Variables
Themyscira
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.
Diana stood on the balcony looking out over the city. Here and there she would see one of her sisters moving about, but the general atmosphere was one of peace and calm. As Queen she knew this was how it should be. Her subjects should be happy, safe and free. It would seem all was right with the world, yet she knew it wasn't.
She loved this place more than any other. It was home, yet the wider world still beckoned. Her time out there hadn't been some Amazon variation of the Amish Rumspringa, but the logical next stage in her life. She wasn't sowing her wild oats for a couple of years before she came back to Themyscira; she was building a life. The possibility that one day she might have to return to assume the throne was always out there, but Diana never really thought of it in a tangible way. Her mother was the Queen and always had been the Queen. Diana hadn't seriously considered that changing anytime soon.
Now it had, by her mother's own hand. Questions upon questions ran through her mind, yet no answers came. They were for the most part all out there in the wider world, yet her continuing responsibilities seemed to demand she remain here. One of the subjects that she did have questions of a more personal nature was currently climbing up the side of the palace. She did this stealthily and anyone other than Diana wouldn't have heard her. Diana waited for a few minutes and then leaned over the balcony.
"You know Artemis, they have these things called doors which are quite popular."
The red haired woman muttered something under her breath at being caught and then sighed.
"Well, in that case, give me a hand, will you?"
Diana reached down and pulled the other woman up and over the balcony. Artemis took a moment to straighten her clothes and hair. Diana leaned back against the railing and looked at her.
"So are you going to tell me why you're sneaking into my room?" She asked.
"It wasn't really sneaking since you heard me,' Artemis replied. "Doesn't seem really fair that you get the gift of extraordinary hearing along with all the others from the Gods. I mean they could have spread some of them out a bit more."
Diana rolled her eyes at this, but decided not to argue.
"Be that as it may, what are you doing?"
Artemis glanced at Diana, but seemed uncomfortable.
"I, um, ah, well, I wanted to see how you were doing?" She finally said.
"And you felt the need to sneak in to find that out?"
"I didn't want everyone to know."
"Why?'
"I wanted to talk to you in private,' Artemis explained.
"About what?" Diana asked, suddenly a little nervous herself.
"You're thinking of going back out to the world to confront Hippolyta, aren't you?'
Diana was surprised by the question, but tried her best not to show it.
"I've been considering it,' she admitted.
"And him, too?"
"Yes."
"So is that what this is really about,' Artemis asked, moving closer. "Him?"
"No,' Diana flatly said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, quite sure,' Diana fired back. "Why would you think it was about him?"
Artemis gave her a smile. She moved over to the railing and crossed her arms in front of her.
"Please, Diana, are you going to deny your interest in him?"
"Yes,' Diana immediately replied.
"Really?" Artemis incredulously said. "Are you really going to stand there and say you've never even thought about it? Please, my Queen."
The 'my Queen' comment irritated Diana, but she let it go. She turned and looked Artemis in the eye.
"Yes, I've thought of it, Artemis,' Diana admitted. "Once I left the island I naturally thought about it.'
"I thought so,' Artemis replied.
The smile on her lips slipped a bit as she looked down at the floor.
"Kal wasn't the only one I thought about it with, Artemis, there were others,' Diana added. "Isn't it natural to think about it? I'm a healthy young woman; the thought has crossed my mind now and again. As I imagine it has crossed yours too."
The smile spread back across Artemis' lips.
"Yes it has."
"You don't have to give such a wicked look, do you?" Diana asked.
"If you knew what I was thinking about you wouldn't think it was so wicked," Artemis replied with a laugh.
Diana made a face at this.
"I don't think I want to know,' Diana said and then turned back to look out over the city.
Artemis continued to chuckle for a moment and then moved over next to Diana. She looked at Diana's expression and slowly her laughed faded.
"So if it's not about him, what is it about?" She asked.
Diana seemed to think about it for a moment, trying to find the best way to answer the question. Finally she just offered one word.
"Why?"
"What do you mean why?" Artemis replied. "Do you mean why am I asking or what?"
