Chapter Eleven
Superman floated just above the ground with his arms crossed across his chest and staring at Doom's Doorway, which was nothing more then a cave cave entrance. Reluctantly, Diana left him with her sisters. He could see the animosity of their faces as the queen told them not to bother the man, the Superman. His hearing picked up the conversation between Artemis and Philippus, who were twenty yards away from him.
"We don't need a man to guard the doorway," spat Artemis. "This is an insult."
"I agree, Artemis. He is an insult to our ways. We need no man's assistance. We have never needed a man's assistance."
"Look at him floating in the air. He is acting as if he is being respectful by not touching down on the ground, but it is arrogance. It is merely showing off that he can fly like our champion. He has no real respect for us," said Artemis.
"And his armor with the red cape. Does he think he is a Spartan?" asked Philippus.
"Give me this magical sword and some space and I'll take the man out of Superman," smiled Artemis.
Clark landed on the ground. He took a deep breath and then he slowly exhaled turned his head in Artemis' direction. She felt an oddly stiff breeze picking up around her. Her tunic rose up to her armor and then the breeze picked up to the point that she lost her footing and fell to the grass. Philippus looked at her with concern then she looked over at Superman, who was smiling at them. Her squad laughed then they stopped immediately when Philippus glared at them.
Artemis got up and drew her sword. She glowered at Superman, who smiled at her. She now wanted to attack him and teach him a lesson. Suddenly, Doom's Doorway began to mist and everyone could hear a hearty laugh coming from it. Through the mist Deimos exited the doorway.
Philippus reacted immediately. She drew her sword and barked orders at her warriors.
"Amazons, draw your weapons and take a defensive position," she ordered.
They did as they were told. Deimos stood there now under the sun. Superman sized him up. He looked to be seven feet tall with a serpent's tail, legs that reminded Clark of a rhino, a helmet covering his head and a bread made up of small snakes.
"My father said there would be playthings to amuse myself with, but I did realize just how many would be waiting to die," he laughed ignoring Superman.
"We are not playthings, Deimos," stated Philippus. "We are Amazon warriors."
"Playthings," he smiled. "You are merely playthings. Before I kill you I think I'll have some fun with you."
He smiled again. It was an ugly smile. Clark could see where Deimos was sent up first just to do damage and hurt these Amazons. He reacted quickly and without permission from the Amazons. Before they could even hear the sonic boom from his take off, they witnessed a red and blue blur plow into Deimos and begin to pummel him back through the doorway until he disappeared back from whence he came. Superman stopped at the mouth of the doorway then he flew back to his spot.
The Amazons stared at Clark with a combination of fear and awe. He had just dispatched Deimos in a matter of seconds. Not even Diana could do that. Clark turned his head and looked at them. He could read their expressions. He'd seen the look too many times before in his life.
Ceremony of Innocence
Diana stood in front of an emergency gathering of Justice Leaguers. She saw that the auditorium was almost full, as she scanned it. Her eyes settled on Kara's, who looked concerned for the whereabouts of her cousin. Dinah, who sat at the dais, along with Batman, J'onn, John Stewart, Flash, and Aquaman.
"Diana, you called for this session, please, feel free to start," said Dinah.
"Ares is attacking Themyscira. I have been warned by Zeus about this. He told Ares intends to subjugate and punish all Amazons. My friends, I need help to stop this. I need the help of some of you Justice Leaguers. Together we will return to Themyscira and stop this slaughter from happening," she said.
"Where is Superman?" asked Batman.
"He's already on Themyscira guarding Doom's Doorway for me," she said.
"What will we be up against?" asked Starling.
Diana turned and looked at her.
"Ares, Phobos, Deimos, Eris, and an army of damned warrior who Ares owns their souls," she said.
"Sounds like fun," smiled Hal, who had just entered the auditorium.
"Well, there goes any chance of getting home early to see Patty," Barry Allen said with a smile.
"We know we are going to help, Diana. Instead of wasting our time debating, we should be breaking up into teams," growled Batman.
"I concur with Bruce," said J'onn.
Diana saw consent among many of the Leaguers and then felt a surge of pride to be part of this group of heroes.
"The Oracle told the senate that only seven of you can come with me," she said.
"Will that be enough?" asked Dinah.
"According to the Oracle it will be."
"No one is stopping me from coming with you, Diana," barked Kara, who then flew down and stood by her side.
"I guess you choose, Princess," said Batman.
"I would like the original Justice Leaguers to come with me," said Diana.
