AN: Cheetah's origins and Chuma are inspired by George Perez's works on Wonder Woman.

JL: The Newest Recruit

Part Nine

A New Enemy

"Great stuff, Kent! This might be your best work yet!"

"Thank, Chief," Clark said.

As soon as Clark returned to his hotel room, he typed the story of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman battling Vandal Savage in his attempt to rule the world with his rail gun. Perry White literally stopped the presses so the story could make the morning edition of the Daily Planet.

"See what happens when you follow Wonder Woman around? A gold mine of a story like this falls into your lap! Papers are selling all over the world." Perry's smile was bigger than a child on Christmas morning. "So, Wonder Woman has allowed you to tour with her?"

"Yes. In fact, I'm leaving this afternoon to join her in Germany."

"What are you standing around here for then?" Perry shooed him away. "Go!"

Clark left Perry's office and returned to his desk. He returned to Metropolis after Paris to pack, talk to Kara to watching Metropolis while he was gone and pick up a few items here before flying off to Germany.

A newspaper dropped on his desk. Clark looked at it, expecting it was the report of his article. Instead it was a French newspaper from two days ago with the news article titled, "OOPS!" and under the headline was a picture of Diana sprawled all over Clark on the floor.

Clark looked up at Lois staring down on him. "Hi, Lois."

"I cannot believe after embarrassing Wonder Woman like that, you get to go on tour with her."

Clark looked at the picture in question. Clark was still in Paris with Diana when the article came out. Clark was worried Diana would be embarrassed by the picture but she actually laughed at it. "Wonder Woman took it with a good attitude."

"I bet she did. At first, I thought she was trying to make light of an embarrassing situation but then this was printed on the next page of the paper.

The next page had pictures of Clark and Diana dancing before the fall. Clark held Diana close and they were both gazing in each other's eyes smiling. The expression on Diana's face was soft and happy. Uh-oh. Clark looked at Lois again. She was smiling. Double uh-oh.

Lois leaned closer and whispered. "Are you and Wonder Woman secretly an item?"

Oh, boy. Clark blew off the accusation. "No. Of course not."

"Oh, come on, Smallville. It's so obvious she likes you." Lois held up the picture to Clark's face and pointed at Diana. "Just look at her face." Lois shook her head. "I can't believe it. How in the world did you get *her* attention? What did you do that Bruce Wayne could not?"

"Bruce Wayne?"

"I've seen pictures with Wonder Woman and Bruce together and she never looked as happy as she did with you in Paris." Lois put the paper down and thought to herself. "Maybe it was the city. Paris is suppose to be the most romantic place in the city, but still Superman and Batman were over there and she fell for *you*?"

"Would you rather she fell for Superman or Batman?" Clark asked.

Lois suddenly became angry. "She can have Batman but Superman's hands off!"

"Why because he's yours?" Cat Grant asked as she joined them.

"Superman isn't mine, Cat," Lois remarked, calming herself down.

"Then why is it you must cover every story with Superman?" Cat asked. "You won't even let me cover one."

"We know what you want to cover of Superman and it's not a story," Lois gritted and Clark blushed.

Cat smiled. "That is true." She picked up the French paper and gazed over the picture of Clark and Diana. "Hmm, I do see chemistry. So, what were you and Wonder Woman talking about, Clark?"

Clark rubbed the back of his head. This was really getting uncomfortable. "Just talking really, catching up."

Lois sighed. "I don't see it."

"I do," Cat dropped the paper and sat on Clark's desk before him. "Tall, well build, attractive man. Well-mannered. A perfect gentleman. Open's doors for ladies. Pays for dinner. Actually calls when he says he's going to." Cat grabbed Clark's tie and pulled him to her nearly centimeters from her breasts. But instead of focusing his eyes on Cat Grant's well endowed and expensive breasts, he kept his eyes on her face. "I bet you're a real wild man in the sack and you have a big--"

"Cat!" Lois interrupted, smacking Cat's hand off Clark's tie. "Please, I just ate breakfast."

"All I'm saying there's probably more than meets the eye when it comes to Clark. Wonder Woman saw it and now she wants it," Cat explained.

Lois scoffed. "I've known Smallville since he started the Daily Planet. There's nothing she knows that I don't."

Clark rose from his chair. "I should be going now." Better to get out now before it gets worse. "I'll email you all."

"All right. Let me get my hug in," Lois said and gave Clark a big hug. "I want some gifts from your trips."

Clark smiled and rolled his eyes. Same old Lois. "I'll be sure to pick up something."

Cat gave him a hug as well. "I want some hot scoop on Wonder Woman and don't forget to bring me something back."

"I won't."

Clark picked up his briefcase, waved at his co-workers as he made his way to the elevators. He was getting in when Jimmy rushed inside just before the doors closed. "Hey, Mr. Kent."

"Hey, Jimmy. Coming to see me off?"

"Yeah, it's gonna be lonely without you." Jimmy said. "You're one of the few who really talk to me."

"You'll be fine," Clark said. "You can hang out with my cousin Kara if you get bored. She's attending Metropolis University and she's watching my place while I'm gone."