"No,' Diana said with a shake of her head. "I mean why has all of this happened? Why did mother sleep with Kal? Why did she call a new tournament? Why did she enter it herself? Why was the Oracle killed? Why, Artemis, why has all this happened now?"
"They seem connected, do they?"
"Yes, but not the way you are probably thinking,' Diana replied. "The Oracle's death has been the thing that keeps coming back to me. If this was all about mother wanting to be with Kal, then the Oracle's murder makes no sense. Something else is going on and I want to know what and why."
"And that's why you've been thinking of going to the outside world?" Artemis asked.
"Mostly, yes,' Diana offered.
"Mostly?"
"Well, I want to hit Kal too,' Diana reluctantly admitted. "I mean he's supposed to be my friend! What kind of friend sleeps with my mother?"
Fawcett City
Everyone grows up, eventually. You can put it off for a long time, but in the end you're just fooling yourself. To stay in a dependent, infantile stage of development too long serves no one. It is the most difficult time in your life, yet societies since the dawn of time have understood its importance. Modern societies have lost some of this and more and more it seems okay for seemingly fully grown adults to act like children.
Mary Marvel sat alone in the apartment thinking. Billy had practically run out when she got home. It seemed she scared him so much he couldn't even stand to be in the same room as her anymore. It was just another thing she was dealing with. She was trying to cope and learning to accept what had happen to her. When she looked in the mirror she saw a beautiful young woman and as difficult as it seemed, she was beginning to realize it was her staring back. The transition that most gradual made had been forced on her in a matter of moments. She was still trying to fathom all the ramifications of what it meant, but knew there was no turning back.
She was left with having to deal with it. She'd been trying to explain this to everyone that it wasn't about whether she was Black Mary again, but that she'd grown up. No one wanted to listen. They'd made up their mind about her. She no longer fit into the neat little box they'd fashioned for her, so there must be something wrong. Mary had let Jonn into her mind once and he'd seen it was the Golden Lady that was causing this, but that didn't seem to matter to them.
It was just like the voices said, they were afraid of her. They were afraid, but not enough to kick her out. No, they wanted her to stay in the League, but her status wouldn't change. They would use her, but she was still a junior member in their eyes. Hippolyta didn't have this problem. The voices had been right about that too, Mary thought. Hippolyta was a full member, yet she'd only been in the League a few weeks. It wasn't right or fair, Mary thought, but she'd show them. Let them be afraid of her, she would be a hero despite all of them. They would see this new Mary wasn't the cute kid they all took for granted, but a young woman that deserved to be treated like one.
Then the world slipped away.
A wasteland stretched out in front of Mary. The stars were old and dim overhead, as if this world were on the outer reaches of known space, an afterthought from a time before. Mary looked down and saw she was still in her own body. As she rose to her feet she heard the sound of a gong in the distance. Stumbling forward she reached a valley.
Bones.
Bones of the long dead, bones of monsters and unimaginable creatures, but mostly bones of dead warriors were all around. Petrified and crumbling, bones were all that was left. The tribute exacted by this harsh place: bones. The wasteland of bones spread as far as the eye could see, to bleach and crumble under the dim, dying sun. This place spoke of what once was and what is. Bones of a once great empire, skeletons of hopes sketched in the dimming furrows which time reclaiming for its own.
Some great battle had taken place here long ago. As Mary moved among them, she suddenly understood this wasn't a world of this time, but from before. This was a land of desolation and defeat sending echoes out from the past. Forgotten as time marched on.
A gong sounded again.
Picking her way among the bones, Mary moved towards the sound. The world was so still, like a planet wide cemetery. There was no wind, no movement, nothing but bones. Mary tripped and nearly fell. As she looked around her she saw what could only be the bones of warriors, still clutching their weapons as if their battle was never-ending. She scrambled away from them and started running.
The gong sounded a third time.
She was panting, her lungs burning for air. A ridge rose up in front of her and she madly climbed on hands and knees over the bones that littered seemingly ever inch of this place. Something compelled her forward. It was just ahead, over the rise and she desperately needed to get to it. Ash and dust swirled around her as she continued climbing. Finally she reached the precipice and pulled with all her remaining strength. Her eyes barely made it over the rim and then he saw it.
