JL: The Newest Recruit

Part Twenty:

Divided They Fall

Diana landed on the roof of the hospital with the purple ray in her hands. Shayera was on the rooftop waiting for her. Diana wondered why she wasn't outside Lois' room. It didn't matter Diana thought. As soon as she administered the purple ray to Lois, she will be well again.

"I got it," Diana told Shayera excited. "Lois will be all right."

"She won't," Shayera said coolly.

"What?" Diana was struck by something in Shayera's tone. "What is it? Don't tell me Lois is dead."

"She went into cardiac arrest," Shayera explained. "It was all too much for her heart."

"No," Diana shook her head in denial. "No. She can't be dead."

"It was right after you left," Shayera went on. "The doctors did everything they could but they couldn't revive her."

Diana placed a hand over her chest, stricken as the news began to set in. "Oh, Gods. This is horrible."

"I told the doctors to keep quiet about it until her family was notified and identify the body," Shayera said. "Lois Lane is--was," Shayera corrected herself, "was quite a celebrity in the city. The news will be out tomorrow. Mr. Terrific is running the Watchtower now and he told me Superman was on his way back."

"Thank you, Shayera. It's best Kal hears it from me." Diana hesitantly asked Shayera. "Do they know? About Lois being Mysteria?"

Shayera shook her head. "No. I only told Mr. Terrific about Lois' death."

"I should go to the Watchtower and meet Kal. It's not going to be easy to tell him this."

"Superman won't hold this against you."

Diana wasn't so sure. "You know how Kal feels about killing and you know he and Lois were a couple."

"Were is right," Shayera told Diana. "Correct me if I'm wrong but he left her for you and you two are married now. Also, you didn't kill her, Diana," Shayera argued. "Lois died from her injuries after the battle was over and you were only defending yourself because she was out to kill you. You had no intention of killing her."

"I know, but Kal and Lois always had a special connection. He knew she was in trouble but couldn't help her." Diana sighed. "I don't know how he will react knowing I was the one who caused her death."

Diana watched as the Javelin entered the docking bay of the Watchtower. Diana remained calm. She didn't want Clark to read her emotions too quickly. She wanted to be with him alone before breaking the news.

Superman stepped off the Javelin and picked up his pace when he saw Diana. John Stewart, who was stepping off the ship with Clark, smiled in greeting and left the two alone. "This is a nice surprise. I wasn't expecting you to meet me."

"I wanted to greet you when you returned," Diana told him. "How did the trial go?"

"Hopefully, Darkseid won't be troubling us anymore. Darkseid has been attached to the Source Wall. I and a few of the other Green Lanterns made certain of that. He won't be getting out of that," Superman said hopeful but then added. "But anything is possible."

"Unfortunately that is true. He still has his followers." One matter was dealt with. Time to moved to the other one. "Could we go home now?"

Clark was surprised Diana would change the subject so quickly but grinned, recalling the conversation he had with Diana hours ago. "You *are* anxious, aren't you?"

Diana kept her cool. "I want to get you alone. I need to talk to you."

"Okay. We'll go home and *talk*," he said with a wink, clearly meaning something different than what Diana was telling him. "Want to take the direct approach to Earth?" Clark gestured as he opened the docking bay. Diana went to his side and Clark picked up Diana. "Ready?" Diana took in a deep breath and nodded. Clark flew from the docking area and made the smooth trip to Earth.

Upon arriving in Metropolis, Diana grew nervous the closer they were getting to their apartment but knew now was as good as any to tell Clark what happened while he was gone. "Kal, there's something I have to tell you."

Clark stopped in mid-flight as he saw the busted glass doors of their apartment. "Wait. Someone broke into our place."

Just seeing the shattered glass brought Diana's mind back to the fight. "I know, Kal. That's why I wanted to talk to you."

Clark landed on the balcony and released Diana. "Let me check the place first." He stepped inside first and scanned the apartment. "All clear. It looks as if only our bedroom was hit." He turned to face her. "What happened here, Diana?"

"Mysteria, Kal. She attacked me."

Clark was alarmed. "She knows who we are? How?"

Diana didn't answer that question. Instead, she told him what happened. "I got her out of the apartment and we fought in the streets. It was getting too dangerous for the civilians so I took her out of the city where we resumed our fight. I had her outmatched, Kal. I tried to get her to stop but she wouldn't. She kept coming after me and wouldn't stop fighting until I was dead so I had to stop her. I had to beat her up until I was able to subdue her in my lasso."

