Hall of the Mountain King
The Watchtower
A controlled chaos reigned when the heroes finally got back to the station. The disappearance of Superman and Hippolyta had shocked them all, but there was a battle to be won. It was long and hard, but finally they prevailed. Now it was time to assess the damage and there was plenty of it. Bruised and battered both physically and emotionally the group returned. Those in need of immediate medical attention were rushed to the medical bay. This gave everyone else a moment to reflect and take stock.
Dinah did her part and was the leader she'd always been, but once the initial crisis was over her thoughts turned to her own loss. Quietly she excused herself from the others and went to be alone with her thoughts. The full impact of what had just happened was just sinking in and it was a bit overwhelming.
Dinah sat stunned on one of the beds trying to come to terms with what had just transpired. Her thoughts seemed to be all over the place, from omens to dreams to what this meant for the future. She also thought about Clark, but that only added to her uncertainty. Of the original members, only three active members were on the station, Jonn, Shayera and Wally. As members moved with practice precision, they came to see her. She was the Chairwoman of the Justice League and that meant she needed to help find some answers.
"How are you doing?' Wally asked, giving her a smile that she sorely needed.
'Physically okay,' she replied, returning his smile with one of her own.
"We should go over any records and broadcasts of the struggle, but even being there I'm at a loss for what happened to Hippolyta and Superman,' Jonn said.
"That blast from Mary and your scream did something,' Shayera said. "Do you know what?"
All three looked at her.
"I-I don't really know,' Dinah admitted. "My scream was to disrupt the blast coming from Mary, but I never expected that."
"It looked like some sort of portal,' Wally offered. "They were both sucked into it. What do we do now is the question?"
"We should probably contact Batman,' Jonn offered. "I think we should also have a word with Mary."
"Won't he already know?" Wally asked. "He seems to know everything."
"He should still hear it from us,' Jonn replied.
"Yeah, you're probably right. What about Diana?" Wally asked. "It was her mother after all."
"I have already contacted the Themysciran Embassy and they are sending her advisers,' Jonn explained. "I find myself at a loss for what to say, but if one of you wishes, I'm sure Diana would appreciate it."
"I feel like we should say something to her, but what is there to say?' Shayera added.
They looked at each other for a moment wondering what words they could offer that would really make a difference right now.
"I tried,' Wally said. "I think Diana just wants to be alone for a little bit."
Dinah knew it was time to make some decisions. She had been elected Chairwoman, so it fell to her to offer a plan.
"I think we should wait for the Themysciran advisers and give Diana a little time,' she said. "What we need to do is get out in front of this. Everyone is in shock, but we can't let our guard down. That demon attack had to be related to what happened to Clark and Hippolyta."
"Why do you say that?' Jonn asked. "I'm not saying you're wrong, but we don't have any evidence that they are related. For all we know the strain of battle just overloaded Mary and the energy just burst out of her."
"A coincidence? That seems a little too convenient,' Wally said.
"A + B doesn't always lead to C,' Jonn replied.
"I think it does in this case,' Dinah offered. "Something more is going on here. Outside forces had a hand in this already and I think there are some things we don't know about."
"What do you mean?" Shayera asked.
"I can't go into all the details yet, but one of Diana's Gods contacted me. It was in a dream and I know how that sounds, but it was as real as the four of us standing here,' Dinah explained. "She seemed to know this was going to happen and warned me. That's why I used my sonic scream when I did."
"If that's true, it suggests you're right to think there is more than meets the eye,' Jonn replied.
"Someone should talk to Mary,' Wally suggested.
"But who?" Shayera asked. "She hasn't really been open to that from most of us."
"Yes, she resisted the last time I tried,' Jonn added.
"I'll do it,' Wally said.
"You?' Shayera said in surprise.
"Maybe a friendly face might make a difference,' Wally replied. "I won't scare her like some of you do."
"What do you mean, scare her?" Shayera demanded. "Are you saying I'm scary?"
Wally took a step back and gulped.
"Um, yeah, like right out, definitely."