Jimmy smiled. "Really? That's cool." The elevators door opened and the two stepped out. "So, what's Wonder Woman like?"

"Amazing. She's beautiful, smart, strong, caring," he sighed with a tender smile on his face. "She's a lot of things."

"I can't believe you're gonna be hanging out with her for three months!"

"I don't think I'll be around her as often as you think," Clark said. "I'll be there when she gives her speeches, talk to government officials but other than that, we won't see each other," Clark tried to play it off but even he knew that wasn't going to be the case.

Jimmy seem to buy that. "When she said you could tour with her, did feel like fainting?" Jimmy asked. "I couldn't even open my mouth to speak to her. I'll just stand there and drool like an idiot."

"The more time you spend with her, the more you develop the use of your mouth," Clark tried to ease his friend.

Jimmy shook his head. "Not me. My mind couldn't focus with her."

Clark could relate to Jimmy. He sometimes felt that way himself in Diana's presence. They were standing in the lobby now and it was time to say goodbye. "I'll email, Jimmy, and I'll bring you something."

"Get me an autograph picture of Wonder Woman and you don't need to buy me anything else."

Clark smiled. "I think I can arrange that. Goodbye, Jimmy."

When Clark stepped out of the Daily Planet, he looked up in the skies and saw Kara disguising herself as him flying around. They talked about this when he discussed his plans of leaving. Superman would still need to be seen in the city even though he wasn't going to be there as often and Kara already attending Metropolis University agreed to disguise herself as her cousin while sometimes flying around as Supergirl.

****

Germany: A photo of Wonder Woman speaking before a large crowd. In the far background on the stage Wonder Woman was speaking, Clark Kent was watching her. Another photo of Wonder Woman in a restaurant of the Berlin hotel she was staying having dinner with Clark Kent. Both were smiling and laughing.

Italy: Wonder Woman in Rome speaking at a university campus with thousands of people in attendance. At the bottom of the stage was Clark Kent with a recorder talking to the people in the crowd. Wonder Woman in a blue evening gown speaking with the President of Italy in the Quirinal Palace. Clark Kent stood beside her in a black tuxedo. A day shot of Wonder Woman in a boat in Venice with Clark Kent.

Beijing, China: Wonder Woman in a photo op with the Prime Minister of China. Clark Kent was with her as an escort that evening. There were different shots of them walking on the Great Wall and another attending a festival. A picture of them was taken at night as the two dined at a Chinese restaurant.

Barbara Minerva looked at all the pictures scattered on her desk. It was the same as the photos of Wonder Woman and Clark Kent in the Netherlands, Greece, Austria, India, Japan, Indonesia and Australia.

Everywhere Wonder Woman went she always carried her lasso. In her interview with Clark Kent, Wonder Woman mentioned how her lasso was forged from the golden girdle of the Earth Goddess, Gaea. It would be such a valuable piece to add to her collection. Barbara was so close to getting it when Wonder Woman was in London, but after her speech Wonder Woman was suddenly called back to the States for a Justice League emergency. So, Barbara Minerva had to wait for her next opportunity.

While waiting Barbara Minerva collected every article on Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman gave interviews to some local residents but most of the articles were by Clark Kent. He was the only reporter allowed to go on tour with her. Several photos have been taken of the two together, fueling speculation that maybe a romance lied between the two but Wonder Woman denied it and Clark Kent never gave personal interviews. He only reported on Wonder Woman's tours: her speeches, her talks with government officials. Barbara herself wondered how close Wonder Woman and Clark Kent were and wondered if that relationship could get her Wonder Woman's lasso.

Barbara Minerva rose from her desk. She used her cane to help her walk to her bookshelf. She pulled on a book on the end of the middle shelf. The bookcase opened and she walked inside. Barbara admired all the artifacts and treasures she stolen. "Soon Wonder Woman's lasso would be part of it."

A sultry laugh filled the room. "Really? That's it? That's all you're going to do? Take Wonder Woman's lasso?"

Barbara turned to the sound of the voice. "Who are you?"

"I am Circe, and I must say of all the things you can do with your abilities, I find it rather pathetic you just want to steal Wonder Woman's lasso when you can kill her or rather yet, sacrifice her to Urzkartaga." Circe laughed mockingly at Barbara. "I know all about you, Barbara Minerva or should I say Cheetah? I know what you're thinking. 'If I could change into the Cheetah now, I will take care of this bitch.'" Circe laughed, "But you can't and even if you could change, you still couldn't defeat me."

Barbara gripped her cane tightly. "What could you possibly know?"

"Like I said, I know you, Barbara. You're tired of the constant blood sacrifices to sustain you and that jealous bastard Plant God, Urzkartaga. You're tired of feeling your body deteriorate between cycles if you don't do it. Look at you. You're a young woman and yet you're using a cane. I can give you what you want."

So, this strange woman did know about her. If she could turn back time she would think twice about going to that expedition in Africa. Her curse was like a double edged sword. While Barbara loved the strength, speed and power that came with being the Cheetah, she hated the constant blood sacrifices she had to make and the weakness of her body between the cycles if she didn't give in to keep her and the Plant God alive.

