"At War With Gods"
By: Angelic Temptress
Disclaimer: Keep 'em WB. You always seem to mess it up anyway…
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: To Another Shore
Thank you, Ms. Merlin Missy. You are the greatest.
xXx
(2/4)
Gordon had Killer Frost and Poison Ivy arrested. They would each be sent to the prisons they escaped from only months earlier.
Superman stood there with Flash, both completely soaked. They had spent hours searching the bay and the area around it but had no luck.
Shayera was nowhere to found.
"Thank you both," Gordon said. "I'm sorry about your friend. When her body's found –"
"She's not dead," Flash insisted. "She's missing."
Gordon nodded. "I'll have my men keep an eye out, though I don't want to get your hopes up. Many a mob boss has misplaced a body or two in the waters of Gotham. We have yet to find them all." He shrugged. "Is she a good swimmer?"
"Well, no. Ivy had her wrapped up in vines."
"But she's strong, although she can't fly when her wings are wet." Superman then lessened the distance between himself and the commissioner and whispered so only he, Gordon, and Flash could hear. "If you talk to your friend, let him know what's going on."
After a moment, Commissioner Gordon left for his car.
"I don't like this. I don't like this at all," Flash muttered as he paced. "We didn't find her mace, and that thing would have sunk to the bottom."
"Maybe we missed it."
"Two men who move faster than a speeding bullet missed a heavy Thanagarian weapon, and one has X-ray vision." He suddenly raised his stare and looked at Superman. "We need to tell John." When Superman didn't reply, Flash raised his voice. "Didn't you hear me?"
"John is on a deep space mission with Rayner and Katma. I can't exactly reach him."
"Then we should call a meeting."
"Everyone who needs to know of her disappearance already does." He then pressed his earpiece. "Diana. I need you to contact Batman, Nightwing, or Batgirl. They need to question Poison Ivy, in case she did something to Shayera."
"Should I have Killer Frost questioned as well?"
"I'll take care of that."
xXx
Shayera opened her eyes to a room she did not recognize. She sat up and quickly climbed off the bed. Satin sheets covered the mattress and the bedroom walls were lined with gold.
Her head turned to study the large balcony doors at the end of the room. After opening them, she walked outside and noted the clouds surrounding her. She could only guess the altitude the building sat at. Though this would be her easiest escape route, Shayera didn't know where she was or where she could land when she tired.
Something ate at her stomach. Not only was she unarmed, but she was obviously a hostage. And by the looks of the spacious bedroom, I'm a pampered hostage.
For some odd reason, Shayera didn't quite feel threatened. Though her entire body urged her to search for another escape route, her mind decided that she'd inspect her surroundings later. Although it irked her, she ignored her conflicting thoughts and stepped back inside, passing a large mirror.
Her uniform had been replaced by a dress of some sort. It was black with a low neckline and was cuffed at her shoulders with gold pins that appeared to be emblems of some kind. Gold sandals sat on her feet.
"Okay then. Now I'm a little P.O.ed." She stormed out of the room and into the hallway. There were maidens walking, all dressed in similar white togas and barefooted.
"Miss Hol," one said. "He is waiting in the dining room."
"He?"
The woman only smiled and motioned down the hall. Skeptically, Shayera slowly started for the large door. Another woman opened it for her. When she stepped inside, she was surprised by all the dark furnishings. Its color was nothing compared to the bedroom.
"Thank you for joining me, Shayera." A man with blond hair and striking eyes sat at the end of the medium-sized table. From where she stood, it looked of ebony.
Her green eyes naturally narrowed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Who are you, and why the hell am I here?"
"You're extremely blunt. I like that." He spoke with an accent she could not place.
"I'm glad. Now answer."
He laughed and stood from his seat, revealing that he was exceptionally tall. "My uncle found you in his waters and saved your life at my request."
"His waters?"
"You were thrown overboard. You were drowning."
"Send him my gratitude."
"I intend to." He smiled and actually looked somewhat attractive, in a bizarre way.