"That's me, Flash, Hal, and Aquaman," said Batman. "Add Kara and that's five."
"And me," added J'onn.
"And me. Two Green Lanterns can handle a great deal," said John Stewart.
"That's seven, Princess. I guess it's time we leave," said Batman.
Ceremony of Innocence
Ares watched as his army of skeletons and damned warriors engaged the Amazons. He always appreciated the skills and warrior pride of the Amazons. Philippus called for re-enforcements with a horn when she saw the numbers coming out of the Doom's Doorway. Ares' army had the numbers, but the Amazons were born warriors and the just reason to fight.
As the Amazons tried to hold back Ares' army, Superman engaged Deimos, Phobos, and Eris on his own. When he turned to watch this alien who thrived on sunlight battle, Ares was shocked to see his children not defeating and abusing the Kryptonian, but barely holding their own against him. He was taking on two gods and a goddess and he was not losing. This disturbed him because it appeared that he'd have to kill this Superman himself.
With a wave of his hand, he placed cloud cover over Themyscira. The Kryptonian would be deprived of his source of power. Clark lifted his head and saw how dark, thick clouds now covered the sun. With that he turned and blasted Eris with his heat vision sending her against the cliff side then he used his freezing breath to encase Phobos in ice. With that done, he attacked Deimos.
Philippus was not surprised to see Queen Hippolyta on Pegasus leading a squadron of Amazons on flying horses into the battle. Hippolyta wore the Gauntlet of Atlas and carried one of Hephaestus' swords. They swooped down into the battle and with Hephaestus' sword, Hippolyta began to cut a swath in Ares' army. Unfortunately, it appeared that Ares had a never ending supply of skeleton and damned warriors. The Amazons was just starting to be overwhelmed when a large green steam roller and a large green fist pushed Ares' army back. Diana along with her fellow Justice Leaguers had arrived.
Ceremony of Innocence
Even without the sun shining down on them, it was a hot day. With the help of the Justice League, Ares' Army was being pushed back but with great effort as their numbers seem to increase, while Kara and Superman dealt with Phobos, Eris, and Deimos, and Ares and Diana fought. The lack of sun was starting to take it toll on Clark and Kara. Clark was bleeding from a wound on his forehead and his face was bruised, while Kara had a bloodied nose and a bruise around her neck from where Eris started to strangle her. Yet, the two Kryptonians were starting to overwhelm the three children of Ares.
Philippus was in trouble dealing with two skeleton warriors. Exhaustion from the battle was catching up with her when one attacked her from the front and another from behind it. She was about take a sword to the back when Batman blocked the sword with his forearm, then he disarmed the skeleton and used its own sword to behead it. Philippus turned in time to see the head roll away.
"I hope you don't expect my thanks," she said.
"Trust me I don't," he growled then moved on to help another Amazon who was being attacked by two damned warriors.
"Men," grumbled Philippus.
Hippolyta fought her way through the army towards Diana and her battle with Ares. Flanked by Amazons she was almost through the line of damned warriors when she caught sight of Diana fighting Ares. Her chest filled with pride as she saw her daughter block Ares' sword with ease then attack.
"I taught you well when you were a girl, Diana," Ares said to her.
"You were my first teacher when it came to the sword," she said.
"I was your greatest teacher," he corrected her.
Ares then pivoted and went from defense to offense. He swung and sliced at her at great speed driving Diana back. She blocked each attack until she felt her arm start to strain against the thunderous blows. A slight stumble and Ares cut her above her armored bodice. True to her training, though, Diana quickly recovered and changed from defense to attack.
"You always was my best student," laughed Ares.
"I am no longer a student," replied Diana.
Phobos released negative energy hitting Clark in the chest and sending into the arms of Deimos. He needed an energy boost; he needed to rise above the cloud cover and get to the sun.
"Clark!" Kara screamed.
In the arms of Deimos Clark turned his head and saw Eris, who looked like an anorexic European super model in Clark's opinion, had hung an apple of despair around her neck. Eris stood above her laughing. She then began to blast her with waves of energy. His cousin was in trouble.
Turning his attention to Phobos, he unleashed his heat vision at full strength hitting Phobos in the chest and sending him flying backwards. Once Phobos was down, he focused his strength and broke free of Deimos then he turned quickly and swung with everything he had left and hit Deimos on the jaw sending him through some trees and tumbling away.
Falling down to one knee, Clark composed himself. He took a few deep breaths then flew at Eris connecting with her and grabbing her moving her away from his cousin. Kara started to sob. The world was without hope and love. All she felt was despair and desperation. Suddenly, A green hand construct lifted the apple from around neck and crushed it. Hal landed beside Kara and knelt down.
