Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, no profit is being made from this and copyright infringement is not intended.
Author's Note: We are nearing the end and I just want to express my sincerest gratitude to those who patiently followed this long journey. Thank you all very much.
Chapter Nineteen
The Last Hope
The atmosphere was cleared of the smoke, the dust from the battle, the shadow that was cast by the looming space craft as it blocked the sunlight was no longer etched on the ground and the sky was a beautiful blue, and the clouds themselves seem to come to life while the sun shone brilliantly, embracing the vast land.
But despite all the life, all the colors that nature could offer, there was still this tint of gray, even though it could not be seen, that seemed to mute the feeling of rejoicing, the feeling of victory.
It felt like the sky was not as blue anymore, the clouds no longer pure and white, and the sun was not as happier as the days before.
And for the rest of this entire dark and gloomy day, while the debris left from the fight was picked up, while broken lives were slowly being healed, the presence of two men was noticeably missing, not just in the Watchtower but, in the general population as well. Most of the leaguers felt the loss while the others tried their best to put the terrible incident the day brought behind them by helping each other rebuild the Watchtower and in a way regain their strength and confidence, though each and every one else's countenances were short of the earlier light and enthusiasm, voices were in soft whispers, and eyes were definitely tainted with grief.
Early the following morning Superman finally returned to the Watchtower though it felt like he was turning off his emotions somewhere inside of him, that he had to drag himself and put on a brave façade because he could not afford to let his feelings of grief show.
Everyone seemed to go on with their lives as if already recovered from the loss while busy with the repairs that were needed to get the Watchtower back at normal operating capacity. But as everyone worked together, it was not hard to miss a certain feeling that hung in the air silently and strangely, that if anyone dared mention her name, the quiet spell would be broken by sadness.
It felt like the whole place was missing a certain light.
And the feeling was even more pronounced when he felt his feet leading him to the direction of her quarters. Taking a deep breath, he summoned the courage to enter.
The simple sight of her empty room made the sadness well up inside of him once more.
For a strange moment he just stood by the door as if expecting her to suddenly appear and face him with an amused and questioning expression about what he was doing inside her room. Then his gaze swept around the quiet area, taking in the spears and shields on the wall adorning the left side of the room, the breathtaking view of space just ahead of him.
And the empty bed.
But the sight of a photo album on her bedside table captured his curiosity, beckoning him to come close.
Walking towards the left side of the bed, he sat down and stared at the leather bound album for a while. Feeling like he was invading her privacy, his hands moved nonetheless, taking hold of the book. Then his hand softly felt the cover, as if trying to feel her presence as he prepared himself, his emotions, taking a deep breath as a sad thought made its way to his mind before he opened something precious she kept in secrecy, to herself alone, and leafed through the contents.
A regretful smile escaped his sad lips at the sight of the various candid pictures he never thought she collected. Some were blurred, some were out of focus, and there were three where her face captured almost the entire frame, probably taken by Wally. And there was a stolen shot of Bruce, her and him, and it was during a happy time, at least, for her.
And the sight of her smiling face shot an arrow through his heart. He sighed deeply, and the smile on his face faded, knowing that she was looking at the pictures, his face and Bruce's and remembered only the happy times because the present hurt too much.
She was looking at their immortalized happiness for the last time.
By herself.
All alone.
Because the ones she loved abandoned her.
He abandoned her.
The sliding sound of the door opening momentarily made him compose himself. He did not bother turning when another familiar presence entered the area. And for a few seconds, there was an awful and very awkward silence.
He waited for the other man to speak and when no words were said, his lonely gaze fell back on the beautiful face. "She…loved pictures."
There was no denying the amount of melancholy his voice held and he tried to make light of he situation. "I remember her telling me once that she once thought they were punished souls trapped in glass for all eternity," he mentioned to the motionless man several feet away behind him. "I never knew she had such a…collection."
Batman did not reply and his enhanced senses did not detect a movement either, other than the rhythmic inhale and exhale of the deep breathing and the faint, erratic beating of a heart.
