Justice League of Amazons: Halo chapter 4
…
Now we begin…
John was not too sure about what was going on with the League, but he did take to heart that things were calmer and more relaxed, as well as civil. He had no idea why there seemed to be tension among the League in the first place, but it seemed to be gone and that was a good thing and he felt happier, though why he still had no clue on. But for now though, he had something else to deal with, namely being hired to protect one of the same models from the same company that Adriana worked for, this time it was for a few weeks and this was Behati. It was a bit odd to be near the woman but not in a bad way since she seemed to be the friendly if flirty type.
Still he read her file and knew just what kind of person she happened to be and how she lost her husband, just like many of the Angels apart from Adriana, only difference was that she and her husband Adam did not have children so she felt double the pain of loss since they had planned to have a family once they had a chance to do so.
Right now he was in full Armor and carrying his MA5D Assault Rifle with the same TTR, AP round mixture and also a M6C SOCOM Pistol along with a Combat Knife. Sure it was excessive to some people, but this was his way of doing things, and Behati was more than willing to let him do what. She actually appreciated that she had the Spartan as her guardian right now and she also did not mind flirting with him so some of the people there found it a bit odd to see someone like Behati being this affectionate and flirty with a man who was a giant in armour and very well armed.
As for John, he was developing an acceptance to being the object of flirtation and in truth was more used to it and decided to indulge Behati a bit more and she was also at heart a good person so he did what he could.
As for Behati she found that despite his intimidating appearance and stoic nature, he could be quite friendly and gentle, something she saw when he petted a young dog to assure it that it would be fine when it accidentally got into the set and escorted it out. That coupled with the fact that he was not the kind to lose his cool for whatever reason.
She also planned to take him out for a few nights since she was going to be given a week long break from the work she had once she was done. Once the shoot was done she invited him to stay at the hotel for a time as he was still her security detail. John decided to agree with that and took a smaller room next to Behati's own room in the hotel, which was the presidential suite to be certain. And while John was not too pleased with what he feels to be too excessive comforts, he decided not to say no to Behati's offer. They ate dinner together in the hotel's restaurant and John decided to wear the uniform style suit he used before, but wore underneath a Ballistic vest issued to UNSC personnel under cover since wearing his Armor would be too much for the staff to handle, though he made sure to be armed.
"How are you doing Chief?" the Namibian model asked.
John looked at Behati who wore a crimson dress for the night and was indeed very beautiful and he responded in kind.
"I'm doing well" he replied calmly.
"Great! Enjoy the food, I'll be paying for it."
John felt that it was a bit much to do that to her even though she happened to have more money than he did and it seemed that he should at the very least be able to pay her back for this, however it seemed that Behati spoke up and had no doubt felt that she should tell him that she did not mind.
"Chief, it's okay, I want to do this."
John decided not to make an issue of the matter and soon began to relax a bit more and enjoy the meal with her. They did so and while a lot of people were looking at the, and no doubt recording the whole thing, he ignored that as best he could, he knew that getting mad was not going to help him and it would reflect badly on Behati so he had to play nice. Still Behati was being very accepting of his situation and while flirting with him, he could tell that she was genuinely wanting to get to know him. After a while and enjoying the meal with one another and listening to some music. Behati also took him dancing, though she found it a bit humorous that she had to show John how to do just that.
John proved to be a good study and Behati liked that, laying her head on his shoulder and enjoying the closeness, she had not felt this, safe and happy in a very long time, not after... Adam.
...
This went on for a few more days since Behati was enjoying the break she had and took the Chief to the town but made sure not to go into the more vibrant areas, she wanted to get him used to the night life and it seemed that the choice to do so was the right one, some trips to a nice restaurant and also a good music place to go do some slow dances. The media were really hamming it up and when they were in the hotel room they saw all manner of news about it. John however assured the League that he was not doing anything that could be seen as a violation of his duties to be Behati's body guard.
As the few days passed, Behati really enjoyed closeness with John and was happy to learn that he was a very smart man, not just some muscle bound guy and despite the times she wore a swim suit or two piece in front of him, he was a consummate gentleman and treated her with respect though on more than one occasion he admired her form which actually was something she happened to life a great deal. She made sure to give him a sign of her appreciation for the admiration he sent her way.
On the last day, Behati decided to get a bit more adventurous and take him to a more recognized bar and there wearing normal clothing for once she got the chance to unwind while John sat nearby with her, she however decided to let him drink some club soda while she had some whiskey. However, the choice of music was Adam Levine's music and when she heard the music, Behati felt the pain of losing her husband hit her once again and despite her wish not to get drunk she did get drunk and began to cry just a bit more.
This did not escape John's notice and he was worried for Behati as the normally lively girl began to break down as she drowned yet another glass of her drink. He could tell that she was getting more drunk and soon began to say Adam's name in grief. John quickly moved in and checked her condition, she was fine but now not in the best shape so he decided to get her out of the place carefully, thankfully the staff her had seen people like this before and helped him.
...
As soon as they got back to the hotel, John placed her in her room and despite the current situation that he was in alongside her, he moved to tend to her...he gently got her out of the clothing she wore and gently placed her on the bed and moved to cover her in her bed sheets while he had gone to wearing only his pants. But then she stopped him and spoke with a sad tone.
"Hey... I'm not that... drunk... sorry, but just... hearing that music again made me..."
"Your husband?"
Behati nodded and gave a cry of sadness and hurt.
"Yes... it feels so... empty like this... I... miss him..."
John held her hand as gently as he could in an attempt to assure her that she was not alone. She smiled and gently held him back.
"Thank you... please... stay with me tonight..."
"I am not sure that's a wise idea..."
"Please... I just... don't want to be alone."
John mentally sighed but agreed, making sure to remind himself NOT to do anything to Behati in her utterly vulnerable state. He joined her and with her nod held her close and she sighed and soon went to sleep.
Hours later...
Behati opened her eyes slowly and felt the headache coming on but instead of waking up lonely in her bed like she did after Adam died. She was not alone, she briefly felt a moment of panic hit her but then saw that the man next to her was the Spartan. And he was very peaceful sleeping like this and she could not help but feel his near naked form close to her own even, she did not mind it at all as the closeness was very comforting to her.
She ran her hands on his face and soon he opened his eyes and she smiled at him...
"Hey.. .good morning."
"Good morning to you... feeling better?"
"Yeah... sorry, being like that last night... I must have looked really bad."
"It's all right."
Behati sat up slowly and seeing how John looked, she blushed and for good reason as none of them had ever seen him like this...not even Adriana. But then she recalled what happened that night and was worried that she might have done something that she would not normally do in her drunk state.
"We… didn't do anything bad last night, did we?"
"No ma'am, I made sure not to do anything to you that would be seen as non-consensual."
She could tell he meant it and she was utterly thankful, but then decided to tease him just a bit.
"So if I asked you to do it with my consent... would you?" she asked teasingly.
John nodded and that made Behati smirk but she calmed herself a bit and was pleased, and soon her stomach growled and she flushed even more with embarrassment at what happened. But John did not mind and spoke to her that he will be back in a few minutes if she did not mind waiting. She wondered what he was going to do but nodded and he left to let her rest and recuperate a bit from the drunkenness that was on her but she certainly LIKED what she saw of him and even when still a bit hung over, blushed at the sight of his manhood even if covered by his clothing, she rested a bit and after a while she saw him come back with a plate of hot food and a glass of tea.