Clark nodded, following Diana's story. "It seems you didn't have a choice."

"I know," Diana said and her voice cracked, "But I wish things happened differently."

"Diana?" Clark queried, gripping her arms gently. "What happened?"

"I wrapped my lasso around her and it caused Mysteria to change into her human form." Diana gazed at him with mournful eyes. "I didn't know, Kal. If I had known she was human, if I had know it was *her*, I would've fought differently. I wouldn't have beaten her so badly."

"Diana," he said gravely, "who is Mysteria?"

"Lois."

Clark didn't look as if he heard her but the words slowly sank in. "No. No. That's not possible." He pulled away from Diana. "It couldn't be. Lois is human. Lois doesn't have super powers."

"It was her, Kal. I rushed her to the hospital as fast as I could. I left to get the purple ray--"

"Lois is in the hospital?" Clark nearly yelled. "How could you not tell she was Mysteria?"

"I couldn't." And to defend herself, she said, "You met her and couldn't tell either." Immediately, she regret saying that. "No. I don't mean it like that. Kal, there's more I have to tell you."

"Tell me on the way to the hospital," Clark said as he was making his way to the balcony. "I should see her."

"You can't." Clark turned to face Diana again. He waited for her reason. "Lois died tonight, Kal." Diana tried to break the words off as gently as she could but there was no gentle way to say someone has died. "Lois Lane is dead and it's all my fault."

"Dead? You killed her." Clark shook his head in denial. "No. That's impossible. Lois can't be dead. You couldn't have killed her. Not you." Clark cupped Diana's face gently as he plead with her. "Tell me that's not true."

"I wish I could tell you otherwise but I cannot, Kal. I'm so sorry."

Clark released Diana again. This was so hard to take in. "I thought you said you brought the purple ray."

"I did, but I was too late." Clark sat on the bed unsure what to say or do. Diana sat beside him and placed a hand over his. "Kal, I'm so sorry. If I had known--"

"I know," Clark cut her off. "I just….are you sure there wasn't another way? No, don't answer. I know you did everything in your power to stop the fight. It's…" he sighed. "I'm remembering the last time I saw Lois. She looked so happy. She even said how happy she was I found you. That was this afternoon and now she's gone… killed by your hands."

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Diana asked.

Clark shook his head. He was quiet for a good five minutes before he rose to his feet. "This room's a mess. I'll clean it up. We're suppose to get rain tomorrow. I'll get a new door before then. "

Diana gazed at him questioningly. "Kal?"

Clark stalked out of the room. Diana followed him into the kitchen where he was gathering the garbage container, a broom and dustpan. "Kal--"

"I need a moment alone." He moved passed Diana back to their bedroom.

Diana refused his request. "No. I won't allow you to bury your feelings. If you're angry with me, say it. Yell. Scream if you must, but don't hold it in."

Clark began picking up the large pieces of glass and dumping them in the trash. "I'm not angry at you, Diana. I know you didn't mean to kill her. It was an accident."

"Even if what you say is true, I know you're bothered."

Clark looked at her with slight annoyance. "You don't believe me?"

"I know you're not telling me everything that is on your mind."

"Maybe I don't want to talk about what's on my mind," Clark said as he resumed picking up the glass.

Diana knew he was getting angry. She wanted him angry. She wanted him to say what was on his mind so he wouldn't bury it. "Then that is a problem. Remember we promised not to keep secrets from each other."

"Sometimes secrets should be kept." Clark gritted then sighed. "It's not you I'm angry with. I'm angry with myself."

"What? I don't understand."

"Lois found out our identities. She must have figured it out while we were having lunch at Minerva. I shouldn't have invited her. It was my responsibility to save Lois and I failed to do so."

"Your responsibility? Kal, I know you cared for Lois but you're not responsible for her. She's not your child or your mate. She's a friend, but we can't be responsible for our friend's actions. Besides, you couldn't have known she was Mysteria."

Clark dumped the last of the broken glass in the trash. He knew Diana was right but he couldn't stop blaming himself. "I knew something was wrong, Diana. I tried to reach for her and I failed."

"You can't save everyone, Kal."

