Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and copyright infringement is not intended.
Author's Note: It's sad to think that JLU may be over, and I haven't had the privilege of seeing episodes past Divided We Fall. Anyway, again, I apologize for my tardiness with the update with the usual excuse. Only a few more chapters left to go…
Chapter Sixteen
In The Blink Of An EyeFor a moment, as she walked and her heels clicked on the cold surface of the polished marble floor, she allowed her head to tilt a little to the right to feast her sights on the elegant display of the deep blue and very tranquil scene of the ocean and its gentle inhabitants. Though the calm and soothing color did so little to help ease the turbulent wave of emotions that she was battling from within, it subtly reminded her that there was still something pure, something beautiful in this world that was not tainted with the ugliness of human nature. But the persistently irritating sound, the incessant clang of the royal guards' marching footsteps combined with the tap of their tridents or spears, whatever they were, against the immaculately shined floor kept jarring her serene thoughts to jolt her back to her present and unwelcoming predicament.
Another wayward submarine armed with a number of nuclear warheads had recently entered the King of the Seas' precious ocean territory once more, and his Highness was nowhere near welcoming and amused at the intrusion. It was another accident, but try telling that to Aquaman, who nearly waged war against the surface world the first time it happened.
And because of this very wonderful attitude of his no one in the entire league seemed eager to visit the aquatic paradise to reassure the king that there was really no cause for alarm.
Since she had a hidden agenda of her own, she wanted so very much, momentarily, to escape the world that reminded her of a lot of headaches and heartaches recently, she took the job no one else wanted. That was why later in the afternoon, after spending most of the day confined to her quarters not speaking to anyone, when there was not much to do, she teleported fathoms below.
And here she was, about to be the absorber of Aquaman's wrath against the surface dwellers. Well, if he was planning on lashing out at her, it would not be the first. It would be the third time since yesterday that she had been at the receiving end.
A left turn made her think about the present, and after walking through the bend in the glass-encased hallway, the view of the beautiful ocean disappeared. A few steps more, the path curved this time to the right, leading to a very large room and her escorts fell back, upon sight of the imposing throne and the more imposing leader, her mind thought.
"Princess." Aquaman was gentleman enough to acknowledge her presence by standing from his golden chair to walk to her with a casual air while dismissing the royal guards with a simple wave of a hand. "I didn't think the league will send you."
She felt his disappointment at having to face someone he felt was not his equal, a female, and she immediately went on the defensive. "They did not. I volunteered." Her voice was even and her sight caught a glimpse of the queen's empty chair. "No one else wanted to."
"You don't exactly beat around the bush do you?" Golden brows rose as they walked around the large throne room that was lined with a deep red carpet.
"For you, there is no need to."
He halted his stride, annoyance starting to seep in as evidenced by the expression he wore. "Did you come here to insult me?"
She took a deep breath. They were certainly off to a bad start, so very similar to the first time they met. "I came here to help."
"And what a fine job you are doing…" The statement was loaded with nothing but sarcasm. "…your Highness."
She crossed her arms on her chest. "I did not come here to trade insults." I can always have that on the surface.
"It was you who started it."
Why you…arrogant, overbearing, half-naked…She wanted to storm her way out of the palace. But it was what he was expecting her to do, be the stuck up little princess. So instead, dropping her hands to her sides, in a very calm way she said, "I apologize."
She knew her apology was the last thing he anticipated because, for a moment, she could sense surprise at her sudden display of humility. It was evident on the voice that seemed to have lost its earlier temper. "If you have problems at work on the surface, don't let it out down here." When he realized that his tone had softened a bit, he attempted to recover his earlier demanding tone. "Anyway, I have taken care of the minor dispute after a short chat with one of your leaders. I no longer need the league's services. You may go."
His attempt to appear intimidating once more was not lost on her. It made her face show signs of a small grin. "You certainly don't beat around the bush either."
"Look…" There was a slight hesitation. "If you prefer to stay a while, and look around, I can make arrangements."
"It's unnecessary," she declined, though his offer was worth thinking twice about. After all, she honestly wanted to see more of his kingdom and avoid the surface for the time being. "If all is settled, then I must depart."
He looked at her for a while, as if seeing her differently, for the first time. "As a…guest, may I request that you have dinner with…us?"