"You can rid me of my curse?"

"Yes."

Barbara eyed her suspicious. "You don't look the type to do things out of the goodness of your heart."

Circe smiled. "You would be right. I don't have a good heart."

"What do you want?"

"I will give you the power to transfer to the Cheetah at will. However, I want Wonder Woman turned into a cheetah like you."

Barbara considered the idea. If she could be rid of this curse, she would do anything. "For Wonder Woman to be transform into the Cheetah, there has to be a blood sacrifice. I can sacrifice Clark Kent."

Circe laughed knowing what Barbara didn't know. "Yes, that would be a feat that would impress me, but don't. Get someone else."

Barbara frowned puzzled. "Why? He's only a man." Then Barbara thought she had the answer. "Because he's in the company of Wonder Woman he'll be hard to capture? That won't stop me."

"No matter how confident you think you are it's best you stay away from Clark Kent. Don't make him the sacrifice. Get someone else." Circe ordered.

"All right. I will."

"You better," Circe warned. "Wonder Woman will be in Africa for two weeks after her Asia tour ends. According to her schedule she will be going to the village near the ruin Temple of Urzkartaga." She grinned like a Cheshire cat. "The old stomping grounds for you and ironically enough it will be on Hunter's Moon where the moon would be blood red. I'll reward you when the deed is done. Until then." Circe faded away.

Chuma entered the room. "Madam, I heard voices."

Barbara looked at her dark skinned servant. He was a tiny, frail man but he was not to be underestimated. "Pack our things. We're going to Africa."

Chuma left the room. Alone Barbara thought of the possibility of being free of the curse; no longer being reduced to constant killings to keep her body alive; no longer feel her once young, beautiful vibrant body become frail and deteriorate. She looked at her cane. To no longer to be dependent on a cane. She would do anything to be free.

****

Diana's two weeks in Africa was coming to a close. She spent two days in Egypt talking to the President, speaking to the people and then traveling to the pyramids and Sphinx. She even took a day off to go on a Safari. The rest of her trip she traveled over Africa was purely business, visiting poorer countries, cities, and remote villages bringing supplies and medicine. She listened to the people's plight as it helped her in her mission of peace and decide how she can help change the world.

Diana was met with resistance with some of the men in the villages and was even attacked by military guerillas who attacked the villages she was in. They battled her but were ultimately defeated. It was one of the reasons Diana only allowed Clark to accompany her. The government officials always insisted Diana take some of their soldiers with her as they would provide protection but Diana decline saying she and Clark wouldn't need any. Of course none of them knew mild mannered reporter Clark Kent was also Superman and could be the best bodyguard Diana would need. He fought alongside her against the resistance, using his abilities subtly, not tipping his hand he was Superman.

Now they were nearing the last village on Diana's trip in Africa. Clark and Diana carried supplies in a car until the roads ran out and traveled the rest of the way through the dense jungles on horses being lead by a guide.

Clark looked around the area. The air was fresh, water cleaner, skies clearer than in Metropolis. Thick vines, bushes and tall trees surrounded them on their trail. Clark could hear the monkeys in the trees, snakes crawling, bigger predatorily animals in the distance. It wasn't the animals that concerned him. It was the possible resistance hiding in the jungles. Clark read up on each place they were going and the villages that rumored to be in the area. He was prepared for any attack. While Diana was warned to stay away, Clark was impressed even more about Diana's tenacity in going forward. She wasn't going to let anyone stop her from helping the people. Not that they could.

It was when they passed the dense area of the jungle Clark saw the ruined Temple of Urzkartaga that he actually began to worry.

"I read up on this area," Clark said riding alongside Diana. "I believe that's the ancient temple Urzkartaga. There were some weird practices going on there. God worships, sacrifices and things like that."

It surprised her to see Clark concern about this. "You're not worried are you?"

"Not exactly," Clark said uncomfortably. "But Gods means magic is involve and you know I don't like magic. We've also been attacked on some of our trips."

Diana reached over and squeezed his hand. "I'll protect you."

Now she was making fun of him. "We--you could've flew."

"I wanted to take my time and enjoy the scenery." Diana looked at the land around them. "It's quite lovely. "

It was Clark agreed but he was still worried. Clark, Diana and the guide got to the small village half an hour later. The villagers were reluctant at first but didn't react with violence as the guide spoke to the people and explained why Clark and Diana were here. Diana spoke Swahili to the villagers to ease their nerves. The people took the food, medicine and supplies and after listening to Diana's intentions, they invited Diana and Clark to stay the night.

****

That night Diana sat next to Clark around the fire with many of the villagers. Diana wore a simple pale blue Grecian tunic with blue Grecian sandals that laced up her calves. Clark wore a pair of jeans and a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

They listened as the Shaman spoke of a forbidden tale of love between a man and woman of two rival tribes centuries ago. Together they united themselves and their people with their love. Clark's Swahili wasn't great so Diana translated the tale to him. When the Shaman finished the story, he got up holding a bowl of flower petals in his hands. He walked around the fires occasionally tossing flowers over a couple, passed two more, tossed flowers on another couple. When he came to Clark and Diana, he tossed flowers over them. He spoke something to Clark and Diana in Swahili, then looked at Clark directly and said something else to him and moved on.

