Not DC Comics, so I am just playing with someone's creation.
Chapter One
Themyscira was known by some as Paradise Island, a mythic place found in books but not to be found in reality. Veiled by magic it was a series of small hidden islands that was the home for the Amazons since the time Heracles raped and abused them. Diana's mother, Queen Hippolyta, along with Queen Anahid of the Bana-Mighdall, Philippus, and Pallas sat in the Exedra, reserved for judges at their games on the north embankment of the stadium. In the middle of the crowded stadium the brown haired Trigona and red haired Artemis of the Bana-Mighdall circle each other with their swords raised in defensive position. Neither woman wore clothes, as they bodies were bathed in sweat from their long match and the heat of the afternoon sun. They were examples of female warrior perfection being cheered on by other Amazons.
Diana arrived at the palace to be greeted by her longtime friend Mala, who escorted her to the stadium. Quietly, she sat beside her mother in the Exedra.
"It is good to see you, daughter," said Hippolyta.
Diana nodded at her. She wasn't in the mood to talk, especially about the subject which bothered her. Her mother would never understand her love for Kal.
"Princess," Philippus and Pallas added.
"You must be happy to have a respite from the Patriarch's world, Princess," said Queen Anahid.
"It is good to be home," said Diana politely.
"Look at the form of Artemis. She is a magnificent warrior," Anahid proudly said, as he attention returned to the match.
"I did not know you were having games, mother," Diana said.
"It was decided by the Senate to hold these games to memorialize our return from Hera's punishment. They are being called the Hera Games," said Hippolyta.
"I see," Diana said keeping her real opinion of Hera and any games that honored Hera to herself.
For returning her mother and sisters, she owed Hera, even though it was her own pettiness that sought to ruin their lives, but Diana no longer honored her because of her pettiness. Her idea of the perfect punishment to restore her sisters and mother, her cruelty, had been to take Kal away from her. She made the sacrifice willingly for her mother and sisters' sake, but that didn't mean she didn't resent Hera or the rest of her Gods. Zeus was her father and he did nothing to protect her. No, she no longer honored Hera. She no longer trusted her so-called Gods.
"I look forward to the feast after today's games," smiled Pallas. "I am hungry."
"You are always hungry," commented Philippus.
Diana sat back in her chair and watched as Artemis toyed with Trigona. She estimated that it would take Artemis four moves to disarm her sister Trigona. Artemis made her move. In four moves, she had disarmed Trigona and drive the hilt of her sword into her abdomen. The fight was over. The stadium broke out in applause and cheers.
"The next match is between Euboea and Penthiselea," her mother told her.
"If I was a wager I'd bet on Penthiselea," said Anahid.
"Euboea used to train with Diana. She managed not to embarrass herself, too, which is saying a great deal," smiled Philippus.
Diana sat back in her chair. She partially listened to the conversation and watched the match, but her mind was now on Kal. Although she tried to rationalize it, she missed him greatly. It wasn't just the intimacy she missed, which she missed greatly, but those times together talking and doing nothing more than flying together. With him she no longer felt alone in this world.
"So, daughter, what is the matter?" asked Hippolyta.
"Enjoy the match, mother. We shall talk."
Ceremony of Innocence
Bruce sat in his Batcave at the computer console. It was dimly lit, just the way Bruce liked it. Parts of the cave were home to water, interesting rock formations, and bats, while a whole section had been turned into a high tech library, IS center, armory, storage area for his armor, and vehicles. Bruce had traced the mech armor back to Star Labs and then he uncovered the funding for it came from a dummy business set up by Cadmus and LutherCorp. Amanda Waller was in bed with Lex Luthor again. She didn't learn her lessons easily, thought Batman. It was Waller and Luthor that captured Clark early in his hero days and tortured him to find his weaknesses. They found that he had few.
Her fear of Superman and several other of the more powerful League members, he understood. There were moments of calm and focus in which he feared them for the potential of the harm they could do. Beings of such power needed to be watched closely, but she needed to be smarter about her job. She appeared to care only to have a weapon to use against Superman and those like him. That was a mistake. She should have embraced Superman and learned about him without the animosity. He considered Clark to be almost a brother, and no one knew Superman's weaknesses better.
