CHAPTER ELEVEN: THEMYSCIRA
Barbara was in the Invisible Jet with Kara and Wonder Woman. The Invisible Jet belonged to Wonder Woman, and she had decided to use it instead of one of those that belonged to the Justice League in the docking station on the Watchtower. It made Batgirl scared to think they would be facing off against some kind of threat while they were there in Themyscira. She had never been there before, but she'd heard it was beautiful. If it was so beautiful, then it hurt her to think that it would be ravaged by some sort of battle. She almost cringed as a result of that thought. Of fire blazing everywhere, of the azure water turning a dark crimson…
"Hey, Batgirl," said Kara, "you okay?" She was looking at her friend with a worried expression. "If the thought of battle is worrying you, then I'll just let you know, I'll protect you as well as I can. I know that it seems like nothing good could possibly come of what we're about to face, but I'm sure we'll be fine in the end. We're sisters, and we're together. As long as that's true, then nothing can separate us. Just remember that, Barb."
Barbara nodded. She thought over what was going to be happening, hoping she wouldn't be wounded. She knew she wouldn't be killed, however. She knew it would be all right in the end.
"So, what will we do when we arrive there in Themyscira?" Barbara asked.
"We'll have to meet with the Queen," said Wonder Woman. "Who is also my mother. Refer to her as Queen Hippolyta, and bow to her when you arrive in front of her throne."
Barbara nodded. She thought of her father back in Gotham, the police commissioner. She was glad he didn't know what she was doing at the moment, as he would likely be angry if he knew she was fighting with other superheroes instead of looking for a "good, nice, well-paying job." But a job like this would not be what he had in mind, likely. It was not something she ever wanted him to know. She understood the reason behind why he would hate for her to be who she was now, as the city's crime was a whole other level, one where it was easy for someone to be killed. Her mother had been murdered, and she had been no more than an infant. It was still unknown—at least, to her—who the killer was, but Batman had promised her he would look into it, so long as she would not go for revenge against that person, to which she had agreed. She would never do such a thing. She would never kill, either, as she both didn't want to, and it was against the rules if you were a member of the Bat-Family.
"And there it is," said Wonder Woman, pointing out of the window. "I'd better send a message to the Amazons so they don't shoot us down. They probably already know it's me, but I need to make sure just in case." She pressed a button on her dashboard and spoke into it, but Barbara and Kara didn't pay any attention to her words. They began speaking to each other, and they both knew they were scared of what could possibly happen while they were there.
"What will you do when you get back home?" Kara asked.
"I don't know exactly," Barbara replied. "I just want all this to finally end, to not have to deal with all these horrible threats. But it seems there's no chance of that happening anytime soon. We just have to deal with it. That's what happens when you're a superhero."
"That is true," Kara said. "Well, just so you know, you're welcome at the Kents' anytime. We're always expecting friends of Superman's, and so they also wouldn't be surprised if some of my friends come over. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm there. Just call me, or come and see me. I'm sure that you'd be allowed at least once."
Barbara smiled. "That's true. I'll take you up on that offer soon, I'm sure. When this is over, I'll happily join you there just to take a break from all that's happening."
They heard Wonder Woman speaking into the communicator on the dashboard. "Yes, Mother, we're coming soon. Is there any news of a threat on your end? Have any of the Watchers seen anything?"
"No," came a female voice, which was calm and powerful, while perfectly feminine. There was a wise tone that neither Kara nor Barbara could possibly explain. "What kind of a threat are you speaking of, Daughter? What have you heard of that we have not?"
"The Justice League received a threat from an unknown force, and the voice said it had sent its…followers to specific locations, including Themyscira. I'm coming to make sure no one attempts to wound you. You must be protected Mother, if you understand me," Wonder Woman explained.
"I understand, Diana. Who do you have with you?" her mother, whom they now knew to be Hippolyta, replied.
"Two girls. Batman and Superman's allies. Their names are Batgirl and Supergirl."
"Come soon," Hippolyta said, and then her voice was gone. When this was done, Wonder Woman placed the jet on autopilot, got up from her chair, and walked to where Barbara and Kara sat.