Clark saw the look of surprise on Diana's face. "Diana, what did he say?"

Diana looked at him, lost at first but said, "He said the passion between us will soon be unleashed and the one you're with is not the one who holds your heart."

Clark was speechless just like Diana. No. The Shaman couldn't be inferring what Clark was thinking. The Shaman didn't know him. How could he make an accusation?

Some of the villagers around them began beating on their drums, play on their wooden instruments while others would sing. Diana and Clark watched as villagers got up and began dancing around the fire preferring to watch the entertainment than think of what the Shaman just told them.

"The dances are not that different from my home," Diana said.

Clark noticed some of the female dancers in very skimpy clothing. "Your Sisters dressed like that?"

"Some of them. We are not ashamed of our bodies."

"It's not like you need to be," Clark murmured.

Diana swayed her head to the beating of the rhythmic music. The way the women and men dance reminded her of the festivals of home, the celebrations where they would dance in joy, sing. Diana felt the desire to partake in it.

Diana took Clark's hand and pulled him up. "What are you doing?" Clark asked her.

"We're going to dance."

"But I don't know these type of dances," Clark said.

"I had to dance with the music of your culture. Now you will dance to something similar to mine," Diana said and added, "It's not hard. You just move with the music. Let it take control over you."

High in the trees above the village the Cheetah watch her prey. She watch Wonder Woman dance with Clark Kent. Like the other dancers Wonder Woman used her whole body: swinging her hips, swiftly moving her legs in step, throwing her arms in the air. Clark Kent movement's wasn't as fluid but he was doing the best he could. Cheetah saw the smile in her eyes, the desire in his. They weren't touching but with her heightened senses Cheetah could smell the desire off Clark, hear the rising heartbeat of Wonder Woman's that didn't have anything to do with the dance.

Cheetah didn't care what Circe said. Clark Kent was going to be the sacrifice.

****

Two hours later, Diana was sitting in Clark's tent. She watched as he rolled out his sleeping bag in the cramp tent. Diana had suggested they get a big tent to share but Clark being the gentleman thought it was best if he and Diana had separate tents. He didn't want to give off the wrong insinuations or add fuel to the rumors of a romance between them even though they were far from any cameras or people who would care if they shared a tent or not.

Diana recalled watching Clark earlier that day setting up their tents. Clark could easily use his fingers to set the tents up but with people around he had to use tools. Also, it was hot in this dense area of the jungle that Clark had to remove his shirt and work in the hot sun to make it appear the weather was bothering him. Like Clark, the weather never bothered her but even she had to admit when Clark removed his shirt, she was feeling a little warmer.

Clark's chest was strong and wide and the muscles in his shoulders and arms flexed as he worked to put up the tents. Diana has seen shirtless men before. When Green Lantern, Flash and Batman were poisoned by Aresia, she saw them all shirtless but it did nothing to her compared to the feelings that were stirring in her about seeing Clark shirtless.

Diana couldn't take her eyes off him, handing him nails when he asked for them, fascinated with the way his muscles moving in his arms and back. She had the strange desire to feel those muscles move under her fingers. Maybe even touch them with her lips. Diana knew she was attracted to Clark but couldn't push their relationship beyond friendship since he was with Lois. However, the Shaman words about Lois not being the one to hold Clark's heart rang of hope that her friendship with Clark won't just be friendship forever.

"That was a nice ceremony," Diana commented.

"I thought it was a little strange," Clark said. "I think I will leave that part out of my report."

"Are you referring to when the Shaman said a passion between us will soon be unleashed? The one you're with is not the one who holds your heart?" Diana asked.

Clark sat on his sleeping bag, rubbing the back of his neck . "A Shaman is no different than a psychic. What they say isn't always true."

"You can prove the Shaman wrong by telling Lois who you are; find out if she is the one who holds your heart."

"I know Lois does," Clark grew irritated, "and I don't need to prove the Shaman wrong in telling her who I am."

"You don't?" Diana asked. "You want a relationship with Lois but you are hiding behind lies and half truths. No relationship can last long with that. If you think it's fair to Lois to have a relationship with her when she doesn't know who you are, it's not. When are you going to tell her?" Diana demanded, "She has to know."

"I'll tell her."

"When?" Diana pressed.

"Why are you so concern?" Clark said defensively. "What does it matter to you?"

"You have to ask?" Diana looked so disappointed in him and Clark regretted his words. "I can't believe you would ask me that." Diana sighed. Either he didn't see or he didn't want to see. Either way, she wasn't going to press the issue anymore. "I should go. Good night, Clark."

Clark watched Diana leave his tent. He was wrong to take his anger out on Diana, wrong to take out on her and admit what he was thinking for quite some time. He went after her. "Diana, wait."

