"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
(3/4)
"Has the Lantern ever shared whether he loves you or not?" Ares enjoyed amusing himself, especially with beings such as Shayera. Strong-willed, beautiful, fierce women never ceased to impress or entertain him.
He could tell by the subtle hesitation on her face that he had hit a delicate nerve.
"He doesn't, by the way."
"I never expected him to."
"Sure you did. When you returned to the League, you expected him to remain faithful to you and welcome you back with open arms."
Shayera's brow furrowed with rage. "I did no such thing."
"But didn't you challenge Vixen for his heart? Didn't you attempt to make him jealous with that little pink slip you tried to pass off as a dress? Why did you go on that first date with Hall?"
Her jaw clenched. "You've been watching me?"
"Aphrodite provides me with information on those that I find…" He paused as he slowly sized her up. "… particularly intriguing."
"Well, I suggest that you stop your surveillance."
He chuckled. "You misunderstand. I've become very… fond of you over the past couple of years. I believe it was just after your first public appearances as a Leaguer that I noticed you. You had this warlike quality I liked. I could sense it in your body language, your voice, your attitude –"
"So that gave you the right to place me under observation? I'm not quite following, and I'm really aggravated."
"You are a killer, Shayera," he stated bluntly and stood from his chair. "One doesn't have to look further then your friend, Grundy."
Shayera's vivid eyes widened for a moment before glaring at him again.
"But you are a warrior as well. A fighter. Your heart is too coarse and bruised to blend with the mortals. You understand what it takes to be a hero and a soldier. You understand what must be done to keep the world and its powers in balance."
Ares took quick, steady steps toward Shayera and stopped when their faces were mere inches apart. "I know what you went through when you were forced to betray Hro. I was there. I know, firsthand, all that you lost by choosing this over your home world. I was by your side. You simply didn't know."
Her face had either softened or she had escaped into her own thoughts. The God of War gently touched her shoulders and was thrilled when she didn't pull away.
He pushed a strand of red hair from her face and whispered, "Every single time you enter in battle, I am there beside you. I give you the strength to succeed, and I will never allow you to lose."
Shayera's gaze lowered to their feet, and he smiled to himself as he asked her to stay. When she didn't reply to his request, he urged her toward the door. "Go and bathe. We will have dinner later, and we will talk more of your past. I'll answer any and all of your questions."
She turned from his hold and left the room when the doors opened. They quickly closed behind her, and Ares' thoughts were interrupted by the voice of a goddess he loathed.
"You're lying to her."
He turned to see Athena drinking from Shayera's chalice of nectar. Her brazen hair reached beyond her shoulders, and her armor covered little of her body. Her grey eyes stared at him as if he were a criminal.
"Am I?" Ares rubbed his unshaven chin. "And the accusation comes from none other than my father's favorite daughter."
"Why are you interfering with the Thanagarian's life?"
"What part of this is any of your concern?"
"You are not the only god of war here, Ares. And Shayera has been on the defensive side as of recently, protecting rather than attacking."
He shook his head. "Sister dear, don't you feel the rage in her blood? I certainly do, and I will not overlook that potential."
Athena dropped the chalice onto his table, spilling the burgundy contents everywhere. Her face showed no remorse. "Blood, Ares? Do not speak of such nonsense. The only blood you value is that which is spilled." Her eyes fell upon the ambrosia. "Offering immortality as well? Aren't we the little Calypso?"
"I think you should leave, Pallas Athena, before something unfortunate occurs."
Athena showed a small smile. "Do not interfere with her destiny, Ares." She then disappeared.
xXx
"Ares abducted Shayera."
Flash stared at Diana for a moment, not exactly sure how to respond. "Um. Do we know Ares?"
"He tried to start a war in Kasnia last year."
Superman demanded, "What would your God of War want with Shayera?"
"God? Like that other dude we stopped from escaping the underworld?"
Diana ignored his question and continued, "I'm not quite sure. He visited me in my quarters this morning before I joined you in the control room."
Flash's eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
"And you didn't think to tell anyone?" Superman was angry. Any angrier and steam would have seeped from his ears.
"He didn't pose as a threat."
"How do you know Ares took her?"
Diana told him quietly. "Ares mentioned her name. He was wondering how she had adjusted since the invasion." She shrugged. "It's a hunch, but it's the closest we have to a lead."
