Chapter 12

Last Time:

"Please tell me that they're all alive," said Dawn.

"Alive and well Miss Summers. Although, as I said earlier, they are facing an apocalyptic event that will, could it be allowed to occur, result in the end of everything," explained D'Hoffryn.

He went on to explain the prophecy and that the dimension their friends were protecting had done well so far but were outgunned.

"Interesting," said Buffy. "Now tell us the bits you left out."

D'Hoffryn sighed, this was going to take time.

oOoOo

Hia-Long, South Rhelasia

The Deceiver could sense the wards holding it in this place. Had it been able to access its full range of powers, this trap would have failed. But with its master still imprisoned it had but the smallest trickle of power to augment its own abilities.

It needed a distraction, something to force the mystics to abandon the wards.

For a moment…an instant it felt the shadowed touch of its master presence.

The Deceiver ignored the blows against its host and concentrated on that presence, drawing power and directing the energy outwards.

oOoOo

It had been a disaster.

South Rhelasia's military had been able to do little but attempt to safeguard civilians. They had been moderately successful although they were relieved when the Justice League arrived.

Corporal Junyoung Rhan wiped his brow and grimaced at the sight of the collapsed building. He was not an expert on search and rescue, despite all the training they had received, but he doubted that anyone had survived the buildings collapse. Still, he had his duty and until the Military Engineers were freed up his squad continued their work. He manhandled some timber away from the door and paused when he saw movement.

"Captain!"

Captain Than was by his side in moments, "What is it?"

"I saw movement Sir, inside."

The Captain peered into the darkened building, "Good work Corporal Rhan." The Captain pulled out his radio and called it in to the Major overseeing this district. That done, he whistled to catch the attention of the rest of his squad. "We have a possible survivor. Let's get our equipment set up here…" The officer trailed off as a young girl walked out of the building. She was bloodied and dirty, but she was walking.

He took a step toward the girl and the knelt. The poor child was probably injured and in shock. "Here little one, come to me and we will help." He kept his voice soft and unthreatening.

"Ah…Sir, she's got something in her hand," warned Corporal Rhan.

The Captain looked at the little girl's glassy unseeing eyes and hesitated. She was holding something…a knife.

"Sir, get back!" yelled Rhan as he opened fire with his pistol. Shooting the girl twice in the back, dropping her.

Shocked the Captain stared at the Corporal.

"Sir the back of her head was missing…how was she walking around?" Rhan asked as he helped his stunned officer stand.

The Captain looked down and saw, to his horror that the back of the girl's head had been crushed. A fatal wound…and yet she had been walking around?

The Captain looked around at his men. They were good soldiers, but this was far outside their experience.

Corporal Rhan shook himself as he tried to remain focused. "What is going on Sir?"

"I have no idea Corporal," he thought for a moment and decided that caution was called for. "Everyone be on guard. I will call this through to Command."

He had just raised his radio when the sound of gunfire could be heard.

All around the city, Soldiers, First Responders and civilians were finding that their fallen countrymen were rising up and attacking the living.

New orders were going out now, as the Military units began fighting back.

oOoOo

John Constantine made a point of avoiding necromantic magic when he could. In his business, it wasn't always possible. Unfortunately, this mission just crossed a big bloody line. "Some bugger just cast a necromantic spell!"

Giovani frowned but nodded as he continued pouring power into the wards.

"Some of us are going to need to deal with it, the hero brigade isn't equipped to deal with it," argued Constantine.

Willow said a bad word under her breath, "You felt that?"

"Fuck yes," said Constantine.

"Felt what?" asked Robin as joined them.

"Something bad just happened," explained Willow. "Not sure what yet."

Robin summoned his team over. "How bad are we talking here?"

Constantine didn't reply, instead, he began chanting.

"John, what are you doing?" demanded Giovani. Constantine had pulled out of supplying the wards with power.

Constantine sent a spell into a group of civilians, "Sorry mate, dealing with the walking fucking dead!"

Robin turned to see that the mages were surrounded by a growing number of what appeared to be animated corpses. Touching his earpiece, he contacted the Watchtower. "This is Robin, we've got a situation here. I'm calling for assistance."

oOoOo

Superman and Black Adam slammed into Bizarro, driving him into the ground.

For a moment, Bizarro looked disorientated and then he lashed out unexpectedly. His powerful blow sent both flying backwards.

He was immediately struck by a range of green and purple-hued attacks as several Star Sapphires and Green Lanterns struck, creating a cage around the possessed alien.