She smiled and managed to wrap herself in her blanket and asked him to move the food and tea outside to the balcony. John did so and the South African native was now eating a very well made meal alongside John who ate with her though he wore a tight grey shirt alongside his now worn short pants. His Armor was still nearby and untouched along with his gear. As soon as she was done eating the food John had made, which was good and very filling she was more surprised when John began to massage her hand gently along with her shoulders, removing the tension in her form and her mind.
She could not help moan in appreciation for that as the throbbing pain faded away and spoke gently.
"Good meal, good tea, and a massage that is wonderful... you really know how to treat a woman Spartan" she said.
John nodded and when he was done, she stood up and turned to hug him and spoke to him.
"I know that this is the end... but... thank you for everything."
"You are welcome."
Behati smiled and then spoke.
"Then let me thank you in a more personal way."
She soon moved her arms around his neck and gently guided him to her and kissed him gently and waited for him to respond and respond he did and she loved it John in his case did the same thing, trying to figure out how to make Behati happy. And while their tongues joined in on the act, he was able to make her blush very much and she truly loved the kiss, uncaring for the fact that her blanket fell off and she was kissing the man in her bra and panties for all to see. As soon as the kiss ended, she wrapped herself in her blanket again and soon John and her went back inside. After that she got dressed and he was now in his Armor and had his gear with him.
As they left the Hotel, John got ready to head out and meet up with the League on assignment while not wearing his helmet, but not before Behati spoke to him once more.
"Chief... if... I ever ask you to come see me again... and I ask to have a baby with you, would you say yes?" she asked almost shyly.
"Are we referring to a donation from me stored in a sperm bank...or...the traditional way?" John asked.
Behati blushed at that and spoke
"The... traditional way" she replied.
John was not sure yet at that but replied.
"We will see... but there is time I think for that."
Behati smiled a bit and nodded and gave him another passionate kiss right on the lips before they parted and John got his helmet on and soon moved to using his Armor's jump pack to head out on his own missions while Behati smiled and waved, uncaring for the fact that a LOT of people had seen that and no doubt had seen the double lip lock moments.
...
Behati soon saw her friends who were quick to interrogate her.
"You saw the photos?" Behati asked them and they nodded "Did you and the Spartan... sleep with each other?" Adriana asked hesitantly. Behati gave a short laugh before saying "No, but I definitely got a good look at him."
"So how did that happen?" Candice asked.
"It happened when... I got a little drunk and upset" Behati said sadly.
"How come?" Candice asked in concern.
"At the bar, they were playing... Adam's music" Behati admitted sadly and a tear almost formed in her left eye and she wiped it away. Her friends all looked at her in sympathy, they knew what it was like to lose their loved ones so they could sympathise with Behati.
"So anyway, Chief took me back to the hotel and put me to bed and I asked him to stay with me" Behati then said after calming herself down and getting her emotions under control.
"And he stayed with the entire night?" Lily asked and Behati nodded in reply.
"So how as it? Sleeping next to the guy?" Adriana asked wanting to know.
"Well I can't really remember" Behati replied "I was kinda drunk when it happened but it felt... nice I think" she said.
"Lucky you" Alessandra smiled "Now we've got something to look forward to" she said.
Everyone else smiled as they each made plans to ask the Spartan out and Adriana and Behati were most definitely planning on another outing with the Master-Chief.
…
John was running a few more tests on his MJOLNIR before moving off and grabbing a nearby protein bar to eat. So far his gear was working perfectly and it was nice to get some time off. Most of the League were on assignment right now and Cortana had her usual routine to take care of. He had a feeling that there was something going on but since it seemed to be something well within Cortana's hands, he decides to let it slide for now.
As he finished his meal, he sensed someone coming in and turned to see that it was Shayera who was wearing her usual uniform but had her mask off, he gave her a slight nod and she smiled a bit and saw that he was working on his Power Armor. Most people in the UNSC would have been confused with the fact that John...or rather the master Chief was being friendly with what amounted to a non-human, but he had a measure of trust towards the Thanagarian and thus was not bothered by her arrival.
"Shayera" he greeted her.
"hey there John, how is your armour holding up?" Shayera asked.
"It'll do, no missions?"
Shayera shook her head honestly as she had been able to get the chance to unwind and deal with some issues that did not have to do with fighting the criminals that still infested Earth, though most if not all of them were female. She and the others were also working on seeing if any other men who were heroes survived, it would have sounded odd but in truth Zatanna had gotten word that Dr Fate was alive and that was a good thing, but right now though he was not able to come to their aid as he had matters of his own to deal with.
And right now she was in the mood to get some alone time with the Spartan and also see if she could see how good he was in a fight without weapons, all for good old competition of course.
"None so far, by the way John, I want to see how you do in combat without most of your weapons, does a spar sound okay?"
John did not reply right away and was still very calm, but the fact that he gave a bare hint of a raised eyebrow showed that he was rather curious on why she wanted to spar with him. And she saw that as a good thing and decided to press her luck just a bit.
"I recalled how we first met, you fought me, Diana, Dinah, and Barbara injured, so I would like to spar to see how I would fare in a fight with you when you are at peak health. Don't worry, it is a spar after all, and I won't use my mace."
John thought it over and decided to take a shot at this, but to be fair it was high time he brushed up on his CQC training to make sure he did not get too rusty in combat and lose his skills.
"All right."
...
The two entered a part of the Tower's gym and began to get ready for the spar, true to her word, Shayera placed her mace aside and put on some boxing gloves, not the regular kind but the kind that were used by Mixed Martial Artists. John however decided to explain something first, as he recalled that he was physically stronger and more powerful than a regular person, and while Shayera was not human he had no idea of her pain threshold and how much she could take in a fight with him and he would not be the cause of her getting injured.
"Shayera... I have to ask... are you sure about this?" he asked.
"Hmm?"
"I am stronger than a regular human even without my armour, you already know that and why" John explained.
Shayera was quick on the uptake and figured out that he was worried that he might injure her unexpectedly and she had to admit that he had good reason for his worries but she had made the challenge so there was no reason for her to back down now. She was a warrior herself and knew that she was committed, and she had faith in the man to be able to control himself.
"I know. but I am doing this and I trust you to control yourself" she replied.
John could tell that Shayera was serious and despite his lingering doubts on this course of action, he decided to do as she asked and focused on controlling his overall strength and power. As soon as they faced one another, they began, they did some probing attacks at first and Shayera could feel the power in John's limbs, not as potent as some of the fighters she faced, but still pretty interesting as she had no doubt that even if he controlled his strength and power, John could pack quite the wallop.
The Spartan however was wearing only his shorts and not much else since his original shirt was still covered in the result of his work on the MJOLNIR so she was given a good view of his form. She enjoyed it as she traded a few more punches and kicks with John and he countered well to those attacks she had launched in his direction and she soon was blocking and evading his own attacks. The two were getting not the spar and soon moved from just regular attacks to grabs and throws. John made sure to be careful on Shayera's wings since he could tell that they were indeed part of her anatomy.
The two fighters continued with the match and were now using throws to make things a bit more interesting, all the while they were much closer to one another and it was something that the female Thanagarian liked as she finally got to feel John's form for herself. As for John he was getting used to this a bit more while still remaining as focused ever. They continued to grapple and get closer to one another as they sought to outdo the other. Shayera liked that as she had never been pushed like this, even Hro was never this focused.
