The imagery is fuzzy. The background sounds seem muffled. "Where am I?" she manages to ask herself. Slowly, a disoriented Supergirl regains consciousness and with it a firmer command of her senses. Instinctively, she twitches and shakes her head vigorously. A large dragonfly is shaken from its perch atop the bridge of her nose and it flies off.
Kara manages to prop herself up into a sitting position. She finds her lower legs immersed in very shallow water. "Cough! Cough!" she gasps while expelling residual water from her throat and esophagus. Eyeing assorted reeds, insects and muck, the heroine realizes that she is in the middle of a swamp. Such a setting is all too familiar. She suddenly snaps to attention. "Grundy!" Kara exclaims as she scrambles to her feet.
Supergirl moves slowly and stealthily through the foggy marshland. She struggles to shake a feeling of listlessness. "I don't know what's wrong with me," the Kryptonian thinks to herself, "but I can't let my guard down against that monster. After all, I'm back in his element." She detects a rustling noise coming from behind her. Supergirl whirls around and is shocked to discover that the sound emanates from a source obscured by dense foliage a mere five feet away from her. "Great Krypton!" she thinks to herself. "How could he have gotten this close to me without my having heard him?"
The brush stirs noticeably. The heroine takes a step backward as she trains her x-ray vision upon it. Only now does she understand the terrible truth. A lump forms in her throat and a chill dances up and down her spine. "My super powers are gone!" the young woman cries incredulously.
Without her meta-human might, she has no chance against Solomon Grundy. None. To flee would be futile, for he could easily outrun her. Supergirl knows her only hope is to bluff her monstrous enemy. Nearly frozen with fear, she summons all of her courage and stands her ground. With that, a figure emerges from the dense fold; one which is decidedly not a hulking super monster.
"Kara! Praise Aphrodite!" Wonder Woman rejoices upon the sight of the girl of steel. Earth's two most formidable super heroines embrace. "I was afraid you were something else, Diana." Supergirl sighs with relief. "Phranyx?" the Amazon queries. "Worse ... uh maybe!" the Kryptonian responds.
The two women compare notes. Wonder Woman confirms that she too has been relieved of her super powers. Supergirl fears that Phranyx has negated their might and served them up for Solomon Grundy. Diana disagrees. The Amazon notes that she has seen unusual insect life which she believes are not indigenous to Earth. She theorizes that Phranyx has deposited them on an alien world far away from home.
Princess Diana turns her attention to Supergirl's health. "Kara, outside of the power loss, how do you feel? We were all terribly worried that you had suffered a lethal cardiac arrest." Kara ponders Wonder Woman's concerns. She recalls the devastating Kryptonite assault Phranyx inflicted upon her, but remembers nothing thereafter. The heroine initially doubts the Amazon's conclusion about a coronary, but the proof is undeniable. Lifting her costume top reveals a large scar across Supergirl's chest cavity, a clear indication of emergency open-heart surgery.
"I think I feel OK, Diana" Supergirl argues. "It's hard to say though, because for me, normal means juggling cars and laughing off guided missile fire!" Wonder Woman nods in acknowledgment. "Whomever performed your surgery appears to have done a remarkable job. It seems Phranyx wants his three heroines to all be able, if not meta-human."
"Speaking of three heroines," Kara responds, "any idea who the third is?" Before the Amazon can reply, a feminine voice unexpectedly chimes in. "I'm afraid I draw that dubious honor!" Supergirl and Wonder Woman direct their attention to a nearby embankment, in front of which stands Batgirl. The masked heroine is wringing wet, for unlike the others she found herself drifting down the river as she regained consciousness. Babs walks slowly towards her allies, momentarily preoccupied with the residual water draining from her cape and back. As such, she doesn't notice frantic Diana rushing to her side.
"Easy now sister." the Amazon implores. Supergirl assists the princess as they attempt to gently steer Batgirl to surer ground. The bewildered crime fighter resists their efforts until she suddenly comprehends their fuss. The top portion of her costume is spattered with fresh blood stains, predominantly along her neckline and upper chest. Particularly disconcerting is the sight of her yellow bat symbol overrun by a sea of red.
Batgirl confidently reassures her concerned friends that she is fine. She explains that the blood splotches are just a gruesome remnant of her ill-fated defeat against Phranyx. The crime fighter notes that she too is a beneficiary of first rate medical treatment from their sinister abductor. "He sure is hard to figure out." she rules. "The bastard gleefully breaks my nose and whacks the majority of teeth right out of my mouth! Afterwards, my nose is fine and each and every tooth has been expertly re-implanted!"
"Have you two had a chance to explore this place yet?" Batgirl inquires. Neither Wonder Woman nor Supergirl have ventured much beyond their current location. The cowled heroine suggests that Phranyx has dispatched them to a living hell. She explains that she first regained consciousness one mile up river. Seeking land, she swam ashore on the opposite side. There she found herself in the very midst of a bizarre storm zone. Thunder, lightning, heavy rain and a half dozen tornadoes littered the landscape. Batgirl observes that this violent weather seems to be isolated to a narrow pocket of land, for she was able to escape its wrath via the river.
