"Grief is not as heavy as guilt, but it takes more away from you."

Veronica Roth, Insurgent

The room was completely silent as Hippolyta regally lowered herself to her seat. She continued to face her daughter, and with a raised eyebrow, asked, "how do we go about letting the world know we exist, Diana?"

It took Diana a moment to collect herself, then she smiled and stood to speak. "Your Highness and honored members of the Senate," she nodded to each member and then returned her eyes to her mother, "we will need to approach the governments of the world, and I have a friend who can help with this. If that is acceptable.'

"A friend? Diana?" Hippolyta asked, not even meeting Diana's eyes, "you mean a man?"

Diana's shoulders dropped a bit at her mother's question, "yes, your Highness, a man. Bruce Wayne will help us."

Hippolyta turned her eyes up to her daughter, "then we as your family must put our faith and trust in you and your friends, Princess Diana."

With that statement, Diana's eyes lit up with pride and she stood to full attention in front of her queen, and with a smile, "then I shall do my best to honor that trust, your Majesty."

Hippolyta's eyes softened and a small smile turned up the edges of her mouth as she pictured, not the formidable warrior, but the child she remembered from so long ago.

Arthur's eyes blinked open to sounds of a flute being played and a sweet, almost angelic voice singing. He stood, stretching the injuries he had received during the fight in Sicily. He looked down at his arms and chest, removing the seaweed that was covering them, and inspected them, marveling at the healed, though still tender flesh. He stood and pulled on his shirt, following as the sound of music summoned him towards the bow of the small boat.

As he rounded the wheelhouse, Mera looked up and stopped playing, a small, shy smile playing on her lips. Kara, however, stopped singing and watched him, her eyes narrowed as she surveyed his movements, "how are you feeling, Arthur?" The words came a bit harshly.

"Sore, but I'll live," he smiled, then noticed that Kara did not seem amused. Instead, her eyes went to Mera, who nodded.

Kara's scowl grew deeper, and Arthur noticed a small scar between her eyes, along with what seemed like anger shining in those blue orbs.

"Did I do something wrong?" Arthur asked, eyes flicking between Kara and Mera.

Mera sighed heavily and rolled her eyes, "you were hurt and you insisted she leave you and protect me."

"You-you're a woman," Arthur explained as if it were obvious.

Mera's lips pursed and her cheeks flamed a deep red.

"Her gender does not infer weakness, Arthur Curry," Kara snarled. "She had her magic and they were holding back."

Arthur stuttered, "I didn't want to take that chance, and I took care of Manta."

"Took care of him," Kara laughed, "two wounds to your shoulder, a puncture to your stomach, burns to your wrist and hands. That was taking care of him."

Mera turned her head, snickering.

"But..." Arthur stuttered, interrupted.

"No buts, Arthur, we are a team, including Kara," Mera's tone was softer now, the concern Arthur had shown for her well-being, causing heat to bloom in her chest. "You said she is one of the greatest fighters you have ever seen, and yet you dismissed her."

"I could have handled him myself, Arthur," Kara said through gritted teeth, "you are stubborn and bullheaded. This entire quest is for you, and you were almost lost, because...because I'm a girl?" Her breath was coming hard, and her face was red with anger and fear. She was about to speak when she felt a hand on her arm. She looked down into Mera's blue eyes and watched the woman shake her head.

"He's had enough, Kara," Mera whispered, and Kara looked into the defeated eyes of Aquaman. "I think he got the point."

"Don't do that to us again," Kara whispered, "please?" The last word came out hoarsely with a tinge of sadness, then Kara squeezed his hand and excused herself to the back of the small fishing boat.

"I won't," Arthur promised. His eyes met Mera's, "I'm sorry, I misjudged you, both of you."

"You almost died, Arthur," Mera said, her soft eyes watering, "Kara was beside herself with worry."

"And you?" Arthur smirked, his eyebrows raising.

"Come that close to dying again, and I will kill you," Mera whispered into his ear with a smile, then her lips brushed his cheek and she sauntered towards the center of the boat.

Diana stood alone on the training grounds, quietly going through her kata, each move relieving the tension of the meetings with her mother and the rest of the council as she prepared them for what would happen. While they all agreed that lowering the barrier was for the best, all of them were still scared, none more so than her mother.

