Unprecedented Beginnings, part 2
The computer's voice carried through the cave and the announcement accompanied by the zeta beam crackle echoing. If anybody would have denied the existence of coincidences and reasoned out such occurrences as some dubious plot concocted cunningly by the parties responsible every single time, they would have been irrevocably convinced that coincidences existed after this particular instance. Not Batman though.
Batman was particularly unnerved with the near-miss yet almost as if planned disappearance of the Percy character and appearance of Wonder Woman within moments of each other pulling their respective acts. And anticipating the unavoidable question, he pre-emptively grunted, "He escaped." That was a huge understatement. He did not escape as in 'got-free-and-ran-away', he escaped by becoming some gas and pulled a great Houdini act. Looking back, they should have collared him but foolishly assumed he was out of commission for the next few days, if not weeks. Something to file away and prepare for the next time around.
Wonder Woman was perplexed, to say the least. In that room were three full-fledged leaguers and crime-fighters along with six quite experienced protégés. To escape would require at the very least, a whole bunch of evasive techniques and possibly fighting skills to outclass Batman and Black Canary (which is quite out of the ordinary to speculate), stay out of Tornado's radar and still combat a Martian, an Atlantean, a subdued superclone and a Speedster. However, if this gifted individual were to escape through unconventional methods, it would make a lot more sense and be a whole lot more comforting. Nonetheless, she was annoyed to have been pulled away from the celebratory banquet being held on Themiscyra for the entire Amazonian population. After all, it isn't every day you get to thwart individually and much less beat their alliance when they are constituted by a member of the brothers three who was also the commander and lord of the undead and the underworld (and not to miss, Tartarus as well), a psychopathic all-powerful god of war and a devious, wicked immortal shrew whose mastery over magic was only rivalled by her mother among the third and fourth generation immortals. With a sigh of resignation, she decided to blast off the flurry of questions swirling in her mind. "By escape, you mean he evaded you lot or he teleported someplace else? Either way, it should be embarrassing for a captive to escape from our stronghold. And who is he? My presence has never been demanded immediately or necessitated unless it was for backup or an important meeting. I-"
"Sorry to cut you off, Wonder Woman", Canary interrupted her inquisition. "You should let us answer your numerous questions. It was an unfortunate oversight on our part that he escaped. Our unknown meta was instrumental in stopping a catastrophic event tonight. Single-handedly. He wasn't our captive. We brought him to the cave to heal him. He was burnt by his exertion. Sadly, we forwent the precautionary inhibitive collars and cuffs. It would make a lot more sense to you if you would watch the video recorded by the team in stopping the supervolcano and the cave's video surveillance."
Dinah was flitting from one end of the spectrum to the other. A meta or any being with that much power should not only have surfaced far before, but also have left a mark, spurred some rumours or some tales describing his legendary abilities. Either the kid was a new meta experiment who felt the need to pitch his services now and then or he was truly in hiding not revealing his powers or wanting anything to do with them. Besides, the brief fight sequence between Percy and the new Red terminator-aspirant showcased his immense skills with the fine long-blade and his warrior instincts. A tactically brilliant move to make a big entrance while injuring him in strategic weak points of the humanoid structure. Allowed the monologue to prep himself with a good plan. Manoeuvred him in front of a sizzling and deadly river of molten rock and magma. Executed all the steps quickly to ensure the least amount of collateral damage. Clearly, Percy had good training and possibly well experienced in combat with blades. Then again, he seemed cocky, arrogant and annoying while remaining cunning enough to engage them in a now clearly pointless, forced telepathic information extraction while healing and rejuvenating himself in a body of water. All the while gaining enough energy to… teleport and escape before the situation becomes too unfavourable for him. Either he was a genius, or he had enough experience in these interrogative style situations to play the cocky bastard, idiotic fool and utilize his powers and defences to escape. Both options seemed to be a disturbing notion. In the end, unbelievably, they had no answers despite their best interrogators present in the room. That was chilling.
Her train of thought came crashing when Wonder Woman let out a gasp. If their previous encounter was not indicative of the dangerous nature of their subject in the limelight currently, the gasp cleared any remaining doubts. Wonder Woman stood tall even in the faces of immensely powerful beings like Ares and never have they heard her utter such an unearthly sound. That does not take into account her royal upbringing and regal bearings that demands such sounds never escape her larynx. Irrespective of the unexpected, gold meme moment just generated, (which no doubt Robin will circulate amongst everybody without the princess getting to know) all as one centred their attention on the face plastered on the screen, video paused in a particularly disturbing moment of skin, flesh and muscle regeneration. However, the piercing sea-green eyes were the focus of Wonder Woman's attention. In but a moment, recognition dawned upon the more observant and intelligent members present that this kid was someone known to Wonder Woman leading in turn to many more questions. It was a ridiculous inference to obtain when considering that she was a member of a secluded, all-feminine race who have no idea of the modern world and live their lives hidden on a mystical island.
