It took very little time for Alindra to rejoin General Lebedev. The Kasnian raised an eyebrow at the Amazon's appearance. She looked like she had been roughed up a bit.

"Welcome back. Everything alright?"

"Sort of. Ares will not be an issue now, and apparently neither will the Ruritanians."

Lebedev was shocked, "The Ruritanians?"

"They have assembled a force to the north of our line. The plan was to crash into our backside as we pushed forward against the NKFR. As it is there is someone leading an army against them who is positioned between us and them."

"Who?"

"I have no idea. That isn't important right now. Athena, she…" Alindra faltered slightly. It was true that a simple touch from the goddess had renewed her energy, but it had done little to placate the sorrow she felt as she wondered what their future would be. "Athena dealt with Ares, and she and Aphrodite brought an ally to aide us. We can concentrate solely on pulling off the double envelopment."

"Are you sure you can do this?"

Alindra stiffened. "Positive. There will be time for emotions later. Right now I just want the NKFR to suffer. All of this is a direct result of their need to destroy and kill. I am beyond ready to return the favor."

"Excellent."

Diana and General Urbov watched the 3D imagery of their forces engaging the NKFR just outside of Govarostok. More and more small blips on the screen disappeared signaling losses on their side. Diana was beginning to pace, anxious to go out and join the fight.

"Patience Princess. The north line at Veles will be here momentarily. That will tip the scales more in our favor. And within the hour, the south line will be converging. Commander Helios will be trapped very soon."

The dark-haired Amazon barely managed to nod. She rubbed the back of her neck where she tended to carry all her stress. "I fear I am more suited to be out there than here with you."

"That is not true. You have done well to manage from behind the scenes. You are just as an important part of this here. Sometimes, we need to understand when to fight and when to lead those who fight for us."

"I am used to them being one in the same."

"Modern war doesn't work like a dog fight with a couple of villains. Strategy is different." The Old Bear looked intently at the screen for a minute. The only sign that Diana saw that warned of any change in Urbov was a sudden grin. "The over confident ass has fully committed! Princess Diana, order the north wing to attack and for all forces in Govarostok to stand and open fire!"

Diana radioed the orders to Alindra and Lebedev and leveled her gaze back on the 3D screen, as streams of red markers from the north came barreling down on the center of the NKFR.

"Alindra…" she whispered, "show no mercy."

She then turned her attention to her own battle and opened up another channel. "All forces not committed in the city attack with all you have. All reserves move forward and reinforce the lines. No more retreat."

The blonde general commanded her army of Amazons with a wrath unleashed. Before he knew what was happening, a whole new host of angry women warriors barraged Helios' position even as his all-but-defeated enemy to his front suddenly sprung to life with a will. He was now confronted with fresh fighters coming from the north, not to mention General Lebedev's artillery raining down punishment on his forces as well as slowly grinding into him.

In the command bunker, General Urbov grinned as he watched the NKFR icons begin to withdraw to the south in motions denoting a near panic. "Princess, if you would, let General Apanasenko and your lovely wife know they should now let loose their baser instincts. Oh, and let the Air Force know that they may come and play as well."

Diana smiled and nodded and gave the commands.

Commander Helios was suddenly caged in on three sides and quickly realized he was probably going to have to retreat to the south and soon if the tide continued to turn against him. Arrows flew without restraint at his power troopers, grounding more numbers than he was comfortable losing. Those that ended up flightless were quickly dispatched on the ground by snipers, archers, and ultimately by hand to hand combat with the women of the Amazon nation. Never in his lifetime had he seen an enemy so hell bent on destroying him.

The thought was frightening.

News quickly reached him that Lebedev was breaking off from the line to the north and coming around to his backside. It steeled his resolve to make a hasty retreat.