She turned through the last of her poses and smiled as she recognized her mother's approach. Brown eyes opened, growing wide as her mother stepped forward, dressed in her battle-worn armor.

"Stop staring, daughter, you will succeed in making your mother self-conscious," Hippolyta smiled.

"I wasn't aware you used the training grounds, mother, I assumed you and Myri trained privately," Diana cringed at the image forming in her head. "Sorry, mother, I-I didn't mean it that way."

"Great Hera, Diana," Lyta smiled, a small laugh escaping her mouth. "Myri and I have been together for almost four hundred years, we can train without ripping each other's armor off."

Diana's hands covered her blushing face and she mumbled into her palms, "then why are you here and dressed for practice, your Highness?"

"I thought, perhaps, it would be nice to spar with my daughter, before she leaves our home again," the Queen answered, a grin coming to her lips and her blue eyes shining with mischief.

Diana's eyes widened incredulously, "you wish to spar? With me?"

"Why is that so shocking, we have only stood on the field of battle together once," Hippolyta said as she saw a sadness in her daughter's eyes, the same sadness mirrored in her own. "She would be proud of you, Diana."

"Thank you, Mother," Diana spoke, her voice just above a whisper.

"Now that you two are done, can we go ahead and prepare, our sisters are waiting," Nubia bellowed as she stepped from behind one of the tents.

Diana turned her head away, pressing her thumb and forefinger tightly between her eyes, and quickly disappeared into her tent to catch her breath and tighten her armor. She took her time, inspecting each buckle and cinching it to her satisfaction. She looked into the corner and smiled at Kara's practice sword, resting on a hook, "Aphrodite?"

"It was not your sister, Diana, I placed the sword there," a familiar voice answered.

Diana stood still, shocked as the voice stopped, and she turned on shaking legs, "Antiope?"

The apparition smiled and opened her arms, gathering the princess up and squeezing her tight, "Persephone snuck me out, so I don't have long, I'm here to assuage your guilt over my death."

"It was my fault, for not watching the field, you took that bullet for me, had I been paying attention, you would still be here," Diana cried into the woman's shoulder.

"The Fates deemed it was my time, child. I cannot think of a greater death than protecting the one you love above all others," Antiope stopped hugging her, holding her at arm's length. "You must let go of the guilt, my child, embrace the present and stop living in the past."

Diana smiled, "yes, General." Then she cleared her throat, "why did you never tell me, that you are-about my-why did you never tell me?"

"It would not have changed how I felt about you, Diana," Antiope answered the unasked question, "I will always love you, my brave little warrior." She paused and they heard Artemis's song, "I have to go now, my child. Always remember, Diana, I love you." Then, Antiope disappeared in the wind.

"I love you too," Diana whispered. She exited the tent and walked proudly across the field to stand across from her mother, her eyes clear and bright with no sign of the tears that had filled them moments before.

Kara looked up and watched as the sky darkened, the rain started shortly after that, and she said a quick prayer to Poseidon, asking for protection for Mera and Arthur. Over the howling wind, he heard a deep rumble over the thunder, "child of Rao, you are always protected, but I can't control all the minions of the seas."

The young Amazon focused her hearing, her eyes sliding closed as she concentrated, stretching out to listen to the sounds around her. Mera came around the wheelhouse, paused, and whispered, "what is it you hear, Kara?"

"Mera," Kara gasped as a deep growling sound filled her ears, "where are we?"

Arthur walked around the corner as Mera opened her mouth to answer, her eyes wide, her voice shaking, "the Trench…"

"My mother…" Arthur whispered.

Kara's eyes flashed, as a short blast of her vision shot over Arthur's shoulder, puncturing the body of the creature that leaped from the water.

And then they were surrounded. Mera reached and grabbed a gaff from the side of the wheelhouse, spinning it and knocking the creature attacking her back into the depths. Arthur punched one, driving it towards the front of the small craft. Kara spun lashing out with Tarie and Aotpo, dismembering four of the flailing creatures, her heat vision striking creature after creature.