Her next attempt to keep Superman and Wonder Woman in check was forming the Justice League of America. With Steve Trevor they used the JLA to gather intelligence on the JL more than protect the people. When most of the members of that organization realized what their true purpose they joined the League. It appeared that she now made attempts to deal with them through Cadmus and A.R.G.U.S.. Of course, Kryptonite powered mech suit wearing soldiers sounded more like a Lex Luthor idea than Waller. After the failure of torturing Superman failed, Waller became a little less confrontational than Luthor. Bruce wondered why she agreed to the mech suits in an attempt to either damage or kill Superman. What had Amanda afraid?
Batman's sixth sense kicked in and her quickly turned in his chair to see Superman standing there with his arms crossed across his chest and his hair, armor, and cape wet.
"Clever, Clark, you getting better at sneaking up on people," said Bruce.
"Just trying to be more like you, Bruce," smirked Clark.
"Very funny."
"You were engrossed in your work otherwise you would have heard me earlier," said Clark.
"What are you doing here?"
"Kara is resting in the Fortress of Solitude, so I wanted an update on the suits and who is behind them," he said.
"Fortress of Solitude. That was always a pretentious name, Clark," remarked Bruce.
"Oh, excuse me. It's not as original as Batcave, Batman. How's the Batmobile running?" smiled Clark.
"How is Kara doing?" growled Bruce starting to get annoyed by Clark's playful mood.
It seemed that the only person he was playful lately was Bruce. Everyone else he acted professional.
"I had her spend some time in the Red Sun Chamber to sweat the remaining toxins out of her blood then more solar therapy and she is almost back to normal. I left her eating pizza and watching some reality show," answered Clark.
"Normal? You mean for a super strength teenager with anger issues," said Bruce.
"She dealing better lately with her anger. She's nineteen and finely coming around," said Clark then he sighed. "I wish Ma and Pa were alive to help me with her. It's just that Kara doesn't always view earth as her home like I do."
"If she wants to leave to find somewhere else to live, Clark, you should let her," said Bruce. "John or Guy or even Baz would probably gladly help her. The Green Lanterns know about most of the known planets and civilizations."
"Tough love, Bruce?"
"Less attention and less fear for you. She scares people sometimes, Clark, and when she does it reminds people that she isn't even the strongest member of the El Family," said Bruce.
Clark understood that Bruce meant well. He thought of him as a brother, but Kara was not part of his idea of family, at least, not yet.
"She's family. I will never abandon her, Bruce, just like I'd never abandon you," Superman said then he sighed. "Sometimes I think it would be best for her to leave earth, also. Find a planet where she could find love and not have anyone interfere with it. Maybe I'd be better off going with her."
"Still not over Diana, Clark. She did what she did for her people. You can understand that," said Bruce.
"I understand why she did what she did. Bruce. You don't have to remind me," he said softly.
Superman walked over to the computer console and started to review the information that Bruce had up. Bruce tried to change the screen quickly, but Clark could process information too quickly. Luthor and Cadmus, Luthor and Amanda Waller. He was fed up with them. It was time to talk to Amanda Waller face to face.
"What do you intend on doing, Clark?" Bruce.
"I'm going to have a talk with Miss Waller," he said with ice in his words.
He lifted off and blurred through the waterfall and out of the Batcave.
"Oh, damn it," sighed Bruce.
Ceremony of Innocence
Diana had removed her Wonder Woman armor and was now wearing a chiton, though she still had on her tiara and bracelets. Her mother had arranged for her old bedroom, so she now sat at her desk and waited for Mala or some other to retrieve for her the evening feast. Artemis had managed to win many of the accolades and laurel wreaths for the day. There was a knock on her door.
"Come in," she said.
Queen Hippolyta walked into her bedroom. As always her mother looked beautiful, immaculate, and royal.
"Is the feast ready, mother?" she asked.
"Soon. I wanted to speak to you before the feast began," said Hippolyta.
Diana motioned to the divan for her mother to sit. Hippolyta gracefully sat down.
