AN: There's adult content in this chapter and some I had to take out for the rating. If you want to read the adult version, be over 18 and PM me or leave your email.

JL: The Newest Recruit

Part Seventeen: Love and War

Following the events over Doomsday, Cadmus fall came quickly. Their first mistake was trying to discredit the Justice League. When Lex Luthor announced his candidacy for President of the United States, he convinced the newly recruited Captain Marvel to endorse him. Superman talked to Captain Marvel, tried to convince him Lex Luthor was evil but Captain Marvel believed Luthor had changed so it was up to the Justice League to investigate and bring Captain Marvel proof that Luthor was evil.

Realizing that Luthor was trying to pit Superman and Captain Marvel against each other, Superman played along until he, Batman and Wonder Woman gathered enough evidence to turn the tables and expose Lex Luthor just as Lex Luthor thought he was sitting up a colossal battle of Superman versus Captain Marvel on live TV. Exposed for his shady dealings and money trail to questionable government projects under Cadmus that attacked the Justice League in front of millions of viewers, Luthor had many questions to answer to the media and potential voters. Captain Marvel was the innocent harmed in this incident and decided to resign from the Justice League until he was mentally older and mature to not be so easily fooled again.

Instead of Superman's name being discredited, it was Luthor's. Favorable opinion polls dropped and Lex Luthor was forced to drop his campaign for President. Luthor was furious and wanted revenge to destroy the Justice League once and for all. Luthor got a hold of the Watchtower's main firing gun and launch it on Cadmus, causing destructive damage on the city. Unaware of Luthor's deception, Amanda Waller retaliated sending Galatea and the Ultimen clones on the League.

The founding members of the Justice League with the exception of Batman turned themselves to the authorities to prove innocence. The action caused the Watchtower to be invaded and without their most powerful members to fight against the Ultimen clones and Galatea, the Watchtower was almost destroyed. When the original seven were released, they had a bigger battle to face: Lex Luthor fused with Brainaic. It took the seven with the almost sacrifice of Flash to defeat Luthor and Brainaic. When the battle was over, Cadmus fell once and for all, Brainaic was destroyed and Lex Luthor was imprisoned.

The Watchtower was repaired and a New Hall of Justice was built on Earth. With peace restored to the Earth from major threats, Clark and Diana decided it was time to make plans for their union ceremony. Only a few outside the founding members of the Justice League knew of the marriage and were naturally happy for the two. Flash was stunned he hadn't noticed it sooner.

Clark and Diana took themselves off the roster for a week to prepare for the ceremony. Clark also made arrangements with the Daily Planet as he put in his vacation time.

"Any plans for your vacation, Smallville?" Lois asked Clark as she watched him pack his shoulder bag. "Going home to Smallville or out on a real vacation?"

"Diana and I are going to spend time with her family before we go off to the Caribbean together." It wasn't an entire lie.

Lois met Diana Prince once at the Excalibur Awards where Clark won a journalism award. Diana was a prim lady with her glasses, hair in a bun and dowdy clothing. Lois thought the woman was a spinster.

"Meeting the family sounds serious. Does that mean wedding bells are in the future?"

Lois didn't know how right she was. "Diana and I are going to live together."

Lois eyebrows went up. "You? *You're* going to live with your girlfriend? You both seem so….well, I mean, I never thought you were the type to live with your girlfriend, especially with your parents and your background."

Clark wasn't sure how he should reply to that so he let the matter drop.

"By the way, congratulations on your interview with Wonder Woman," Lois said dryly. "Seems we will be seeing more of her kind soon with them planning to come here. Your girlfriend wasn't jealous of you spending time with the most beautiful woman in the world?"

How could he when his girlfriend is the most beautiful woman in the world? "Diana is very secure in herself. She's not worried about me when I have to interview Wonder Woman. She knows it's work."

"She's not insecure at all?" Lois doubted that. "She also has the same name as Wonder Woman. One would think you are involved with Diana Prince because of that."

"That's ridiculous, Lois. I would never date someone because of her name."

Lois shrugged. "Just saying."

Clark ignored the comment and ready to get off him, asked her, "So, Lois, how are you?"

Lois' eyebrows went up again. "Hmm?"

"How are you socially? You're a beautiful, smart woman but you haven't been dating much. My mother always told me there's someone for everyone and I know there's a guy out there for you if you give him a chance."

Lois frowned puzzled. She could've sworn Superman said the same thing to her. Weird. "Some guy told me the same thing, Smallville. A guy who dumped me for a beauty queen."

Still bitter. At least she wasn't attacking Superman and Wonder Woman as much anymore. "He's not worth it if he dumped you."

"Speak for yourself," Lois muttered. "But I rather not talk about him. I'll hold the fort for you while you're living it up in the Caribbean."

Clark tossed his bag over his shoulder. "You'll hardly know I'm gone."

Lois embraced Clark and watched him disappear in the elevator. Lois sat back in her chair and sighed as Jimmy walked by her desk, "There's something wrong in the world when Clark Kent is in a successful relationship and Lois Lane can't hold down a man. It's even worse when he's giving advice. "

"When you compare each guy to Superman, who has a chance?"