Arthur continued to fight, driving the monsters back, pushing them off the boat. Mera, slowed the spin of her spear, stepping back and gathering her magic about her body, pushing out from the center of the boat, then lightning struck and the monsters disappeared as the water flared a bright and brilliant white. At the moment before the creatures struck again, Mera yelled over the sounds of the growling waves, "Kara, we need light, and we need to go down!"

Kara smiled a wicked grin and called on Rao's strength. "Mighty Rao, allow your voice to scream…" she prayed, as she called upon the sunborn energy of her cells, bringing it to the surface. Her body started to glow, the harsh, unforgiving red of Krypton's sun. The young warrior grunted, and turned to look at the two Atlanteans, "we have to go, now!"

The three dove towards the rough ocean surface, flinging themselves down into the darkness of the Trench. Driving themselves deeper and deeper, Arthur's gold eyes never left Kara's glowing form as the water steamed and hissed around her. With the darkness closing around her, Kara panicked and pushed even harder, shoving her power back against the cold, black water. She was struggling and it was Mera who noticed it first, Kara was moving slower and her light was slowly fading, "Arthur, she isn't going to make it!"

"Wrap her in your magic, Mera," the words leaving his mind so quickly that the worry almost knocked the Princess back. "Do it now, we can't let anything happen to her."

Without slowing, Mera gathered her power and wrapped it around the weakening woman. A grim look came to her face as a soft, glowing bubble of hard water formed around her friend. Kara continued to hold the light, gritting her teeth as she collapsed to her knees inside the protective ball.

Arthur noticed a blue vortex and turned, nodding his head towards Mera and pushing himself forward. As he and Mera reached the edge of the storm, he reached out and grasped her hand, "don't let her go, whatever you do, keep her safe." Then together they entered the spinning mass of water.

Diana stood on the balcony of her old bedroom, looking out over the blue ocean of her home. Her door opened, and she heard the sound of a cane striking the floor as Myri entered the room, "Hello, Princess, I don't think I have seen Lyta smile that brightly in a long, long time."

Diana's lip curled up at one end, her eyes closed, "I had forgotten how formidable a warrior she is, she almost got me with that reverse," she paused as she turned. "Who did she learn that from?"

Myri smiled, reminding Diana of Kara, "I believe she stole that one from me. Antiope hated that maneuver because it exposed her back."

"Except for Kara," Diana's eyes lit up as she thought about the blonde warrior, "I don't know that anyone moves fast enough to take that advantage."

"She has trained with Kara, but she never tried it," Myri laughed, "perhaps I should teach my daughter that move, although she seems to have found your weakness on the field."

Diana huffed out a deep sigh, blushing a bright pink, "I will never live that down, will I?"

Myri stepped closer to the princess, "Diana, the whole island loves her, she has been a gift from the gods," Myri took a breath, sighed, "she brought a smile to Lyta's face after almost a hundred years."

Diana turned and looked at Myri, "I hurt her by leaving?"

Myri saw the sadness forming in the brown eyes and smiled softly, "your leaving hurt her, yes. However, your Highness, the reason you left made her so very proud."

Diana smiled softly, "Thank you, Myri. Kara is very lucky to have you in her life."

"No, we are all lucky to have her in ours, Diana, joy, and hope wash over everyone she encounters," Myri smiled.

"Tell me how, Myri, how did Kara come to live here?" Diana asked as she helped the woman to a chair, and seated herself at her feet as she had as a child so many centuries ago.

After Arthur had stepped through the waterfall to face his destiny Mera and Atlanna returned to Kara's side. The young hero had been unconscious since Arthur's mother had pulled her from the water over ten hours ago.

"Her color is returning," the Atlantean queen said, the calm clinical cadence of her voice calming Mera's nerves.

"She is so cold, your Highness," Mera spoke quietly, her eyes glued to the woman.

"From how you described her, this woman is a child of the sun," Atlanna surmised, "and she must have pushed herself past her limits to keep you two safe. We are doing all we can, Mera, keep her warm and make sure she has water."

Mera continued to stare, to watch Kara as she slept. Her worry continued to grow as she traced the sun through the sky. Arthur had been gone for hours and Kara was still not responding. "Please wake up, Kara?" she begged.

"M-Mera?" Kara's soft voice croaked, "is he safe?"