Commander Helios barked orders to his men to fall back south and to try to flee. But as he tried to back away from forces that had started to overwhelm him, he ran headlong right into a whole new slew of Amazons led by Shayera. To make the situation even worse, he received intelligence that more Kasnians were circling from the south and cutting off any escape route he might have. Apanasenko was the final piece of the noose that was slowing choking the fight and resolve from him and his men. Then he began to feel true despair as he heard jets, aircraft, and helicopters. Anything left in Kasnia that could fly and could be strapped with weapons was now swooping in from all around, having hugged the earth to escape his force's radar. Now even escape for those still in the air was in doubt. Despite his earlier push, he could not sustain this type of fight, and hopelessly outnumbered, he knew he was soon to be defeated.

Anger coursed through his veins and he took to the air, and began indiscriminately leveling solar powered shots at the Amazons and Kasnians around him.

And the moment he elevated himself above the action he was targeted by a very pissed off Amazon. Di had searched, and had not been able to find him. But he was now trapped, completely encircled and he had become desperate. As bullets whizzed by her position, Di kicked off from the ground and charged fists forward onto her intended target. Her knuckles, white from the clenching, connected with the back of his head and sent him gliding forward. He turned in shock to see the Amazon he believed was Diana hovering in the air, a sneer plastered on her face.

"Finally!" he bellowed. "We will see who is left standing after this encounter."

"You have much to answer for. Take a good look at me. I am your Grim Reaper this day."

Helios snarled, and extended his hands in front of his body. Instantly his fingers heated up and plasma came spewing forth at Di. She dodged left and right mid-air and flew directly at her opponent. Her fist connected once again, this time striking the eye of the man who had threatened the woman she had come to cherish and love. He reeled backwards in the air, and knew that unless he connected a shot soon, his brute strength in a fist fight would not be enough to overpower his opponent. Quickly he switched tactics. He released the last rocket in his arsenal on a group of Amazons near his position. Di stopped chasing him and turned and took off after the rocket. She barely managed to catch up to it in the air and pulling from the side with all her strength, she diverted it away from her sisters. She let go at the last second as it connected with a group of power troopers that had been recently grounded. The shock and blast reverberated through the air, and she was flung backwards, and fell to the ground with a resounding thud. Helios watched as Di struck the dirt and didn't move.

He laughed at his triumph. He had beaten the Amazon. But he had not beaten them all. He had no sooner turned his attention away from Di when he was confronted with another opponent. Shayera.

The redhead had seen the action from a distance and had quickly taken to the air, her mace strapped to her thigh, and wielding a bow in her hand. She bee-lined from her position, swooping low only once to pluck a couple of arrows from the chest of a fallen member of the NKFR, and continued without pause towards the Commander. Never breaking off of her path, she drew the string back and fired a shot while still moving forward. Commander Helios turned to avoid the path of the arrow in midair. His reaction wasn't quite quick enough. What would have struck his shoulder, instead ended up lodged in the pack he relied on for flight. As he plummeted to the ground, another arrow lodged in his thigh. Shayera had taken another shot at him, and he was going to hit the ground hard. In his desperation he flung his hands out once more, and sent everything he had in his power reserves at her. Shayera, still barreling down on his position managed to sway in an attempt to avoid the shots. The last one connected to her right wing, ripping through feathers, and instantly crippled her ability to fly properly. Knowing she couldn't keep in the air much longer, she dropped the bow and flattened her arms to her sides. She felt her body pick up speed as her wings folded against her back and she targeted the falling Commander. The moment she was within reach she threw her arms out, and slammed her weight into his chest as his back struck the ground with a much harder force. His head bounced off the ground, and he was left seeing double of everything. They slid from the force of impact, leaving a trail of dirt, grass, and grime for at least eight feet. Shayera lay flat on top of him, her head having connected with his chin upon impact. She reached down and grabbed the arrow with her left hand. Pushing it in harder, she used it for leverage to get up.

Commander Helios howled as the pain spiked while Shayera pushed herself up. Quickly she snatched her mace off of her hip. She swung down and smashed one of his hands into a bloody pulp.

"For Dane…" she railed. She swung again, and connected with the other hand, mangling it as well. "For Diana and Di."