"Give it a try, Wally,' Dinah said before Shayera could reply. He disappeared in the next moment. Shayera and Jonn turned to look at Dinah. "I think we need to make sure we're ready just in case someone tries to take advantage of this situation. News of Superman disappearing is going to spread fast."
"Yes, the news may make some think they see an opening,' Jonn said in agreement.
"We should get to control and met with some of the other members,' Shayera suggested.
"I'll be up in a few minutes,' Dinah replied.
With a plan of action in place everyone began to move to his or her assignments. Dinah stopped Shayera before she left.
"You're not pissed at Wally are you?" She asked.
Shayera looked at the door as it closed behind Jonn and then turned to Dinah with a smile.
"No,' she said. "It's kind of a compliment to know I scare people, especially Wally. Just don't tell him I said that."
"Right."
"Maybe I'll see if I can get him to jump with a stern look on the way to command,' Shayera offered jokingly.
"Don't scare him too much,' Dinah replied.
"What do you consider too much?"
London – 1943
Hippolyta moved down the narrow underground tunnels as the rockets landed overhead. The randomness of them terrified the civilian population worse than the symmetric bombing from earlier in the war. With each hit, dust shook loose and seemed to constantly swirl around in the air. She paid it no mind, as she continued walking. Her time jumps always seemed to occupy her mind these days. A second and then a third only compounded the initial shock of it. Hippolyta had just been sorting things out the first time and had spent only a week in 1941 when the second jump occurred. Her second period lasted a month before she was thrown forward to this time. One of her new allies theorized that given the data available she would remain longer in each period until she finally returned to her own time. This alleviated some of her concerns, but not all of them.
The largest problem was the simplest she wasn't dead. Everything she'd done up to this point was with only one goal in mind, saving her daughter's life by taking her place. The moment she'd seen in her dreams had come true, yet she was still alive. Hippolyta had never considered anything beyond that moment and now found she had a second chance. Something had changed her fate, what and why she had no idea. This left her with the surprising question of what to do now?
Her options were limited. As her new friend Alan Scott pointed out to her during her second jump, there was the whole matter of the time line. Her appearance had already changed it, but if she wanted to return to something like her own present she needed to do as little damage as possible. This meant no contact with the Amazons. They were still in seclusion and the rest of the world knew nothing of them. It was her daughter, Diana's roll to announce them to the world, but that was years away.
It was Alan Scott's suggestion that to help play down her roll, they announce that Wonder Woman was officially just the secretary of the Justice Society, instead of one of it's most powerful members. At first she protested against this, wanting to be treated like an equal, but after some consideration Hippolyta knew this was a fight for another time and place. The seeds of equality for women were being planted during this Great War as women went off to factories and became the chief earners of their households. It would be a struggle in the coming years, but as that irritating young man Wildcat put it, 'how you going to keep them down on the farm after they've seen Paree!" It was a stupid song from a previous war, but Hippolyta saw the point. If the modern women were ever going to be treated as equals it had to start here. Not with some superhero, but with plain ordinary everyday heroes.
The struggle would teach women that if they wanted to be treated as equals they had to fight for it, it wouldn't be given. It would make them vigilant in the future whenever someone else tried to turn back progress and strip them of those rights they fought for. There would always be those that try to turn back the hands of the clock with words like tradition and family and values, but this is a smoke screen. What they really are about is fear. They fear change. They tend to hearken back to a mythical time in their imagination when things were simpler. In the modern age it's usually the fifties, where the wife stayed home and raised the kids, Lucy was on TV and there were two cars in the garage. This had always been a fantasy, but it is a powerful fantasy for many, especially white men.
As times change and the faces around them change too, from the gender to the color of skin, they start to believe in this fantasy of a 'Golden Age' where everything was perfect. They casually skip over the parts that don't fit into the fantasy. In the modern times this fantasy has resurfaced again. The progress of the last forty years needs to be rolled back. Individuals can't be trusted to make their own decisions the implied argument goes. They are too stupid to know what's best for them in matters of health and safety and it is only those wise enough elected officials that should have the power to decide. We really know what's best for you is their basic message.