"I know, but I should've been able to save her."

"Don't do this to yourself," Diana urged him. "Don't blame yourself."

"Diana." Clark took in a deep breath. "I rather not talk about this anymore. Maybe tomorrow. It's been a long day." Clark gathered the trash can, broom, dust pan and left the room.

Diana sat on the bed unsure of what to do. Clark was building a wall around her but she refused to allow him to block her out. "Diana?" She looked up to see Clark standing in the doorway.

"I'm going to the store and pick up a new glass door."

"It's almost eleven. The stores are closed, Kal. You can do that tomorrow."

"Not on the west coast," Clark said and before Diana could say anymore, he flew away.

Clark didn't return until two hours later and when he did, he didn't say anything to Diana. He went straight to work on replacing the glass doors. Diana waited until he was finished before asking, "Are you coming to bed?"

It was a long moment before Clark gave his answer. "Yeah. I'm gonna take a shower first."

He took longer than expected before he did come to bed and once again, he was silent. Diana had her eyes closed pretending she was sleeping. She felt the other side of the bed dip as Clark sank in and then his back turned to her. Diana never felt so cold.

Clark laid in bed pensive. He thought of Diana sleeping beside him. *She must be going through a lot right now. I know Lois' death isn't her fault but I don't know if I can tell her why I'm so angry and disappointed in myself.*

Circe sat in her chair with a glass of wine, watching everything that took place between Wonder Woman and Superman from her crystal ball. Her smile is satisfied. "The dissension begins. When I take it up a notch tomorrow, I shall push them over the edge."

Diana awakened the following morning to find Clark gone. Obviously, he didn't want to talk to her. Diana sat up in bed trying to decide what to do. Running to her mother and seeking her advice would be the practical thing but Diana didn't want to do that. Diana had not run to her mother with a problem since her banishment and now things are patched up between them, Diana wasn't going to start that habit again. This was her mess and she was going to get herself out of it by herself.

Diana slipped on her robe and walked into the living room. She turned on the news and the top story was the death of Lois Lane. Clark was on the television with other Daily Planet staffers, speaking of their lost colleague.

"I'm so sorry, Lois. I didn't mean to kill you," Diana said in the silence of the room.

"Didn't you?" a sharp tongue spoke. "Wasn't I always the competition?"

Diana turned, shocked to see Lois Lane in her apartment. She was sitting on the island bar of her kitchen with her legs crossed. A smug smile crossed the reporter's features as she stared at Diana. "Miss me?"

"Lois?" Diana said. "No. You can't be alive. You're dead."

The smile from Lois's face faded as she scowled, "That's right. I'm dead and it's your fault."

"Are you an apparition?" Diana reached out to touch her and her hand went through Lois' body.

"Of course I am. Any guesses as to who's fault that is?" Lois asked.

Diana shook her head in denial. "This can't be possible. You can't be here."

"You were born from clay and you doubt the existence of ghosts?" Lois questioned.

"I didn't want you dead. You must believe that."

Lois' reply was sarcastic. "Yeah. I'm gonna believe my murderer. You wanted me out of the way for a long time and this was your chance.

"I never wanted you out of my way. You weren't in my way to begin with."

"Of course I was in the way," she defended herself. "You may have his body but I have his heart and I always will."

"That's not possible," Diana said confidently. Even though Lois was dead and Diana didn't want to offend her, Lois was experiencing a case of denial. "He left you."

"Only after you poisoned his mind. How can a girl compete with you walking around in a swimsuit, advertising your wonder girls," she remarked in reference to Diana's breasts.

"I didn't poison his mind, Lois. Your relationship with Kal was rocky from the start. He never told you he was Clark Kent because of your refusal to him and your focus on Superman. He never had to keep such secrets from me."

Lois faltered slightly. *Damn. I forgot about that.* "He and I always had a connection. You were jealous of that."

"No, I wasn't. I didn't mind Kal continued to be friends with you after your relationship ended."

"Yeah, right. You're nothing but a man stealing bitch. If only the world knew about you."

"Is this why you are here?" Diana asked. "To continuously accuse me of something I didn't do?"

"No. That would get boring after awhile. I want something from you."

Diana was suspicious. "What do you want?"

"I want you to stay away from Superman. You don't deserve him. He doesn't need a murderer as a wife."

