CHAPTER 5: FATE

Amelie

"No, we are not going in there…" I looked at the monstrosity that was a two-floor building, decorated in all pink, with mannequins fitted into tight corset dresses, all lined up against the window. The blinking neon sign was a literal lighthouse as it lured unexpecting shoppers into its doors, including poor Calypso.

30 minutes earlier…

We had just arrived in bustling Times Square after getting a lift from the giant Argus in his baby blue van. It was a girls' day out. And in a vain attempt to avoid conversation, I dragged Calypso towards the nearest designer clothes store. She immediately gushed over the many designs and fabric materials, leaving me to glare at anyone who looked in our general direction.

However, stalling got me nowhere as I was finally confronted while we were eating lunch in a tiny cafe. After our waiter took our order, Calypso folded her hands neatly under her chin and stared at me. I raised an eyebrow, silently asking 'what'.

She sighed and removed her hands from the table. She crossed her arms. "You know what I'm going to ask."

"Short version or long version?"
"Whatever you're comfortable with."

"Okay. It all started one day. I was training when…

I was hacking away at a straw dummy with my sister, Savannah, when huge thunderclouds formed overhead. A bunch of Amazons looked up at the sky curiously as lightning flashed around. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning came down towards us, racing through the air and hitting the ground in front of me. I covered myself with my arm as I watched Savannah disappear, light overtaking her blonde hair and grey eyes. I reached for her with my other hand, only to be met with air.

"So, Savannah disappeared, and I went with Queen Hippolyta to Olympus."
("The original one?" "No, the one here.")

"We went to go find out what the hell was going on…

I pushed open the doors to Olympus as my Queen followed behind in her flowing robes, her belt glinting in the light. In front of us was all of the Olympians, sitting on their thrones in an ever-failing attempt to look menacing.

Hippolyta glared at Zeus and brandished a sword, "Where is my warrior? What is going on here, Zeus? We had an agreement that you would leave us alone as long as we did quests in the eastern hemisphere. You have our newest branch of Amazons for jobs in the western hemisphere."

Zeus narrowed his eyes, "We took the young demigod in order to seek an audience with you, Queen of the Amazons."

"What for?"

"We recently had a war. With our grandmother." I perked my eyebrow.
"I'm sure you've felt the impacts with the Doors of Death opening."

Hippolyta merely nodded. Athena took over, "As such, we wish to permanently ensure she will never wake again. At least for the next few decades or so."

"What are you planning, Lady Athena?" I gruffed, still annoyed from the last time the two of us crossed paths.

Athena ignored the implication and merely stated, "It is rare, but we wish for Gaea to receive a human host, a host with a strong enough mind to keep Gaea powerless and asleep."

I clenched my fists, "And is Savannah this host?"
Ares huffed, "The girl is more than skilled enough to be a prison for the goddess. She was personally trained by me, as you know." He winked.

I scoffed, "So are the rest of the girls on our island."
"It just so happens that her loyalty to us is unwavering." said Poseidon as he spun his Trident around on his finger, probably waiting for the meeting to finally be over.

"If I recall, she changed her birth name in retaliation."

Athena growled, "At your behest."

I stepped forward and looked at the woman I called a mother in the eye, "No. We did so willingly after being abandoned by our so-called mother, who might I add is again not acting as such."

(Calypso sighed, "Athena has never been one to give parenting tips.")

Hippolyta placed a hand on my shoulder, silently ordering me to stand down and gather behind her. As I did so, my Queen smiled, "I'm sure we can reach an agreement that doesn't involve my Amazonians."

"No can do, beautiful." Apollo winked, "You Amazons are skilled enough not to get killed once you step foot outside Themyscira even with Gaea practically being a homing beacon for all monsters around the world."
"Wouldn't it be better for the host to die? Wouldn't that mean Gaea would be killed as well?" I asked.

Athena once again shook her head, "Use your brain, child. We need Gaea weakened enough for her to sleep forever. That takes time on the host's end to break her spirit. If the host was to die immediately, there is no telling if Gaea would be weak enough to die as well. The odds are that the goddess would be strong enough to escape the host at the point and rise again. The host's goal is to siphon energy away from Gaea as she struggles for control over the body."

The other Gods hummed in agreement.

I closed my eyes and sighed. "Okay, assuming Savannah was to do as you planned. Would she remain an Amazon?"

Dionysus laughed as he sloshed around red wine in a cup. "As if! The magic on the island would make her never age. She would have to take a permanent resonance in the modern world, where it is guaranteed that she will die. That is the endgame after all. The host to die and Gaea to sink back into the earth, all sleepy and what not." The god laughed and downed some more alcohol.

Zeus's eyes twinkled, "Of course, we brought you here to discuss this and ensure that there are no complaints."

I growled, "Of course, there are com-" Hippolyta raised a hand and stepped forward, eyes hardened. "If that is what you wish."

"My Queen, you can't let them do this to Savannah." I cried, incredulously.

"We have no choice, Athenais." I shut up at the mention of my god-forsaken birth name.