"You seemed sad to me today Diana," she started the conversation.
"My mind was elsewhere," Diana replied.
"Where was it?"
Diana didn't answer. Hippolyta, though, knew where it was. It had been there for two years ever since Hera made Diana give up her relationship with Superman.
"It is with this Kal-El," Hippolyta stated. What little she knew about Kal El, who was also known by the disgusting name Superman, he sounded like another Heracles in strength. That much alone made her dislike him.
"He was injured in battle recently and... I could not hold him or care for him afterward. I still love him," she told her mother.
"I do not agree with Hera's forcing you apart, but I am not altogether sadden by the fact your relationship with Superman is in the past," said Hippolyta.
Diana stiffened at her mother's words. She had promised herself not to speak of Kal to her mother, but she allowed her emotions to get the better of her. Her pain over losing him was her burden to carry and her burden only.
"The feast must be ready, mother," she said calmly, as she stood up, "we should go."
"Yes, we should, but before we do. I have news for you. It has been decided that Themyscira shall open an official embassy in Washington DC. You will now not only be our champion, but our ambassador. You shall carry the Amazon message of peace and love to the Patriarch's world and slowly, in small steps, we shall open ourselves up to the world," explained Hippolyta.
"A bold move, mother," said Diana.
"A necessary one, though. We have been hidden too long. We almost disappeared from history because of the anger of Hera and none would have marked our passing. We are a great society with too much to offer and I want the world to know this," Hippolyta said.
"In the Patriarch's world, money is needed to set up an embassy," said Diana.
"Themyscira is not without its treasures. Are precious gems still considered valuable?" asked Hippolyta.
"Yes, they are."
"Gold, silver, bronze are still precious metals?"
"Yes, they are, mother."
"Then we shall have a embassy to be respected and you will represent to the world for now," Hippolyta stated. "We will discuss this more in the morning."
"As is your wish, mother."
Hippolyta stood up.
"Let us go to the great hall. It is time for the feast."
Ceremony of Innocence
Located not too far from Langley, Virginia was where Cadmus had its headquarters. From the outside it looked like an unassuming business park. The few buildings were uninspiring and the parking lot filled with sensible cars. Superman knew better. Like A.R.G.U.S. Cadmus was a government agency started to deal with meta humans and aliens.
He stopped his flight over the main building and floated there for a moment. Men and women in overcoats signifying it was a cool October day. He knew that most of these men and women were not his enemies, but those who made decisions for Cadmus had become his problem, especially when they endanger his cousin. Taking off he entered the headquarters to be greeted by security.
"How can I help you, Superman?" a burly security confronted him.
"I'm here to see Amanda Waller," said Superman.
"There is no..."
"I'm not in the mood," growled Superman, his eyes glowing red for a moment.
He walked past the guard to the security turnstiles. You needed either a pass or a employee card to make the turnstile work, but Superman just kept walking leaving a piece of knotted metal modern art behind him. Immediately, security guards with Taser batons came running up to Superman and attempted to stop him. He didn't resist them; he just ignored their blows. Reaching the elevator banks he pressed the down button knowing fully well that the real offices of Cadmus were five or six levels down.
Superman used his x-ray vision to check exactly where the offices began but lead lining block his vision. He smiled. Lead might stop his x-ray vision, but it didn't stop him. An elevator door opened. Superman stepped onto the elevator, floated his body in the air for a moment then he dropped it straight through the elevator floor following the elevator shaft down to where he knew he could find Amanda Waller.
Ceremony of Innocence
Bruce had contacted the League immediately after Clark left. He knew he couldn't let Clark face off against Amanda Waller alone. The chances were that he come out of it the villain, as Waller knew how to twist and manipulate the press for her own purposes. Gathering together Hawkgirl, John Stewart, Green Arrow, Black Canary, and J'onn, they transported down to Cadmus Headquarters.
The moment they materialized Bruce knew that the damage had already been done. There was an army of security and vehicles merging on the main building. They were carrying heavy weapons, weapons they thought might work on Superman.