It was not long however when in one throw move that was countered quickly by Shayera, John was on the floor of the gym's padded area and Shayera was right on top of him. John was more than ready to counter the sudden take down and did so and soon before Shayera could react, she was now the one on the floor, and thankfully John had done his move in such a way that her wings were not harmed. But the sudden shift in position had placed him right between Shayera's legs and his manhood accidentally rubbing on her covered sex. The sensations that sent through her body caught her off guard and she enjoyed that, coupled with the fact that John was on top of her and pressing into her body, it only added to the overall pleasure she felt.
"Aaaaahhhh..."
The fact that in the whole mess, her top had moved down, exposing her breasts to his form only spiced up the whole thing.
Unfortunately for her, John mistook that for her being accidentally injured by him and he felt guilty at that, he was very much reminded of those ODSTs he killed on the Atlas along with the DIs he injured and killed after augmentations. And thus he was worried that he had injured Shayera.
"Shayera, are you all right?" he asked in concern.
She looked at him and was briefly confuse at his look of guilt and worry but then recalled his earlier warning and what she recalled of his augmentations and no doubt thought that he had hurt her in some way. She quickly decided to reassure him that she was perfectly fine... in fact better than fine.
"Yeah, sorry about that, no injuries so don't beat yourself over it" she replied.
"Oh...need help getting up?"
"I don't... but you might..."
Any question John would ask her of what she meant by that statement was cut short when she wrapped her legs around him and then moved him forward and kissed him. The kiss was firm and somewhat demanding but slow as well and despite his confusion, John felt him respond, he did trust Shayera and thus did not feel all that threatened by her, though the kiss caught him off guard.
He however began to respond to the kiss and gave back the same level of confidence in his own explorations of her mouth and tongue, and when she moved her legs to make him move he did not resist, unaware that not only was he running his body and her breasts and nipples, but also ran his manhood on her sex... adding to the delicious sensations he was unwittingly giving her.
John soon felt his more primal side coming into the play and he moved his hands to caress her body a bit...though he was doing it slowly and methodically as to make sure he finds the right spots on her...and finds it on the area where her wings were connected to her form...running them on a series of nerves that actually sent shivers of pleasurable sensations through her body's nervous systems...making the Thanagarian woman blushed deeply and moan into the kiss. They soon used their tongues and the kiss got a hell of a lot more heated...even more so when she began to move her hips to make his manhood rub her in all the right places.
And when John reflexively moved his hips forward, he accidentally rubbed her sex's small bulb of flesh above the entrance and that REALLY made her moan.
"Yeeeessss!"
John suddenly broke the kiss and despite her confusion on why...she gasped when John moved to kiss her breasts slowly...and when his lips and tongue touched her bust. Shayera was utterly pleased... John himself had no idea why he did that, but her cries of appreciation told him it was not a bad move... this could have gone on a lot longer but John soon realized that he had to get back to seeing how Cortana was doing on the last parts of taking out the components needed from the Dawn to be added to the Tower to improve on it.
"Shayera...we have to stop..."
"W-What? Why?!"
Shayera was a bit annoyed by the fact that she sounded so... needy but he really hit her buttons in a way that made her feel like hot water and so having him stop was a bad thing.
"I have some things to do for now, all important."
Seeing that John was serious she sighed but then spoke to him.
"Fine... but we are going to return to this someday, all right?"
John then gave her a bit of a smile, small indeed but visible which made her smile.
"Yes... come on, let me help you up."
She nodded and released him and he soon got up and helped her up and she adjusted her top to cover her breasts...but then they turned to see that the others had arrived...and had watched them. Apparently they had been so engrossed in their sparring and the aftermath that they had no idea the others had come... and since they forgot that there were cameras, they had no doubt seen the whole thing.
Shayera sighed and replied
"This should be interesting."
"Are we interrupting something?" Karen asked sweetly as they looked at John and Shayera "Because it sure looks like we're interrupting something" she smirked.
"Just some sparring" Shayera replied smoothly "Didn't you have to see Cortana, John?" she then asked John who nodded and quickly left the room to check on Cortana.
"How much did you see?" Shayera asked the girls.
"Enough to know that what you were doing wasn't sparring" Helena replied "And to think you were so close" she smirked.
"I know" Shayera muttered "But I was THIS far away from jumping him!" she said holding up her thumb and index finger an inch apart to emphasize her point.
"Still, it's good to know that we're getting John used to be around women" Mari said "and he seems to be doing well so far" she added.
"Yeah, it'll be awesome when one of us finally gets him into bed" Kara sighed.
"Aren't you a little young for that?" Diana asked the young Kryptonian.
"I might not look it, but I am eighteen!" Kara pouted "And I have as much right to want to get to know John" she said.
"We don't doubt that" Shayera said "But just go easy on the flirting" she advised.
Later in Metropolis City…
John was currently getting the rest of the materials and gear installed into the Tower with the help of some of the League with super strength, naturally that meant Diana, Karen, and Kara. The Dawn had been taken to be closer to the Dawn and the salvage was worth it since the 25th century technology would be useful indeed. he now had a personal armoury and while his weapons made some of the League a bit uneasy he proved to be very meticulous in the upkeep and storage of his gear, the fact that personally bought his own munitions, at least for the weapons that had analogues to their munitions class here helped.
As they finished the last of his work, John was soon asked by Kara to help her own some of the tasks in Metropolis, and since Karen was working with the others on installing the hardware, including working on how to extent Cortana's life, the blonde Kryptonian was on her own with John, not that she felt worried by that. In fact, she was outright giddy at the chance to be with John alone, though she made sure to tone down on the flirting a bit. The others were on their own workloads and she was happy to take the Spartan down, besides in a week or so he would be doing the donation run again.
As they came to Metropolis she made sure to take him to meet none other than Lois Lane...and while the now promoted Editor of the Daily Planet was none too happy at being placed there due to the death of her boss, she nevertheless did her best to make sure that the company she now owned would do its part. She was surprised to see John alongside Kara but ignored it as she could tell that John was a god sort, he had to be though she like many were not sure what to make of him being rather...chummy with the Angels of Victoria's Secret and of course being the only living male in the League so far.
Still he was a fairly good minded sort and he was certainly more than able to handle the life that he was now part of though being the daughter of a General she could tell that he was more at home in combat than being behind a desk.
The three of them soon made it to the docks since Kara wanted to show the Spartan the beaches in Metropolis and also to help him get a feel for her city now...even though she privately hoped she and Karen could live up to Clark's level now that he was gone. They had arrived there and Lois was pleased to know that some of her colleagues would cover for her since she needed to take a break, being editor was a heck of a lot harder than she thought, so naturally she had taken to doing field assignments like it was a chance to get out of the desk.
"You know... I recall interviewing you back in the UN, and I have to admit that I was a bit out of line there."
John looked at Lois with a curious look and she decided to continue.
"I wanted to see if you were human... and I noticed that you were defending Diana or rather Wonder Woman, which made me angry due to one of her sisters being the one to do... well, you know already what I mean by that."
Kara understood that but also knew personally that Diana was horrified and ashamed by Aresia's actions and had considered every member of the League, even Flash to be a good friend and proof that men were not evil. But before she could comment on this, John spoke sternly but gently as well.
"Diana is nothing like Aresia Miss Lane."
Lois looked at John and could tell that she had struck a chord with the man, but could not deny the truth there, she was indeed still angry but recalling that Diana worked hard to help in the League and was actually spoken well of by Clark prior to his death, made her rethink her views somewhat. But not by much as she had no doubt that a lot of the people still held Diana in a seriously negative light.
"I know that... but..."