"You're saying that tornadoes and thunder storms are happening within a mile of here?!" Supergirl asks incredulously. Batgirl nods. "Directly across the river from here is a bubbling tar pit." Babs adds. "I suspect that we may encounter a wide assortment of natural phenomena and weather patterns in our travels."
Deciding that the bog is not the healthiest or choicest locale, the heroines opt to head in a southwesterly direction. Their goal is a small mountain which appears to be about three miles away. They hope to derive two benefits in so doing. Reaching the summit will allow them to get a topical view of their new environment. They also hope to find shelter in the form of caves or trees. The trio of women traverses the remainder of the swamp within minutes. The heavy, moist dew gives way to a dry air. The transition is so sudden that they have seemingly passed through an unseen boundary. Initially, the lighter air and gentle breeze is refreshing, but this benefit passes very quickly. The super heroines find themselves in an arid desert climate. There isn't a single cloud in the sky to shield them from the scorching rays of the sun. The heat is nearly unbearable, especially for Supergirl and Wonder Woman without their customary meta-human physiology. Fearing severe and potentially dangerous exposure, the women return from whence they came.
"You wouldn't happen to have sunscreen in that belt of yours?" Supergirl wishfully asks Batgirl as the threesome reaches the riverbank. Babs laughs as she glances at the various mini-compartments adorning her waist. "Hmm .. eye shadow, lipstick, nail polish, blush, deodorant, and breath mints. Sorry, no room the suntan lotion!" There is silence for a few moments as both Wonder Woman and Supergirl stare at their ally. Although Batgirl is not quite the somber persona of the Batman, this is the first time Diana or Kara has ever seen a hint of humor from her. Gordon grins mischievously. "I couldn't resist SG." she explains. "You would not believe the people who seem think I lug around everything ranging from atomic bombs to my kitchen sink inside this utility belt!"
To protect themselves from the elements, the super heroines cover their exposed skin with mud from the riverside. For Wonder Woman, this is particularly crucial for she is far and away at the greatest risk. The Amazon unabashedly applies thick handfuls of muck throughout her person. Taking no chances, she dumps handfuls into her boots and down her halter top. Diana can't help but notice her colleagues glancing her way. Sensing the need for a strong rapport during this dire time, she opts to poke fun at herself. "I know, I know." the princess jests. "Serves me right for wearing this outfit!"
The ladies expand their exploration by heading due west. Their course takes them from the marsh to a hearty forest. The trees provide plenty of shade, thus offering a much cooler and more comfortable environment. In addition, the heroines discover several fruit trees, giving them a plentiful food source to fall back upon.
As the women help themselves to much needed nourishment, Wonder Woman senses that they are no longer alone. The Amazon puts her friends on alert. The heroines form a small circle, thus protecting each other's backside. Emerging from the cover of nearby trees are a half dozen Neanderthal men. They all seem to be formidable physical specimens, each a minimum of six feet in height, reasonably muscular with an animal-like quickness needed to survive in the wilderness. The cavemen are unkempt, yet communicate via a crude and unfamiliar verbal language. Carrying clubs, they apparently view the costumed females as their enemy.
There is no time or opportunity to reason with the primitives, for they violently charge their quarry. Batgirl springs into action. A brown belt in karate, Babs Gordon is very skilled in a variety of hand-to-hand combat techniques. On occasion, she has taken on six or seven armed thugs simultaneously. Batgirl can handle herself; her concern is her two colleagues. Without their powers, the masked heroine fears her friends are an easy mark for these men. Barbara reasons that she therefore must take out at least four of their attackers to allow the trio to survive.
The cavemen prove even more challenging than Batgirl anticipates. Expecting them to go down or be scared off by her precision blows, the heroine is distressed to discover that it takes her several quality shots each to subdue them. This takes precious time which she can't afford. Babs cringes as she hears Supergirl scream. Batgirl is unable to come to Kara's aid for she finds herself facing a heavy attack of her own. She is therefore reduced to hearing the awful sound of fists pounding flesh.
Despite being outnumbered two to one, Batgirl finally prevails. One opponent lies unconscious at her feet while a punishing barrage of blows forces the other into retreat. Babs spins around to assist her friends only to find a shocking scenario. Wonder Woman is a whirlwind of action. Three Neanderthals lie defeated on the nearby ground. A fourth stubbornly flails away at the Amazon with his club, but he has no chance. Diana disarms him with apparent ease and kayos him with but a single kick.