"It was actually Batman who gave me this jet," she said to Barbara. "After my last one was unfortunately destroyed, he decided this would work as its replacement. He was kind enough to make sure it was top-of-the-line, and it has almost the same invisibility mode that my last one did." Her face changed expressions. "I hope he hasn't run into trouble." She walked back to her seat, pulled out a communicator, turned on it on, and pressed a few numbers. She sat between Barbara and Kara, and on the screen Batman appeared suddenly. He saw all three of their faces.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Have you run into any trouble yet?" asked Wonder Woman.
"No, but the others have," said Batman. "I received a message from Green Arrow, who said that Aqualad was injured. The only problem with that statement is that Green Arrow didn't bring anyone with him. He was alone, and Aqualad was with Superman. I contacted Black Canary and Nightwing, and they seemed to be doing well, but I don't know what's happened since. Meanwhile, Robin seems to have appeared in Gotham Bay, far from Atlantis." He seemed to think over all that happened then.
"What do you mean?" asked Barbara. "Why would he have left Atlantis? Do you think he might be in trouble, possibly? Or was in trouble?" She was very scared for Robin, whom she believed to be her brother.
"I don't know," Batman replied. "There's a lot going on. I'll try to contact others. But at the moment, stay sharp. We don't know what will possibly happen. Keep your eyes out for any signs of trouble. Do you understand?"
Barbara nodded.
"Hey Batgirl!" came Catwoman's voice. She appeared in the transmission frame. "Good to see you again. You too, Supergirl."
Batgirl waved back, and so did Supergirl. In her mind, as all the seriousness had just set in, Barbara thought of herself and Kara as Batgirl and Supergirl only, respectively. That was how they would have to speak to one another from now on, she knew, or their identities would be compromised.
"We'll see you soon," said Wonder Woman to Batman.
He nodded, and then hung up. Batgirl was surprised Batman had done such a thing, as he usually hung up without saying a word. That had been her experience, at least. Maybe he and Wonder Woman had a thing, or something of that sort. The thought made her smile.
"We're almost there," Wonder Woman said, and she pointed out the window. "And there we go. What do you two think?"
Batgirl and Supergirl looked out the window, and were taken off-guard by the great beauty of the large island. It was a place Batgirl never thought she'd see. It had been described to her by Batman at least once before, but not even his well-thought description could have been as beautiful as what she saw now through her own eyes.
The clearest of clear blue ocean waters surrounded the island, of which a little less than half was all forest. The rest was sandy beach and a stone-and-marble city. Wonder Woman walked back to the front of the jet and prepared it to land. Then she walked back in front of the two girls and told them what they would be needing to do when they met the Queen, her mother.
When it was done, Batgirl took a few minutes to think about it. She was still fearful of what she was going to have to be going through. She didn't even know the enemies they would be facing, and that was what she was most fearful about. She knew that everything would likely be alright in the end, but it was still a long road to the end. She had been a member of the Bat-Family long enough to know that for a fact.
She continued thinking about this, almost forgetting about where she was, but when she heard Wonder Woman's voice and felt Supergirl's hand on her shoulder, she was brought back to real world. She got to her feet and followed them out. She was still so enchanted by the beauty of Themyscira that she nearly bumped into a white stone statue.
A tall, beautiful, red-haired woman came walking up to them as they came near what looked to be a palace, which was obviously where the Queen resided.
"Hello, Diana," said the beautiful woman. "Come to see your mother?" Without waiting for a reply, she turned her head to see Batgirl and Supergirl. "I see you brought two children. How nice."
"We're not children!" protested Batgirl.
"It's fine, Batgirl," Wonder Woman told her. "Yes, Artemis, I am here to see my mother. It's urgent."
"How urgent?" Artemis asked again.
"I am the Queen's daughter," Wonder Woman snapped. "Get out of my way, or I will tell my mother about you. You don't want that, I am sure. So now, get out of our way." And Artemis did so, obviously a little fearful of what the Queen's daughter might do to her, or might tell her mother. "Thank you," Wonder Woman told her. As they walked away, she told Batgirl and Supergirl, "You have to forgive Artemis. She's a little headstrong. We all are, honestly, though I've grown since then and am not quite as much now."
"It's fine," Batgirl assured her. "I just got a little angry when she called me a child. I don't mind my father calling me a child, but when it comes to others, it's hard. Do you know what I mean?"
