both looked up to see Donna land a few feet away from them. As soon as her feet touched the ground Diana and Hippolyta instantly grew concerned as they could already tell something was wrong. Donna was not smiling like she usually did and for those who knew her, they could tell that something was wrong, or at least Donna thought something was very wrong "Donna, what is wrong me child?" Hippolyta asked as the two started to walk towards her.
Donna took a step back and lifted her hand signaling for the two to stay where they were "mother, Diana" Donna started with a shaky as she tried to compose herself "I need to tell you both something... something very important" she started but continued before either of them could interrupt "and I will tell you but before that we need to wait for someone to get here" she informed.
Diana and Hippolyta both frowned at her words "someone?" Diana asked but before Donna could say anything back there was a flash of light and a gust of wind. Once the two adjusted their eyes they were shocked to see the flash standing next to Donna with his mask down, looking at the two of them with the same look on his face that Donna had on hers.
"Barry?" Diana asked confused and shocked at his appearance on Themyscira, he shouldn't have even been allowed on the island without having someone with him who knew how to get there.
BANG, BANG, BANG
Everyone looked to the source of the sound to see the guards stationed in the watch tower that had a few of the courtyard bang on a large bell that hung from the center of the tower, alerting the entire island that there in an intruder on the island. One of guard's woman who was patrolling the courtyard saw Barry and without a second thought she blew on the horn that was tied to her belt.
Barry and Donna both winced as the sound was very loud and a couple of seconds later dozens and dozens of armed guards came out of the different entrances of the courtyard. General Phillipus was leading one of the groups and stood in front of Diana and Hippolyta along with a line of soldiers creating a defensive line around in front of the royalty. Barry and Donna found themselves surrounded on all sides by guards and soldiers all weapons aiming at Barry. There was a couple of seconds of silence before someone spoke "Princess Donna, step away from the man immediately!" Phillipus ordered.
"No" Donna answered. Everyone seemed to narrow their eyes and Donna's answer, the guards all took a step forward to attack but was stopped when a green light came from the sky. Everyone took a step back as several green constructs surrounded Donna and Barry, to make matters worse they were constructs of roman centurion's. Without any words being said all the constructs took out their swords and formed a defensive stance, at the exact same time in the exact same position.
"damn" a voice said from above "seems I'm late to the party"
Diana closed her eyes and cursed in her head at sound of Hal's voice. Opening her eyes and with no surprise at all, saw Hal slowly descend from the sky and land on the other side of Donna. Again, there was a couple of seconds of silences before someone spoke "what is the meaning of your presence here, men!?" Artemis shouted as she stood up straight and aimed her sword at Barry.
"I invited them here" Donna announced as she scowled back at her.
"are you mad princess, you have no right" Artemis snarled at her.
Donna's eyes narrowed even more as she started at her "this has nothing to do with you Artemis, or anyone else apart from my mother and sister. Now a suggest you all leave, immediately" she to everyone.
"we will not leave our queen and princess without protection in the presence of unannounced and unwelcome men" General Phillipus stated.
"Enough!" Diana said getting really tried, really quickly. She stepped forward and moved past the guards in front of her and stopped in front of the green constructs "Hal, give it a rest" she said and without a word the constructs disappeared, the guards and soldiers all lowered their own weapons slightly "now Donna, what's going on?" She asked.
"yes" Hippolyta agreed as she walked past the defensive line and stood next to Diana "what is the meaning of this daughter?" She asked.
Donna's eyes glanced down to the ground and sighed, she was hoping that this could be down privately but she thought that she might as well get it all over and done with at once. She looked up again and met the eyes of Diana and Hippolyta "Mother, Diana. I've lied to you, both of you. About something very important in my life, I know that I didn't have the right to do that but I just didn't care. If I had the choice I would do it again" she started and did notice the confused faces of not just her mother or sister but everyone else around her as well "and if it wouldn't become clear in the future that you would find out because I won't be able to hide it, I would have still kept it a secret"
Diana was completely shocked by Donna's words, she's lied before but never about something big enough to earn this type of reaction from her "Donna, what have you done?" She asked knowing full well that everyone was thinking the same thing.
