GOG

Part 3

CHAPTER 18

The gods were captured and imprisoned in a cage forged by Hephaestus himself. The cage was suspended in the great audience chamber. All but Zeus,Poseidon and Hades were in it. Hera looked down at Ares,who was overseeing the securing of the Palace with his vanguard of his children and dark acolytes.

"This is treason,and you will pay dearly for it."

"Will I,Hera?Who will punish me?''

"Zeus will not tolerate this..."

"My father is either with his dear sage council,the Quintessence,or pursuing some mortal woman to feed his own vanity..."

"Hades and Poseidon..."

"Hades will be getting an influx of souls to keep him busy when I am finished with my scheme of crushing mankind. And as for Poseidon, he'll be joining you soon. Deimos has gone to see to him."

"I am warning you, Ares,no good will come of this. Hate and destruction will have dire consequences, even for you."

He waved dismissively."Enough of your postulating. I have somewhere to be now. Gog must have by now found the Amazon."He gestured for his children to remain."I will call upon you when the Dogs of War descend upon the earth. Until such time, remain here."

Ares left them and appeared in time to capture Diana with the aid of Gog.

They vanished from the nightclub,into Ares' earthy lair. Gog dumped Diana unceremoniously on a couch. She was still unconscious. Ares took her lasso and tied her with it. Gog frowned."Are you sure that will hold her?"

"Believe me when I say,not even she can break free from it."

"Now,let us lay the trap for Superman,"said Gog.

"Superman?"

"Yes. Superman."

Ares eyed the staff slyly,"I am not sure about that,Gog. I have the Princess now,and have the Gods indisposed. I don't think I need to waste time going after Superman when I could just get on with destroying all human creation."

Gog's eyes narrowed."Are you implying that you are going back on your word?''

"Well,I'm not implying. I am telling you."

Gog pointed his staff at him."I do not take kindly to traitors,Ares. I will strike you down."

Ares grinned."Not before I strike you first."Behind him came a a blast from nowhere. Gog fell comatose to the floor. Ares looked to see his son, Deimos, with Poseidon's Trident in his hand.

"Ah,well done. I see from the Trident,you were successful with the God of the Oceans?''

Deimos picked up Gog's staff and handed it over to his father."Yes,he is caged with the others."

"Excellent."

"What now,Father?"

"Now, my son,we gather our forces and declare war upon these mortals."

"What about her?"

"I want her to be alive to see the world that she is trying to redeem with her pathetic teachings fall!I will be back for her."

"What of Gog?"

"What can he do without his staff?Nothing!Leave him!His mind is too warped to appreciate what real power is!"

Ares decided to attack the United States of America first. For the reason that it was one of the largest and wealthiest of nations,and it was the adopted home of the Princess of the Amazons

and many of her allies. The Dogs of War,large, armoured hounds with red eyes and razor sharp jaws,ridden by ogres,trolls and other grotesque creatures,were accompanied by divisions of harpies,minotaurs,cyclops,and dragons.

The U.S. armed forces were deployed but were at a great disadvantage. What could one do when Phobos, God of Fear,was debilitating soldiers with visions of their greatest fears;or when Deimos,the God of Terror had his beard of serpents bite victims with panic-strickening venom. And worse, the God of War had a staff-weapon that was matching any kind of fire power the airforce and army could fire upon him.

The American Secretary of Defense called the President."Sir,it's madness. Our boys are either screaming and attacking each other or running away like cowards! I've never seen anything like it!"

The President replied grimly,"Call in the League. Tell them they have this State's sanction to lead a counter."

J'onn was in the middle of taking distress calls from around the country,and sending out the League when he took the call.

"The League is being alerted as we speak,sir."

J'onn had everyone available deployed. Some could not go to Washington where the main assault was taking place. Some had to remain in their cities and fight and protect lives.

Batman was in Gotham when he got the call from J'onn. He had Nightwing, Robin, Starfire, Batwoman, and Huntress helping him protect Gotham. And ironically so did the likes of the criminal element that was not locked up in Arkham. Catwoman,Bane,Killer Croc and Penguin were actually taking on the dark army.

He said in his communicator."I'll be there,J'onn but I'm indisposed at the moment."