He continued, not caring if the other was even listening or paying any attention to him. "Did you know she has…had quite a fondness for Russell Crowe?" Ironically, he managed a chuckle despite the gloominess of the situation as he looked at a photograph of her reading a magazine with the actor on the cover. "Obviously she liked the strong and…temperamental type."
Another stretch of uncomfortable silence passed before Bruce finally opened his mouth to speak in a flat voice. "You love her."
His breath caught. Batman's observation hit him full on the chest that he stopped breathing for a while. And there was no use denying the truth now as his hands stilled from turning the nostalgic pages. "Yes."
"But you never told her." The voice still lacked emotion. "She loved you."
He looked at the extreme close up of the beautiful face that smiled sweetly at him from one of the pictures. It looked almost the same when he first saw her smile during that day in the farm.
"I know." He almost smiled back at her face as if she was just there beside him, wearing the expression that was only meant for him. But then he noticed that there was not a single picture of just the two of them together. "But it's in a totally different kind compared to what the both of you shared."
"Why didn't you tell her?"
"There was no need to," he sighed. "Because she loved you from the very start…in a very different way that she loved me."
He could detect a sudden flinch of regret, a sting of pain and remorse but the emotion was soon gone again before he continued. "I am contented with the truth that somewhere in her heart there is a small place for me. You have to accept that."
Bruce's masked face bowed down at the accusation but did not deny what was said because all of it was the truth, that loving her was loving all of her, even her past, and in that significant past there was a place where she formed a very special bond with Superman.
"The last time I spoke to her…was in anger." Bruce finally found the courage to confess. "I found out about the past the both of you shared, a very important past, and I felt left out. I was hurt. I felt betrayed by all the secrecy."
Superman looked up from the album to stare at the view of dark space through the thick glass of the window. "You must understand there were rules she had to follow."
"I know." It was the voice of regret, a voice that seldom escaped him.
Superman had a confession of his own as his eyes stared at the blackness of space and his mind traveled to a time he wanted to forget. "The last time I saw her we were arguing. She confessed to me that you were…together." He closed his eyes and remembered her sad face that night. "I admit I was hurt because I know what she had to give up. And I didn't want to lose her."
For another sad and crucial moment, the two men finally realized what they had done to the woman who loved them, the impact of what they both did as they remained in quiet contemplation of the hurt they caused her in return for the anger they both selfishly felt.
Bruce's sad voice broke the silence. "It's ironic how the two people she loved were the very same people who gave her so much pain during the last few days of her life."
"Our hate, her pain, that was the punishment."
Bruce looked up. "That's why I'm here, to try and right the wrong."
"What?"
The confident voice was back. "I just want you to know I am going to Themyscira for her."
Superman closed the book. "The Amazon guards would kill you on sight."
"I know."
"It's suicide."
"Maybe," Bruce answered. "But I have countermeasures."
A smile appeared on Superman's face, because there was a part of him that believed this would eventually happen. "I was wondering when you'd get to your senses and do that." He finally stood up and faced the other man. "And if you get pass them?" A brow rose. "What next?"
"I'll cross the bridge when I get there." There was a faint smirk on Bruce's face, because he knew it was short of saying there was no plan at all.
Superman became a little worried for his friend. But he knew there was no way on earth, or the whole galaxy for the matter, he would be able to stop this stubborn man. "Are you going to beg the gods to resurrect her?"
"I never beg." The smirk was gone to be replaced by utter seriousness. "But for her, I'll do anything."
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The wings fluttered slightly in the long shadow cast from the sunlight behind as Shayera entered the high, large ornate doors that opened to the large, sacred temple. Her eyes expressed a certain sentiment, and Queen Hippolyta understood, commanding the royal guards to fall behind, to return outside and guard the entrance, allowing her the privacy of grieving her lost friend. Now alone, a few steps inside, she stood motionless for a while as if summoning the courage to go on. Then, silently and carefully, she walked to the center, her footsteps on the marble floor making a faint tap that echoed inside the vast area, her eyes blind to the aesthetic merits of ancient Greek architecture and to everything else except for what occupied the center of the room.