Donna looked up and met Diana's worried eyes with her own "I've taken a lover" she said.
Everyone gasped in shock and took a step back at her words. Diana's and Hippolyta's eyes widened so much that their eyebrows almost went up into their hair line "and before you say anything else, he is a man and yes when I say lover I mean it in every sense of the word"
"DOONA!" Hippolyta shouted furious with her daughter's actions "HOW COULD YOU BETRAY US LIKE THAT!" She shouted at the top of her lungs while every other amazon scowled at her like she was the devil.
"whoa, hey" Hal said raising his hands at her "I know it's not my place but where you this angry when Diana started to date Steve?" He couldn't help but ask.
Diana rolled her eyes at his question and Hippolyta narrowed his eyes at the Green Lantern "Diana was told to leave with Steve Trevor by the gods, it was expected of her to experience all walks of life including romance. I thank the gods every day that she was able to see sense and end her relation with him. I allowed Donna to go into man's world, this was not allowed to happen" she stated plainly as her eyes turned back to Donna, who's starred back at her, with a slight frown at her! 'she is in no position to be angry at ME!' Hippolyta shouted in her head "well Donna, what do you have to say for yourself?" She asked.
"that I don't regret a thing!" She stated "I'm sorry that I've upset you mother but I refuse to live my life based on your rules!" She shouted at her.
Hippolyta was now taking heavy breaths as she struggled to hold her anger in "and tell me. Who in Hera's name is this man that has turned my own child against me?" She snarled.
"I am" Barry stated without a word. All eyes turned to face the flash as he took a step closer to Donna and took her hand in his. Diana's mouth dropped and she shook her head slightly in disbelief at the announcement, she tried to speak but no words would come out. Ignoring Hippolyta Barry turned to Diana feeling that he needed to explain to her first "Diana, I'm sorry I never told you" he admitted looking at her sadly "But she's right. Diana, I love your sister, I truly do and we've been living together for the past four months and it's only gotten better" he said.
Donna smiled at his words and tightened her grip around his hands. Diana barely heard a word he said, the anger she was feeling right now was insurmountable, she wasn't angry at Donna for being with someone, true it shocked her. But what angered her was that it was with the flash, one of her team mates, her brother in arms and he lied, right to her face for god knows how long. Without really thinking with reason she charged, using her speed and strength she pushed herself off the ground cracking it as she did and aimed her fist at Barry's face.
But as she flew through the air something hit the ground in between the four. Hit the ground hard. It created a shock wave that was able to push Diana back slightly, everyone was on red alert and ready to fight as they aimed their weapons at the smoke and dust cloud. It all cleared and the amazons couldn't help but take a step back as they saw Kal-El emerged from the smoke. As always Kal had a habit of intimidating everyone around him, without saying a word to anyone. He turned to face Donna "I apologies for my lateness princess, but there was situation in my home that required more attention than I thought" he said as he stopped in front of her before glancing around the area "I see you have already started with your confession" he said.
Donna nodded at her trying to ignore the shocked look on her sisters faces "Yes, Kal-El we have. And thank you for coming" she said.
Kal nodded at her "Flash. Lantern" Kal nodded at the two who nodded back at him as Kal moved to stand on the slightly in front of Donna and Barry.
"Kal-El" Hippolyta said "what are you doing here?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Donna invited me to come, to act as a... protector of sorts of the Flash and herself" he told her looking very calm, he glanced at Diana who had taken steps back and calmed down slightly "it seems that she was wise to request that of me" he commented.
"Kal-El" Diana snarled as she eyed him closely "this is not of your concern. Leave" she said, not asking but ordering.
"I'm afraid I cannot do that princess" Kal said calmly "I gave Donna my word that I would help and my word is not something I easily go back on" he explained remembering that Donna made it very clear that she preferred just being called Donna not princess Donna "and considering that this is the reaction they receive when saying they've been in a romantic relationship, I know that I and Lantern are going to be needed when she finishes telling you the rest of her announcement" he finished.