"Yes, of course," Wonder Woman said. "Well, we'll get to that later. For now, you must be silent, for we have arrived. Do exactly as I told you, and all will go even better. Do you understand?"
Batgirl and Supergirl nodded.
They entered the palace and walked through the main hall. Two women guards allowed them entrace into what Batgirl believed to be the throne room. As soon as they entered, they noticed the woman sitting upon a throne. She very much resembled Wonder Woman, with her black hair and striking features being two of the main factors that allowed Batgirl and Supergirl to know she was related. It was quite obvious this was the Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta.
"Welcome, Daughter," the Queen greeted. "It is good to see you again. Who are these that you have brought before me? Both of them look familiar."
"The reason for that is that you have met their mentors," Wonder Woman explained. "This is Batgirl. Her mentor is Batman. And this is Supergirl. Her mentor and cousin is Superman. You met them a while back. Batgirl, Supergirl, this is my mother, the Queen."
The two girls bowed to the Queen as told by Wonder Woman earlier, and then rose slowly as the Queen said, "Now rise, young ones. Thank you for your respect." They did so, and the Queen turned back to her daughter. "Now, tell me what was so urgent that you had to return so quickly."
"There is a threat coming this way," Wonder Woman explained. "We do not know from where they are coming, but it is true. Some of our own have already been taken down by their enemies, and we were already on our way when we heard that. We must protect you."
Hippolyta nodded. "That is good of you," she said. "It is good to take your warning into account. We must prepare for battle if the need be. We must fight back if we are attacked, or else Themyscira will be overtaken. Do you know who exactly is leading this attack, however?"
Wonder Woman shook her head. "No, but it would not surprise me if Ares was behind it," she said. "However, I do not know how any of the other villains might have found him."
"Ares?" Batgirl asked. "The Greek God of War?"
"In your world, that is what he is called, yes," Wonder Woman explained to her. "Has Batman not taught you of him before?"
"I believe he has," Batgirl said. "Yes, now I remember. But my disbelief might have found its way into my belief in the matter."
"That is understandable," Hippolyta said. "For newcomers, it might be hard for them to understand our customs, our ways of living, our culture, and all that surrounds us. You are no exception, as you are mortals. I mean no offense by that. But the Amazons, as well as those such as Ares are immortal."
Batgirl nodded. She heard commotion from outside, and she turned around to find one of the Amazons entering. At first, all seemed well, until she noticed the wound in her side.
"My Queen!" they gasped. "It is…Ares! He…has…come!"
"Ares is already here?" Wonder Woman asked the wounded Amazon. "Who does he have with him?"
But the warrior fell into unconsciousness before she could answer Wonder Woman's question. Soon after, a group of Amazons entered, and Wonder Woman ordered, "Take her to the infirmary! After that, get your armor on. From this moment on, this is war!" She turned to her mother. "You must find a place to hide, Mother! We cannot have you injured! You may even be killed! Please hurry!"
Hippolyta nodded, and Batgirl and Supergirl began asking Wonder Woman what exactly they should do.
"We must find you some armor," she said. "You will fight alongside us. I do understand you do not wish to kill, and you will not have to. Likely, these enemies will be too hard to kill. But you must at least wound them. Do you both understand me?" They nodded. "Good."
Hippolyta came up to her daughter and said, "Be careful, Diana. I cannot afford to lose you."
"Do not worry yourself, Mother," Wonder Woman told the Queen. "This should not take long."
Hippolyta looked uncertain, but turned back around anyway, and ran for her hiding place. Batgirl and Supergirl followed her, hoping they could see all that was going on outside. They wanted to make sure everything would be fine in the end, that this threat could be taken out easily. Though Ares sounded like a major villain, as he was one that struck fear into the heart of even someone like Wonder Woman, as strong and powerful as she was.
They entered what looked to be the armory, and there were weapons hanging on the walls, as well as armor. "You have to take something from here," Wonder Woman told them. "I know, you're still fearful about possibly killing someone, and while I understand that, I also understand that this is war. Likely these enemies cannot be truly killed, even with weapons such as these. The most you will be doing to them is wounding them, and that is about it. Do not feel as if this is too much for you, because this could all be so much worse."
