Chapter Nine
It was the Flash who blurred in between the prone Hal Jordan angered Batman. Barry checked Hal and got a moan out of him. Kara stood there in a state of shock, while Selina tried to pull her away, but was unable to budge her.
"Bats, what the hell was that for?" asked Barry.
"For taking advantage of Kara," he growled.
Hal's sight was starting to come back. He shook his head trying to get rid of the cobwebs and the he stared up at Batman.
"She kissed me. I didn't kiss her," he stated.
Batman turned and looked at Kara.
"Is it true?"
"Yes," she answered in quiet voice.
"My head hurts," said Hal.
"You're lucky that's all that hurts. He is Batman," said Barry.
"What were you thinking kissing him?" demanded Batman.
"I was thinking that I want to kiss him," she answered defiantly. "I like him."
Bruce turned and glared at Hal, who was still on the floor.
"Jordan, you better have not led her on," growled Batman.
"I'm not trying to lead her on, Bruce. I like her," Hal said the words and immediately regretted it. He liked her. Looking over at Kara, he noticed that she had a smile on her face.
"Bruce, I don't think this is a good idea doing this publicly," said Selina.
"Jordan, get up, so I can knock you down again," ordered Batman.
"I kind of like it here on the floor for now," said Hal.
"I'll help you up," said Kara.
She strode past Bruce and grabbed Hal's arm with one hand and brought him easily up to his feet. Kara was shorter than Hal, so she looked up into his face. Hal gave her a shy smile. Kara offered him something more than a friendly smile in return. Once again, she grabbed the front of his uniform and pulled him down for a passionate, long kiss.
"Kara," growled Bruce, while Selina laughed.
Hal fought the kiss for a moment then he gave into under the auspices that she was too strong to fight.
"I like her style," said Selina.
"What am I missing?" asked Hawkgirl, who walked in with the Black Canary.
Both women stopped in their tracks as they looked with open mouth at Kara and Hal kissing. They could see that it was a shared passionate kiss. Finally, Kara broke off the kiss. Hal was left speechless, while Kara turned and faced Bruce.
"Um... everyone," Dinah spoke up, though she kept glancing at Hal, "I have some good news. We heard from Diana and Clark is responding to their treatment. She expects he should make a full recovery in a week or two."
Kara walked over to Bruce and gave him a big hug. He could feel his armor crack and his feel his bones bend. She let go and looked up at him with a big since smile.
"He's going to be alright," she said.
"I heard," he said. "Why don't you get your belongings and we'll head back to the mansion. We have a reason to celebrate tonight and make arrangements for you to visit Themyscira."
"I'll be right back, Bruce," she said ad blurred away.
Bruce looked over at Hal, who shrugged his shoulder's.
"I told you I didn't kiss her," he said to Bruce. "She kissed me."
""We'll talk more about this later," growled Bruce.
"I don't think so. I'm due back on OA," smiled Hal.
"Good."
Bruce stormed out of the cafeteria with Selina following behind him.
"You're on Batman's shit list now, Hal. I'd just keep my mouth shut and pray for the best," said Barry.
"Yeah, I definitely should keep my mouth shut," sighed Hal, "and contact the Guardians to tell them my vacation is over. I need to get out of here."
"She is hot, though," smiled Barry.
"Yeah, I know," sighed Hal.
Ceremony of Innocence
Three days had past, three days of healing ray and sun. Kal's color was slowly recovering. Diana sat reading a scroll about the trial of Socrates. It was past noon and Diana was starting to get hungry. She put the scroll down and glanced over at Kal. To her surprise his eyes were open and he was smiling at her.
"Kal," she said softly.
"My Princess," he replied in a hoarse voice.
She felt herself getting emotional but she fought it down. It didn't matter that this was the man she loved, she was an Amazon princess. She was not going to break down and cry.
"How are you feeling?"
"Weak, very weak, though I can tell my body has sarted to regenerate at its normal rate. Almost like I fought a genetically created creature that was superior in strength to me," he said in a dry voice then he smiled. "How do I look?"
She looked at him for a moment. The color had returned to his skin and a touch of his arm told her that his body was once again warmer than a human beings. Next, she touched the scruff on his face then slowly took her hand away.
"You have the start of a beard and your hair is longish. I like it, Kal; it makes you look like an ancient warrior. I think you should keep it," she smiled.
"I don't think so, Diana. It's not my style."
He smiled again. His cerulean blue eyes appeared to sparkle to her. Diana stood up.
"I'm going to get Epione. She needs to check on you. You are getting better but you aren't there yet. I want her to give you a good check up," she said.
"Could you get me a pizza while you are at, too?" he asked. "An extra large with sausage and pepperoni."