Kara stood up and could not help but be wide eyed as she looked at the direction of the beach, John looked and could easily see what got her attention. Several figures came out from the water, all carrying weapons that technically belonged to the medieval ages and wearing armour and what was more surprising was that they were ALL female. John was confused by all of this until Lois recognized the uniforms even if they were obviously altered for female use.
"Atlanteans? What are they doing here?"
John turned and was confused for a moment or two when he recalled that not long ago Superman had an encounter with the Atlantean king Aquaman and had prevented him from declaring war on the surface world after he was kidnapped by Luthor. The second time was when the newly formed League had to fight together to prevent a war from happening between Atlantis and the surface world, but this time from the mad schemes of Aquaman/s brother Orm and his followers. Considering the potency of the plague Aresia made, it was possible that the deaths of the Atlantean men would have been the reason why they were here of all places.
He looked carefully at them and spotted one who moved with purpose in her walk and wore more ornate Armor and carried a mace and judging by the way she was looked at by the others, no doubt a person of royalty and the way her had her hand on the mace she was no stranger to combat. John quickly focused his MJOLNIR's audio sensors to hear the voice of the woman as well as zooming in to see her more and quickly saw or rather saw and heard that she was looking for none other than him.
...
"Where is he?"
"H-H-He?!"
The young beach goer who was now the object of Mera's attention was shaking at the way she was staring at the very beautiful redhead; the now sole queen of Atlantis was here to see if the rumours of the last living male on Earth was true. After the loss of her husband and her son, Mera was driven to the brink of absolute despair and anger and it was only her sworn promise to help her people that got her back from the brink. Many of her people demanded that she took what was left of their forces and their best weapons as well as magic and sink Themyscira into the waves for this travesty since it was one of the Amazons who killed their men when they had done NOTHING to the Amazons.
But despite her own soul demanding justice for her beloved son and Arthur, she would not condemn all Amazons to such a fate since she knew that Diana, princess of her people was nothing like that harlot Aresia...she would gut that woman herself should she ever catch her, wrath of the Greek Gods be damned! And none of the Amazons had ever raised a blade against her people so killing them for the crimes of one was wrong. But now the rumours of this...Spartan from another reality being the only living man at this time came and while she was not all that keen on rumours... she had to know.
And so here she was.
"I ask you again... where is the one they call the Spartan?" she asked.
Before the woman could respond, a voice spoke... a male voice.
"Right here."
Mera turned and soon saw the air shimmer and out came none other than the Spartan... a weapon ready but held in a non-threatening manner. She however was impressed at how well he had approached her without her noticing, granted he had been invisible but somehow had made no actions that could have revealed himself. Now that she saw him in his armour she could tell he was a warrior to the core but apparently curious since he had done nothing to show hostile intent.
"So you are the Spartan.. .show me your face."
"Pardon?"
A blonde member of Mera's force did not take kindly to that and moved closer, stern in her looks which were quite attractive but also serious.
"The Queen asks you to show yourself!"
"Allira... calm yourself, my apologies for that, but we wish to see if you are indeed who you say you are" Mera said.
John sighed and placed his Assault Rifle on his back and loosened his helmet.
The Spartan removed his helmet to reveal himself to the Queen who he could tell took in his appearance well and seemed to relax more and it seemed that the other female Atlanteans were calmer now, convinced that he was human, John however was getting annoyed to some extent that he was being stared at. Even with all his time here in front of the cameras...he still felt VERY uneasy with all of this attention and preferred it when he was alone with some calm about him.
Of course being around the Angels and the League loosened him up much to Cortana's enthusiasm and support so he calmed his annoyance and then cradled his helmet in his arm and spoke calmly.
"Satisfied?" he asked.
Mera nodded and spoke as diplomatically as she could.
"I believe you wish to know why we are here?" she asked
"Yes, if what I learned of you is true, your people don't visit the surface often, even more so when one considers what happened. And on that regard, I offer my condolences for your loss and that of your people."
Mera could see he meant it and she smiled a bit more openly.
"I thank you for your words Spartan."
"If and when this Aresia is found your highness, she will be made to account for her crimes, I will see to it myself if need be" John said
She saw the steel in his eyes and smiled a bit more... how ironic one bearing the name Spartan would be the one to end that... harlot who deserves death eternal for her sins. And she could not help but see that her own kin approved of such a response. But she spoke next to make sure her point is made clear.
"May we discuss this in a more personal setting?" she asked.
John nodded as Kara and Lois arrived.
...
Lois was looking at the Atlantean Queen who had two of her body guards with her, including Allira in surprise, while Kara was not very pleased and John... as calmly taking it all in. They were currently at a sea side restaurant that was now cleared of people by Kara and Lois to allow some privacy though there was no doubt that rumours were going to spread either way and no doubt the League were now aware of this as such a meeting was not expected. As soon as they were alone with John standing due to his Armor's weight, Mera explained her arrival and the situation in Atlantis and needless to say it was an eye opener.
"So let me see if I get this right... you want to ask the Spartan to come to Atlantis to…?"
"Donate his seed to our people... yes indeed. It is something that has upset some of the...traditional minded of my people but realistically speaking, it is our only option. Many of my people have lost much because of...that harlot Aresia and they are clamouring to sink Themyscira in retaliation for it. I have convinced myself to not do so, and not be hostile to Diana herself as she had proven herself a good person when I met her long ago... but one can only go so far. And it is god that she is not here now for if she was, then it would be bloody, I may restrain myself but... my fellow Atlantean women will not."
Kara then spoke.
"You could just place a request for it at STAR Labs your Highness..." she said.
Mera frowned at that and replied.
"Forgive me for being direct Supergirl, but the United States and the UN do not see my home and people as a nation worthy of attention. SO what you suggest is hard to accomplish."
The two women were contrite... but before they could respond John spoke.
"I will agree to that, but I have a feeling that there is a more personal reason for you coming here yourself to seek me out I take it?"
"Yes... with the deaths of many of our people, then there is anarchy and chaos right now as families' fight for the throne. I may be queen but without an heir... then it becomes more complicated. It is even more complex since many ask us to sink the Amazons' home for what happened as you already know, and I am a moderate...after all, it was the League who stopped Orm's rebellion and saved both my husband and son. So not all of my people as xenophobic but this event as given them more to use against peace. That is why, as much as this is unusual, I wish to ask to court you to allow me to have a heir to the throne."
John gave a slight sigh at this... as if dealing with donating his seed to the world was not enough... but now he had to give his seed to Atlantis and also the Queen was asking him to get her pregnant to have an heir to the throne. He ran the thoughts through his head and knew that if there was an heir to the throne it would stabilize the situation. However, he had his doubts. Might as well air them.
"You are correct, but there ARE people who are against surface dwellers, if do go to your nation, how can you be sure they will not take offense? And for that matter... how can you be sure that having a half surface dweller child as heir would sit well with them?" he asked.
Mera nodded at that.
"You are correct, but I will do what I can to make it work, they are my people and I must do what I can to help them... even if some think it is foolish."
"But.. .if I do agree to this... then perhaps it can foster some measure of peace between the surface and your people...correct?" John asked.
Mera nodded and John sighed a bit more... of all the ways to play peace maker...
"Give me at least a week and a half, afterwards I will give you my answer... and it is a promise."
...
After a while Mera and her guards left to head back to Atlantis and John managed to exact a promise that IF Diana was among the League to see him off, then she must ensure that she is not harmed at all as she had no part in what happened. Mera agreed though some of her people growled a bit at that but at least it was peaceful and soon the three were left alone and already the media were all over it...Lois sighed a bit and spoke to the two...