Lois raised her eyes at Jimmy. "What?"

Not threatened by Lois gaze, Jimmy sat on Clark's desk and polished his camera. "I may be young but I'm not stupid. I know you and Superman had something going on but then you broke up. Why else would you start passing some of Superman's stories? Even I notice you took a shot at him in your story sometimes."

"Maybe I was getting bored with him," Lois said turning off her computer. If she can get out of here without someone else giving her advice, it would be a good night.

"*You* get bored with Superman?" Jimmy lowered his cleaning cloth on Clark's desk and looked through the lens. "Was it Wonder Woman?"

Lois narrowed her eyes at him, her anger evident. "What?"

"Did you two break up over Wonder Woman?" Lois didn't say anything and Jimmy knew he was right. "Maybe it's better this way. At least Superman won't have to worry about you being a target for his enemies anymore."

"As if my safety was the problem," Lois muttered.

"Maybe some people are better suited for each other than others or certain circumstances bring them together," Jimmy said sympathetic to Lois' situation. "Take my grandparents: sweetest, honest, moralist couple you can imagine. When they were my age, my grandmother met my grandfather when she was engaged to another guy. It was an arrange engagement but when she met my grandpa she knew it was love. Think how that played out back in those days, but my grandma did what she had to do and never regretted it."

"Is this story suppose to make me feel better?" Lois asked irritated.

Jimmy smiled sheepishly. "Um, I guess not but I'm sure the other guy had a great life. You don't want my advice--"

"The first smart thing you've said all day," Lois wisely cracked.

"I'm going to give it anyway." Lois rolled her eyes. How much of this did she have to endure? "Be glad you had the opportunity to be Superman's girlfriend for a while. If I were Wonder Woman's guy for a day, I wouldn't complain one bit. Look at me and Clark's cousin, Kara. We dated, it didn't work out but we moved on. You should, too."

"As if breaking up with Clark's cousin is like breaking up with Superman," Lois muttered as she gathered her purse and rose from her desk.

Lois walked off without a goodbye to Jimmy. "Breaking up is the same no matter who it is," he said wisely and went back to polishing his camera.

Lois drove home angry. Driving aggressively and fighting traffic was just what she needed. Clark has someone and was giving her advice. Jimmy had no one and was giving her advice. What was the world coming to?

"For an ace reporter, you're pathetic and stupidly blind."

Lois turned and saw a woman sitting in her passenger seat. Where did she come from? "Who the hell are you? How did you get in my car?"

The beautiful woman was dressed in a long, silk green gown with side slits revealing her tone legs and a plunging neckline exposing her well endowed breasts. Lois also didn't know it but Circe was in her car. "I've been so patient with you."

"Lady, you got one minute to get out of my car or I'm gonna kick you out!" Lois threatened.

Circe settled more comfortably in her seat. "Darling, you can try but you can't kick me out. You don't know me but think of me as your Fairy Godmother and I'm gonna make all your wishes come true."

Lois scoffed. "You can't make my wishes come true. You don't know what I want."

Circe smiled. "Does the name Superman sound familiar?"

Lois rolled her eyes. "Lots of women want Superman."

"But not many want him as you do or know that he dumped you for Wonder Woman," Circe pointed out with a wink.

Lois pulled off the road and stopped her car. She got in Circe's face. "Who are you and how do you know that?"

Circe grinned. "I told you. I'm your Fairy God--"

"Cut it! There's no such thing!"

"I'm just want to help my fellow sister out," Circe innocently answered. "I know what it means to be scorn by a man. I just want to give you what you want."

"The way you got in my car without my knowledge tells me you're magical. I know enough that people like you have ulterior motives and siding with you means selling my soul."

Circe laughed, "Honey, if I wanted your soul, I would've taken it a long time ago. To show my good faith, I'll throw you a bone."

"How?"

"Two days from now don't go to work."

That was an odd thing to say. "Why not? Will the Daily Planet be attacked? I've survived many of those."

Circe smiled slyly as she fade before Lois' eyes. "Let's just say you may see something you can't deal with."

Lois wondered what that meant but that warning wasn't going to stop her from going to work two days from now. It encouraged it.

"Your Highness, this is blasphemy to the Amazon race!" Ipthime argued with the queen.

Hippolyta sat at her desk listening to Ipthime. Plans were underway for Diana's union with Clark. Hippolyta gave her approval to the union when Diana and Clark asked for permission. Not only did the queen agree but so did many of the Amazons. Ipthime represented the few who questioned the courtship.

"First, you give blessings to Diana's courtship to Superman, then you approve of them wanting an Amazon union and now you allow men to the island once more. This will bring the fall of the Amazons."

"Two men will end the Amazons?" Hippolyta questioned skeptically. "One a noble Kryptonian and the other an old human who raised Kal-El? I think it will take more than them to bring down the Amazons. The world is changing, Ipthime, and it's clear the Amazons cannot live in isolation anymore. There may come a time where we will need their help again."

