The Knight and the Amazon

6

The fumes stirred her sense of smell and slowly roused her. Violet hair fell in disorder over her shoulders; her body felt slightly sore, but not overly so. Circe blinked, trying to gather her thoughts.

The last thing she remembered was being tickled by a minor tracking spell. Curiosity had gotten the best of her and she had glanced at the other side, to spot the caster. A miserable mortal. But what had delighted her was the company she was keeping. Diana of Themyscira.

In the thousand years she had been alive, Circe had never thought she could find someone to hate more than the Amazon Queen. Ulysses had been a close second, but Hippolyta –by banning her to Tartarus, had grabbed that status…until a few days ago.

Ares had found her after her release on parole, had sworn to protect her if she devoted herself to him. And she had. For a full year, she had put her magic to his service, had tripled her efforts when she learned about his plan to take over Themyscira. The battle itself had been glorious –she had sworn not to hurt Hippolyta, but hadn't sworn not to hurt her fellow warriors. An Amazon traitor had taken care of her enemy, soon to be killed by another. Everything was perfect. Until the Princess of the Amazons showed up and dueled the God of War himself. And won.

The sight of her lover's decapitated head had rendered her furious. She had taken away the princess in the full intent of getting revenge in a quiet place, far away from the gods' protection, and then send her bloody corpse back to her people.

But Diana of Themyscira wasn't the Champion of the Amazons for nothing. She had somehow managed to escape her grasp and fly away from her influence. Circe just had the time to cast a hex on her before losing sight. For three days, she had searched earth, hoping to find where the wayward princess had landed.

And that tracking spell had led her right to her.

She thought she could end the Amazon then. She thought the simplest curse would complete her revenge. But something had gone terribly wrong. A darker counter-hex, far more powerful that the wretched mortal's magic, had devoured her own and pulled her…somewhere.

A very familiar somewhere, come to think of it. She recognized the scent of burning, the reddish rocks, the sculpted entrance leading to the palace of the Lord of the Underground.

Circe tightened her fists in anger. She had been brought to Tartarus. But how?

"Well, well. I would say welcome back home, but I doubt anyone but me would call Tartarus home."

She stumbled to her feet and turned around. Sitting on his huge throne, Hades stared down at the witch with a smirk. His eyes though twinkled with rage. Circe put a knee down in a bow of submission. While she was a powerful witch and was supported by Hecate, even she knew better than provoke another god. Especially one who had complete control over the dead, and had been her jailer for centuries.

"My Lord, what am I doing here?"

That single question was the most impertinence she would attempt. Her disdain was obvious, but he was judge and executioner if everyone entered his territory. No matter his past deeds, no matter how arrogant and headstrong he might be, Hades was absolute master here.

"What are your last recollections, witch?"

Strangling the Amazon princess with her translucent hands. The unexpected spell breaking the connection. The dark spell…

She risked another glance at Hades. His face had taken an impassive stance and his eyes hardened.

"You, my Lord?"

The god of the Underworld leant forward, eyes narrowed and graver than she had ever seen.

"Diana of Themyscira was sculpted from the clay of the shores of both Themyscira and Tartarus. I was only made aware recently that she had been brought to life…consequences of having little news of the outside world. If Zeus can demand from Hippolyta to spare his son from a death he certainly deserved, why shouldn't I intervene in kind for my only daughter?" he asked rhetorically.

Circe felt a drop of sweat sliding down her forehead. Zeus's partiality to his own children was well-known. Hades had no heir to speak of. If the princess of the Amazon truly was his…A snort of disbelief came from the back of her throat. It didn't matter in the end; she still would have tried to kill the princess. Still would try, if she ever got out of here.

"You broke the terms of your parole," he went on. "As per agreed, you will return to your cell until I see fit to release you." Now that didn't sound good. "Any last words?"

She opened her mouth. Hades snapped his fingers. The witch vanished from his sight, immediately transported to the cell he had specially designed for her. No-one messed with Hades' child, not if he had a say in it.

TKATA

Zatanna left rather abruptly. They were in the middle of lunch when she received what Diana heard to be an 'emergency call' because she was 'on duty', and was teleported out of sight.

