Kansas
The Palace
Donna sat on the steps alternatively drinking from the wine bottle and biting her nails. She still couldn't believe what she'd seen, her mother, Hippolyta with Superman! Gods preserve her, that was so wrong, Donna thought. Hippolyta was like three thousand years older than he was, literal! Although, she was immortal and looked like she was thirty, it was still wrong! Eww, her mother was a MILF, Superman's MILF! A shudder went through Donna at even the thought. Wait until Diana heard about it, she'd kill him and then Hippolyta! This was bad, so bad, Donna groaned to herself.
She took another long drink from the nearly empty bottle, as she tried to think what she was going to do. The amount of alcohol she'd consumed wasn't helping this process. To Donna's admittedly intoxicated mind, there was a clear pattern here. If her mother was having an affair with Superman, then her reason for calling a new tournament made sense. She was the champion and would leave the island for the man's world. Superman's world, Donna reminded herself. Hadn't the first thing Hippolyta done when she won was to step down as Queen and named Diana to replace her? It was so she could be with her boy toy, Superman.
He's supposed to be Diana's friend, what a jerk, Donna unhappily thought. Oh this is bad, so bad, Donna lamented. Someone had to tell Diana and she should hear it from someone close and that she trusted. The only thing was that Donna didn't want to be the one to do it. She was just a bit afraid of what Diana's reaction would be. The phrase 'kill the messenger' came to her mind. No, what she needed was someone else, someone else that Diana would listen to. Like an adviser, Donna suddenly thought. Artemis! She was perfect!
Donna stood on somewhat shaky legs and started to weave her way back into the banquet. Looking around, she finally spotted Artemis drinking and arguing with several dignitaries. One hand was on her knife and the officials seemed very nervous. Donna made her way over and grabbed Artemis by the elbow and pulled and dragged her outside. Artemis protested and finally pulled away from Donna.
"I will not be pawed at,' she protested, but then nearly fell on her face and Donna had to hold her up. "Unless I'm about to fall down."
"Artemis, I need your help,' Donna said.
"Are we fighting someone? I'd love a fight right now,' she replied.
"No, this is worse, much, much worse,' Donna said and then took her elbow again. "Come with me a second, this is serious and private."
The two women staggered their way into the gardens before at last dropping down on a bench. Artemis took a long drink from her huge flagon and then wiped her lips with the back of her arm.
"So what is so important you had to drag me all the way out here, Princess?"
"I think I know why my mother called for the new tournament and abdicated the throne,' Donna said, slugging back some more wine.
"Why?"
"She's having an affair with Superman,' Donna gushed. Artemis' eyes went wide in shock.
"That old slut,' she finally gasp.
"Hey! That's my mother we're talking about,' Donna complained and punched Artemis.
"Sorry, sorry, of course, but with Superman, really?"
"Yes, I saw them together earlier,' Donna replied.
"Doing it?' Artemis immediately asked.
"No! Gods no, don't be repulsive,' Donna groaned. "They were alone on the beach in each other's arms!"
"So? That doesn't mean they're having sex,' Artemis countered. "All though if they are, I have to admit, I'm impressed with Hippolyta. Superman is a prime breeding candidate, that is for sure."
"Are you trying to make me throw up?"
"Just-Just, excuse me,' Artemis said and then belched. "Just because they were alone doesn't mean they were sleeping together. Maybe it was an innocent hug."
"How many people, not even counting men have you seen Hippolyta hug or embrace, Artemis,' Donna asked.
"Two, maybe three,' she admitted. "What kind of hug was it? There are different hugs, you know. Maybe it was one like two comrades give each other."
"No, not this one,' Donna replied, shaking her head. "It was more like this."
She moved close to Artemis and demonstrated the type of hug she witnessed. Artemis looked at her before shrugging her off.
"I said don't paw me!"
"I was just showing you what they were like,' Donna said in her defense. "Don't get queer on me."
Artemis shrugged and then seemed to consider the hug Donna had just demonstrated.
"They were like that?"
"Yes!"
"They're definitely sleeping together,' she admitted.
"That's what I've been trying to tell you!"
"Diana, I mean, our Queen will not be happy about this,' Artemis offered.
"You think? Someone has to tell her, though. She has a right to know,' Donna said.
