Hello all. Thank you to the new comers and for all of you who have been waiting so patiently for this update. A lot of changes going on at work. The good news, I will be starting at my new position on Feb. 18th. The bad news…I don't know if I will have the time during the day to update my stories. Gotta wait and see what my schedule would be like at work before I can start writing again.

Thanks again for waiting. I hope this was worth the wait.

Prepare the Way

Groaning out loud, Arizona fell onto the bed. Diana gave the other woman a soft smile.

"That bad?" Diana asked. She watched as Arizona's eyes fluttered open.

"They hate me. Why else would they focus all their attention on me?" Arizona whined from the bed. Diana laughed out loud as she gently pulled Ari up and helped her stand.

"I'm sure they do not hate you. They are just preparing you for what is to come. They do that with the others," Diana informed as she slipped her hands around Arizona's waist and up her back. Diana carefully kneaded the tight muscles that she found winning her a low moan from Arizona.

Ari wrapped her arms around Diana's shoulders to keep herself steady as the Princess continued her massage. She could feel her eyes flutter shut.

"No, no…they hate me. I think I heard Alindra laughing when Alindra flipped me over her shoulder. I still can't feel my ass," Arizona stopped abruptly as she winced slightly and hissed when Diana hit a particular painful area.

"Sorry," Diana whispered gently. Arizona just nodded, her eyes still closed. Diana resumed the massage and smiled brightly when Arizona moaned loudly when Diana reached the back of Ari's neck.

"Oh god…that feels fantastic," Arizona mumbled. She felt her chin hit her chest as she lowered her head to give Diana more access. Diana kissed the top of Arizona's head as she kneaded the muscles there.

"Just think," Diana whispered into Arizona's hair, "you get to do it all over again in a few minutes." She laughed as she heard Arizona whimper.

Arizona lifted her head and gave Diana a look.

"Your mean."

Diana threw her head back and laughed. In a flash Diana had Arizona over her shoulder.

"Diana!" Arizona squealed.

"Admit it. You love it when I do this," Diana said proudly. She held on to Arizona's legs making sure the other woman wouldn't slip.

Arizona grunted from behind.

"If you tell anyone, I'll deny it!"

Diana just laughed as she left their room and headed down to the training area.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWW

"KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!" Artemis called out as she watched with amusement as Alindra swung her sword up then down. It gave a loud clatter as Arizona tucked her head under her shield.

"Easy for you to say! Your head isn't the object she is trying to TAKE OFF!" Arizona shot back. She rolled to the side then quickly scrambled to her feet just as Alindra swung low and took out Arizona's feet.

Ari felt the ground suddenly disappear beneath her as she fell onto her back with a loud thud. Again. Wincing as her insides vibrated from the impact, Arizona quickly lifted her shield just as Alindra's sword came down hard.

"Tapping out! Tapping out! No more! I'm done!" Arizona demanded as she dropped her sword and quickly slapped the ground. Alindra continued to whack Arizona's shield and each hit seemed harder then the last. Artemis ran over to them and skidded to a halt.

"Alindra that's enough!" Artemis demanded as Alindra thrashed at the shield. With each swing Alindra gave a might roar. Alindra seemed possessed as she hit harder and harder.

"ARTEMIS!" Arizona screamed in panic. Ari could feel the shield being dented with each swing and it wouldn't take much too really destroy it.

Artemis stepped in between her two friends and when Alindra's sword begun to ascend on her, Artemis threw her hands up and grabbed Alindra's wrists stopping her. Artemis could feel the anger in Alindra; feel her struggle to contain it.

"ENOUGH! That's enough Alindra…," Artemis commanded. Artemis reached up slowly and pried Alindra's fingers from around her sword and tossed it to the side. Artemis let Alindra go when the other woman yanked her hands away and stumbled several steps back.

"I'm…I'm sorry," Alindra mumbled breathlessly as she turned and quickly ran from them. Artemis was torn. She wanted to go after Alindra but she knew that her company would not be invited.

The entire training grounds had gone quiet as they watched the three women. Artemis turned and looked at them.

"Get back to work!" The red head bellowed. And just like that the place became active once more.

"Ari, you're not even trying," Artemis said with a slight disappointed look on her face. She lent a hand and helped her friend up. Arizona just grunted and mumbled something unintelligent.

"You are miserable my friend. Why aren't you trying harder?" Artemis stated.

Arizona huffed at that.