"All right then," Flash interrupted. "How the hell do we get this guy? Where does he live?"
"Most of the gods reside on Mount Olympus, including Ares."
Superman nodded. "How do we get there?"
"Greece."
xXx
Shayera bit her lower lip as a maiden poured more hot water into the golden tub. She ran her hands over her wet hair and savored the refreshing feeling of the water against her skin.
The bathtub was oddly shaped, allowing room for her gray wings to comfortably soak in the water as well. A back support kept her sitting upright, and the tub itself had a slanted depth. The steaming water nearly covered her chest when she leaned back against the support.
"More water, Miss?"
She shook her head.
Why am I here? Why am I accepting this god's kindness? The questions racked her brain, both angering and subduing her.
Because he's right, and you know it, she told herself. Ares feels familiar, and that's something you haven't had in a while.
Her conflicting thoughts bothered her. For a second instance in her life, she ignored her conscience and went with what somewhat felt right.
xXx
"How is your newest prodigy?" Aphrodite asked and carefully slid into his lap. He couldn't resist her soft touch upon his face or her sweet kiss upon his dry lips.
Ares placed a hand on her thigh and pulled her body closer to his own. The fabric of her pink dress sent familiar chills through his body.
He then asked, "Did you bring me what I asked for?"
Aphrodite sighed irritably and pulled a small vial from her cleavage. "Yes. Now remember, all you need to do is make sure she drinks this in its entirety. You'll have complete control over her."
"Because she'll be madly in love with me?"
"Something like that." She began to twirl one of her golden locks around a delicate finger. "So what is it you really want her for?"
He laughed and stroked her hair. "You know."
"So it is a sex thing?"
"She has a womb that could comfortably house a son, a god with wings. He'd be stronger than Hercules ever was." He shoved her from his lap and stood from his chair. As Ares rubbed his chin, he continued with his explanation. "Once under my control, Shayera has the potential to be one of my deadliest weapons to date."
"You want to use her against Diana? Artemis and Hera will take turns ripping limbs from your body."
Ares chuckled. "You think I fear them?"
"Perhaps you should fear someone."
"I have a feeling that you are not one hundred percent with me on this."
xXx
Athena entered the home of the Moirai. As she had expected, the three fates were weaving their strings, each taking turns with different strands. The trio laughed quietly as they spun, uncoiled, and shortened the destinies of mortals.
"And what is it that you demand, Pallas Athena?" Clotho asked but did not raise her gaze. Her eyes never did leave her thread.
"The Thanagarian."
Lachesis spoke next. "And what is it that you want with her?"
"Please, sister. Is it not obvious?" Atropos lifted a single golden strand and placed the edge of a dagger atop it. "Athena wants to know how long she has to live."
Already irritated, Athena offered a threatening smile. "Don't do anything drastic, dear Atropos."
"Yes, sister. We've done quite enough to Hol already. It would be careless to end her life." Clotho lifted the end of that very string, and Athena noted how tightly woven it was with another. "If you end her life, the future will be uncertain."
"Then whose life had Shayera's been spun with?" Athena took several steps deeper into their tiny cavern. "Stewart's?"
Lachesis nodded. "Of course. You know as well as we do they are destined to have a child you will look upon with great favor."
"Ares feels otherwise," the goddess informed and set her hands on her hips. "I swear to my father that I will kill him before he interferes with her future."
Clotho shook her head. "We cannot control what Ares does. He has a terrible way with women, especially those who are warriors. Shayera won't be able to help herself." She ran her wrinkled fingers over a badly woven section of Shayera's strand. "It looks as though she's already giving into Ares' charms."
"Then stop it."
"It is not for us to stop, Pallas Athena. We cannot control how the Thanagarian acts. We simply create the hardships she must learn to overcome."
Atropos giggled. "Perhaps another god must meddle to prevent Ares' wishes from materializing."
xXx
"You look superior, Shayera."
Shayera, wearing something similar to her first toga, heard the doors close behind her. The dining room was now lit with what looked to be dozens of candles.
With every passing moment, she was beginning to feel even more uncomfortable with the situation at hand. She sat in the seat he pulled out for her and watched as he took a seat as well.
