As Alindra surveyed the ground below her, she continued to pick off the flying troopers with her bow. The Amazons ran into the capital, seemingly as fast as thoroughbreds. As they found targets, they splint ranks and the units began assaulting the troopers in the city. Wielding spears and swords, the Amazons cut through their enemies with a ferocity that the troopers had never seen before, and were ill-prepared to deal with. Several troopers that had been grounded opened fire on the charging women, but were shocked when the shields that the women carried, easily deflected the bullets. The Amazons swarmed like ants, quickly covering and dispatching all who stood in their way.

The specially trained Amazon archers led the way, cutting down those that hovered above them. And those that survived the fall from the sky were met with the insurmountable task of defending themselves against the utter ruthlessness that the women on the ground were unleashing as they surged forward. War cries were heard throughout the city, and the remnants of Helios' men that hadn't retreated were terrified by the enemy they were now facing. The troopers seemed confused, and were breaking ranks trying desperately to flee the city. It was becoming a route, and the Amazons fed on the enemy's fear. The troopers gave no thought to their comrades they were leaving in the palace. No one could have anticipated the aggressiveness that the Amazons commanded on their wills and their weapons. Hippolyta's forces were very disciplined, and their movements were deadly precise.

As the Amazons continued to press forward towards the palace, it became obvious that Helios' men, leaderless, were outmatched, and their already shaky morale plummeted. Various Amazons were seen snapping necks, driving swords through the thin armor that the troopers wore, and arrows cut through various body parts of anyone who stood in their way. What stopped bullets could not stop these mystical weapons, leaving them defenseless. From the sky, Alindra continued her assault on the few remaining flying troopers. At a small distance she saw two troopers firing their rockets at a group of her sisters, and watched in horror as the explosion claimed the lives of the women that had been targeted. She immediately drew back on her bow and launched an arrow at the back of one of the flyers. The arrow hit with deadly accuracy, slicing through the jet pack on his back. Quickly his partner turned and launched a rocket straight at the blonde general. Alindra reacted by dropping her bow and waited as the rocket barreled down on her position. At the last possible second she swerved slightly to the side and plucked the rocket out of the air. When it didn't explode, Alindra gave a quick thanks to the Gods, and then turned her attention back to the man who had fired upon her. She carefully turned the rocket around in her right hand and launched it back at him with all her might. His eyes went wide as he was struck mid-air and his body was blown to bits, raining down obliterated body parts onto the street below him. Alindra howled in triumph and descended to the ground to retrieve the weapon she had dropped moments before.

As she ascended back into the sky, she saw Diana and Shayera converging on her position.

"ALINDRA!" Shayera yelled.

Alindra flew to meet them quickly, still searching her surroundings for potential targets.

"Holy shit! You just caught a rocket mid-air!" Shayera puffed. "Did you know you could do that?"

"No." Alindra smirked. "Call it a quick experiment."

Diana nodded in relief, but then became serious. "Alindra, split the Amazons up. Send half of the forces to the palace directly, but stay out here with the remaining women. Shayera, take the group to the palace and go floor by floor to take it back. Be careful, as there are innocent people in there fighting back. I am going to start at the top of the palace and work my way down to meet you somewhere in the middle. Hopefully, we can take the city and palace quickly." Shayera and Alindra nodded and descended to gather their rank and file, as Diana sped back to the palace to clear out any remaining troopers, and to hopefully find Illiana.

Once on the ground, Shayera turned to Alindra. "Tell the Amazons that aren't archers to get close to the troopers still firing rockets. Get within 15 feet if possible. They won't arm the warheads in that close of proximity without risking blowing themselves to smithereens as well. It will give those carrying spears a better shot at taking down those men."

Alindra shouted the command, and the Amazons surrounding them immediately complied. With the distance severely cut down between them and the fliers, they met with success. Shayera rallied her officers to her and issued an order, "Amazons, it is time to see how deadly you are in close quarter combat. We are taking that palace, and anyone that stands in your way should be shown why you are not to be trifled with. FOR OUR QUEEN! Make the screams of our enemies heard by her in Themiscyra!"