An altar.
Standing in front of it was the Golden Lady. Mary was frightened, but couldn't seem to pull her eyes away. Something felt different about this from the previous times Mary saw her. Slowly in this ancient, dead world, sounds reached Mary's ears. The Golden Lady was weeping. Mary watched, mesmerized as the Lady dropped her sword and fell to her knees in front of the crumbling alter. She seemed to be mumbling the same words over and over.
"فقدت كل"
Mary didn't know what they meant, but there was such sadness in the Golden Lady's voice. Some how Mary was able to pull her eyes away from the Lady and look at the altar. It was circular, with deep groves and strange symbols carved all over it. At its center was a crumbling statue. It was a statue of the Golden Lady, Mary knew instinctively. It was so ancient, just like the rest of this place. The statue must have been from before time began, she realized. It was from the Golden lady's time. Mary suddenly realized this was a place of worship to the Golden Lady, but had been abandon and forgotten. She looked up above the altar and saw the two banners intertwined as if they were almost one. They were worn and tattered, impossibly old, yet they could still be made out. Three blue lines on a sea of green and three black circles on a field of red.
Mary heard a wail come from the Golden Lady and watched as she raised her arms towards the front of the altar.
"فقدت كل"
Mary started to move towards the Lady, but then the world slipped away.
Mary was back in the apartment sitting on the couch. She was stunned by the dream and it took a moment to process where she was. Billy's favorite show, the Three Stooges was playing on the television. Suddenly it was interrupted by a news bulletin about a robbery in New York City. Mary watched for a moment and then was up and moving.
Tokyo
Targets. Bruce knew that was what Masami would be looking for. Kijuro Makuda was the head of the Yakuza faction and would be the obvious choice, but Bruce had other ideas. Putting himself in Masami's place he knew he wouldn't be satisfied with just killing the leader. He would want to destroy all of it. One by one he would pick off the lieutenants and work his way up the food chain till Kijuro was alone. Only then would he confront the man and let him know why he was going to die. He would want the man to suffer, to feel the fear he had caused a young child all those years ago.
They say revenge is a dish best served cold, but inside it always burns white hot. Nothing matters after awhile, except making those responsible pay for what they've done to you. As he looked out over the Tokyo skyline, Bruce felt as if he were channeling Masami's rage. It was such a mirror image of his own. Having to try and get inside her mind brought back all those old feelings. Yes, he'd dealt with them long ago, but they were still there. He could see that night in the alley as if it had just happened. The fear, the pain, the grief and the overwhelming sadness came rushing back. They were followed by the anger. It was an all-consuming anger that wanted to tear the world apart with its bare hands. It so easily slipped from wanting justice to wanting revenge. Bruce felt his hands clinch in fists, as he tried to control that rage.
The hotel room door opened and Selina walked in. She was dressed in her working clothes and saw Bruce dressed as Batman. She felt the tension coming off him from across the room.
"So, um, what's on the agenda for tonight?" She tentatively asked. He didn't turn to look at her.
"Hunting."
The Source Wall
Darkseid found himself back here again. The dark God couldn't even put it into words why he kept coming back. Something about her seemed to compel him. Her ferocious beauty belied the cold, dead stone statue in front of him. Fools that came here would look on the massive stone statues of those fallen and most likely not see her, yet Darkseid's eyes continued to be drawn back to her.
He could imagine just how glorious she had been. While he'd long put away such mundane interests, he knew she would make a perfect Queen for someone like him. It would almost be worth it, to try and conquer her and make her his own, but that was dangerous. If the ancient stories were true, many had died thinking that same thought. She was the flame that drew the moths to her. Each died when they got too close. Darkseid would not let the temptations of the flesh sway him from his destiny.
She would have to perish, but it was so tantalizing to consider the alternative.
New York
It should have been easy; it was just Harley Quinn robbing a bank. Dinah and Hippolyta both came just in case Poison Ivy showed up, but they didn't see this assignment as being trouble. They beamed in just as Harley was coming out of the bank, a sack of cash over her shoulder.
