Chapter Ten
The Fortress of Solitude was not a misnomer. This was a place where he paid homage to a dead people. It was a castle of ice and alien technology hidden away in the isolation of the arctic. Where the Smallville farm was the home of Clark Kent, farmboy; the Fortress of Solitude was the home of Kal-El, an alien from a dead planet. After leaving Themyscira Clark chose his Fortress to recover and grow strong.
Wearing nothing but a pair of trunks, Clark sat under the solar lamp. He was feeling stronger and stronger. His body no longer ached and whatever weakness he felt was gone. According to his own tests, he needed only another nine hours under the lamp to be back at full power. Once he was fully recovered, he needed to decide what to do next with his life. Was it time to rejoin life and take advantage of the farm money and start a news website as Clark Kent, or did he want to stay on earth? Either way, it was time for him to make a final decision. An intruder warning went off. Clark stood up.
"Kelex, turn off the lamp and scan the perimeter for an intruder," he said.
"It is Princess Diana. She is accessing the security pad in order to enter the Fortress. I had disabled her password, sir, while you were gone," said Kelex.
"Let her in, Kelex, and re-enable her password. She is always allowed here, even if I'm not on the planet. Consider the Fortress her home as much as mine," he said.
Kelex released the security locks on the door allowing Diana entrance into the fortress. Clark watched on the security monitor as Diana entered. He walked over to a robe that was hanging near the door of his solar room. Slipping it on, he exited in order to greet Diana.
"Clark," she said looking slightly embarrassed at his clothing, "am I bothering you?"
"No, Diana, I was just under the solar lamp. I'm nine hours away from being fully recovered and back at full strength," he told her.
She smiled, "I am happy to hear that."
"It's because of you and your sisters that I am healed," he told her.
"Thank you, Kal. I'm glad we could have helped," she said.
"I'm surprised to see you here, Diana."
She looked down at the floor. When Diana did meet your eyes and didn't steam straight ahead, it meant she had something to share that made her feel uncomfortable. Clark nodded.
"So, why are you here?" he asked to himself.
"I... I need to talk to you," she said hesitantly.
"What is wrong, Diana?" he asked with concern. "It's me. You know you can trust me with anything and everything."
"Zeus visited me, Kal. He had a proposition and I want to talk to you about it," she said.
"Whatever you need, Diana, I am right here and I'll give you whatever you want, whatever you need," he said.
She smiled at him. Oh, she had missed him while he was gone from earth. She missed him now even though he was standing in front of her.
Ceremony of Innocence
Batman needed his nightly patrol tonight. It was more than a routine for him, it was his way of staying sane, his way of bringing perspective to his life. The mission was his life, or, at least, it had been consuming his life. He had let Red Robin, Batgirl, and Nightwing take a more active role lately because he was spending time with Selina, as well as looking after Kara while Clark was recovering. Last night he even took Selina on patrol with him. It went surprisingly well. Something was changing in his life and he wasn't in control of it. It was controlling him and the mission was suffering because of it. He couldn't allow that.
Parking the Batmobile in an alley, he got out and used his grapple gun to take to the roof. Getting the advantage of height, he looked down on his city, his mission. For eight years now he had been the dark knight protecting the Gotham and dispensing justice where the police failed. Gotham was still a dark city, a decaying city, but he'd made a difference, though, not as big a difference as he hoped. There was still crime and violence, still villains and anarchists, and he was starting to realize there always would be no matter how much of his life he gave to the mission, no matter how many he spent fighting back the entropy. Maybe making room for a life with someone wasn't going to interfere with the mission after all. Maybe having someone in his life like Selina would allow him to continue the mission without losing himself to the mission and becoming what he fought against. Clark often accused him of being myopic when it came to the mission.
Taking his night vision goggles out of his utility belt, put them on, and scanned the city. If tonight was a quiet night, it would probably be best if he made it back to the cave early and did some detective work. It was time to dig into underbelly of Gotham and find what was being hidden. He was in this for the long haul regardless of who he let into his life.
"Hello tall, dark, and masked," purred Selina.
Batman turned and saw Selina in her Catwoman costume slinking towards him. Outside of his control, his heart started to beat faster. The damned woman had him bewitched. He hated to admit it, but he was falling in love with her.