And she swung once more. This time she connected with his groin. The sound was indescribable. "For the Amazon Nation and every Kasnian you killed. Bastard."

Commander Helios was defeated. His fingers and hands were broken in several places. His head was swimming from a concussion. There was an arrow buried deep in his thigh and Shayera had just made sure that he would never walk properly again, or anything else he might try with the area. He turned his head to the side in agony, and slowly closed his eyes to the sight of more Amazons converging on his spot. Howls of triumph came from the women as more of his troopers bled on the ground around him.

General Zavtiolov stood at the front of his forces. The Ruritanians, he was sure, would be victorious at the end of the day. The man who had come to see him in his office had promised greatness and an easy overrun of the Amazons near his position in the north. He had sent several scout vehicles out ahead to gauge whether or not they had pushed forward yet. Seven total had left. But as he looked at the crest of the hill he saw only one returning, and the man looked haggard. As he approached the general, there was a genuine fear in his eyes. Whatever he had seen had scared him immensely. Zavtiolov barked for medics to attend to the man as he stumbled ever closer.

General Zavtiolov barked, "Where are the other scouts I sent with you?"

"D-Dead. They are all dead. I was spared only to give you a message."

"Dead? At whose hands?"

"Amazons. There are thousands of them protecting the north line at Veles. "

"Thousands? How is this possible? Did they not advance south towards Govarostok?"

"The Amazons commanded by General Alindra did. The Amazons we encountered are not hers."

"Who leads them?"

"She said she would give you her name when you met her. I was told you have an hour to send a small party 3 miles south of our position and meet with her. Otherwise, and pardon me sir, I am merely quoting her now, 'One hour. If your leader fails to comply, we will crush your little army where they stand.' I didn't think she was kidding after watching my comrades fall next to me."

"Who is this arrogant woman? Never mind." Signaling to a small handful of ceremonial but still armed cavalry he'd brought for his triumphal parade in the Kasnian capital, the General mounted a horse and the party set out to come face to face with an opponent who had shown little mercy to his scouts. He was confident this was only a minor problem and the General hoped the use of horse cavalry would impress upon this mysterious female that confidence.

Crossing the distance he came upon a site that made him tremble. There were literally thousands of Amazons garbed in red leathers wielding various weapons. There was a whole host of archers at the front of the group, bows set to the ready, although they were tightly resting to their left legs. Strings were taught, and the General had no doubt that the resolve of these fierce women was to make him and his armies bleed. He stopped about 50 yards short and dismounted. His men followed suit, and they strode with caution towards a tall woman who was standing slightly apart at the head of the line. Her red hair was swirling around her shoulders, and she looked like someone who was not to be trifled with. She strode forward and every step exuded confidence. She came by herself, cock sure that even though she was one against ten, the odds were not against her. And in her right hand was a folded black cloth.

"General Zavtiolov I presume. Thank you for coming. A word sir?"

The Ruritanian General met her in the middle and studied her even farther. She had piercing green eyes, and her nose was sharp set against her face. Under any other circumstance he would have said she was beautiful. But, now, in the situation he was in, that would not be the adjective he would use. Terrifying was far more adequate.

Still he wanted to see what her intentions were. "Your name?" he growled.

The redhead gave a malicious smile. "I am General Artemis of the Amazon Nation. I am going to give you some advice, although I hope that you are foolish enough to ignore it. You should take your small army and retreat back to your country. My Queen has ordered that no quarter is to be given to anyone who decides to enter the war my sisters are actively engaged in. And General, before you say anything, I was asked to give you a gift."

She presented the folded cloth to the older man who snatched it from her hands. Unfolding it, he found he was holding two separate pieces of cloth. It was a cape that held the same emblem of that of the coin he had been given by his new master. It had been shorn in twain, and the General knew that this offering signified that his master was no longer backing him or his intentions. Foolishly he tried to bluff. "This means nothing woman."