Batman was cursing himself internally. They had made plenty of mistakes in this mission and the following events. Added to that, this individual was obviously crafty and well-trained, not only in the ways of the body and combat, but also in those of the mind. Perhaps trained to handle inquisitions and possibly torture and interrogation. Not to miss, his affinity to water and other related abilities should have been an obvious indicator to keep him restricted and chained. Maybe placing him in water was a disastrous strategic failure? Although with the impulsive nature of thick-headed, buffalo-skinned Kryptonians with their overly impractical and idealistic philosophies, it would have been impossible to deny him contact with water. It's exhausting. Why couldn't people do it his way? Criminals do not deserve a soft touch. They need an unrelenting force, and no discrimination with the use of a hard hand. Yet, the other way may still be a viable option. Ha. Obviously not for Gotham and its insane criminals. Besides, this Percy is not a criminal. His agenda is unknown, and he is an uncharacteristically powerful variable that appeared on the scene in an exceptionally key moment. And now Wonder Woman knows him? That's all too coincidental to not be suspicious. He needs to be contained, studied and contingency plans prepared for. Speaking of which, "Do you want to tell us something, Princess?"
In all the confusion from the preceding events of that day, it was clear that the Red family was forgotten. Until Tornado spoke up. "Perhaps, his Greek-themed gear might indicate Wonder Woman's familiarity with him?"
And the chaos restarted. The leaguers present demanded a full debrief from both the team and the Red Family. It isn't every day that a supposed turncoat comes back as a hero. Finally coming back to the topic at hand, after clearing all the issues they could about the facts and stories, the focus fell back on the champion of the Amazons once again to tell her tale.
Wonder Woman had not expected to see him there. After all, a mortal who dies should stay dead. She remembers it as clear as day, the entire first encounter and the details of the events that preceded it. World War II was in full flow and Ares, being the instigator of conflict was an incredibly tough opponent.
Flashback to Feb 1944.
Ares certainly had the upper hand in the fight so far. His numerous millennia more of combat experience and not to mention his domains of war were infinitely more powerful than anything she had encountered in her past. Perhaps, her first trip to man's world might be her last. However, she was an Amazon. An Amazon never gives up and fights until her very last breath. And more so, she was also their champion and the champion of her gods. It is time she believed in herself, live up to their standards and protect men and women from the wiles and guiles of the mad war god.
Launching herself at the embodiment of the worst mankind has to offer, within the blink of an eye, she covered the large distance between her and Ares. Using her enhanced Amazonian speed, muscle memory and combat skill, she began battering her opponent with precise surgical strikes. But her foe was no ordinary combatant and met her fierce slashes with little effort and pushing her further and further into the defensive. Every slash was parried, every thrust blocked, every attempt to injure the critical tendons and ligaments was foiled. Frustration began building and eventually putting all her effort into one deadly blow intended to incapacitate her opponent, she struck with all her might and speed. The resulting clash was heard around the world with pressure waves ricocheting off the ground and surrounding structures.
Instantly, the ground below them cracked, the surrounding structures were flattened and the massive energy release created a crater, one of many during the fight. Despite the impressive display and magnificent battle, Ares looked unperturbed while she was running on fumes. Deciding to trust her handy lasso and seeking to compel Ares into a surrender, she concocted her plan to distract the vile, warmongering, imbecilic bastard. Rushing forward with her shield raised, she threw her sword spinning it towards his left shoulder which he harmlessly deflected failing to anticipate her next move. Smashing the shield into his face repeatedly till he fell to the ground and then using the lasso of Hestia to keep him bound, she asks him "Why are you rebelling against his own father?".
"Why? My father is an old, senile fool who tries to maintain the balance of power on Olympus while his favoured creatures wreak havoc on Mother Gaia. Even today, when human filth have created weapons that significantly alter the very fundamental nature of a city or region through science, he doesn't wish to intervene and assert the required control to keep them from spinning out of order. In ancient times, the primitive human filth kept fighting amongst themselves and prayed to us, their superior beings to show them the way ahead. Those were the times of greatness and progress. Yes, the element of conflict thrived. Progress is best obtained in times of great peril. If anything, this war and the plenty of other wars fought over the course of their very existence, proves that. I seek nothing but a return to the old ways where man respected the forces of nature instead of wrecking the very foundations of his sustenance. Humanity is corrupted today.