Batgirl and Supergirl looked over to each other, and they nodded, knowing this was exactly what was going to have to happen. There was no way to get beside this. It was just as Wonder Woman had said: This was war.
Quickly dressing herself with armor over her costume, Batgirl found a sword to use as her weapon. She would not be using this to kill anyone, she reminded herself. She had to fight, she knew. There was no getting of this. This was war, and while anything could happen, she was going to make sure Themyscira did not fall into the wrong hands. She kept telling herself that, believing she was telling herself the truth.
"Are you ready for this?" Supergirl asked her nervously, her baby-blue eyes, the same color as Batgirl's, filled with deep fear.
Batgirl swallowed nervously, and then looked to her greatest friend in all the world. "I think so," she said. "This is so much. I don't know what my father would say if he knew I was out here, about to participate in a war. This is madness!"
"We'll win this, though," Supergirl told her. "I know it. We won't fail this battle. This is where we defeat this threat, and then we can return to the Watchtower and begin our training again." She sighed. "We didn't even get to go much into our training before this happened. That's the most maddening part of it all. I don't know why the heck this had to happen, but obviously, there's no going back now, is there?"
Batgirl shook her head. "I guess not, unfortunately. But maybe we'll be able to win this fairly easily. Maybe this fight won't be quite as bad as we think. We might be able to win real quick."
Supergirl nodded. "Well, at least we have each other," she said. "You're the greatest friend I've ever had, and I'm glad to have been able to meet you. Thank you for all you've done for me."
"What do you mean?" Batgirl asked. "I haven't done much for you at all. Compared to your cousin, at least."
"Well, you did save me that one time," Supergirl explained. "I couldn't beliving how painful that was, even if it was Metallo who was beating me. But you were amazing. You saved me from a fate I couldn't imagine."
"Your cousin could have saved you, though."
"Yes, he could have. But the truth of the matter is that he didn't save me. You did. So I have you to thank for it."
Batgirl smiled at her, and they hugged each other. Then the sound of Wonder Woman returning reached their ears, and they broke the embrace. The Amazon princess was in her armor, which covered more of her body than her costume did.
"Good, you're both ready," she said. "Well, then, let's go out and see the threat we're having to face off against. Hopefully this all ends well. I'm sure it will, but we need to be sure."
Batgirl and Supergirl nodded, and then followed Wonder Woman out of the armory through a different route than the one they'd used to enter. They entered into a garden, and on the other side of the garden was a stairway, which they made their way to and began climbing. The stairs were steep, and the weight of the armor made it harder for Batgirl to climb up the steps. But once they'd made their way all the way up, the sight before them scared them.
An army of soldiers, all of whom looked otherworldly, stood behind a group of four people. Batgirl recognized three of them. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy were two of her enemies, and she fought them more than the other adversaries of the Bat-Family. The third she recognized was a villain of Superman and Supergirl, the one who had injured Supergirl: Metallo. He was more machine than human, and he possessed a heart of Kryptonite.
But the fourth she did not recognize, though she had some idea of who he was: Ares, the Greek God of War according to mythology. The fact he was real still surprised Batgirl despite the fact she lived in such a world that held so many secrets she could not hope to understand.
Ares was clad in black-and-blue battle armor, with an attic helmet. Red eyes peered out of the helmet.
"Get down here, Wonder Woman!" Ares roared. "We have much unfinished business to take care of, do you not agree? Get down here, so that I may kill you, and later, your mother!"
"No, Ares," Wonder Woman retorted. Batgirl suddenly noticed Amazon soldiers all around them. "You will not succeed in your vendetta against my mother, not now and not ever! Do you understand me? You will not take Themyscira! I will send you back to the Underworld with Hades!"
Ares growled. "SOLDIERS, ATTACK!" he ordered.
"AMAZONS, ATTACK!" Wonder Woman ordered.
The two armies clashed head-on, and many of the Amazons and the soldiers fell as a result of their combined force as they hit one another.
"Let's go!" Supergirl said.
"Wait!" Batgirl said. "Look! Metallo's here! You need to be careful!"
"I know, but I'll deal with it!" Supergirl replied. "Thanks for keeping an eye out for me!"
She took flight and flew right into the battle, taking out many of the soldiers with one punch. She used her heat-vision as well, though it was in the less lethal form. She only meant to knock the enemies out, not to kill them. That was exactly how Batgirl was thinking.