"the rest of her announcement?" Hippolyta asked confused about what else could have happened that she didn't know about. Kal raised an eye brow at her "stand down" she ordered and all the guards complied with their queen. Her eyes turned to look into Donna's "Donna I will try and keep my anger and inpatients at bay until you finish explaining your... despicable actions" she finished.
Donna looked her mother right in the eye and couldn't help but narrow them at her in a rage but she remembered that it wasn't a good thing to be stressed while pregnant "I'm not her to explain my action or come up with excuses for them, this is a curtesy, nothing more!" She yelled trying to come forward from behind Kal but was stopped when Barry placed a hand of her shoulder. She closed her eyes and sighed before taking a single step to the right, leaving the cover of Kal-El seemingly invincible body "mother. Diana... I'm pregnant"
Donna didn't know what was worse, the looks of pain and betrayal on the faces of everyone around them or the fact that it was so quite she could hear the wind rustle a handful of leaves on the ground, it was an eerie feeling. Hippolyta had no words, she didn't know what to do. Her daughter had given herself to a man and allowed him to give her his seed. SHE HAS TAKEN HIS CHILD. Her lips had parted and she couldn't help but take heavy breaths "EXECUTE HIM!" She shouted at the top her lungs and pointed at Barry.
The Amazons wasted no time and charged at Barry with all their might, not caring about killing some man, why would they care? But before anyone could strike Hal acted first and formed a large wall around himself, Barry and Donna. Protecting them from the guards. Kal stood still on the outside of the wall with his arms crossed as the guards on his side neared the wall, his eyes started to glow with a powerful red light causing them to stop in place. Now he was purposely trying to be intimidating, and it was working very well. Turning his head, he could see the Amazons that where on the other sides of the courtyard punch and slash at the wall that Hal created trying to get through. Looking at the Lantern Kal nodded at him and Hal nodded back.
He lifted Donna and Barry off the ground and started to leave the area with them "Hal, what are you doing?" Barry asked as he turned to face the lantern.
Hal looked at Barry as the three of them all flew through the air away from the island "last night Kal came to see me about figuring out a plan in case things went... exactly like we all thought they would. I'd get you two out of there, giving your mother and Diana a chance to calm down and leaving Kal to and I quote 'make them see sense'" he explained.
Barry shrugged at his words "well, he is a planner. So, what now?" He asked.
"Hal" Donna said shakily, both men turned to face her and saw that her eyes where watering "can you please take me home?" She asked.
Barry wasted no time in going to her side and held her in a tight embrace "sure thing Donna" he said before he turned in head back forward and picked up the speed to Barry's apartment, at the least he hopped that was where they both lived.
Back in the courtyard all Amazons had their weapons trained on Kal-El, who looked like he didn't even notice as his eyes did nothing but stare at Hippolyta who still looked like she was in a state of shock about everything. And Diana who seemed to be a type of trans, like she wasn't even there "are you proud?" He asked taking a step closer towards her, letting the guards poke and prod him with their swords, not like he felt it "are you proud of what you just did?" He asked.
Hippolyta's eyes locked on Kal's with an intense hatred 'How dare he question me, WHAT DOES HE KNOW!' She screamed in her head "trying to protect my daughter from the monstrous acts of man? Trying to save her from a grim hate? YES Kal-El, I am proud of myself" she answered.
By now, Diana had begun to find herself again once the shock as warn off, but now she was seeing something completely new to her. Kal was frowning at her mother, frowning angrily at her "well you shouldn't be" he said taking another step closer to her. Artemis made a jabbing motion at Kal, not to kill him but to at least prick him as a warning. Before the blade made contact with him, he grabbed it by the blade itself and with a quick pull it was taken out of her hands. Kal didn't even look at her as he applied pressure with his hand and crushed it "forgive me Hippolyta but where I come from child is a very rare thing. I know that it's a different situation here but I was led to believe it a was still a joyous occasion, was I wrong to assume this?" He asked hypothetically.