"By Poseiden's grace, Kara, you're awake?" Mera cried, relief flooding her body and softening her face.

"Is Arthur okay? Are you?" Kara coughed. "I need…," She started coughing again.

Mera and Atlanna poured a cup of water, "Water? Food? What do you need, Kara, what can we do for you?" Atlanna asked.

"Sunlight, I need the sun," Kara pleaded, "Please."

"The beach, Mera, get her to the beach!" Atlanna commanded, lifting the warrior from her spot and stumbling in the direction of the ocean.

The three women stumbled out onto the white sand, and Kara smiled as the sunlight washed over her, "it's not as strong? Where are we?" Kara looked between the two women, her brow furrowed.

"You are not quite beyond my reach, my Voice. Close your eyes and draw my energy to you, Kara Zor-El, daughter of Krypton, Warrior of Earth. Follow my voice and feel your energy restored…" Rao whispered over the surf, "Follow…"

Kara's eyes slid shut as she focused on the words, following them, connecting with the sun, and drawing it towards her. She relished the heat, the purity of the fire as it washed over her soul and filled her cells, charging her flesh.

"Now, my child, find your spirit, find the source of…" Rao's voice said.

Kara's eyes burst open as visions filled her eyes, the people who made her who she was…

The grey eyes of her mother and aunt, who had shaped her sense of justice and fairness.

The blue eyes of her father, who had gifted her with curiosity and knowledge.

The blue eyes of Hippolyta, who had given a child a new home, and her sense of belonging.

The eyes of her sisters, who had given her acceptance.

Myri's eyes, who had given her safety, protection, and a mother's love.

And finally the brown eyes of an Amazon princess who had given her a reason to live, a reason to smile her brightest, and a reason to love.

Though the words were not quite ready to form on her pink lips, Kara sent a feeling of warmth to Diana and Myri, hoping they would be able to feel how much she needed them.

Mera and Atlanna stared transfixed as Kara floated above the sand, a circle of light surrounding her as the sunlight fell like raindrops onto her flesh, then was absorbed into her body. They shielded their eyes as she glowed brighter and brighter until they could no longer stare directly at her.

With a flash, the mighty warrior touched down softly on the sand and looked to Mera, "where's Arthur?"

On Themyscira, Diana and Myri felt a warm breeze pass lightly over their skin. They felt their hands drawn together, and as their palms touched, they could hear Kara's voice whisper, "I love you both."

Myri's eyes widened and she found herself staring into the sky, looking for her adopted daughter.

Diana felt a smile growing on her lips, and she closed her eyes and whispered, "Kara!"

Bruce Wayne steered the dark SUV through the narrow streets of Smallville, making his way towards the Kent farm. His passengers, Eliza and Alexandra Danvers sat in comfortable silence as the vehicle made its way through the quiet town. "Clark, we are headed in, we should be there in about twenty minutes," Bruce said through his cell phone.

"It's just Eliza, and Alex, right?" Clark repeated for what seemed like the thousandth time.

"Yes, Clark, and no one knows we are on our way in," Bruce sighed. "Eliza has agreed to stay in Smallville for the duration of Lois' pregnancy. And before you argue, I paid for the house down the road from your farm through a dummy account, and made sure she has everything she needs."

"That wasn't necessary, Bruce, she could have stayed here on the farm, we have space," Clark tried to argue, knowing it was a lost cause.

"It will give Kara somewhere to stay when she visits, and the rest of the league, if we need a place to lay low," Bruce countered. What he failed to mention, was that it would allow him to monitor the progress of the Earth's first Kryptonian/Human Hybrid.

"Have you heard from her, or Diana?" Clark asked, catching a glance from his fiance.

"Arthur, an unknown redhead, and a blonde, matching Kara's description were spotted a few days ago in Sicily," Bruce smiled. "They engaged several unknown armored targets and then disappeared off my radar. I'm sure they will show up at some point."

Fifteen minutes later, the SUV pulled into the Kent driveway and Lois and Martha made their way out to the porch, smiling as Dr. Eliza Danvers and her daughter, Alexandra stepped out, as the engine shut off, they were joined by the enigmatic Bruce Wayne.