Temporarily, the footsteps halted when she neared her destination, a few feet away where the golden statues of the gods loomed and watched over the prone figure of a beautiful woman dressed all in white. With a deep breath, she gathered all the strength to continue, to walk closer and be by her friend's side. Turning slightly to the left, she proceeded but almost closing her eyes at the sight, as if still not wanting to believe all of this could be real, that Diana was indeed gone.
Sleeping, Diana looked like she was just in a very peaceful slumber, dreaming of a place where there was no hurt and pain. The ebony hair flowed past her shoulders, framing the face that was still radiant and beautiful, the ruby lips curving not into a smile but an expression of contentment embraced by a very beautiful dream that she did not want to wake up anymore.
Thank you, J'onn…Then the cloak of protection disappeared as the shadow of a woman transformed into a much taller man, the wings disappearing to form into a thick and black cape.
Bruce let the quiet moment pass, by just looking at the face he loved, missing the blue eyes that stared at him sometimes in doubt, in frustration, in admiration, in love…and the last time, in hurt. And it tore him apart that the last time they were together, he was breaking her heart by pushing her away, accusing her of something she only did because it was the only thing she could do.
I miss you so much.
His right hand moved and with his left he removed the glove because he wanted to feel her skin under his hand, his touch. And as he traced with his fingers softly the outline of her face, he almost expected her to move, open her eyes and smile back at him. But the skin that felt so warm under him was now cold, unmoving and lifeless. Because she was dead.
One way…or the other, Diana. I will be with you, soon.
Slowly he put the black glove on. Taking a deep breath, looking at her face for a while, he then raised his masked face to the statues that watched over them with dead and unfeeling blank eyes.
"She lived to serve you…obey your every command." His voice talked to the unmoving sculptures as he walked near the altar to pause at the center where golden steps divided the statues to lead to a higher ground. "Except for one. And you punished her for it…we all punished her for the sin of falling in love."
In one swift movement, he removed the mask from his face and defiantly glared at the cold stone. "Look at your champion now." He pointed to where Diana lay as his voice rose in anger. "Gods…you call yourselves gods. What kind of cruel gods are you?"
His hands balled into fists at his sides at the lack of attention he was getting. "Talk to me! You---"
"Stop this!" Hippolyta approached and the hurried footsteps echoed all throughout the temple as the guards ran to him, aiming their spears in his direction. "What are you doing here, mortal?" The queen demanded.
He did not even flinch. "I came for Diana."
"By deceiving her mother?"
For a while he noted the hurt in the mother's voice. He moved slightly but was stopped by more pointed weapons aimed at his face. "We both know you will not let me see her if I did not deceive you by assuming the personality of someone else."
Hippolyta knew it was the truth. And though she never approved of her daughter's feelings for this man, there was something inside of her that was touched by the gesture, the gallantry that led this man to this island with the knowledge that he might not leave alive. Maybe it was the bravery, that even though he was not endowed with powers like her daughter had he still took the risks to fight for good, that made Diana fall in love with him.
Maybe Hippolyta could not grasp and comprehend her daughter's reasons all at once. But the queen was starting to see things differently and for a moment felt an admiration for the man in front of her. It seemed that he was worthy of her daughter's love after all. But, it was too late.
"It does not matter," the queen sighed sadly. "She's dead."
"Because they killed her."
"Please…if you value your life," Hippolyta pleaded with her voice and her eyes to the man her daughter once loved. "…do not blaspheme…"
"Hippolyta!"
It was a female voice. But it seemed to come from deep under the earth, making the ground tremble, the walls shake in its intensity. Bruce fixed his gaze at the altar and a blinding light materialized before them.
All the Amazons bowed in respect of the presence of their goddess. "Hera ---"
"Why have you allowed this mortal to deceive you?" The loud voice of the goddess accused as the light glowed with emphasis with every syllable that was uttered.
The queen's head was still bowed in reverence. "Forgive me my---"
"I came to seek an audience with you." Bruce cut off Hippolyta's explanation.