She realized she was extremely hungry and started eating without waiting for the god to start. His strong gaze remained on her as she ate, and he poured himself a chalice of wine. Shayera reached for hers and noted that it had already been filled.
Every bone in her body went on high alert.
"The wine is good. Try it."
Her mind screamed at her, warning her of the certain danger residing in that gold cup.
"Ares?"
"Yes?"
"Tell me the truth."
He quickly said he never lied to her.
Shayera set down her fork. "How much control do you have over me?"
Ares nearly choked on his wine.
"You are the God of War. I am, more or less, a warrior. You couldn't convince me that it means nothing."
"I don't control you anymore than I control any other mortal. Gods cannot 'control' their subjects, Shayera."
"So you influence them," she corrected. "I know what mind control feels like. This is pretty goddamn close."
With a charming smile, Ares urged Shayera to calm down. His hand settled atop hers, and it took all her will to rip from his touch. Doing so felt unnatural.
"Just drink your wine, Shayera. Eat your food."
She stood from her seat and started for the door. Shayera then felt a hand grip her shoulder, twisting her to an about-face.
With eyes like hot coal, Ares ordered, "You will remain here."
Before she could react to his unbelievable strength, Ares threw her against the ebony table. Her lower back crashed into the dinner table's edge, and she cringed in pain. In a smooth motion, he knocked most of the dishes to the floor and set Shayera on the table. He pinned her below him, using his body weight and strength against her. With one hand, he held her arms over her head, and his knees kept her toga in place. Her legs were useless.
"Get the hell off of me!" One of her wings was bent into an abnormal position, sending a sharp pain through her entire body.
"I tried to be as demure and as democratic as I possibly could, but you simply had to test my nerves." Ares reached for her chalice with his left hand and brought it to her mouth. "Now drink!"
"You can take your poison and shove it up your –"
Wine poured into her mouth and dripped down the sides of her face as she resisted. Shayera tried her hardest not to choke on or swallow the red liquid. She even spit some into his face. Ares responded with twisting her left arm oddly.
She gasped and accidentally ingested some of the toxin.
xXx
Superman landed the Javelin as close to the base of the mountain as he could. The three in the ship had all been gravely silent during the flight, and all for different reasons.
Diana exited alongside Flash. Superman followed. They stopped abruptly, and he immediately understood why. A woman, wearing very little armor, stood at the base of the landing bridge. Her bright eyes immediately captivated him.
"Athena…" Diana muttered. She bowed her head slightly.
"Who is this?" Flash asked as he sized up the goddess.
Superman stepped past Flash. "I don't mean to be demanding, but my friend is being held prisoner –"
"By my brother," she finished. "I'm pleased at your arrival." She started walking in the opposite direction. The three followed as she continued speaking. "You see, we all have something to lose in this situation. If Ares interferes, the future is jeopardized."
"Then why didn't you stop him?" Flash stipulated. "Since you're a god and all."
"Don't question her, Flash."
Superman shook his head. "No, Diana. He's absolutely right."
"I am not to meddle with mortals."
"But your brother did. Now if you'll excuse me." Superman took hold of Flash and flew straight into the sky, following beside the mountain.
He stopped midair when he reached a balcony.
A balcony Athena and Diana were waiting on.
"Now, are you ready to listen to what I have to say?" The goddess waited for the men to join them in the giant bedroom. "She's in the dinning hall. I warn you that she may not be herself."
Flash's eyes narrowed. "Not herself?"
Diana nodded. "Aphrodite and Ares are rather close."
Superman didn't wait for any more warnings. He flew at the door, breaking through because he didn't want to waste the time opening it. His eyes noted the two bodies on the table, and he shoved the man off of Shayera. They both collided with the wall, leaving a dent in the cement.
Ares pushed Superman, sending him to the ground. He stood and stared down at his opponent. "Well if it isn't 'The Man of Steel.' I'm almost honored." He bent over and grabbed Superman by the throat. "How fast can you fly again?" Ares tossed him aside like a piece of trash, and he hit a glass cabinet. It shattered instantly.
"You'd better just hand Shayera over, Ares." Diana appeared in the doorway with her fists set on her hips. Flash sped past her and helped Shayera from the table.
"Did you hear that, Shayera?" Ares asked as his body erupted into flames, replacing his clothing with armor. "I think they want to take you away from your home."
Shayera punched Flash.
xXx