The redhead sneered. "My name is General Artemis. And you are lying. I know you understand what this means. However if you need to be convinced further…" She held her hand in the air displaying the number five with her fingers. Instantly five archers took two steps forward and they aimed their readied bows to the air.

"General Zavtiolov you were given a coin. Give it to me."

The General's eyes narrowed, but he complied. Reaching into his pocket he produced the coin that the God of War had given him. Artemis rolled the coin in her other hand for a moment, and then tossed it high into the air. She dropped four fingers, signaling the number one, and the first arrow came flying through the air and struck the small coin. Quickly she flicked up a second finger, and a second arrow struck the coin in the air immediately. With the same speed a third and fourth finger was raised, and in just as quick of succession a third and fourth arrow struck the coin. The Ruritanian General swallowed the lump in his throat. This type of aim was more than deadly. Still holding her hand in the air, Artemis closed the distance and stood directly in front of her enemy. She threatened, "That coin was nothing. We can do that at even farther distances. One more demonstration General?" Slowly she lowered her raised hand and spread her palm against the man's chest. His eyes went wide as the last arrow came flying through the air with deadly grace. At the last possible second, Artemis snatched it out of the air with her free hand. She had caught it just as it was about to strike between her middle and fourth fingers, the finely chiseled tip brushing his chest. The Ruritanian General's face went white with shock, and he stumbled backwards. The woman he was facing had just done this with her back to her archers. He would never have dreamed it possible if he had not just seen it with his own eyes.

The nine other men with the general shifted uneasily. They had heard rumors about psychological tactics employed by the Amazons used to terrify opponents, and all would solemnly testify that they were most effective. This was not an enemy they wanted any part of.

Artemis lowered her hands, and dropped the arrow to the ground. She rested her left hand on the hilt of her sword that was tethered to her hip. "Now General, are you in need of any further proof that we mean business? I will warn you that if you say yes, I will be drawing blood, and only one of you will return to your army. And General, think hard about your answer, because I make no guarantee that you will be the one that survives."

Zavtiolov stuttered, "I-I…"

"Three seconds General and your numbers standing here will be reduced."

But his fright caused the general not to be able to muster any response other than shock.

Artemis grinned and pulled her sword out with blinding speed. She cut down three men before anyone made a move. "I warned you."

She was suddenly swarmed by 6 other men. Turning her sword, the first man took the hilt to the side of his head. The next in line was driven back, Artemis' sword piercing his chest. Kicking, the redhead sent him stumbling backwards, effectively dislodging her weapon. She swung with a graceful arc, and her weapon cut a sharp line through the gut of her next opponent. The remaining 3, other than the general who stood immobile from fear, foolishly met the same fates as their fallen companions. Deftly she struck, side stepping would-be blows, and cutting each one down without an ounce of mercy. And when it was done, only General Zavtiolov remained standing. Artemis strode over to his position, her sword bright with the blood of his company. She slowly glided the sword next to his jugular, nicking it, but making no severe injury. "Your answer now General?"

Zavtiolov nearly emptied his bladder where he stood. He nodded his head and whispered, "We will retreat. I apologize for any offense we caused your Queen or the Queen of Kasnia."

"One more thing…"

But Zavtiolov needed no further instruction. He dropped to one knee and bowed before the mighty Amazon army that stood ready to wipe his face from existence. Cries of victory rippled through the woman who had watched their leader decimate nine men on her own. Artemis grinned broadly, "I didn't mean bow. I want your horse. It will be given to Queen Hippolyta as your promise to never interfere in her business or in the business of Queen Audrey of Kasnia."

"Take it. Take all of them. A gift to your sisters."

Artemis chuckled, "You really want to walk back?"

"Knowing that I can is all I care about."

"Very well. Thank you General Zavtiolov."

The bowing man snorted. He stood slowly and turned and walked away, making the 3 mile trip to order the retreat of his forces. His old bones made the trip in haste, as he was quick to desire wiping this day from his mind.