"That's far enough, Harley,' Dinah said.
Harley stopped and looked at the two of them.
"Heavens to Murgatroid! Black Canary and she's brought along replacement Wonder Woman! Oh, what should I do?" Harley mused.
"You could surrender young lady,' Hippolyta offered. Harley smiled at this.
"You're still kind of new at this, aren't you, honey?" she said to Hippolyta. "That was more of a sarcastic rhetorical question."
"Harley, this is only going to end one of two ways, Dinah said. "You're caught and it can be the hard way or the easy way, your choice."
"I don't think so,' Harley said with a giggle.
"Ivy's in jail, Harley and the Joker is dead,' Dinah replied. "It's just you against us. Give it up."
"You shouldn't have mentioned Mr. J,' Harley said. The smile was gone from her face. "I don't like it when people talk about Mr. J Canary. It makes me want to do, I don't know, crazy things, you know?"
"You're alone, Harley, give it up,' Dinah repeated.
"Yeah, about that,' Harley replied. "Meet my new partner. Exit stage left!"
As Harley dove to the ground an energy beam came firing from the interior of the bank. Hippolyta launched herself between it and Dinah but the force of it sent them both flying. They landed hard and as they got back to their feet they heard Harley's insane laugh.
"They say diamonds are a girl's best friend, but I'm really starting to like sapphires!"
As if on cue, Star Sapphire appeared at the opening of the bank.
"Sorry I'm late, there was something special in the vault I just had to have,' she said with a smile.
Themyscira
Diana and Artemis were still on the balcony looking over the city. It was late and a calm, quiet hung over everything. They had discussed many things so far, but not the most personal of matters between them. It was Diana that finally broached the subject.
"So have your feelings about what happened on the beach changed?"
"Yes,' Artemis admitted. "And no."
"You're going to need to explain that,' Diana replied.
Artemis nodded and gave her a fleeting glance.
"What happened between us, whether it was the wine or something else, it still happened,' Artemis began. "I can't deny the emotions I felt."
"But?'
"But this is all new to me, so I find myself wondering what it means,' Artemis offered.
"It's new to me, too, Artemis,' Diana stated. "With all that has been going on, I still find myself thinking about that night with you."
"And?"
"I'm not sure either,' Diana admitted.
"I guess this wasn't the best time for it to happen,' Artemis said, a note of sadness in her voice.
"No, don't say that,' Diana quickly replied. She moved over and tilted Artemis' chin up so they were looking into each other's eyes. "As I said, I'm new at this too, but it always seemed to me that there is never a wrong time for being with someone special."
Artemis smiled.
"So you think I'm special, do you?' She playfully asked.
"Yes."
"Thank you. You're kind of special too." Artemis replied. "You know for a Queen and all."
"You just had to get a dig in, didn't you?' Diana said with a scowl.
"I'm sorry, it just came out,' Artemis admitted. "It wasn't what I meant to say."
"What did you mean to say?' Diana asked.
"I meant to ask you a question."
"What?"
Artemis moved in to claim Diana's lips. Diana was surprised but didn't pull away. The kiss lingered for a few moments and then Artemis stepped back.
"Without the wine, do you still think I'm a good kisser?"
New York
Hippolyta was battered and bloody. Both she and Dinah were in a fight for their lives. As Sapphire pounded them into the pavement again, Hippolyta heard Dinah finally manage to call for back up. She just prayed it arrived soon. The pressure of Sapphires projections eased for a moment and as Hippolyta got to her knees she heard Dinah's scream tear through the atmosphere. Harley grabbed her ears in pain, but Sapphire managed to deflect enough of the sonic blast. She counterattacked, cutting off Dinah's air and lifting her from the ground.
"I think we've had quite enough of that,' Sapphire said to Dinah.
"Snap her neck and she won't be singing anything anymore,' Harley shouted. There was an evil, sinister grin on her pale face, as Sapphire began to squeeze the noose she had around Dinah's neck. Hippolyta knew she had to act fast or her teammate's life would end. Putting all she had into it, Hippolyta launched her sword at Sapphire. Unfortunately, Harley saw this and shouted a warning.