"Why can't we live in isolation?" Ipthime asked. "We haven't been disturbed."

"There are two reasons we can no longer remained isolated: Felix Faust and Aresia. Had we known someone in the outside world, we would've handed Aresia over to her kind instead of taking her in. Had we outside allies, we would've gotten help over Felix Faust much sooner than we did. The incidents were a warning from the Gods. I will not lose any Amazons by being so arrogant in thinking we do not need help from the outside world."

"Allying ourselves with anyone in that world raises more threats against us," Ipthime argued. "Soon their enemies will come after us."

"That didn't stop the likes of Felix Faust. Also our enemies have gone after them or had you forgotten Circe's spell over Aresia?"

"No. Your Highness. Personally speaking, I feel Aresia had the right idea."

Hippolyta took noticed of Ipthime's dark tone. "I don't like where your thoughts are taking you, Ipthime."

"It is how I feel and I feel no man should partake in Amazon traditions."

"Diana once told me men didn't allow women in armies, work or vote but women in Man's World broke those barriers down. How would we be if we deny Diana and Kal-El to partake in an Amazon union because Kal-El is a man? The Amazons are better than men in that we are more open."

"Yes and Your Highness knows what actions befell the Amazons when were open to men."

"We can no longer live in the past, Ipthime," Hippolyta reminded the Amazon. "All men aren't the same as all women aren't. Let it not be said the Queen of the Amazons is not afraid of change."

"But to allow Superman to partake in Amazonian union rituals and the ceremony itself?" Ipthime was repulsed at a man taking part in sacred traditions.

"I take it as a compliment that Kal-El wants to honor our people's traditions than to force his own on Diana," Hippolyta commented and slyly added, "Lucky for him such rituals allow a man or woman to participate."

"Did you have that in mind when you and the High Priestess designed such rituals?" Ipthime questioned.

"When the rituals were created, we were still living in the world of man, Ipthime. I'll let you decide."

A knocked at the queen's door stopped Ipthime from responding. "Come in."

Magda entered the room. "Your Highness. Superman and his party have arrived."

"Thank you, Magda." Hippolyta rose from her chair. "Ipthime, I will have no more talk of this while Kal-El and his family are here. I expect you to be respectful to our guests."

"Superman and his father have not earned my respect. They should only see this isle if they were a eunuch and not for coming to our Princess' union ceremony," Ipthime bitterly remarked. "His mother will only receive my pity."

"Ipthime!" Hippolyta raised her voice. "I will hear no more. I will have your word that you will not disrespect our guests, nor will you do anything to disrupt this ceremony."

"I will not do so on my will but on the orders of my Queen."

"Then let it be," Hippolyta decreed.

Ipthime bowed. "As Your Highness wish." Hippolyta left her office and Ipthime decided it was best she avoided the guests as much as possible if she was to keep her word to the Queen.

The day before the ceremony while Clark and Diana took part in the rituals of meditation and purification. Hippolyta spent the day getting to know Jonathon and Martha Kent. While sharing the history of the Amazons and showing them the isle of Themyscira, the Kent's shared stories of Clark and pictures of him as a child. Hippolyta saw where Clark got his values. The Kent's were kind, hardworking, honest people. Jonathon Kent was very respectful to the Amazons and offered his farming tips and what a good tractor would do for their farming. Martha Kent certainly wasn't a pushover either. Though a homemaker, Martha was an intelligent and strong woman where it was evident Jonathon Kent admired. Hippolyta saw that same admiration in Clark's eyes when he looked at her daughter. It gave her hope on her daughter's future with him.

The union of Clark and Diana took place in the morning in Apollo's Temple where it was filled to capacity. It was after all a momentous occasion: the first joining of a man and woman during an Amazon ceremony. Even if it weren't their princess and her male consort, the Amazons would still attend a historic event. The ones who could not or more correctly refused to attend remained on guard duty throughout the island.

Among the few who were guarding the island was Ipthime. As ordered by the queen, Ipthime protests over the union was in silence. In a tower not far from Apollo's Temple, Ipthime heard the sudden cheers of joy and music. Ipthime knew Diana and Superman's union was official.

"You can do more than just protest, darling."

Ipthime whirled around. "Circe." She withdrew her sword. "What are you doing here?"

With a flip of her hand, Circe yanked the sword from Ipthime's hand. She examined the weapon as she saucily asked, "Can't a witch visit the island of the Amazons?"

"No! You are a sworn enemy of the Amazons and you want Princess Diana dead!"

Circe threw the sword at Ipthime's feet. "Well, if you feel I'm that much of a threat, why don't you sound the alarms and let everyone know I'm here? Go ahead. I'll stand right here while you do it."

Ipthime remained where she was.

Circe smiled cockily. "So, you won't tell. I'm touched."

"Why are you here?" Ipthime demanded to know. "Are you here to interrupt the union? You're too late for that and even if you were, I would stop you. I may not agree with it but I will do everything to protect my Princess."

"Of course. That's why you are warning everyone I'm here now." Circe sarcastically pointed out.

