A/N: Here's the second chapter, in a decent amount of time too. Hopefully everybody enjoys it.
As already said, I hope you enjoy.
"Diana!"
She sat up, drenched in a cold sweat. Clark was sound asleep next to her, his arm where her body was as it was wrapped around her.
That was weird, she could've sworn she heard him call out to her, again.
For the past few days it happened, at random times, at dinner, while she was with her mother, anywhere. Each time she would turn to Clark expectantly, but he would insist he hadn't called her name.
Clark sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Di? Is everything alright?" he mumbled sleepily as he yawned. "Did you have another dream?"
She had, in fact. It was so surreal, she could've sworn it was actual reality. They were back with the league, but the kids didn't exist and she and Clark weren't a thing. In fact, she was single, while fellow reporter, Lois Lane was his fiancee, and it hurt. It hurt seeing the love of his life with someone that wasn't her.
She swore to herself that she wouldn't don her costume again until her duties on Paradise Island were fulfilled, and even then she hadn't been seen as Wonder Woman since before the twins were born. Sure she's been to Man's World plenty of times, but only as the wife of Clark Kent, Diana Prince-Kent. They were using the excuse of him wanting to return to his parents' farm, which had worked. They appeared from time to time to keep up the image of them doing such, thus evading prying, curious minds from figuring out their ruse.
"I'm fine, Kal," she said to her husband, brushing strands of hair out of her face. "It's probably from the pregnancy."
She slowly eased herself onto her back, his hand protectively on her stomach upon mentioning of it. She turned to face him, seeing him grinning like a fool. "Looks like this one enjoys a fight," he chuckled.
She rolled her eyes, laughing herself. "Ha. He or she just enjoys having their mother riled up on a nightly basis, as did the others when they were small children."
"Just goes to show the example of a Kryptonian mixed with a goddess," he chuckled, planting his lips onto hers. "How's your morning sickness?"
Oh, gods. It was horrible. Almost every morning like clockwork Diana would make a dash to the bathroom connected to their room, throwing up what little food she had in her system. Then she'd lay in bed with a cold rag on her forehead until shortly before noon, all the while Clark would simply lay next to her, tending to her every need.
I don't deserve him, she thought to herself, a grateful smile pulling at her lips. He noticed and smiled back, pulling her closer to his body. "I love you," she said with complete honesty. "If someone had told me I'd marry someone as perfect as you all those years ago when I was just nineteen, I wouldn't have believed them. Yet here I am, in my early thirties and with four healthy, wonderful children."
"Glad to be of help," he smirked. "Don't forget the baby." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "How does Kieran sound for a name?"
She nodded. "Another unique name to our blended family."
"Have you thought of anything?" he asked.
She shrugged. "A few names came to mind. I really like Amelie, or Amana." She closed her eyes, relaxing against her husband. "Let's sleep. We shall discuss it in the morning."
"I'm no longer tired," Clark mentioned, pressing himself against Diana. A moment later, she knew why.
"You're insatiable!" she laughed, turning to face him. "We already have earlier today...twice. You're still desiring another round?"
"When your wife is the embodiment of love and sexiness, it's hard to resist." He pulls her into a searing kiss, pulling the sheets over them. "Hopefully, your mother won't walk in on us this time."
"Bruce!" Clark cried out as Mongul dealt a nasty blow to the man, knocking him backwards. Bruce shook his head, nodding towards the sorceress.
"Just focus on her, damn it! Don't you take her eyes off of her for even a second!"
He nodded, charging at Circe. While he kept her busy he quickly turned on his communicator. "Batman to Justice League, we need backup now!"
The first person to respond was Barry. "Bats! What's going on?"
"No time to…" Before he could finish, Clark was tossed onto him. They flew backwards, the stronger man landing on top of the caped crusader. He quickly scrambled off of Bruce, but the damage was already done. He wasn't unconscious, but definitely dazed from the sudden, unexpected hit.
"Damn it!" Clark cried out, turning his heated gaze onto Circe. She looked at him with a smug, cold look. "What the hell has Diana even done to you?"
Her look became even more sinister, if possible. "She's taken away my power," she hissed. She turned to Mongul, pointing at Clark. "Finish off Superman and Batman, now!"
"With pleasure," the warlord beamed as he charged at Clark with all of his strength. Bruce, out of the mental funk he was just in crawled over to Diana, almost wincing at the sight. It seemed like her eyes grew even more dim, as if visibly showing how her life was slowly but surely being sucked out of her.
"Fight it," he urged, cupping Diana's face with his hands. "Come on! You're the strongest warrior I know, you'd never let someone like Circe ever take you down, not like this!"
