FRIENDS AND FOES

CHAPTER 15

Mrs Kent went to peep in on Clark and Diana after an hour. It was seven pm and she hoped they had enough time to let out whatever needed letting out. She was hoping to get them to come down for supper;there was so much food,she would never be able to eat it all. She pushed the door,which was ajar,and began,"Are you two hungry?I have..."

Lying on the bed,fast asleep was her son. Curled next to him,her head tucked against his shoulder,was also a slumbering Diana.

Ma watched them tenderly. There was nothing improper or inappropriate in this. They looked as innocent as two children,and she knew they were both probably emotionally as well as

physically exhausted. Clark had not slept in days and Diana had just come back from a battle. Very quietly Ma closed the door and left them to sleep.

Diana's eyes opened at the sound of the birds outside the trees. Her eyes looked up at the ceiling in some confusion and she turned and remembered when she saw Clark Kent's blue eyes.

He was lying on his side near her, in his clothes of last night,gaze so bright and thoughtful,it was clear he had been awake for some time and had been watching her as she slept.

The thought made her heart beat just that little faster. She asked self-consciously,"What time is it?"

He replied,"About six thirty a.m."

"Hera, we fell asleep..."

He sounded almost amused."So it would seem."

"I should get up...Maybe go."

"So soon?Ma will have my head if you leave without breakfast ."

Diana turned on her side and faced him. In the early morning light she could see he looked a bit careworn but there was the old glimmer of warmth in his blue eyes."You look better,"she said softly.

He rubbed his stubble on his cheek."Really?I need a shave."

"That's not what I mean."

"I know. Thank you for being here for me. I guess I needed to offload."

"What are best friends for?" she whispered.

"Best friends."He repeated it with a smile." I missed us,"he confessed."I missed talking with you,flying with you,laughing with you."

She sighed,as if a burden was released from her."Me too."

"Do you know it's been an age since I went to our favourite floating restaurant in Bangkok?The last time was when we fought Grodd."

"Hera,that was years ago!Haven't you wanted to go back?"

"It's not the same alone."

"You could have taken Lois."

"She hates Thai. Says it's too spicy. Have you taken Adam?"

"He doesn't know about Wonder Woman."

"You haven't told him?Why?"

"I...don't know."

"You don't know?That's not the answer I expect to hear from Athena's prodigy."

Diana crinkled her brow."It's not like I haven't tried. This dating ritual is complicated. How can one be expected to share one's most intimate self when one is hiding who one is?You of all people should know what I mean. One must be honest but if there are doubts then how can one proceed?"

"Ah,I take it from those very cryptic words,you haven't slept with him?"

Diana reddened self-consciously and sat up. She glared at him."No. I haven't. And it's no use smiling at me in that angelic manner,I know what you are thinking?"

"Without your lasso?Surely not!"

"Very funny,but I could sleep with him if I wanted to."

"Oh, no doubt. You're just sparing his feelings .God forbid he should have to see you in your Wonder Woman costume. What a blow for any man! "he replied, sitting up and swinging his legs over.

Diana's gasped and hit him over the head with a pillow."You are unbelievable!"She underestimated her strength and feathers flew everywhere.

Clark exclaimed,"Hey!What was that for?That was the finest goose down,I'll have you know,princess!"

"What about Lois?"she demanded.

"What about Lois?"

"You are in deeper than I."

He looked reflective."That's true."He got up,dusted his head and observed mildly,"It's your fault ,you know."

"How is it my fault?"

"You never should have left."

"Oh."Diana digested this meekly.

They looked at each other; something had changed irrevocably since last night and they both knew it. Yet as with everything in both their lives,they could do very little about it. Timing,other relationships,duty,their consciences seemed to be in the way of a resolution.

Clark did the only sensible thing."You want to go down for breakfast?"

Diana smiled ruefully."Sure. I'm starved."

"I know. We both missed dinner. Come on,I'll do you an omelet Can you cook something without courting disaster now?"

She gave him a disdainful glance that made him grin."One must learn at some point, if one is to live independently,to sustain one's self. Thus far none have died...that I know of..."

They went down to discover Ma already up and making biscuits. She looked up and smiled,"Well,you two,I hope you're rested?You were out for the count when I came to call you for dinner."