Diana was appalled by Lois' demand. "You can't decide what is best for Kal, anymore than I can. It's his decision and why are you making such a request?"

Lois smirked. "I'm trying to help you out. Superman will stay with you out of obligation and nothing more." Lois floated to Diana and got in her face. "Face it, Princess. You're not perfect to him anymore. You think someone as honorable as Superman will want to be with you with blood on your hands?"

"Kal is angry but he will forgive me and we will get pass this. I won't do what you ask. Your demand is pointless."

"Suit yourself," Lois said as she faded away.

Lois returned to Circe's island and transformed back into her true form: Circe herself. "Oh, that was deliciously good fun! Still, she didn't break. It doesn't matter. I will break Superman. I can't wait to torture him!"

Diana knew she had to tell Clark about meeting Lois but she decided to give Clark some space until he was ready to talk. In the meantime, Diana would focus on her own business she had with her foundation. It would give Diana a much needed escape.

Diana had to admit with some regret that preparing for her mother's visit, her foundation was neglected. Lucky for her she had Julia Kapatelis working as her CEO of her foundation. She was very sharp businesswoman but had a good heart and a clear sense on where the Wonder Woman Foundation would be most needed. Julia's daughter, Vanessa, also worked with the foundation as Diana's personal assistant and when she wasn't around her mother's.

"It's good to see you back at work again at the foundation, Diana," Julia said as she sat across from Diana with a thick file of papers in her hands. "People were starting to think *I* was Wonder Woman."

Diana laughed at the joke. "I have been busy. I'm sorry I put so much work on you."

"Don't worry so much. I know with your family coming over you would be busy and I didn't mind taking over," Julia said. "I thought you would be with them now."

*If I were, Lois would still be alive right now.* Diana thought sadly. "No, my mother and sisters can handle things. Besides, this is their trip. Not mine."

As Diana and Julia resume business talks on the foundation, they were interrupted with a knock by Vanessa. The young woman was blushing. "Diana, you have a guest. An important one."

"Justice League?" Diana inquired.

Vanessa shook her head. "No, but he's still important. Bruce Wayne." She giggled. "He's so much hotter in person."

Bruce? Why was he here? Then she realized he heard the news about Lois. "Send him in." She looked to Julia. "Please, excuse us."

"Of course." Julia rose from her seat, papers in hand.

"Right this way, Mr. Wayne," Vanessa said brightly.

"Thank you," Bruce said politely with that smile that seems to make women (including Vanessa) swoon. Diana shook her head amused. Once they were alone, Diana saw Bruce's charming smile fade into a frown. "I saw the news and I don't believe any of it. Lois' death isn't random. What happened?"

Diana told Bruce the truth on what happened yesterday, leaving out Clark's reaction to Lois' death and her confrontation with Lois' spirit this morning. "I agree with Shayera. There's something else going on here, Diana. Someone with phenomenal powers knows your and Kent's identity. I think Lois was a pawn in their game."

"Maybe, but who do we know has the power to give power to others?" Diana questioned. "When I fought Lois as Mysteria, she had strength that rivaled my own and it was the power of my lasso that reverted Lois back to her human state."

"I know Kent doesn't have enemies like that," Bruce said. "What about you?"

"Me? My enemies are the same as yours except for Cheetah, Ares and--"

"Circe," Bruce finished for Diana.

"I suppose so but ever since Aresia's death, I haven't faced her."

"Maybe she's been busy planning something all this time."

Diana considered it. "Well, it's *not* impossible. I should go to Themyscira and consult Menalippe about this. Maybe she had a vision. Want to come?"

"To Themyscira?" Bruce raised an eyebrow.

"As Champion of the Amazons I can welcome any man to our island. Besides, you've dropped by there unannounced already. Remember my wedding night to Kal?"

Bruce didn't comment on that. "You and Kent aren't speaking to each other are you?"

Diana knew she shouldn't be surprised but she was. "How did you know that?" Diana asked.

"You want to figure this out with me instead of him. How did he take the news?"

"Not good. He doesn't want to talk to me about it. I'm giving him some space. I know he blames me for Lois' death even though he keeps saying it's his fault."

"He's blaming himself because he couldn't protect Lois," Bruce easily deduced. "Your actions might've killed her but it wasn't intentional. It's not as if you meant to do it." Bruce sat back in his seat an idea forming. "Maybe this was the plan all along."