"Yes, I suppose she does."
"Well, as her advisor, I think it should be you."
Artemis took another long drink while she processed this.
"All right, let's go tell her,' she finally said and stood up. She nearly fell backwards over the bench and Donna had to hold her up. Once she was steady, Artemis pulled away from Donna and started to march towards the banquet. Donna followed right behind her. They arrived at the doorway and stopped as they saw Diana talking with several of the foreign dignitaries. She was smiling as she spoke with them.
"She looks happy,' Artemis observed.
"Yeah, she does,' Donna admitted.
"The party is going so well, too," said Artemis. "All our work has paid off. It almost seems like a shame to ruin it tonight."
"What do you mean?' Donna asked.
"Well, if we tell Diana tonight, it will be the thing she always remembers about her coronation day,' Artemis explained. "I would imagine it's like a fistfight breaking out at your wedding, that's what everyone will remember, not how nice it was beforehand."
"I don't really want to ruin it for Diana," Donna said, her eyes watching her sister, the new Queen.
"We should tell her tomorrow,' Artemis offered. "We could get Phillipus to go with us and we'll be a little more clear headed, tomorrow."
""So let her have her one night to enjoy being Queen before we ruin it,' Donna added.
"Yes."
Gotham
Selina groaned as the sunlight hit her eyes. She started to raise her hand to shield them, but there was a throbbing pain in her shoulder. She'd been injured. Slowly as the cobwebs cleared she began to remember what happened. The robbery, she thought, it had gone so smooth until the elevator arrived. She remembered the small, lithe woman decimating the security guards. They were all dead, Selina was sure of that. It had been the little Japanese woman that had injured her. Selina remembered running, but the details after that were a little hazy. Where was she?
The room was still in shadows, but she could feel the soft, clean sheets against her skin. It was a large bed, expensive in taste she noticed. She was just about to try and get up when he finally spoke.
"How are you feeling?"
Selina squinted and finally found him in the shadows.
"Bruce?"
"Yes."
"Where am I?' she asked.
"You're at my house,' he replied. He moved a little closer, but didn't step out of the shadows.
"Okay, how did I get here?' She asked.
"You were injured, I brought you here and had you patched up."
"Um, ah, thanks."
"Do you feel up to telling me what happen? ' He asked. "You were pretty out of it when you came to me."
"I was attacked."
"By a Dragon Lady, you said,' he replied.
"What? Oh, yeah, she had this dragon tattoo that went all around her body,' Selina stated. "She killed everyone, Bruce. I've never seen anything like it."
"She killed who, Selina? Why don't you start at the beginning and tell me what all happened,' he said.
"Well, I happened to be down near the central business district,' she tentatively began.
"I imagine this had something to do with you being there,' he said, holding up the jade cat.
"Oh, good I didn't lose it,' she said in relief. "Could you give it to me please?"
"You stole this, Selina."
"You can't prove that,' she countered.
"It was on display at the Gotham museum for the last month,' he replied. "I tend to notice things like that.'
"It was on loan Bruce and I found out some Yakuza boss was the one that loaned it,' She said, trying to justify herself. "You know he stole it, so I was just liberating it."
"It's still stealing, Selina."
"Haven't you ever heard you can't steal something that's already been stolen?' She asked.
"It belongs in a museum, Selina,' Bruce said firmly.
"Who are you, Indiana Jones all of a suddenly?"
She thought she detected a slight smile on his lips, but it quickly disappeared.
"Why don't you tell me what happened after you stole this,' he said.
"Well, after I 'liberated' it, I was just about to leave, when I heard the elevator arrive on the floor, 'she began. "I took a peak out and there was just this tiny geisha standing there. The security guards started to harass her, pulling at her kimono and making lewd comments."
"You stepped in,' he asked.
"I was going to, but then she went all ninja assassin on them,' Selina said. "I mean it came out of nowhere. One second she's this shy little thing and the next she's slicing a guy's throat."
Selina paused as the memory came rushing back to her. She still felt shaken by what she's witnessed.
"She killed them all, Bruce,' Selina whispered. "There was blood everywhere. I knew I had to get the hell out of there, but I must have tripped the alarm. She came after me. I ran, but she got me in the shoulder. I went out the window, but she leaped over the balcony after me. I mean who does that, jumps out an open window if they don't have to? I really thought, no, I knew if she got to me, she'd kill me, Bruce. I just ran and ran."