Diana had, surprisingly, regretted her departure. Bruce had left her in the company of Dick to do some work of his own, and didn't return until four in the afternoon. By that time, she knew the outland of the manor, some secret hideouts and a few funny stories Dick told her.

The clock was ticking five when he demanded –politely –that she followed him so he could 'evaluate' her.

"Zatana said you were no longer under any kind of spell, black smoke withstanding," he told her. "I would like to know your limits." Alfred gave a small cough in the background. Bruce bit back a grimace and added: "If that's alright with you."

Diana had then asked what the 'evaluation' would consist of. Mostly testing her resistance and endurance in physical efforts. Also perhaps a scan of her body if they had time left. She agreed, if only because she was curious too.

He led her to the bottom of the cave, where they walked straight past the electronic material further down into a large room. Dummies for target practice were hung against the wall. A large matt and a handful of machineries stood on the side.

First, he made her lift what he called weights. When she was done piling them and lifting them in one hand, he grumbled something and directed her to another machine. This time, he had her running on a moving rug for at least twenty minutes. When she didn't show sign of exhaustion, he gave up.

And then, he pulled out a rope from his stuff.

"Let's try something else. I'm going to bind you now. Try to get out."

She could tear through walls. Ropes weren't going to hold her down. When her eyes translated her thoughts, he rolled his eyes.

"Humor me, Diana."

She handed out her wrists. The rope was tied in complicated knots around her wrists. Bruce stepped back, nodded, and waited. Diana physically felt her strength leaving her. Her wrists were tied but she couldn't break the rope. She struggled, her heart suddenly beating faster, pulling hard and –she couldn't break her bindings, what on earth was happening-

"Calm down!" Bruce called sharply. "Here, let me untie you."

Diana forced herself to stand stiff as he unbounded his work and let the rope fall on the side. Her strength returned, flowing back into her body. She immediately ran to the closest wall and gave it a mean punch. It didn't hurt, and her fist busted the rock effortlessly.

"I'd appreciate if you didn't do that very often," Bruce said wryly. She shrugged apologetically, but couldn't regret not testing her strength. "So…tying you up renders you powerless."

Diana didn't like the analytical tone of his voice, nor the sudden coolness in his face.

"Diana," he suddenly spoke again, prompting her to look at him. "I won't tell anyone, trust me on that."

He might not tell, but he would know. She wasn't sure how she felt about that.

"One last thing, and then we're done. Do you know how to fight?"

Still rubbing her wrists uneasily, she shrugged. She must have, if she had been wearing a helmet. Unless she was a terrible fighter. Bruce seemed to believe she could, as he picked up two batons and handed one to her.

"Let's start with something safe –for me," he added with a hint of humor. Diana chuckled, knowing he was referring to her super strength and fast healing.

They stood face to face. Bruce fell in position, posed to strike. She mirrored him, and began.

The fight turned out surprisingly fair: Diana had obviously better physical abilities with speed and strength on her side, but Bruce wasn't a martial arts master for nothing. After two minutes of twirling around, he knew she had to have some basic training. After she hit him unexpectedly in the ribs, he realized she wasn't going fully out in fear of hurting him.

"Don't hold back," he snapped, and came harder on her.

Diana fought back with more insurance, doubtlessly reacting on instinct. And he had to admit, she was good. Her skills seemed to grow with every ticking second and experience or not, he soon had to focus more to keep her from beating him. Eventually, they came to stalemate. Not by choice, as Dick came to interrupt them, but it turned out just as well. Bruce didn't want to find out too hard how far she could go in that domain.

TKATA

"Do you have a plan?"

Donna glanced over her shoulder. Artemis was sitting behind in the invisible jet, looking sour and in a poor mood. Donna suspected she was just hiding her uneasiness.

"More or less," the younger woman replied. "I know how the man keeping Diana looks like," she went on: "From his accent, I'd say he lives in the States. A few of Diana's allies in Man's World live there. I'm thinking of this other woman coming from a different planet. They are friends, sort of. She owes Diana a debt. I'll start with her."

Artemis grunted.

"And what is that precious ally's quality? Did you even meet her?"

"Not really. I mean, I know she was the former chief of the guards in charge of protecting the leader of some dark planet and that she deflected and sought refuge on Earth. Diana was in Man's World then and offered her to join the Amazons, but she declined, quoting too many wars already. Diana said she looked interested though, and thought she could draw her over in a decade or so."