The Amazon turns her attention towards the caveman whom Batgirl has chased away. On the move, Diana whips out her magic lasso. From a distance of fifty feet, the lariat unerringly finds its mark, ensnaring the fleeing adversary about his ankles. "Wonder Woman got her powers back!" Batgirl silently marvels as the Justice Leaguer routinely secures him. Barbara's excitement is tempered, however, by the sight of Supergirl lying in pain in front of a large elm tree. Racing to the Kryptonian's side, Batgirl is relieved to learn that Supergirl has simply had the wind knocked out of her. She has taken a spear to her tummy, but fortunately her invulnerable costume top has prevented it from piercing her skin.
Batgirl helps Kara to her feet and the two heroines join Wonder Woman as she attempts to question her captive. There is a language barrier as well as a difference in intellect and philosophy. The Neanderthal does not understand Diana's questions, nor is it within his people's instinctive psyche to cease and desist from defending themselves against a perceived enemy. A primitive horn sounds in the background, an apparent call for reinforcements. The Amazon realizes that they have inadvertently invaded their territory. For now, to avoid further unwanted conflict, Diana suggests that the heroines vacate the forest.
The preferred course would be back into the swamp, but the women find that an additional trio of primitive men have advanced through the bog to cut them off. There is no way to know just how many Neanderthals they may actually face. Their lone unimpeded route is through the hot desert, hence the heroines veer towards it.
The newest trio of cavemen are less intimidated by the super heroines then their brethren who have been defeated. A spear flies through the air, landing a couple feet behind the women. The temptation is to charge their attackers, but Wonder Woman opts for an alternative. She hurls her Amazonium tiara through the light haze. It connects with the upper chest of one the newcomers, literally knocking him off his feet. The aerodynamically balanced tiara whirls back to Diana as if it were a boomerang. Although angered, the cavemen are confused by this long range strike and give ground, enabling the heroines to escape.
"Well, it sure is a relief to see you with your powers back, Wonder Woman. The timing couldn't have been any better." Batgirl notes as she tries to cope with the intense heat. "I don't like to complain, but would you mind flying us over to that mountain?" Diana looks puzzled. "Pardon me?" she asks. "C'mon, it's hot as hell out here!" Babs responds.
"I hate to disappoint you two, but my super powers have not returned." Wonder Woman claims. Supergirl is disappointed by this news while Batgirl is astonished. Diana explains that she has retained all of her Amazon skills and training; what she has lost is her gods-given, meta-human powers.
Although the foot of the mountain is at most three miles in the distance, the journey is an extremely draining one. The sun beats mercilessly down upon them and the hard, baked desert floor. Batgirl estimates the temperature to be nearly 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Wonder Woman is forced to remove her tiara and bracelets, for the metal grows searing as it absorbs the sunlight. Without the river mud as a makeshift sunscreen, the heroines' skins would be horribly burned. Unfortunately, even this protection is wearing thin, for it begins to wash away as the three women perspire profusely.
Supergirl trails several yards behind her allies. Unsteady on her feet, the Kryptonian fails to negotiate a small crack in the land surface. Her lead foot catches in the miniature gap and she collapses to the ground. It is a struggle for exhausted Kara to regain her footing. She is on the verge of passing out when Batgirl and Wonder Woman reach her side. The Amazon shakes Supergirl and gently, but firmly, slaps her face to keep her sharp. The masked heroine reaches into a side compartment of her utility belt. Babs extracts a pungent substance which she places underneath Kara's nose. The smelling salts have the desired effect in that the heroine snaps back to her senses.
Supergirl unconvincingly argues that she is OK to continue. Kara appears dangerously peaked, yet Babs and Diana understand that their own situations aren't much better. Neither can afford the energy to carry the girl of steel if it is at all possible for her to traverse the desert herself. As such, the three ladies make a concerted effort to stay very close to one another. They watch for any grave indications of fatigue, knowing full well that they must get out of the desert very soon or they will all perish.
The peak grows ever clearer as their nearing proximity penetrates a noticeable haze surrounding the structure. Alas, the vivid view proves anything but reassuring. Only now do the women see a trail of smoke emanating from the summit. Moments later, hot ash spews into the air, followed within the minute by a massive flood of lava.
There is no turning back, for a shower of molten rock falls in the path from whence they came. Desperate, the three super heroines ignore their fatigue and sprint for cover. Their mad southerly dash carries them out of the scalding desert and into a small, fruitful plain. Although the volcanic eruption is very nearby, the little plateau is uncannily tranquil. The fallout is directed opposite of their current location. In sheer relief, the drained heroines collapse onto the soft grass. Their chests pound as their hearts race wildly. Each heroine gasps for breath as the last exertion took everything they had.
It takes the women nearly fifteen minutes to catch their breath and regain the energy to rise. The clearing they find themselves in looks like something out of a fairy tale. The hearty green grass and cool, soothing breeze are heavenly. "This place is so beautiful and peaceful." Diana remarks. "It reminds me of the royal garden on Paradise Island, where I so often visit to read or relax."