Batgirl waited up on the ramparts until one of the soldiers jumped up and attempted to stab her. She kicked him back and knocked him out with the hilt of her sword. She was surprised just how ready she was ready for the battle. She wasn't very happy about it, and she knew her father wouldn't be very happy about it, either. She heard someone else jump onto the ramparts, and when she turned around, she found it was just a few of the Amazons, wanting to help her.
Looking around, she found Wonder Woman had flown off to take on Ares. Almost automatically she could see that Ares was a match for Wonder Woman. The Greek God was more powerful strenghth-wise, and his sword came close to Wonder Woman's body several times. But it was obvious Wonder Woman had more courage, and she was more agile.
Batgirl heard a familiar cackle, and she turned around to find Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy there. Harley had acquired a blade, likely to stab her with. Poison Ivy was taking advantage of the foliage around the island. It was obvious they were wanting to kill her.
"Oh God," Batgirl said. She dodged a swipe of the blade from Harley, kicking back at her. She felt her foot connect with Harley, somewhere. But she didn't take the time to look back where. She then felt something wrap around her leg, and she gasped in surprise.
She found herself seconds later hanging upside down, looking into the sickly green-colored face and evergreen eyes of Poison Ivy. "Awww, what's the matter, little brat?" she teased. "All tangled up? Well, there is something we can do to alleviate that discomfort!"
"KILL HER!" roared Harley, her eyes wide with insanity, possibly rivaling even that of the Joker's.
"No, he still needs her!" Poison Ivy snapped. "But that doesn't mean we can't torture her!"
During their argument, Batgirl was able to cut herself down. As soon as Poison Ivy realized this, she cursed Harley beneath her breath, and she attempted to use the vines to knock Batgirl out, only for Batgirl to dodge and kick her in the chin, knocking Poison Ivy off the platform. Batgirl used the blade in her possession to cut the vines around her, leading to the sound of Posion Ivy screaming below her, a sound that gave Batgirl a feeling of satisfaction. But that satisfaction ended when she felt a burning pain in her arm. She clutched her shoulder and felt hot blood streaming down her arm. She looked to Harley, whose blade was now stained with blood. Her blood.
Meanwhile, Supergirl fought the soldiers to the best of her ability. Many of them were quite strong, rivaling even her strength. But she pressed on, knowing this had to end. She was going to help end it.
As she took one of the soldiers down with a hard punch to the face, which knocked them out instantly, she felt searing pain in her back, and she was knocked into the sand of the beach.
"Hello, Daughter of Krypton," came Metallo's voice from behind. His metallic tone brought dread to Supergirl's heart. She felt truly weak all of a sudden, all because of Metallo's Kryptonite heart. "The pain is setting in, isn't it? It won't last much longer, if you only stay still…"
Supergirl felt him grasp her neck from behind, and she was forced to look into his horrible machine face seconds later as he turned her around. Metallo punched her in the gut, and she coughed as a result of it. She saw red fly from her mouth, and she realized she was bleeding from the mouth because he had punched her so hard. She'd gone through this before, and she hated it. It was so horribly painful, and she hoped for it to end soon.
"I know how this hurts," Metallo said, almost as if he was reading her mind, though she knew the pain was showing on her face. "I want this to be your end, but I'm not sure if I should kill you or not…"
"Don't kill her!" came the voice of Ares, a deep and powerful voice. Supergirl slowly turned her head, and found that he and Wonder Woman were still deep in battle, though Wonder Woman was bleeding from few cuts on her arms and legs. "There might still be a need for her!"
"Does that mean I can't beat her senseless still?" Metallo asked.
"Beat her unconscious…that…is…ALL!" With that last word, he punched Wonder Woman in the face, which knocked her into the bottom of the ramparts. She groaned in pain, and Ares ran over to her and kicked her in the gut, causing the Amazon Princess to cough up blood. Supergirl couldn't believe her eyes, but she used this moment to punch Metallo as hard as she could, and with the blade she'd taken from the armory, she stabbed his Kryptronite heart. It wouldn't kill him, but it would wound him, as Metallo's entire body would have to be destroyed in order for him to be killed for good. Metallo roared at her, and he sent a blast of Kryptonite at her. She went flying into the ramparts as well, but she found herself able to fly back up to the top of the ramparts.