He saw Diana rooted to the ground looking upward at the sky in fascination.

"The moon is so full, so bright."

"It's red," Clark commented.

"Yes," Diana agreed. "It is. I've never seen a moon so red. A hunter's moon they call it."

"Diana, about what you said…." Clark stopped. Diana turned to face him looking hopeful. He opened his mouth to admit what was in his head but he didn't. "I'm sorry. I had no right to be angry with you."

Diana gave him a sympathetic smile. "You're frustrated. Confused. I understand." Diana kissed his cheek. "Good night, Clark." She left him standing there and disappeared into her tent.

Clark slumped his shoulders silently chastising himself and went inside his tent. In the trees above the camp site, Cheetah waited. With her was Chuma. Cheetah was arrogant but given Wonder Woman wasn't a normal prey, she was cautious and brought him along to subdue Wonder Woman if she became too much of a problem. Now wasn't the best time to strike. She needed to wait until they were sleeping or rather Wonder Woman was sleeping. Clark Kent wasn't a threat. An hour passed and though Cheetah couldn't see into tents, she could hear. Wonder Woman's heartbeats were steady, a sign she was asleep. Clark Kent, however, was still awake. She could tell by the occasional jumps of his heartbeats.

Clark Kent stepped out of his tent. He had his hands in his pocket and he looked around. He stared at the blood red moon for a moment before walking off. Cheetah didn't know why he was doing this but this was the opportunity she needed to strike. She waited until he was gone from the campsite before stealthily jumping down from the tree. Like a cat, she was sleek, smooth, and quiet as she moved across the grounds without a sound. With a wicked smile, Cheetah opened Diana's tent. Diana laid in peaceful slumber unaware of the danger in her tent. Cheetah's animal eyes allowed her to see well in the night, but she didn't need her sharp cat eyes to see the glow of Diana's lasso peeking out of her unzipped black duffel bag.

Cheetah grabbed the lasso and stalked away. The hunt was on and it was for Clark Kent.

Moments earlier, Clark laid in his tent restless. The words of the Shaman rang in his ears. Passion unleashed? The woman he was with didn't hold his heart? That would mean Lois wasn't the one and the one for him could be in the tent next to his.

Clark looked through his tent into Diana's. Diana was in a blissful sleep. She always left the flap ups in her tent, allowing the elements in or perhaps leaving an invitation for Clark to enter. Diana's actions would confuse Clark. Every night Diana would come to Clark's tent wanting to talk. Sometimes she would end up falling asleep in his sleeping bag. He would end up carrying Diana back to her tent and zipping her in. Clark would sleep in his sleeping bag and Diana's smell would tease him until he feel asleep. Sometimes it would tease him in his dream. He remembered one quite vividly.

Diana opened his tent and crawled inside. There was something in her eyes that spoke of primal lust. The short red lingerie she wore helped matters, too. Clark knew he could look through the red piece but manners told him not to. Diana would opened his sleeping bag and crawled in, kissing him savagely. Clark would return the kiss, moving his hands in her hair and down her back. He sat up moving his lips to her neck while his hands worked on lifting the piece of lingerie.

Once the negligee was tossed aside, Clark would wake up before he could get a good look at Diana and he would also wake up a little frustrated. Just thinking about it now frustrated him. So, he did the only thing he could do. He would leave his tent, take a walk and let the cool night air calm him.

Clark walked half a mile from area, occasionally looking up at the moon. As he thought over his trip, he smiled fondly thinking of the time he has spent with Diana. Listening to her speak inspired him, just as it did the people who came to see her. It amazed him she sometimes sought his advice. Sometimes a government official wouldn't let him come with Diana but Diana always insisted Clark came with her or she doesn't come at all. She met with Kings, Princes, Sultans, and Presidents. One or the other would express interest in her romantically and she would rebuffed them and he of course liked that.

When it wasn't business, they would spend time together. Diana would invite him with her as she toured the city. Some places she'd been to on her first travels of the world. Others she didn't know about but he had. At times, they would be up late in his hotel room, talking, watching a movie, and even playing a game. Clark would never go to her room, leaving her with her thoughts or business. When she did stay in his room, she often fell asleep on his shoulder, his couch or bed. When she slept in his bed, he would take the sofa in the room, the chair and sleep there. It was the right thing of course. It was the gentlemanly thing to do but there were times he wondered what it would be like to feel her body against his as he slept. No. Clark decided. He couldn't think that way or start on that route. That's why he was out here now.

A branch snap in the night. It was small, discrete, only someone with his sharp ears would pick up. Suddenly, a long spotted tail wrapped around his neck choking him. Cheetah was confident she had Clark. She wouldn't kill him. She needed him alive. She only thought to subdue him till he fall unconscious from lack of air, but to her surprise, his hands grabbed her tail and pulled her down.

Cheetah fell but her catlike reflexes caused her to gracefully land on all fours. She kept her tail wrapped around Clark's neck. Her senses were telling her this prey was strong, far stronger her previous preys. She had to attack fast and not let her prey get the upper hand. It was why as soon as she landed she used her tail to throw and slap Clark into a tree, confident it would knock him out. If she used any stronger force, it would kill him.