Hippolyta's eyes narrowed even more as she took some steps towards him "Do not think of me as a simpleton Kal-El. I know the risks of being with man, DONNA DOES NOT! She doesn't know how much pain she is setting herself up for"
If Kal knew anything it's that his patients with this woman was starting to wear thin "there is always a risk with anything someone does, doesn't matter who you are or what you are doing be it taking a calming walk or having a child with someone, there will always be a risk of pain. You can try to ignore it all you want, you can stay here in your gilded cage and try to block out the rest of the world but it will never be enough" he said moving closer to her now right in each other's faces.
Hippolyta was stunned at his words "HOW DARE YOU!" She shouted at the top of her lungs "we were gifted this home by the gods because the unimaginable pain we were put through..." She started.
"but it's not unimaginable, it's very real, and easily done" Kal said interrupting her "but for some reason you seem incapable of understanding that. Why is that? Is it because you are so self-centered that you don't care about the outside world? is it because you feel that they don't deserve your help? Or is it because having men close to you is just another remainder of much of a hypocrite you are, claiming men to be the scum of this earth yet that didn't stop you from conceiving a child with one, did it?" He asked.
Everyone was stunned at his words. No-one has argued with Hippolyta in public this much, in... ever, it's never been done before. No-one knew what to do or say but to Hippolyta, Kal-El was saying everything he could to anger her. But what scared her was how he knew about Diana's father "you dare? YOU DARE QUESTION MY ACTIONS!" She shouted avoiding the question hoping that no-one noticed it "everything I have ever done, everything I have ever decided to do is because of my love for my people. What do you know of pain? You are just a soldier, you know nothing of real torment. You will never understand the pain, every Amazon share's!" She snarled through her teeth meaning every word of it and her sisters nodding in agreement.
Kal took a step back in shock at her words, he placed a hand on his chest "I don't understand?" He asked as his hand fell to his side "me? Are you that foolish of course, I understand!" He spat through his gritted teeth "let me tell you something Hippolyta" he started giving up formalities "I know more of the pain then you think, you call being beaten and raped for a weak pain. THAT IS NOT PAIN! I HAVE EXPERIENCED MORE PAIN YOU WILL EVER KNOW! I'VE DONE WORST THINGS THEN YOU CAN EVER IMAGEN! AND WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES..." Kal shouted at the top of his lungs as his eyes began flash with red before turning around and placing his hand on his mouth allowing himself to calm down slightly "I HEAR MORE SCREAMING THEN ANYONE COULD EVER BE ABLE TO COUNT!" He turned back to face her "and unlike you and the rest of your sisters I have to live with that pain for the rest of my life alone, no family by my side, no friends to be my allies and no gods to have mercy on my soul or gift me a paradise just for being the last man standing"
Hippolyta had nothing to say, she couldn't think of anything and even if she did she doubted that he would hear it "only after you have turned and ran away like a coward as your people burn behind, only then can you even attempt lecture me on pain" Kal finished as he slowly turned away and started to walk toward the exit of the courtyard, all Amazons in the area gave him a wide birth, getting out of his way like water getting out the way of a rock in a river.
"the way you speak" General Phillipus said as she stood by Hippolyta "such compassion, not just about pain but about Princess Donna and her... child. You've experienced this before, haven't you?" She asked. Diana's eyes looked at him as his head turned to face them "you were a father once, weren't you?"
"No" Kal said looking more ashamed then Diana has ever seen her "I was never a father"
But Phillipus wasn't done "but you were going to be" she continued not giving up on what she realized.
Kal raised his hand and pointed at her "don't" he warned as Phillipus felt a cold piece of ice drop down her spine. He turned around ready to leave, he was getting tired of talking to these idiotic people.
"Wait!" A voice said. Kal turned around and saw Diana stand in front of her mother, speaking for the first time since Donna had left "what do you mean my mother conceived a child with a man?" She asked. Hippolyta closed her eyes in disappointment before sinking back into the bench.