Circe noticed the commotion and turned her head, rolling her eyes. "Such a scrawny man," she said, pointing a hand in his direction. "I don't know about you, but I'd prefer if you weren't living."
Bruce stood in front of Diana protectively, shielding her from the attack. He closed his eyes, resigned to his fate as he waited for the agonizing, searing pain.
All he felt was a fast breeze, and it confused the hell out of him.
He opened his eyes, and saw that he was moved a few feet away from where he was merely seconds ago. A hand was on his shoulder, and he looked up to a grinning Barry. "I thought you could use the save," he smirked.
Bruce smiled as well, for once. "Just this once, you're right. Now, we need to save Diana from this thing. It's the Black Mercy," he explained as Vic, Hal and Arthur quickly came up to them. "I have a plan, but I need the two of them distracted. Think you guys can handle it?"
Hal smirked. "Batman, we're the Justice League. We've got this." With that, he headed full force at Circe.
Some things just don't change, Bruce thought bitterly before nodding to the others to go. While they left he pulled out a small, tiny object from his belt, pressing a button on it. A needle popped out. He had to make sure that it would absolutely work; he planned on freezing the damn plant, magic or no magic.
Mongul noticed a glint in the corner of his eye and saw the needle in Bruce's hands. "Not so fast, little man!" he cried out, batting Clark away like he was nothing while he plowed across the room-straight for Bruce and Diana.
Clark, momentarily caught off guard, shot after him. "Diana!"
Diana looked up from her meal, blinking. "There it goes again," she murmured to herself.
Of course, Clark next to her picked up on it. "Is everything alright?"
"...Yes, I believe so," she lied, setting her fork down. A headache was beginning to form behind her eyes as she rubbed her temples. Why the hell was she hearing this voice constantly? Who was calling out to her? Well, it was Clark, but…
Gods, her brain hurt just by trying to process this. "I think I'll go lie down," she said to the others, standing up.
As if on instinct, Clark stood up as well. "Need me to walk you to the bedroom?"
He was too sweet. Diana shook her head, a smile on her face. "I'll be fine, love. No need. I can manage, thank you." After a kiss goodbye, she headed to her room.
While walking, the headache grew as she tried to process the voice. Why would someone sound like Clark, but call out to her? It just didn't make sense, not in the slightest.
Unless, it wasn't her Clark…
That's absurd, she thought as she walked down the long hallway to her chambers. It's the pregnancy, Diana. Your hormones are all over the place, there's no "Other Kal".
...Although, it's not that much of a stretch considering the multiple universes we have…
Something told her that that wasn't entirely accurate, but definitely not something to brush off. But if that were the case, how come she was the only one who could hear the voice? And it always sounded distressed, as if her life was in danger…
Suddenly, the image of Circe popped into her mind, and her head felt ready to explode. She cried out, clutching at her head with her hands. She saw Circe, along with Mongul, Clark's old nemesis, Bruce, and the rest of the League, as well as Clark. They seemed to be fighting…
Unable to process the confusing information she collapsed, but never hit the ground. Clark was there, having been able to catch her when her face was inches from the marble floor. "There's something definitely wrong," he said, worry lacing his voice as he helped her into a standing position. "You've never had a reaction like this when you were pregnant before, that's a definite."
Confusion clouded Diana's mind as she stared at Clark. Her husband. But she saw another Clark, the same one that was engaged to Lois Lane, the reporter. The Clark she saw in her mind was charging towards her, a look of determination in his face. This Clark had the same look, however it was more loving. The other was more scared, worried, terrified that he was about to lose someone. That he was about to lose her.
"Diana? Why are you looking at me like that?" Clark asked.
She shook her head, pulling herself from her thoughts. "I'm sorry, Kal. It's nothing. I need rest." With that, she continued walking as if nothing happened.
He grabbed her wrist, pulling her back gently, if not firmly. "No, Diana. Something's wrong, and you're not telling me anything," he said sternly. "You keep having nightmares, thinking someone's calling you, what else?"
"Nothing," she nearly growled, another image popping into her mind. She was in some apartment, judging by the familiar weapons and relics it belonged to her. A hand grabbed her wrist just like how Clark did, except it was much more vicious and unrelenting.
"Diana!" Clark cried out. She blinked, now he was in front of her, clearly going out of his mind with worry. "What the hell is going on?"
"I...I don't know," she admitted, tears welling in her eyes. "I have no idea. It's as if someone's...something is putting these images into my mind and…"
"And what?"
"I saw you," she continued. "You were with Bruce and the others, and there was Circe. And Mongul. You all were battling, but I don't know why."
