Greetings all! This is my first time writing one of these (for JL at least), and honestly, I'm not sure how long its going to be. I know that I have seven chapters planned, and there's something else I want to do with it, I just don't know exactly how or if I will do that. I will be uploading these chapters as quickly as possible because its currently stuck in my head and I want to post all of it before I forget it.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN JUSTICE LEAGUE OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS THEY ARE PROPERTY OF DC COMICS.
Diana stood before her goddesses, fear and love shining in her eyes. Fear and love, the greatest of humanity's motivators now thrummed within the warrior princess. It was fear for the ones she loved that had brought her to the largest temple on Themyscira; the one dedicated to Athena, Aphrodite, and Hera, the goddess that created the magical island for the Amazons.
Diana fell to her knees before their majesty, wisdom, and power. Before she even made her request, however, Athena was responding, "We cannot do as you ask, Champion. You are far too important to this world. The world needs Wonder Woman."
"You are a beacon, a shining example of what mankind can become. They need you to lead them." Hera added.
The Amazon Princess shook her head, "There are some who shine brighter than I, who are needed more than I. I am inspirational, but they, he, resonates more strongly with them then I could ever hope to."
"Our decision stands, Champion. When you are ready, you should return to Man's World, or hand the mantle of Wonder Woman to another." Athena remarked before disappearing. Hera nodded in agreement and followed. Aphrodite offered the princess a sympathetic look, before stepping closer and taking her hand and pulling her to her feet.
"I am sorry, Diana." The Goddess of Love and Beauty offered.
"You created me to be a beacon, a guiding light to mankind, but I am one of many, and he builds hope so much stronger than I. He is the future, Aphrodite, but his light is always in danger of diminishing. I want to save those around him so that he may continue to lead the way." Diana explained, and Aphrodite's heart swelled with love. Her Champion of Love and Beauty thought only of others with her compassionate nature. She knew she shouldn't say anything, Wonder Woman was necessary to the world and Mankind's future, but Diana had her heart set on the Dark Knight. There would be no stopping her. The goddess pushed a strand of Diana's raven hair behind her ear, "They're right, the world needs Wonder Woman, but it also needs him. We cannot do anything, that is not our realm, but perhaps there is another you could petition?"
The goddess disappeared and the sparkle in her bright blue eyes told the Princess all she needed to know. She was flying across Themyscira as fast as she could go, knowing that time was her enemy, and she'd spent so much of it with the goddesses. She hoped that she still had time.
The temple Diana landed in was smaller than the others, smaller than that of Demeter and Hestia, even eerie temples of Hecate and Nyx were better cared for. The Amazons had allowed the small temple to fall into disrepair, they still took care of it, but they never showed it as much care as they did the other temples. Diana promised herself that she would change that, even if the goddess she spoke to didn't answer her call.
The Princess stopped in front of the statue, suddenly very aware of the similarities in her own facial structure and that of the statue. She fell to her knees, "Lady of the Underworld, Queen of Curses and Spring, I bring nothing but my humble respects and the hope that you will hear my request."
Anxiety flared within her chest, constricting and making it harder to breathe as Diana felt time slip through her fingers the longer her plea went unanswered.
"Its very rare for anyone to visit my temple, let alone acknowledge all of my titles. Most mortals only refer to me as Lady of the Underworld or Goddess of Spring." Persephone offered Diana a hand and a gentle smile, "You truly are a wonder, Princess. How can I assist you?" Diana stared at the goddess with a mixture of wonder and reverence. The goddess's skin was dark and her hair was long and thick, curls of bronze and flowers and vines. She stood as tall as Diana, and her eyes were a warm hazel that made the heroine feel loved.
Hope bloomed within her and allowed relief to ease her tense muscles. "A mortal is in danger, and though many don't see it, he is a light to all and-"
Diana stopped talking when Persephone raised her hand, "Princess, I know you are in a hurry, so, just be blunt."
The goddess's honesty was refreshing and Diana spoke bluntly, "I wish to make a deal, my flight for the health and safety of the mortal Damien Wayne."
Persephone studied the Amazon Champion, "You're willing to offer up a portion of the gift granted to you by the gods to save a mortal. I wonder, what have you seen among humanity that others have not. His name is familiar to me, I've heard it whispered in the Underworld. Champion, if you are certain that he is worthy, then I shall do this for you." Diana's face brightened immediately as Persephone continued, "I have to speak with my husband, but, I shall vouch for you if you are certain."
"I am, Milady," Diana replied.
The goddess nodded, "Then I will see it done," the dark-skinned woman reached for Diana's hand, "for your kindness and compassion, I do this for you. Be well, Princess."