"Kara, are you okay?" he asked.
She couldn't answer because she was too busy crying. He took her in his arms and tried to console her when he felt the ground shake. He looked up to see Clark standing there staring at him.
"I got rid of the apple," Hal said.
Clark looked over and saw that Deimos and Phobos were recovering. Kara looked pale and she sobbed in Hal's arms.
"Listen, Hal, get you above the cloud cover and let her soak up as much of the sun as she can. It will help her recover," he told him.
"Whatever about you, Clark?" asked Hal.
"I need to finish with Deimos and Phobos," he said then took off. Hal lifted Kara in his arms and headed straight up into the sky. He passed through the dark clouds exiting above the cloud cover where it was sunny. Kara lifted her face to the sun.
Hal stared at the young woman and thought to himself, she really is beautiful. He held onto as she bath in the sun slowly the color returned to her cheeks and she opened her eyes and looked into Hal's eyes.
"Playing hero, Hal," she smiled.
"Clark said this would help you," he said.
She pushed away from him and floated on her own.
"You can return to the battle. I only need a few more minutes before I'll return," she said.
"Um... yeah, sure," he said.
Hal really didn't think about what he was going to do next. He enveloped her in his green power field then he reached over and pulled her into him and kissed her. Every time they had kissed before Kara was the one who initiated it catching him by surprise, so this time he wanted to be in control. He had to admit that it was a very good kiss. Hal let go of her.
"I thought it was my turn this time," he said.
"You better get back, Hal," she said.
"Yeah, I better."
He started to fly away when Kara called him.
"Hal," she yelled.
He stopped and looked at her.
"Now that we are even how about we go out for burgers again?" she smiled.
"Why not?" he laughed then flew away.
Kara spun around in a circle and laughed.
Clark literally drove Deimos into the ground with only his head above the ground. Phobos decided to act his back with a blast of negative energy when he was hit with a blast of heat vision. Kara had come back to the fight. She was at full power and feeling unbeatable.
"Kara," Clark said sounding surprised.
"Hey, Cuz," she said. "I can handle this for now. Go get some sun."
"Kara, are you sure?" he asked.
He was feeling exhausted and bruised. Some time recovering soaking up sun would do him well.
"Clark, go. The quicker you get back," she said.
Clark smiled then he headed straight up. As he headed into and through the cloud coverage, he spotted Diana. She was battling Ares toe to toe. He looked as if he was in a fight and so didn't she. He passed into the clouds and disappeared.
On the ground Ares laughed and pointed.
"He leaves you," he told Diana.
Diana looked up into the sky to see Superman disappear into the clouds. For a moment she felt abandoned but then she thought it was Clark and he'd never abandon her. There has to be a reason for him leaving.
With her concentration off the fight for a moment, Ares took advantage of this by throwing a blade forged by his brother Hephaestus at Diana. It was headed her straight for her heart when she reacted at the last second and deflected it with her bracelet. Instead of imbedding in her heart, it sliced her her armor and was imbedded in her right side.
"You should have let the knife kill you. I would have been less painful then what is to come," he said to her.
"Sought up and fight, brother," she cried then attacked him.
Above the cloud cover Clark allowed himself to heal and regain his strength. Once he felt at full strength, he'd return to battle and finish off Phobos and Deimos. Eris he tossed through Doom's Doorway. If the rules of Olympus hadn't changed much Hades wouldn't let her return. He just needed ten minutes and then he would be able to return from the Underworld.
Hippolyta saw that her daughter was injured and still fighting her half brother. One on one Diana would have a difficult task with the god of war but fighting him with injuries and losing blood Ares had the advantage. She needed to get to her daughter to help her. Using the Gauntlet of Atlas she sent several of the skeleton warriors into a collection of mismatched bones. Hippolyta would not be denied.
J'onn, Hal and John Stewart left the main fight to join Kara in her fight with Deimos and Phobos. They saw Clark leave and Hal assumed that she would need their help. J'onn snaked his body around Phobos, who was nearing total exhaustion, while John Stewart formed a sledgehammer with his ring and started to nail Phobos into the ground. Hal joined up with Kara and combined that battered him.
Clark had taken his Christ-like pose and allowed the sun to heal and strengthen him. He could feel his body taking in the healing powers of the sun as well as restoring his strength. Clark closed his eyes and filtered out all voices he could hear drifting up to him, except for one: Diana's voice.