"Very well, your majesty." I sighed and stood in front of the gods, glaring at them, "But for our sake, may you let me suggest another plan of action?"

"So you took her place." Calypso said.
"That I did." I answered, finishing up my sandwich. Calypso leaned back in her chair, gobsmacked, "I can't believe they would agree to that."

"I know. It took much convincing, but part of me thinks that I was the original host they had in mind. Like, as I left, Zeus was high-fiving Dionysus and Poseidon."
"Kind of makes sense. You are after all a head tactician for Themyscira, plus one of the first demigods."
"I hate the Gods though. Big turn off. They require strict and utmost loyalty." I pointed out, sipping from my drink.

Calypso stared at me, as if reading my soul. "No, you don't. You're just mad at Athena."
I turned red, "I have every right to be! She betrayed me."
Calypso raised an eyebrow, as if to say 'debatable'. "So, Savannah and Cassie don't know?"

"You kidding me? Of course not! Savannah just knew she was struck by lightning and then was in the infirmary some time later. That's all Cassie knows too."

"That and that you were gone for some reason, left the Amazons behind."
I sighed. "That too. I couldn't bring myself to tell them. They would just come with me. I couldn't bear it if they died."
"Don't you think that you should tell them? For all we know, they could be killing themselves in order to find you."

I sighed. "I hope not. Queen Hippolyta promised me she would close down the island for the next decade. Hopefully, they'll move on by then. And yes, this is the best outcome I could think of. Savannah didn't deserve to be the host of that wretched goddess. She deserves better. I don't. We both know that I've done questionable things in the past. Maybe this is punishment."

"Or, maybe it's another chance."

"Regardless, all I know is that Fate wove this to happen. Nothing we can do to change it."

We quickly finished our lunch and made our way back on the streets for more 'browsing' as Calypso puts it.

And that is how I found myself being dragged into that pink monstrosity of a building to try on a corset dress. Fortunately, I hid myself behind a couple racks that Calypso got lost in the dresses. I would probably have to get her boyfriend to bring her over again next time. In the meantime, I slipped out of the building, avoiding the odd glance from employees and shoppers, before emerging victorious, finally escaping that dreadful store.

I waited outside the building, watching people go by. There were a couple of women with strollers, some business men taking calls, some teens flirting and basking in their youth. And then someone weird came. Or in reality, drove into the street with a huge car, spray painted black, with military-grade armor plating all around the vehicle. The door swung open, and a man dressed in all black, and with ears (?) came out, his cape swinging through the air.

Everyone who noticed the man either ran away quickly or whipped out their phones to record. Someone cried, "It's Batman! I can't believe I'm seeing him with my own two eyes!" Batman? What a weird name. This man looks more like a cat with those ears.

So-called Batman growled at the man and his hand drifted to his ears. He said, "Dr. Fate. I'm in the area you told me about. Come here quickly. Leave the monsters to Wonder Woman and Black Canary."

The man glanced around the street, looking for anything out of the ordinary. His eyes fell on me and his scowl deepened. I backed up against the window of the building, and my hand creeped towards the bracelet that hung on my left hand.

Batman glanced up and a man in a shiny golden helmet with a golden cape floating behind floated down, his whole body surrounded in a golden aura. A magician. Or is it a wizard? The discrepancy between the two is blurry.

Anyway, Batman noted, "Dr. Fate. What are we looking at?"
The helmeted man glanced around, his eyes glowing and then landing on me. "We are looking at the source of our magical anomaly."

Batman glared at me, "Any suggestions?"
"We need to bring her in for questioning. I can't do it here in the open."

Batman reached inside his cape and pulled out something that looked like a bat, with a slight tnng blades came out. Oh wait, damn it.

I jumped out of the way as blades rained on the window. I reached for a jackalope charm on my bracelet, which transformed into a bow and arrow. I whispered, "Only got 5 arrows. Gotta make it count."

I aimed the bow towards the magician and let go. Dr. Fate caught the arrows with his magic and fired them back. I ducked behind a trashcan and waited for the barrage to end. I put my bow back and pulled out my lion charm. In my hands, an Imperial gold dagger twirled in my hands. I ran towards Batman and skidded across the ground as Batman round-house kicked. I pushed my knife into his leg and watched him feign surprise as he looked for a wound. Imperial gold might not work on mortals, but it was a good distraction for a bit as mortals battled between what they saw happened and what they actually felt.

I dodged magical blasts from Dr. Fate. I shouted, "Who are you? What do you want with me?"
Dr. Fate tilted his head and in an ominous voice said, "We have met before. Babylon."

Immediately memories flooded my head as I remembered the man. I growled, "Nabu. How are you alive?"

The man ignored me and continued his barrage. Batman got over his current stupor and was coming in menacingly with another weapon.

Let me take control. Are you kidding me? I can't do that! We're going to die if you don't let me.

Dr. Fate's attacks nearly hit me as I dodged a punch from Batman. I closed my eyes. This was the only option. Who am I kidding? Fine. Do it.