"Incoming! 7:40 Sapphire!"
"What?'
"Sword!"
Dropping Dinah, Sapphire raised her shields but not before the sword sliced through her arm. She screamed in pain and then turned all her focus on Hippolyta.
"You should have stayed on your island,' she angrily hissed. Suddenly bolts of energy shot out in all directions, all aimed at Hippolyta. She dodged and blocked as many as she could, but some got through. Again and again she was knocked down until she didn't think she would ever get up again. Star Sapphire created a large vise that wrapped around Hippolyta and lifted her into the air.
"I wonder if they'll send another one when you're gone?' Sapphire mused.
"Elevator going DOWN!" Harley shouted with glee, as Sapphire drove Hippolyta into the pavement. She didn't stop with just once and continued her assault, slamming her over and over.
Hippolyta did her best to break the hold, but with each collision she felt her strength slipping. Struggling to remain conscious, she vowed to fight to the end, but the situation was growing worse by the moment. She could hear Harley's insane laugh even as she was smashed against the pavement again. It seemed to be mocking her, almost as if it represented her struggle against Fate. The sudden realization that this might be the moment when the omen came true rushed through Hippolyta. A sacrifice had been demanded and now seemed like the moment it was going to be collected. Images and thoughts flashed through her mind, Diana, Donna, her Amazons, yet one overwhelming thought seemed to drown them all in its intensity. Hippolyta didn't want to die.
She had thought she understood what she was getting into when she chose this path, but now that the moment seemed upon her she realized how ill prepared she really was. Something so basic, so subatomic welled up inside of her, an all-consuming desire to live. In that moment she wasn't a hero or a Queen or even an Amazon warrior, but just another human being desperate not to die. It was a shattering moment for her. Panic took over and she thrashed and fought with every ounce of life she had, yet it seemed to no avail. The world started to grow dark and it was like some distant memory replaying in Hippolyta's mind. She had done this before. It was the moment of her death.
Then the hold dissipated. Dinah had managed to unleash another scream and Sapphire was forced to switch her focus. Harley moved in from behind the dazed songbird and swung her mallet with all her might. It made a sickening contact with Dinah's head. Her scream was cut off as she slumped to the ground.
"Back, back, back, gone!" Harley gleefully shouted.
Sapphire floated closer to Hippolyta and smiled at her.
"Now would be the time to say your last prayers to whatever Gods you worship."
Hippolyta tried to rise, to use her shield as a weapon, but Sapphire was too strong. The shield was knocked uselessly away and Sapphire moved in for the kill. Hippolyta had managed to get to her feet and would face her death as a warrior. Her mind tried to think of some strategy; some tactic to change the outcome, but none came. As she watched Sapphire cruelly smile at her, Hippolyta knew this was the moment of her death.
Again death was cheated, as a powerful beam of energy came lancing down from the heavens. Sapphire tried to put up her shields, but they crumbled against the power of the beam. She was blasted back into the bank wall and through it.
"By the Power of Grayskull, what the hell?" Harley shouted in surprise. She glanced up to see Mary Marvel floating above. "Who the hell are you?"
"I'm Mar-I'm Marvel Woman and this ends now!" Mary replied.
"I thought you were changing your name to Captain Marvel, oh, wait that's the other guys,' Harley countered. "Well, whoever you are, butt out, this is a private fight!"
Mary landed in front of Harley.
"It's over."
Harley smiled sweetly at Mary and slowly moved towards her. At the last minute she raised a gun and pointed it at Mary's face.
"Bang. You're dead."
Mary flinched, but before the bullet could reach her a golden shield went up all around her. The bullet harmlessly bounced off, as did the rest of them as Harley emptied the gun.
"Ruh-roh, Raggy!" Harley nervously said. "So should we call it a draw? Ahahahaha?'
Mary punched her, knocking Harley out. She turned and looked at Dinah and Hippolyta.
"Still worried about me being in the League?" Mary asked.