Batgirl notices an eerie blackness a mere hundred yards further South. The phenomenon extends as far as the eye can see, both East and West, and appears to float aimlessly. The trio warily investigates. They discover that it is some sort of energy barrier which they theorize surrounds the entire land formation. There is no apparent source of this energy and no means, at present, to penetrate it.
With the barrier to the south and the desert and volcanic fallout to the north, the heroines are at least temporarily restricted to the grassy plain. They investigate their new surroundings and soon discover a cave at the backside base of the volcano. The cave appears well-fortified in that it is only accessible through the field. Batgirl and Supergirl venture inside the grotto while Wonder Woman stands guard at the entrance. Batgirl's flashlight fails to function; therefore the heroines employ a makeshift torch lit by lava from the desert. Babs and Kara discover a fairly large subterranean cavern. In yet another extreme example of juxtaposition, the enclosure is inexplicably cool despite the proximity of molten magma. To their mutual astonishment and ecstasy, they find an underground stream which passes within 50 feet of the cave's mouth. It contains fresh, moving water which proves ideal for both drinking and bathing.
With the sun now beginning to set on the horizon, the heroic ladies decide to use the cave as shelter for the evening. There are many issues to address. The most immediate, of course, are the basic survival needs. Batgirl carries a small supply of emergency rations, but it is imperative that they gain access to a steady food source. They must also look at the bigger picture, that being this miserable predicament Phranyx has trapped them in.
Everyone is weary after a grueling day; therefore it is agreed that these matters will be better discussed in the morning. Batgirl offers to stand watch, affording her power-deprived friends first chance at rest. Despite the hard cave floor, Supergirl is asleep within a minute. Wonder Woman quietly rises and makes her way outside for a brief word with Babs.
"I'm concerned about Kara." the Amazon whispers. Batgirl nods in agreement. "I have some medical training." Diana continues. "I think her heart is fine, despite her cardiac. What worries me is this mess we're in. She isn't equipped to handle a crisis without her super powers." Wonder Woman measures her next couple sentences very carefully. "I fear that she may prove to be a detriment. Subtly, we're going to have to keep an eye on Kara to ensure we all get through this ordeal."
*****
As her friends sleep, Batgirl ponders the events of today. Many thoughts enter her brilliant mind. What is this place? Why are we here? Where can we find food? How can we escape? What kind of unknown dangers lurk ahead? Despite all of these valid and utmost concerns, it is a single revelation which is foremost in her thoughts.
I have worked with Wonder Woman occasionally over the past few years. Although I would not consider us to be close, we have developed a casual friendship and a healthy respect for one another. I pride myself in being a good judge of character. I make it a point to understand the true nature of those I deal with, a skill which is absolutely vital for both a politician and a crime fighter. As such it is very humbling to think how wrong my impression of Princess Diana was.
The funny thing is that the Batman had her pegged just right and I simply didn't pick up on it! A year ago, while utilizing the technical facilities in the Batcave, I unwittingly stumbled across a secret contingency plan Batman has in place in the event that the Justice League must be neutralized. He has long been concerned that the super powered members of the JLA would be a grave threat to world safety should they ever abandon their principles or go crazy. Whether Bruce is dutifully prepared or hopelessly paranoid is open to interpretation.
The Batman devised elaborate counter measures designed to stop each and every member of the Justice League. He compiled a full dossier on all of his colleagues. I'm embarrassed to say that I actually found his reports to be fascinating, most notably his observations on the personalities he was scheming against.
His evaluation of Diana was particularly curious and, as it turns out, insightful. Bruce considered Wonder Woman to be as problematic to deal with as any member of the JLA. He reasoned "Take the Wonder away from her and the Woman may still be able to best me." I misconstrued this statement to mean that if he negates Diana's powers, he could still conceivably be seduced by her incomparable, goddess-like beauty.
Of course, that wasn't it at all. Batman's concern was Diana's formidable fighting skills honed through centuries of Amazon training. This thought never even occurred to me. Batman is a maniac when it comes to mental and physical conditioning. He's the greatest non meta-human combatant I've ever seen, yet even he was fearful that a powerless Wonder Woman might defeat him! That's unbelievable. I have to repeat that three or four times for it to sink in.
I have always harbored a grudging admiration for Wonder Woman, because she seemed too good to be true. The powers. The beauty. The royalty. The intelligence. The presence. She's so nice, it's impossible not to like her, but geez, wouldn't we all that great if we were blessed like she is?
What I failed to grasp with this thinking was that, while she is indeed gifted, Diana has endeavored to make herself a complete woman. Sadly, it took this trying circumstance for me to finally recognize this. The Amazon has lost her super strength, speed, quickness and flying ability. Furthermore, the loss was immediate; she's been thrust into this situation without any time to adjust. So does Diana miss a beat? Heck no! She fends off four Neanderthals and is ready to spring to my aid. The Amazon marches through a scorching hot desert. All of us are sweating like pigs and ready to drop, yet which one of us has the most stamina though it all? Wonder Woman ... without the powers. Absolutely amazing!