He was fighting against three minotaurs in an alley,whilst watching Catwoman struggling with two harpies on a roof top. The half man-half bull creatures were very strong and carried spiked maces. Batman fired his explosives at them. Using his gauntlets,he managed to take the blows of their maces and kick one creature in the gut into some metal bins,and unbalance another by sweeping its feet,and knocking it out with a punch. The final minotaur roared and came after him;he tore out a piece of iron pipe from the wall and twirled it skillfully. The creature's mace hit the pipe so hard the tremor ran up his arm and he had to drop it. The creature swung hard;its mace nearly took his head off. He ducked and slammed his fist in a punch against the minotaur's chest. The creature fell in a heap at his feet.

He looked up to see Selina knock one harpy over the side of the roof. The other one jumped on her back,pulling her head back and flashing its claws at her throat. He sent his grapple and he was on the roof in seconds. He came swinging in; knocked the harpy in the gut and it slammed into a wall. It slithered to the ground.

Catwoman looked at him crossly."I nearly had her."

"Sure you did."

"I did!What are you doing in my end of the town,Batman?"

"I saw you could use some help."

"You mean you actually saw some merit in coming here and helping me?How romantic!''

"It's an invasion,Selina. I'm hardly here to try to pick you up."

"It's been a while. No doubt you haven't forgiven me for that slap last year."

He said abruptly,"I guess I read you wrong."

She crossed her arms."What did you read?I wanted to be mauled by you?You know, a man who dresses like a bat has to have issues!I guess,I'm not so fascinated with it anymore."

She turned to leave when the flap of wings was heard. Before they could turn,another harpy came out of nowhere and this time came at Batman. The harpy's clawed toenails dug into his shoulders and she hovered up into the air with him. Selina drew out her whip and flicked it up. It curled about Batman's boot. She pulled and the harpy screeched and flapped higher.

Selina was being dragged to the end of the roof. Batman,meanwhile was feeling for his batarang,and he whipped it upwards. It cut the harpy's foot and instantly the creature let him go. Selina, who was nearly going over the roof, had to let go of her whip. She gasped as the harpy dropped Batman. He tried to spread his wings but the harpy sheared them and he was plummeting swiftly. He tried to send out a grapple but it misfired and he fell heavily onto the ground in the dirty alley.

Catwoman gasped. He was not moving. Swiftly and agilely she flipped onto the pipes and slid down to the alley. She hurried to him. He was unconscious and seemed to have hit his head on a raised piece of concrete. She could feel a wetness coming from his hood. Selina shook him."Hey,Handsome!Wake up!"

There was no response,even after she smacked him on the cheeks. Worriedly she looked at the blood. What if he had cracked his skull?She muttered,"Look,I wouldn't do this if I didn't have to...It's not like I care who or what you are..."She dragged the hood back and let out a gasp of astonishment when she saw the face of Bruce Wayne."Oh, my god!I'll never live this down!Bruce Wayne is Batman!""

She stared at him for a few seconds. Her fingers gingerly touched the wound at the back of his head."What do I do now?I don't even have a piece of cloth to stop the bleeding. Way to go,Selina,for being decked in leather..."She shook him."Come on!You're the one who's good at this sort of thing. Not me!"

"Master Bruce,are you there?"

She jumped. The sound was coming from a small radio transmitter on the inside of his hood. She put her lips to it and replied,"Er,this is Catwoman. Master Bruce had a bit of an accident. He's unconscious."

The voice seemed to pause. Selina tapped it."Hello?Did you hear me?He needs help."

No one replied. She heard the sound of the monsters in the night."Great. We're sitting ducks and harpies and man-bulls are around."

She began to drag him. She groaned,"Oh,Handsome,you're heavy!Having a little too much port and suckling pig with those rich boys, eh?"

The roar of a car engine startled her. It was the Batmobile. She shielded her eyes from the headlights. The door flipped open automatically. With a sigh,she began the difficult process of trying to raise him into the car. She was panting when she got him in halfway. She heard the harpies again and looked up to see them coming for them. Gritting her teeth,she shoved his feet in and managed to dive in on his lap and pull the door shut before the creatures could reach them. She laid back exhausted against his chest,watching the winged menaces claw at the car.

She felt a voice speak over her head."Can you drive?"

She jumped. He was awake!She snapped,"No!"

"Well,then perhaps you might like to climb out my lap and over onto the next seat so I can?"

She skirted over,eying him crossly."You could have gotten up a minute or two ago to help me. Where are we going?"

"To join the real battle"He pulled his hood down and stepped on the accelerator.

"Your head!"

"I'll live. Buckle up!"