The light glowed more as if in anger. "By defiling the sanctity of this temple!"
"It's easier to catch your attention the wrong way."
"How dare you speak to me in that manner?" Hera might as well have shouted, the strong voice echoing, bouncing off the four corners and the ornate walls. "Do you know who you are talking to?"
"I know very well who you are." Bruce ignored the expression on Hippolyta's faced that told him to shut up. "You are one of those responsible for taking away her life."
"You insolent mortal! How dare you accuse---?"
"Because I speak the truth!"
A deep and rumbling sound of anger seemed to want to burst out from within the earth, as the ground shook, as the walls of the ancient temple trembled, as the goddess' form changed from a lighter shade to a deeper tint of yellow. Then, all of a sudden, a streak of blinding light, resembling the speed of lightning escaped forth from the form, creating sparks that were to be followed by a distinct crackling sound.
A surge of pure pain coursed all throughout his body as the tip of the light touched his left shoulder. He gritted his teeth, fighting against the onslaught of pain but his knees could not carry the weight of his agony, making him fall, kneeling on the marble ground. Through the haze of tears that welled from the pain, he barely caught a reflection of his tortured countenance on the polished floor as a right hand supported the rest of his frame.
"I should strike you down and take away your pitiful life where you are!"
The simple task of raising his face seemed too much. "Strike me down, burn me to the ground…" His voice was hoarse and there was a strange moment when he thought that his insides might have been burnt dry. "But before you do…I implore you to…please listen."
"I don't have to listen to you," Hera answered. "I know---"
"I beg you…for her life."
The way his lips let the words escape…it was so very different from the cold and demanding tone he used to challenge the goddess earlier, as if it was the voice of another man, a man who would do anything for the woman he loved, even if he knew there was not much he could do for her anymore.
"And now you humble yourself." Hera was quick to note the sudden change. "Where is the arrogance now, mortal?"
He tried raising himself, putting his weight on his right knee but it was all in vain. He closed his eyes at his own desperation. "Please…"
For the first time, Hippolyta wanted to reach out and help the mortal in pain a few feet from where she knelt.
"Why?" The loud voice asked. "So you can hurt her all over again?"
He opened his eyes and again, he was faced with the blurred image of his face on the marble floor and at the sight of his own tired eyes, he let all the guilt seep in, as if in a last attempt to redeem himself although he knew very well he still would not be able to forgive his own sins.
"During the last few moments of her life, Diana was apologizing for causing the ones she loved pain." He did not bother answering the goddess' taunt. "She was apologizing for a fault that was not hers…but ours."
A deathly silence fell as the truth was spoken and everyone else seemed to consider the magnitude of what they all had done to Diana. And as the light seemed to steady from the usual flicker, the queen herself closed her eyes as Hippolyta thought of the fate of her daughter and the fate of the man she loved and for once admitted to herself that there was no denying the extent of his feelings for her departed daughter.
"Diana knew what she was doing. She sacrificed her life willingly and died for all of us." Hera was unfazed by his statement. "As for you, you chose your fate to die needlessly when you set foot in this island."
And from the cold and unfeeling voice of the goddess, he knew very well that all he did was in vain.
"A part of her was already dead when we took away the chance for her to love. We all killed her then already."
"Your accusations you will take with you to the grave," the goddess pronounced.
Silence fell all around for another while before he chanced to gaze at the face of the mother of the woman he loved as if in quiet gratitude for something that he could not speak. Then he faced the light once more.
The light glowed a distinct yellow once more and he closed his eyes, awaiting the punishment, as his mind accepted the truth. He would be with her soon.
"At least, I tried to fight one last chance for her and die…rather than live the rest of my life in doubt."
Slowly, he lifted himself off the ground, all the while preparing himself for the inevitable.
He had lost.
But he had triumphed in a way.
And this was one of the very few moments when he felt dread wash all over him and he would be lying if he did not admit to the fear that was gripping at him at this very moment, the fear of facing certain death. But then, when he thought of her face, the face that smiled at him in his thoughts, he felt the courage and a comforting peace of mind.