She almost laughed. If not for the very serious expression he wore, she would have thought this was a joke, though he hardly ever smiled, let alone make jokes.
Is he hitting on me? It was a very disturbing thought.
Stranger things had happened recently in her life, and this surely was one of them. The great and mighty Aquaman was inviting her to dinner. And there was no debate in her mind whether to accept or politely decline, because she simply had to decline. And of course, even in the state of emotional turmoil within her, she could still recall the gossip that traveled the Watchtower for a while that there was trouble under the sea between the king and queen and she also remembered earlier that the queen and the young prince was nowhere in sight.
She was just about to open her mouth to answer when footsteps interrupted the silence that settled in the spacious area.
"My king, we have another visitor from the league." One of the guards announced.
She turned and was suddenly very relieved to see J'onn as evidenced by the wide smile on her face, not to mention a very audible mental sigh that was quickly noticed by the Martian.
Thank you for coming.
Why? What's the matter? His voice in her mind was worried.
He just asked me to dinner.
If the Martian could laugh in his thoughts, he was trying hard to stifle a guffaw as of the moment.
"J'onn," Aquaman extended his hand.
J'onn took the hand that was offered in a greeting. "I must apologize if the league was able to attend to your concern only today."
"I've already told Diana that the matter is settled," the king stated.
J'onn went to her rescue. "Well then, our presence is no longer necessary."
"Actually," Aquaman considered. "Diana is just about to join me later for dinner."
What! She had to purse her mouth.
Diana…
J'onn…I haven't even said yes to this arrog---"Why don't you join the both of us?"
The both of us! I thought he said…"I'll be honored," her friend answered, much to her dismay. It would not be proper to decline such a generous invitation.
If she could, she would have given him a mental glare by now. "Where is the queen, by the way?"
For a while, Aquaman had trouble in replying, as if searching for the appropriate term. "She's…with my son, as of the moment."
She wanted to ask where exactly but got another prompt from J'onn to avoid sticking her nose into anyone else's business.
"Let me show you around the palace." He turned to her. "Before we have dinner."
"Thank you for the hospitality," J'onn politely stated as they began the offered tour. And the two men began a friendly conversation soon after as they walked along the hallway and into the tunnel that provided another very breathtaking view of the deep ocean.
She sighed and forgot her initial irritation. The palace was enchanting, just like Themyscira.
Themyscira…the sigh she had in her mind only made her realize the magnitude of her longing for her previous home.
You're beginning to like it here…J'onn's mental comment elicited another sigh in her mind.
She had to smile at his attempt at multitasking by talking to Aquaman and communicating with her in a way the other would not hear at the same time.
I like the place, not the host. He's too proud and utterly rude.
Sounds too familiar?She quickly recovered from the sting of the innocent remark, remembering she had not told J'onn everything that had happened, the complete turnaround of her life, just yet. At least Bruce was not born like that. With Aquaman, it is a generic trait.
At the mention of his name in her mind, every single heartbreaking memory of what took place threatened to burst out from her chest once more that she almost had to shake her head to rid of the sudden flashbacks, the pain that shot from her mind to her heart. Quickly dismissing the feelings and looking at the exotic marine life before her, she continued to marvel around the natural beauty beyond the thick glass, closing her mind to what she truly felt, all the emotional conflict, because J'onn was a few feet away and she did not want him to worry again over her. And Bruce. And Kal.
After the thorough, and very worthwhile exploration of the palace, they were later escorted to the large dining room where a long table, filled to the edge with different delicacies, and empty chairs, were placed in the middle as a number of servants stood by a few feet away. One quick glance at the table, at the food that was displayed before her eyes, her stomach started churning. Placed before them were different assortments of dishes that were totally new and very unfamiliar to her with their very strange color and texture. And as they were escorted to their places on the king's left side, her mind was quick to notice that the queen was suspiciously absent again.
Then she thought she heard a faint grunt from J'onn. Serves you right, she could not help from conveying her inner thoughts as she looked at the food once more. We should've left when we had the chance.
While she took her seat quietly and politely, as any guest would, she dismissed another grunt from her friend though this time, a smart retort was not able to pass her mind when one of the half naked attendants, who prompted her to think if no one ever wore a shirt around the palace, eagerly filled her plate with green mush.