"Oh great!"She clutched the dashboard as the Batmobile shot out of the alley,knocking over harpies and hounds,and took to the air.

Superman was in Metropolis,with Steel and Booster Gold. The Man of Steel had just finished fighting through three cyclops and half a dozen hounds to get to Lois at home. She met him on the balcony.

"Clark,what is going on?It's all over the television...Who is attacking us,?"

"It's the forces of the God of War. Lois,I took Ma to the Fortress. Let me take you there too."

She looked reluctant."I was hoping to go to the Planet."

"No one in their right mind will go out in this. Come on,I can't stop here to argue with you; the longer you take to make up your mind,the more people may get hurt or die."

She looked out at the smoke in the horizon. So far the creatures had not reached her block. It was only a matter of time. But she was not going to be sidelined if she could help it.

"Look,Clark,I may not have super powers like you and as we speak, my Dad is in Washington leading a charge. I can't sit twiddling my thumbs with your mother when the two men I care about most in this world are putting their lives on the line for my country. I want to help. I'm sure you have casualties coming in. I have first aid training."

He seemed to consider her words for a moment and pressed his comlink."J'onn do you need any more first aiders?''

"We need all the help we can get,Clark."

"Lois is volunteering her services."

"Let her come."

"Well,port us up."

She had never been to the satellite before and looked about with raised brows as they went to the main control room."Wow. Who paid for all this?''

They met J'onn and he was going to send Lois with a technician to the infirmary,when the Ray Palmer appeared."J'onn has Diana reported in yet?I need to borrow the purple ray from the Amazons."

"I tried but she has failed to respond and as yet I cannot trace her."

Superman stopped and looked at the Manhunter."You can't find Diana?''

"No,Kal,I cannot."

"How long have you been trying?"

"An hour."

"An hour?Why wasn't I told?"His voice bordered on the impatient and irate. Lois tightened her lips.

Ray intervened,"You were busy,Clark. And we believed Diana was in Boston. But it's clear she must be in trouble. Ares' presence suggests it. My suggestion would be to call Queen Hippolyta,maybe she knows where Diana..."

J'onn looked upon an image on the screen and said,"I think it may be too late for that!"

All saw the sky rip open and ships appear. Superman clenched his fists. It was a sound he knew well. Boomtubes! Ares,Commander of a legion of war dogs,halted his progress as he saw a large mothership appear over the obelisk. Beaming down from a bowels of the ship in middle of Washington D.C was the lord of Apokolips. And coming out of the surrounding ships were swarms of parademons.

Penelope rushed into the Senate and pushed through her sisters. She headed for the Queen.

"Majesty!"

Hippolyta looked up."What is it,Priestess,surely you know better than to interrupt this Council?"

She bowed."Forgive me,my Queen,but I bring grave tidings!"

Hippolyta frowned."Speak."

"The Gods on Olympus have been betrayed!They have been captured by the God of War and disabled. And as we speak Ares has descended upon the Patriarch's world with his armies of darkness!"

There was a great stir amongst the Senate. Hippolyta rose and stayed her hand for silence."How do you know this?"

"I was told by one who knows."

"Who?"

Penelope turned and in walked the petite form of Devastation. Phillipus pulled out her sword."How dare that little monster show her head here!How dare you let her in,Penelope?

Guards!"

Palace guards came surging forward. Penelope blocked them from reaching the girl."NO!You must listen to her!"

Artemis shouted,"She tried to kill us!She is a deceitful wretch!"

Hippolyta looked at Devastation."Why are you here,child?Why would you come to warn us of Ares' treachery?"

Devastation folded her arms."The God of War has used me for his own ends for far too long. Now he has deceived another,a mortal,who was granted great power by the Quintessence,into aiding him to breach Olympus. This Gog helped him capture all but Zeus and Hades. And now,with the gods out of the way, Ares uses the opportunity to crush mankind."

"Crush mankind?Surely that is something you would enjoy. Why should it bother you what he does?"

"The plan was for Ares to free my father,and I would be the one to cause chaos and discord in the world. But he has no faith in me since I reneged on our last agreement .And if mankind is enslaved,what fun is there left for me?"

"You seem to know a lot about these plans of Ares," snapped Artemis.

"I was informed by someone who seeks balance but who is bound by her loyalty to her father and siblings."

Penelope blurted out,"Harmonia!"

Devastation nodded."Yes."

Phillipus looked skeptical."This sounds like a trap to me."