Soon, I felt something overcome me as I was pushed out of control. I watched my body touch the ground before spires of asphalt and cement pierced through the air. The ground rumbled and Batman grabbed a hold of a lightpost. Huge boulders of asphalt came colliding towards where Dr. Fate and Batman were. Batman dodged and repelled towards a rooftop. Dr. Fate teleported out of the way and blasted rocks. The man seemed startled. "What? This power-"

A scream. One of the rocks that Dr. Fate dodged hit a building. Parts of the building started falling towards a mother as she guarded her child.

No. Stop. But- I forced my consciousness back in control and pushed my hands towards the ground to create a cover of jagged cement over the woman and child. The woman overcame her stupor and dragged her child away from the carnage.

Vlakas. We're going to get killed now. I was vaguely aware of Batman and Dr. Fate approaching me. Their body language was a bit different, less threatening, perhaps a little confused (?). However, I ignored the observation. I darted between the two and decided Batman was the least of a threat. Oh boy, I was wrong as I started to punch him only to be met with a block. We exchanged a few blows as I tried to watch Dr. Fate. He seemed to be busy talking to someone as his hand reached for his ear.

My distraction gave Batman the upper-hand as he punched my gut, causing me to stumble backwards. I wiped my jaw and ran towards him. I pretended to punch him above, only to kick him behind the shins. The man stumbled and tackled me in the stomach. I skidded across the asphalt, feeling blood drip down my legs. Soon, someone else came in on a motorcycle. She wore a black denim jacket with a choker secured around her neck. By the fact that Batman didn't start attacking her, I knew she was an enemy. And, I knew I couldn't win. No way, it was a three v one. With a wizard at that, an old enemy who took five Amazons to defeat.

Batman readied into a fighting stance, Dr. Fate's hands glowed, and the newcomer was doing something. I was bloodied and still breathing. I took out my knives and prepared for a long fight. However, I heard someone yell, "Stand down. She's not an enemy."

Batman withdrew his body into his cape and watched as a woman in red bustier held up with two golden W's float down onto the street. Dr. Fate asked, "You finished off the monsters?"
The woman nodded. "What's with the interruption, Wonder Woman?" said Batman.

With the woman no longer flying, I could finally take her in fully. The Princess of Themyscira in the flesh. I immediately fell on one knee and crossed an arm on my chest. "Princess." I said.

Wonder Woman smiled, "It's been a couple decades, hasn't it?"

Flashback

Amelie arrived back on Themyscira after just finishing another quest with newly inducted Amazon Cassandra 'Cassie', daughter of Zeus. Amelie was looking forward to seeing her sister Savannah again and watching her and Cassie fan-girl like no tomorrow over the quest she just finished. Cassie and Amelie hiked up the rocky beach towards the camp, bustling with the night-time activities of war-time competitions and food.

Cassie fidgeted slightly behind Amelie as she glanced around. Amelie sighed and pinched her nose, "I'll report to the Queen. Go have fun."

Cassie cheered and hugged Amelie tightly, repeating thank yous, before rushing into the sea of Amazons. Amelie trekked past a wrestling match towards the tent of their queen. Inside, Amelie was greeted with the sight of Hippolyta smiling… and holding a child in her arms, little tufts of black hair and a body covered in a wool blanket.

Amelie frowned, "Your Majesty, what is this?"

A light laughter escaped Hippolyta, "By this I hope you don't mean the child."

Seeing Amelie's constant stare, she sighed and put the child down. "How was the quest?"
"Other than it being the 1850s and those Americans still looking down upon us women, there was nothing that bad. Finished it a bit later than I thought, though Cassie is still getting the hang of the ropes. And, let's go back to the issue at hand. Don't change the subject again."
"While you were gone in the past month, I watched all of you Amazons, my children grow up and raise each other. Most of you came in as teenagers or adults, all lost, finding your purpose here. And watching you all has been a privilege, but I've felt something missing-"
"You wanted a child?"

"My very own, yes, and Zeus reacted in the same way but he accepted my request, knowing how much I've served him in the past millennia."
Amelie walked over to the child and picked her up. "I'm guessing I'm going to be the one to change her diapers and bring her out to the real world so she could actually age? Cause, there is no way you want her to stay a baby forever, now."

Hippolyta merely smiled, "Oh, and get the cotton diapers. I've realized all these years that wool won't cut it."

Amelie sighed, "She's your heir I suspect?"

"If the dire situation arises."
"Then I'll teach her all I know."
"As expected from my oldest advisor."
Amelie grimaced as the child woke up and fisted around her hair, pulling and tugging. "Was this child gifted with strength or something? I swear, she reminds me a lot like Hercules."
"They did have the same father."
Amelie rocked the child back to sleep and tucked her under her blanket. "Last question, your majesty, what is her name?"
"Diana." Hippolyta smiled with a twinkle in her eyes.
The baby cooed in her sleep. Amelie looked at her, "Pleasure to meet you, Lady Diana."

... And that's a wrap! I hoped this confrontation was up to your expectations. More to come on what happens next in the upcoming chapter.

Feel free to review! Constructive criticism is welcomed!

Eat. Sleep. Read. Repeat! Stay healthy my readers!
-hope4all