"Why are you here?" Ipthime asked again. She knew she should let everyone know of Circe's presence but something was stopping her.

Circe floated in the air, sitting with her legs crossed as if she was in an invisible chair. "How would you feel if I kill Diana's lover?"

Ipthime didn't regret her first thought was satisfaction and yet…"I wouldn't abide it. It would cause sadness to my Princess."

Circe rolled her eyes disgusted with the answer. "You *are* loyal to her. How sickening. What if I create a situation whereas Superman leaves her?" Circe offered. "Would you tell?"

"I…." Ipthime paused. Diana would be hurt but if Superman were the cause…. "I'm not sure."

Circe could read Ipthime. She needed to twist and confused Ipthime's thought a little more to get the sucker on her side. "This is Diana first relationship with a man. She's exploring feelings she never felt before and so far Superman is showing her the half truth of men. She doesn't know the horrors men can sink to, but you do. Remember?"

Circe magically pulled a mirror out of the air. In it's image was one of Heracles men, beating and subduing Ipthime to submission as he forced himself on her.

Ipthime recoiled seeing the horrors of her past relived again. The people in the mirror soon changed from her and Heracles' soldier to a bloodied and beaten Diana being raped by Superman. "Stop it!" Ipthime ordered, turning away from the violent image. "Stop it!"

But Circe kept on. "Wouldn't a man breaking Diana's heart be the way for her to see they are no good? She will give up this notion that the Amazons can trust men and join with humanity once more." Fooling this Amazon was easier than she thought. How weak minded they were.

Though Ipthime didn't trust Circe, the witch's words were tempting. "It….it may be possible."

"You want to remain isolated from men forever, don't you? And you should. Man's World hasn't change. It's gotten worse. Sure women have rights but they are still ruled by man. Look at how women are still used and abused by men."

Circe's mirror floated before Ipthime. She saw images of women in strip clubs, prostitutes serving men, husbands hitting wives. Circe's manipulative voice filled Ipthime's mind. "Going back to that world, will only poison the Amazons. Your race will die. I can promise it won't. All I ask is that you help me."

Ipthime considered Circe's tempting offer. She knew Circe couldn't be trusted and yet her points about the Amazons were valid. Joining with Man's World could spell the end of the Amazons. The Amazons lived for centuries without the influence of men. Why should it change now? The Amazons didn't need men and Ipthime knew Circe didn't care for men either.

Only one questioned remained for Ipthime: Could she trust Circe?

After the ceremony, a grand feast was held for the new couple in the dining hall. Clark and Diana sat with the queen and the Kent's as they viewed the entertainment. Many Amazons danced in celebration while others provided the musical inspiration with songs and instrumentals on drums, flutes and harps.

Clark left the celebrations briefly to take his parents home. When he returned he noticed Diana was now partaking in the dances. With a signal to her sisters, the soft music the Amazons changed to low hums and rhythmic drumbeats. The dancers slowly departed until only Diana was dancing, her alluring eyes locked on Clark.

Knowing Clark was unaware of what was happening, Hippolyta let him in on the secret. "Diana is performing the mating dance. At all our ceremonies, the dance of love is performed when one is ready to leave and partake in mating activities."

"Mating dance?" This wasn't a conversation he wanted to have with Diana's mother!

Hippolyta appeared to not have such embarrassment in sharing this information. "While she performs the dance you are not to touch her and she is not to touch you. It's to heighten the anticipation for the night's activities."

Clark swallowed hard and turned his attention back to Diana.

Diana slowly made her way to him as she danced. Diana used her whole body: swinging her hips with subtle thrusts at him, swiftly moving her legs in step, teasing him with flashes of her tone legs. Her arms were thrown in the air and her breasts gently swayed under her gown. Clark's eyes locked on her body's movements. His eyes were aware of her nudity under the thin piece of silk, his ears heard the rising beats of her heart and his nose picked up the smell of her-- Clark inhaled sharply. Did Diana know what she was doing in her dancing? The smile on her lips and desire in her eyes told him yes.

As the music heightened so did her movements as she moved closer to Clark. Clark never knew Diana could move her hips so fast and in such a sensual manner. No matter how close Diana got to him she never touched him as was part of the ritual. It was hard for him to not touch her. It was even harder still forcing his body to not react, especially when he could see the outline of Diana's body in her silk gown and the slight puckering of her nipples.

Just when he thought he couldn't take it anymore, Diana departed from him and returned to the center of the room where the other dancers joined her as she finished her performance.

Diana nervously approached Clark afterwards and asked, "Did you enjoy the dance, Kal?"

For an answer Clark captured his lips with hers in a wild, hungry kiss. Diana clung to the front of his tunic, her fingers brushing against the hard muscles underneath the soft cloth as his rough tongue explored the recesses of her mouth.

Aware others were watching, Clark pulled away and whispered huskily, "I think we should go."

Diana nodded weakly. "I think you're right."

Taking her hand, Clark stood and pulled Diana to her feet. No words were needed as the Amazons were well aware of their intention of leaving. They knew what the dance of love did.

