"YOU ARE NOT ALONE"

Those four words echoed in Professor Erik Selvig's mind. The astrophysicist sat uncomfortably outside the office of Agent Phil Coulson of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division in Washington DC. The fifty-two-year-old professor was gripping his bag tightly as he was practically rocking in the small chair, he was sitting in nearly an hour ago. His leg was shaking as he craved a drink. He wasn't an alcoholic but what he had heard during a routine study of Satellite feedback, horrified him.

"YOU ARE NOT ALONE"

He wasn't sure if it was a threat, a warning, or something else. He wasn't sure who or where it came from. Alien life wasn't an uncharted or unfamiliar concept to the world. As Superman was very much real and was open about being from a distant world long gone called Krypton.

Although he had never met the last son of Krypton personally, Erik was fascinated by him. By all accounts, he seemed like an average person. Living, breathing, talking as if he was a human. Yet, fellow researchers learned, thanks to an ever-cooperative Superman, that his molecular structure was nearly identical to that of a human's yet the yellow sun's natural radiation, granted the superhero extraordinary gifts of flight, speed, strength, heat vision, and many more gifts only seen by a select few.

Selvig began to wonder as he waited for agent Coulson, something he should've asked himself the moment he detected the message, who was it meant for? Superman? Earth in of itself? Or a message lost in time?

He looked at the facts. Like any scientist would. The voice spoke English. Which was unusual. Was it a lost Astronaut's long forgotten message? No, surely NASA would've picked it up. Erik considered going to NASA in regards to what he called "The message" but he knew that SHIELD had some kind of contact with Superman, which is who he should be speaking to.

He ran a hand through his thinning gray hair, trying to soothe himself. Trying to convince himself in some way that this wasn't some invasion warning. When Superman announced what he was, many critics spoke out against him. Citing him as some sort of scout or harbinger for an impending invasion. Selvik had his own opinions about the Man of Steel, but he had to be objective here.

With a frustrated sigh, he checked his watch. Whatever this "Coulson" was doing, he had been keeping there for over an hour. When they spoke, he expressed how grave and serious of a situation this was. Why was he kept waiting?

His question would finally be answered as the door opened. Phil Coulson was a man in his mid-40's. Typical 'agent' look. Sharp suit, receding hairline, shiny shoes. A far cry from Selvig who looked as if he had not slept in days.

"Please, come in, Dr. Selvig." Said Phil Coulson who motioned him to come in. Erik did so and took stock of the large Field office he was in. Noticing a peculiar image of Captain America and Wonder Woman, two heroes from World War 2, standing side by side, it was a recruitment poster. Other trinkets akin to this were spread across the room. Even a collectible action figure of Captain America graced his bookshelf behind him.

As well as another recruitment poster, this time showing the famous Justice Society Of America or better known as the JSA. A man in military fatigues now stood by a saluting Cap and flanking Wonder Woman was a man in a simple red shirt, with a yellow thunderbolt across the torso, a silver winged helmet akin to the God Hermès.

Selvig recognized the helmeted man as the original Flash. A hero who's now practically ingrained in the zeitgeist of the modern world thanks to his fame after the war.

"Back when we knew who the good guys were." Said Phil with a smile as he sat down. He adjusted his suit as he motioned for Erik to sit in one of the two chairs opposite of his desk. Erik sat down as if his life depended on it. He began speaking with rapid fire. "Yesterday my team and I were doing rudimentary testing on a satellite when we picked up the signal." He said as he opened his bag and began shuffling through it.

"Signal?" Asked Coulson as he paid attention to the man across from him. He was clearly shaken.

"Y-yes. You see, we study radio frequencies from satellites to pick up any sort of frequency if possible. Usually, it's just a morning exercise that we practice with the ISS, but…a few days ago…we picked up something that I don't think was meant for us. I cleaned it up as best as I could…" he quietly drifted as he pulled up a recording on his phone.

He sat the phone down and a warble was being heard. Confusing Coulson who almost dismissed him until he heard what haunted Erik.

"YOU ARE NOT ALONE."

The phrase shook the agent. But he dared not show it. He played it again but this time confiscating the device.

"What are you doing!?" Asked Selvig

"I'm taking this to my superiors. I assume that this was on a frequency we weren't meant to pick up on. Which means it's-"

"For Superman!?" Erik shouted now standing up, nervous and interrupting the calm and cool Coulson.

"I never said that." Stated Coulson. "If it's intended for Superman, my superiors will make sure he gets it as soon as possible. Now, Professor. Selvig if you'd be so kind I-"

Yet again he was interrupted by Erik as Coulson was walking him to the door.