"And what is that warrior's name?"

"Barda. She lives near New York." Pause. "It's a…big city."

Artemis hadn't been in Man's World for a few centuries. The last time, she had been accompanying Alexa and had caused quite a ruckus in a few villages. Queen Hippolyta had categorically refused to let her return anytime soon. Diana though had promised they'd return together, if only so she could keep an eye on her favorite princess.

"Artemis," Donna went on: "A lot of things have changed in Man's World. It's only been two decades since I've joined you, but the thing is, I need you to let me do the talking, alright?"

The redhead rolled her eyes again.

"Fine," she said. "But I get to throw the first fist."

"Deal."

They landed on top of a hill, dominating a large park. The invisible jet wouldn't bother anyone in its spot. The two Amazons had just stepped on ground when Donna asked:

"Say Artemis, were you and Di…"

Her voice trailed off.

"Were we what?" Artemis repeated irritated.

"An item?"

The redhead glared at the younger woman.

"What does it have to do with anything?"

"I was just curious."

Artemis' scowl deepened. While Donna could be impulsive and young, she never asked that kind of question randomly, especially to her.

"Why?"

"I think Diana and the man are…getting along. You get jealous easily," Donna shrugged. "And I know you secretly backed Diana more than you supported Hippolyta. It was just a random thought, honest."

The redhead huffed in annoyance. It didn't matter if Donna was right, but it had been centuries ago, and short in terms of Amazon years.

Unbeknown to the late queen, Diana had been far from innocent over the years. Artemis could name a handful of lovers –not as many as one would think, but more than some might suspect –mostly prompted by curiosity or boredom. She liked to think Diana had genuinely liked her, as she would keep returning to seek her company even after their separation. Rivals they might have been, but trust the princess to turn whatever feeling one might have for her into flawless loyalty. Even when Hippolyta had been queen, Artemis had known where she would stand if a rift ever happened between mother and daughter.

A sudden thought occurred to her as they made way down to civilization, a thought that had her spine shiver in dread.

"Donna," she said urgently. "Can you feel if Diana has any stirrings towards that man?"

The princess was easy to love and without her memories, she would not recall the dangerousness of men. She trusted Diana to care for herself, but if she felt indebted or was seduced…who knew what might happen between the two? What if he laid with her? What if he gave her a child? A daughter would be an acceptable outcome, but a male? The Amazons would never, ever accept this.

"Artemis, is something wrong?"

"We need to find the princess fast," she replied. Too many probabilities were growing in her mind and her overthinking things did her no favors. The princess would not be stupid enough to fall into the clutches of a man…would she?

TKATA

Diana shifted around in her bed uneasily. Today had been filled with so many events, so many things that left her speechless and asking for more. The lifted hex, her apparent fighting skills, the loss of her powers when bound…Too many questions left without answers. She now wished Zatanna had stayed longer, even though the magician had promised to do some research on her end.

Another resigned sigh later, she rolled off the bed and stepped downstairs. Now that Bruce knew she knew something about his secret, she didn't think he'd mind if she took a stroll in the manor.

Her steps led her back in the living room, next to the couch facing the grandmother clock that led to the cave. Diana hesitated briefly, and decided not to return there. Bruce had let her off the first time, even though she had been breaching his privacy. She doubted he would show the same leniency the second time around.

Unless…

She turned the needles until it opened and stepped down the stairs. Alfred stood behind the large computer screens, watching through the eyes of his employer as he seemed to fly between buildings. He glanced over his shoulder when she arrived. Diana waved at him.

"Couldn't sleep, Miss Diana?" she shook her head. "And still no voice?"

Another shake. She gestured instead at her forehead, mimicked a helmet and then her whole body, hoping he would catch her drift.

"Outfit?" the butler guessed. She nodded. "Another out- oh, do you wish to know where your outfit is?"

Diana smiled sheepishly, trying to convey she hoped her request didn't bother him. Alfred left his seat and headed to a darker corner of the cave, where all kind of stuff seemed to be exposed. He pulled the drawer of one of the rare closets and retrieved a large box.

"Everything is in here, Miss Diana. You can bring it back upstairs, if you wish for more quiet."

Just as he spoke, the speakers let Bruce's voice echo in the room:

"Alfred, do you see this?"