Ares now took advantage of her wound. She slowed just a bit, which allowed him to slash her right arm then her left arm. Diana fought through the pain. She was an Amazon warrior so pain was only a distraction. He then attacked her with a flurry of movement and pulled another knife and stabbed her penetrating the armor and entering her abdomen. With the back of his hand, he slapped her and sent her tumbling away.
Diana cursed herself. She allowed herself to get distracted and Ares took advantage of it. She rose to her hands and knees and started coughing. She coughed up blood. Lifting her head she saw Ares coming towards her. He was coming in for the kill. Again Diana silently cursed herself. She knew she could defeat Ares one on one if she wasn't worried about her sisters, mother, and friends. She closed her eyes.
"Kal, I love you," she whispered.
Clark opened his eyes. Diana needed him. Without all his strength and speed he returned to Themyscira. Ares lifted his sword and was about to bringing it down on Diana's head. Hippolyta saw this and screamed. Her daughter was about to die. Ares started to bring his sword down, when Clark landed between him and Diana sending Ares tumbling away from Diana.
"Kal," Diana said softly.
Clark looked behind him and saw her on her knees with a knife in her side and one in her abdomen. His body filled with angry in a way that he had never felt before in his life. Scanning the remains of Ares' army, he incinerated them with his heat vision leaving the Amazons and the Justice League without a foe to battle. He then turned and walked towards Ares.
Hippolyta, Philippus, and Artemis ran to Diana's aid. She was in pain and coughing up blood, but she refused their air until she knew how it would end between Kal and Ares.
"Ares!" yelled Kal, "gods can die. You should have thought about that before you decided on this path."
"Kryptonian, you are a fool. I don't fear you," said Ares.
"Then it is you who is the fool," declared Clark.
With that he left his feet and blurred into Ares driving him back and back until the two of them disappeared through Doom's Doorway. Clark pounded Ares all the way to the River Styx and past the ferryman he flew him over the river. They continued the battle until they reached Cerberus.
Everyone stood in silence and stared at Doom's Doorway. Deimos and Phobos transported themselves away once their father disappeared through the doorway. Hippolyta turned Philippus.
"Prepare Epione for the injured, especially Diana. She will need the healing ray immediately."
"Yes, my queen," she replied.
"I am not leaving this spot," said Diana.
"You must, Diana," said Hippolyta. "Superman will not be able to return from Underworld. Hades will not allow it."
"Hades doesn't know Kal," she said.
"Come on, Diana, you need medical aid," said Bruce.
"He will return."
Clark pummeled Ares. Cerberus growled at him, but Clark's eyes turned red and the hell-hound whimpered. Ares took advantage of this to use his sword on Clark, but Clark turned in time and used his heat vision to removed the god of war's right arm. With a scream of pain, the battle between them was over. Ares slumped to the ground.
"Well done, Kryptonian," came a deep voice, "but I am afraid you know belong to the Underworld, too."
Clark turned and glared at Hades.
"By Rao's name, no self proclaimed god is keeping me where I don't want to be. I'll tear your home down around you if you try to keep me here," threatened Clark.
Hades started towards Clark when a ray of shining golden light appeared and Zeus emerged from it. First he looked at his son, who lay there in pain with a missing arm. Next, he looked from Hades to Clark.
"Superman, Kal-El," he said.
"Zeus," said Clark.
"Brother, I am back on my throne. Balance is restored. You can keep my son, but you can't keep the Kryptonian."
"Why not?" growled Hades.
"Because he doesn't wish to stay," Zeus laughed then he stopped laughed and looked at Hades with anger. "And my daughter needs him."
"Go," spat Hades.
"If Diana dies, I'll be back, Hades, for her and you won't be able to stop me," stated Clark.
He flew away at mach speed. Hades looked at Zeus.
"And you will let him get away with speaking to us in that manner, brother," said Hades.
"Brother, you should learn what battles to fight and what battles not to fight. He is a battle you are better off not fighting," said Zeus.
Diana waited. She coughed again and spat up a mouthful of blood.
"Diana," said Hippolyta.
"I am not leaving," she replied.
Suddenly, Clark flew from Doom's Doorway. He headed directly to Diana and lifted her up in his arms.
"Kal, don't leave me," she said weakly.
"Never," he replied then he looked at Hippolyta. "I'm taking her to the Healing isle."
His voice was calm, cold, and offered no alternative. He lifted up and flew away. Bruce walked up beside the queen.
"You get used to him," he said.