Kara manages to prop herself up into a sitting position. She finds her lower legs immersed in very shallow water. "Cough! Cough!" she gasps while expelling residual water from her throat and esophagus. Eyeing assorted reeds, insects and muck, the heroine realizes that she is in the middle of a swamp. Such a setting is all too familiar. She suddenly snaps to attention. "Grundy!" Kara exclaims as she scrambles to her feet.
Supergirl moves slowly and stealthily through the foggy marshland. She struggles to shake a feeling of listlessness. "I don't know what's wrong with me," the Kryptonian thinks to herself, "but I can't let my guard down against that monster. After all, I'm back in his element." She detects a rustling noise coming from behind her. Supergirl whirls around and is shocked to discover that the sound emanates from a source obscured by dense foliage a mere five feet away from her. "Great Krypton!" she thinks to herself. "How could he have gotten this close to me without my having heard him?"
The brush stirs noticeably. The heroine takes a step backward as she trains her x-ray vision upon it. Only now does she understand the terrible truth. A lump forms in her throat and a chill dances up and down her spine. "My super powers are gone!" the young woman cries incredulously.
Without her meta-human might, she has no chance against Solomon Grundy. None. To flee would be futile, for he could easily outrun her. Supergirl knows her only hope is to bluff her monstrous enemy. Nearly frozen with fear, she summons all of her courage and stands her ground. With that, a figure emerges from the dense fold; one which is decidedly not a hulking super monster.
"Kara! Praise Aphrodite!" Wonder Woman rejoices upon the sight of the girl of steel. Earth's two most formidable super heroines embrace. "I was afraid you were something else, Diana." Supergirl sighs with relief. "Phranyx?" the Amazon queries. "Worse ... uh maybe!" the Kryptonian responds.
The two women compare notes. Wonder Woman confirms that she too has been relieved of her super powers. Supergirl fears that Phranyx has negated their might and served them up for Solomon Grundy. Diana disagrees. The Amazon notes that she has seen unusual insect life which she believes are not indigenous to Earth. She theorizes that Phranyx has deposited them on an alien world far away from home.
Princess Diana turns her attention to Supergirl's health. "Kara, outside of the power loss, how do you feel? We were all terribly worried that you had suffered a lethal cardiac arrest." Kara ponders Wonder Woman's concerns. She recalls the devastating Kryptonite assault Phranyx inflicted upon her, but remembers nothing thereafter. The heroine initially doubts the Amazon's conclusion about a coronary, but the proof is undeniable. Lifting her costume top reveals a large scar across Supergirl's chest cavity, a clear indication of emergency open-heart surgery.
"I think I feel OK, Diana" Supergirl argues. "It's hard to say though, because for me, normal means juggling cars and laughing off guided missile fire!" Wonder Woman nods in acknowledgment. "Whomever performed your surgery appears to have done a remarkable job. It seems Phranyx wants his three heroines to all be able, if not meta-human."
"Speaking of three heroines," Kara responds, "any idea who the third is?" Before the Amazon can reply, a feminine voice unexpectedly chimes in. "I'm afraid I draw that dubious honor!" Supergirl and Wonder Woman direct their attention to a nearby embankment, in front of which stands Batgirl. The masked heroine is wringing wet, for unlike the others she found herself drifting down the river as she regained consciousness. Babs walks slowly towards her allies, momentarily preoccupied with the residual water draining from her cape and back. As such, she doesn't notice frantic Diana rushing to her side.
"Easy now sister." the Amazon implores. Supergirl assists the princess as they attempt to gently steer Batgirl to surer ground. The bewildered crime fighter resists their efforts until she suddenly comprehends their fuss. The top portion of her costume is spattered with fresh blood stains, predominantly along her neckline and upper chest. Particularly disconcerting is the sight of her yellow bat symbol overrun by a sea of red.
Batgirl confidently reassures her concerned friends that she is fine. She explains that the blood splotches are just a gruesome remnant of her ill-fated defeat against Phranyx. The crime fighter notes that she too is a beneficiary of first rate medical treatment from their sinister abductor. "He sure is hard to figure out." she rules. "The bastard gleefully breaks my nose and whacks the majority of teeth right out of my mouth! Afterwards, my nose is fine and each and every tooth has been expertly re-implanted!"
"Have you two had a chance to explore this place yet?" Batgirl inquires. Neither Wonder Woman nor Supergirl have ventured much beyond their current location. The cowled heroine suggests that Phranyx has dispatched them to a living hell. She explains that she first regained consciousness one mile up river. Seeking land, she swam ashore on the opposite side. There she found herself in the very midst of a bizarre storm zone. Thunder, lightning, heavy rain and a half dozen tornadoes littered the landscape. Batgirl observes that this violent weather seems to be isolated to a narrow pocket of land, for she was able to escape its wrath via the river.