Artemis added,"Why should we care what happens to mankind?They are destroyers and usurpers alike!It will take little effort from the God of War to subjugate them."

Devastation said,"It may interest you to know that they captured the Princess."

Hippolyta paled. Phillipus clenched her fists."What?"

"Oh,yes. While you argue about how trustworthy I am,the heir to Themyscira is at the mercy of Ares."

Hippolyta stepped down from her podium. She held up her arm."You need say no more. General!"

"Yes,my Queen?"

"Prepare for war."She turned to Devastation."Can you get into Olympus?"

Devastation showed her an amulet Harmonia left with her."I can."

"Who has Ares left to guard the gods?"

"Eris."

"Can you take her on in single combat?"

Devastation grinned."Oh wait and see."

Ares looked up as the sky darkened with parademons. His son,Deimos,shouted,"Father!It is one of the old gods!"

Ares shouted,"Engage the forces of Darkseid!"

The Dogs of War clashed with the parademons. The soldiers and civilians were suddenly forgotten or caught in the cross-fire.

Darkseid hovered towards Ares."Well done,Ares, I can now conquer this world and there will be no Gods to stop me!"

Ares pulled out the staff of Gog."I do not know how it is that you come to be here..."

Darkseid laughed,"Do you not?You should keep your enemies close,your allies closer"

Ares' eyes glowed."Gog!"

"Your deception has failed. Gog has no care for the submission of men!He cares only for Superman!And I will let him have the Kryptonian;my tastes run towards the Earth. Only there cannot be two ..."

Omega beams came after him. Ares lifted Gog's staff and fired back. Both pushed against each other,dead locked. The force was so powerful,it eventually repelled both combatants and the surge of energy sent them tumbling backwards,destroying buildings as if they were made of cardboard. Darkseid fell and carved out a deep chasm. Ares had fallen off his hound,was sent spinning,landing into the Liberty Bell and making it clang loudly. Gog's staff was bent and blackened .

Lois covered her mouth,as she saw the destruction in Washington on the screen in the Satellite."My father's there!"

Superman turned and flew out. He came at lightning speed, blowing icy cold winds at raging fires,catching any falling debris,scooping any civilians from danger to deposit them at the nearest military post. He landed alongside Ares who was surrounded by parademons. Ares was fighting them off,but they were like swarming ants. When he smacked off a dozen,another covered him. Superman flew in and ripped them off him. He used his heat vision and sliced through their weapons,wings and even limbs.

Ares glared,"Superman!How gracious of you to..."

The words were barely out when Superman had him by the neck."Where's Diana?"

Ares pushed him off."What makes you think I even know?"

"Oh,you know. And I expect you didn't think it would come to this,that you would be struggling against Darkseid."

He paused and then grunted,"Gog has her."

"What?You had better explain yourself."

"I made a bargain with Gog to help me take over Olympus. We entered and captured the Gods. Gog helped me capture the Princess. He has such a vendetta against you it is all that consumes him. But as much as I appreciate that,why waste precious time over you two when I could take over the world now?"

Superman concluded ironically,"So you did what you do best?"

"I deceived him. But..."

"Yes?"

"It seemed the maniac had a plan of his own. He allied with Darkseid."

"Where is Gog?"

"I left him at my lair with the princess,but seeing that the paradigm has shifted I doubt he is there. But if you want to try, feel free to..."

Superman had no chance to comment,when they heard the beating of wings up in the clouds."This is getting tiresome now,"said Superman and flew up to face the hordes. He was about to use his heat vision when he saw that the wings were actually those of white horses. It was an airborne army of Amazons,led by Queen Hippolyta herself.

Hippolyta flew down with Superman to where Ares hovered;leaving her warriors waiting above.

"Well,what a fine mess you have created,"she said acidly to Ares.

"Queen Hippolyta,how good of you to join in the battle. Which side will you be fighting for?" Ares queried sarcastically.

She glared."Your lust for power may yet destroy all of creation itself. As we speak I am hoping the Gods can be set free."

He folded his arms with ironic interest."Indeed?Who can even get in and face off with Eris?"

"Devastation."

He shook his head."She cannot get in."

"With Harmonia's help she can."

He began to laugh with wry amusement."Ah,my dear obedient daughter!The sly,resourceful wretch. Who would have guessed she'd go to Devastation. Her treachery may yet save us all."

Superman interrupted,"This is all well and good,but where's Diana?"

Hippolyta looked at Ares."You have my daughter?"He hand went to her sword.