Once inside Diana's bedroom, Diana wrapped her arms around Clark from behind. "My room has everything we need should we decide to be alone for a few days."

Clark turned around in Diana's arms. "Let's hope so." His mouth came down on her in pure passion. One hand was tangled in her hair while the other caressed down her back to her backside. The sneaky hand moved past the slits of her gown as he caressed a thigh and moved up to caress her center.

Diana gasped in his mouth at the intimate touch and her body arched against him. Clark moved to place kisses along her neck while teasingly caressing her center. Diana writhed against him as she whimpered his name. "Kal. Kal, wait."

Clark abruptly pulled away. "What's the matter? Something wrong?"

Diana shook her head. "No. It's not that. I have something I want to change into first. Shayera and Dinah suggested it. I think you will like it."

"It doesn't matter. It's gonna end up on the floor anyway."

Diana chuckled. "Shayera and Dinah made a bet if you say that. Looks like Shayera won." Diana gave him a quick kiss. "I'll be back."

It didn't take long for Diana to get ready. She was looking forward to this moment as much as Clark and didn't see the need to take her time. Diana returned wearing a red nightgown that clung to every curve on her body with a matching wrap.

Clark was sitting up on her bed, leaning back against the gold headboard. The bed sheet came to his waist. His chest was bare, broad and rippling with his muscles. Diana was wise to guess he wasn't wearing anything under the sheets. Her heart raced as she stepped to him.

Clark's eyes followed Diana as she came closer to him. "Very nice. Come here." Diana stepped close enough for Clark to touch the red silk she wore. "Take off the wrap," he commanded.

Diana untied the silk ribbon that held her wrap together and let it to fall on the floor. Clark saw her arousal through her gown. He could feel his poke through the sheets. "Now take off the gown."

Diana touched a thin strap and teased, "Wouldn't you rather?"

"It won't be in one piece if I do. Now take it off."

Diana took a step back, her playful eyes challenging him. "Come and make me."

Diana took another step back as Clark warned, "Don't challenge me like that."

Pushing his buttons, Diana took two more steps back. "If you want this gown off, you have to remove it yourself." Taunting him, she took another step back. "Otherwise, I'm leaving."

Diana turned and only managed one step forward when she heard a whoosh and a hard body pressed against her. Diana yelped as Clark tossed her over her shoulder.

"Kal!" Diana laughed. "Put me down!"

Clark dumped Diana on the bed laughing as his powerful body settled on top of her. "I told you not to challenge me."

"You didn't have to break my strap." Diana indicated to her torn left strap.

"Might as well make it even." Clark grinned as he tore off the other strap. He pulled the garment down to her waist and his burning gaze stared at the fullness and soft curves of her breasts. "Beautiful," he breathed. He looked her over, listening to her erratic heartbeat which kept him in tune to her emotions. She was excited and wanted him but he also sensed fear in her. He smiled encouragingly. "Nervous?"

"A little," Diana admitted, "But I trust you."

"It'll be all right," he murmured kissing her softly. He pulled back reading her eyes and kissed her again, with more passion behind it. His hands caressed her body sending her exposed skin aflame with each touch. A pleasant sigh escaped her lips as his mouth broke from hers to send kisses down the base of her neck.

Diana drew in a sharp breath when his mouth covered a nipple, teasing her with his teeth before suckling gently. Diana could hear herself moaning, sounds coming from her mouth that never had before. Her fears were fading as a fire was building in her. She never thought such emotions; such wanton desires were buried in her. He offered her other breast the same treatment. Diana arched against him; a hand in his hair and the other gripping his back so sharply, Clark groaned against her.

Diana was surrendering herself to the blissful lovemaking when there was a rapid knocking at her door. "Princess, I'm sorry to disturb you."

Diana opened her eyes in shock at the intrusion. She looked at Clark who asked, "Should we respond?"

"Ignore it," Diana said as she roughly pulled Clark to her lips.

The knocking didn't stop as Euboea pleaded. "Princess, please open. It's an emergency. Bad things are happening in Man's World. Your friend, Batman is here."

It was as if someone dumped a bucket of cold water on them. It had to be important for Batman to show up. Diana pulled away from Clark. "Damn them to Hades," Diana swore while a more offensive expletive came out of Clark's mouth.

The knocking continued. "Princess?"

"Give us a minute, Euboea. Kal and I will be there in a moment."

Batman waited for them in the throne room with Hippolyta and Phillipus. Coming here was the last thing Batman wanted but he knew he was the one person Clark and Diana wouldn't kill for disturbing their honeymoon, and he needed their help. When he saw them entering the room, Batman made no joke about the frustrated look in their eyes. He realized immediately he disturbed them before they could consummate their relationship.

"It's Darkseid," Batman went to the business. "He's heading to Earth with all his armies on Apokolips to destroy this planet once and for all and before you say he's dead, Luthor stupidly brought him back thinking he was bringing Brainaic back."

Superman growled. "I'll kill them both this time."

Diana was the calmer of the two. "We better go. There can't be much time left."