When the same dish was placed before J'onn, she could swear she heard a strange moan.
She almost laughed at her friend's apparent discomfort but when she turned to her left, she could see the Martian holding onto his head, the open palms massaging the temples. Then J'onn's head bowed for a moment as if in terrible pain, the strange guttural noises still emanating from within him. And just as abruptly, he attempted to stand, knocking the chair violently backwards.
"J'onn!" She immediately grabbed onto his green arm.
"What's happening?" Aquaman was right beside her, and so were the royal guards.
"J'onn? Can you hear me?"
J'onn was shaking his head in agony. "Nooo!"
"J'onn!"
"Nooo!" Then his eyes glowed a bright orange before he lost consciousness.
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He took a quick glance at the small, expensive clock that sat on the right corner of his table and the hands informed him that it was quite a time after office hours already. He had to go home and change into another person that lived within him. But he felt nowhere near going back to the manor, especially by his lonesome.
Just a few days ago…he had the most wonderful evening with the woman he lov---He shut his eyes abruptly, cutting his line of thought, dismissing the mental picture of her smile, her warmth. And the feeling that followed was just…emptiness.
He was just about to stand up when a loud noise, a very loud, exploding noise reverberated from outside, shaking the earth, shattering the glass of the windows in his office that he had to shield himself from the small shards that went flying through, slicing the air.
Loud, blaring noises from the alarms of the vehicles parked along the street followed, as well as the sound of fear and panic. After a few seconds, he bravely walked to where his office window used to be. And his blue stare looked in disbelief, through the cloud of dust, at what had just happened when he saw the world outside.
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Minutes passed as she waited patiently by her friend's side by the medical bay, wondering all the while what could have caused J'onn's sudden attack. In an ironic bout of amusement, she wanted to think it was the food. Looking back at the now calm face, she touched her hand to the green skin. Then the Martian stirred, to immediately sit up.
"Slowly, J'onn." She held on to his arm. "Are you okay?"
"Yes…" Orange eyes looked back at her.
She tried a smile. "You got me worried there earlier."
The Martian's face stayed impassive, regarding her with a detached feeling. "Diana…"
She could sense something was not right. "What's wrong?"
"Our friends…"
An alarmed look settled on her face. "What?"
"The Watchtower has been invaded."
The obvious calmness in the Martian almost did not make her believe. But J'onn was not deceitful. "Then what are we doing here? Let's go and help." She abruptly stood up.
J'onn did nothing similar and instead stayed on the bed with the same stoic expression. "The best way we can help is to stay here and…hide."
"Hide?" She did not like his last word that she almost shouted in disbelief at his suggestion.
J'onn looked away as he painfully remembered seeing the images from someone else's mind, through someone else's eyes. There was an army of soldiers, with surprising strength and agility, in silver gray uniform that appeared from nowhere, storming the Watchtower, knowing when and where to strike and apparently immune to the defenses the heroes fought with.
And he could still hear John's voice, a mere whisper, a plea just after he was caught off guard by Wally's scream of pain, when his ring unfortunately, of all times, lost its power.
J'onn, wherever you are…find Diana and hide…It was all the marine could say before J'onn saw a very familiar face loom before the defeated Green Lantern, staring at him with cold blue eyes, the eyes he knew well…or thought he knew well.
"J'onn…what did you see?"
He could not bring himself to answer her. And he was saved from her questioning eyes by the interruption of the sound of alarm resonating throughout the whole palace. It was apparent that, whatever was happening to the surface world, the deep was not as oblivious because it was suddenly obvious through all the commotion that the inhabitants of this kingdom were preparing for defense in the likelihood of an invasion, of hostilities.
In a short while, Aquaman joined them with a very serious expression.
"What's happening?" She asked the leader.
Aquaman looked from her to J'onn and she could see he was trying to conceal an important matter from her too. "Reports from the surface just came in. It seems that thousands of…meta-powered soldiers suddenly materialized to take over the planet. A large space craft is hovering above, a short distance from the Watchtower." He was choosing the right words. "They strategically took over the Watchtower first, to cripple the first line of defense. Using the Watchtower as a weapon, earth's land defense systems followed very shortly afterwards."