Ares said mockingly,"As I was saying to Superman here,she was left in the clutches of Gog."

"Who is Gog?"

Casually Ares said,"Oh, he is the time-hopping enemy of Superman. He believes he is the Antichrist and must be destroyed."

"And why does he have my daughter?"

"Well,it seems in a possible future our Kryptonian friend here has a child,and the mother of that child is your dear daughter Diana!"he revealed with a spiteful grin.

Superman went pale. Hippolyta went red. Ares laughed."Oh, this is priceless!Don't tell me you didn't figure it out,Superman!You're not that dense, are you?No,I didn't think so. You should add another power to your list...super-denial."

Hippolyta looked at Superman. Her voice was not her own."Is this true?"

He said tightly,"You ought to know ,Your Majesty,that the future is not set. What Gog purports to be true may never happen."

Hippolyta asked hoarsely,"Does Diana know?"

Ares shrugged."Not at the time we captured her."

She grabbed Superman's arm and dug her nails into his biceps."Then promise me now that she will never be put in such a position. You must not place this responsibility upon my child, Superman. She has a right to live her life without compromise or guilt!She is my heir!Themyscira's future!Promise me!"

Superman took Hippolyta's hand from his arm and gently put it to her side. His eyes were grave."If that is what your Majesty demands, promise."

Ares said sarcastically,"Very touching. But can we pay some attention to the matter at hand?"

Darkseid had risen and he was coming at them,with a host of parademons. Hippolyta mounted her horse and screamed,"Amazons!Attack!"

Ares pulled out his sword and called upon his sons and lieutenants.''Legions!Attack!"

The clash of two sides caused a great din. Darkseid's omega beams decimated everything in his path. He swatted Amazons like they were flies. He grabbed Artemis by the scruff of the neck as she flew past and tried to fire her arrows at him. He curled his fist and Artemis closed her eyes preparing for her skull to be shattered. Superman thundered into him from behind. He dropped Artemis,who was caught by the Ares as she fell to the earth. Superman knocked him onto the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The steps cracked under the strain of his weight. He rose. Eyes smouldering ."Kal-el,you dare to try to battle with me again?"

Omega beams fired at Superman,who flew up high,and weaved through the parademons,who were turned to dust,until he veered sharply at the mothership. The craft blew into pieces. Debris rained from the skies. Darkseid ripped the obelisk and sent it like a javelin at Superman. Superman was thrown against a building. He grunted and threw the cracked obelisk from atop him.

Darkseid appeared before him and smashed his fists into his gut."You're a so predictable Kryptonian: you never know when you are beaten!"

He fell before him;Darkseid grabbed his cape and flung him into the ground. Superman laid dazed. Darkseid laughed and was about to use his omega beams when a missile came whirring in and hit Darkseid in the mid-section,sending him flying into the Reflection pool. The missile detonated and water mushroomed into the air and Darkseid laid dazed at the cracked bottom. Superman looked up. An aircraft the shape of a bat just flew over."Bruce!"

The Batcraft turned and joined the Amazons and Ares in the battle. Superman flew towards Darkseid,and he hauled him up by the neck."Are we going to have to go through this again, Darkseid?Can't you see that your forces are being pushed back?Withdraw!"

Darkseid grunted,"I still have a pawn to play,Kal-el!"

Phasing in from nowhere,standing on the concourse above them, was Gog. He held Diana in the crook of his arm. She was bound by the magic lasso.

He smiled."I have something for you,Satan."

Superman's eyes glowed and he flung Darkseid down."Let her go."

"Why would I want to do that?" asked Gog mockingly.

"It's me you want. It always has been. She's nothing to you."He floated up to face him.

"The future says otherwise!"

"If I am dead she is no threat to the future."

"Have you come to sacrifice yourself on her behalf?How touching!But forgive me if I don't trust you to release her just yet."

Diana struggled."Superman!Don't!It's a trap!"

Superman remarked."You haven't your staff. I could beat you easily."

"No,but I have my time device. I can vanish with her and you will never see her again. That would be enough punishment in itself,wouldn't it?"

"If I surrender,will you give me your word that you will let her go?"

Gog looked impressed."You wouldn't fight back?"

"Whether rightfully or wrongfully,you believe I'm evil,but I know you never set out to be the cause of so much destruction. You were given power to change the world, to make it better. Look at the world now. It's hemorrhaging chaos. Innocents are dying!There is more pain here than you, as a single soul, could ever feel. I hear every heart stop. Every mournful cry. Smell the blood as it flows. I can see the world caving into darkness."