"your mother lied to you Diana" he started not caring about the death stare's that every Amazon was giving him "after I saved your life in metropolis and brought to my home for medical treatment, I couldn't help but get curious. So, I took a sample of your blood and kept it for myself, did some tests and I found something very interesting" Kal explained but stopped himself "but I won't tell you, it's not my secret to tell. It was your mother who kept it from you, she should be the one to reveal to truth" Kal turned again before stopping "and a word of advice Hippolyta, that look in Donna's eyes, that look of pain and sadness. That wasn't because of the Flash that was because of you, if you ever want to talk to her again or have a relationship with your future grandchild, I suggest you go and apologies to her" with that Kal lifted up into the sky leaving but a sonic boom in his wake.
Slowly, all eyes turned to face Hippolyta whose head was buried in in her own hands in defeat "Leave" Diana said out loud, everyone glanced at her "now" she growled, as Hippolyta didn't object they had no choice but to listen to her and do as she said. Slowly all the guards began to leave the yard and resume their own duties. Soon it was just Diana and Hippolyta "what did he mean?" Diana asked making it clear that she was not leaving until she knew what Kal was talking about.
Hippolyta's hands slowly left her face and she looked up to Diana, who in return saw the tears going down her cheeks "my daughter, I need you to trust me..." She started.
"I DON'T" Diana yelled before taking the lasso off her waist and wrapping it around her mother "I know you feel betrayed by Donna, I do to but that is not an excuse to execute Barry. Believe me, when I next see him I'm going to beat him senses but at the end of the day Donna is a grown woman who can make her own choice's, she choose to be with Barry and we need to respect that. I've been working with Barry for almost two years and I know he is a good man. And Kal was right we need to apologies for our actions. But right now, you are going to tell me what Kal was talking about when he mentioned you being with a man and allowing him to father your child?" She asked.
Hippolyta winced as she tried to resist but even she couldn't stop the power the lasso had over one's lies and falsehoods "Kal-El was telling the truth, I lied, to you, our sisters, I even tried lying to myself about it. But it seems that I cannot lie to Kal-El, I'm starting to understand why everyone fears him so much. Diana I never sculpted you from clay" she admitted but looking down to the ground in shame at what she was about to say "I was part of an affair..." She looked up to meet Diana's eye "with Zeus" as soon as the words left her mouth, she saw Diana's entire world shatter.
Her eyes were starting to water, her mouth open and her head shaking slightly trying to find something... anything to say "No, no that's not true. It can't be" she gasped in a breathy voice as her hands weakened and the lasso fell to the ground.
"Diana" Hippolyta started "I never wanted you to find out about this because of the danger it would put you in" she admitted taking a step closer towards her but what broke her was that Diana took two steps away, wearing a face of horror, fear. She was afraid of her; her own daughter was scared of her.
"no, this can't be right. I would have known, there would have been signs... something would have given it away" Diana rambled not even looking at Hippolyta anymore.
"Diana, I lied to you in order to keep you and every Amazon safe from Hera's wrath. If she found out you where Zeus's child, she would have no mercy for anyone" she tried to explain but noticed that Diana was still rambling try about how she should have known "Diana, their where signs" she said interrupting her who had now finally been able to face again "I knew I couldn't hide a pregnancy from Hera, especially in the later stages. I asked for help. Hephaestus, Athena and Hermes answered my call. Hermes and Athena helped me hide the pregnancy, and when you were born, it was perfect. And thankfully Athena told Hera and the other gods that she blessed you with your abilities instead of them being natural. But as you grew up you started to develop new abilities that she wouldn't be able to hide, abilities that are only used by one person. Lighting"
Diana frowned at her "what are you talking about? I don't have the power of lighting, especially not Zeus's lighting" she argued as the shock was starting to were off slightly, not enough for her to think clearly but enough bend down and pick up the lasso.
Hippolyta took another step forward, thankfully Diana didn't take a step backwards but she scowled at her. Hippolyta couldn't help but worry that her fear was beginning to be replaced by anger "you were six years old when you first used lighting, set fire to your bed in the process. After that I went to Hephaestus and I begged him to find a solution to this, to hide the lightning. Not just from the rest of the gods but from you as well, I knew that if you knew you had lightning you wouldn't be able to stop yourself from using it. So, I wanted it to be hidden from you as well. Hephaestus had an idea and persuaded Zeus to give him what was left of his Aegis shield andhe used it to create the Bracelets of Submission" she gestured to the pieces of armor on Diana's wrists.