"You haven't answered either of my questions, and you're trying my patience."
The man laughed and pulled out a chair. "Take a seat. Eat something. You must be starving after all that has happened."
Her expression didn't falter. "Who are you?"
"Ares, God of War."
"Oh."
"Oh?"
"I've read about you."
"Have you? Textbooks? The internet?"
"The Iliad, The Odyssey, and The Aeneid."
"Researching?"
"I like to know most everything about my co-workers. You just happen to be part of Diana's family."
"You are a treasure, Shayera. I don't think I've ever met anyone like you, and you know I've met many people in my time."
"My second question is still unanswered."
Ares gently touched her arm, and she roughly pulled away. Nonetheless, he guided her to a seat her wings were comfortable in. She watched the god pour two chalices of what looked like wine. After he set one before her, Shayera refused to drink it.
"I wouldn't poison you. You are an irreplaceable asset. Anyway, it's plume nectar. I believe it's your favorite."
Her glare turned into an expression of shock, but only for a second. "I don't trust you."
"And yet you have trouble resisting me."
Shayera glared at him.
"Go ahead," he said. "Don't you miss the taste?"
After a few minutes of glancing at the chalice, she sipped her nectar and allowed the sweet liquid to roll down her throat. It tasted like Thanagar.
Ares snapped his fingers, and several women brought food to the table. Her brow furrowed.
"Is there something wrong?"
"I'm no fool, Ares."
"Good to hear." He took some of the brightly colored food from his dish and swallowed it.
"Ambrosia gives immortality. Why are you offering me this?"
Again, the god chuckled and finished his drink. "You are a bright little hawk girl." He rested his elbows on the table and sighed. "I'm offering you a new life."
"I have a life."
He considered her reply and countered, "Maybe, but it's one you despise."
"What makes you think that?"
"Please, Shayera. Don't underestimate me. I know everything about you."
Her jaw clenched. Another stalker? What is with me? "I'm leaving now." Shayera stood and started for the door.
"You can try, but you'll only get yourself wounded," Ares told her before taking another sip of his nectar.
The door slammed shut before her. If she had her mace, she'd break it down after she bashed his head in.
"And now I'm annoyed." She slowly spun around. "What the hell is going on here?"
xXx
"I don't know what you are talking about." Killer Frost crossed her legs and gave a smirk. "I didn't see a damn thing. Your lackey had me unconscious before Ivy even defeated the dirty hawk."
Superman crashed his fists onto the desk between them, bending it. "You watch your mouth," he ordered.
"Or what? You'll hurt me?"
"You are not to call her a 'dirty hawk.' Do you understand?" Superman noticed that her breathing and heart rate quickened.
He continued, "Now. Tell me what you know."
"I know nothing. You're wasting your time."
xXx
"Ivy doesn't know anything," Nightwing said over the comm.
Diana couldn't help sighing. "Are you sure?"
"She had nothing to do with Shayera's disappearance."
Though Diana had no more to ask, she badly wanted to learn of Bruce's recent activities. She resisted the temptation and ended the transmission with a "Wonder Woman, out."
Fire typed something on the keyboard, opening a file on her computer.
"There are so many websites that wish Shayera harm. She could have been kidnapped by any one of the hysterical Thanagarian haters." Fire turned to face Diana. "I'm afraid we are at a dead end."
Diana nodded and contacted Superman. "Ivy knew nothing. Perhaps we should question Carter Hall?"
"Flash and I are on the way there."
Diana closed the connection and glanced at Fire. "Could you leave me for a moment?"
"Of course." The woman left the control room. Once the door was sealed behind her, Diana pressed a key on her computer that provided a direct link to the Batcave.
"Metro Tower to Batcave. Over."
Of course, he didn't answer.
"Batman? It's Diana. Please come in."
Silence.
"Shayera's missing. For Hera's sake, answer!"
Again there was nothing, but Diana hadn't noticed. Instead, she repeated the goddess's name she had just said. The answer dawned on her.
"That coward."
xXx