Clark looked a bit sheepish."Sorry about that Ma."

"You don't have to apologize,sweetheart. Yesterday was a draining day for everyone. How are you,Diana?''

Diana smiled."I'm fine,Ma. Can I help,Clark?"

"Want to help me break some eggs?"

Martha Kent eyed them hopefully. There was nothing in their manner to suggest that anything had been settled other than they had reverted back to the playful camaraderie that characterized their relationship in the past.

She rubbed her nose in disappointment .Leave it to her son to have the most beautiful woman in the world with him, all alone,for an entire night,and what does he do?Fall asleep!

She had hear it said he was a Boyscout. Well,she never believed it until today!

The fire lighting in the hearth cast a reddish glow amongst the dark mahogany wood, brocade drapes and black leather living room suite. Sitting in a large arm chair,his face cast in shadow,was a broad shouldered figure,dressed in a frogged dressing gown. Across him,standing on the edge of the Turkish rug was Devastation .The man held a tv remote in his hands and was looking at the footage of Wonder Woman as saved a plane from crashing in the city yesterday.

"I see she is alive and well. Why am I not so surprised."

"Well,you shouldn't have asked my father to send me to do you any favours."

"Your father knew if you were successful,he'd have a chance to escape Tartarus. He wasn't doing this for me but himself. Now he's stuck,and she's still jaunting around trying to save the world."

"It's not only her but that band of do-gooders called the Justice League. The longer they are in the world fighting their cause our cause continues to suffer. Especially with the likes of that one called Superman. I tried getting him to bite but he wouldn't take the bait."

"He is as bad as she. If they cannot be made to succumb to hate or rage then we must make them face despair and pain."

She looked bored."Not my cup of tea. Why not call on Phobos?Deimos?They are full of hate and rage,or had you forgotten?"

"Don't act smart with me,child. I know what my offspring are capable of."

He rose out of the shadows and stepped into the light. He was reflected in the mirror,and the visage was demonic with glowing red eyes. He looked at the television.

The Amazon had proven to be resilient to the forces of discord. He had hoped to use Devastation to create mayhem,so man could destroy themselves,and speed up the apocalypse.

This would have opened the gates of hell,and Cronus himself would have come forth and, as agreed,kill the Amazon,the champion of the gods,thus avenging himself on the gods.

"But no,Grandpa,can't do it. So,I'll have to find a way..."he growled.

He had to be careful. Zeus,his father,Cronus' enemy,would be unforgiving,merciless,should he find out of his plotting. Zeus and the other gods and goddesses never advocated the conquest and subjugation of men. They were self-serving at times but generally believed that humanity had the potential to be a great race,and their existence depended on man living in harmony with each other. It was why he had hoped to keep himself blameless in the plot,and using Cronus' hate to satisfy his own lust for power.

He looked at his face."The God of War will not be torn asunder. I will conquer and corrupt. I will destroy she who the gods created to counter me. I will destroy those dearest to her!"

He barked,"Harmonia!"

A slender titan haired female appeared."Yes,Father?"

"Take Devastation into Tartarus."

Devastation eyes widened."You said I couldn't go!"

"You won't be going for your father. I want you to go for something that lies in one of the lowest circles of hell,where the sins of the wolf,lion and the leopard preside. It lies scattered,and I want you to bring it to me."

Harmonia began,"But my Father we cannot go into Lord Hades realm and take anything without his permission .Balance and the laws that bind Olympus must be maintained."

"Don't presume to tell me what I ought to know. What I am after is base metal. Forged by Hephaestus himself. It has neither spirit nor soul. And it is MINE!"

Circe was trapped in a bottle. It was the simplest of tricks that any first tier magus or witch could perform. The reason for this was simple. None would expect the League to take a powerful sorceress and treat her with such a spell. She was then set in the middle of salt flats and left. No witch or demon could find nor help her. But for the child of a Titan. It was different.

Devastation found herself in the middle of the sea of white granules. She carried a shovel but when she looked around and saw the endless ocean of salt,she stamped.

"Oh come on!This has to be a joke!"

Ares' voice sounded in the wind."Just dig."

Grumbling Devastation obeyed and true to his words after a minute she struck glass. She pulled out the bottle. A violet coloured smoke hazed the bottle and Circe's face appeared. She looked peeved.