"Whatever you are going to do, do it now!" urged Hal Jordan. This was the third attempt to contain Bizarro and it had taken them nearly an hour to get him in position to try again. Dealing with the animated dead was hampering their plan to deal with Bizarro and draining the energy of the magic users. The mages and mystics had ensured that while in the warded area he could not possess another being. But their wards were not going to last much longer by the look on their faces.

"We need to end this!" said Wonder Woman as she smashed aside several dead bodies that were trying to get to the magical's.

Superman landed beside his Amazonian team-mate and used a blast of heat vision to destroy the walking dead surrounding the Justice League and their allies. "Hopefully we have him now. He is a lot stronger and smarter than when we've faced him before."

As Superman spoke, John Constantine, Giovani Zatara, Willow and Aluwyn moved forward. Each chanting a spell to bind and trap the possessing spirit.

Around them, Young Justice fought to keep them protected from wave after wave of the dead.

As they closed in, Bizarro seemed to sense the danger and renewed his attack on the cage.

"If he gets free again, I'm not sure I have enough left to stop him!" exclaimed Willow before she screamed and fell forward. Blood blossomed from her shoulder as she fell.

"Willow!" screamed Aluwyn.

"Keep going," yelled Constantine.

The corpse with the rifle was taken down by Superman as Aluwyn began chanting, tears in her eyes.

Robin and Artemis quickly checked Willow out, "She's alive…although we need to get her to a hospital."

Before anyone could answer there was a flash of white light and Klarion appeared alongside Ra's and a dozen black-clad figures.

"Clear the way," ordered Ra's and the dozen figures swept forward, clearing the undead away as Ra's walked toward the struggling Bizarro.

Klarion's voice joined the Magical's as he began pouring power into their spell.

"What is he doing?" demanded Wonder Woman as she and Isis dealt with a new surge of the dead. In the sky. Black Adam and Superman were clearing the streets of the dead, one with heat vision and the with swooping attacks that brushed aside the gathered dead.

When Ra's reached the cage, he pulled out a small crossbow, loaded it and shot Bizarro. Who screamed in rage, before falling, turning Ra's addressed the group, "Blue Kryptonite, it will cancel his powers but I suggest that you bind the spirit, now."

There was a moment's silence before whatever had been animating the dead stopped.

Constantine gestured and a black sphere appeared hovering in the air in front of him. "Got it."

"There, that wasn't so hard was it," said Klarion cockily as he wiped his brow. He made a show of looking around. "So, Fate couldn't be bothered turning up? Typical."

Klarion joined Ra's and his assassins.

"Ra's," said a figure that emerged from the shadows.

"Ah, Batman…alas, I must be elsewhere," replied Ra's.

Klarion gave Batman and by extension, the League the finger and then they were gone.

"Did Ra's a Ghul just save the day?" asked a confused looking Wally.

oOoOo

Watchtower

Xander listened as Black Canary attempted to keep him calm as she explained about Willow being shot.

"She'll be fine," Miri reassured him as she gave his hand a squeeze.

Xander sighed, "I know…I'm just pissed she was hurt while I was safe up here."

"Well she was instrumental in our capture of the possessing spirit," said Ganthet as he walked in with John Constantine. "Thankfully we have the spirit contained in a specially warded room.

"And thanks to Willow and Aluwyn we have a way to trace its master," added Constantine with a grin. "I know you are pissed off mate, about her getting injured and all, but without her there…well, we'd have been buggered. I could have contained it, maybe, but deal with those undead bastards at the same time?"

"I agree with John," said Aluwyn as she slithered into the room. "Willow is a powerful Witch, Alexander. She made a difference today. And, she'll soon be fit and healthy, one of my specialties is healing magic." The demon Witch gave Xander a wink as she moved to Willow's bedside.

"Come on love," said Miri. "Let's leave Aluwyn to take care of her."

Xander paused and then nodded.

He and Miri made it out the door before nearly walking into Black Adam and Isis.

"Xander, Miri, we were looking for you," said Isis with a smile. "How is your friend?"

"Healing, no thanks to me," replied Xander.

Black Adam frowned and placed a hand on Xander's shoulder. "It is never easy to see a loved one hurt." He shared a glance with Isis, who smiled and nodded. "Perhaps you both should spend a night away from here. Rest and refresh yourself."

Isis took Miri's hand and then Xander's. "We shall shortly depart and return to Kahndaq. But first, let me see to your friend."

Xander watched in astonishment as Isis and Aluwyn had healed Willow in moments, much to everyone, save Black Adam's, astonishment.

Isis insisted that while the situation was under control on the Watchtower, Xander and his friends should join them for an evening in Kahndaq.

"I'm sure Amanda would like to come as well," suggested Willow.