You Amazons knew that. The evils that befell your people before have thrived in the modern world. Greed, Hate, Thirst for Power are but the simplest of evils running rampant in the modern world." Using his power, he filled her vision with a glorious scene, "Wouldn't the world be better off if Mother Gaia were returned to her pristine glory? Where man learnt his place and coexisted with nature instead of destroying it at every turn? You want to see the evils of men?" With that, the vision changed to show the fleeing, wicked generals of the Nazi propaganda, the gulags in Soviet Russia, the inhumane treatment in the concentration camps, the cull of innumerable opponents and people by Stalin, the anti-Semitism raging across the western world and the inhumane subjugation of other human beings across the globe. And finally, it shifted to the constant onslaught of machine-gun fire from the Luftwaffe, being borne by the aircraft carrying the deadly nerve agent showing Steve Trevor in the pilot seat, on his last legs.
"Witness, in a few moments, this mortal who seeks to end the wretched fascist dominance over Europe becomes yet another casualty of this war. I may have fanned the flames of aggression and conflict over the past few decades, but it was for the noble cause of securing the future of Mother Gaia and the future of our culture and my people." The rest of his rant was lost on Diana as she watched Steve, her first and only male friend. A potential love. A true gentleman at heart. A great warrior and an uncompromising ideal. Flashing by her were all the unrealizable moments. A possible life of love and contentment. A family. Tears pricked her eyes when she heard him say, "I love you, Diana. Now save the world for us all." The plane blew up with him being torn apart by the explosion. The anguish and grief that filled her heart threatened to leave her completely defenceless. Morphing into rage and unbridled fury at Ares for fanning the flames of a needless conflict and starting this war resulting in enormous loss, she shouted and unlocked within her the power gifted to her by the council of Olympus. Lightning began to streak across the sky as storm clouds suddenly gathered overhead.
"Ah. You had feelings for him. Such a shame. Unfortunately, that violates your way of life and your code of existence, Amazon. Your patrons will be more than displeased about this. Nonetheless, you seemed to have found your divine power. Loss does seem to do that rather effectively." Ares in his element. In the midst of a war raging across the globe. Rage and conflict pervaded every battleground from those on strategic planning to those on the battlefield. He was unbeatable. Unless his father decided to intervene, he would reign supreme. Diana was but a complication in the grand scheme and vision of the future he had. He is a god while she is but a mere demigod. An immortal, Amazonian, champion of the gods. Yet, a demigod. Now, to dispose of her. But, he would offer her one last time, a chance to join him in his noble power-seeking conquest. Uhh, noble nature-preserving and restoration conquest. If his offer's rejected, then his course of action would only be far more enjoyable. "Join me, Diana. With my blessing and your heritage, we would be a force even Zeus himself would be unable to stop. We can restore Mother Gaia and put humanity in its place, show them the better ways of the old and finally bring stability to the world."
"Do you take me to be a naïve child, Ares? What you say may be true, but you and I know that isn't the full truth. Your final goals while commendable, are just a side benefit for the all-conquering power-hungry buffoon simmering behind your horrid façade of peace and glory of the past. Your aim is to take over Olympus and send humankind three thousand years into the past. You are but fanning the flames of conflict to gain power. Regarding the atrocities of humanity, you fail to show the kindness, compassion and love they exhibit in their lives. Every abominable act that they perform has an equal and opposite incredibly generous act. I have personally felt both sides of the kind and will thus never be a victim of your inglorious machinations. Your actions have led to the unnecessary death of millions of humans and for that, by the power vested in me by the council of Olympus, you will be punished a billion times over." Diana's tirade left her fuming.
With a second wind coming to her aid, she started to rotate her bound captive a few times quickly and then flung him far across the battlefield like a tin can. Lightning flashed across the sky and when she pulled her sword above her head, it struck the sword lighting up the entire battlefield. A brilliant white light blazed across the sky effervescently burning the eyes of any observers and she redirected the lightning towards the still bound Ares. A resounding boom followed the contact between the war god and the bolt of lightning only ever matched by other gods of the sky. Speeding towards the newly formed crater, she saw Ares charred and on fire but quickly recovering. His eyes were filled with rage and hate. He looked up at Diana and smirked, "I am going to enjoy tearing you apart and feeding you to my royal hounds of war. When I am done, I will pick up the remaining pieces and drop you off with your mother and your patrons. Today, you will know the might of Ares and the wrath of war. You should be honoured mortal, for you those who have spurned my offers in the past, did not have the privilege of fighting for their lives."