"So the best way to once more avoid going to war with Atlantis is for the Spartan to give them his seed... geez, talk about a peace offering. Well... better off we get the story right... see you all later."
Kara sighed and soon spoke to John...
"Time to spill the beans to the others... by Rao this is going to be interesting."
Aboard the Watchtower…
Kara and John soon returned to the Watchtower and told the League what had happened.
"So Mera wants you to go to Atlantis and get her pregnant as well as her people?" Helena asked incredulously and John nodded and replied "That's the gist of it" he said.
"What would happen if you refused?" Dinah asked curiously.
"I don't doubt Mera would understand" John replied "But she did say that Atlantis was in the grip of anarchy and families were fighting for the throne, so if on the off chance that Mera was deposed, the Atlanteans would try to sink Themyscira beneath the sea and attack the surface world" he said.
"Doesn't give you many options does it?" Shayera remarked "We're gonna have to build you some kind of armour that allows to swim underwater" she mused.
"I can help with that" Cortana said "I've been working on a few designs for a new MJOLNIR armour for certain situations" she added.
"What did you have in mind, Cortana?" John asked the AI.
...
Meanwhile on earth, Behati and Adriana had heard the news that some Atlanteans had come to the surface world to speak with the Spartan. And having heard that the Spartan had agreed to donate his seed to Atlantis had the two Angels talking.
"I can't believe that Chief is going to go and donate his stuff to an underwater and give an underwater queen a child" Behati exclaimed "Would this mean we would have to address him as your majesty?" she asked Adriana.
"I don't think Chief would like being a king of a nation" Adriana replied "He doesn't seem the kind of person who would want to become a king" she said.
"Still, it is kinda cool that he'll become a father to a future king" Behati said "And I do admit that Mera is pretty hot if you're into mermaids" she added.
"She isn't a mermaid" Adriana replied "She has two legs, not a fish tail" she said.
"She breathes underwater right?" Behati asked "That makes her a mermaid in my book" she said.
The two models then discussed some more about what it would mean for the Spartan to donate his seed to Atlantis before parting ways.
Later in Washington DC…
John was currently on patrol on the outskirts of the city of Washington DC, helping with keeping the peace in the sense...he had just finished a routine run and fought off some criminals who despite knowing that there were better things for them to do were still stuck in their old ways. As of right now he was cleaning his Assault rifle and keeping tabs on the local security network while also doing what he could to get ready for the trip to Atlantis. So far Cortana had yet to finish working on the new version of the MJOLNIR for underwater operations so he had to wait and see what she would come up with later on.
However, he also kept his eyes open, rumours were about that someone had heard of him being the last male on this planet and immune to the plague... but seemed to take it the wrong way. John did not like that and usually kept himself ready for potential attack. As soon as he was done cleaning his weapon, he got up and moved out to meet up with the police and see if anything needed his attention. However, before he could get far, his HUD warned him of an incoming hostile.
John turned and an arrow came at him, bouncing off his shield and he quickly fired a burst at the direction of the arrow, another came at him and he saw it hit near the ejection port of his weapon, meaning the gun was jammed. He normally would have removed it back the attacker came at him at full speed with a xiphos no less. And judging by the figure... a female wearing a hood. John took out his combat knives and clashed with the woman.
"How..."
John pushed the woman back but she attacked again.
"How...are you still alive?!"
"What do you mean?"
"Why...are you alive male?! My plague killed your kind to free women, and yet you live!"
The second John heard that he glared and quickly kicked her off of him, and like a viper grabbed her hood and removed it, revealing none other than...
"Aresia..."
"DIE!"
Unknown to the pair, some people who were nearby had heard and seen it and already were telling the people the news...the Spartan was now fighting...the one who unleashed the plague on them all. And soon EVERYONE was tuning in as the Spartan fought the Rogue Amazon.
...
Aresia growled in fury as she gripped the sword and attacked the Spartan and had every intention to gut this disgusting male for all the harm he and his kind did to women everywhere... unaware that she was the real monster here, and not John. John calmly countered with his Combat Knives and evaded several more attacks from the rogue Amazon's sword. The clash of steel was everywhere and John was utterly focused on the fight, he could have reached for his Energy Sword to end this, but no, he would make her work for the chance to kill him.
Another slash and thrust was avoided and he landed a deadly bone crushing kick of his own on her side, sending Aresia backwards in pain, and had it not been for her enhanced form, she would have been critically injured or worse... dead. John was not letting up as he charged in and quickly slashed a gash on her side, followed by a stab in her left thigh, making her cry out in pain before slamming a powerful rising palm strike right to the chin. John was NOT holding back so the blow sent Aresia flying backwards and hitting the ground.
She got up and growled as blood flowing from her mouth and she spat out a loosened tooth and snarled at the Spartan.
"I will have your head!"
"Come and get it then!"
The rogue Amazon did just that as John quickly traded blow after blow as steel clashed with steel and neither were relenting. Aresia fired a punch at John's head, but the Spartan evaded the blow and moved down, and thrust forward slamming a shoulder charge into the woman. Forcing her back. John did not relent however and moved to landing a bone crushing kick to the side of her head, she blocked it in time but the blow was enough to send her to the ground. Aresia may be stronger than the average woman but John was also stronger, not at the level of Superman or Diana but more than enough to really hurt someone.
She recovered but only briefly as John quickly moved in, she tried to slash him again only for him to move his body to avoid the blow and move her arm away and landing an elbow strike to the diaphragm, forcing all the air out of the woman, making her choke in pain before he landed a knee to the chest and followed it by a spinning back kick to the chest to send her flying back.
"GGGGGAAAAAAHHHHH!"
Aresia glared at the man, blood flowing from her wounds and her body aching from the attacks and she spoke.
"You...you...bastard! I will not stop until... you die!"
John said nothing and merely dared her to try and back up her words. She did so and attacked the man, but John was making her work for it, as he landed blow after punishing blow to the woman. Not to say that she did not get some hits in, but John made sure to punish her for it. Soon she was on the ground bleeding from numerous cuts and bruises. Her fury and anger at all of this boiling over she shrieked at John.
"HOW ARE YOU ALIVE MALE?! MY PLAGUE KILLED OFF ALL OF YOUR KIND SO WOMEN CAN BE FREE! AND YET YOU LIVE!"
"Because I am not of this world. And I am a Spartan" John replied.
Aresia glared and forced herself to stand up.
"No matter! I will kill you and end your worthless life! For all women to be free of your kind, you must die!" she spat.
"You are sadly mistaken..."
"RRRRRRAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!"
The blonde woman charged and began unleashing several attacks but John evaded them once more, plans already in his mind and he quickly executed them, she attempted a stab, but her attacks were sloppy driven by hatred, pain, rage, and worse, which made her easier to predict...no doubt she was reeling from the fact that unlike Superman or the others, he was a serious user of lethal force when facing a dangerous foe. He quickly slashed at her arms, aiming for the tendons and nerves that would allow her to control her muscles...and his blows ran true to their targets s Aresia felt more blood flow from her wounds and soon her arms...just became limp.
But not before a sharp pain buried itself into both arms.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
She turned and soon a massive feeling of pain hit her body in the lower part of her form...she looked down and in horror saw a dual pronged blade made of pure energy buried in her gut. John held the handle of the now ignited Energy Sword and looked at the Amazon coldly as she stared right back at him.
"I am the one who is going to kill you."