"You're hungry?"
"Starved. If not pizza, then how about Chinese food or a couple of cheeseburgers with some spicy curly fries?" he chuckled.
"Sorry, Kal, you are going to have to eat healthier than that while you are recovering here," Diana gently scolded him.
"That reminds me - where am I exactly?"
"Themyscira," she answered.
"You finally brought me home to meet your mother," he said. "I wish it were under better circumstances."
"I do, too, Kal," she said then moved over to his side and kissed his forehead.
Diana took one last look at him. His face was raised up to the sun with a smile on his face. Though, she didn't want to leave him, she left him in the sun soaking up the solar rays. He took a deep breath. His ribs still hurt him, as did most of his body, but it was good to be awake again. It was good to be alive and it was good to be back on earth.
Ceremony of Innocence
Hal walked into the cafeteria in full uniform. He looked like a man who been given terminal news about his health. Sitting down with the Flash, John Stewart, Simon Baz, Green Lantern in training Jessica Cruz, and John Henry Irons, he immediately drew his old friend Barry Allen's attention.
"Okay, what's wrong now?" asked Barry. "You look like you lost your best friend."
"I just heard from the Guardians. Kyle could be gone six months or more on his current mission. I'm to stay on here until he returns," sighed Hal.
"That's great, bud. We can hang out. We haven't done that in months," said Barry.
"If Batman doesn't kill him first," added John Stewart.
"Sour puss seems to have it in for you, doesn't he?" asked Simon Baz.
"He's overly protective of Kara. With Superman out of commission, he is acting like he is her guardian. I'm I don't blame him. I do have a reputation, but I really do like Kara."
"From what I heard it's not Kara that needs the protection but you," laughed John Henry.
"Funny, Steel. Do you rust?" growled Hal. "She a really nice girl."
"Young woman, Hal," corrected Barry.
"Not funny, Barry," snapped Hal.
"Just what we needed another Green Lantern without a sense of humor," replied John Henry. "Are you people chosen for you lack of sense of humor?"
"We are chosen for our will power," growled John.
"You don't have to worry about Kara for a while at least," said Barry.
"Why?" asked Hal.
"I heard she is headed to Themyscira in a day or two to visit Supes," he said. "He is starting to recover."
"Thank God. I thought I was going to be the death of Superman by inviting him to take on Doomsday. That was one devastating battle," said Hal.
"I'd have loved to seen that battle. It's not often someone pushes Superman in a fight," said John Stewart.
"It was as nasty a fight as I have ever seen. I didn't think Big Blue was going to make it there for a while," said Hal. "If they had battled each other on earth hundreds of thousands would have died in their wake."
"Sounds like you were lucky to survive the encounter with that thing," said Baz.
"It was Superman's show. He took him on mainly one on one, punch for punch," said Hal. "He felt responsible because Doomsday came from Krypton."
"Sounds like Supes doing something like that. Good old Blue likes to take the responsibilities of the world on his shoulders sometime," said Barry.
"He can be a danger with his power and the way he acts sometimes, too. I'm not sure I want him back on earth once he is healthy," said John.
John Henry stood up and snarled, "I'm a hero in a metal suit because of Superman and what he stands for not some guys in green suits with power rings who act like intergalactic cops. If someone had to leave the earth, I know who I'd pick."
He walked away from the table. Hal shook his head.
"Nice move, Stewart," he said.
"I was just being honest," said John.
"Come on, Hal, let's get out of here. My shift is over. Maybe we can grab dinner in my backyard. I'm in the mood for a couple of pizzas with everything on them," said Barry.
"Let's go," said Hal.
The two of them got up and walked away.
Baz looked at his apprentice.
"What do you think of Superman?" he asked Jessica.
The younger woman smiled and sighed but she didn't say anything.
"Be honest, Jess, "said Baz.
"He's caliente," she grinned.
Baz shook his head and then rubbed his forehead where he felt a headache starting to form.
Ceremony of Innocence
Diana watched as Kal finished off his second bowl of lamb stew. He used a piece of fresh pita bread to clean the bowl then he placed it on the table beside the divan and looked over at Diana with a big smile. She handed him a chalice full of water. He took it from her and drank it down.
"He does have a hearty appetite," said her mother.
Diana turned and saw her mother had arrived with Philippus and Mala. They had been watching Kal eat. She then looked over at Kal to see him blushing.
"Actually, my appetite isn't back fully yet. I usually eat more," he admitted.
"You eat for energy," said Philippus.
"No, the sun gives me energy and strength. I eat because I like to eat," he smiled.
"Can you stand up?" asked Hippolyta.