Diana frowned. "What plan?"

"When you and Superman work together, you're a phenomenal team. You're invincible. What if Lois' death was a trick to break you up? Keep you apart while whoever is behind this attack?"

"Then it goes back to the question on who could have the power to do this," Diana said. "I'll try contacting my Gods and if I do not receive an answer, we'll go to Themyscira tomorrow." Bruce was going to speak but Diana cut him off. "It's your after all idea. Besides, Kal has enough on his mind."

"Very well, but we are taking my jet."

Diana nodded. "Agreed. How are you treating Euboea in Gotham?" Diana asked. "You're not putting the moves on her are you?"

Bruce flashed a wicked grin. "Just the usual Wayne charm but she's not falling for it."

"A woman who refuses Bruce Wayne? How rare," Diana smiled. It was the first smile she had since yesterday.

"It is an endangered species," Bruce gave one of his rare jokes.

"Still, I hope they are all right as they study this world," Diana said seriously.

"They all are carrying tracking devices so in case something does go wrong, the Justice League will find them," Bruce told her. "We also have safe houses for them to go to until help arrives. In Gotham, Euboea knows to come to Wayne Manor."

"Well, Bruce, let's hope it doesn't come to that while they are here."

After work, Clark flew over Metropolis doing his regular patrol over the city he protects. In truth, his patrol was over an hour ago. He should be going home but was finding it hard to do so. In the distance something was hovering in the sky as if waiting for him. When he saw who it was, he flew closer in disbelief. Before him was Lois Lane. She wasn't wearing her business suits but a white dress looking the picture of serenity.

"Lois."

In Clark's eyes, it was Lois but in truth it was Circe. "Who else would it be, Smallville?"

"You can't be Lois. You're dead."

*First Diana and now him. What a pair those two are.* "I am dead but it doesn't mean I can't be here. I'm stuck between dimensions, Smallville. Only you can help me crossover."

"Of course." If he couldn't help her in the living, Clark would see to it that Lois find peace in the afterlife.

*Look at him. So eager to help.* "You have to leave Wonder Woman."

Clark felt his own heart drop. "Why? I don't understand, Lois."

"She's not right for you, Smallville. She's a murderer."

"Diana didn't mean to kill you, Lois," Clark told her. "You must understand that."

"You really think that?" she asked doubtfully.

"I know Diana didn't mean to kill you, Lois. It was an accident."

*Damn. I thought he would blame Diana.* "No, she didn't. She wanted me dead." Circe floated closer to Clark. "I know you love me, Smallville. You know what you have to do: leave Diana and I can rest in peace."

"I'm sorry, Lois," he rejected the offer, "but there must be another way."

Circe was perplexed. *If he forgives Diana too soon, my plans may be in jeopardy* "You're rejecting my request?"

"I don't see how giving up Diana will help you rest in peace, Lois. Diana made a mistake. I was angry. I'm still am, but I was angry with myself more than anything. I couldn't save you and I will always regret that but I can't give up Diana for you. I can't give her up so your soul finds peace."

"You rather my soul wonder aimlessly because you won't give up, Diana?" *Should've known it would be a long shot. Oh, well. At least I should continue playing the part of the bitter ghost.*

"There has to be another way, Lois."

"There isn't!" she insisted. "You won't do this for me?"

Clark shook his head. "I'm sorry but I can't."

Circe scowled at him. "You have made your choice." She vanished before him. "I hope you regret it."

Circe returned to her island and changed back to her true form. She went to her crystal ball. Waving her hands mystically, Clark and Diana's apartment appeared. She would have to keep a close eye on them. She didn't want them making up too soon.

Clark wasn't home when Diana arrived. Diana hoped he would be but she was expecting his absence. Diana went to her office where her shrine to the Gods was kept. She prayed to her Gods, consulting them, asking them if Circe was involved in Lois' death. She received no answer of course. She was certain they wouldn't reply by tomorrow either. Diana made a quick call to Bruce to confirm their departure for Themyscira.

After turning off her phone, Diana heard movements in the apartment. Diana left her room and found Clark in their bathroom turning on the shower. Their eyes met. "I wasn't sure you were coming home."

"Where else would I go, Diana?"

"The Fortress," Diana told him. "Your parents' home."

"This is my home, Diana."