Diana looked down to the silver bracelets that had a small golden outline on her wrists, a look of even more confusion with a small hint of clarity. Of understanding, like an old riddle was being solved "on your seventh birthday Hephaestus came to you and gifted those bracelets to you but what he didn't tell you was that it was enchanted" Hippolyta explained "with a spell that Hermes learned when he snuck into Hade's palace. Those bracelets grow and shrink with the size of your own wrists, and it is true that they can deflect anything they come into contact with. The enchantment suppresses your... true powers as a demi goddess and Athena added an alluring enchantment so you wouldn't ever want to take them off" Hippolyta finished.
Diana staggered in place trying to process everything she had just heard, it was as if her entire world had clasped in around her. She turned to face her mother, who was looking at her with an intense sadness. She didn't have anything to say to her, honestly right now, she didn't think she ever would. Hippolyta tried to walk towards her but Diana held a hand up to block her from coming any closer then she already was "Leave me alone" that was Diana said before she jumped up into the sky and flew away as fast as she could leaving Hippolyta to do nothing more than clasped onto the bench and start crying, only hoping that she didn't just lose both her daughters in one day.
The Sky Above the Artic
Kal still held a frown on his face as he neared his home, today was a lot harder then he thought it would pain 'the nerve of that woman' Kal couldn't help but think to himself as the cold air hit his face, not that he could tell it was cold. Despite everything he could now do, how much better he was at everything, how some people on this world call him a god. He wasn't ready to think or talk about Krypton, Home... Loana. He stopped flying and stayed in place, high in the sky, looking down at what some people describe as the desolation of nature. And in a way they were right, Kal made sure to build his fortress at the exact center on the north pole. There is no life within at least a thousand miles of this place, in any direction.
But even then Kal could see a beauty to it, it may be desolate and lifeless but it's peaceful, isolated and one of the only place's left on this planet that nobody owns. It was one of three places on earth that wasn't owned by humans. There was Themyscira, Atlantis and the artic. True the Amazons and the Atlantean's where technically human, Kal put them in a different category.
Kal's eyes widened as his ears picked up a sound getting louder and louder, it wasn't wind, to... unnatural. His head turned and looked up just in time to see the tip of a bright glowing red arrow reach him. Though Kal's speed was only surpassed by the Flash, he was still to slow the grab the arrow before it hit his shoulder. The sheer force of the impact knocked Kal out of the sky and into the deep ice sheets of the artic. Similar to a comet hitting the ground.
Kal's eyes opened to see the blue sky looking down upon, a wall of ice all around him created by the impact of his body and the ground. Bringing himself back to his feet, he looked at his right shoulder and saw a tear in his suit where the arrow hit, exposing his skin which was unharmed. Though quickly the Nano-tech the suit was made from began to repair itself and soon the tear was gone, like it never happened.
Looking up he flew out of the hole he had created and as he cleared the impact creator, his feet hit the ground and his eyes narrowed as he saw three people in front of him. All were very large, Kal's trained fighting mind started to immediately analyze them, for strengths, weaknesses, motives, hidden weapons, everything.
'two male, one female, all armed. Not human, can't be, too big, too cold of an environment for them' Kal thought to himself as he looked at the man in the middle.
He was the largest of the three. Wore thick armor, resembling an ancient roman armor but his was black and had sharp spikes extending from his helmet boots and gauntlets. He held a large double-sided battle axe in his hands, the gaps in his armor that exposed his skin revealed that it was complete black and finally Kal could see red eyes from behind his helmet 'ten feet tall, large stature indicates he uses large powerful attacks but should lack speed and mobility, no other weapons apart from axe, noticeable gaps in armor by legs and arms, choses to ignore them, over confidence, fatal weakness' he thought to himself.