"Unsteady, but yes," he said then he reached for his shield and unleashed the nano-bots which started to form his armor, boots, and cape.
The three newly arrived Amazons watched in awe as his armor formed. They saw that even under the sheet it was forming up. This was something astonishing to them. Once his armor was on, Kal slowly sat up. Diana stood up the divan and helped him to his feet. Once standing, he made a slight bow to Queen Hippolyta.
"You're not as rude as I thought you would be," she remarked.
"Mother," Diana said warningly.
"Can that armor deflect a sword?" asked Philippus.
"It can, but even if it can't I can. I'm virtually invulnerable, except to weapons forged by magic," he said then looked at Diana with a smile in his eyes, "like your sword."
"It has been years and I'm still apologizing for cutting you," she said.
"You almost castrated me, Diana, while we were sparring. That's a little more than cutting me and it was because you lost your temper," he laughed.
"Stop whining about it, Kal," she retorted with a big grin on her face.
"Yes, ma'am," he said.
Hippolyta observed her daughter with this man. In his presence she seemed more alive, happier, and freer to be herself. This woman before her was not the reserved, sullen woman who arrived. Hera had a gift for punishments.
"I hope you are well enough to have dinner tonight at the palace," said Hippolyta.
"That would be up to Epione, your highness, not me."
"I have checked, Superman, and according to her all you need now to recover is sun and rest," said Hippolyta. "I can have a room prepared for you in palace, so you can sleep in comfort tonight. Your cousin is coming to visit you tomorrow."
"And I can leave with her?" said Kal.
"What do you mean, Kal, leave? You are not healthy yet. You should stay," said Diana.
"I'm healthy enough to relocate to the Fortress of Solitude where I can rest, receive solar radiation therapy, and decide what to do next with my life," said Kal then he looked into her eyes. "You know I don't belong here and why."
"But...," Diana was going to argue.
"Enough, Diana, do not argue with the poor man," she said. "He has domain over himself, daughter. If you wish to leave tomorrow, Superman..."
"Please, your highness, call me Kal-El. I am the last male member of the House of El. I am also known by the name Clark Kent which my earth parents named me," he said.
"And did you choose the name Superman?" she asked.
"No. It is what a newspaper started calling me shortly after I made myself known. I would have rather been called something else, but it wasn't my decision. The media likes the name and now I can't get rid of it," he noted.
"You wear an S on your chest," said Philippus.
"It is the Kryptonian symbol for El, which is the house I was born in, not a human S," he said.
"I find that hard to believe/ It looks like and S to me," said Philippus.
"That's your choice to be ignorant not mine, General," Kal smirked.
He knew when he was being challenged, since he'd been dealing with it almost his while life. As Clark Kent he was challenged because everyone thought he was mild mannered and easily bullied and as Superman he has been challenged because either some perceive him as a threat while others perceive as an obstacle.
"Are you insulting me, man?" asked Philippus.
"I merely offer you what I have been given by you, which is rudeness and insults," said Kal.
Diana rolled her eyes. She knew Philippus wanted to test Kal's metal and he was allow her to bait. Philippus smirked.
"If you were feeling weak, I'd make you prove you manhood," she said.
Kal pulled away from Diana and stood on his own. He pulled himself to full height and smiled.
"I believe after I get some sun close up I can accommodate you," said Superman.
"Up close?" asked Hippolyta.
Kal turned his head and looked at Diana.
"Care to join me?" he asked.
"Kal, are you sure?"
"I need the sun and I think it's time I stretched my muscles a little. Plus, we have not flown together in a while, Diana. I miss it."
"I do, as well, Kal. I miss it greatly."
With that Kal gathered his energy and then lifted off. Diana followed him. They flew straight up into the clouds then above cloud cover. It was there that Kal stopped and began to float, as he raised his face to the sun.
The wind blew loudly in her air, but Diana didn't mind. She felt a companionship with Kal in these moments that she felt with no one else. After a fifteen minute period, Kal turned his face away from the sun and towards Diana. He nodded and they raced off back towards the ground.
They landed away from the healing center on the beach. When he landed Kal stared wistfully at Diana. They had a great deal to talk about.
"Kal, are you sure you are ready to leave?"
"I guess I'm at seventy percent," he said. "I need to leave, Diana."
"Why?"
"Because I've missed too much and being around you and not being able to hold you is too painful. You know how I feel about you. It hasn't changed. It will never change," said Kal.
She looked down at the sand. The urge to curse Hera was stuck in her throat.
"You agree with me, don't you, Diana?"
"No, Kal, I don't. Just being able to see you gives me strength and hope," she said.
"You've always been stronger then me," he smiled.
"Flattery, Kal."