"I thought you'd want some time away from me. You left this morning without so much as a goodbye."

Clark could hear the hurt in Diana's voice. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms but he kept his distance. "I'm sorry about that. I don't have any excuse."

"So, how was work?" Diana asked as she approached him. "It must've been rough."

"Somber. Lois will have a memorial service tomorrow," Clark said as he removed his cape and dropped it on the floor.

"That's very quick."

Clark pulled his shirt over his head. "Lois' family wants to hurry with the funeral arrangements."

Diana's eyes raked over the muscles of Clark's chest, momentarily distracted. "So, you want to go by yourself?" Diana asked. "I could come with you."

Clark pulled off his red boots. "No, I rather go by myself."

"If that's what you want."

"It is." Clark slipped off his blue pants. "Have you eaten?" Clark asked suddenly.

"No. I just got here myself."

"I'll fix us something after my shower." And off went his boxers. Clark slipped inside the shower. Normally, Clark would pull her in and for a moment Diana thought he would, but as she stood there longer than intended, Diana knew he wouldn't ask her to join him.

The following morning Diana was awakened by a gentle shove. She opened her eyes to find Clark staring at her. "Kal?" She looked him sleepily taking in the fact he was dressed in a black suit.

"I wanted to let you know I'm leaving for Lois' memorial this morning."

Diana sat up in bed. "I know why you don't want me to come with you but I would like to come with you."

"The memorial is for immediate family and friends at the Daily Planet."

"In other words, no it wouldn't be right."

Clark left Diana's side and resume dressing. He was putting on his tie when he said, "It's not that, Diana."

Suddenly, Clark felt Diana wrap her arms him from behind. "Kal, I don't want us to be like this forever. This silence between us; the distance you are putting between us. I want to get through this."

Clark turned Diana around. Looking into her eyes, he never saw her look so vulnerable. He felt his will was breaking. He couldn't keep his secret from her anymore. "I don't want it to like this for us either, Diana. I'm sorry for being cold and distant. I'm really not angry with you. I'm angry with myself. I invited Lois to lunch and it was something there she picked up on our secret."

"Don't blame yourself. You didn't know anymore than I did."

"I know and it scares me. If I couldn't see what was wrong with Lois in time to save her, what chance would I have in saving you if you're in that kind of trouble?" Clark caressed Diana's face. "I don't know what I would do if I lost you."

Something flickered in Diana's eyes. Understanding probably. "Is that why you… Kal, why didn't you tell me?"

Clark shook his head. "I don't know. I should've but I couldn't."

"Oh, Kal," Diana hugged him fiercely. "If something was happening to me, know that I would tell you, and if you should lose me, you know what you would have to do." Diana cupped her hands in his. "You will mourn, but you will pull yourself together and be Superman. The world needs you and you cannot stop being who you are if I should die."

Clark gathered Diana in his arms, needing to feel her close again. He didn't kiss her, knowing if he did, he wouldn't stop. "When I get back from the memorial service, we'll talk."

Diana nodded. "I'd like that."

Circe frowned as she watched the warm interaction between Clark and Diana. "I don't like this. They're coming back together sooner than I thought. I need to strike now." Circe waved her hand over the crystal ball, changing the image to the Watchtower where her crystal was stored.

The crystal now covered half the gun and was in the process of transforming it into a more powerful weapon.

"It's not complete," Circe's frowned. "I'll have to change that, but I have to wait until Superman and Diana are too far away."

Circe waited until Lois Lane's memorial started and Diana was sitting in the backseat of Batman's jet as they flew over the ocean as they made their way to Themyscira. She wondered why they were together but shrugged it off. Circe knelt before her altar. On her altar were dark relics that belong to wicked Gods and sorcerers. She closed her eyes in concentration and began her chant, speaking in strange tongues that had not be used in centuries.

In the Watchtower in Level 21 where the main gun stored, Circe's crystal covered the gun, changing its form redesigning itself to Circe's command. Vibrations and mystical energy passed the room, sending tremors to the control room of the Watchtower.

On the main deck of the Watchtower, Mr. Terrific was at the controls monitoring Earth. Other members of the League were in the room with him including John Stewart, Zatanna and Shayera.

"That's strange," Mr. Terrific noted.

Shayera turned to him and asked, "What's strange?"