"But how could they have gotten through the Watchtower's…?" Her voice trailed.
"Someone from inside was with them." Aquaman faced J'onn.
"Who?" She was asking J'onn this time, but she was afraid of his answer.
"Many of your teammates were captured, only a handful were able to flee." Aquaman interrupted, bluntly changing the topic.
"I can't communicate with them right now." J'onn appeared to be evading her inquiry.
"Don't." Aquaman abruptly suggested. "They might trace the telepathic link. We can't afford them finding you and Diana."
"What? Why?"
"Right now this is the safest place for the both of you." Aquaman regarded her without answering her inquiry before turning to J'onn. "Does anyone else know you're both here."
"No one knows," J'onn answered.
"Good. This may be the last place they would sear---"
"I demand and answer! And don't pretend I'm not here!" She raised her voice to be noticed. "What's really happening?"
"Diana…" It was Aquaman who finally answered her. "As of this time, almost all of the earth's defenses have surrendered to the powers of the invaders." The king took a deep breath. "The Kryptonian invaders."
"What?" It was not possible. "Kal…where is Kal? What have they done to him?"
"Diana…" J'onn's voice stilled her.
"I need to find him." She was about to storm out of the room.
"Diana," Arthur's hand on her arm prevented her from leaving. "It's him. Superman's the traitor."
"No!" She stared at Aquaman in disbelief. Then her eyes appealed to J'onn to disprove what Aquaman just said.
"It was his face I saw before John lost consciousness."
"No!"
"Yes, Diana," Aquaman spoke. "It was his face earlier on every channel. And he is looking for you."
It was just not possible. Kal would never be capable of betrayal. "Why?"
Aquaman looked at her intently. "Every king needs a queen."
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW What's happening up there?The silent inquiry of her blue eyes stared through the thick glass that separated her from the other world outside, from the deep blue sea, her eyes following the soft and hypnotic movements of marine life. And as she looked at the tranquility, the harmony displayed before her, she could not help but wonder about the chaos, the disorder that ensued on the surface, remembering her all of her friends and felt a huge amount of responsibility tear at her heart.
"We can't just…stay here while our friends suffer." It was a mere whisper to the other vague reflection that stood beside her.
"We can't be of any help either if we are captured, Diana." J'onn's soothing voice did nothing to calm her guilt, to appease her conscience.
"Then what can we do to help?" She turned at an angle, casting questioning, but helpless eyes, at the Martian.
"Aquaman is planning a counter-attack."
Through the veil of doubt, she was surprised. "I thought the surface world did not matter that much to him."
"If Superman is behind all this…and considering the strength of his allies…" There was a very sad note in the Martian's voice. "…Then this world, this kingdom, will not be spared either."
She shook her head, still in disbelief. "I still don't think Kal is capable…" She looked at her friend. "Have you ever tried…reaching him?" She paused, considering her next words. "Has he tried reaching you?"
"There are so many thoughts that are trying to get to me," J'onn answered. "But I can't and will not communicate with any of them. It's too risky…and someone, the enemy, might get a glimpse of where we are."
The enemy.
Kal was now the enemy.
And as the memory of what happened between them gnawed at her senses to be remembered, she closed her eyes for the moment, reliving what transpired the very night before this.
He never said a word about how he truly felt. And all these years, when all the while she thought she had been holding the hand of a friend, he was hiding the true extent of his feelings.
She could only imagine what her confession of her never-ending love for Bruce did to him.
All she could see were the eyes, the eyes that was always filled with such warmth, that turned so very cold with regret, trying desperately to not give in to the anger she saw peeking through the blue orbs, anger that she knew she was responsible for, and she shivered at the memory, as if it was happening all over again.
But still, deep in her heart, despite of all the hurt, the broken bond that they now shared, she believed that Kal would never do what they claimed he was doing as of the very moment.
It simply was not him.
Then…she thought of Bruce.
Through all of this, her heart ached at the thought that he might be in danger too.
"Diana…" Her thoughts were screaming that J'onn sensed them immediately. "I heard him try to reach me."
She searched J'onn's face. "What did you do?" She would be grateful for any information that would tell her if he was all right.
J'onn sighed. "I shut him out. As of this moment, I can't trust what's happening up there."