"Well,it's about time. I wondered when someone would come find me!"

Devastation had altered her look since losing her sword to the League. She wore a school girl's uniform and her hair in two braids. She looked even more harmless and innocent.

Circe made the mistake to misjudge her."Well,you urchin,aren't you going to release me?"

"I'm wondering if I should."

"I'll grant you three wishes."

"What are you some kind of genie?"

"You might say that."

"I don't know."

Circe smiled."Oh come now. Won't you like to have money and jewels and cars..."

"I'm twelve years old."

"Oh. Well,whatever tickles your fancy."

"You promise?"

"Oh,I promise."

Devastation unplugged the bottle and the violet smoke issued out. A woman in green stood before her. She stretched and smiled deviously,"Well,thank you,child."

"Your promise?"

"Oh. That. Well,you see there we have a problem. If I don't fill back that bottle with an entity they will know I got out."She grasped the child by the collar."You'll be going in my place,Red!"

To her astonishment the girl crushed her fingers and swatted her away. Circe went flying into a dune with a thud. She gasped and coughed."Who are you?"

"I?I am Devastation and you have been freed by the will of the God of War."

"Ares!W-what does he want with me?''

"A favour."

Circe faced a pile of metal before her. Devastation was lazing on a chair. Harmonia looked on gravely.

She looked at it and Ares,who was in his armour,with misgiving."What do you want me to do?It's a pile of junk"

"Since I cannot compel Hephaestus to reforge it,you will have to use magic to bind it back into one."

"Hephaestus?"

"Yes,didn't you know?It was made by the God of Fire and still has the potential to be a great weapon."

"After I do this,you will let me go?"

"You have my word."

"Does that account for much?"

"No,but take it or die."

Circe grumbled."This calls for blood sacrifice."

Ares looked askance at his daughter Harmonia."Indeed?"

Circe's eyes widened as the God of War unsheathed a sword.

Queen Hippolyta was sitting in the Senate,listening to a debate on the new proposal put forward by Penelope to begin opening the island up to men. At least with the men of the League as an initial step.

To say the debate was heated and passionate was an understatement. Those that were in favour were in the minority. Many still did not care for males to infiltrate or pollute what they believed to be paradise.

Artemis was fuming."This is all the Princess' doing!Because she is being led by her senses and not her logic,we have the likes of Superman dropping in here as if this was some park upon which he can take a stroll."

"That will do,Artemis!My daughter's reasons are not as naive as you believe and for this Senate's information,I invited Superman to remain. He had just saved Diana after all,not to mention what he and the League has done for us over the years!Whilst I may have some reservations about male-female relationships,it has not blinded me to the fact that men are not all evil traitors!"

Artemis sat down,eyes seething. Penelope,who was still on the floor,began earnestly,"I have been gifted by the gods with second sight and visions. And I do not sense nor forsee the men of the League posing any threat or danger to us. We can trust them. They are exemplars of their world and there is much we could learn and teach ..."

An explosion sounded outside. Amazons rose to their feet. Hippolyta saw Phillipus running in."My Queen!We are under attack!"

"By whom?"

The gigantic metal fist of the Annihilator smashed through wall of the Senate. The queen looked at it in bewilderment."It was destroyed!How?"

A short,baby faced girl stepped over the rubble.

Hippolyta gasped."Devastation!"

Diana was at home when she got the call from J'onn. The Embassy had called. Themyscira was under attack.

She gasped,"Oh gods. Teleport me up at once!"

She was already in her Wonder Woman outfit when she appeared at the satellite. The Manhunter met her on her way to the hanger where the invisible plane was docked.

"Are you going alone?"

"Which female Leaguer is right here,right now?"

"There's Huntress."

"No disrespect to her ,J'onn, but she won't do. Not for this. Not alone. She could die. Isn't Shyera here?Or even Zee?"

"No."

"Who is here?"

"Well,there's Jonah and Ray and the Question..."

"No!No!"She was already climbing the steps. She suddenly turned and blurted out."You come with me."

"But you said no men..."

"Well,not as a man..."

"Diana,you cannot mean?"

"Please,J'onn?"

He looked aggrieved."Wasn't posing as you enough?"

"Please?"

"Oh! Very well. Who should I go as?"