Aresia saw the blade pull back...smoke and the smell of charred flesh, boiled blood, and organs filled her nose... all of those were her own and she looked at the man as she fell to her knees. She tried to move, but her body refused to listen. She looked at her killer to be and saw only her own face looking back at her...anger... now mixed with pain... and fear. John then spoke as the blade crackled like a hissing snake in the air, smoke coming from it due to her blood and more on it being boiled by the plasma.
"Aresia, under the articles of the Unified Earth Government in international war crimes, you are guilty for global genocide with the deaths of over 3 to four billion people, including the murder of hundreds of millions of children and in turn had a direct hand of the suicides of over hundreds of thousands of mothers, daughters, and wives. The sentence... is immediate execution."
As John moved to cut her down with the Energy Sword however, two figures appeared, Artemis and Athena... Greek Goddesses one and all, with Athena speaking calmly.
"Stop!"
John turned and Aresia looked relived to see her Goddess, but her relief ended when John merely knocked her out cold and then glared while pointing his sword at the two.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't execute this filth."
Artemis was angered by this even though she knew that Aresia was indeed guiulty of a heinous crime and spoke
"How dare you threaten my sister and myself...do you know who..."
"Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, Chastity, Maidens, co-founder of Themyscira, Roman name, Diana. Athena Goddess of Strategy, Weaving, Warfare, and Patron Goddess of Athens and the Amazons, Roman name Minerva. I know you two are" John said cutting her off.
John did not lower his sword however and spoke again.
"But that does not excuse you from stopping me either...Aresia is a criminal of the highest order and she is guilty...or do you intend to defend her...even after all she has done has made the Amazons pariahs to the world? Because if you both do...then you both are as guilty as she is. Now...why are you here?" he demanded.
Athena and Artemis didn't have a good answer for what John had said to them until Athena managed to find her voice again
"I will admit that what Aresia has done was not the Amazon Way" she admitted truthfully "But she is an Amazon and is subject to Amazon laws" she said.
John snorted scathingly before replying "The moment Aresia unleashed her plague on this world and caused billions of deaths, she became an international criminal" he said "Thus your laws do not apply to her!" he added.
"Guard your tongue!" Artemis spat as she prepared to draw her bow until Athena put a calming hand on her shoulder.
"Spartan, I know what you say is true" the Goddess of Wisdom said "The moment Aresia committed her heinous act of genocide, she stopped being an Amazon" she added "But she is still one of my favoured, and I ask, no, I BEG you to stay your hand and allow the gods of Olympus to pass judgement on Aresia" she pleaded.
"And how do I know that you and Artemis won't try and sway Zeus's judgement into showing mercy to Aresia?" John asked.
"Because he won't" a voice said and John looked to the side and saw an armoured man with blonde hair and a smug expression on his handsome features striding towards them.
"War?! What are you doing here?!" Artemis exclaimed.
"I came to make sure that neither you or Athena would take Aresia someplace else far away from Father's eyes so that he could not pass his judgement upon her" Ares replied mildly "And what do we have here?" he asked as he looked at the Spartan "The Spartan? In the flesh!" he said jovially "And standing over your opponent like the true warrior you are like the Spartans of old!" he praised "Oh it warms my heart to see such a fine specimen of a warrior standing victorious over his enemy!" he added.
"Enough of your games, Brother!" Artemis spat "Are you here to bring Aresia in? Or to try and tempt the Spartan with your offers of power?" she demanded.
"Now, now dear sweet sister" Ares chided Artemis as though she were a petulant child "Claws in, I am here to bring Aresia to Olympus" he said "And we don't need to cause much more of a scene than we already have" he added as he spared a glance towards a news crew which was recording live footage of the situation.
"Agreed" Athena murmured before turning her attention back to John "Please, Spartan, let us take Aresia back to Olympus so that Zeus may pass his judgement upon her" she pleaded "You have my word that Aresia will be punished for her crimes" she vowed.
"And If I just kill Aresia right here and now?" John asked.
"As much as I would enjoy seeing that" Ares said "It wouldn't be much of a punishment and I know you want to see this AMAZON be punished in a manner befitting her crimes" he added.
John was silently debating with himself over what Ares said; a part of him just wanted to kill Aresia on the spot and be done with it but from what he read on the Greek Gods and their forms of punishment, Aresia would get the punishment she deserved.
"So? What is your decision Spartan?" Ares asked John who looked up and said "Very well, I'll allow you to take Aresia to face punishment for her crimes" he said "But I ask that I may come along to witness the sentence and if need, execute her if Zeus wishes it" he requested.
"Well, not an unreasonable request" Ares grinned "What say you sisters?" the God of War asked his two sisters.
"Very well, then let us depart for Olympus" Athena said and with a clap of her hands they were whisked away to another realm.
Aboard the Watchtower…
As John, the three Greek Gods and the unconscious Aresia disappeared from view, the news crews had captured the footage of the Spartan's battle with Aresia and dialogue with the Gods and broadcasted it all over the world and the League had just seen the news reports.
"Aresia is alive?!" Diana yelled in shock and anger.
"And John was fighting her!" Shayera said as they watched the news footage over and over "And it looks like your gods made an appearance!" she added as the three Greek Gods appeared.
"But what would Ares want with John?" Diana asked; she knew that the God of War was a cunning manipulator who used his persuasiveness to start wars besides his mere presence to inspire acts of rage and she wondered what Ares wanted with John besides making sure that Athena and Artemis wouldn't try to hide Aresia away from Zeus's wrath.
"If what you told us of Ares is true, then he'll more than likely try and tempt John with some offer of power" Karen replied "Is there any way we can reach Olympus so we can watch Aresia's punishment?" the blonde Kryptonian asked.
"I've never really been to Olympus myself" Diana admitted "I've only heard rumours of ways to reach the home of the gods but none of them are sure fire ways to get there" she said "The only one I know who could get us to Olympus would be Hermes" she added.
"Could you summon him here and ask him to take us to Olympus?" Mari asked.
"I could try" Diana replied before looking at Zatanna and asked the magician "Do you have any magical supplies with you?" she asked.
Zatanna nodded and replied "Yeah, I do, what do you need?" she asked and Diana quickly told the magician what she needed to summon Hermes.
Meanwhile in an undisclosed location…
"That idiot!" Carol Ferris AKA Star Sapphire growled "She knew that she should've stayed hidden!" she said talking about Aresia.
"She's a zealot" Tsukuri remarked "What are you gonna do?" she added.
"But now that the fucking Greek Gods have got Aresia, they'll make her spill the beans on where we are!" Carol yelled "And if they find us!" she then said.
"Okay, I get it" Tsukuri said "You don't need to yell" she added "We'll just find somewhere else to hide" she then said.
"But these are the fucking Greek Gods!" Carol shouted "They can pretty much find us anywhere!" she said "Can you imagine what they would do to us?!"
Tsukuri sighed before replying "I get it! You're worried" she said "But don't worry, I have a few friends who can hide us from magical detection" she added.
"What kind of friends?" Carol asked.
"A very special kind" Tsukuri replied "That's all you need to know" she said mysteriously.
New York City…
The news had spread all over the globe and had reached the ears of Adriana and her friends and they had a little discussion.
"So the Greek Gods are actually real?" Behati asked as they looked at the news footage.
"Does this mean we'll have to start worshipping them?" Candice asked faintly.
"No, I don't think we'll have to worship them" Lily replied "But there's also the fact that that bitch Aresia is alive!" she said with venom in her voice the death of her husband Caleb still on her mind.
"And to think that Chief actually fought her" Elsa remarked "I really hope that... 'woman' gets what she deserves" she said with some dark venom in her voice.