For a moment she felt J'onn's doubt while she tried to conceal her disappointment, though understanding fully that her friend was right. If, indeed, Superman could be able to do this, then the others could be entrapped by the lure of power just as well. And for one morbid moment, she tried to dismiss the possibility that Bruce might even have this nagging suspicion that she was with her beloved friend on this. It was not farfetched at all to think along those lines considering the very low opinion he had of her lately.
"Both of you, with your godlike abilities…how many times have you played with our lives?" The familiar voice resonated in her mind.
She put a lid on the emotions that surfaced at the recollection of the hate and brought her mind back to the present. "J'onn…what exactly did you see up there?"
The Martian painfully recollected the events, removing his eyes from her to stare once more through the glass wall. "It all happened so fast…I realized I was looking amidst the chaos, telepathically linked through John's mind. There were so many of them, I can't see their faces because of some sort of a head gear…worn probably to shut telepaths out." There was a momentary pause. "And when I saw…his face, I could not believe it myself."
She momentarily detached her emotions and focused on any possible strategy to help. "Based on what you saw, will Aquaman's counter attack make any difference?"
"The truth…" J'onn faced her. "I cannot make an assessment. Let's just pray it will."
Pray to whom? Her gods? Right now she did not think they would hear her voice. "You don't sound convinced, J'onn."
"Because I'm not."
"Why?"
"We all know his strength, Diana…" There was a note of regret in the voice. "He often held back, because it was the right thing to do. Now…there is nothing holding him back."
The words, though uttered in innocence, made her flinch inwardly. "The last time we spoke…we had a…misunderstanding."
"I know." There was a faint trace of a smile on J'onn's lips. "You've been trying to hide them from me ever since I set foot in this palace."
"I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be. Things have a way of unraveling." His touch on her arm offered an amount of reassurance. "Right now we must think of a way to help our friends."
The thought of the fate of their friends, their teammates, made her feel the burden of guilt once more, because she was here, free, while they suffer and await the uncertain destiny. And right now she felt she would give anything to help them.
But what could she do?
She would give anything…
Anything…Even her life. Her immortal life…
A shiver at the remembrance of the words ran through her spine as if fate itself whispered the words in her ear for her to remember that there was still hope for them.
One great love for a man…
One great love for mankind…
Yes…there was still a way.
"No…Diana." J'onn could not help from hearing her thoughts.
"J'onn…"
"I would not let you consider that option."
"I can't just wait around with this burden…when I know I can do something."
J'onn was unconvinced. "If ever…" the Martian hoped that there was a way to persuade her to change her mind, even if he knew there was probably none. "…That would be our last option."
"When…if it's too late? I must act while we still have the chance." She begged her friend. "And it's just about the perfect time,"
"No."
She softly placed her hand on the alien's arm in a simple gesture of reassurance. "J'onn, I am not asking you anymore for permission. I have already made up my mind." She gave him a sad and rueful smile. "And we can't risk the chance of it falling into…someone else's hand. By then we have really lost."
She was right, and he knew that. There was no way he could convince her that there was another way, because there simply was not. From the thoughts he had read from her mind that day when she confessed to him about what happened in her past, he knew that what she was saying was true. And as he thought and analyzed her suggestion now, the more the action was delayed, their last chance, the golden opportunity, could slip from them and fall straight into the enemy's waiting hand. If that ever happened, all would really be lost.
He sighed, succumbing to the inevitable. "What are your plans?"
Her face lit up upon hearing the tone of approval. "Tell Aquaman to defer the attack…and give me a little time. I'll communicate to you when."
Deep inside a part, somewhere in his mind, J'onn could still not believe he was even considering this option, the possibility of losing another friend.
"Diana…"
It was her turn to try and read his thoughts. "J'onn, what is one life sacrificed…to save the lives of many?"
He looked at the hand holding on to him and felt an emotion so strong from her.
Selflessness.
And he felt a pang of guilt upon the thought that he did not want to lose his friend, when she, herself, was willing to give up her life to save those she could. And as he stared at the beautiful blue eyes, as he came to terms with what was going to happen, he sighed to himself and admitted again that she was, indeed, beautiful…in every way possible.
"What else can I do?" He offered.
With a smile, she answered. "Read my mind."