Alindra surveyed the scene around her. The NKFR was done. The joint forces of Amazons and Kasnians had obliterated their enemy in a mere three hours. The Amazons now tended to their wounded, and searched the battlefield for survivors and for the dead who they would burn in a pyre, a size of which had not been seen in ages. And Shayera searched as well. It took very little time to find Di. She was still crumpled on the ground, never having moved after the rocket blast had taken her down. Shayera leaned down and felt for a pulse. It was weak, but it was present.

She whispered, "Hard headed woman. Just like Diana." Scooping the fallen warrior into her arms, she said a silent prayer of thanks that she would not be one of the ones on the pyre this evening. Realizing once more that she could not fly, she barked orders out, "Take care of the Princess. See to her recovery quickly."

Within moments a handful of Amazons rushed to her side, and carried off the dark-haired leader. Sighing, Shayera made her way to where she knew her Diana would be waiting. She limped slightly, battered from the day's events, and now nursing a wounded wing as well. She was covered in dust, debris, sweat, as well as blood, some of which was Commander Helios'. He had been removed from the field, with instruction that his life was to be spared, but that his hands were to never to be reset. Shayera sneered with the thought. At least he would never be able to focus his powers through his hands again. She had made sure of it. And now, he was a prisoner of war, a gift to be given to Queen Audrey. Shayera made her way to the command tent, and had barely crossed through the flaps when she was drawn into a pair of very strong arms.

"Diana, easy…" she croaked.

The Amazon nodded and loosened her grip a little, but still she held her wife. Soft kisses were pressed to Shayera's head, and Diana fought small tears that were threatening to fall. Leaning back slightly, she bowed her head in to kiss the redhead's lips. Shayera giggled in spite of herself. "You always want to kiss me in front of people."

Diana stopped and looked to her right. General Urbov was grinning. He stood at full attention, saluted, and then limped out of the tent.

"How hurt are you?" Diana whispered.

"I'll be fine, although you will probably have to carry me everywhere for a while, at least for any distance I could normally fly."

She spread out her wing painfully, and showed Diana the damage that had been done.

"Shayera, how did this happen?"

"I ran into Commander Helios. I fared much better than he did."

"Is he dead?"

"No. But I am betting he is wishing he was. Diana, there's something else. Di fell saving our sisters. She is alive, but I am worried. She wasn't moving for a while, and her pulse was faint when I finally got to her."

Diana reeled. It wasn't news she wanted to report to Audrey or her mother. "Where is she now?"

"Being tended to."

"I need to go be with her. Come with me?"

"Of course. Kiss me later?"

"No, now." Diana leaned in and pressed her lips to Shayera's. It was simple and chaste. There would be time later for more, but Diana desperately wanted to be with Di. She needed to see the situation with her own eyes. "Come on. We will get you checked out as well while we see to her condition."

Shayera nodded, and felt herself scooped up into Diana's arms. "I can walk you know."

"Hush Shayera. Let me carry you. I am happy to just hold you right now."

Shayera didn't protest. Diana held her close, and Shayera buried her face into her wife's neck, enjoying the simple contact.

It didn't take long to get to one of the medic tents. Shayera was cleaned up, and her wing was bandaged as best as could be managed. Diana sat next to the bed that her twin currently occupied. She was battered, bruises outlining her otherwise angelic face, and she looked as if she was resting peacefully. Diana had been informed that her blood pressure was considered within normal limits, and amazingly no bones had been broken from the blast. A mobile MRI showed no damage to the brain either. She simply had been knocked out, and would more than likely make a full recovery.

At the news there had been no brain damage, Diana exhaled. She couldn't wait for her sister to wake. She would make sure she was alright, and then she would tease her that she had fared better from a bomb blast than Di had from the rocket. It was hardly comparable, but Diana knew the teasing would be a welcome change from what she was dealing with now. She reached out and took her twin's hand and held it lightly. "Wake up when you are ready to, but I don't want to have to tell Audrey or our mother that you are in this condition. You know, our mother can't wait to see you. She sent a message at the beginning of the encounter wishing us all victory. She said she couldn't wait to see all of us, including you, march triumphantly into the city. So, you need to get better. I won't carry you…"

Diana chuckled at the last sentiment. "Imagine how embarrassing that would be for you. Plus your ass is a little wider than mine. You really want me to bear your weight too?"