"The Amazons will assist you," Hippolyta announced. It took the three heroes by surprised so the queen explained herself. "This Darkseid is planning to destroy the Earth. No place on this planet is safe. He'll eventually find Themyscira. Once I gathered my best warriors, we'll join you."

Diana embraced her mother. "Thank you, Mother and may the Gods protect you and our Sisters."

"May They protect you and your allies."

Superman and Wonder Woman flew out of the palace while Batman followed in his jet. Batman received an emergency message from Green Lantern and relayed it to Clark and Diana.

"Green Lantern has contacted Oa. They are sending reinforcements. He also told me the mother ship is over the Daily Planet building. Lex Luthor is on top fighting off the parademons."

"You're not fighting Darkseid without me." It was fact not a request from Diana.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Clark said and asked Bruce. "Are you coming with us to Metropolis?"

"I have my own city to take care of." Batman split up with the pair as he turned his jet left heading for Gotham City.

Lois Lane wished she had taken Circe's advice and not come to work but her curiosity got the better of her. The skies were clear and it looked like a peaceful day in Metropolis except for the ominous large ship hovering over the Daily Planet building and an army of parademons surrounding the building.

"Looks like you want to learn the hard way."

Lois turned and saw Circe standing beside her. Instead of the lavish green dress she wore in their previous encounter, Circe was dressed in a dark business suit, blending in with everyone in the now panicked Daily Planet office.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to watch the show. It's going to be a good one." Circe pointed out the window. "Here comes the happy couple. Hmm. They don't look happy."

Lois flashed a dirty look at Circe before looking out the window. Superman and Wonder Woman were flying into Metropolis. "Who's happy coming to a fight?" Lois remarked dryly.

Circe laughed. "That's not the reason they're not happy."

There was something suspicious in Circe's tone that Lois couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean by that?"

Circe pulled out her mirror. "Have a look at what Superman and Wonder Woman were doing before coming here."

Lois took the mirror. She was reluctant but took the chance to look and her world shattered.

Meanwhile, Superman and Wonder Woman landed on top the Daily Planet building where Luthor was battling parademons.

"Where the hell have you been?!" Luthor growled at Superman as he and Wonder Woman help fight the parademons. Neither held back on their punches and kicks as they knocked the parademons out one by one.

"I'm the last person you want to pick a fight with, Luthor!" Superman fired his heat vision on parademons cutting off wings and limbs.

Diana grabbed two parademons and mashed their heads together knocking them out. "I wonder how much longer we have to deal with the pawns before their master shows up!"

A beam shone on everyone as they all stopped fighting and looked up to see Darkseid hovering in the sky. "Time's up."

The remaining parademons stood down as Darkseid descended from the sky. "I hope that you appreciate, Kal-El, that everything that happens from this point on is on your head. The skies will rain fire, the oceans will boil, and the streets will run red with the blood of billions. Only then, after the last bit of hope is extinguished, will I kill you." Darkseid's eyes burned a fiery red. "Let's go."

Before Superman could throw the first punch, Luthor charge first in a weak attempt to fight Darkseid in avenging Brainaic. The electric force field Darkseid surrounded himself repelled Luthor and tossed him off the Daily Planet building.

Wonder Woman jumped off the building to catch Luthor. She dropped him at the police station where cops were parked outside the station and flew off to rejoin Superman.

As Diana neared the Daily Planet building, a swarm of nearly one hundred parademons blocked Diana's entrance to the Daily Planet. Diana started to wonder how she was going to get passed them.

Arrows rained from the sky hitting the parademons. Following the arrows were clangs of swords and axes and a familiar battle cry. Diana looked back and saw her mother and Amazon sisters on winged chariots arriving to fight the parademons.

"Mother!" Diana flew to Hippolyta's side and helped her battle the parademons surrounding her.

Hippolyta sliced a limb off a parademon with her sword. "Where is Kal-El?"

"He's inside the building. The parademons are blocking my entrance. I need to fight by his side, Mother."

The solution was obvious to Hippolyta. "Then we will create an opening for you!"

On the roof of the Daily Planet, Superman and Darkseid stared each other down. With the parademons blocking Wonder Woman's return to the Daily Planet, no one was going to interrupt Darkseid's fight with Superman.

"I'm more powerful than I've ever been," Darkseid boasted. "And the last time we met, you barely managed to hold your own."

A flash of anger crossed Superman's face. "Funny, that's not how I remember it."

Darkseid picked up the Daily Planet globe. "Allow me to refresh your memory." He smashed the giant globe on Superman with such strength, he fell through the roof of the Daily Planet going down through the floors below.

Down below, the Daily Planet building had been evacuated with only a few left: Lois Lane, Perry White, Ron Troupe, Jimmy Olsen and Circe. Lois couldn't move as she witnessed in Circe's mirror, the intimacy Superman and Wonder Woman were sharing in bed.

"How could he?" Lois cried. She didn't notice the trembling ceiling that was on the verge of falling apart.

Circe grabbed Lois' hand and pulled her to safety. "You better get back if you want to live."