He seemed to ponder this for a moment, still in the shadows.
"A small, Asian woman with a dragon tattoo,' he said. "Can you remember anything else about her?"
"Her skin, it was bone white. I thought it was the geisha makeup at first, but when she took off the kimono, I saw all of it was like that,' Selina replied. He nodded and stood up.
'You need some rest, so stay put, please,' he said. "I'll have Alfred bring you up something to eat, okay?"
"All right,' she reluctantly agreed. He was just starting for the door when she stopped him. "Bruce?"
"Yes,' he said, turning back to her.
"Be careful,' Selina offered. "I know you're going after her, but there was something different about this one. It was like she was on a mission or something. There was no emotion about her, as if she were consumed by whatever her duty was."
"On a mission,' he absently said. He stood still for a moment, his mind running over many possibilities. "I'll remember that, now get some rest, Selina."
"Bruce?'
He stopped and sighed before turning to her once again.
"Yes?"
"Can I have my cat, please?"
"You stole it, Selina."
"I liberated it!"
Now he did smile and chuckled as he shook his head.
'We'll talk about it later,' he said and headed for the door.
"Yes, we will," she called after him.
Themyscira
Diana was still at the party. Being Queen, it seemed there was a never-ending series of discussions she had to put up with. Officials and representatives all wanted some of her time now that she was the new Queen. Why Themyscira needed a Starbucks, she wasn't sure, but their representative seemed to think it was vitally important the island had a franchise. She tactfully said she would take it under advisement. There were a few proposals that did catch her interest. One group wanted to set up a sort of exchange program with the Amazons, where young women from some of the more repressive countries in the world, were allowed to come and study on the island. Diana liked that idea very much and discussed in some detail with the officials how soon they could start. She was always looking for new ways to spread the Amazonian ideas and philosophies and especially with the women of the world.
Moments like that were few and far between though. Most of it was the routine business of running a government. She tried to stay focused, but as one representative after another droned on, she found her mind slipping off to other thoughts. She imagined excusing herself and walking to the window and taking off in flight. She could picture soaring over the water, feeling free and happy. In those thoughts, she was always wearing her armor, but each time the realization that it was no longer her armor ended the thought.
Finally, she had put in as much time as she could and stood to leave. The royal guard was instantly at her side, ready to escort her to her chambers. Diana started to protest that it wasn't necessary, but gave up, as she knew this was their roll. Sighing, she thanked everyone and left the main hall. Lost in thought, she just walked along with the guards as they escorted her to the private wing of the palace. They stopped and when she looked up they were in front of her mother's door.
"There's been a mistake this is the Queen's chambers,' Diana said to the head of the guard.
"Yes, it is, my Queen,' the guard said. "Hippolyta has vacated them for the new Queen. They are your chambers now."
"What?"
"You are Queen and these are your chambers."
Reluctantly, Diana entered the room and looked around. Everything that was familiar about the room was gone and now her things were in their place. I'm the Queen, Diana silently thought.
Themyscira
Clark walked back to the palace with Hippolyta. He thought a gentleman would escort her to her room and then say goodnight. When she branched off from the main palace and went to some of the smaller quarters, he couldn't help feeling a bit confused.
"Aren't you going to your palace chambers?' He asked.
"They aren't mine any more, Kal-El, they are the Queen's."
"Oh."
She stopped in front of door to a much smaller place and then turned to him.
"Thank you for listening, Kal-El."
"You're welcome, Hippolyta,' he replied.
She took a tentative step towards him and then leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but there was still something more than just friendship in it.
"Good night,' she finally whispered as she stepped away and disappeared into the room.
"Good night,' he said and then slowly walked off. He was so deep in his thoughts he didn't hear General Phillipus. She had been coming to see Hippolyta but stopped when she saw the Clark with her. To say the kiss caught the General by surprise would be an understatement. She stood there not sure what to do.