"John, you, Hawkgirl, Arrow, and Canary deal with the security mess up here. Tell them we came to collect Superman. J'onn and I will go find Clark and pull him out of here," stated Batman.
"We'll keep it orderly," said John.
"And here I was thinking I might get to use my mace today," commented Hawkgirl.
"I knew we should have left you on the station," growled John.
Ceremony of Innocence
Amanda Waller sat in her office taking a final drag on a Montecristo cigar, as she watched the monitor which showed the corridor outside of her office. She hadn't expected Superman to discover who was behind the Kryptonite powered mech suits. Of course, she really didn't expect that he would react like this when he did.
"The Kryptonian was easier to handle when he was screwing the Amazon," she remarked to herself.
On the monitor she watched as six of her men get blown down the corridor like tumbleweeds by Superman and his super breath. Stubbing out her cigar, she reached into the top drawer of her desk and took out her Glock 22, which had two Kryptonite bullets in its magazine, and placed it on the table top and then she waited for Superman. She wasn't going out without a fight.
Superman walked down corridor and stopped in front of Waller's office. The door was thick and lead lined. He knocked it down with a gentle push of his right hand. Sitting behind a large desk with a gun on top of it was an attractive, lithe, black woman: Amanda Waller.
"Superman, you should have made an appointment," she said calmly.
Superman smiled. He had to admire her elan.
"We need to talk," he said.
He used his x-ray vision and saw that there Kryptonite bullets in it. Without hesitation, he used his heat vision to turn the gun into deformed, untouchable piece of metal.
"Nice move," she said.
"Why do you want me dead?" he asked coldly.
"I have my reasons, Kryptonian," she said.
"Tell them to me," he said softly.
Maybe it was the lack of emotion that scared Amanda Waller most. She had dealt with Superman in the past and he always came across as polite and even congenial, but this version of him in front of her was the alien she feared. Superman started to walk toward the desk. Slowly, her cool was started to fade. She had never faced an angry Superman.
"Superman, what do you intend on doing to her?" Batman asked, as he appeared in the doorway with J'onn behind him.
"I intend on getting answers, Batman. I want to know why she wants me dead. Is it because she doesn't control me? Well, no one controls me. Is it because she fears me? Well, there is only one reason to fear me and that it because you are trying to kill me or someone I love," Superman stated coldly.
"Back off," said Batman, as his hand reached for the container with the Kryptonite in it.
Bruce didn't want to use it on Clark, but his friend was on the verge of losing control. He couldn't allow that.
"Superman, you risk ruining everything you have built on this planet out of anger. Your people attempted to remain calm and analytical at all times. Search your Kryptonian nature. Know there is a better way to handle this. Honor the House of El," said J'onn.
Clark closed his eyes. What anger he felt was dissipating finally. J'onn was right. Both his biological father and adoptive father would expect him to rise above not wallow in the mud. Maybe it was because he had gone through all her security with such ease leaving behind dozens of bruised men with bruised egos, but he was starting to see his mistake in coming to Cadmus.
"Think of what people are going to see on the news coverage tonight, Superman. You don't want to feed the beast. They will tear you down until they need you again. Don't let them do it. Leave now. Return to the Watchtower. We'll talk at the Watchtower about your behavior," said Bruce.
"Superman, listen to Batman. Leave now and without any more damage," said J'onn.
Superman stared at Amanda Waller for a moment then he turned and faced Batman and J'onn.
"I'm going to check on Kara. I'll see in at the Watchtower in a few days. We will deal with things then," said Superman.
"I'll finish talking to Miss Waller for you," replied Batman.
With that Superman blurred away. Amanda Waller finally exhaled then she waited for Batman to speak.
"So you're in bed with Luthor again," said Batman.
She blinked twice. The bastard really was good at what he did. He wasn't alien and had no meta powers, yet he was the third most formidable Justice Leaguer after Superman and Wonder Woman. She would love to have him on her side.
"It was a mistake," she said.
"We are all going to end up paying for your mistake, Amanda," he said.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because the world needs Superman and he works best with the Justice League. You may have finally pushed him too far. What if Darkseid tried to conqueror earth again and we didn't have Superman on our side? Do you think we would win then?"