"Hawkgirl will do. They met her and liked her."

He shape-shifted into Shyera,mace and all. Diana gestured,"Let's go!"

When they got to Themyscira,they saw smoke emanating from the palace and Senate .Diana landed her plane and both got out. She gasped."Gaea!No!"

Her sisters were in combat against each other!

But what was more horrifying than the two tribes fighting each other were the signs of the casualties. Whilst Devastation watched from a balcony,the Annihilator was smashing its way through those that had the strength to resist the small agent of destruction. Diana headed straight for the Senate,where she could see her mother trying to hold off the robot.

Hippolyta gasped,"Diana!"

Diana shouted,"Retreat,mother!"

"No,I will fight too."

Diana flew down to her."Mother,I cannot fight if I know you are in the way. This machine nearly destroyed our people last time.''

"Very well,'' she conceded reluctantly."But I will be here to step in..."

Diana took the long double edged sword Hippolyta had in her hand."Fine but until then may I borrow this?"

Hippolyta saw her head towards the Annihilator and punch it until it smashed right out the other side of the wall and toppled a pavilion. The robot,fueled by the fighting Amazons,got up and ran towards her. She was grabbed and sent spinning into the air and hit the domed roof of the observatory. She crashed into the glass and fell to the ground. She got up shakily to see it coming at her again. Diana felt her rib shatter with a punch. She groaned with pain and flipped into the air and kicked the robot in the head.

As she fought,J'onn,in his guise,went after Devastation. He appeared behind her. She turned and grabbed his mace."Hawk-girl eh?Take a hike!"She sent her spinning and smashed the mace to pieces.

But J'onn controlled his flight and vanished mid-air and appeared from the marble floor .Devastation's brows rose."That's a neat trick."

"It's only the beginning."He shape-shifted into a large lizard type monster and curled about her. She screeched."You are not the Hawk-girl!"

He squeezed."Release them!"

Devastation felt him invade her mind and she screeched. She was just about to obey,when Circe appeared and sent balls of fire at him. He instantly unraveled himself and vanished.

Circe looked at her scathingly,"Remember who saved you,carrot-top!"

J'onn fell through the marble and ended up before Artemis. He changed back into his Hawkgirl persona. Artemis exclaimed,"Hawk-girl!"

"Diana said you needed help."

"Well,see for your self. It's chaos."

"We need to stop the Amazons from fighting. Their anger and rage is what is fueling the Annihilator. And Devastation is fueling them."

"How?"

He flew into the air."I need Diana's lasso."

Diana was in a brutal fight. She was using her bracelets to take the beams of energy directed at her. She then swung Hippolyta's sword at it. She sliced the metal,going for the arms and chest,driving it back. Diana gritted, with the pain from her rib,"This sword was forged by Hephaestus. Also a device for war."

The Manhunter saw his opportunity. He phased in."Diana,your lasso. I need it"

She watched him unhitch it and vanish.

J'onn appeared before Devastation and Circe. Circe magicked orbs of fire."Come on,Green-Man,let me see how brave you are."

J'onn suddenly wrapped himself in Hestia's gift and he was within a circle of truth;the orbs did not burn. They were as cool as freshly fallen snow .He was protected. He phased in before

Circe and his eyes glowed."Now witch,let me see you resist me."

Circe beheld herself covered in sores and boils. She shrieked. Her vanity,her greatest weakness,was awoken. She held her hair and howled. It appeared to be coming out in clumps.

Devastation looked at her in disgust. To her eyes there nothing was wrong with the sorceress. J'onn then turned on the girl. He said,"I do not need this lasso to ask you why you are doing this."

"I am doing this because it is what I am."

"This is the second time you attack the world but I get the impression it was not due to ambitions of your own."

She looked defensive."It is my ambition to destroy."

"You're a child .It was for your father you did it and is still doing it. You are being used."

"I am not!"

"You are. By Ares and your father."

"What do you know of it?"

"I know Ares isn't here. He isn't stupid to come out openly and risk Zeus' wrath. And your father has been judged already. There is no redemption for him. Do you really believe Cronus will remember you for this?And who will know of this anyway?Who in the world really knows of Themyscira?Who will care if you destroy it?"