"Oh gee wiz, I don't know…could it be because…I STILL CAN'T FEEL MY FREAKIN LIMBS?!" Arizona shouted. Artemis could see that Ari was tired and frustrated. They were all tired but they have been pushing Arizona the hardest this past week. They trained her from sun up to sun down.

"I'm sorry," Artemis said sincerely.

Arizona tossed the busted up shield to the side as she dusted herself off. She was still a little upset but she knew why they were pushing her. She was still a little rattled by what Athena had requested of her…

….

"Take a walk with me," Athena said with a gentle smile. Arizona just nodded as she followed the Goddess of Wisdom down the hill.

"You're confused," Athena stated.

"You can say that," Arizona replied respectfully. She heard Athena sigh and Arizona glanced at the Goddess.

"Is something wrong?" Arizona asked cautiously.

She turned and faced Arizona for moment, just studying her.

"It's changing out there. Just like last time. There's a storm coming, Arizona. And we all need to be ready when they arrive…," Athena said softly. Arizona felt her stomach sink.

"You will leave the island soon," Athena continued. Arizona shook her head protesting but quickly quieted when Athena held a hand up to silence her.

"I require your assistance once you've returned to your place in man's world." Athena waited as Arizona nodded. "You must finish what your grandmother started, Arizona. Please do not interrupt," Athena commanded gently. Arizona wisely shut her mouth and listened intently.

"When I return you back to your old life, they will know it is you. You will be a target. I will protect you as much as I can but once I leave my realm, my powers will drain. You must work quickly."

Arizona didn't know exactly what to say.

"You're a Goddess. Can't you stop whatever it is?" Arizona asked desperately. Athena smiled sadly at her.

"There are forces far more powerful then a God, Arizona. Forces we had tried to bury for eons. They've broken free and are now out for revenge. They intend on destroying Olympus and all that we hold dear. Once Olympus falls, we are rendered powerless and when that happens, Themyscira will be next. And when the island is destroyed…your world will be defenceless…"

Arizona was stunned.

"Who would do this? Who can be that powerful?"

Athena gave her a sad smile.

"The Titans."

…..

Arizona shook her head and blinked several times before she realized Artemis had been speaking to her.

"Sorry…what?" Arizona said dumbly. Artemis just sighed and threw an arm around her friend's shoulder.

"Come on. Let's go see if Alindra is a little calmer. Then we will go into town again…sound like fun?" Arizona groaned at the mention of their outing into town. The last time they all went, the two amazons got drunk.

Artemis glanced at Arizona then threw her head back and laughed. The two trudged their way along looking for any sign of Alindra.

…..

Alindra leaned against the wall as she hunched over to catch her breath. She had run from the training grounds all the way to the palace. She wandered just off to the side where Io's workshop was before she almost collapsed with exhaustion.

"Do you require medical attention?"

Alindra snapped her head around.

Io stood just a few feet away, her hands full of armour. Alindra inhaled deeply before she shook her head.

"No. That is not necessary, Io," Alindra replied breathlessly as she shoved herself off the wall. Io arched a fine brow but said nothing.

"As you wish." The blacksmith turned on her heel and headed back inside her workshop. Alindra shook her head and let out a puff of air. She wiped the sweat that had fallen from her forehead and slowly began the long trek back to the grounds.

Alindra felt guilty and a little ashamed of herself. She needed to find Arizona and apologize to her for almost taking off her friend's head.

Up ahead Alindra could hear familiar voices. Boisterous and loud. Alindra shook her head and smiled. There was only one woman that would fit that description.

Artemis had Alindra in a loose head lock as she recounted an encounter with a burly Amazon. Arizona didn't look impressed.

"Then I told her to back off. If she didn't she would have paid a long over due visit to Foot – in – Ass," Artemis finished with a flourish. Artemis stopped abruptly when she spotted Alindra.

At that moment Arizona broke free from Artemis' grasp and clumsily tried to fix her hair. Artemis just playfully smacked Ari in the chest as she teasingly messed up Arizona's hair.

"Artemis!" Arizona cried out and quickly dodged Artemis' hand that shot out again. Alindra laughed as she got closer.

"Glad you find this funny," Arizona stated slightly flustered. She wasn't fast enough when Artemis playfully grabbed her neck and pushed on it, giving her a better advantage just to humorously mess up Arizona's hair.

Arizona gave a good shove which set Artemis stumbling slightly. The redhead just threw her head back and laughed. Alindra thought it would be best to nip this in the bud before it got completely out of hand.