Apparently something interesting must have come up. The butler shot her an apologetic glance and returned to his seat.

Diana took no offence and made her way back to the stairs.

"There is a button on the left edge," Alfred warned her. "Good night, Miss Diana."

She nodded back at him. Once she was back in the living-room –after carefully searching for said button –she put the box on the couch and opened the lid.

The costume had been folded. The helmet and boots set on the side. Diana caressed the red fabric with reverence. Here in the silence, alone in the darkness, she felt more solemn, more…quiet. She closed her eyes and-

Her hands were trembling as she adjusted the breastplate. She took the helmet and set it firmly on her forehead. She had often dreamed of this moment, of putting the armor of the Champion of the Amazons and receiving its attributes from the hands of her mother. An official acknowledgment of her being the strongest warrior in front of the Queen and the gods who helped creating her. But her mother had been stabbed in the back and had died in her arms. Now, she was Queen and needed to stop Ares. The strong smells of fire and blood were imbuing the palace; traces of battle embedded the walls. None of it had reached the Sacred Rooms yet. Outside, her sisters were giving their lives to buy her precious time. Footsteps echoed in the empty halls, but she didn't worry; she knew to whom belonged the hurried pace.

The sword was hanging with its shield on the wall, calling to her. She pulled the handle, the blade from its sheath. For years it had been left unused but not forgotten, taken out for official ceremonials. The Godkiller, forged by the hands of Hephaestus and blessed by Athena themselves.

"I'm the only one who can do this", she said determinedly, shouldering the sword and the shield. "I will slay Ares and put an end to the war."

The newcomer stood silent at the entrance of the room. If she turned around, she knew what she would see. Pity and compassion for her, rage and hate for the situation.

"Her Majesty would be very proud of you, Princess."

Respect and awe. Hope and determination. She closed her eyes, breathed in. Snapped them open and walked out. Her sisters needed her. She would answer their call.

Her cheeks felt wet, her tongue tasted salt on her lips. Diana buried her face in the red fabric, inhaled deeper. The memories faded again in the back of her mind but the most important lingered. There had been a war. She had been in the middle of a war. She had to face someone –Ares. People –sisters –were relying on her. Someone…someone had called her princess. Her mother…

Her mother was dead. People she knew had perished. People had relied on her to save them. And she was a princess? Who were her people? Where were they? Why was she alone and isolated from them? Had she succeeded in saving them? Had they all died?

A sob shook her body. Her grip on the cloth tightened. Tears wet the fabric. An animalistic sound echoed from the back of her throat and she wished she could have screamed. Diana fell on her knees, prostrated, face to the ground. The pain she felt now was not merely physical; it was like her soul was coming apart.

Bruce wasn't there to stare. She didn't think she would have had the strength to bear the weight of his eyes. The thought made her lie on her side, curled into a fetal position. The tears kept coming, she kept her face buried into the red fabric. Eventually, she felt herself dozing off.

She might have imagined the shadow that stepped in her room. Except that the dark boots that stopped in front of her eyes were very real, as were the grey and black calves and the flapping cape around his ankles. They smelt like rain and dust and sweat. She didn't move, couldn't care less. Strong arms came behind her shoulders, others under her knees. She was lifted against a strong chest –grey, with an odd shape in the middle –and instinctively curled against it. It was warm, humid, but solid and real. Diana relaxed, allowed the man to carry her back upstairs and lay her on the bed. When she cracked an eye open, it fell on a black cowl with white lens instead of eyes. The lower half of the face was uncovered. A gloved hand caressed her cheek –brushed away a strand of hair. She shivered at the contact but didn't shy away.

"You're safe here, Princess."

The voice sounded different, but she wasn't fooled. It was Bruce. Always Bruce. Always lurking, always watching, always scrutinizing…always putting up with her moody and rude reactions. Did all men have the same patience? She couldn't answer that. Still, she liked the way he called her 'princess'. Not that she would ever tell him. She maintained eye contact as long as his hand hovered over her cheek. When he stood again, his cape hiding his arms like a curtain, she finally closed her eyes. The clothes were still pressed against her face but she felt safe. She was safe. He would be watching. He wouldn't let anything happen to her. Upon these thoughts, she drifted away into a peaceful sleep.