"Are you girls alright?" Adriana asked "I'm a little worried" she then said.
"Trust us Adri" Alessandra replied "Whatever that bitch is getting, she deserves it" she said her usually warm brown eyes cold.
In Atlantis…
In Atlantis there was an uproar as the news of Aresia still being alive had reached them and many Atlanteans were clamouring for Mera to go to the surface world and bring Aresia to face justice what she had done.
"My fellow Atlanteans, I realise that many of us including myself wish to punish the Amazon Aresia" Mera announced to her people "But we now know that Aresia has been taken by the Gods to face punishment and Poseidon willing, she will get a punishment most deserving of her crimes" she said.
The clamouring subsided only a little but it seemed to appease the citizens of Atlantis and Mera continued her speech "Once we have confirmed that Aresia has been punished suitably, we must then prepare for the Spartan's arrival as he has acquiesced to visiting our kingdom" she said.
The reactions of the people were mixed; some were apprehensive towards a surface dweller visiting Atlantis and spreading his seed while some were curious about the Spartan.
Back on board the Watchtower…
Zatanna then brought the necessary ingredients for Diana's summoning ritual.
"Why do we need money?" Kara asked quizzically as she saw the hundred-dollar bill on the silver plate.
"Because we're taking valuable time out of a God's duties" Diana explained patiently "Hermes doesn't do these things for free" she said "Now please be silent so I can enact the ritual" she instructed.
Burning the ingredients, Diana chanted "I call upon the Messenger of the Gods to come to my aid in my hour of need" she chanted and in a flare of flames and burst of light, reclining on a chair was a man wearing a kind of toga/tunic with a winged helmet.
"Diana! Good to see you again!" the man greeted the Amazon princess who knelt before the God and replied "Hermes, I have summoned you to ask a favour of you" she said.
"What? No hug?" Hermes asked in a hurt voice and upon seeing Diana's face he said "Relax, I'm just kidding" he joked "So what is it that you need?" he asked as he stood up.
"We need to get to Olympus so that we may witness Aresia's punishment" Diana said quickly.
"Oh, you saw the news" Hermes remarked jovially "I almost thought Artemis was gonna shoot your Spartan buddy full of arrows for back-chatting her until Athena stepped in" he said.
"We're worried what will happen to the Spartan when he's Olympus" Diana replied in worry.
"Yeah, I can tell that War has some plans for your friend" Hermes said "So I can take y'all to Olympus" he added.
"Great, can you take us there now?" Diana asked.
"Gimme a few minutes to rest would ya?!" Hermes retorted "And I'll need my fee" he said.
"Oh come on!" Kara groaned in exasperation.
"Hey! I'm not a taxi service!" Hermes said to the young Kryptonian "How would you like it if everyone just treated you like a taxi?" he asked her.
"Your money's here, Hermes" Diana said to the Olympian god who pocketed the hundred-dollar bill and replied "Alright, if you could all get in a circle around me, I'll take you all to Olympus" he said and the women did as he said and got in a circle around him.
Hermes then clapped his hands a few times and in a flash of light they left the Watchtower.
Mount Olympus…
As soon as he and the Gods arrived into Olympus with Aresia in tow and being healed to stand trial before Zeus, John stayed close to the rogue Amazon, keeping a very stern eye on the woman and his hand ready on his Energy Sword, he was at least pleased that his Assault Rifle was with him and no longer damaged. The place was indeed majestic and beautiful in the Greco-Roman style, but for John he did not like it one bit since it felt... unnatural for him to be in a place that technically was a place of myth. He however focused all his attention on Aresia to make sure that she did not get a chance to escape.
The three Gods who were with him saw his unwillingness to let Aresia out of her sight and they had different thoughts on the matter.
Ares liked what he saw and had to admit that he was very eager to see how far he could go in tempting the Spartan to his side. It would not be easy to be sure... but he hardly was going to say no.
Athena could not help but feel a level of respect for the man, he was not going to let Aresia escape even if he was in Olympus of all places, it showed his desire to see justice done and his defiance towards her sister was proof that he was not one to be cowed easily.
Artemis was still fuming at the defiance and disrespect the... man showed her, but even she had to admit that he had reason for he had spoken truthfully on his thoughts on Aresia, even if she did not like how he did it.
It was not long before the other Gods appeared, and all of them looked at the Amazon who was being watched by their three kindred and the Spartan and many had different thoughts towards this. All the male Gods however looked at Aresia with abject contempt and anger, knowing full well the act of genocide she had committed. The Goddesses were also not pleased while others were torn to an extent. Aphrodite looked at her with great scorn and anger, a rare thing to see those on her but after sensing the immense grief and pain her plague had done to the world and killed those men who were truly in love with their wives, girlfriends, lovers, and more, then she had no sympathy for Aresia.
Hera herself carried no love for Aresia for she had sensed the grief and despair of women who were in truly loving marriages for the loss of their husbands, and sons... made even worse when those sons were babies and died stillborn in the womb... the greatest horror for any mother and Aresia made MANY feel that horror and they committed suicide in grief, yet another reason why mercy was not in her for what the Amazon had done.
It was not long before Zeus himself was glaring at Aresia alongside Poseidon as the God of Oceans carried immense anger towards the Amazon for the numerous deaths among his favoured people the Atlanteans. NONE of the Atlanteans had any negative history with the Amazons but half their people died and MANY women of Atlantis begged for Poseidon to avenge their mates and children and he heard them so naturally his grip on his trident was very strong to the point that it was only the fact that it was a divine weapon that it had not snapped into two in his grip.
Hermes finally arrived and the League were in tow, Diana looked at the place carefully and then seeing the Gods and Goddesses bowed to them while the other members of the League looked on. It was Hera who spoke calmly to the Amazon princess while looking at the other members of the now all female League members.
"What brings you here, Diana, Daughter of Hippolyta?"
"Forgive my intrusion Queen Hera, but I and my companions of the league came here to witness the judgement of Aresia" Diana said respectfully.
Aresia was already awake and her relief at seeing Artemis and Athena faded when she realized that MANY of the Gods present were glaring darkly at her, with Lord Zeus himself about ready to strike her dead with his Thunderbolt. Seeing the Spartan who not moments before was ready to take her life nearby also made her worry and she could not help but feel her anger and worry rise at the presence of Diana and the others of the League... all of whom glared darkly at her with very serious intent. Hera then spoke in response to Diana's own words.
"Very well Princess Diana, you and your companions in the League may watch the sentencing with our consent. But it will be fitting that your mother and sisters of Themyscira will be here as well."
And with a clap Hera brought the Amazons there to the hall alongside Hippolyta and Donna, Diana's younger sister. The mother and daughter smiled in greeting to one another but remained focused on the fact that before them was Aresia. Before the blonde rogue Amazon could react, Hephaestus came in and ordered two of his Celestial Bronze Golems to lock Aresia in chains, forged from the very same material he used to restrain Hera and both Aphrodite and Ares long ago. Only he or Zeus could loosen them and that was proof that this was not going to be something Aresia could escape from.
She turned to both Athena and Artemis and spoke.
"Please! I beg for mercy from you Lady Artemis, Lady Athena!" she pleaded.
Both Goddesses looked at the pleading Amazon sadly and saw John looking at Aresia intently, even in his armour and helm, they felt the underlying disgust he felt for the woman and his wish to see her face her punishment for her crimes. They could also sense the hostility directed by the League towards Aresia and even Diana showed no compassion for her former kindred. But the worst was from Zeus himself as he glared at the audacity of Aresia to beg for mercy.