To her surprise, the tree didn't knock him out but his face did leave an imprint on the tree. Cheetah acted swiftly and pounced him, striking him across his chest, tearing claw marks through his shirt and skin, causing him to bleed.

Clark knew this was a strong opponent. First by the strength of the tail, the swiftness of it's speed, and strength from knocking him into a tree and her claws tearing into his tough skin, which meant he was dealing with a formidable opponent or something of magic. This spotted female beast had a human body but had the coloring of a cheetah, which instantly made him think of the ruined temple of Urzkartaga which was nearby.

Though strong, Clark knew he could take out his opponent but he had to be careful with how he subdue the creature because he wasn't in his special suit. As soon as she scratched him, he kicked her off him and jumped up. That's when he caught sight of the creature holding Diana's lasso. He grew worried for her. He left her at the campsite where she was safe. Diana could easily take care of herself but if this opponent got her lasso, it did something to Diana.

"What have you done to Diana?" Clark asked the beast.

Cheetah heard him ask about Wonder Woman and only answered with a snarl. Cheetah jumped, from tree to tree. Clark watched her, studying her move. Even without the help of full moon he could see and hear her moving around in the trees. She was sleek, graceful like any cat and he knew with her moving around, she was gaining momentum to catch him by surprise when she suddenly spring from the tree. As soon as she does so, Clark would grab her and toss her in the tree and knock her out. If that didn't, his fist would.

As expected, the creature jumped from a tree, claws out but what Clark didn't expect was the creature having the lasso out as well. The lasso came around him fast and she moved in swift circles wrapping the lasso around him. Clark cursed and struggle but even he knew he couldn't break the lasso.

"Clark!" He heard Diana calling for him. He turned his head and saw Diana weakly limping towards him.

Diana awakened with a start. Something wasn't right. Someone was in her tent just seconds ago. She could feel it. She thought it was Clark but quickly decided it wasn't him. He wouldn't come in her tent no matter what. What she also noticed it was darker in her tent that usual. Her lasso! Diana checked her bag and saw her lasso was gone. Diana raced out of her tent and went into Clark's. He was gone as well. What could've happened?

Diana looked down seeing footprints and something that looked like animal tracks. Her answer to her questions lied there. Diana started to run the short distance when she felt something pierce her back. Diana reached behind her and pulled a dart from her skin. Whatever it was, only half of it got in her skin. She looked back to see who shot her and discovered whoever it was, was gone. Diana ran to get away, only to cry out in pain after a quarter of a mile.

Diana's body was on fire and her head wrack with pain. Diana fell against a tree and leaned on it. That dart had something in it. It was poisonous but she couldn't stop. Clark was ahead and it was possible he was in trouble. Diana gritted her teeth in pain and resume running. The glow of her lasso in the distance told her she was going in the right direction.

"Clark?" Diana called. She kept moving and got closer. She clutched her left arm feeling a paralysis. "Clark." When she got to him, he was on the ground wrapped in her lasso and a female beast was standing triumphant over him.

"Who are… you?" Diana swayed and fell to her knees, groaning in pain. The paralysis was spreading. "Release…. him."

Cheetah responded by striking Diana slashing her claws across her neck down her chest. Diana cried out and fell to the ground. Her blood dripped on the soft grass. Diana could lie there and watch as the Cheetah dragged Clark away.

Clark saw Diana lying on the grass bleeding. He struggled in the lasso. Cheetah saw Clark was putting up a fight and did the only thing she could do: toss him in the lake. The Cheetah leapt in after him and with her superior swimming easily moved with the currents as the waters took them away.

"Clark!" Diana croaked. The paralysis was spreading over her body. Diana recognized this toxin. The Amazons trained themselves to identify toxic herbs. Knowing what it was doing to her body, Diana knew what it was and she knew she made it worse by moving to rush to Clark's aid only to see she couldn't do anything at all. Diana could only lie on the cold grass and concentrate use her Amazonian strength and training to master the toxin spreading through her body.

Diana thought she would lie alone in the grass to recover until she felt her body be lifted off the ground. Diana was stunned to see it was an old, dark skinned frail looking man. Where was she going she wondered and more importantly, was she being taken to where Clark was?

*****

He hated magic now and forever.

Clark was laying on an altar wrapped in Diana's lasso in a ruin temple which Clark guessed as the Temple of Urzkartaga he and Diana passed before entering the village. He struggled in the lasso but to no avail he couldn't break free.

"It's your own fault, Mr. Kent."

Clark turned at the sound of the voice and saw the female beast attacking him earlier and Diana earlier. Her body was human but her skin, her spots and tail were that of a cheetah.

"You wrote about Wonder Woman's lasso. Had you not, I wouldn't have wrote nothing could break out of it. Of course if you hadn't put up such a fight I wouldn't have trapped you in it."

"You know who I am?" Clark saw he was still wearing his glasses but he wondered if this woman knew he was Superman.