She found Batgirl laying there on the ramparts. She'd been punched in the head by one of the soldiers and had fallen into unconsciousness. Harley Quinn stood over her, blade pointing at her chest.
"NO!" Supergirl roared. She punched Harley hard, but soft enough to not truly harm her.
Pain erupted all over Supergirl's body. She looked around for Metallo, but realized it was just the pain he'd already inflicted upon her. She got through the pain, and picked Batgirl up in her arms.
What do I do? she wondered.
Wonder Woman was unconscious, she and Batgirl were both in pain, and there was no way for them to escape.
The jet… she suddenly realized. The jet! The jet that had brought them to Themyscira. They would have to get out of there soon, though. They would have to bring the Queen with them, as well, possibly.
Supergirl took flight, hoping to get to the palace, only to find it already overrun. She couldn't believe her eyes. But when she used her X-ray vision, she saw that the Queen was not inside. She was not sure where the Queen might have gone, though what she did know was that she and Batgirl had to get out of there, as they risked their lives the longer they remained on Themyscira.
"Get her!" came the voice of Metallo.
Supergirl flew as fast as she could, despite the pain, and she found the jet quickly enough. She wasn't sure where to go, however.
They reached the jet, and she quickly turned it on. She'd been taught how to do so by Superman, and she thanked him for that. The hatches that led to the inside of the jet closed, and she quickly placed the jet on autopilot, even though she was unsure of where to go.
"Oh God, where do I go?" she said to herself. "Where in the name of God am I supposed to go?"
"The Cave," came Batgirl's voice.
Supergirl whirled around. "Where?"
"The Batcave," Batgirl said. "It's the safest place. No one will find us there. They're not going to follow us, I'm sure of it. But we have to go now." She whispered the coordinates under her breath, so as to not allow any other ears that were around them, which Supergirl picked up with her super-hearing.
Supergirl nodded, punched in the coordinates, and felt the jet rising off the ground. It was going to get them somewhere safe, she now knew.
"How do you feel?" Supergirl asked.
"Fine," Batgirl said. "Well, not truly. I feel pain. I just need to rest for a few minutes."
Supergirl knew Batgirl wasn't badly wounded, using her X-ray vision to be sure. She sighed in relief, though she felt horrible for leaving Wonder Woman behind. She didn't know what she would tell Wonder Girl when they next saw her. She didn't even know why everything was happening, why Ares and the others had even come to Themyscira or how they had arrived there…
Just why, God? What is going on?
Meanwhile, back on the island, the villains had recovered from the battle. They had won, as Wonder Woman was defeated, as they had wanted. Harley was seething with rage, no matter how much Poison Ivy attempted to calm her. She kept saying how much she had wished to kill Batgirl.
"It's better you didn't," Metallo told her. "Or Scarecrow would kill you, Quinn. Be happy you're still alive. Be happy we won't tell him of what you wished to happen, stupid girl." He took out the communicator and dialed the number they needed to contact Scarecrow. In a matter of seconds Scarecrow was speaking to them. "The mission was a success," Metallo told him.
"Is Wonder Woman defeated?" Scarecrow asked.
"Yes," Ares answered.
"And Batgirl?"
"She escaped," Poison Ivy said back, fearful of the rage that would likely stem from these words.
"She…what?" growled Scarecrow. "I ordered you to take her and bring her to me, and you fail in such a simple task?! She is no more than a stupid girl! You should have been able to take her!"
"Why didn't you just come out and do it yourself?!" Harley Quinn growled at him.
"What did you just say to me?" Scarecrow snapped. "When you return, I will show you what it means to be afraid, Quinnzel, do not forget it." Scarecrow sighed. "At least you have the princess. What about her mother?"
"She escaped, it seems," Ares reported. "But is that of consequence?"
"No, I was merely curious," Scarecrow replied. "Come soon. There is some good that comes out of this. Only Batman remains. Thus far, only Black Canary has escaped, and while that is of little consequence, Batgirl has also escaped, which will lead to some consequences, and if Batman escapes, there will be punishment involved. At least we have someone capable of taking him down."
"Who is that?" Metallo asked.
"Joker."