"D-Did you just call me fat?" The voice was hoarse and barely above a whisper. Diana's eyes shot up, and stared amazed as Di slowly opened her eyes.

"I did. And when you are better, we will see what you intend to do about it."

Di chuckled, but then groaned with pain. "My head feels like it was stomped by a thousand centaurs."

"And no damage done. I guess they don't make rockets like they used to."

"Is it over?"

"It is. Commander Helios is captured. Shayera told him you send your love."

"M-Mean Thanagarian."

"She was. Apparently if he were left on an island full of women there would be nothing he could do about it."

Di groaned, and shut her eyes again. "I still don't see the attraction, but maybe she isn't all bad."

Shayera made her way over to the bed. "I heard that." She leaned over and kissed the prone Amazon's head. "Seeing as how you can't do anything about me kissing you…"

"Gross." Di laughed weakly and coughed. "Get her lips away from me. I am trying to recover without getting any infection."

Shayera and Diana laughed. Shayera sat down at the foot of the bed. "Well, that's thanks for you. You and Diana are crazy; taking on bombs and rockets. Stop trying to impress the girls please. I am not sure my nerves can take much more."

Di struggled, but smiled. "Impressing girls? Neither Diana nor I have to do anything to do that. They flock naturally."

Shayera arched her eyebrow at the choice of wording, "Flock? Was that a bird joke?"

Di's smile widened and she nodded, her eyes still closed. Within minutes she was asleep again.

Diana squeezed her twin's hand, and then let it go. She leaned back into her seat and closed her eyes as well. Shayera stood and promptly sat down on Diana's lap. She drew her knees up, and Diana placed one hand over her wife's shoulder and the other held the redhead's legs. They sat silently for a few minutes, before more company joined them. General Urbov stuck his head in the tent, and leaning on his cane for support, managed to make his way to where they were.

"Ladies," he whispered, trying not to disturb the sleeping Amazon, "we need to send word to the capital. General Alindra is retreating back to the north towards Veles to meet up with whoever watched her back."

Diana sat up, still holding Shayera in place, "What?"

General Urbov smiled. "It seems we underestimated the Ruritanians. They mobilized and were prepared to enter our borders. Someone prevented them from doing that."

"Gods. Any idea who?"

"No. None. General Alindra said she would send word when she knew more. She will greet our new allies, and return to the capital in a few days. It will give us time to move the more critically injured to outlying hospitals, and by the time we are ready, your mother, Queen Hippolyta, will have reached the capital as well."

"Will this be the first time you will be meeting my mother?"

"It will. Not to sound less than my age, but I am a little giddy at the prospect. Your mother has built a formidable nation, and her warriors far surpassed my expectations. And I assure you Princess Diana, my expectations were high."

Diana stood, and set Shayera on her feet. "Thank you for the praise. You and your men and women were equally as impressive. And now, let's go and send word to Queen Audrey. But General Urbov", Diana glanced back at her sister still sleeping, "no word of this to her. Di should recover and I don't want your Queen to worry unnecessarily."

Urbov smiled. "Of course. I think we will be entertaining Amazon royalty in Kasnia for some time won't we?"

"When you get sick of her, call me."

The small group laughed, and left to send word of the victory.

Alindra was tired from the day's events. Her body ached, and she was ready to collapse. But she pushed her horse hard to Veles, her sisters taking their time, as no danger was apparent. Alindra crossed a small river and came upon a camp of women she instantly recognized.

Dismounting and shouting at the top of her lungs, she bellowed with mirth, "Artemis! Get out here you cantankerous general. Show your face! I am going to shower it with affection."