And when his lips parted to sigh, it was the sound of acceptance of the fate that lay before him.
He was ready.
He could not wait to be with her once more.
Diana…I'll be with you. Wait for me…
"Wait!"
Everyone suddenly stilled at the voice and from his position, he opened his eyes, turned and saw Superman walking towards them. He could not explain it, but at the sight of the man, his friend, a feeling of relief somehow managed to enter his thoughts.
That was what Superman brought. He brought hope to the hopeless.
"The Man from the Stars." Hera recognized his presence. "I assume that you came for her too."
"I came for the both of them." Superman's voice held the utmost respect, in contradiction to the earlier tone used by Bruce.
But the effect was just the same. "Are you challenging me also for their fate?"
"No…I am not." Superman was quick to humble himself in the presence of the deity. "I ask that her majesty spare my friends and grant them another chance."
"Why would I do that?"
"Because it is the right thing to do." Superman cast a sidelong glance at Batman and noted the ragged breathing as a result of Hera's earlier wrath. It appeared that his friend did not quite accomplish the task he came for with the defeated set of the shoulders that was not hard to miss.
He did not wait for an answer and instead continued. "All her life…all she ever wanted to do was to be a champion, your champion, a daughter, a friend, a loved one." He closed his eyes and knew Diana would disapprove of him saying all of this to gain sympathy. But it had to be said. "But she always felt that she was not a worthy enough champion, a dutiful enough daughter…and a trustworthy friend…because she did one thing that we all warned her against."
Superman opened his eyes once more and stared straight into the light. "I beg you to consider."
And Hera did just that as evidenced by the tense silence that stretched within the walls of the temple. The lull momentarily allowed Hippolyta to reflect on the truth that her daughter was indeed loved and accepted by the outside world as evidenced by these two men who gallantly braved the odds to ask for her life.
Then the light moved. "I will spare your arrogant friend. But Diana's fate is already sealed. She has fulfilled her destiny."
"Please---"
"Why does her life concern you so much?" The voice of the goddess softened slightly.
"Because we all deprived her of a life that she deserved to live."
Hippolyta winced at the words because it was the truth. They all hindered Diana's happiness in a way.
"Her majesty…"
If the deity could sigh, it was what they heard. "Because we once asked something from you and you did not deny us, I will take your request into consideration," she answered Superman. "For now, go home and await our decision."
When he heard the words, Bruce closed his eyes and offered words of gratitude in his thoughts.
He hardly ever prayed anymore, but a part of him knew…there was Someone, somewhere, who was looking after him. And right now, he was given another chance.
"Thank you." It was Superman who said the words aloud before glancing at Bruce who did not seem to want to leave just yet.
Bruce…let's go. We did our part…J'onn's voice reasoned.
The spears withdrew as Hippolyta ordered. And when Bruce walked near to Diana's form to say a silent goodbye, it was the only time Superman saw the lifeless form of his friend.
And the instant he saw her face as the black glove on Bruce's hand touched her, all he wanted was to be by her side to say a silent goodbye himself. Because this might be the last chance he had of seeing her, of saying a final farewell. But instead of walking near, he planted his feet and he let the moment pass, allowing both his friends the moment they did not have to be together, if only for the last time.
In silence, the two men returned to the Javelin and as the aircraft was about to take flight with J'onn at the helm, there was a voice that whispered in Bruce's head. "She will not be tainted with the pain of your love anymore."
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Waiting was the hardest part.
Superman busied himself by taking charge of the rehabilitation of the Watchtower, making his presence more felt to boost the morale of the slightly despondent crew. During his spare time, he researched ancient Greek burial rituals all the while debating with himself if he should make a re-appearance at Themyscira to stress his point further.
On the other hand, Bruce dealt with the waiting by drowning himself with work as Wayne Enterprises resumed the regular working schedule after business was interrupted by the foiled take over. There were numerous paper works, proposals to be reviewed, contracts to be signed and a number of employees to be reassured that everything was back to normal.