Miri shared a smile with Isis, "We'll collect her on the way….hmmm, maybe Sara would like to come?"

oOoOo

Mount Olympus

"It is as Aphrodite told us," reported Athena as she studied her father.

Zeus cursed and looked down at the table as his hands curled into fists. Overhead the clouds began to gather, heralds of an oncoming storm.

Seeing his anger, Athena cleared her throat. "Father, I am sure that Aphrodite and Artemis were not trying to force your hand in this matter."

Zeus took a deep breath and the clouds ceased darkening and began to disperse. A moment later he chuckled ruefully, "Oh but they did daughter…not that I blame them. I should have acted once we saw the signs and Diana reported the Leagues concerns. If we act now, then this existence we have cannot continue. Both we and the others may well need to take up the mantle of Gods once more."

Athena frowned as she considered her father's wisdom. The great compact had limited their ability to act in the supernatural world and had led to their withdrawal from aiding humanity. Breaking it, or at best amending it would allow the very enemies they had sacrificed so much for to also act.

Zeus frowned as he considered the situation, looking for a solution amid the limited possibilities. "The dimensional travellers are the ones?"

Athena nodded, "They believe so, they meet the criteria and from what I can sense they, the boy most of all, have been touched by chaos. Aphrodite and Artemis have withheld the lines of prophecy that describe the sacrifice."

Zeus shook his head, "What benefit would knowing bring? Besides, we don't know, not for sure."

"That would be cold comfort," replied Athena unhappily.

With a sigh Zeus looked into Athena's eyes, his expression grim. "They, like us, cannot shirk their duty. We will do as we must to preserve this reality. What is an individual's sacrifice compared to that?"

Turning from Athena, Zeus gestured and an image of another place appeared in the air as if an invisible window had been opened. In it, a face appeared, and Athena was somewhat surprised to note that its head had two large visible horns and large pointed ears.

"D'Hoffryn."

D'Hoffryn blinked, clearly surprised.

"We need to talk," continued Zeus.

oOoOo

Shiruta, Kahndaq

"Wow!" said Willow as they flew overhead to give the newcomers an astonishing first view of Shiruta. Looking sideways at Aluwyn she saw the demoness smiling.

"I raise you a wowser," replied Amanda as she hovered mid-air holding a giggling Sara.

"The people of Kahndaq re-built this palace after the corrupt dictator who ruled this place was thrown down. Most of Kahndaq is Muslim, a virtuous and hard-working people. They consider me their protector…and a prophet. Although I dislike the last," explained Black Adam. "This is a safe place and my beloved Isis and I hope that you will visit us here."

Isis smiled warmly, "I believe that we will all be recalled to the Watchtower once the injured have been healed. But tonight, we shall eat, as friends and rest so that we might be prepared for what tomorrow might bring."

Xander and Miri were sharing a room in the great palace. Their room was rather opulent and by far the most amazing bedroom Xander had ever even seen, much less stayed in. Even the view out the large window was spectacular.

They had several hours to rest and freshen up, so they soon found themselves cuddling on the large couch that looked out over the city.

"You know…that bed looks really comfortable," commented Miri.

Xander sensed the shift in her emotion and smiled. "Well then, let's test that observation, shall we?"

Miri laughed as Xander hefted her over his shoulder and carried her to the large bed.

oOoOo

Amanda was a boneless pile of goo.

Sara's fingers were trailing down her back, before pausing and working on a knot in her muscles.

"Amanda?"

Amanda resisted the urge to open her eyes, "Hmm?"

"Something big is coming isn't it?" Sarah asked quietly.

Amanda only hesitated for a moment, "Yeah, we think it is."

"Oh…"

Amanda opened her eyes and shifted on the bed to look up at her girlfriend, "We'll be okay."

Sarah hesitated, staring into Amanda's eyes.

"I…I think I love you and now you are going off to fight!" There were tears forming in Sara's eyes.

Amanda didn't even hesitate. She kissed Sara…passion, love and just raw emotion was almost tangible as Amanda poured everything into the kiss.

Eventually, they pulled apart.

Sara was flushed as she looked into Amanda's eyes. "Sleep with me."

Amanda found herself hesitating, they had explored but this was a step that she hadn't expected. Seeing the hesitation, Sara began to pull away.

"Sara…I…I want to but are you…I…are you sure?" Amanda asked, feeling a curious mix of arousal and panic.

"I don't want you to go and fight…what if you die?" demanded Sara. "I don't want to regret never having…been with you if something happens to you."

Amanda didn't hesitate as she took Sara's hands. "I love you too and I've wanted to hold you and sleep with you in my arms. But I don't want it to be in a panic or when you…we are not ready."