"Are we under attack!? Are there more like him!?" He asked in a rapid-fire response, practically tripping over his words.

Coulson calmly opened the door and handed Erik his card. "We will be in touch, Professor. Enjoy the rest of your day." He handed Erik his bag and smiled as Erik simply nodded with hesitation and left. After a few minutes, Coulson let out an exasperated sigh and pulled out his own phone.

After a ring, there was an answer. "We have a problem." He said to the mysterious receiver who hung up after a moment. He cleared his throat and proceeded to grab his coat and leave his office.

Erik Selvig walked down a path in Lincoln Park. Confused, scared, and unsure of what was happening. Yes, there were superheroes like Superman and Spider-Man, people who deeply fascinated him…but could they stop whatever sent the message? Who sent it, why did they send it?

His thoughts drowned out the sounds of leaves crunching under his shoes as a cool fall breeze came over. It shook him more than it usually did. Deciding he had enough, he sat down on a park bench. He pulled out his flask and took a swig of the cheap Vodka he had poured in it. It burned and was disgusting, but calmed his nerves. As did the light humming next to him.

He turned and saw what he could only describe as the most beautiful woman that he had ever seen. Sat in a white coat, her rosy complexion complimented by her black hair, he was in awe as she pet a bird that landed on the space between them. She smiled at it as it flew away.

Erik couldn't figure out where but he recognized her somehow…

"Uhh, excuse me?" He asked as the woman was staring off into the bright blue sky, as if she were deep in thought. She turned to him as he spoke, smiling.

"Yes?" She said in a friendly yet direct manner. As if she was intent on listening to whatever he was about to say next.

"I-I'm sorry this might sound absurd, but have we met before? You look really familiar."

The woman let out a light chuckle as she turned back, letting out a small sigh and smiling.

"I get asked that a lot, no I'm sorry we've never met." She answered politely. She turns again and asks "Why so nervous?"

"Wh-what?" Selvig stammered.

"You seem upset, disturbed even. If something is upsetting you, please say it, it's better to tell someone than to bury it deep within." Said the woman with wisdom and grace.

What was it that was so familiar to Erik about her? She was right, they had never met before but her face was something he recognized. As if he'd seen it countless times before but was unsure as to where…until she just spoke.

"No…no you…you can't be." He said quietly as he took another drink. He was just shocked. As if he could get anymore shocked.

"Sir?" She asked with concern. "Did I upset you?"

He turned to her again and looked into her eyes.

"How? How are you here…where have you been !?" He said with incredulity. "You're…you're her, aren't you? Wonder Woman!" He said almost laughing.

She sensed no threat from the man as she let out a light chuckle. "That was a name I had once, yes. These days it's Diana, Diana Prince." She said, offering her hand, he reluctantly shook it.

"So…are you…are you really her?" He asked somewhat calmly.

"Yes." She said, listening to the very stressed-out researcher. He sat back in sheer disbelief.

"I'm sitting next to a God…" he said to himself.

Diana smiled and rose up, facing him.

"Demi-God to be more precise. I wish I could talk more…I'm sorry I don't think I caught your name?"

He looked up at her. "Erik. Professor Erik Selvig."

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Professor. Do not fret, if the world needs me…I will return. But in the meantime, I must go…I have some friends to visit." She said, a hint of sadness was detected.

"Friends, eh? Well…I suppose I've wasted enough of your time." He finished by putting his flask away and standing up. Shaking her hand. Still in awe of whom he had just met.

"You did not waste my time, trust me." Said Diana, but before going their separate ways he grabbed her arm.

"Wait, please." he asked with seriousness. She turned, looking at him with concern.

"Look, I don't know what happened, why you left, but...there's something you need to know." He confessed. He let out a deep sigh and said. " I think...something is coming. From far away. My research team and I discovered a message from deep space…" he trailed off, Diana was deeply concerned.

"What did it say?" She asked.

He gulped and spoke. "It said 'You are not alone.' I think it was intended for Superman."

There was a moment of eerie silence between them as birds chirped and the wind blew.

Finally, Diana broke the silence.

"Thank you, for telling me this Erik...I...I must go."

"Wait!?" He said as she turned away, only for her to look over her shoulder once more at him.

"Aren't...aren't you going to do something?" he pleaded.

She sighed, whatever pain was holding her back, it was deep and within the soul of her very being. Something only, she could truly understand.

"I fought a war, Erik. A war to end all wars. Every minute of every day, I saw horrors I could not imagine possible by anyone. There is no longer a need for me, now Things have...changed. Now the world has it's new protectors." She gave a faint smile.

"Oh, yeah. I forgot. An asshole in a multi-billion-dollar suit of armor, a lunatic dressed as a bat and some vigilantes. We need a real hero! Not just Superman!" He pleaded once more.