"I didn't expect you tonight. I thought you were staying at the Wayne Tower apartment with a saucer of cream for the night."
"I missed you," she said. "I thought we could go out on a date tonight."
"Patrolling the city isn't a date, Selina," he stated.
"I didn't think it was unless you have flowers hidden behind your cape," she teased him, "but this is your idea of fun time on a Thursday night, so I thought I might as well get used to it."
"You know this is an important part of my life. It's not something I'm willing to give up," said Bruce.
"I'm not asking you to give this up, Bruce," she smiled. "Batman is you and I think I love you. Oh, how Partridge Family of me, though you are definitely no David Cassidy."
She laughed to herself and then she walked up to him and seductively placed her hand on his armor and started to trace the Bat symbol with one taloned finger. Bruce looked down at her.
"I just want to be part of your life, Bruce, even this part," she said. "If I'm willing to go straight then you can imagine how much I care for you."
"You don't make things easy for me, do you," he remarked.
"No, Bruce, I like things hard," she smirked. "Easy is boring and this kitty doesn't like to be bored."
Ceremony of Innocence
Kara had searched the training rooms and cafeteria for Hal on the Watchtower, but he wasn't there. Every since she kissed him last in front of Bruce, he had avoided her. She walked into the monitoring room to find J'onn there by himself eating a plate of cookies.
"J'onn, do you know where he is?" she asked.
"We have no major incidents, so he is just off patrolling, Kara," he said.
"Oh," she responded quietly.
J'onn could feel the disappointment and rejection wafting off her her. Hal was off the station in order to avoid her and avoid anymore confrontations with Batman. J'onn tried to tune her thoughts out, but it was impossible. The young woman was screaming out for affection and understanding from someone who didn't think of her as a family member. He decided that he could give her advice.
"Kara, may I speak openly to you?" he asked.
"Sure, J'onn."
"Hal is confused by you. You have grown into being a highly attractive young woman, but part of him still sees you as a teenage girl, but not just any teenage girl," he told her. "He is confused by you and he is afraid of Bruce and Clark. Bruce treats you like a niece and Clark, well, he is protective of you, Kara. His reputation is bad enough and he doesn't want to anger Clark for many reasons."
"I don't need to be treated like a girl anymore. I'm not one. I am a woman and I deserve to be treated like one," she said.
"Then show them with actions, Kara, actions that show maturity and self reliance. Show everyone who are an adult woman. I believe if do that then many of your social problems will clear up," he told her.
Kara smiled.
"Thank you, J'onn. I'm going to think over what you said to me."
"You're welcome, Kara."
Ceremony of Innocence
Clark had changed into his armor, while Diana sat in the living area waiting for him. After a stop off in the kitchen, he came strolling into the room carrying a glass of cold water for Diana. He handed it to her where she sat on a long sofa. Clark sat down on an ottoman across from her with a short table in between them.
"Tell me what Zeus had to say to you," he prompted her. "I hope the bastard was respectful."
Diana smiled at this remark. Clark would stand against Zeus for her.
"In his absence Hera is ruling Olympus and Olympus is suffering greatly for it. There is unrest among the other Gods and Goddesses. Zeus has been watching and noting everything that is happening on Olympus," she told him.
"Father of the Gods," Clark growled with disdain. "He watches but he doesn't act."
Diana didn't mean to laugh but she couldn't help herself. Clark's disdain for Zeus made her love him all the more.
"Through sources and intermediaries Zeus knows that Ares plans to punish Themyscira for what he perceives is disrespect and then usurp Hera and take the throne of Olympus," she further explained. "He came to warn me about Ares. He will not make promises but if I can stop Ares without relying on the Gods help then he will come out of hiding and deal with Hera."
"Can you have the help of someone who is from Olympus?" he asked.
Again she smiled.
"Under Hera Olympus has lost its balance, it is unstable. We cannot exist under such conditions. Imbalance and instability lead to us fighting each other, destroying each other for power. This was why I killed Kronos. You stop Ares and I shall be able to restore balance and stability to Olympus. I don't expect you to rely only on your sisters. You have made allies in the world. Use them, Diana. I especially recommend that you get help from the one called Superman. I have noticed him. He has the powers of a demigod, maybe even stronger. Ares will be striking Themyscira with Deimos, Phobos, and Eris, as well as his minions. They will come through Doom's Doorway once he is ready," Zeus told her.