Gotham
Kijuro Makuda, head of the Makuda Yakuza sat at a low, long square table with his most senior lieutenants. To his right knelt his own personal geisha, the grand dowager Rie Saga. She had been literally his possession for almost thirty years. Kijuro was a hard man in his late sixties. As a boy after the war he learned quickly the old ways and class structure meant nothing in this new world. His brutal climb through the ranks was filled with deceptions and murders. He treated those that followed the old traditions as fools, better off dead and out of the way for the new generation. It was a bloody path, but eventually he was head of his own Yakuza branch, feared and respected by the others.
In his forties, once he had accomplished his goals, Kijuro began to want respectability. We are all creatures of our countries and culture and he was no different. He began to embrace the very traditions and ways he had laughed at on his way up. He began to make public displays of honoring the ancestors, visiting shrines and dawning the tradition garb when at home. It was around this time he first met Rie Saga. She was just a young maiko in training, but her beauty, elegance and style were all he things Kijuro desired. He made advance towards her, but she politely declined all of them.
Geishas, unlike what most westerns believe, are not prostitutes but more like hostesses or entertainers. Oh, they may sleep with clients, but it is on their own time in their private life. The small Hanamachi or Geisha town that Rie came from had dwindled in numbers, as more women were needed in factories and office with the post-war boom. Their numbers were small, but they long had a reputation as some of the finest in the country. For a man like Kijuro, they were impossible to resist. He was not used to being turned down by anyone and Rie's refusal only added to his desire to possess her. With his newly achieved power, he decided he was not going to be denied.
It took some time, but he finally managed to get Rie to meet with him again. He chuckled to himself as she entered with her own grand dowager and then while the usual customs were performed. When the protocol was finished he made his proposal. She would either be his, exclusively or he would have the entire Hanamachi burned to the ground with everyone in it. Further more, if she refused or sought to end her life rather than suffer the shame, he would again, burn the entire Hanamachi down with everyone inside of it and kill all of her family, starting with the oldest member, her grandmother.
So with no other choice, Rie become Kijuro's personal Geisha and possession. He became an important man and eventually he blackmailed and threatened the rest of the Hanamachi into his service. Rie in time became grand dowager of his private geishas, but they were geishas in name only. The performed whatever services Kijuro said they would. They were slaves to him. To keep them in line he carrying out on his threat and one young geisha that tried to escape watched as her brother and his wife were murder in front of their daughter's eyes. She took her own life soon afterwards. The lesson was learned and no one tried escaping again.
Rie knelt at his side, making sure he wanted for nothing. She was used to this by now, as was everyone in the organization. She always knelt at this side during all his business meetings, silently watching and listening. This had been a hastily called meeting and she could hear something different in the voices around the table, fear. The news of the massacre and lose of their product at the warehouse had rattled many. When it was added to the attack on the hotel, the murder of two of their best men, they all realized they were under siege. Kijuro sat back listening to all his lieutenants' suggestions. Most of them thought it was wise to return to Japan and consolidate their forces there. Kijuro slammed his fist down on the table, silencing all of them.
"No! If we leave now, it is a sign of weakness,' he shouted. "How do you think the other bosses will react when they hear we turned tail and left? They will see us as vulnerable and we will be faced with a war against all of them. They will think if one assassin can make us run, then we are no longer to be feared. We stay and fight! Bring in whomever you have to, but stop this here and now!"
The lieutenants bowed and said it would be done. Kijuro slowly stood, eying each man and then stormed out of the room. Rie silently walked out behind him.
Fawcett City
Dr. Richard Occult moved slowly over the street in front of the Batson apartment looking for any clue as to Mary's transformation. He was a supernatural detective and this whole case was a mystery to him. He could sense power signatures all over the pavement where the lightening had hit, but it was like nothing he'd ever encountered. He checked around him to make sure no one was watching and then pulled out his medallion, the Symbol of Seven. Whispering an incantation, a soft light began to bath him as he tried to trace the origin of the power. Suddenly he felt his entire body being gripped by the source and as he tried to struggle it proved in vain. A blinding flash encompassed him and in the next moment the street was empty, with only his fedora remained.
Themyscira
Hippolyta stood looking at the Champion's armor. It seemed strange not to see Diana wearing it, but now it was hers. Slipping off her customary gown, she picked the armor and began to try it on. Hippolyta was slightly shorter than her daughter and they had different curves as well. The outfit was rather tight in some places and a bit loose in others. It caught her by surprised when it suddenly conformed to her shape. Turning towards the mirror, Hippolyta caught her first glimpse of herself in the armor. She couldn't help gasping a bit and blushing.