Stepping in between the two, Alindra held her hands out to the side to prevent them from getting closer.

"Alright…fun time is over," Alindra said sternly. She gave both women a look and they nodded.

"Fine. Let's go to the infirmary," Artemis demanded almost childlike. She didn't wait for an answer as she turned and headed up the steps. Arizona shook her head in disbelief.

"How old are you again?" Arizona called out teasingly. Artemis just stuck her rear end out and made a lewd gesture and continued to climb the steps to the infirmary. Arizona laughed and was about to reply when Alindra called her name.

Arizona looked back and waited. Alindra walked up the few steps to stand face to face with her friend. She was sombre as she spoke.

"Arizona…I…I'm so sorry for what I did-" Alindra stopped when she saw Arizona shake her head.

"It's alright. I was just caught off guard, is all." The two women stood silently. After a moment Arizona spoke softly again, "It's stressful for all of us."

Alindra nodded but was saved from replying.

"What are you two doing? Come on!" Artemis demanded. She gestured for them to hurry as Alindra and Ari climbed the rest of the steps.

"Gods! If I were anyone else, I'd be wondering what you two were up to!" Artemis said bluntly.

"Don't worry. You're brain couldn't wrap itself around it anyways," Arizona shot back with a smirk. Artemis snapped her head around and was about to reach out and grab her when Alindra stepped in between once more.

"Enough!" Both Artemis and Arizona huffed. Alindra just shook her head and grabbed each woman by the arm and dragged them to Epione.

"Who needs children when I have you two?" Alindra murmured as she towed them along.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Philippus leaned over the table with a frown, staring intently at the map. She arranged and rearranged the battle plan so that it would yield the best results but every time she looked at it, she saw ways that an enemy could slip past them.

She sighed and reached out to reshuffle the arrangement once more when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist from behind.

"You've done all you can," Hippolyta whispered as she rested her chin against Philippus' strong shoulder. She nuzzled the side of Philippus' neck and was rewarded with a sharp intake of breath from the other woman.

Philippus closed her eyes briefly, soaking the warmth of her Queen. Philippus gave Hippolyta's arms a gentle squeeze before she stepped out of them but didn't let go of the Queen's hands.

"Lyta-"

Hippolyta just shook her head and raised a hand.

"I know. I just…you were tense and I just…," Hippolyta stopped as she sighed and smiled sadly. "No use in lying to you."

Philippus didn't know what to say to that. She looked awkwardly away and swallowed hard.

"Um…"

Without missing a beat, Hippolyta stepped away from the General and turned her attention to the map before them.

"We will need to set a perimeter around the smaller islands on the south east side," Hippolyta pointed out. Philippus shook her head and blinked several times. She needed a moment to catch up.

Philippus felt her hands shaking and quickly clasped them behind her back. She stood close to the Queen as she looked at where Hippolyta pointed to. Brows creased as the General looked for ways to compensate for the change.

"Your majesty that would be impossible. We would be spread too thin here and here," Philippus countered as she indicated two spots that needed to be guarded. Hippolyta studied the area once more before she came up with another suggestion.

"Would we be able to send the troops from the menagerie to these islands? They will have a clear view of the southern end. And they will be the closest if we need reinforcements."

Again, Philippus took a look. She shook her head.

"Lyta, a large part of the island will be left unguarded if we send the troops there. It will be too much for our sister's to handle. And besides, those smaller islands can be sacrificed…we have no use for them in the long run," Philippus replied.

Hippolyta sighed. She was growing frustrated with the whole situation. She turned sharply and stared hard at the General.

"Then what is it that you suggest I do?" Lyta snapped then closed her eyes as she tried to reign in her frustrations. All Philippus could do was to remain silent. She watched as Lyta closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I'm sorry, Philippus," Lyta said tiredly. Philippus opened her mouth to reply but was waved off by the Queen.

Just then they heard laughter just outside. Lyta rounded the table and looked outside and was joined by the General.

Lyta smiled softly as she watched her daughter laughed at something Arizona had said. They giggled and teased each other and every so often would lean in close and whisper something in the other's ear. They were unaware that they were being watched. Hippolyta's smile slowly faded as she continued to watch.

"They are right," Lyta said quietly. "I have been too preoccupied. I have not been the Queen our sisters have needed. And they are all right…Senator Bremusa, the Bana's…they've all been right."