Looking to the other man who stood on the right. He looked more like a roman soldier, similar armor to the one in the middle but his was bright and vibrant. His was full of different patterns that almost seemed to be moving in place, a strong gold color, a white cloak on his back and a pair of twin daggers in his hands 'Eight feet tall, well built. Few gaps in armor, under the shoulders in the arm pits, around the neck and in the hips, favor's mobility. Twin daggers indicate he is a preferred quick fighter relaying on his speed and precision to bring a target down, likely hood being he has a less then high pain threshold. One good strike should be able to bring him down'
Finally, Kal's eyes turned to the woman who stood on the left, she wasn't wearing anything to indicate a she was a worrier, wearing a thin green type of gotten and a hood over her head made it seem she was a type of hunter. She carried a bow in her hands and a quiver on her back 'Seven feet tall, shortest of the three. No body protection, prefers stealth. One bow, no other weapons. If conflict begins, likely retreat to a far distance and attack at range. No doubt the one who hit me out of the sky, arrows cause damage but nothing fatal. No other weapons, no other training? no, yes, no... maybe, presence with two other decorated fighters must indicate skills with something else other than bow, no other weapons on hand... martial artist. Skill's in hand to hand combat'
Kal had completed his analyzes of the three opponents in front of him using his speed and brain power within the manor of three seconds "who are you?" He asked trying to see if he can find out something about who he's fighting as he remembered, to truly defeat your enemy you must know them.
The one in middle took a step forward "you end" he said in a rough gravelly voice before he launched into the air bring his axe up ready to tear Kal limb from limb. Kal couldn't help but be impressed by his speed, he was only just able to side step the incoming blow and smash his fist into the man's face sending him flying back right where he jumped from, his axe by his side.
He stood back up with scowl on his face and did something Kal could not predict. With his hands empty he made a throwing motion and as he did, large black blades extended from his hands and flew through the air right at Kal. The millisecond it took for Kal to realize what was coming for him he ducked below the first one, twisted around the second while taking his blade from its holster and swinging it downwards in front of him just in time to split the arrow that was heading for his head. The arrow split down the middle and both pieces missed each side of Kal's face by an inch.
Looking at the three opponents in front of him, he scowled as it had now become clear that this would be a fight. He grabbed his blade by both hands, using it to its full potential.
The Sky Above the Artic
Diana's scowl never left her face as she flew through the cold air. This might be one of worst days of her life, she found out that her sister never trusted her enough to tell her one of the most important parts in her life, found out her mother had lied to her about who and what she really was, she also proved that she was massive hypocrite by have an affair with Zeus, after accepting a gift from his wife. And she STILL HADN'T FOUND OUT WHY HE STOPPED KISSING HER!
No more waiting Diana decided as she neared Kal's home, assuming that was where he went. After the day she's had, she just didn't care about whatever game Kal was playing. She wanted to know why and she wanted to know right now. She didn't even want to think about anything else but of course something got in the way. The sound of blasts, grunts and blades clashing drew her attention 'who could be fighting all the way out here?' Diana frowned wondering who it could be.
Letting her curiosity get the better of her, she flew slightly to the left towards the noises. Getting closer to the noise her eyes widened at the sight. It was Kal and he was fighting three of the gods. Unsheathing her sword, she headed for the battle. She could see Artemis firing her arrows from a distance, kal was able dodge them but only barely as he seemed to be busy dealing with both Ares and Appollo. She didn't know if this was a good idea or not but she knew that she wanted to help Kal, knowing that he wouldn't start that fight. Besides she was ordered to get close to Kal, fighting by his side would help her chances in doing that.
Locking onto Artemis, she dived forward out of the and flipped at the last moment. Artemis's head turned just in time to side step as Diana's foot smashed into the ice creating large cracks that would have done some damage to Artemis, if it hit. As soon as she steadied herself Artemis began fire arrows aimed right for Diana's chest. Diana herself refused to let the shock of what she was doing get to her, after everything she's learnt today, what else could surprise her. Now she was fighting... her cousin. She deflected one of the arrows but the sheer force of the impact knocked her back a few feet.
Stepping forward she used her speed and agility to dodge and side step the incoming arrows.