Martha Kent approached and wrapped her arms around the red-headed girl, "my goodness, sweetheart, you have certainly grown up, probably breaking all the boy's hearts." The statement caused Alex to tense, and Martha, took it in stride, and she smiled, "ah, the girls then? What's her name?"

"Lena," Alex whispered, her cheeks coloring.

"Does she make you happy, sweetheart?" Martha asked, smiling brightly as Alex blushed and nodded. "Let's go in and get supper ready, while your mom and Lois talk, okay?"

Alex agreed, smiled, and grasped Martha's extended hand, and together they made their way into the house towards the kitchen.

Lois stood, rooted to the porch as Eliza Danvers looked her over with a seasoned eye. "How far along are you?"

"Bruce told you?" Lois gasped.

"Bruce? Lord no! He may collect secrets, but he'd never share them," Eliza laughed, earning a look from Bruce, which she returned, never breaking eye contact. She slowly turned her head, and studied Lois for a moment, reached a conclusion, and said clinically, "No, it's obvious from the way you are standing. I'd estimate you are about three months along, which means shortly before Clark…"

"Just before, yes ma'am," Lois answered stiffly, then she grasped her hands, "I haven't even had a proper check-up, I wouldn't know how to explain it to the doctor."

Eliza just smiled, "that's why I'm here, Ms. Lane, so let's get this started."

From around the corner, Lash smiled, an evil grin at the confirmation of this bit of news.

Hippolyta tapped at her daughter's door, listening to the sound of laughter, as Myri finished a funny story about Kara. "Are you two making fun of Kara in here?" She asked as the door swung open. She smiled at the joy in the eyes of her daughter and Myri. "Which story are you telling this time?"

"The first time she flew, your reaction was almost as funny as hers, Lyta," Myri laughed, the sound warmed her heart and made it impossible for her to get upset as her embarrassment was put on display for Diana.

"She must have been quite a handful?" Diana giggled.

"Says the girl who threw herself over the side of the High Stairs?" Lyta questioned, mirth in her eyes, as Diana blushed a bright pink.

Myri laughed as well, "was that as bad as the first time she dove off the cliff, before the games. I thought Antiope would sink into the Earth if she were able." She froze in mid-laugh, as the words sunk in.

"She came and saw me today," Diana admitted to both the women, her voice suddenly soft and shy, "she told me, she said…" she paused a moment, "I spend too much time living in the past, I need to move on, or move forward, to stop living with the guilt…"

"You are not alone anymore, daughter, you are home, you have all your sisters, you have your friends in the world of Man," Hippolyta said, as she sat on the balcony floor beside Diana, taking her hands in her own. She thought for just a moment, and added, "you have Kara."

As those words left her mother's mouth, Diana looked up towards the gathering dusk and smiled. "I miss you, Kara," she whispered into the pinks and oranges of the sunset, praying the Kryptonian could feel the longing in her voice.

Kara spun, launching the stone towards Mera. Mera reacted just as Kara hoped, her power rising, without hesitation or concentration and the rock was quickly blocked, stopping in the air as her water magic, trapped and then flung it back towards its thrower. Kara smiled and deflected it with her bracer, "excellent, Mera. I told you that you didn't have to work so hard to pull your magic to the surface."

Kara's joy was infectious and Mera started to laugh along with her friend. Atlanna marveled at the ease at which the two women seemed to have in each other's company. "I've never seen someone grasp the use of magic so instinctually, Kara. Normally the water magic is taught to the child by her mother, but in just these few hours Mera has learned quite a bit."

"My teachers on Themyscira were very open to my gifts, they allowed me to experiment and encouraged me to not hesitate if there was something I thought I could do," Kara explained. Then she looked at Mera, "you make me proud to call you friend, princess."

Mera walked towards Kara and grabbed her in a bear hug, "I feel the same, Kara."

Kara's ear piqued and her eyes turned toward the waterfall where Arthur had disappeared. "He's back," she smiled.

Arthur emerged, his muscular frame covered in Atlan's armor and the Trident of Kings grasped in his hand, "we have to go back, immediately."

"You are traveling through the hidden oceans?" Atlanna asked?

"We have no other choice, mother," Arthur explained.

"I-I can't, it's been too long, I've not traveled that deep in too many years," Atlanna admitted, her face falling into her hands.