"You're saying that tornadoes and thunder storms are happening within a mile of here?!" Supergirl asks incredulously. Batgirl nods. "Directly across the river from here is a bubbling tar pit." Babs adds. "I suspect that we may encounter a wide assortment of natural phenomena and weather patterns in our travels."
Deciding that the bog is not the healthiest or choicest locale, the heroines opt to head in a southwesterly direction. Their goal is a small mountain which appears to be about three miles away. They hope to derive two benefits in so doing. Reaching the summit will allow them to get a topical view of their new environment. They also hope to find shelter in the form of caves or trees. The trio of women traverses the remainder of the swamp within minutes. The heavy, moist dew gives way to a dry air. The transition is so sudden that they have seemingly passed through an unseen boundary. Initially, the lighter air and gentle breeze is refreshing, but this benefit passes very quickly. The super heroines find themselves in an arid desert climate. There isn't a single cloud in the sky to shield them from the scorching rays of the sun. The heat is nearly unbearable, especially for Supergirl and Wonder Woman without their customary meta-human physiology. Fearing severe and potentially dangerous exposure, the women return from whence they came.
"You wouldn't happen to have sunscreen in that belt of yours?" Supergirl wishfully asks Batgirl as the threesome reaches the riverbank. Babs laughs as she glances at the various mini-compartments adorning her waist. "Hmm .. eye shadow, lipstick, nail polish, blush, deodorant, and breath mints. Sorry, no room the suntan lotion!" There is silence for a few moments as both Wonder Woman and Supergirl stare at their ally. Although Batgirl is not quite the somber persona of the Batman, this is the first time Diana or Kara has ever seen a hint of humor from her. Gordon grins mischievously. "I couldn't resist SG." she explains. "You would not believe the people who seem think I lug around everything ranging from atomic bombs to my kitchen sink inside this utility belt!"
To protect themselves from the elements, the super heroines cover their exposed skin with mud from the riverside. For Wonder Woman, this is particularly crucial for she is far and away at the greatest risk. The Amazon unabashedly applies thick handfuls of muck throughout her person. Taking no chances, she dumps handfuls into her boots and down her halter top. Diana can't help but notice her colleagues glancing her way. Sensing the need for a strong rapport during this dire time, she opts to poke fun at herself. "I know, I know." the princess jests. "Serves me right for wearing this outfit!"
The ladies expand their exploration by heading due west. Their course takes them from the marsh to a hearty forest. The trees provide plenty of shade, thus offering a much cooler and more comfortable environment. In addition, the heroines discover several fruit trees, giving them a plentiful food source to fall back upon.
As the women help themselves to much needed nourishment, Wonder Woman senses that they are no longer alone. The Amazon puts her friends on alert. The heroines form a small circle, thus protecting each other's backside. Emerging from the cover of nearby trees are a half dozen Neanderthal men. They all seem to be formidable physical specimens, each a minimum of six feet in height, reasonably muscular with an animal-like quickness needed to survive in the wilderness. The cavemen are unkempt, yet communicate via a crude and unfamiliar verbal language. Carrying clubs, they apparently view the costumed females as their enemy.
There is no time or opportunity to reason with the primitives, for they violently charge their quarry. Batgirl springs into action. A brown belt in karate, Babs Gordon is very skilled in a variety of hand-to-hand combat techniques. On occasion, she has taken on six or seven armed thugs simultaneously. Batgirl can handle herself; her concern is her two colleagues. Without their powers, the masked heroine fears her friends are an easy mark for these men. Barbara reasons that she therefore must take out at least four of their attackers to allow the trio to survive.
The cavemen prove even more challenging than Batgirl anticipates. Expecting them to go down or be scared off by her precision blows, the heroine is distressed to discover that it takes her several quality shots each to subdue them. This takes precious time which she can't afford. Babs cringes as she hears Supergirl scream. Batgirl is unable to come to Kara's aid for she finds herself facing a heavy attack of her own. She is therefore reduced to hearing the awful sound of fists pounding flesh.
Despite being outnumbered two to one, Batgirl finally prevails. One opponent lies unconscious at her feet while a punishing barrage of blows forces the other into retreat. Babs spins around to assist her friends only to find a shocking scenario. Wonder Woman is a whirlwind of action. Three Neanderthals lie defeated on the nearby ground. A fourth stubbornly flails away at the Amazon with his club, but he has no chance. Diana disarms him with apparent ease and kayos him with but a single kick.
The Amazon turns her attention towards the caveman whom Batgirl has chased away. On the move, Diana whips out her magic lasso. From a distance of fifty feet, the lariat unerringly finds its mark, ensnaring the fleeing adversary about his ankles. "Wonder Woman got her powers back!" Batgirl silently marvels as the Justice Leaguer routinely secures him. Barbara's excitement is tempered, however, by the sight of Supergirl lying in pain in front of a large elm tree. Racing to the Kryptonian's side, Batgirl is relieved to learn that Supergirl has simply had the wind knocked out of her. She has taken a spear to her tummy, but fortunately her invulnerable costume top has prevented it from piercing her skin.