Mr. Terrific studied the readings before him. "There are some usual readings coming from Level 21."

"What's in Level 21?" Zatanna asked.

"That's where our main gun is held," John said. "Pull up the camera in the room."

"I tried that," Mr. Terrific said, "But whatever is going on in there killed the cameras."

Shayera unhook her mace. "I'll check it out."

John stepped forward. "I better go."

"No," Shayera disagreed. "You need to stay up here in case I can't stop what's going on."

"I'll go with you," Zatanna offered. "TROPSNART SU OT LEVEL ENO-YTNEWT!!"

Shayera and Zatanna arrived at Level 21 in seconds. The door Level 21 crackled with energy. Zatanna shuddered. "I sense magic, Shayera. Dark magic."

Shayera turned on her mace. It crackled with electricity. "We have to get in." Shayera slammed her mace against the door panel forcing the door opened.

The women gasped at what they were seeing. The weapon that was once the main gun was glowing, electricity crackled flowed out of the room, giving Shayera and Zatanna light charges of the power they were facing.

"What's going on?" Zatanna yelled.

"I don't know, but this is worse than when Luthor got controlled of the gun!"
Shayera said. "It looks like it was going to blow!"

Suddenly the whole floor trembled causing both women to lose their balance. Mr. Terrific yelled into Shayera's earpiece. "Shayera, what's going on! The whole Watchtower is shaking!"

Zatanna and Shayera helped each other stand. "Code Red! Code Red! Evacuate the Watchtower!" Shayera ordered and turned her ear piece off.

"Whatever is going on, it's gonna blow soon!" Zatanna said.

The women could faintly hear the sounds of the Watchtower alarms. Another blast of electricity escaped the room knocking both women into a wall.

"We have to stall until everyone gets out!" Shayera said. "Cover me!" Shayera struggled with each step as she made her way inside Level 21. The force of the mystical power, whipped her hair and pushed her back but she continued forward. Zatanna followed her using her magic to lessen the magical storm they were entering.

Shayera slammed her mace on the weapon that was once the main gun. It didn't create the reaction she was hoping for. The discharge of mystical energy shocked Shayera, knocking her out. Zatanna grabbed Shayera and pulled her out of the room.

"It's too late! It's going to blow!"

The room exploded and Zatanna stood in front of the unconscious Shayera.

"ECROF DLEIF!" Zatanna cried out before the blast consumed them.

The dark energy spread throughout the Watchtower, swallowing up heroes who failed to reach the control room to teleport to Earth. John Stewart saw the dark energy exploding in the room pulling heroes into its power. John released the full power of his ring covering everyone in his vicinity. He hoped it was enough. The dark energy traveled until it covered the entire the Watchtower, turning it into a beacon of light before it released itself on the Earth. The dark energy Circe created covered the planet Earth like a giant wave.

On Earth, people looked up at the blinding light coming towards the planet before screaming in pain once they were consumed over it.

Amazons scattered across the United States looked up as well unable to do anything before the dark energy passed over them and everyone surrounding them. Ipthime was the only Amazon not worried at what was happening. This was Circe's attack on humanity and she knew she and the Amazons would be safe.

At Lois' memorial, Clark heard tremors and the cries of many all over the planet. Before he could react, the energy passed over him and everyone in the room.

Batman landed his jet on the sands of Themyscira. When Batman and Diana stepped off, Diana said, "Bruce, you can take off your cowl here. No one knows who you are. Besides, it's eighty degrees."

"I can handle it," Bruce told her.

Suddenly, the skies rumbled. Diana and Bruce looked up and noticing the blue skies of Themyscira, turning purple. "What is that?"

"It can't be safe!" Bruce said. "We better get to cover!"

"No!" Diana said and stood her ground. "We'll be safe. Look!"

Bruce looked to where Diana was pointing. The strange purple light passed over Themyscira but it wasn't seeping onto the island. It was as if something was protecting them. Then the strange light moved on returning blue skies to Themyscira.

"We're safe," Bruce said. "But what about the rest of the world?" Bruce ran back to his jet and jumped in his seat. Diana followed him.

"Batman to Metro Tower. Come in." A visual of the control room came up and no one could be seen. The room was eerily quiet.

"It shouldn't be so silent," Diana said. "Someone is always in the Metro Tower."

"Anyone! Come in!" Batman yelled.