With no place else to go and more jumps in time in her future, Hippolyta decided she would do what she could with the time she had. The World War raging seemed about as clear-cut as things could be. It was a battle between light and darkness. She knew those forces wouldn't end with this war, but she was in this time and to do nothing seemed unfathomable. She would fight along side the Justice Society in what time she had. She might not be there for the finale, but she would do what she could.
The latest meeting of the Society had just ended and she was heading back to her underground room to get some sleep before they made their next assault on the forces of the Axis. Hippolyta could hear the bombs dropping above her, but she paid them no mind. As she rounded the corner to her room, she saw young Wildcat standing in the hallway. He seemed to be waiting for her.
"Wildcat," she said. He seemed to straighten up at hearing her voice.
"Wonder Woman."
"I take it you wanted to talk to me about something?' Hippolyta replied.
"Yes, but it's really more of a question."
"All right."
"Why?" He asked
"What do you mean?"
Wildcat seemed to fidget for a moment as he tried to frame his words just right.
"Why are you doing this?" He asked. "This isn't your time and you'll probably be bouncing out of here sooner or later when that portal opens, so why are you in this fight?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" She replied.
"Because anything you do now, will end as soon as she disappear,' he said. "I've heard what the others theorize and have seen it myself. You have no stake in this fight and will be long gone before it ends, so why fight?"
Hippolyta weighted her answer.
"Yes, all that you say is true, but I'm here, now,' she flatly said.
"So?"
"Whether I'm here for the end or not, doesn't matter,' she explained. "I fight for one simple reason; it's the right thing to do. Legacies will be decided by others, they always are. No matter when the time or situation, there is only really now and my choice doesn't depended on either of those. I fight because I'm here and I can. Life is only this moment and I chose to participate in it. When I'm dead none of this or anything else will matter. Death means life stops and no matter what your beliefs once life stops there can never be any more changes. Only life offers you that chance. As bleak as things may seem in the moment as long as you have life there is the possibility of change. With that possibility comes hope and that's worth fighting for."
She gave him a rare smile and moved passed him to her room. She was just opening her door when he spoke.
"Wow, maybe you really are as old as you say."
"Did you doubt me?" She asked.
"Yeah,' he admitted. "You have to admit, your whole story is a little far-fetched. It's almost like something out of a science fiction story, like putting a man on the moon."
Hippolyta smiled to herself.
"Yes, imagine that,' she finally replied. "Good night, Wildcat."
"Good night, Wonder Woman."
The Watchtower
Artemis arrived with General Phillipus and immediately went to Diana. The General knew a little about what was going on between the two so she discreetly held back. She was standing in the hallway outside Diana's room when Dinah found her.
"General, is everything all right?" She asked.
"You mean besides Hippolyta's death?"
This caught Dinah up short.
"Of course, I'm sorry,' she offered.
"No, I apologize,' Phillipus replied. "I should not have let my emotions get the best of me and snapped at you."
Dinah nodded and stood there for an uncomfortable minute. There was something she wanted to discuss with Phillipus but she didn't know if she was violating a trust or not.
"General, Hippolyta, do you know her well?" Dinah ventured.
"Yes, she was my sister for all these years. My Queen and my friend,' Phillipus replied.
"Um, did-did she mention why she did all this?"
Phillipus had been watching Diana's door but now turned and looked hard at Dinah.
"Why do you ask?'
Dinah decided to lay her cards on the table, so to speak.
"I know this will sound crazy, but I had a dream where Aphrodite came to me,' she said. "I know, crazy, right?"
"You do remember I'm an Amazon, correct?" Phillipus replied. "I have met the Goddess personally."
"Right, right,' Dinah said, feeling like an idiot. "She is really gorgeous, isn't she?"
The look Phillipus gave her told Dinah this was an asinine comment as well.
"Why did the Goddess come to you, Black Canary?"
"She came to warn me, about this,' Dinah explained. "She said someone had interfered with the Fate of her Champion and she needed me to help set things right."
Phillipus suddenly grabbed Dinah be the shoulders and looked at her intensely.
"Those were her exact words?"
"Yes, and then she spoke to me just before the burst of energy hit Hippolyta,' Dinah replied.