Batgirl helps Kara to her feet and the two heroines join Wonder Woman as she attempts to question her captive. There is a language barrier as well as a difference in intellect and philosophy. The Neanderthal does not understand Diana's questions, nor is it within his people's instinctive psyche to cease and desist from defending themselves against a perceived enemy. A primitive horn sounds in the background, an apparent call for reinforcements. The Amazon realizes that they have inadvertently invaded their territory. For now, to avoid further unwanted conflict, Diana suggests that the heroines vacate the forest.
The preferred course would be back into the swamp, but the women find that an additional trio of primitive men have advanced through the bog to cut them off. There is no way to know just how many Neanderthals they may actually face. Their lone unimpeded route is through the hot desert, hence the heroines veer towards it.
The newest trio of cavemen are less intimidated by the super heroines then their brethren who have been defeated. A spear flies through the air, landing a couple feet behind the women. The temptation is to charge their attackers, but Wonder Woman opts for an alternative. She hurls her Amazonium tiara through the light haze. It connects with the upper chest of one the newcomers, literally knocking him off his feet. The aerodynamically balanced tiara whirls back to Diana as if it were a boomerang. Although angered, the cavemen are confused by this long range strike and give ground, enabling the heroines to escape.
"Well, it sure is a relief to see you with your powers back, Wonder Woman. The timing couldn't have been any better." Batgirl notes as she tries to cope with the intense heat. "I don't like to complain, but would you mind flying us over to that mountain?" Diana looks puzzled. "Pardon me?" she asks. "C'mon, it's hot as hell out here!" Babs responds.
"I hate to disappoint you two, but my super powers have not returned." Wonder Woman claims. Supergirl is disappointed by this news while Batgirl is astonished. Diana explains that she has retained all of her Amazon skills and training; what she has lost is her gods-given, meta-human powers.
Although the foot of the mountain is at most three miles in the distance, the journey is an extremely draining one. The sun beats mercilessly down upon them and the hard, baked desert floor. Batgirl estimates the temperature to be nearly 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Wonder Woman is forced to remove her tiara and bracelets, for the metal grows searing as it absorbs the sunlight. Without the river mud as a makeshift sunscreen, the heroines' skins would be horribly burned. Unfortunately, even this protection is wearing thin, for it begins to wash away as the three women perspire profusely.
Supergirl trails several yards behind her allies. Unsteady on her feet, the Kryptonian fails to negotiate a small crack in the land surface. Her lead foot catches in the miniature gap and she collapses to the ground. It is a struggle for exhausted Kara to regain her footing. She is on the verge of passing out when Batgirl and Wonder Woman reach her side. The Amazon shakes Supergirl and gently, but firmly, slaps her face to keep her sharp. The masked heroine reaches into a side compartment of her utility belt. Babs extracts a pungent substance which she places underneath Kara's nose. The smelling salts have the desired effect in that the heroine snaps back to her senses.
Supergirl unconvincingly argues that she is OK to continue. Kara appears dangerously peaked, yet Babs and Diana understand that their own situations aren't much better. Neither can afford the energy to carry the girl of steel if it is at all possible for her to traverse the desert herself. As such, the three ladies make a concerted effort to stay very close to one another. They watch for any grave indications of fatigue, knowing full well that they must get out of the desert very soon or they will all perish.
The peak grows ever clearer as their nearing proximity penetrates a noticeable haze surrounding the structure. Alas, the vivid view proves anything but reassuring. Only now do the women see a trail of smoke emanating from the summit. Moments later, hot ash spews into the air, followed within the minute by a massive flood of lava.
There is no turning back, for a shower of molten rock falls in the path from whence they came. Desperate, the three super heroines ignore their fatigue and sprint for cover. Their mad southerly dash carries them out of the scalding desert and into a small, fruitful plain. Although the volcanic eruption is very nearby, the little plateau is uncannily tranquil. The fallout is directed opposite of their current location. In sheer relief, the drained heroines collapse onto the soft grass. Their chests pound as their hearts race wildly. Each heroine gasps for breath as the last exertion took everything they had.
It takes the women nearly fifteen minutes to catch their breath and regain the energy to rise. The clearing they find themselves in looks like something out of a fairy tale. The hearty green grass and cool, soothing breeze are heavenly. "This place is so beautiful and peaceful." Diana remarks. "It reminds me of the royal garden on Paradise Island, where I so often visit to read or relax."
Batgirl notices an eerie blackness a mere hundred yards further South. The phenomenon extends as far as the eye can see, both East and West, and appears to float aimlessly. The trio warily investigates. They discover that it is some sort of energy barrier which they theorize surrounds the entire land formation. There is no apparent source of this energy and no means, at present, to penetrate it.