"You're Clark Kent. Daily Planet reporter who has been following Wonder Woman on her world tour. You can thank Chuma for the glasses. He found yours floating in the lake and thought you should be able to see in your last moments. He actually can be caring."

"Last moments?" Clark questioned. "Who are you?"

"I am Barbara Minerva but you may call me Cheetah."

"What have you done with Diana?"

"Chuma," Cheetah called.

Chuma came in the room pushing an altar. It shouldn't be possible for this tiny man to do this feat but he was able to. The altar was covered with a cloth of cheetah skins with Diana on top. She was lying still. Her face, arms and legs were covered in cheetah spots.

"Diana!" Clark struggled in the lasso and glared at Cheetah. "What have you done to her?!"

Cheetah's eyebrows rose. The anger in Clark's eyes were confirmation. "Hmm. You do care for her. Those rumors are true." She looked from Diana to Clark. "What kind of relationship you to have?" She smiled almost cruelly. "Have you slept with her? Is she a virgin? If she's not," she laughed evilly. "well the more pain for her and she'll suffer what I've been suffering."

"W-wh-at… do yo-u… me-an?" Diana slurred her words.

Cheetah turned her attention to Diana pleased the toxin was still having its affect on her. "You'll see soon enough."

Clark watched Chuma who left the room after bringing Diana in return carrying a green plant in a white marble pot. He placed it gently on the stone floors as Cheetah narrates, "Wonder Woman, from what I read about you, you worship the Gods who grants you your powers. Tonight you will become what you have worship. *You* will become a God, a Cat God who serves the Great God, Urzkartaga." She indicated to the plant.

Now it was Clark's eyebrows raising and in doubt. "That plant is a God?"

"A disbeliever?" Cheetah questioned. "I did myself but he is real."

"You don't want to serve your God anymore," Clark figured. "So, you're getting Diana to take your place."

"I never wanted to serve him. I only wanted the power of immortality and with a deal I made, I will get it."

"De-al?" Diana questioned. "W-ho?"

Cheetah smiled. "It doesn't matter. Really, I only wanted your lasso to add to my collection but I was offered if I capture you, made you bride and servant to the Plant God, then I will be able to transform to the Cheetah at will and I wouldn't need to constantly hunt and kill to keep myself alive."

"If you wanted Diana, why am I here?" Clark asked. "You want me for something otherwise you wouldn't have attacked me."

Cheetah smiled. "The world will miss your brains, Mr. Kent. To be turned into the Cheetah and become the bride of the Plant God, Urzkartaga, the bride must kill the sacrifice and share the blood between herself and Urzkartaga." Realization dawned on Clark's face and Cheetah smiled. "Yes. That would be you, Mr. Kent."

"You must be crazy. There's no way Diana would kill me," Clark said. Or even could. Even though he was trapped under the lasso, there was no weapon around this room that could piece his skin.

Cheetah pulled out a knife and folded it in Diana's hands. "Wonder Woman is paralyzed. I might be forcing her but it will be her hand that wields the knife that shoves into you."

"No, it will not."

Clark, Cheetah and Chuma turned to see Diana speaking lucid and rising from the altar.

"How did you--" Cheetah's words weren't finished as Diana punched Cheetah across her face pushing her against Clark's altar, knocking him on the floor.

Cheetah jumped towards Diana. Diana avoided her, grabbed Cheetah's tail, swung her around and threw her into a wall. Cheetah plowed head first into a stone wall. "Amazons are trained to master the art of herbology. We can identify any toxin in our system."

Diana knelt before Clark her back to Cheetah, "Are you all right?"

"Just get me out of this," Clark gritted. Diana was loosening the knot of her lasso when a tail wrapped around Diana's neck and pulled her from Clark before she could free him.

Cheetah manipulated her tail and tossed Diana into a wall. Diana was momentarily dazed and as Cheetah loosen her tail from her, Diana grabbed it and pulled Cheetah to her and punched her across her face. Cheetah fell back and Diana punched her again and again.

Diana cried out as she felt something pierce her leg. Diana gripped her leg and fell to her knees in pain clutching the wounded leg. "No," she groaned. She looked in the direction the dart hit her and saw it was Chuma who shot her. Diana was able to work her body through one poison only to be faced by another. Her stamina was falling fast.

Clark still struggling in the lasso found an opening where Diana was working on and felt the lasso loosened around him. "That is enough!" He tossed the lasso off him and rose. He had enough! It was bad enough being captured but he was trapped and had to watch Diana suffer. When Cheetah first attacked him, he was preoccupied with his identity being exposed and he knew if he hadn't, Diana wouldn't have been captured and poisoned twice and nearly force to be a slave to a Plant God. He no longer cared about his identity. All he cared about saving Diana from these two monsters.

"This ends now!" Clark roared.

Chuma took a step back. The anger in Clark was unlike anything he has seen before. Cheetah, however, was unimpressed. Clark was after all a human and no threat to her.

Cheetah snarled and held her claws out ready to fight. She was going to strike when she and Chuma began to vanished before Clark and Diana. Not only was Clark confused but it appeared Cheetah and Chuma were as well. Clark didn't give it much thought as he went to Diana's side.