Clark took in the information, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I don't understand it either," he admitted after a few moments of silence. "It's not common, and there's no reason for you to be having these images in your mind. We're safe." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "You're safe here, with us. I'm right here, there's nobody trying to hurt you, I promise."
Clark got there in the nick of time, colliding directly with Mongol and tossing him into the wall. While the demon was stunned he turned to Bruce, screaming, "Do it!"
Bruce nodded, bringing his hand down…
Only to be stopped by a beam of light, prying the needle from his hand. "I'm not letting you win that easily," Circe cackled, holding her hand out. The needle promptly shattered, its liquids dissipating into nothing in midair. "You have to do better than that!"
"God damn-Flash, Cyborg, keep her busy! Aquaman, Lantern, deal with Mongul!" Bruce shouted. The four nodded, dealing with their respective target.
He turned to Clark, desperation evident in his voice. "I have one more idea, but it's going to require your help," he said.
Clark nodded. "What is it?"
"It may be sealed with magic, but we can loosen it at least somewhat physically, and that requires you." His gaze hardened as he continued, "Clark, you're her biggest influence right now. I'm almost certain that her biggest desire involves you in some shape or form."
The Kryptonian blinked once. Twice. "What? I can't be her biggest influence, what about…"
"Steve Trevor? Just a friend, nothing more." There were hints of a smirk in his voice, despite their current situation. "Yes, you have Lois, but she has a certain...affection for you. It's not hard to notice."
"Alright, so what am I to do?" he asked, brushing aside the conversation for now.
"Just talk to her," Bruce stated, moving in front of them. "I'll guard you in case anything happens. Talk."
Not knowing how this'll work Clark sighed, kneeling next to Diana's frozen form. Her eyes, once appearing vacant, now looked darker, he noted. Was that anything important?
He took in a deep breath. "I hope you're listening to me," he started, "because we need you right now. The entire world needs you, Wonder Woman." He took a hand into his, stroking it with her thumb. "We've been worried sick, all of us. We couldn't find you for days…You've always been one on the move, haven't you, Diana?"
Gods, she heard it again!
In frustration she chucked her book at the wall, shaking. Who was calling her name?!
In an instant, Clark entered the room, worried. "Is it the voice?" he asked, immediately at her side.
She rested a hand on her swelling stomach. Now she was in the middle of the third trimester, the baby growing in her abdomen now quite active. "Yes," she admitted, running a shaky hand through her hair. "Why do I keep hearing that voice?"
Clark sat next to her, resting his hand on top of hers. "I'm starting to believe it's from the pregnancy," he said honestly. "Your hormones are probably messing with you, love. Just try to rest."
Diana tore her hand from his, glaring daggers at him. "It's not! It's something different, but I just…" She let out a sigh, completely frustrated. Of course he wouldn't listen, he wasn't the one hearing a mysterious voice call out to him every so often.
After brushing him off, she continued to her room. "I'll be in bed if you need me," she said curtly, not bothering to give him even a glance. Before he found even say anything she makes it to the room and closes the door behind her.
Men, they always think they have the answer, she muses internally, collapsing onto her bed. I know it's not hormones! Is him! He's calling out to me!
She turned her head to the side, looking at herself in the mirror. Climbing to her feet, she observed herself. She had everything she ever wanted, the man of her dreams, her mother and children that know they're loved. It was a dream come true.
There was a knock on the door, revealing Clark. "Di, I didn't mean to offend you," he said apologetically. "I really didn't. I'm only trying to figure out a solution as to why these things are happening to you."
Diana ran a hand through her hair, frowning deeply. "It's not the hormones, Kal. It can't be. They don't cause hallucinations and deep paranoia, especially when it has nothing to do with your child."
"Then what would you think it is? Di, I'm just as worried and as scared as you are. Nobody's here to tell us what is going on, and we can't tell anybody on the island. They're going to think something is going on and want to put you in for protection."
"I know that." Growing frustrated, she heard her mother calling her name in the distance. "Mother is calling for me, Kal. I have to go see what she needs."
As she brushed by him, he grabbed her wrist, pulling her into a loving, tender kiss for a few moments. With each second, her anger faded into nothing and was replaced with a feeling of content, that everything was alright with the world yet again. As they parted, she leaned against him as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I wish we had more time," he whispered into her ear. "Just to stay like this, you know?"
Just as quickly as the feeling came it vanished, being replaced with what felt like a cold slap to the face. Her blood ran cold and she slowly eased away from him, looking completely horrified. "Diana…?" Clark said, concern and confusion in his voice. "What's wrong?"