And the battle was legendary. It grew intense. With Diana's newly discovered powers and Ares millennia of experience, the battle was long fought and hard. In an act of sheer desperation, both Diana and Ares collected all their power and a white bolt of lightning met a red ball of energy. Tales of the battle did the resulting energy bang no justice. Both of them knocked right off their feet and the airport that once existed was nothing but molten rock and embers of fire. Ares recovered faster and was onto Diana in but a split second. "And today dies the champion of the Amazons and favoured mortal among the Olympian council. You have fought valiantly, but ultimately, you fall as others do. At the feet of Ares. Say your last words mortal for those will be your last wish I grant."
Diana sneered at Ares and condescendingly spoke "Some god of war you claim to be. For a mortal demigoddess, a woman, almost beat you. You fight like a mindless brute with no skill. You are just like every other bastard man out there, all bark and no bite." Rage consumed Ares and he dropped his sword. "I will enjoy pulverizing you with my own fists until you are nothing but a greasy smear." And he began to attempt a beatdown when a blade sped through his heart and out the back. Immediately, the heavens opened up and the biggest bolt of lightning dropped onto the sword bringing up a fireworks show. Diana then proceeded to stand and shove Ares onto his knees. "Today, I will end the war. For you are going to the realm of your uncle forever trapped until the end of time." Ares spat the golden ichor from his mouth and spoke, "Well done mortal. However, I will be back and the next time, I won't hold back." Diana looked at him and said, "And I will be waiting". She then lobbed off his head. The moment the disembowelment took place, the entire body of Ares heated up and an effulgent light shot out akin the sun lighting up the sky for the final time that night and sending heat waves that seared her skin, before dropping back onto the earth and finally putting her into unconsciousness.
Mt. Olympus, The Throne Room of the Gods.
Diana began stirring. She felt miserable. Her joints, muscles, her whole body was alight with immeasurable pain. Any movement, no matter how minuscule only furthered her agony. Yet, she heard sounds of loud, booming bickering and the colossal amounts of energy she felt was gnawing at her skin. She opened her eyes to view a gigantic open space above her. The roof was so far up, she knew it was touching the sky. She tried to roll over when all the voices around her suddenly came to a standstill. "Easy there, Diana. You beat Ares. Your body needs healing and right now you are in no position to do anything except stay bedridden." A soft yet commanding voice told her from the side. The voice of her patron, Lady Hestia. "My lady." She started to try and get up but was forced back into lying down by an unseen force. "I apologise –". "It's alright, Diana. You have been in battle with a god. Your circumstances have been considered. Do not worry yourself with that." After a few moments of comfortable silence, Lady Hestia spoke once again. "You have made us all extremely proud Diana. Even your father, who maintains an emotionless façade in general, broke out in a smile. You not only thwarted Ares's foul attempt to control the earth but have regaled the stories of Amazonian bravery, courage, their daring feats and their warrior spirit. We couldn't have asked for a better champion ourselves."
Diana blushed heavily from the effusive praise from her patron. To impress any god is a feat some would consider a highlight. She was more than delighted that her patrons were proud of her and decided to proceed with the best course of action, "Thank You for your kind words milady. I can only thank my sisters, trainers and my patrons for conferring me with the power and trust o complete the job."
And silence found them once more. Like the last time, it was comfortable. Diana, being curious as to where she was, began to speak her mind. "My lady, please forgive me for my presumptuous nature. But, I would like to inquire a few details from you, my lady." She waited for her response and she got it, although it wasn't what she expected.
"We are beside the hearth on Olympus, Diana. You are a hero of Olympus now. You took quite a beating and even if Ares underestimated you and held back, they did quite a number on you. So, as I have powers of healing and I am your patron, I have taken up the responsibility of nursing you back to health to be presented before the Olympian council. You should be up in about two hours. The healing powers of the hearth are second only to Apollo who is forbidden to interact with Amazons as you know. To answer your other question, your mother knows where you will be for the next few hours and so do not be worried. You will be allowed to leave soon enough to regale her with your tale and journey into man's world. Till then, rest my champion." Lady Hestia waved her hand at Diana and instantly she blacked out.
I am sorry. I had made a few corrections in grammar and sructure in this chapter. Unfortunately, I reposted the next chapter instead. Here is the proper chapter.