Superman, holding the Daily Planet globe, crashed from above. He would've continued falling had Wonder Woman not flew in and took hold of the globe, slowing his fall before he fell through another floor. Diana took the globe off Superman's hands and laid it among the ruins of the Daily Planet office. Wonder Woman's hands were all over Superman as she examined his wounds.

Lois shoved the mirror back at Circe. "I bet she's using an excuse to touch him."

Circe smirked, "I told you not to come."

"Shut up!"

Darkseid descended before Superman and Wonder Woman. He glared at Wonder Woman. "I will not have you interfere in having Kal-El die at my hands, Amazon. Parademons, dispose of this insolent pest."

Parademons surrounded Wonder Woman like a swarm of bees. "Bring it. I have a lot of frustrated energy to burn off!"

The parademons attacked her at once. Diana punched and kicked the parademons in pure Amazonian anger. She grabbed one and smashed him with another parademon. Diana hooked a parademon in her lasso and crashed it in the damaged Daily Planet globe. Diana grabbed a spear a parade one dropped and used it against the enemy. One by one she took the parademons down until no one was standing.

Diana turned to see Superman engaged in a ferocious battle with Darkseid. She watched Clark throw, block and received hits from Darkseid. He was holding his own but Diana didn't understand why he was holding back. When Diana saw Darkseid knocked Superman down and he wasn't moving, she decided to step in.

Darkseid picked up a concrete wall and was going to smash Superman with it when Wonder Woman kicked Darkseid's back. The evil tyrant stumbled and dropped the concrete. His eyes burned with anger at the one who dared strike him. When he saw the attacker was Wonder Woman, he looked for his parademons and saw they were all lying around in defeat.

"Die!" He scowled at Wonder Woman as he fired his omega beams on her.

Wonder Woman crossed her arms, deflecting the dangerous beams back with her bracelets. Darkseid used more force but it didn't stop Wonder Woman.

"You should be proud. Very few people can deflect my beams." He stepped towards her. "In cases like this, brute force is needed." Wonder Woman blocked the first attacked but not the second and was sent flying across the room.

Darkseid had a stronger punch than Wonder Woman imagine. Still, that wasn't going to stop her. Wonder Woman flew at Darkseid and managed a strong left and right hook to Darkseid before he wrapped one of his large hands around Wonder Woman's waist. He was going to slam her body through the floor but Diana managed to break out of his hold and kick him off her.

Superman opened his eyes. He could hear Diana fighting off Darkseid. She was strong but she couldn't defeat him. Warm-up was over he decided as he stood up. It was time for Darkseid to see what he was really made of.

"Superman!"

"Lois?" Superman stared befuddled at Lois as she ran to him. "Why are you still here? Get out! It's not safe!"

"It's not safe for you. I saw what Darkseid did to you. Let Wonder Woman take care of him. The Justice League will come soon and help."

"What's the matter with you? I'm not leaving Diana to face Darkseid alone."

Superman pulled out of Lois grasp but she grabbed him again on the verge of tears. "Is she more important to you than me?"

Now Superman was completely lost. "What? Lois, where is this coming from?"

"All our special times together. Do you remember?" She reached forward and caressed his face. "It can't be more important than her."

Superman gently took Lois' hand off him. "Lois, we've been over a while now. I can't talk about this now-" Diana's scream cut through the room. Superman saw Diana lying at Darkseid's feet. "Diana!"

Superman didn't look back as he left Lois and rush to Diana's aide. Circe appeared next to Lois completely baffled. "What the hell was that?"

"I thought… I had hoped he would see me and see how much he loves me." Tears fell from her eyes. "He doesn't care about me anymore."

Circe patted Lois' back supportively with a smug grin on her face. "After all you've done for him and this is how he repays you? He never showed any regards to your feelings. He was always hanging around Wonder Woman, defending her when you questioned his relationship with her. Why, I bet he was cheating with her since she arrived in the world. I mean, it's not impossible. A beautiful woman walking around in a swimsuit all day. No man can be immune to her charms."

Lois let Circe's words sink in. "I bet they were together all that time."

Circe and Lois watched as Superman fought with Darkseid, this time not holding back. "Look at him. Look at how he fights Darkseid now because Wonder Woman was hit by him. In all the time you were together, did he show such ferocity when you were hurt or close to death?"

"No," Lois realized. "He didn't."

"He didn't care for you. He never did," Circe's words were poison. "They both should pay for making a fool out of you."

"Yes," Lois agreed taken in by Circe's toxic allure word. "They should, shouldn't they?"

*And another sucker falls into my web.*

Seconds after Superman left Lois' side, Darkseid stood over Diana. "Learn your place woman and stand down!" Darkseid was prepared to fire his omega beams on her when Superman's fist landed across Darkseid's face.

"Enough is enough!" Superman snarled fiercely. Before Darkseid could put up a fist, Superman locked a hand around his neck. "Lay one more hand on that woman and I will kill you where you stand."

Darkseid grinned wickedly. "Is she that special to you, Kryptonian?"