Sara took a shuddering breath, fighting tears. "Please, I don't want to lose any more people I love without proper goodbyes."

Amanda looked into Sara's eyes for a long moment before kissing her and pulling her down onto the bed.

oOoOo

Willow sighed blissfully as Aluwyn's arms encircled her waist and her lips caressed her neck.

Aluwyn paused, her mouth above Willow's ear, "I've missed you so much, love…I never stopped looking for a way to get to you."

Willow turned her head slightly to look at her lover, "I'm glad you found me and I'm sorry for how we parted."

"Don't be, in some ways you were right. I was manipulative, regardless of my reasons. When you left, I was so angry with myself. And as every day went by and I could not find a way to you…I vowed I'd look forever and do whatever it took."

Willow caressed Aluwyn's face, "I had so many regrets but having you here. How about we put them aside and move on?"

Aluwyn's answer was a kiss that curled Willow's toes.

A moment later she gasped as Aluwyn incanted a short spell and their clothes vanished.

"You'll have to teach me that one," said Willow in a husky voice as Aluwyn lay Willow on the bed.

Willow smiled as Aluwyn kissed her way down her body. It promised to be an interesting night.

oOoOo

The meal in the grand palace was far less grandiose than Xander had expected. The food was excellent, the conversation engaging and the setting beautiful. But it was still a meal between friends.

Black Adam and Isis were fine hosts and Xander appreciated the effort they had gone to. When he had thanked them Black Adam had smiled, amused.

"There is no debt between us Xander. As I have said, we welcome you and your friends here. I have recently…re- learned that such moments as these should be savoured. Tomorrow we will, no doubt, be facing new challenges. Tonight is my gift to us all."

oOoOo

The Watchtower

Every member, associate and ally of the Justice League that could be contacted were gathered together as Superman stood before them.

"Thank you all for coming."

As Superman walked through what Zatara and Constantine had discovered from their examination of the captured entity the crowded room grew quiet. The revelation that they were indeed facing a being that the Gods feared to face was frightening. The information that they had located the hidden prison of the Nameless, the whisperer in the darkness felt like a physical blow. He and Amanda were destined to release then somehow destroy a being that the powers could only imprison the last time it was faced.

Xander could feel Miri's hand on his arm, just as he could feel her love and support through their heart tether.

"So, we and our allies will be facing this threat as soon as possible. Each hour potentially weakens its prison. Ganthet and John Constantine believe that its prison is two-fold. First is the trap that holds it in a single unending moment. The second is a powerful divine warding that traps it on the planet. If it escapes the first fails it will be trapped, at least temporarily on the planet. That will be our time to act."

Ganthet nodded to the Man of Steel as he stepped forward.

"The spirit that had possessed Bizarro existed because even while trapped, it's master fed it power. We saw it raise the dead and so we believe that its master also shares that power. The planet it is on was the last battleground between the entity and the Old Gods. The population of that world were wiped out so we may face vast numbers of reanimated dead." Ganthet paused to let that sink in. "We must deal with that threat while Alexander and Amanda find a way to deal with the entity."

"We will be by your side," promised Black Adam.

Superman gestured toward the clock on the wall, "We leave in two hours. Any of you who wish to accompany the task force may do so. This, my friends, is a volunteer only mission."

oOoOo

Sara sat in her room and stared at the wall her eyes unseeing.

She might never see Amanda again.

It was a thought…a fear she just couldn't process. When, after being dropped home, they had said their goodbyes, she had been numb. Her Dad, sensing her distress had tried his best but she had quickly retreated to her room.

This could be it…if Amanda and the Justice League failed, it was only a matter of time, wasn't it? Failure would mean the end of everything. Even if they somehow won, what if Amanda didn't make it?

'Sara!'

Sara jumped and nearly fell off her bed at the sound of a woman's voice that seemed to come from directly behind her.

Turning, she saw a beautiful blonde woman in a white dress. The woman was translucent as if she was not quite present, like a ghost.

"Who…who are you?"

The woman smiled and Sara felt her fear fade away.

"Don't be afraid Sara, I'm here to help."

"I don't understand," replied Sara which brought an almost sad expression to the woman's kind, friendly face.

"I know…I'm a friend of Willow's. I need you to pass on a message to her," said the woman.

"A message?"

The woman nodded her kind face serious, "Yes, a very important message from home. She can't stay…and nothing that was empowered here can come home. It opens a path that must stay closed. She can visit but she must return home without any new powers. You have to tell her that. Nothing Sara, tell her."