Chuckling, Alindra waited as Artemis exited a tent nearby. There was a scowl on her face at first, but it dropped as Alindra rushed to her side and enveloped her in a big hug. Truthfully Artemis never hugged anyone but Clio, as she considered the affection to be a bit sappy. But as Alindra clung to her neck, she returned the hug to her sister, and laughed. "Don't you dare kiss me Alindra! It is not conduct becoming of either of us."

Alindra laughed and grabbed Artemis' face and planted a big sloppy kiss on her cheek. "Fuck propriety woman! Thank you!"

Playfully shoving the other general, Artemis stepped back and wiped her face. "Alindra, really, that is no way for one of Hippolyta's high command to act. But you are welcome."

"You must tell me how this came about."

Artemis nodded, "Well, shortly after you left, Clio went into labor. I now have a daughter. Clio named her Antigone."

"Antigone. What a beautiful name. Tragic, and still heroic."

"It is one of Clio's favorite works. It was the first thing she ever gave me to read when I first started pursuing her. Anyways, she is so little. It is hard to imagine that we were ever that size. And strangely enough, her eyes are green like mine. I honestly was expecting blue. I thought all babies eyes were the same color at first, but not my little girl's. Thankfully she has Clio's nose, and hair color. But despite being tiny in overall size, her legs are long like mine. She's perfect Alindra."

Artemis beamed, and Alindra smiled just as brightly with her. Artemis waited a few more seconds, and then sighed, "She has her mother's lungs too. That child can wail. I am surprised that I managed any sleep those first few days."

Alindra laughed, as Artemis's face looked slightly pained. "How am I going to do this with two women constantly barking orders soon?"

Alindra squeezed her friend's shoulder. "Don't worry. Antigone will have a couple of years before she is demanding anything vocally. Well with words anyways…"

"And before I go any further, I would like to ask a favor of you."

"Name it."

"I would like you to be her godmother. If anything were to happen to Clio and me, I know you would take good care of her. Although her training would be second rate without me…" Artemis laughed at the little joke.

Alindra was shocked. Being with Clio had certainly brought Artemis to a new mindset about everything. But she nodded fervently at the request. "I would be honored. Thank you."

"And moving on, we come forward to now. Athena and Aphrodite came to Themiscyra just yesterday. They informed the queen and I about Ares' involvement, and how you would need help here. We were told of the plan for the double envelopment and how you would need someone to watch your back. They brought us here and told us to wait as they would be in touch soon. Sure enough, not more than a few hours ago, Aphrodite arrived with the torn cape of Ares, quick news of Athena's victory over him, and orders to deal with the Ruritanians however I saw fit. Which by the way, damn you for pulling off the double envelopment without me. I only got to kill 15 up here."

"Only 15?"

"Yes. 15 miserable Ruritanians. Hardly worthy of my time. And I think I made their general's eyes bulge out. I admit we played with him a little bit. He bowed before we sent him walking back to his armies. I took his horse for Hippolyta. Well, forcibly requested it anyways. He coughed up the others on his own." Pausing for a second, a realization hit the taller Amazon. "Hold on…Alindra, did you ride here on a horse?"

Alindra's face dropped slightly. "Yes."

"Why? You fly now don't you? Where are your bracelets? What happened?"

Alindra's eyes began to well, and her shoulders sank. "Artemis, I…I lost. Even when we won the day, and Athena was victorious, I still lost."

Artemis saw the raw grief in her fellow general's eyes, and quickly pulled her into another hug. It was the second time that day that she had done so. She pushed down the thought that it was silly, and simply held Alindra, as the blonde general clung weakly to her waist and let the tears she had been holding fall. Not sure what she should say, Artemis merely stood and let Alindra evacuate her grief into her chest. After a few minutes, Artemis tried to cheer up her companion. "Alindra, I don't mind holding you while you cry, but I must draw the line at snot."

Alindra laughed through the tears. "Tell that to my goddaughter. You will have years of snot to deal with."

Artemis shuddered, "Perhaps we can find another war?"