The phrase echoed in her mind, bouncing around like a ball: "I wish we had more time."
The images popped into her mind like a gunshot: her and Clark after missions, enjoying a bit of downtime by spending it together over dinner, drinks, whatever seemed appropriate; the two of them hanging around each other as if they were lovers deeply connected with each other while in their civilian persona, the best of friends; fighting alongside each other; flying with each other to places; sparing; almost kissing but they're only friends-
"Gah!" Diana cried out, her hands flying to her head a second time today as she backed away from Clark. "Don't touch me!" she screamed, glaring madly at him. "Don't you dare come near me!"
She had always said that to him after spending time with him, whether it be relaxing before a sudden mission or being with his Clark Kent persona, she always wanted more time and told him such.
In her haze, she stumbled away from him and into the door, sliding to the ground as her husband stared in pure confusion. She shook her head, grabbing it and cradling it as if it were an infant…
Gods. She was pregnant.
She was married to Clark.
They had four children.
They took off from saving the world to raise said children.
As she gazed up at him, her eyes locked with his as tears streamed down her face. The room around them seemed to slowly fade, and the life she had with him flashed before her eyes: their flirting, eventual dating and marriage, their first time being parents…
"...And none of it is real," she whispered to herself, crying, pressing herself against the door. It was the only thing that seemed real enough to hold onto, but even then as she glanced at it it was fading as well.
Clark began crying too. "Love, what are you saying?" he asked in desperation, moving forward and kneeling in front of her. He took one of her hands into his. "What do you mean?"
"Kal...you're not real." She could feel her heart breaking in half as she said this, but it had to be done. "You're not real...none of this is. This isn't my world."
"Diana, it is," he whispered. "Because you can feel this." He cupped her face and pressed his lips against hers, with a free hand rubbing her swollen stomach. "Can you feel that? That's our child in you, that's our pride and joy."
"Oh, Kal," she whimpered, shaking her head. "It's not. I belong with the League. Not here, not now. Not ever." Images of her best friend's wedding flashed in her mind, confirming her worst fears. "I...I'm so sorry…"
He pulled her into a hug, which she gladly accepted. "I love you, so much. We're gonna get through this," he says, his voice trembling.
Diana didn't open her mouth and simply closed her eyes, feeling herself melt against his arms until the warmth turned cold and empty...
Tears fell from her eyes, and Clark stared in awe. "Di, I really do wish we had more time," he continued. "I want more time, so you can go to Smallville's fair I promised to take you to, so you can try all the ice cream in the world, so you can coo over more babies, so you can…"
He was crying, too. "Damn it, this thing needs to come off, now!"
He grabbed the Black Mercy and started to pull. It surprised him when another set of hands tugged at the monstrosity with him.
He blinked in shock. "Di? Can you hear me?"
No response, but her hands tightened on the plant as if trying to show that she's there.
"Guys! She's responding!" he shouted, pulling with all his strength. There was a slight pop, and one of its appendages came free from her.
"Keep going!" Bruce shouted from the other side of the room, dodging hits and blows.
Together, they pulled at the Black Mercy. Clark watched as her blank expression morph into something pained, something terrible. Her mouth opened slowly and her eyes, once lifeless, became filled with a terror even he couldn't comprehend. Finally, as the very last tentacle was pried free and tossed far against the room, she screamed.
And screamed…
...And screamed…
Everybody stopped in their tracks to hear the god-awful howl emitting from Diana's throat. It was the sound of someone who lost everything, whose life was ripped away from them agonizingly. The tears continued to fall, and the floor around her kneeling body suddenly trembled. That's when Clark noticed that her cuffs were free from her wrists.
"Oh, no," he breathed, remembering the unstoppable rage that overwhelmed him when the Black Mercy had latched onto him and snuck deep within his mind to grab hold of his deepest desire, just to be launched back to the harsh reality. It was one of the very few time he ever wanted to kill.
Long, torturous moments passed before Diana stopped screaming. When she did she lowered her head and opened her eyes, revealing white, colorless orbs. She climbed to her feet, a vein popping in her head as she targeted the monster that caused her grief. She looked feral, and ready to kill.
"Circe, I'm gonna kill you!" was her battle cry as she flung herself at the sorceress.
A/N: And here you have it. The second chapter. I was gonna write more to this, but I'll save it for the third chapter.
Could've gone way better, but I rewrote this one like six times before finally settling with this. But I'm at least partially satisfied with how I'll end it, so there's that.
The third chapter is in the process of being made, so it should be up relatively soon. At least for my standards.
Comments and criticism are welcomed.