"Goodbye, Erik." Said Diana as she walked away. Leaving him to sit back on his bench, drinking.

As Diana Prince walked away, she let out a deep sigh. Erik had figured out who she truly was. For years, she disguised herself as a lowly art curator. Nobody really put two and two together because they never paid much attention to the past. And with the new potential threat looming… perhaps it was time to move on from the comfortable life she had created. To fight like she did once, long ago.

She saw it as an honor to have helped in the War. The war to end all wars as it would be called. As a duty to aid mankind after Steve Trevor, a pilot, crash landed his airplane on her island of Themyscira.

After treating him for his injuries, Diana was convinced to aid in Mankind's war. Despite her sisters and her own mother's disapproval, Diana took the armor of the gods, and left.

It would be the longest 4 years of her life.

The concentration camps fueled her anger, the Nazis feared her, yet the constant battle with weapons unfamiliar to her, tired her out. Had it not been for dear friends and comrades on the front lines, she'd likely not have won.

The Nazis had a branch known only as HYDRA. A vicious group that quickly became a bigger threat to Allied forces and subsequently the world. This led to the formation of a group known as "The Justice Society." Or JSA for short.

Lead by Diana and a fellow warrior known as Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America He was a recruit imbued with extraordinary gifts thanks to a program called the Super Soldier program. Once a scrawny kid from Brooklyn, Steve was soon changed forever.

Eventually, they were joined by Jay Garrick also known as The Flash. A good-hearted man of speed hailing from what he called 'The steel city' or what it was actually called, Pittsburgh. A man of honor, Jay was the heart of the group. When the war ended, he became a household name. Arguably the most famous hero of the age.

Then, there was a man known only as 'Logan'. Given the nickname of The Wolverine, he was a one-man terror for the enemy, known for being seemingly indestructible, as well as three six-inch-long razor-sharp claws that came from his knuckles. They hurt, but anyone that was on the other side felt far worse pain.

The group, as with most things, eventually faded away. People moved on from the war, especially as other horrors took precedent. With their leader, Captain America, having gone MIA after a HYDRA base raid, the morale of the JSA was crushed.

As everyone went their separate ways and moved on, the world did too.

Diana thought often about that time. About Steve Trevor and his sacrifice during the war, a selfless man who was willing to die for the greater good. Someone who showed her how good mankind can be, even in the face of Hell itself.

As Diana went to a memorial statue of the JSA, she thought about how much fun she had with these people. Her dearest friends, allies, comrades.

"I gotta admit, those were the days." said a voice next to Diana which only made her smile as she turned.

"Jay Garrick." She said as she hugged the older man in a red sweater, who returned the hug as he leaned on his walking cane.

"You still haven't aged a day." He said with a smile. "Guess those Gods are kind to ya." He joked.

"How are you?" she asked.

Jay took a deep breath and shrugged.

"Speedforce keeps up my metabolism, but I am afraid to say that not all of us can be blessed like you." He said with a smile. He wasn't jealous, he had a fulfilling life. If anything, it was in jest to his oldest friend.

"Are you sick?" Diana asks as she puts her hand on his arm. He grabs it and gently brushes it aside.

"No, Diana. I'm not sick. I'm mortal." He said as he gave a grandfatherly smile to her despite technically being younger than her.

Diana turned her attention to the statue, as did Jay who now leaned on his cane with both hands. Both shared a silence, an understanding

"I met a man today." she said, breaking the moment of silence. Jay turned with a smile and she chuckled. "I'm married, Jay. This man was...afraid. He was a professor. Knew who I was, and…" She trailed off, growing eerily quiet.

"And?" Jay cocked his head.

"He believed an enemy was coming from far away…"

"There's plenty of folk who are more than capable. Like your husband." Jay assured her.

"One man cannot fight a war alone." She declared.

"You sound like Cap'."

"Because he was right." Diana replied with steel in her voice.

Birds chirped as the silence grew, they were alone. Jay let out a huff. "I got one last run in me, Di. I reckon. And he isn't alone. There's those fellas in New York." He assured her.

"We need to find him." Said Diana.

"We've tried. I'm sorry, but we can't find him or Logan." Jay sighed.

"I found Logan." She replied.

"What!?" Jay exasperates.

"I followed his trail to a school in Westchester, the headmaster was very polite and protective of Logan, rightfully so. Said he regained his memories awhile back and left. They think he went to Oregon."

"Di...we...the war is over. Let SHIELD handle it." He pleaded.

Diana turned on her heel and started walking with a determination Jay had not seen in a long time. She was now on a mission...a mission of her own.