21. Joy
Once Diana got what she needed she didn't even look back at her mother and left Themiscyra with tears in her eyes. Tears of pain, of joy, of loss and of fear. While she was elated that her 'son' was alive, she couldn't understand how her own mother could do things like hide her own child from her. Such deep was her hate of men that she couldn't allow even an innocent infant on the island. Maybe one day she could think of forgiveness but not now. Right now she couldn't even think of facing her mother.
She had been flying for sometime when her commlink sounded. It was Superman.
"Diana, where are you?" asked Superman.
"I am over the Atlantic ocean. I am going to Gotham."
"No. Go to Las Vegas. Zatanna has found Circe. She is in another dimension. Zatanna has asked Dr. Fate for help and they can get you there and back."
Diana was relieved. She had been planning on tracking Circe from Gotham, but with Zatanna and Fate's help she could get to the witch.
"Superman, how do I find Zatanna?"
"Zatanna had set a magical beacon for you. You'll be able to see it once you near the city." answered Superman.
"Thank you Kal" said Diana, increasing her speed.
"Best of Luck Diana" Was the last thing Superman said before ending the communication.
----
On reaching Zatanna, Diana noticed that they had made the preparations for the spell. They were going to send Diana into Circe's dimension while Fate was going to act as her anchor in this. Once she freed Batman and Thomas, she was to send a mental 'flare' to Fate, who would then pull her back.
Soon, Diana found herself standing in front of a huge building. It looked like one of Zatanna's magic show venues. Circe was trying to make a show off. Looking through the gates, Diana noticed various wild animals prowling the grounds. 'More of Circe's victims' thought Diana.
Luckily for her, her armor would allow her to overcome any of Circe's magic. It would give her the element of surprise and allow her to get close enough to overcome her.
Stepping through the gates Diana made her way to the door. Once inside she saw Circe on the stage with Batman strung out in the center. Diana hid and started making her way towards the stage.
Circe was busy torturing Batman.
"What does she have that I don't have? You just have to say yes and you'll be free," spoke Circe in a husky voice, running her hand through his hair.
"Ne..Never" managed Batman, receiving another shock from Circe's wand.
-----
Diana found Thomas in a holding cell next to the main hall. Lying on his side he was asleep and apart from his tear stained face he seemed unharmed. Entering into the cell Diana broke the chains and lifted Thomas into her arms. Thomas woke up and brightened at Diana's familiar face. Diana shushed him and whispered to him. "Hi"
"Hi," he replied. "Have you come to take us away from the bad lady?"
"Yes…son" Diana whispered through tear filled eyes.
"She hurt daddy," he spoke, nuzzling closer to her.
Diana was quiet for a moment before she spoke again.
"Thomas, I want you to do one thing for me. I am going to leave you in a safe place now and go and get your daddy. I want you to stay there and keep quiet. Can you do that?"
Thomas simply nodded his head. Diana found such a place and after kissing Thomas on the forehead started to leave. Thomas caught her hand and said, "My daddy is Batman and that lady said my mommy's name is Diana. You told me your name is Diana. Are you my mommy?"
Diana hugged Thomas tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Yes son, I am your mother….I'm your mommy."
They stayed like that for the next few minutes before Diana managed to break away and go after Circe.
-----
Returning back to the hall, Diana found Circe lounging around eating grapes. Batman had passed out from the torture. Diana moved in the shadows, her armor still camouflaging her.
Circe's detected a presence behind her and bolted up. But it was too late. The next thing she knew was a spear sticking through her chest. Turning around she saw Diana.
"You know you can't kill me", grunted Circe. "We can go like this till the end of eternity?"
Diana let out a chuckle. "I know that…but I don't want to kill you. That will be too easy. I want you to suffer just as you have made us suffer. You will be going back to prison and now your sentence had been doubled….and no parole this time."
Diana caught the front end of the spear and pulled it causing Circe to cry out in pain.
"I'll get you…You and your Bat and your little brat. I'll get all of you" she cried out holding her chest.
"No you won't," Diana thundered . "I have made sure of that."
"What do you mean?"
Diana looked her right in the eyes, "If ever you come after me or my family, your chest wound will open up again. You see that was no ordinary spear….it is Athena's spear. I requested it just for you." That was the last thing Circe heard before dissolving away. She was being transported back to her prison.
-----
Later, Wayne Manor
Bruce Wayne shifted and opened his eyes; closing them immediately from the bright light coming through the windows. He opened them slowly and looked around to find himself in his own room. Looking over his body he found it covered in bandages.
He recalled the recent events. He had left the watchtower to go after the Joker. He had just entered Gotham airspace, when he found himself transported to a strange place. He was shackled to a wall and his cape, cowl and utility belt were missing. Standing in front of him was the Joker, but as he looked on 'Joker' changed into a purple headed woman. 'Circe' that's what her name was. She had some ancient rivalry with Hippolyta and since she couldn't go after her, she decided to go after Diana, Thomas and him. She had then tortured him again and again till he passed out from the pain.
'How did I get back here?' he thought. The last thing he remembered was being on a stage. Circe was asking him to renounce his love for Diana and Thomas. When he denied she had shocked him with some sort of wand.
Just then he detected a movement through the corner of his eyes. Taking a better look he saw Diana, sleeping on the chair in a corner of the room. Trying to sit up Bruce found that he had atleast a couple of broken ribs.
Diana was awakened by a groan from the bed. She immediately got up and approached the bed.
"Diana," said Bruce, trying to get up.
"Keep lying. You have three broken ribs and a deep gash along your side, along with several other smaller injuries. You need to rest."
"I'm fine," Bruce grunted . But he took her advice and lay back. "Thomas?" he asked.
"He's fine. He's been waiting for you to get up."
At the news of his son's safety Bruce relaxed, "Good. How long have I been out?"
"Almost three days," the Amazonian Pricess replied, running a hand along his arm.
----
"I'm sorry Bruce"
"Sorry? For what?" He was confused now.
"For everything – for Circe, for being rude to you……leaving you…disappointing you"
Suddenly it dawned on him. "You remember…"
"Yes," Diana leaned forward, drawing near and kissing him chastely on the lips.
"How? Who told you?"
"My mother told me everything and then I prayed to Athena to return my memories...and for a means to stop Circe."
-----
Bruce had been smiling but at Athena's name his smile dropped.
"What?" asked Diana.
"Diana, magic always requires a sacrifice….What did you…."
"My immortality," Diana answered quietly, ear eyes not leaving his.
"Why?" he asked bluntly.
"I wanted to remember everything……I wanted to remember the man who loved me enough to give up his love, all his memories, his entire existence…just to save my life. I wanted to remember my love for him….I wanted to remember…….everything" she ended.
Bruce reached up and cradled her face, wiping the tears from her face. "Thank you" he said softly.
"For…"
"For being you….for coming back….for everything"
Diana lowered herself to his side, taking care of his injuries. "Thank you" she whispered.
"For?" he asked with a smirk.
"For everything"
----
They lay there together, their hearts filled with love for each other.
They had made their sacrifices…but in the end…they had achieved what their heart's desired the most…..each other.
Note: This was one of my earlier works. I have an idea for a sequel, but haven't gotten around to getting it on paper (typed out). Have been busy with other fics...especially the Marvel (X-Men) ones.