Arthur looked at Kara, "Can you take her? Please?" The last word came out as a plea, "I would be honored to have you fight by our sides, little sister, but I will need my mother there when I face Orm."

Kara smiled as Arthur attempted to salve their disagreement from the day before, "you only had to ask, your Highness. You admitted your mistake, so yes, I will escort your mother, but where are we going?"

"I need a map, a globe," Arthur growled.

Mera smiled shyly as her power rose quickly and a ball of water started to form between the four of them. Slowly and with amazing ease, the image became more solid, and the world floated in the air enabling the new king to mark the location he needed.

"That is amazing, Mera." Arthur gasped, his eyes wide in amazement.

"I had a very good teacher," Mera said proudly as she winked at Kara.

Reaching out hesitantly, Arthur spun the globe and indicated where the fight would take place. He pointed to a spot, "right here!"

Kara grinned wickedly, "we will be there in time for your coronation, brother."

Diana awoke the next morning as the sun started to rise over the horizon. She rose out of her bed and made her way onto the balcony, watching the colors as they danced across the waves. "Everything is so much-more here," she smiled as looked around the island that held so many fond memories. "We will come back as often as we can," she whispered out loud, her thoughts turning to blue eyes and blonde hair, "even if it is just to watch sunrises and sunsets."

Turning, she made her way back to the interior of the room, and started to dress, donning the familiar red and blues of her battle-scarred armor. Her feet slid into her boots and she placed her headdress into place. She inspected the blade of her sword, then slid it into its scabbard and picked up her shield, sliding onto her back. The armband was resting on a table beside the bed, and she picked it up, rubbing her thumb over the raised sigil that Kara had created, admiring the care and craftsmanship, but mostly she just wanted to bask in the warmth of the metal. She sighed as her mother knocked on the door, and wrapped the cuff around her upper arm, pressing it tight so would not slide off. "Come in, mother."

Hippolyta balked at the entry, staring at her daughter, "by the Gods, Diana!"

Diana looked down, checking her armor, worried she may have missed something, suddenly very self-conscious of her appearance.

Her mother stepped forward and lifted Diana's chin, "my child, there is nothing to be ashamed of, it's just, right now you remind me so much of Antiope."

A slow smile spread across Wonder Woman's lips, as she stood proud in front of her mother.

Hippolyta stared back, looking into her daughter's bright eyes, "as much as I will miss my daughter, perhaps the world is finally ready to embrace all that you can do."

"Mother, I will miss you as well, but now-now that I can return, I will, all the time," Diana responded, swallowing some of the sadness she was feeling, as she embraced her mother tightly.

As the two women separated, Hippolyta's chest swelled with pride, "I will miss you as well, but I will be sending a very personal representative as our ambassador."

"Myri?" Diana responded, her eyes wide with shock, "have you told her this?"

"It was her idea. And she was correct. She is my most trusted-negotiator. She will always put the good of the island first and foremost, before making a decision," Hippolyta smiled,

"Kara will be pleased to have her mother so close as well," Diana said, pleased at her mother's decision. "Was that another reason for Myri's choice?"

Hippolyta thought for a moment, "as close as those two are, I would have to say yes." Then she looked her daughter in the eye, "it gives me a reason to visit as well."

The two women stepped to the balcony and Diana checked the position of the sun in the sky. She sighed heavily, "I need to go, Mother. I will return in a few days and let you know what is going to happen next."

Hippolyta stepped forward and grasped Diana's wrist, and as the princess bowed, she placed a soft kiss on her daughter's forehead.

The women stepped apart and Diana closed her eyes in concentration. With a little effort, her feet left the ground and she began to fly up towards the barrier. 'I need to work on taking off as Kara does,' she thought to herself.

"Be safe my child, may the blessings of the goddesses be with you," Hippolyta whispered to the departing form, surprised when Diana turned and hovered in the sky. She shook her head at the shock, waved, and said, "I love you."

As Diana found herself approaching the coast of the United States, Kara was blasting out of the ocean half a world away. "We will be there within half a day, your highness," she said to Atlanna as they broke the surface. The girl of steel then checked her bearings and rocketed towards the upcoming battle of Atlantis.