"Someone interfering with her Champion.' Phillipus repeated. She released Dinah and seemed to contemplate this new information. "Outside forces. That would explain the Oracle's death. This was all a plot to get Hippolyta away from the island."
"There's one other thing, General,' Dinah said. "I can't be sure, but I don't think Hippolyta is dead."
"What? Why do you say this?"
"I don't have any proof, but I don't think things went down the way they were supposed to,' Dinah explained. "From what Superman told me of Hippolyta's visions, she should have been the only one hit by the blast. Also she never mentioned anything about a portal."
"That's true,' Phillipus said, considering it. She looked at Dinah. "He told you this?"
"In strictest of confidence,' Dinah replied. "Hippolyta didn't want Diana to know, but now that this has happened I feel like she has a right to know."
"Yes, she is devastated at the moment. Artemis is in with her,' Phillipus stated. "If what you say is true, it would explain so many things. It was as she said all along; she gave up the crown and took up the mantel of champion to save her daughter. I pray she is alive, as I doubted her."
"You doubted her, why?" Dinah asked. "I mean omens and that sort of thing are ingrained in your culture, aren't they?"
"Yes,' Phillipus admitted. "But her affair with Superman gave me pause."
"It wasn't really an affair, it was just once,' Dinah countered.
"No, the Embassy reported she didn't spend last night there,' Phillipus replied. "A simple check showed she was in Metropolis. I believe that is Superman's home city, is it not?"
"Yes." Dinah's mouth suddenly got very dry. All her doubts and worries had just been confirmed. Her gut instinct had been telling her all along that there was more to Clark and Hippolyta and now she had enough proof to know it was true.
"I pray Hippolyta is alive or I'll never forgive myself,' Phillipus quietly said, not noticing the change in Dinah.
"Why wouldn't you forgive yourself?"
"I had my doubts,' Phillipus admitted. "I wondered if these omens were false and this was just a way for her to be with her lover. I should have trusted her at her word. Faced with death, I cannot blame her for seeking comfort in the arms of another. I can't say I wouldn't do the same."
Dinah didn't reply her mind was on Clark. He had told her again and again that there was nothing going on between Hippolyta and him except friendship, but now she knew it was all a lie. She didn't know what do think anymore.
Diana's room
Artemis stood in the doorway as it slid closed. It was dark, but she could make out Diana's silhouette on the bed. Comforting someone was no her strong suit, but this was the woman she cared about. She had just lost one of the most important people in her life and Artemis just wanted to be there for her.
"I'm sorry, Diana," she softly said.
"Thank you."
It was too calm, absent of all emotion. Artemis felt the chill from across the room. Undeterred she walked over and sat down next to Diana. She lightly ran her hand down Diana's back, but it was like stroking concrete. Artemis could see Diana was holding all her emotions in.
"You know I don't have the words, I too grieve for your loss."
"Thank you."
Diana's face was turned away and in shadows.
"Diana, there is no shame in feeling upset over all of this,' Artemis offered. "She was not just the Queen, but also your mother. Tears do not make you less of a warrior. It's okay to grieve."
If it was possible, Diana sat even more rigid.
"You think I don't grieve?" She didn't look at Artemis. "You don't think my heart is broke beyond repair? You don't know me at all."
"I think I know you well enough, but you've cut yourself off,' Artemis replied. "You're bottling all your emotions up and it's not good."
Diana turned finally and looked at Artemis. There was a cold, surprisingly angry look in her eye.
"I will grieve in my own way,' Diana softly said. "Right now I'm angry, more than I can almost contain."
"Why?"
Diana seemed to hesitate, which spurred Artemis on.
"You're not alone, Diana, I'm not going anywhere."
She gave her a hug as if to show her she was committed to remaining by her side. Diana's body slowly seemed to relax, as if all the air had been let out of it. A single tear finally rolled down her cheek.
"Diana?" Artemis whispered.
"I don't know how to react to this." It was an admission and Artemis doubted she'd ever heard Diana sound so vulnerable.
"That's nothing to be ashamed off, no one knows how to react to something like this,' she offered.