Devastation looked around and saw the island. It was in a mess but apart from the Amazons,who really knew what she did?She scowled. Ares was a snake under grass. Lying in wait whilst others did the dirty work. She was being used!

"To hell with this!" she grumbled and vanished."let his lazy sons do some work for a change!"

Diana was going for the Annihilator's head when she felt the thing halt and stand very still. She looked about in bemusement.

The rival tribes had stopped fighting and looked at each other in confusion. The assault on the island had come to an end. Circe was being given a taste of her own medicine and Devastation had gone.

It took the Queen some time to restore some semblance of order;victory was tinged with sorrow. There were many injured;some even dead. And the island was a mess.

They watched Circe being taken away in magical bindings by Phillipus and her guard to the dungeons. Once the dead had been taken away and the critically injured taken to the Healing Isle,

the women gathered on the open concourse.

Hippolyta looked at Diana and Hawk-girl."Thank you my,daughter. Your and Shyera's coming have prevented another catastrophe."

Artemis spoke up,"This is the third time Hawk-girl has fought on our behalf .I say we make her an honourary member of the tribes."

Those standing by nodded in agreement.

Hawk-girl said gravely,"I thank you but I must decline."

Hippolyta said kindly,"You need not fear that we would expect you to come and fight for us every time...this is a gesture of our gratitude and to show you that you will always be welcomed here."

Diana looked a bit guilty."I am afraid we deceived you,Mother."

"I don't understand."

Diana looked at Shyera."J'onn?"

To the amazement of the women,the winged female turned into a tall green-skinned Martian .Artemis was speechless. There were murmurings amongst the group.

Hippolyta blinked and looked half amused."Why am I not so surprised?You are the Manhunter,are you not?"

"Yes,your Majesty. I regret having to come to the island disguised but it was only because my friend was in need."

"I see."She looked at some of the Senate members."It seems we had a male in our midst and once again he has risked his life for us. I find this phenomena amazing. You have to admit it gives what Penelope says credence?"

Diana looked around at her sisters."If you trust me,you can trust him. I beg you,to look past your prejudices and fears and accept him for who he is. It was he that showed courage today,not Hawk-girl. And you were willing to accept her into the fold for it. We cannot be hypocrites,Sisters,if we expect to fulfill the promise we gave to our gods."

There were nods and some even clapped. Even Artemis seemed to accept this grudgingly

Hippolyta smiled and looked at J'onn."I hearby welcome you officially,Martian Manhunter,to the island of Themyscira."

J'onn smiled."I thank you,Your Majesty,and you can call me J'onn."

The Queen said apologetically,"It would be a matter of courtesy to break bread with you but as you can see we going to be very busy."

J'onn said,"I have a suggestion,Majesty,if you don't think it presumptuous."

"Speak."

"I think I know a few people who would be happy to help you get your island up and running."

It took Superman,Steel,Green Lantern,Flash, Red Tornado and J'onn Jones three days to clean,salvage and reconstruct the Senate, Palace facade and several temples and pavilions.

Batman and Mr Terrific decided that the Annihilator should come back to the satellite and this time security was tripled.

Hippolyta watched her daughter's face;the affection and the pride Diana felt for these men as they were individually thanked before the Senate. She invited them to dine with the Amazons that last night.

Hippolyta had J'onn on her right and she had a clear view of her daughter sitting alongside Superman and Flash. Diana looked radiant in her simple white tunic and was laughing and joking with the two men.

J'onn looked at the wistful look on the Queen's face. She met his eyes."Don't tell me,you can read my mind?"

"No,I can read your expression. I had a child once. I know what you feel."

"I've never seen her light up so."

J'onn looked at Diana elbowing Superman and then wincing as if she had hurt herself. He smiled."Only around him,does she do that."

"I had hoped she would grow out of this infatuation but it seems there is much more to it than that."

J'onn indicated to Batman."That was the infatuation. This is certainly more complex than that."

She sighed."Really?I had no idea...It is my understanding that Superman belongs to another."

"I don't think in this world anyone can belong to anybody,Majesty .Life itself does not permit that."

"Be that as it may. I am afraid for her."

J'onn looked at Diana again. Superman was putting an ice on her reddened elbow and looking rather contrite,whilst Flash was hovering between the two like a mother hen.

"I don't think you need to be."