Gog seemed to shift uncomfortably. He growled."I was making it better. Your actions caused of all of this!"

"To this day,I have no idea how I wronged you."

Gog sneered."Your don't know?You caused my family,my friends,my life to be destroyed. The entire Mid-West was wiped out because of you!"

Superman looked troubled."How did I cause it?"

Gog seemed unable to answer. In his madness he had lost all sense of reasoning and the details of the future. The powers given to him by the Quintessence had been too much for an already tortured mind. All he could recall was that Superman was the cause of all that was wrong with the world. His delusion was fixed. He spat." It was all your fault! If you had just died when you should have none of this would have happened!Even she would not be here with her life hanging in the balance!"

Superman glanced around him, at the horrific scene of war;then he stared at Diana. There was a strange look in his eyes. It was intense,and at once sorrowful and tender. It was as if he was taking a last look of his surroundings,of the world,of her. It made her heart thud sickeningly. Diana cried,"Kal!Don't!

He knelt on one knee before Gog,and bowed his head."If my death means that you'll find peace,Gog, and the world will not suffer anymore,then so be it. I'm yours."

Gog dropped Diana. She fell to the ground. She watched in dismay as Gog walked around him suspiciously."This is a trick. You are Lucifer himself. Your words are like honey. They speak of great things but I know they are blasphemies and you have these blind fools that worship you..."He indicated to the forces fighting Darkseid's legions."You are dangerous. You need to be slain."

Superman said calmly,"Do what your heart tells you to,Gog."

Gog came forward,then walked back. He seemed to be in conflict. He pulled off his helmet and threw it at him."This is not how it is supposed to be!Get up!"

Superman did not move. Gog screamed."Get up and face me,damn you!"

Omega beams came out of nowhere. It was Darkseid."Stop wasting time,you fool. If you don't kill him,I will!"Gog put up his hands as if to block the beams but they seemed to hit him. Gog vanished.

Diana watched in horror as Darkseid drew out a shard of kryptonite from his waist. He pushed it against Superman's cheeks. Superman began to sweat. His eyes began to glaze over with pain,and he slumped to the floor. Darkseid kicked him in the gut. He lifted him and hit him in the jaw. He pounded his head upon the concrete parapet.

"Ah,Kal-el,I told you you were predictable!So noble. So good. So foolish!"

Tears filled Diana's eyes,she struggled and tried to break Hestia's lasso of Truth. "Stop it,you monster!You're killing him!"

Darkseid laughed viciously,"I know!"

Diana screamed as she watched him take the shard and stab Superman between the shoulder blades."NO!"

Superman fell,his eyes were rolling over. Diana tried to reach out but her nails grasped at the air in vain. Diana felt Darkseid grasp her by the hair and drag her to her knees. He studied her. "Well,Amazon,what should I do with you?"

She felt him take an end of the lasso and her eyes widened,as he was about to tie it about her throat.

Bolts of lightning struck Darkseid. He let go of Diana and was thrown back into the damaged pool. He looked up and saw the eyes of the King of the Gods. Zeus was accompanied by scores of Lantern Corps.

Zeus looked at him darkly,'Take your forces and withdraw,Lord of Apokolips. NOW!"

Darkseid looked at Zeus and struggled up."So,the Gods of Olympus are back. And New OA has sent its warriors. I should have known better than to make any alliance with anyone. Still,I killed the Kryptonian. The Earth will yet be mine!"He teleported out and his ships vanished.

Diana, meanwhile, was released by John Stewart. Hal Jordan was lifting Superman in his arms. He said urgently,"I can't get a pulse!"

Diana knelt to Zeus."You must help him!"she entreated.

Zeus looked at her sadly."I cannot do anything for him. I suggest you take him to your healers as quickly as possible. Olympus awaits my return."

Hal pressed his comlink and shouted,"J'onn,beam me up. Clark's hurt bad!"

Diana surged forward."I must go with..."

Zeus' voice stopped her."No,Princess,look around you. You are needed."

She clenched her fists,and knew he was right. Washington was a mess and there were casualties,including her Amazon sisters,everywhere!

She bowed her head."Yes,Lord Zeus."

Zeus said softly,"Sacrifice,and duty."He vanished.

John reached out and put his arm around her shoulders. He whispered,"He'll pull through. He's Superman."