"No, you don't understand,' Diana said with a shake of her head. "I don't know how to react to this, because it's never happened before. I've never lost anyone close to me. I don't know what to do with all these emotions. I watched in horror as my mother disappeared. I wanted to vent all my rage at the culprit, yet it was Mary Marvel. I know she didn't do this deliberately. I tried to push it all aside and fight, yet now that the battle is over, it is overwhelming me. My mother is gone."
As if finally saying the words released the last of Diana's control. Artemis pulled her into her arms and she wept like never before.
Tokyo
The hotel room looked out over the city. It was dark and Selina stood watching as Bruce spoke on the phone. He'd been quiet since their return, but she knew this was eating away at him. He wanted so hard to reach Masami and for a moment it seemed he had, yet then it was torn away. Selina knew Bruce took loses hard, especially personal ones. Somewhere along the line this had become personal to him, too personal in her opinion.
"All right, Jonn, keep me informed,' Bruce said into the phone. He seemed to listen for a moment. "No, I won't be back right away, but I'll get there as soon as I can. Right, keep me updated. Good bye."
He hung up and moved over to look out at the city. Selina silently came up behind him.
"What is it?"
"There's been some trouble,' he replied. "I guess it's all over the news. During a battle, Superman and the new Wonder Woman disappeared."
"Disappeared? Where?"
"They don't know,' he said, not turning to look at her.
"You're not going back?" She asked.
"I … I can't. Not yet, Selina."
"Bruce, you gave it your best try tonight. She doesn't want to be saved."
"I can't let this go,' he admitted to her. "I can't walk away from this."
"So you're staying till the end?"
"I have to."
There was a silence between them and the sounds of the city drifted in through the open window.
"All right, but I'm staying too,' Selina replied.
"You don't have to do that,' he suggested.
"Yes I do." She cut him off as he started to object. "When this is over, I want to make sure you can get back from wherever you have to go to stop her."
He turned and pulled her into his arms, placing a kiss gently on her lips.
"Thank you."
Fawcett City
It was very late when Mary finally was allowed to transport home. She was still a bit shell-shocked over what had happened. She thought she'd killed Hippolyta and Superman, but the others told her they believed that wasn't the case. Where exactly they were, no one was sure. It was small comfort for Mary, as she realized she'd been used again. The more things change, the more they stay the same. She might look and feel like an adult, but she wasn't feeling very grown up at the moment.
When she came to on the station, the shattering news had been given to her. She cried for almost an hour. She waited for the questions to start, expecting them to interrogate her like before. Her defenses were up, but then Wally walked into the room. Mary still wasn't quite sure how the young speedster had done it, but he'd managed to slip inside her defenses and get her to open up to him. Before Mary even realized it she was crying and pouring out everything that had happened to her. Perhaps it was that he was closer to her age or just that he genuinely seemed to care what was happening to her, but Mary trusted Wally. She told him of the voices and the Golden Lady again. He listened and seemed to believe what she was saying. Somehow he'd even convinced her to let Jonn scan her memories for some clues as to who the two voices were.
It was just as she was finally leaving that she realized she'd been used again. She'd been vulnerable since the change and more than a little naïve. Once again others used that to manipulate her. It came slowly, but the rage began to build inside of her. She was an adult now, yet others still used her like she was a child. The voices had made her a weapon to kill Hippolyta and she'd innocently let them. It all made her desire to be treated like she looked pointless. If she wanted to be treated like an adult, Mary was going to have to start taking responsibility for her life and actions.
She suddenly realized she had always been passive in her life. Powers were given to her, not earned. While she'd always tried to do the right thing with those gifts, she felt it was time she starting earning them. Part of growing up was taking responsibility. It's what Billy never seemed to understand. Yes, as Captain Marvel he was certainly a hero, but at the same time he remained a child in every way that mattered. Peter Pan, never growing up, life was just one big adventure. Now though, without the powers of Shazam the process of time was finally starting to work on him. He didn't want to see it, but Mary did, just as she had seen it in herself. In actual years they were probably older than most of the other members of the Justice League, yet they had always been treated like teenagers. Billy was happy about that, but Mary had increasingly found it chafing.