While nudity or their own bodies do not particularly trouble Amazons, it is quite another thing to see one's self displayed so all will notice. Hippolyta was probably one of the more conservative of the Amazons and the armor seemed rather skimpy to her. She had always thought it was rather skimpy on Diana but on herself it felt indecent. Her usual gown covered her from head to toe, while the armor displayed more than it hid.
"Perhaps a skirt can be made for modesty sake,' she thought aloud. The bottoms seemed particularly brief, riding up a bit so she was constantly trying to straighten them. How would it look the first time she appeared in public to be more worried about exposing herself than fighting? The top was little better, she realized, as he showed a generous amount of cleavage. Because Hippolyta had a bit of a lush and mature figure, the outfit seemed to emphasis her body even more than it did for Diana.
"Yes, a skirt is a must,' she decided.
"I see you are ready for the outside world,' a voice said behind her. Hippolyta quickly spun around, feeling embarrassed at being seen like this. General Phillipus was standing in her doorway, leaning against the frame, her arms crossed.
"Oh, Phillipus, you startled me."
"Should I call you Hippolyta or Wonder Woman,' Phillipus asked. There was something in her tone that seemed different to Hippolyta.
"Hippolyta will be fine."
"Are you nervous about going out to the man's world?' Phillipus asked.
"I..," Hippolyta started, but then stopped not sure how she felt. "I know it's just something I have to do."
"Is that the only reason? Is it the only reason, the one you gave me for the tournament, Hippolyta? "Phillipus asked.
"Yes."
"I saw you with him,' Phillipus stated, moving into the room and closing the door. Hippolyta was caught by surprise and wasn't sure what to say.
"You've been with him, haven't you?"
"That is none of your business, General,' she snapped. Phillipus gave her head a sad shake.
"When I saw you kiss him last night, I just knew,' she said. "So is he the real reason for all this? Has it been so long you've forgotten what Hercules and his men did to us? To you?"
"No!"
"So now you'll go to Superman, won't you?' Phillipus accused her. "All that talk about omens and protecting Diana were just a ruse so you could give yourself to a man."
"That's more than enough, General! I would remind you to remember your place,' Hippolyta shouted.
"And I would remind you, Hippolyta, that you are not Queen anymore,' Phillipus replied. The two women looked at each other for a moment.
"All this over a man, 'she said in disgust.
Hippolyta felt like she was shaking, she was so mad. She glared at the General, but Phillipus wasn't backing down. Taking several deep breaths, Hippolyta got herself under control.
"Believe what you like, but know you are wrong, Phillipus,' Hippolyta said. "I thought you knew me better than that."
"I thought I did too, but then I saw that kiss last night,' Phillipus replied. "It has been a long time, but I haven't forgotten what a lover's kiss looks like."
"We are not lovers,' Hippolyta countered.
"But you have been with him, haven't you?"
"Yes, once,' Hippolyta admitted.
"From that kiss I'd say you want to again,' Phillipus. "What do you imagine Diana will say when she finds out?"
"I hope she doesn't,' Hippolyta honestly admitted. "I spoke to you the truth before. This has nothing to do with Kal-El. What I do, I do for the life of my daughter, Phillipus."
"I want to believe you, Hippolyta, I do,' Phillipus replied.
"You have a choice to make,' Hippolyta stated. "You can run to Diana with what you think you know and ruin everything or you can let this play out and help save her. The choice is yours, Phillipus."
Metropolis – The following night
Clark had finished for the day. The city was quiet tonight. He knew he should probably head to bed, as he had an early morning, but his mind wouldn't stop working tonight. Questions with no simple answers plagued him. Perhaps there weren't any good answers or at least he couldn't seem to find any. Running his hand through his hair, he glanced out over the city wondering what he should do. There weren't any answer out there either.
He moved over and switched on the radio before dropping down onto the sofa. Leaning his head back Clark closed his eyes. Even with his super hearing, music still had the same power of him as it did everyone else. It could lift his spirits or commiserate, distract and beguile, enchant and delight or simply entertain. The Hold Steady's Hurricane J came on and Clark let him mind drift along with the tune. Sometimes it isn't even the lyrics, but the beat of a tune that just seems to seep into our pours and before we know it we're nodding along. The Kings of Leon came on next and just added to it, that amazing transportation that music can so effortlessly accomplish.