In between them was J'onn, who was closely looking in on the two most affected people by Diana's departure.
In the evening, a day after their visit to the island, while on a very brief break by the cafeteria, Superman found himself leafing through a book of ancient Greek culture. He learned that in later eras, the prothesis or wake only lasted for a few days or even just twenty-four hours. Concerned about Diana, he was just about to do a rough computation of the situation when J'onn summoned him.
When he arrived, Batman was already there with the Martian and their eyes were fixed on nothing but the empty teleporter pad.
"J'onn…what is it?"
J'onn pushed a few buttons on the small console a few feet away from the flat surface of the pad. "I feel…a faint presence in my mind."
Is it…her? Bruce asked.
J'onn tried to concentrate. I'm not sure. But…someone is arriving.
And slowly, a play of lights materialized before them. Different colors sparkled into tiny specks, subtly at first before a human silhouette slowly appeared from the haze. After a few more seconds the empty space was occupied by a tall female form. Then the beautiful face finally appeared as the body solidified, clothed in a red, blue and gold uniform. But the insignia on her chest was replaced by a gold breastplate molded in the form of a familiar bird.
Time stood still.
Everything was silent.
Bruce's breath stopped at the unbelievable sight before him and his chest complained at the stillness, finally heaving a heavy sigh but carefully silencing the sound even if no one bothered paying attention to anything else but the presence of the woman who rose from the dead.
And through his mask, his eyes stared hard in amazement causing a strain that made the tear duct produce more fluid than necessary that the tears slowly welled in the lower lid of his eyes, convincing himself that it was a natural reaction, not a product of the overwhelming emotions, of surprise, relief and bliss, that he was experiencing at the very moment.
Just beside him, Superman's face registered almost the same expression of wonder. Even if they both knew of the possibility unlike everyone else, it was still very hard to believe their request was granted, their prayer was answered.
Diana swept her gaze around the large area and tried to look at each of the faces she remembered only too well and in their silent eyes, she felt a strong sense of belonging, a bond that could never be severed even by death.
She missed them all and her smile told them how much. "Looks like you've all seen a ghost."
From the corner of his teary eye he saw Superman bridge the gap with a few strides to embrace the friend he missed so much while almost all of the leaguers clapped and rejoiced in unison to later huddle close.
"You just don't know how we all missed you." Superman stared into her eyes when he finally released her from the bear hug allowing the others the chance.
"It's nice to know I was missed."
"Princess!" Wally yelled from within the crowd to appear beside her in a blink. "Is this really you?"
She raised her right hand and pinched him on the cheek. "Missed me?" Her eyes smiled and she found herself enveloped in another heartfelt embrace.
"Don't ever leave us again."
"I won't." She reassured him with a tap on his shoulder.
When Wally broke free, there was a naughty grin on his face. "Just in case I don't get another chance."
"Don---" Her protest was cut off when he planted a quick kiss on her lips before speeding away. "Flash!"
There was a round of laughter but her embarrassment was short-lived since everyone was eager to welcome her back, shaking her hand, sharing warm embraces.
His heart started thundering in his chest the more her steps led her close to where his feet seemed to be rooted, his hands began sweating and the glove covering his hand suddenly felt small. For a few weird seconds something in his nervous mind told him to make an abrupt about face and leave, but his feet did not obey.
And then there she was, a breath away, looking at him, extending a hand.
And he flinched with a strong pang of hurt inwardly.
For years he had mastered the art of detecting signs of human emotion with a single look in a person's eyes, whether it be fear, anger, hate or guilt. And as his eyes looked at hers, there was no trace of any deep emotion, any indication of a disguised feeling, not even the slightest hint of the passion that he used to see in the deep blue orbs.
All that looked back at him were the eyes that showed a fondness, a friendship.
With dread, he felt it and the goddess' last words as they left the temple echoed in his ears.
She will not be tainted with the pain of your love anymore.
Whatever love she felt for him died with her. And it would remain dead while she lived again.