Today had to be a turning point she told herself as she climbed the stairs to their apartment. She wasn't going to let anyone use her again. The anger inside of her threatened to boil over and only increased with each step. This time those that had used her wouldn't get off without being punished. They had used her, but she had been the weapon. It was her responsibility to see this through. As she opened the apartment door, the rage was swirling inside of her. The last thing she needed was an upset Billy meeting her at the door.
"What have you done, Mary?" He shouted at her. "I knew this was going to be trouble the moment you changed! It's just like Black Adam all over again!"
"No, it's not, Billy,' she said. Mary tried to move passed him, but Billy was too upset to let it go.
"You should have left this to the adults,' he chided her. "Maybe Shazam was right, you weren't cut out to be a hero."
That cut deep and Mary felt the bile rising in her throat.
"But you are?" She replied.
"Yes,' he immediately said. "When I'm Captain Marvel, I'm the World's Strongest Human! They gave me those powers for a reason, cause I'm true blue!"
"And I'm not, is that it?" Mary asked
"Well, gosh, I guess the results answer that question, don' t they?" Billy said.
Mary glared at him, but willed herself to hold her temper. She started walking towards her room, but Billy was right on her heels.
"If I were Shazam right now, none of this would have happened,' he said. "I would have just flown in and saved the day! Maybe they'd give me another key to the city! Can you just imagine?"
"I don't want to talk about this, Billy,' Mary replied, continuing on towards her bedroom.
"You look all grown up but you're not, Mary." Billy said. "Boy, I just wish I'd never asked Shazam to give you some powers, then all this wouldn't have happened. Maybe now he'll see that I'm ready and give them back to me! Boy that would be swell!"
Mary stopped and slowly turned around to face Billy. She knew he didn't mean it the way it sounded, but it hurt. After everything she'd been through all he really cared about was being Peter Pan again and going back to NeverNeverLand with his pals.
"What would you know about being an adult, Billy?" She accused him. "You're so terrified of growing up that no one even has the heart to tell you about the changes that are already happening to you."
"Shut up!" Billy shouted.
"You know it's happened don't you Billy?" Mary said, pressing her advantage. "As desperately as you don't want to admit it, you know deep down, don't you? You're growing up finally and it terrifies you."
Billy put his fingers in his ears.
"I'm not listening to you!" He shouted. "La-La-La, I can't hear you!"
A look of distain came over Mary's beautiful adult features.
"Oh, why don't you grow up?"
The words had barely left her mouth when a ripple of energy came from her fingertips and engulfed Billy. He screamed in horror and fell to the floor.
"Billy!" Mary shouted in shock. She could only stand and watch as the same process that struck her on the street overtook Billy. If anything it happened even faster. Mary stood with her mouth open not sure what to do. When it finally ended, she moved slowly towards him.
"Billy?"
"What have you done, Mary?' A now adult Billy Batson shouted. "Change me back!"
"I don't think there is any going back, Billy."
"NO!"
France – 1943
The battle against the Axis powers had gone in favor of the Justice Society. While Hippolyta wasn't nearly as strong as her daughter, she was a skilled warrior and a natural leader. Given the times some of the male heroes at first had some difficulty taking orders from a woman, but she proved herself time and again. Lantern was just about to transport them all back to London when Hippolyta felt the first signs of the time portal.
"Everyone, get back!" She shouted. The others didn't follow her order and rushed to try and help her. It was too late and she was suddenly pulled into the vortex. It was such a disturbing sensation, as if her body were being torn apart. One moment she wasn't sure which was up and which was down and then she was falling. She hit the ground hard and it took a few moments to get her breath back. Struggling to get up she glanced around expecting to see some signs of battle. It was just rolling hills that seemed to stretch out in every direction.
"Where am I?" she said aloud. "The war?"
"It's over, your side won,' a deep baritone voice said. She snapped around, ready for an attack, but not ready for what she saw. The God Zeus in mortal form stood smiling at her.
"Zeus!" She gasped and then dropped to her knees.
"Rise, Hippolyta,' Zeus said. "I haven't saved you to have you groveling at my feet."
She looked up in surprise.
"You-You saved me?"
The father of the Greek Gods gave her a warm smile.
"Yes."