"It's one of my least know super powers," he teased.
Diana laughed. It was a laugh that knotted Kal's stomach. The need to take her in his arms was almost painful to him.
"I understand, Kal," she said softly then she looked up at him. "I recommend that you don't duel Philippus. She taught me."
Kal grinned, "You know I used to let you win when we sparred."
Diana punched him on the shoulder. Kal grimaced.
"That hurt," he said.
"Wait until you're healthy enough to spar. I will show you pain then," she smiled.
Ceremony of Innocence
After spending the rest of the day soaking up as much sun as possible, he followed Diana to the stadium where Philippus waited for him. Diana and Kal landed in the middle of the stadium.
"Remember, Kal, you are still not completely healthy," said Diana.
"Which is why I intend on ending this brinkmanship quickly, Diana."
"Don't be overconfident, Kal," she chided him.
"I'm not, Diana, believe me. I lost any chance of ever being overconfident again when I fought Doomsday. He almost killed," he said without feeling. It was the Kryptonian in him speaking not the man raised by humans.
He finally smiled and pointed to her towards her mother. Diana glared at him then flew off to join her mother. He walked up to Philippus, who had Artemis as her second.
"Are you ready, man?" Philippus asked.
"I'm ready," he said.
Artemis offered him the choice between a spear and a sword. Superman shook his head no.
"I don't use weapons," he said.
"Foolish," said Artemis.
"Is your sword forged by magic?" asked Superman.
"Yes," answered Philippus with a smile.
"Smart move, but now I won't let you touch me," he said.
Artemis Lifted the spear in the air and yelled, "Let it begin."
Artemis moved away, as Philippus got into defensive position. Superman stood there and waited for Philippus to make the first move. She attacked swinging her sword at Superman. He disappeared and she almost lost her perfect balance. Superman was standing behind her.
She turned and glared at him, "Hold still."
"You expect me not to move from this spot," he said.
"Yes."
"I won't then."
Philippus swung at Superman and he ducked it. Next, she thrust at him and he dodged it. Finally, she raised the sword above her head deciding to cleave Superman into two. As the sword came down on his head, he clapped his hands and caught the sword in between them. Philippus could not move her sword.
"You play with me," she said.
"Yes," he answered with smile.
"Have you no respect for me?"
"I respect you, General, but I have no intention of hurting you," he said then he took a deep breath and released his breath blowing her backwards until fell over and rolled several feel away from him. He tossed the sword aside then looked at Artemis and said, "I submit."
"You submit?" asked Artemis.
"Yes," he said. "I don't need to win."
Ceremony of Innocence
Kara, Selina, and Bruce in his Batman armor had arrived through the portal for the meal. Bruce had been invited by Diana with her mother's approval. They were escorted to the feast hall were they saw Clark sitting beside Diana. When he saw Kara, he stood up and she rushed towards jumping into his arms and squeezing him until it hurt.
"You're breaking my ribs, Kara," he laughed.
She let go and then reestablished the hug, though much more gentle.
"I missed you, Clark," she said.
"I've decided to come home with you after we eat. I'm feeling much better, Kara," he said.
"I'm staying at Bruce's place. You can stay there, too," she said.
Bruce and Selina came up to them.
"It's good to see you, Clark."
"And you, Bruce."
"I offer a place to stay for you and Kara as long as you need it," said Bruce.
"I'll be going to my Fortress to rehab for now, but I'm glad to know that Kara will be taken care of," said Clark then he looked over at Selina. "Miss Kyle."
"A gentleman, I like that," she said.
"Mala, show our guests were to sit and let us begin the meal," said Hippolyta.
Ceremony of Innocence
Diana had escorted her friends to the portal and saw them off. Once Kal disappeared into the mist of the portal sadness overtook her. She wanted to spend some time alone. Flying off she headed to a isolated part of the healing isle. Under a gray sky that matched her mood, she landed on the beach and looked up into the sky.
"I'm going to miss you, Kal," she said softly.
Hearing someone behind her she turned and faced the intruder. A tall figure in a cloak with the hood up stood in the shadows. Diana pulled her sword and took a defensive position.
"Who are you?" demanded Diana.
The figure dropped the cloak to expose a golden aura and the king of Olympian gods, Zeus.
"I am your father, Diana. I thought it was time we talked," said Zeus.
"Why should I speak you? You have done nothing for me, except desert me? When I needed you most, you were never there. Before I knew you were my father I prayed to you and once I knew I called to you, but it didn't matter. All you gave me was silence," she said.
"I have failed you. I've come here today to discuss a few things with you. Some of these matters are to my advantage and some are to yours. Shall we talk or shall you pout?" he said.
"Talk," answered Diana.