The Lady of the Underworld disappeared, and Diana whispered a prayer of thanks before rising to her feet. In her heart, she knew that her decision was right. Bruce needed his youngest son, and the chance to prove to himself that he could raise another boy that wouldn't turn out like Jason Todd. If her sacrifice guaranteed that Damien would bring hope to Bruce, then it was worth it.
As she stood, Diana realized that she felt no different than before, and the temptation to hover was urging her to try it. Instead, the heroine simply walked out of the temple, already planning how to best care for Persephone's altar.
The next morning, when Donna begged Diana to race her to the other end of the island, the eldest sibling declined the offer and retreated into the forest in the direction of the temple she promised to care for. No amount of prodding or orders could make Diana tell her sister or mother why she no longer bothered to fly; it would confuse her sister and enrage her mother.
Hades stared at his wife in determined contemplation. She'd brought him interest news; Diana of Themyscira, Wonder Woman, chosen Champion of the Amazons and three of the most powerful Olympian goddesses, had approached his overlooked and ignored Persephone, with a request.
The King of the Underworld leaned back in his throne, "What she's asking is not easy and has ramifications she probably hasn't thought through."
"Your daughter was blessed by Athena, my darling husband. She has put her heart on the line, so to speak, and her belief in the Dark Knight of Gotham as a warrior for peace and hope is never going to falter."
"Well her request comes with a cost, is she willing to pay the price?" Hades demanded, annoyed that the Dark Knight had once again become a point of conversation. He heard about the man beneath the mask and was not impressed.
Persephone's hazel eyes darkened, warning her husband that the thorny Queen of Curses was just beneath the surface of her calm. When she spoke her voice was icy, "Diana has offered her ability to fly as payment. I promised her I would see this done, Hades. I will not allow you to stand in my way."
A shiver of pleasure tore through him at the way his name sounded coming off her tongue. He loved every aspect of his wife, which was more than he could say about either of his brothers, and the dark parts of his wife were incredibly enticing. He was tempted to lure her to bed, but he knew that her goal was to see the Princess's wish come true. Hades was a smart husband, for he also knew that when his Queen said 'I' she really meant 'We'.
"Very well, my Queen. Damien Wayne shall be strengthened and protected." The dark shadows of her power didn't disappear despite the brilliant smile she gave him, and the sultry look in her eyes told Hades he'd made the right call.
Alfred sat by Damien's bedside, watching the youngest Wayne as he lay motionless. The seasoned caretaker hadn't been prepared for Batman to return from patrol with an unconscious Robin. His years of worrying and patching up Bruce hadn't dulled the pain the butler felt as he stared down at his surrogate grandson. While he sat with watchful eyes on Damien, Bruce had donned his cowl once more, summoned Nightwing, Batgirl, and Red Robin, and returned to patrol with retribution as his goal.
It was going to be a bad night for the Wayne family, Alfred knew. He wished, not for the first time, and definitely not for the last, that the beautiful, gentle but resilient Princess Diana had been nearby. Her presence always managed to soothe Bruce, even if he never admitted it aloud. Her calming presence and patience would've been enough to bring the Wayne patriarch back to the manor so that he could wait by his son's bedside and work through his anger and guilt. She was always Bruce's guiding light. Alfred had hoped that her gentle soul would protect his surrogate son.
But, like all beautiful things, Bruce believed himself unworthy and so he had denied himself not only her friendship but her love, and it had left a burden on Bruce's shoulders, but Alfred knew that his employer would never acknowledge it. So, as the butler silently prayed for Damien's recovery, he also asked for a miracle in the form of the Amazonian Princess to save Batman from himself; especially if Damien did not recover.
"Alfred?" The butler was pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of Damien's hoarse tone. The youngest Wayne was blinking the sleep away from his eyes as he became more aware of his surroundings. Relief and joy had Alfred fawning over the boy, pausing only when a familiar but subtle sweet perfume teased his senses. He knew that perfume because he had gifted it to the Princess for her birthday the previous year. Alfred looked around the room, expecting to see her as if she had brought Damien's quick recovery with her. Instead, he saw no one.
"Where's Father?" Damien questioned as he tried to sit up.
"Don't move Master Damien. You've been unconscious for a while and any sudden movements may return you to your previous state. I have instructions to contact J'onn and Bruce upon your return to us. Stay where you are and I will get some water." Alfredo ordered as he left the room, Diana's perfume lingered around him, but as the older man focused on the scent, he realized that it was strongest in Damien's room. He sent a silent prayer of thanks to the woman, knowing that even in her absence, Diana was looking out for not only Bruce but his children.
Well that's it for chapter one. See ya'll in a few hours. Don't forget to read and review. Any constructive criticism is appreciated.