A knock at the door finally brought Clark out of the music. As amazing as his hearing was, he could still focus it on one thing, one song and the rest of the world would fade away. Slowly he got to his feet and moved over to open the door. Most would assume he would use his vision to gaze through the door to see who it was, but it had never become a habit with Clark. For most of his life he'd been near invulnerable so the chance of anything on the other side of the door being an actual threat to him were miniscule. He walked through life with none of the concerns that plagued most people. He'd never really had to flinch or duck at anything. Not checking ahead of time who was at the door was just a subtle way of keeping in touch with what everyone else had to deal with. It was just one of a thousand little things he did to keep himself grounded and in touch.
Clark opened the door and found Dinah Lance standing there.
"Hi."
"Hi, can I come in?" She asked.
"Of course,' he replied, stepping back to let her pass. "I didn't expect to see you tonight."
"I didn't expect to see you either, 'she said.
"So what changed?' He asked as he closed the door.
"I'm not sure,' she admitted. "I guess there's some unresolved things between us, Clark."
"I know,' he said with a nod. "Why don't you sit down? Can I get you something?'
"No, not right now,' Dinah replied. She moved towards the couch, but didn't sit down. "I wanted to talk, Clark, about everything."
"Okay,' he said, closing the door. He leaned back against it waiting for her to continue.
"I've been thinking about us a lot,' she offered.
"And?"
"I find you very handsome and charming, Clark, but I've been down that road before,' Dinah replied. "I need something else in a relationship now."
"I'm listening,' he said.
She had taken off her jacket, but her posture said she was still on edge.
"I'm not looking for a mentor or some Daddy figure, Clark,' she stated. "I'm not that woman if that's what you're looking for. I can't do that, well, that's not quite right, I won't do that. I've gotten where I am tonight through lots of hard work and experience. I'm an adult woman and if I'm going to enter into a relationship I want to feel like I'm an equal, a partner. I won't accept anything less anymore."
"Dinah, I wouldn't ask you to be anything but yourself, I hope you know that?"
"I'd like to think you wouldn't, but I need more than just a promise, Clark,' she replied.
"What do you need me to do?" He asked.
"Make me understand, Clark,' Dinah said, moving towards him. "I saw the way you looked at Diana at the ceremony and there was something going on. I can't do this if I'm always wondering what else is out there."
"Diana's my friend, Dinah, that's it,' Clark replied.
"I want to believe that, but what was that look, Clark?"
His head dipped just a bit, before he looked into her eyes.
"Sadness."
"What? Why?" She asked.
"How do I explain this, 'he mused out loud. "Dinah, right now I'm Clark Kent, just as you're Dinah Lance. You'll always be Dinah Lance, but eventually there were come a time when I can't be Clark Kent. The world I grew up in is already vanishing and one day it will all be gone."
"You're going to have to explain that, Clark,' Dinah replied.
"I'm going to live a long time, Dinah,' he explained. "Even I'm not sure how long. I've known this since I was a teenager. I've already lost the people that raised me, the Kents, so a big part of that world is already gone."
"We all lose our parents eventually, Clark, that's just life,' she countered.
"I know, but it's just beginning for me, Dinah,' Clark continued. "Because of my life span, one by one everyone that's ever known Clark Kent will slip away."
"Okay, but what does that have to do with Diana?" She asked.
"Her becoming Queen means that another person that knows me is moving away,' he said. "It's not about any romance, I promise you. It's just I know eventually she will find out what happened between me and her mother and I think we both know what Diana's reaction will be. What you saw was me realizing that I've probably lost the one person that will still know me as Clark Kent in the future. We'll never be the same friends we are now. One night changed everything and there's no going back, nothing I can do to change it. I guess I was feeling a little sad for myself in that moment, Dinah, that's what you saw."
Dinah listened to him. As he spoke she tried to see what he was saying from his point of view. She like all their teammates knew in many ways he was as different from them as they were from the first humans that walked on the planet. As she listened her perspective suddenly shifted and she understood what he was talking about. For all practically purposes he was immortal. He didn't even perceive time in the same what that everyone else did. What she would consider a long life would be just the beginning for him. If anything it just added to her doubts. One other thought occurred to her too.