Sara nodded, "I will but I don't know when I'll see her again…Amanda and the others are going to fight…and…" She could feel the tears she had been holding in, the emotions starting to overwhelm her.

The woman expression was compassionate, "I can't promise you anything, Sara. Things are too chaotic but if you want me to, I can help you. A reward for helping me by passing the message to Willow. Perhaps it will help."

Sara was about to agree when she paused, "Why don't you tell Willow yourself?"

"Because my appearance would cause her nothing but heartbreak and pain. She would not heed it because I am the messenger, fearing a trick," explained the woman.

"Why will she believe me?"

The woman smiled, seemingly amused. "Oh, I think she'll believe…and then please tell her that Tara said that you have been rewarded…not punished."

"Punished!" Sara exclaimed.

The woman gestured and the world turned white. "I will send you to Amanda….oh and Sara, are you ready to be strong?"

oOoOo

Artemis grinned as the spirit granted Amanda's lover an analogue of the power of the Slayer. She could have stopped it, but why do so when the power so closely aligned with her own. As the spirit opened a portal to the watchtower Artemis made a gesture. When the spirit turned to her, sensing her present she gave her an unseen salute and teleported away.

For the first time since her worshippers walked the dark places of the Greek world, she had a new hunter, a priestess of Artemis.

oOoOo

Sara blinked and when her vision cleared, she found herself in a forest clearing. She looked around in surprise…then more carefully. The clearing…no the glade was a far more descriptive and fitting title, was beautiful and peaceful. She felt safe and at peace as she inhaled the floral scent and felt the slight cooling breeze.

'Why aren't I worried or afraid?' she asked herself. 'Is this a dream?'

"No, not a dream child and you don't feel afraid because this is a safe place."

Sara watched as a young woman, barely older than her, walked out of the trees. A very tall, beautiful young woman. She was wearing a knee length dress and held a bow with a quiver of arrows at her side. At her side a fawn walked, rubbing its head against her legs as she halted.

"Where am I, who are you?" asked Sara as she watched the woman.

The woman laughed gaily her eyes twinkling, "I believe that you might be able to guess…no? Your people knew me as Artemis, goddess of hunting, wild animals and the wilderness."

Sara realised after a moment that her mouth was hanging open. "But…how… why?"

Artemis smiled, "Your lover Amanda is a representative of Love despite her calling as a hunter of dark things. You, Sara, are a loving woman and yet you want to protect her, don't you?"

"I can't help her…I want to, but I can't do what she does."

Artemis studied her just as the fawn by her side approached and nuzzled Sara's hand. Not realising she was doing it, Sara stroked its head.

"I can give you what you want Sara, be my champion and I can give you the power to fight by Amanda's side."

"Champion?"

"You would be a huntress, the first in a thousand years," Artemis frowned as she paused. "War is coming Sara and the world needs champions."

Here in this place, her thoughts seemed clearer. The words of the Goddess seemed to resonate. "What do I need to do?"

Artemis smiled joyously and Sara found herself smiling back as the Goddess threw her bow toward her.

"Catch."

Sara caught the bow and gasped it felt like touching electricity…no, lightning! It wasn't painful, just strange. She could feel her skin rippling, changing being infused with light.

She could feel dozens of women, no thousands on thousands of women, girls …watching her. Smiling as they studied her then she could hear their voices. She knew it was in ancient Greek, but she understood.

Suddenly she knew that Artemis was one of the most widely venerated of her pantheon. Artemis of the wildland, Mistress of Animals.

…Goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, virginity and protector of young girls, bringing and relieving disease in women…

…The huntress carrying a bow and arrows…

…She was the virgin moon goddess of the hunt, wild animals, healing, wilderness, chastity, and childbirth…

…An endless stream of young girls being initiated into the cult of Artemis at puberty…

…a select few were chosen as hunters. Priestesses charged with hunting the dark things that hid in the shadows and preyed on humans…

"Take up my sword…my shield…my bow and hunt with me sister!"

oOoOo

Sara awoke with a start. She was in her room' on her bed.

"What a weird drea…." Her voice trailed off as she spotted the bow, quiver of arrows, sword and shield on her bed. Locking at her suddenly bare arms she realised that her clothes had been replaced by a white dress, split on the right side…a Chiton. "Wait, how did I know that?"

She looked back at the bed. Her sword…her Xiphos. "When did I learn ancient Greek?"

Getting up she walked to the door, pausing to look down. "Why the hell am I wearing sandals?" Shaking her head, she went to open the door and nearly crushed the steel doorknob as she ripped it off the door.

Blinking owlishly at the knob in her hand she managed to make a shocked noise before she fainted.

oOoOo