Superman refused to let Darkseid see how much he cares for Wonder Woman. "You should know that no matter what you and your crones throw at her or my team mates they will not stop as long as they can draw breath from their body."

Superman slammed Darkseid into a wall and delivered punch after punch on the wicked tyrant so hard that Darkseid was starting to bleed. He couldn't put a fist to defend himself from Superman. Soon the wall crumbled and Darkseid fell several stories from the Daily Planet building. Superman grabbed hold of him and continued pounding him with his fists until the two crashed onto the concrete streets below.

They created a crater nearly ten feet deep. When Darkseid crawled out of the crater, his face was met with a red boot that sent him flying several feet.

Superman strolled toward him. "I've got a different problem. I feel like I live in a world made of cardboard. Always taking constant care not to break something, to break someone. I can never allow myself to lose control, even for a moment, or someone could die."

Darkseid pulled himself to his feet. He swung a fist at Superman who caught it and returned the move with a punch of his own. Darkseid stumbled back. "But you can take it, can't you, big man? What we have here is a rare opportunity for me to cut loose, and show you just how powerful I really am."

Above in the Daily Planet building, Diana could not look more proud of Clark as he delivered a punch to Darkseid that not only shook the streets but sent Darkseid flying in the air. The evil Lord of Apokolips went through several skyscrapers and would've kept going if Superman wasn't on the other side to deliver another of his unrepressed punches that sent Darkseid to the plummeting to the ground.

It looked as if Superman had the battle won. Wonder Woman descended from the Daily Planet building to the streets, keeping a close eye on Darkseid. Who knew what tricks he had up his dirty sleeve.

Superman floated to the streets watching Darkseid struggle to rise, feeling confident this battle was over and thrilled at releasing some of his frustration on Darkseid for what he interrupted. "Had enough?"

Darkseid smirked. "Not quite." He reached for the agony matrix hidden on his battle suit. It was a torture device that attacked the neural receptors, releasing the worst kind of pain imaginable on anyone caught in its deadly web. Superman was flying towards him unaware of the sneak attack. Fool. Darkseid moved to throw the matrix on Superman when a gold tiara flew out of nowhere and slash Darkseid's throat. Unable to release the agony matrix on Superman, Darkseid got himself tangled in it. He crumbled to the ground, screaming in agonizing pain as his body was struck with the agony matrix.

Superman landed by Wonder Woman who was placing her gold tiara back on her head. They stared down at Darkseid trapped in his own weapon. "What happened, Diana?"

"Whatever Darkseid intended to hit you with has him now."

Superman noticed the more Darkseid moved the louder his screams became. "Whatever it is, it's fitting for him."

"Diana!"

Diana and Clark looked up at the Hippolyta descending on her chariot. High in the sky, the Amazons remained in their winged chariots. "The battle is over, Diana. The parademons have retreated back to their ship. The Amazons are keeping close watch on the enemy."

Diana hugged her mother. "How is everyone?"

"We have some injuries but no casualty as of yet. Fighting again is quite exhilarating!" Hippolyta said proudly. "I think the Amazons enjoyed this battle." She looked passed him at Darkseid. "Is that Darkseid? What do you plan to do with him?"

Superman looked up. "I think we're going to get some help on that."

John, Kyle and five other Green Lanterns descended from the sky. "Darkseid troops suddenly returned to their ships around the world as if waiting for something," John explained.

Kyle added, "We figured something must be going on here." Kyle looked past the three and saw Darkseid trapped in the agony matrix.

"OA will hold Darkseid captive where he will be tried and imprisoned," John explained. "Let's go!" The Green Lanterns locked Darkseid in a green prison with their power rings and left the Earth.

As Apokoliptan forces around the world witness their leader being taken away on their ships, they had no choice but to pull away in defeat leaving peace restored to the Earth once more.

"Now that this matter is settled, I will take my Amazons home." Hippolyta looked to Wonder Woman and Superman standing together. "I'm sure you two have business of your own to conclude once you finish up." Hippolyta signaled to the Amazons it was time for them to go.

Superman and Wonder Woman returned to the Metro Tower where all the Justice League and Legion of Doom members were all accounted for. When Wonder Woman announced it was time for the villains to go to jail, Atomic Skull argued with her they should get a pass since they helped saved the world. Batman offered a five minute head start and seeing the Justice League was dead serious the Legion of Doom turned and ran out of Metro Tower as fast as possible.

The Justice League followed after the Legion of Doom until Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman remained.

"So," Batman looked at the two with a wry grin, "are you going to help us recapture the Legion of Doom?"

Superman picked up Wonder Woman and with a sly smile of his own said, "What do you think?"

Batman shook his head, chuckling, "Have fun."

"Oh, we will," Superman promised and flew off with Diana his arms.

Diana nuzzled against Clark as he held her in his arms, flying under his speed. It was a euphoric feeling Diana knew she would never get use. As she noticed the air get cooler she told him, "Kal, Themyscira is the other way."

"I know, but we're going to the Fortress. No one can disturb us there!"