A creature snarled into the camera causing Batman and Diana jumped. The creature had the body of a cheetah but stood on two legs as if it was human. It also wore Flash's costume. The creature bit into the camera with its sharp teeth and shook it viciously until the screen went dead.

"You're right, Bruce," Diana said grimly. "Circe is involved."

AN: DVR8: Sounds to me you've been watching too much of Bruce Timm's Superman. ;)

Believe it or not you can have a story of Superman without Lois Lane if you want to read one without it. I can kill her off because this is my story. Brave New Metropolis is a story that was created for an animated series. It's not set in stone that Superman would be that way if Lois was killed. What kind of man does that make Superman? He lose someone he loves and he becomes evil? Look at Kingdom Come. Lois died, Superman mourned for her but he moved on to have five kids with Diana. So, life will not stop for Superman if Lois dies. If that's the case, what's going to happen to him when Lois does die of say natural causes because unless something drastic happens to Superman, he will outlive her and he will outlive her for a long time.

Also, S:TAS Superman is so different from the Superman in my story. That Superman didn't even tell Lois how he felt and he goes berserk when he loses her. The Superman in my story is married to Diana. Okay, so he thinks Diana killed Lois, but do you really think my version of Superman is going to give humanity a big FU when he learns Lois is dead?

The whole Superman losing his humanity connection if Lois dies always sounded bogus to me. He had parents. A child forms a connection with the parent first before anyone else. How should that be different with Superman? Jonathon and Martha Kent raised him. It was their morals and principles that set the tone for Superman in the first place not Lois Lane.

You asked if Diana will have the strength to save him from the loss he will go through? HELL YEAH! You think Diana is going to accept Clark shutting her out? This is her husband after all. You also need to remember Clark loss a dear friend not the love of his life which in my story happens to be Diana.

Lois' death will be seen as an accident because Diana didn't know it was Lois she was fighting. Let's say Diana is charged with 'killing Lois' the secret will have to come out of Lois being Mysteria and as it was seen in the last two chapters she did some things that will not have the people looking too kindly of her: first she almost destroyed a building filled with people when attacking Diana and second she caused a fight in the streets with Diana, not caring about the civilians. Her good reputation as a reporter will be tarnished by that.

Timm's version of For The Man Who Has Everything doesn't count here because in my version Clark had dreamed of a family with Diana and in Timm's version, Clark's wife was a combination of Lois Lane and Lana Lang not just Lois.

If we want to talk about Legacy, of course Clark will remember Lois as well as his parents and Kara because they remind him of who he was before he was brainwashed by Darkseid. He had not met Diana yet. She was still on Themyscira. Even though Lois was a shoulder and a comfort for Clark to lean on at the end of Legacy when the world didn't trust him, she didn't help him resolve the feelings what happened to him in Legacy. As seen in Twilight, Clark was ready to kill Darksied even if it meant killing himself. In my version of Twilight, Diana helped Clark faced and finally resolve those feelings.

As for unresolved feelings Clark has for Lois, WHOA!! Where did you get that? Clark is over Lois. Have you been reading my story at all? He was the one who broke things off with Lois. He was thinking of Diana while he was with Lois. He was the one who proposed marriage to Diana. When a guy does that to another woman, it pretty much means he's over his ex. He still feels a connection to Lois because he did love her and always will but their relationship ran its course. He sees Lois as a friend now and you know Clark will do anything to help a friend out, especially one he was close to as Lois. Hell, he'll help an enemy out if it concerns humanity.

Flash did not faint. Ipthime knocked him out and told him he fainted. Ipthime is blinded by her disgust over Diana's relationship with Clark that Circe's promise she can show Diana how men are really like and cause them to break up (Lois' death). Ipthime really hates men and have no faith in mankind and although she doesn't trust Circe, her offer to break up Clark and Diana was too tempting to resist. To Ipthime, making a bargain with Circe is the lesser of two evils. When you make deals with a devil like Circe, there's a price to pay.

FYI: I wouldn't use S:TAS or the JL series as the best reference for Superman because he was one of the weakest versions of Superman in those series. If ever they release Ruby Spears Superman from 1988, you need to check that out. That has the best version of an animated Superman.

VFSnake: I think you should know me better than that. ;)

Kairan1979: I like to live dangerously. :D

Thanks for the reviews everyone!