Alindra squeezed harder and nodded in assent.

Athena and Aphrodite watched from Olympus. They were in the Grand Hall of the Gods. It was a circular room with statues of their likenesses lining the outside of the marble floor. Next to the statue of Zeus was a doorway that led to the father of the gods' throne room. It was where he watched over the world when he was not preoccupied with some new woman who had caught his attention. Athena had stopped counting his affairs millennia ago. And it was through that doorway that he waited to pass judgment on her direct involvement in the affairs of the Amazons and Kasnia.

Turning solemnly to her sister, she spoke, "Aphrodite, whatever happens, thank you. I have grown to appreciate you so much these last few months."

Aphrodite smiled. "Appreciate? You love me Athena. Say it."

A small smile quirked at the corners of Athena's lips. "I can't lie to the Goddess of Love can I?"

"It would be most un-wise."

"Very well. Aphrodite, my sister, and faithful companion, I love you. Better?"

Aphrodite squealed. "Yes. I love you too! One more thing…"

Athena laughed uproariously, "Yes, Aphrodite. I still think you are smart."

A smug grin crossed Aphrodite's face. "I knew it." But it was only seconds before her smile dropped. "Are you ready?"

Athena nodded and then looked at the statue of Ares. At the base of it, her brother laid in a heap, still having not recovered from the beating Athena had given him. "I am not carrying him."

Aphrodite walked over and slapped Ares' face with a glowing hand. "Wake up dipshit."

The God of War felt the strike hit his cheek, and although it was a cheap way of healing at least his concussion, his sister had slapped him to do it. "Aphrodite…" he gritted.

"Shut your mouth and listen very carefully. You better walk into that room and take full responsibility for the shit you brought onto this house. I swear if you don't, you will wish that Athena had split your skull in half."

Ares leered, "Are you threatening me?"

Aphrodite grabbed his jaw and lifted him off his feet. He dangled, surprised, in her strong grip, his feet not touching the floor. "I don't like to get dirty, but it doesn't mean I won't. Don't mistake meekness for weakness. Love is patient, and Love is kind, but don't test Love's resolve to kick your ass if you don't walk in there and tell Zeus you are sorry we had to interfere. Are we clear? Because it is bad enough that you will not live down what Athena did to you again for a second time. Imagine the teasing when word spreads that I embarrassed you as well."

Athena's eyes went wide. This was not a side she had ever seen from her sister. It was wholly unexpected, and she was shocked at what the Goddess of Love was doing and saying. Ares was as well. He managed to nod, and Aphrodite dropped him on his backside. She leaned over once more, "Clean yourself up. You look like Minotaur shit. Jerk."

Athena couldn't help the laughter that spilled from her chest. Aphrodite flipped her hair and walked back to her sister's side. Athena grinned, "Well that was sensitive..."

"You think you are the only one who is fierce Athena?"

"No. I have never underestimated you. I just didn't imagine that I would ever be afraid of your wrath. I stand corrected."

Aphrodite nodded. She took her sister's hand, and with her staggering brother a few steps behind, she opened the door that led to the sovereign head of the Gods.

A/N: Where to even begin? This was hands down the longest chapter to date. Looking back, the first few were a little on the short side, so hopefully this makes up for it. And once this is posted, I will have passed 100,000 words. That is mind boggling. Okay, did anyone guess that Artemis would be the ally? When developing the last couple of chapters, I asked my co-author how we could work her into this. It came just before one of you asked about Clio and the baby. Impeccable timing. And did you like how Commander Helios was dealt with? I admit orginally that it was always my plan to let Diana kick his ass. But the co-author put Shayera forward instead, and I loved the idea. But my favorite out of this chapter has to be Aphrodite. Guys, seriously, I cracked myself up at the line: Love is patient, Love is kind...so tell me what you liked, loved, or how you would have let it play out. Can't wait to hear from you all. (Seriously close to 200 reviews, and that is mind boggling as well!) Thank you from the both of us.