With the barrier to the south and the desert and volcanic fallout to the north, the heroines are at least temporarily restricted to the grassy plain. They investigate their new surroundings and soon discover a cave at the backside base of the volcano. The cave appears well-fortified in that it is only accessible through the field. Batgirl and Supergirl venture inside the grotto while Wonder Woman stands guard at the entrance. Batgirl's flashlight fails to function; therefore the heroines employ a makeshift torch lit by lava from the desert. Babs and Kara discover a fairly large subterranean cavern. In yet another extreme example of juxtaposition, the enclosure is inexplicably cool despite the proximity of molten magma. To their mutual astonishment and ecstasy, they find an underground stream which passes within 50 feet of the cave's mouth. It contains fresh, moving water which proves ideal for both drinking and bathing.
With the sun now beginning to set on the horizon, the heroic ladies decide to use the cave as shelter for the evening. There are many issues to address. The most immediate, of course, are the basic survival needs. Batgirl carries a small supply of emergency rations, but it is imperative that they gain access to a steady food source. They must also look at the bigger picture, that being this miserable predicament Phranyx has trapped them in.
Everyone is weary after a grueling day; therefore it is agreed that these matters will be better discussed in the morning. Batgirl offers to stand watch, affording her power-deprived friends first chance at rest. Despite the hard cave floor, Supergirl is asleep within a minute. Wonder Woman quietly rises and makes her way outside for a brief word with Babs.
"I'm concerned about Kara." the Amazon whispers. Batgirl nods in agreement. "I have some medical training." Diana continues. "I think her heart is fine, despite her cardiac. What worries me is this mess we're in. She isn't equipped to handle a crisis without her super powers." Wonder Woman measures her next couple sentences very carefully. "I fear that she may prove to be a detriment. Subtly, we're going to have to keep an eye on Kara to ensure we all get through this ordeal."
*****
As her friends sleep, Batgirl ponders the events of today. Many thoughts enter her brilliant mind. What is this place? Why are we here? Where can we find food? How can we escape? What kind of unknown dangers lurk ahead? Despite all of these valid and utmost concerns, it is a single revelation which is foremost in her thoughts.
I have worked with Wonder Woman occasionally over the past few years. Although I would not consider us to be close, we have developed a casual friendship and a healthy respect for one another. I pride myself in being a good judge of character. I make it a point to understand the true nature of those I deal with, a skill which is absolutely vital for both a politician and a crime fighter. As such it is very humbling to think how wrong my impression of Princess Diana was.
The funny thing is that the Batman had her pegged just right and I simply didn't pick up on it! A year ago, while utilizing the technical facilities in the Batcave, I unwittingly stumbled across a secret contingency plan Batman has in place in the event that the Justice League must be neutralized. He has long been concerned that the super powered members of the JLA would be a grave threat to world safety should they ever abandon their principles or go crazy. Whether Bruce is dutifully prepared or hopelessly paranoid is open to interpretation.
The Batman devised elaborate counter measures designed to stop each and every member of the Justice League. He compiled a full dossier on all of his colleagues. I'm embarrassed to say that I actually found his reports to be fascinating, most notably his observations on the personalities he was scheming against.
His evaluation of Diana was particularly curious and, as it turns out, insightful. Bruce considered Wonder Woman to be as problematic to deal with as any member of the JLA. He reasoned "Take the Wonder away from her and the Woman may still be able to best me." I misconstrued this statement to mean that if he negates Diana's powers, he could still conceivably be seduced by her incomparable, goddess-like beauty.
Of course, that wasn't it at all. Batman's concern was Diana's formidable fighting skills honed through centuries of Amazon training. This thought never even occurred to me. Batman is a maniac when it comes to mental and physical conditioning. He's the greatest non meta-human combatant I've ever seen, yet even he was fearful that a powerless Wonder Woman might defeat him! That's unbelievable. I have to repeat that three or four times for it to sink in.
I have always harbored a grudging admiration for Wonder Woman, because she seemed too good to be true. The powers. The beauty. The royalty. The intelligence. The presence. She's so nice, it's impossible not to like her, but geez, wouldn't we all that great if we were blessed like she is?
What I failed to grasp with this thinking was that, while she is indeed gifted, Diana has endeavored to make herself a complete woman. Sadly, it took this trying circumstance for me to finally recognize this. The Amazon has lost her super strength, speed, quickness and flying ability. Furthermore, the loss was immediate; she's been thrust into this situation without any time to adjust. So does Diana miss a beat? Heck no! She fends off four Neanderthals and is ready to spring to my aid. The Amazon marches through a scorching hot desert. All of us are sweating like pigs and ready to drop, yet which one of us has the most stamina though it all? Wonder Woman ... without the powers. Absolutely amazing!