"Why do you make me this offer?"
"I owe your mother for not standing up against Hera and I owe my daughter for failing her. If you can turn back Ares without our help then I will deal with Hera once and for all. Ares is strong right now and he supports Hera for his our devious reasons. She was supposed to be one of your benefactors. If you deal with my wayward and ambitious son then I will become your benefactor and all threats against you and Themyscira by Hera will be null and void. No one will touch an Amazon without my permission," he told her.
"And Kal... Superman. What if he and I become lovers again, will Hera punish him?" she asked.
Zeus laughed.
"She can try, but I believe between this Superman and I that she will find it difficult," he smiled.
"Will you help me stop Ares?" she asked him.
"Diana, you don't have to ask. You lead and I will follow," he said softly.
She wanted to take him in her arms and kiss him, but she knew if all things went well that time would come again. She stood up.
"We need a plan," he said.
"I need to get permission to bring you to Themyscira," she said.
"That is a first step. I need to come with you, while you get permission for the Justice League to set foot on Themyscira. Once you have that permission, I will guard Doom's Doorway while you go to the League and recruit them to help us," he said.
"I can't leave you there to guard the door," she said.
"Yes, you can. You can leave me and some of your better trained Amazon warriors. They will fight for Themyscira and I will fight for you," he told her.
"If I'm going to let you guard the Doom's Doorway then get back in your solar room and finish your rehabilitation. You need to be at full strength, Kal," she said.
"And what will you?" he asked.
"I will go home and get permission for you and the Justice League to come to Themyscira and fight with us," she said. "Knowing the Senate they will need nine to ten hours to make up their minds about how to act. If they say no then I will have you and Justice League to my home and deal with the punishment after we defeat Ares."
"Diana," Clark said softly trying to protest her decision.
"Don't worry, Kal, I'll get permission. I can be very persuasive when I need to be," she told him.
"I know," he smiled.
Ceremony of Innocence
Diana had spoken to the senate. She gave them a bleak outlook on what will happen if Superman and others weren't allowed to help them deal with Ares. After an hour of being questioned, they recessed to debate and take votes. Diana and Hippolyta returned to the palace where they now sat drinking wine and waiting.
"I feel useless. How many hours have passed since I came home," she said.
"Eight," answered an annoyed Hippolyta.
"Good. Kal is nearly back to full strength."
"Do you really think it best to leave him to guard Doom's Doorway while you convince the Justice League to assist us?" she said.
"There is no better. If he used a damned magically forged sword, he'd probably slay Ares for us," remarked Diana.
The thought that Superman was that powerful that he could slay a God gave Hippolyta pause. The man was even more dangerous than Heracles. What does my daughter see in this man, she asked herself.
"I'll have Philippus put together our best fighters and begin guarding the door now," Hippolyta decided.
"Do what you must, mother," said Diana.
"I am sorry if I don't trust this Superman as much as you do," she said then she picked up a bell and rang it.
A few moments later an Amazon came running into the room.
"Arina, I need you to find General Philippus and have her report to me right away. I don't care if she is sleeping or having sex, but tell her it is an emergency," ordered Hippolyta.
Arina rushed out of the room with only a glance to Hippolyta then a quicker one to Diana.
"We can hold the door."
"Against Phobos, Deimos, and Eris along with an army of skeleton warriors led by Ares himself," she filled in the picture for her.
"Our skills and weapon should help win the day," said the Queen.
Just then Philippus along with Artemis entered the room. Both women appeared to excited in a negative way.
"The senate returned," said Philippus.
Diana stood to return to the senate.
"No need to go to them, princess," said Philippus. "They have voted with you."
"Yes, they have voted like hens fearing a fox," said Artemis. "They have more than likely allowed the fox into the hen house themselves with this vote."
"Prepare a squad to guard Doom's Doorway," ordered Hippolyta.
"Yes, my queen," said Philippus. "I shall lead them myself."
"And I shall join you," said Artemis.
Hippolyta turned and looked at her daughter.
"I shall get Kal then speak with the league," she said. "We must be prepared for the worst."
"I am afraid that the worst is already up on us," sighed Hippolyta.