Athena then spoke to Aresia
"I... am sorry but there is nothing that can be done... your plague has killed far too many innocent men Aresia."
"Men are all animals and vile! I merely followed your teachings to the logical end!"
John however spoke coldly.
"You forget where you are and who you face now."
Zeus spoke with all the authority of the King of the Gods.
"The Spartan speaks truthfully Aresia... you are very foolish to have spoken such tripe before ALL the Gods of Olympus, there will be no mercy for you here... face your punishment."
Aresia looked to Hera and she responded coldly.
"You will find no mercy from me Aresia!"
"Please..."
"Silence! I have heard the cries of grief and loss from women whose marriages with their husbands were true and worthy of love, how they grieved for their loved one and how they were driven to grief and madness when their sons were still born. I hear their cries for justice and I will not stand in their way."
Aresia looked at Aphrodite and she saw the Goddess look her with anger.
"There were those in the realms of men whose love for their wives, and daughters were true and pure... they were indeed worthy of my blessings of love... and now their joy and love is replaced with pain, grief, and despair. I have seen women cradling their male children, lovers, and husbands in absolute despair and some even killing themselves. You will find nothing here with me Aresia."
This carried on for a while until Aresia realized that pleading was not going to stop her sentencing as she finally allowed her anger and hatred to blind her even more.
"You are ALL unworthy! All of you! I will not take this lying down!" she snarled.
Anything that she was about to say was silenced by the Spartan as he grew tired of her rants and covered her mouth with his hand and spoke sternly.
"Your time is at an end... so face it."
Aresia looked hatefully at the Spartan but John did not relent and merely gripped her tighter, the chains binding her all the more tightly until Ares decided to step in and took a bit of left over binding and wrapped around Aresia's mouth.
"I would like to listen to what punishment father has in mind so this should keep you quiet."
They did not have to wait long as Zeus spoke, his voice thundering all over the place.
"When this travesty occurred I have felt rage that is only matched by my rage towards my father Kronos for his actions of consuming my siblings before I freed them. Your wanton slaughter of men who had made NO attacks on women without due cause because of your interpretation of the Amazon way has made me even considering wiping out ALL the Amazons for your actions! Only the pleading of Athena and Artemis stayed my hand and I have seen the wisdom in her words that the Amazons as a whole did not commit this atrocity. But you...you will not be so fortunate Aresia, and I will bring forward the ONE soul of the man who had saved your life long ago so that he will speak to you one last time. For he and the souls of the good and innocent men and children shall go into Paradise and await their loved ones and live in peace, the peace you denied them in life."
With that Zeus called forth the captain who had worked to save Aresia's life so long ago, the man looked at Aresia calmly and gave a sad look and shook his head and spoke.
"I wished that I remained alive long enough to help you see that not all men are monsters...but you...you chose this path and you have walked it to the end before you. I will mourn the child I saw so long ago… for you are not her."
Zeus nodded and spoke with cold fury.
"Aresia, formerly of the Amazon nation, I, Zeus, King of the Gods strip you of all the power you have as an Amazon and reduce you to being a mortal."
In that moment all of Aresia's power as an Amazon was taken from her and soon a portal opened below her but she did not fall as Ares held her above it but showing a dark smile on his face. John said nothing but observed the proceedings patiently, Diana and the others in the League watched the happenings before them and they were not alone as Hippolyta and the other Amazons watched their fallen sister being held over the portal into Tartarus as Zeus spoke again.
"You saw ALL men regardless of whether they were indeed like those who caused much suffering to you in your past or not as monsters and evil, worthy only to be hunted and removed from the world. Then your punishment shall indeed be like that of your own views... for the souls of ALL the wicked men in the world who did die from your plague shall indeed hunt you in the fields of Tartarus. You shall be their prey and they are free to do with you whatever they please. You will not die and all your injuries will be healed, but the pain and anguish that are the results of their work on you shall linger forever on your mind and your corrupted soul. There will be no place for you to rest for you are alone and they are legion, they will never relent in hunting you and no matter how far you shall run, they will not tire, unlike you, and there will be no place to hide as well."
Aresia's eyes widened and soon she and the others saw just who were there in the afterlife waiting with eagerness for Aresia to be dropped into her own personal hell...and was it a collection. It was ALL the male villains who died by her plague... and those who were serial rapists, sadists, psychopaths, war criminals... the very worst of the worst... and all of them knew that she was the one who killed them with her plague and ALL of them were smiling wickedly... eager to finally dispense their twisted desires on her... namely the serial rapists and the villains. The looks they sent her as they were surrounded by fire drove abject terror into Aresia, and soon the covering of her mouth was gone as Ares spoke coldly.
"Enjoy your time in hell."
"NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
And soon Aresia fell and landed into a field of dead earth and fire as the wicked souls of all the men she killed converged on her and she screamed on last time.
"I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE ON YOU ALL!"
...
Soon the portal closed and Zeus turned to face the Spartan and spoke to him.
"Are you satisfied with Aresia's punishment Spartan?"
John said nothing for a moment or two and then nodded.
"It will do...I will send these records from my armour to the news so they will know that has transpired with your leave."
Zeus nodded.
"You may do so...for it is your right. You have kept your end of the bargain with Athena, and if it is within our power she shall grant you a boon."
John then replied.
"Can you send me and Cortana back to our reality?"
Zeus shook his head at this.
"Sadly we cannot for your realm is beyond our power."
John however did not let it affect him.
"It is all right, then may I ask that Diana be allowed to return to Themyscira to end her exile and be allowed to be with her family and serve as an ambassador to the world for her people?"
THAT was something that surprised everyone, but most of all Athena and she spoke on that front.
"Why would you ask for that?"
"She has far more experience in the world of man prior to the plague compared to her sisters and while her path will be a hard one, she can aid in redeeming the Amazon name. While Diana had some difficulty in the world of men and had seen men who validate the teachings of her people, she has also seen men who are selfless, kind, loyal, strong, loving to their partners in life, and true friends...and those were killed by Aresia so she knows now that men and women can be able to accomplish great evil and great good in equal measure. And despite the hatred directed at her, there are those who know Diana is nothing like Aresia...I am one of them and I feel that she can not only change the way the term Amazon is seen by many, but also ensure that her people the Amazons will be seen in a more positive light, removing the stigma placed on them by Aresia."
John then spoke calmly to Zeus.
"That is the boon I ask for Zeus...is that acceptable?"
Zeus said nothing and then nodded.
"Very well, I shall grant that boon. Diana...your banishment from Themyscira is now lifted by order of the Gods and you are to serve as ambassador to the world for your people, thus you can come and go as you please from there to the world of men. Prove to the world that the Amazons are nothing like Aresia with our blessing."
That made John nod and soon it was Hera who spoke to the Spartan.
"Your coming was never foretold Spartan...you are an anomaly to us all here for you are a scion of science, but I sense much history within you...if you are willing to share your story, then I will use my magic to allow us to have a copy of your memories with your consent."
John thought it over and realized that at least they were asking him instead of forcing him so it was the better of the latter. he nodded and Hera used her power to cover the Spartan in light and soon an orb was in her hands. And soon despite Ares's plans to have John side with him, John left with the League while the Amazons were sent back to their home under Zeus' orders...and while Ares was none too pleased he would bide his time and take the Spartan as his own.
As for John...he decided that he should begin sending the information to the world on what Aresia's punishment was.
To be continued…