"Hippolyta is immortal,' Dinah whispered. "Is that why you two slept with each other? Is that why she's doing what she's doing?"
"No."
"But you know why she is, don't you?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I'll ask you the same thing she asked me, what would you do to save someone you love?"
"Anything,' Dinah immediately answered.
"That's why she's doing what she's doing."
"To save Diana?"
The very idea seemed odd to Dinah.
"Yes,' he nodded. "Look, the whole idea makes no sense to me either, but the Amazons come from a completely different culture than we do. Their Gods are very real to them, as are omens and visions, sacrifices and fate. They believe you can't escape what has been foretold, that fates can't be changed."
"How does that explain taking Diana's place?"
"This is just between you and me, Dinah,' Clark said. "Hippolyta had a vision that whoever wears the armor of the Champion of the Amazons will die. She did what she did, so it wouldn't be Diana."
"But that's crazy,' Dinah replied.
"Maybe, but again it's all very real to them,' Clark said. "There's also the possibility that she's right. If she is than Fate dictates that a sacrifice has to be made. How do you tell a mother she can't make it to save her daughter?"
Dinah wasn't sure how to answer that. In Hippolyta's place she couldn't honestly say she wouldn't do the same thing.
"So you believe what she's saying? I wouldn't have expected that from you, Clark."
"The thing is it doesn't matter what I believe,' he replied. "Hippolyta and the Amazons believe it. To answer your question, no I don't believe it. If I needed any proof that there is no set fate, you being here proves it to me. If we hadn't been on that elevator does this possibility happen? I don't know."
"So what are you going to do?" Dinah asked.
"I don't know that either,' he admitted. "Even though everything is telling me she's wrong in this, a small part of me keeps asking what if she's right? What if the person wearing that armor does die? Who do I save, Diana or Hippolyta? Is that even my place to decide? How can I just discount what Hippolyta is willing to do? I've been sitting here for the last few hours going back and forth with it, but I still don't know what I'm supposed to do."
"You should tell Diana,' Dinah said.
"And if Hippolyta's right, that means Diana dies."
"But if you don't tell her and Hippolyta's right, she dies,' Dinah countered.
"Either way I have to decide who dies,' Clark said.
"Why did she tell you? Was it because you slept with her?" Dinah couldn't help asking.
"I think they are tied together, but not the way you're thinking,' Clark replied. "The night we spent together I sensed something different about her, but couldn't figure it out. When I saw her the night of the ceremony it was still there. It took a while, but I think it was loneliness. The more I've thought about it, the more it makes sense. Once she made this decision, Hippolyta set herself on a course that will take her away from everything she knows. She's alienated the person she loves most in the world and will have to leave the place she loves too."
"So why did she tell you?"
"I think she just needed a friend, Dinah,' he admitted. "She's given up everything and believes she's going to die. I think she just didn't want to die alone."
Dinah nodded in understanding, but this was all too much for her. She picked up her jacket and started to slip it back on.
"This is too much for me, Clark, way above my pay grade,' she admitted. "Immortals dealing with other immortals, sacrifices and the rest aren't part of my world."
"There not part of my world either, Dinah."
"But they are, Clark,' she softly said to him. "You're one of those immortals. You said it yourself, in a hundred years whatever we might have had will be gone. I'll be gone. I'm one of those ordinary humans that will slip away."
"Yes, but that's one hundred years from now,' he replied. "I've died once, Dinah, I could die again tomorrow. I don't believe in Fate and if I dwell on what might be than I'll miss everything that's amazing right now. As cliché as it sounds, the past is gone and the future never gets here, we only really have right now, this moment. If you want to leave, I won't stop you, but you said you wanted a relationship where you were an equal, a partner. I can't promise it will be easy, but I'm willing to do my part in that relationship, if you are."
"But what about the future?" She asked. "What about tomorrow and the day after that?"
"I don't know, 'he admitted. "We're both here right now, and that's all that matters."
"But…"
He wasn't the impulsive type, but every once and a while there comes a moment when the only thing to do is to kiss the girl. This was one of those moments. Clark kissed Dinah.