Shayera's command raised their weapons in the air and screamed loudly. And as one, the women ran with all speed once again, and stormed into the palace grounds. As the warrior women gained access to the building they once again split into their units, and went door to door, hallway to hallway, looking for anyone to oppose them. The troopers they encountered were cut down without any mercy. And as they moved stealthily through the corridors, they left a trail of blood and carnage behind them. Floor by floor they moved, with Shayera leading the way, now grimly bearing her mace in her hand.

"Do you hear that Alexander?" Illiana asked.

"I do ma'am. Those are the Amazons aren't they?"

Illiana grinned widely, "Yes, that is the help we have been waiting on. We are running very low on ammunition so make every shot count."

But Alexander never heard her finish the sentence. A trooper burst through the door and riddled his body with bullets. As he turned his weapon on Illiana, a pair of strong hands grabbed his head, and snapped his neck around with a loud 'crack'. He crumbled lifelessly to the floor. Behind him stood a golden armored Princess Diana, a look of rage on her face, and her eyes black with pure hate for the invader.

Illiana leaned over and touched Alexander's face. "I'm sorry. Find peace wherever you are." She closed his eyes and laid him gently on the ground. She turned her attention to the Amazon at the door. "Are you Diana? Is the Queen safe?"

"I am, and she is. As is her son. I have not found her husband yet. Are you able to stand and fight?"

Illiana nodded, and stood, walking quickly to Diana's side. "I am Illiana Stilenko. I am the head of the Intelligence Department of Kasnia. I have not seen General Leonid in some time since this started."

"Come with me. I was told to try and find you. The Queen was not sure who was in charge here, with the regiment not being in full force. For the time being, since you are recognizable to the Kasnian military and citizens, you are now in charge of them. Let's go."

Illiana bent over the trooper Diana had killed, and took a weapon off him. She checked the magazine, and finding it full, clicked it back into the well, and racked the slide chambering a round in preparation to fire. "I'm ready."

Diana turned and Illiana followed the Amazon back into the hall. They managed to get down two more floors without issue, but Illiana stopped suddenly when they encountered a man on the floor.

"DMITRI!"

The general was on his back, with his head turned to the side. His face was pale, and his chest did not seem to be rising. Illiana ran to the fallen general's side, and quickly checked his pulse. "He's still alive! His pulse is weak though, and he has lost a lot of blood. This is the queen's husband! We have to help him."

"We cannot afford to stop here. We need to meet up with the Amazons and Shayera to make sure the palace is secured. We can send medical attention to him once we know that there is no one left that will be firing on us."

Illiana shook her head in defiance. "No. I will not leave him here to die."

Diana's tone softened, "The only thing we can do for him is clear the palace. That will allow medics to get in here and tend to the wounded. He will be given priority. But we cannot get him help unless we finish what we have started."

Illiana looked down at Dmitri, desperately clinging to life, and once again, she shook her head in dissent. "I can't leave him. I won't leave him. Go without me. I will stay and protect him."

Diana was about to object when two troopers rounded the corner and began firing on the blonde and the general. Diana quickly moved in front of them and deflected the bullets with her bracelets. Illiana draped her body over Dmitri's to try and shield him from the barrage. No bullet got past Diana though, and once they ran out of ammunition, Diana dropped her hands to her sides and unbridled fury coarsed through her veins. She kicked off her feet flying directly at the two men. Within seconds she had grabbed each man by the throat in her hands and continued her course of flight, dragging them in each hand. She stopped at the wall as their heads cracked on the stone barrier. She slammed them backwards a second time, and then let them slump lifeless to the floor.

Diana turned, and Illiana looked up to the Amazon that had just saved her life again. Diana spoke, a hard edge to her voice, "You are not safe here. But if you are bound and determined to stay, I will find Shayera and get medical attention up here quickly."

"Thank you. I will stay."

Diana continued on her way through the hallway, as Illiana held Dmitri's hand. "I love you, please, just hold on a little longer. Please Dmitri, do that for me."