Dealing with Ares was easy enough, he was just a brute. True he had some skill and his ability to create weapons at will was proving to be a problem but the real difficultly was in the other fighter, his speed was impressive and proving to be a problem as Kal only had the one blade to match his two, most of the time Kal had to rely on, one of his hands to punch and smack away one his opponents while dealing with the other with his blade.
Noticing the arrows had stopped firing he took a sideways glance at the last location he saw the archer and his eyes couldn't help but widen at the sight of Diana who seemed to be engaging the archer and holding her own against her. Unfortunately, that small glance was all Ares needed. With a flick of his right wrist, the small green blade that was given to him by Apex. With all of his godly speed he thrusted the blade forward, it landing right in the left side of his back. Insuring it goes in as deep as possible, Ares pushed himself forwards as well, his free hand landing on Kal's chest pushing him backwards into the blade "AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Kal couldn't help but scream in pain as he felt his skin and organs being penetrated. Pushing the pain aside like he has done so many times before, he looked to the left to see Ares still holding onto him.
Kal smashed his own head against Ares's helmet as hard as he could causing him to stumble backwards taking the blade out of Kal's back, before he could recover Kal unleashed a powerful blast of heat vision aimed right at Ares's face causing even further damage, knocking him on his back several feet away. Using nothing but his hearing and his tactical mind Kal could tell what was happening next, so he prepared for it. Quickly getting down to his hands, he twisted his now outstretched foot. He connected with Apollo's ankle causing him to fly off the ground in a flipping motion, as his feet where in the air and his head pointing towards the ground. Kal brought his body up still preform the twist motion, with his blade extent. It connected with Apollo's neck, completely severing it from his body.
Kal stayed frozen for a moment as Apollo's now lifeless body. Turing his head he could see that Diana and the archer had stopped fight, starring wide eyed at the dead body at Kal's feet. In a slow motion Kal placed the blade back in its holster on his back. He turned his head and his eyes looked on Ares who was still on his back. Before Kal could do anything, he picked himself up and started to run in the opposite direction, disappearing in a flash of light. Turning around, he could see Diana starring at the archer who left in the same fashion.
Confident that the threat was now neutralized, Kal let his guard down and couldn't help but let the pain come back. Grunting he clasped onto one knee using his right-hand reach around his front and placing it over the hole in his body to try and stop the blood from escaping his body. Though a second later he felt a pair of hands wrap around his side and help pick him up "what are you doing here?" He asked as he and Diana starred at Apollo's body that began to fade away in a skeptical of white energy.
"I need to know something" Diana answered "but I think that can wait for now, come on" she said letting him put some of her wait on her shoulders though it did look like he wasn't having much trouble. But blood loss would affect anyone "I trust it's not that far away to your home?" She asked.
"it's about a mile north of here" he answered as the two began to walk in that direction.
"do you have any idea what you've just done?" Diana asked as she realized that one of the gods had just been killed. That could not happen, no-one apart from the gods themselves new what the consequences of that were.
"I defend myself from attackers" Kal answered in a cold voice.
Diana sighed "I hope the others see it that way" she said softly as they continued to walk north, supporting Kal while his used his hand to try and stop the bleeding.
Kal was frowning internally at what was happening, he couldn't help but wonder why he wasn't healing 'it must have something to do with that green blade' he summarized, he needed to know more about that material... and why it looked familiar.
Miles away where Ares had teleported to, not having enough power to go anywhere further, he used it all fighting against Kal-El. While Artemis was ranting about how Apollo had fallen, Ares smiled brightly at the green blade in his hand. He might not have killed Kal-El like Apex ordered but he something better something that would have make every think much easier. And it was dripping down the blade.
Pure, fresh, untainted, Kryptonian blood.
Ok guys, all done. I know this took a while but this chapter was a real bitch to do, I mean I hit a writer's block three times but thankfully I have the rest of the story planned out in a way that would work well.
Away if you guys have any thought please let me know in the reviews or give me a private message, whatever suits you better.
Until I'll see you in the next chapter ;)