"You are the one that the Goddess picked to lead us. You've done everything for your people, Lyta. You've given everything-"

"Then why does if feel like it's never enough?" Lyta countered as she looked at Philippus with sad eyes. "I am accountable for what happens, Philippus. I am accountable for what happens to all of us. And if I can not live up to that responsibility, then I am no longer fit to be Queen. I will not lose anymore of our sisters."

Philippus felt her stomach fall.

"Go forward with your plans, General. I trust that they are sufficient enough." Lyta turned and headed down the steps but stopped briefly as she turned to Philippus, "Thank you…for every thing," she said softly. She continued on her way down, not looking back once.

Lyta plastered on a big bright smile as she met her daughter and Arizona with a big hug. Philippus watched her go. She watched as Lyta suggested they head into town. And then they were gone.

Philippus still stood there staring at nothing. She felt tears falling down her face. This is what she wanted; for Hippolyta to remain Queen at the price of their relationship. Closing her eyes and swallowing her pain, Philippus went back inside.

This was her own damn fault.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Hippolyta threw her head back and laughed. Arizona had just finished telling the Queen of her misadventure with Artemis.

"I must say, you do have a way of getting yourselves into trouble," Lyta said once she caught her breath.

Arizona just shrugged, "that's not my fault," she said with a grin. Diana and Hippolyta chuckled. The spent a good portion of the day walking through the markets and discussing everything and anything that came to mind. The one thing they avoided was talk of the upcoming battle.

"Oh I very much doubt that Arizona," the Queen replied with a grin. It was Arizona's turn to laugh. Turning to Diana, Arizona smirked.

"Diana, you never told me your mom was this funny." Diana groaned and rolled her eyes.

"I've been trying to tell her that but she just doesn't want to listen," Hippolyta added with a grin. "If you think you're bad, Diana was twice as worse when she was a child," Lyta added.

Diana groaned in embarrassment.

"Mother!"

"Well it is true Diana," Hippolyta stated. Arizona just continued to laugh. Diana huffed but couldn't contain her grin.

"Too bad you don't have any pictures. I bet you were adorable," Arizona said quietly. Lyta placed a loving hand on Arizona's forearm and gave it a squeeze.

"She was. She was absolutely perfect. But I have something better then pictures," Lyta said with a mischievous grin.

"Oh?" Arizona's ears perked up.

The Queen nodded. "I have plenty of stories."

Diana moaned as she slouched.

Arizona and Hippolyta laughed.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWW

"Are you sure about this?"

Athena nodded slowly. She watched the three laughing and feeling carefree.

"Soon Aphrodite. They've gathered more…they are getting stronger with each passing second Arizona remains on the island," Athena said.

"That's not what I meant. Once you leave Olympus, your powers will be of no use," Aphrodite said sadly.

Athena inhaled deeply. She turned to face her sister.

"I know. But Arizona must be protected. The moment she leaves the island she will no longer have the protection of Olympus nor the Amazons. She will be on her own, Aphrodite. I cannot stand by and watch her die. Not after all this…all that we've worked hard to accomplish."

"Athena…you will be in danger as well! Your powers will be no match for a Titan!" Aphrodite cried out. She was terribly frightened for her sister.

Athena lovingly cupped her younger sister's face as she smiled sadly. Aphrodite held on to her sister's forearms as if that would keep her from going through with this insane plan.

"As long as Arizona is safe and alive, I will be alright. I will not put us in harm's way. I promise little sister." Athena leaned in and kissed Aphrodite's forehead. The two embraced then quickly disappeared.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Hyperion stood tall, his hands clasped behind his back. He grinned as he turned on his heel. Mnemosyne huffed as if bored.

"How soon?" She asked, very much annoyed.

"Very soon, my dear. Is that all of them?" Hyperion gestured to the group of 10. Rolling her eyes, Mnemosyne nodded.

"Of course that's all of them! And as soon as we get the bow we will free the rest of our brothers and sisters. Have you found the bloody thing?" The goddess demanded. Hyperion held a hand up.

"Patience my dear, I have a plan. I can sense a change happening…very soon we will have what is rightfully ours," Hyperion said as he sniffed the air.

"And what is this plan?" Mnemosyne asked with complete annoyance. Hyperion's smile grew.

"We let the chosen one lead us right to it. After that…I will kill her," Hyperion explained. He felt his blood boiling with excitement.

The moment the bow was in his hands he would eliminate Arizona. Then he would slaughter the Olympians and all those that stood in his way.

Olympus will be his.