From a distance, Athena watched as the Amazons took the city, cutting down the invaders. The losses were minimal for the women, and Athena quietly praised the resolve of the Amazon nation. Within moments, Aphrodite materialized behind her. Slowly, the Goddess of Love reached out her hand and placed it on Athena's shoulder. She gave a gentle squeeze, and then spoke. "The Amazons wielded your weaponry with much skill. They are victorious in the palace as well."

Quietly Athena answered her sister, "I know."

"And Alindra is alive."

"She is."

"Yet, you stand here in quiet contemplation. What is on your mind?"

Athena reached up and placed one of her hands over Aphrodite's. "We are forbidden to interfere, but it is becoming more difficult."

"Why?"

"Look around at the destruction in this city. Alindra's sisters were victorious at a very low cost, but there is something more at work here."

Aphrodite closed her eyes, and sighed. "I know. I got that feeling too."

"I don't like feeling helpless."

"We can't do anything yet. This has to unfold naturally. The Amazons are armed, and have won the day. We must wait and see what happens."

"I may not be able to do that."

Aphrodite closed the small distance, and enveloped her sister into a hug. Her warmth spread over the Goddess of Wisdom's body. Her love radiated everywhere, and Athena melted into the embrace.

Athena smiled slightly, "You are cheating Aphrodite."

The Goddess of Love laughed. "I know. Just trying to calm you down a bit. It's working isn't it?"

"It is. But, you and I both know that it won't work if my suspicions are correct."

"I know. In the meantime, let's talk about what we can do."

Athena drew herself away from her sister and looked at the other goddess' face. "Love is complicating this situation. It is becoming a bit of a distraction for some of them."

"I have no hand in that. They do that on their own. Silly humans…but I understand what you mean. Want me to fix it?"

"How?"

"Well, you armed the Amazons, and gave Alindra gifts as your chosen champion. Why can't I do the same?"

Athena cocked an eyebrow, "You are going to gift Alindra?"

Aphrodite chuckled, "No, no, no. I wouldn't dream of going anywhere near your beloved. I have something else in mind though. I was thinking that if Hera has Diana, and you have Alindra, then I should have a champion too."

"Who?"

"There is an Amazon who is worthy. I will choose her."

Athena stood in silence and then nodded. "I agree. When will you do it?"

"I will leave you soon and take care of it."

"She is a bit rough around the edges."

"And for that reason I will choose her. Love can redeem all."

Athena nodded and then spoke. "Thank you sister. This course of action is most…wise of you."

Aphrodite grinned, "You just said I was smart!"

Athena laughed hard. "I did. Despite your prevalence towards frivolities, you are very intelligent."

"I am leaving now on a high note, lest you decide to take it back. I will Athena, however, never let you forget this day. Stay out of this directly for now, and when I get back, we will talk more about what we can do."

And with the utterance, the Goddess of Love disappeared. Athena chuckled and then felt her mood become somber. She closed her eyes and concentrated on Alindra. Somewhere in the city, Alindra felt her bracelets warm, and when she looked down at her wrists the metal encircling her glowed quickly. She placed her hand over her heart, and acknowledged the small sentiment that had been sent to her. "I love you too…" she whispered, confident that Athena would hear her.

A/N:As fast as I can type them, and as fast as my co-author approves, I will post new chapters. Hence the reason you are getting this one so quickly on the heels of the last. Once again, thanks for the reviews. I am seeing the story favorited, and alerted, so please, if you are doing this, leave us a quick note to know how we are doing. A lot of you mentioned that you thought Diana was naive with regards to Audrey. I don't know anyone who would think that their ex was still in love with them 3 years later having not seen or spoken to them in that time. Maybe we can cut Diana some slack on this? For anonymous: Audrey pissed you off kissing Diana? No slack here for her given that she was very close to death? And you weren't the only one who mentioned the lodge. I think if you look at how Shayera questioned Diana about why one of them wasn't staying with the Queen, then we have a decent idea that Shayera knows something. Let me know what you thought about the Amazons, Alindra, and ESPECIALLY what you thought of the conversation between Athena and Aphrodite. Where do you see that going? *wink* It has already been written, but I am curious nonetheless.