"Get the poison out," Diana groaned painfully as she removed her tiara.

Clark opened the wound with Diana's tiara. He then put his mouth on her thigh and sucked the poison out and spat out the toxin out when he tasted the sweetness of Diana's blood.

"How do you feel now?"

"A little better," Diana said. "What happened? Where did they go?"

"I don't know and I don't care," Clark said picking her and the lasso up. "I'm gonna get you out of here."

****

Cheetah looked around finding herself back in her home in England. Sitting in a chair was Circe. "What the hell did you do?" Cheetah screech at Circe. "I had Wonder Woman!"

"I told you to stay away from Clark Kent," Circe said displeased.

"Is that why you pulled us away?" Cheetah asked. "He's the only one that's been with Wonder Woman."

"You were in a village full of people you could've gotten as a sacrifice."

Cheetah scoffed. "It matters more I took Clark Kent. I discovered he has strong feelings for her. I'm sure it's return. If he was in trouble, of course Wonder Woman would go after him. She wouldn't go after anyone else."

Circe snarled. "That's where you misunderstood Wonder Woman. She doesn't hold one person above others. She treats them equally."

"I don't know why you're against me taking Clark Kent. He's only a human."

Circe didn't respond to that because she knew better. "Since you fail to get Wonder Woman, I will go back on my part of the deal."

"No! Send me back! I can fulfill our bargain!"

Circe shook her head. "No such thing. Not only did you possibly give away my hand but you failed. I don't take kindly to failures." She smirked. "Good luck with that curse of yours. Ciao." Circe faded away.

Cheetah let out an enraged growl. She picked up the chair Circe was occupying and tossed it through her window! Chuma watched as Cheetah went about tearing the room apart in rage. Paintings and furniture destroyed, claw marks on the wall and windows smashed. When there was nothing else to destroy, Cheetah collapsed to the floor in a heap, enrage and in tears. So close. She was so close to being free of the curse.

"It's Wonder Woman's fault," Cheetah announced. "Her! My one chance at freedom stripped away from her! She'll pay for this! I swear it!"

****

Clark had a fire going by the lake he took Diana. He brought supplies from his tent and was helping Diana scrubbed the war paint off her. He was scrubbing her arms while she was working on her legs.

"Ugh! I had no idea this war paint would be so hard to get off." Diana vigorously scrubbed her leg.

"At least it's starting to fade," Clark said, remarked the war paint on her face was barely visible. "Maybe we should leave this place before Cheetah tries again?"

"She won't attack again tonight," Diana said. "If she wanted to, she would've done so earlier and I will not be so rude to leave the villagers without a proper goodbye."

"I'm sorry about that, about all of this," Clark apologized. "If I had fought Cheetah at full strength instead holding back because of my secret--"

Diana put a finger on Clark's lips. "No. Do not apologize. Your identity is very important. If I have to get a few scratches or war paint that's difficult to come off on me to maintain it, then I will."

Her finger moved from his lips down to the torn marks on his shirt caused by the Cheetah. She unbuttoned his shirt and opened it, tracing her fingers over his scar. The wound was closed but the scar was still there. It would probably be gone before he woke up in the morning.

"Gods. Magic. That explains why Cheetah was able to cut my skin," Clark grimaced. He looked at Diana's wounds on her face, careful when touching the marks on her neck down her upper chest avoiding touching her breasts. They were closed as well. He caressed the wounds tendering with his fingers, the pounding of her heart ringing in his ears.

"It should be gone by morning," Diana whispered. "I think we've done all we can do for now."

Clark nodded and blew the fire out. He picked up Diana and his supplies and carried her back to the tent. Diana was going to protest but decided not to and enjoy the moment of being in Clark's arms. It rarely happens so why blow it to show Clark she wasn't weak.

Clark dropped his supplies in front of his tent and carried Diana inside her own. "I don't think you should be alone tonight," Clark announced as he placed Diana in her sleeping bag.

Diana eyed him cautiously. "What do you suggest?"

Her eyes were wide and expressive. He wondered if she was aware of what she was doing to him. "I stay with you."

"It'll be a little cramp."

"I can move your stuff in my tent and I can move my sleeping bag in here," he suggested. "Besides, I'll know you're safe this way."

Diana smiled. "That's fine with me."

As Clark moved Diana's things except her lasso in his tent, he wondered what he was doing. He was going to be sharing a cramp tent with the most beautiful woman in the world. Clark closed his eyes. "Focus, Kent. Focus." He had to. He didn't want to do anything they both would regret.

Clark moved his sleeping bag next to Diana. With it being so cramped, there were no space between them. He slipped in his bag and asked Diana, "It's not too cramp is it?" Clark asked.

Diana smiled softly at him. "No. It's perfect. Good night, Clark."

"Good night, Diana." Given the nights event and her being poisoned twice,

Diana was quick to fall asleep. Clark, however, wasn't so lucky. Being in a cramp tent with Diana fighting off his loins and ready to defend Diana in case someone came to attack her now, meant Clark was going to be up all night.