Chapter 6
Different Kinds of Love
Queen Hippoltya was pacing in the throne room as she tried to figure out a plan to save her daughter from the immortal punishment that the goddess of Love had plan to give her daughter.
Artemis the commander of the Amazon Army entered the throne room wearing her golden armor and helmet that was engraved with all her victories and names of loved ones that had died in past battles.
"My queen," Artemis said kneeling down and removing her helmet. "I sense that something trouble you."
Hippolyta nodded. "Your instincts never fail commander. Rise and speak with me."
Artemis arose from the stone floor and stood before her queen. "What is troubling you my queen?"
"Diana is troubling me commander. She has broken our laws of loving a mortal man and how she will pay for that mistake." Hippolyta walked down the stone steps her ice blue eyes had the morning sun reflecting in them. "The gods are displeased with Diana's actions and threaten to curse her and the mortal."
"Who is this moral?" Artemis said removing her dagger from her belt. "He shall pay with his blood."
Hippolyta raised her hand. "No, it is not his fault, he didn't and I don't blame him."
"You should my queen. He corrupted Diana. The mortal is the one that should be punished not my sister."
"You speak out of place commander. I know Diana heart and she loves this moral man named Bruce Wayne or how she calls him Batman. I can't deny my daughters heart, nor can I force my daughter into doing the right thing."
"So what plenty is Diana going to receive for this betrayal?"
The queen narrowed her eyes. "Diana would thrown into the pits of Tartus were she will stay until the gods have found a suitable punishment. That is all commander, you may go but do not speak word to your sisters. I will tell them the news myself at the right time."
Artemis nodded pulled on her helmet and took her leave. She turned around. "For what is it worth my queen Diana picked the right mortal to fall in love with."
Hippolyta nodded. "Thank you commander, your words bring comfort."
Queen Hippolyta sat on the stone steps of the temple looking at the sun setting across the horizon; her blonde hair was blowing in the wind as she thought of her daughter.
"My sun and stars," She said. "I have tried save you but I have failed you."
A gentle breeze blow from behind. "Hippolyta, why do you take pity on yourself?"
The queen turned and saw Athena the goddess of wisdom standing before her with her pet owl resting on her shoulder. "You have done much for your daughter and she knows that."
"Oh, Athena, I need you comfort at this hour for my daughter's fate is out of my hands. The same hands that formed the very clay and gave Diana life with her help I made my only child and now she will be lost to me."
"Your daughter will not be lost to you Hippolya; we must all go through trials in our lives to have victories. Diana's fate is out of my hands, I cannot infer for this is Aphrodite's doing. I warn Hippolyta queen of the Amazons, nothing is as it seems with my sister. She is planning something. That is all I can say to you. Take heed and do not worry about your daughter, she has friends in high places."
"Thank you Athena, you words of wisdom is a gift to my troubled soul."
"I have spoken." Athena nodded and disappeared like a blinding light leaving the queen into her thoughts as she sat there on the steps thinking about how she formed daughter.
After the endless bloodbath with the god of war and his legion of creatures from the underworld, lifeless soldiers that were cursed to become slaves for his endless hate towards human kind and the immoral warriors.
Queen Hippolyta went to the shores of the Island of Paradise, completely alone with the moonlight reflecting in the waves that wash onto the sand. Blood was dripping down her chin and the blood from the wound from Aries blade was pouring out from her shoulder. She winced trying to ease the pain.
"I have served our purpose in this endless night." She said looking up into the heavens. "I am your warrior of this world, guardian of the keys of the eternal pit that you have forced me to become because of my betrayal to you." She looked at the full moon. "You said that you would reward me for this immortal service. I ask for my reward now."
Hippolyta dug her hands into the clay, the dirt was underneath her nails. "I have no children to guide in this world, my warriors are strong but they are not capable of protecting this island forever. She lowered her head. "I ask for a daughter."
Athena appeared; her long dark blue cape was blowing in the gentle wind as her powerful gaze looked down at the queen. " Hippolyta , I have heard your request , And you shall receive it for you have proven to us that you're a true warrior." She bent her knees and touched the sand which the water made into clay. "This is what you will need to form your daughter. Form her into you want her to be. She will have your beauty, ocean eyes and the strength of warrior."
"Athena how can I form a child?"
"I will guide you Hippolyta place your hands in the clay and become the artist."
Hippolyta did what Athena commanded and began to form a body of a baby.
"What color hair shall your daughter have?" Athena asked in powerful stern voice.
"Dark hair like you," Hippolyta said.
"Very well," Athena said drawing her sword. "Hold out her masterpiece Hippolyta."
The queen held out her hands with the form of a small body in the palms of her hands. Athena touched the clay form of a child with the tip of the sword. "I proclaim you to be Diana princess of the Amazons, a woman of strength and beauty."
Hippolyta had tears coming from her eyes as the clay turned into flesh and two little hands lifted.
"She's beautiful." Hippolyta replied. "Thank you."
"When the time comes your daughter will leave this island for a bigger purpose. You must understand that Diana is a warrior of our kind,"
Hippolyta nodded. "I will train her well for you."
Athena nodded. "Then be a good mother Hippolyta queen of the Amazons were I will be watching."
Hippolyta cradled her daughter in her arms. "Welcome home, my little sun and stars." She bent her head down and kissed Diana on the forehead. "I will always be here to protect you."
The queen of the Amazons awoke from her realm of thoughts and stood up. "I will protect you my daughter, for that is promise I made when I formed you."
Back in Gotham City Alfred Pennyworth was walking down the halls of the upper level of Wayne Manor carrying the usual breakfast for his restless master. He walked into the master bedroom and saw Bruce Wayne, covers rolled into a ball and a hand bent under his head resting on a pillow.
As Alfred settled the tray of breakfast on the night stand he could see the scars and the purple and yellow bruise on his master's body. "Good morning, master Wayne, rise and sunlight it's a beautiful day."
Bruce opened his eyes arched an eyebrow showing that he wasn't assumed about getting disturb when he was sleeping. He only had gotten two hours of sleep.
"I prepared morning coffee and breakfast."
"Why thank you Alfred," the billionaire said with a small smile. He sat himself up and yawned.
"I'd trust that you had an eventful evening."
"Not evening Alfred," Bruce replied. "Long."
"Well maybe you will have an eventful morning since Miss Prince is waiting downstairs in the dining room for you. I bought up your breakfast in case you were not in the mood of a eggs and bacon etc..." Alfred explained. "Miss Prince is sitting at the table."
"I know Alfred, "Bruce snorted. "You don't have to repeat yourself. I heard you first time."
He stood up and gulped down a green power shake and drop to floor to begin his dizzily pushups that he did every morning to be his strength and endurance up. "Tell her that I will be down in a minute."
Alfred nodded. "Very good, do you need anything else Master Wayne?' He asked.
"Yes, more sleep." Bruce retorted with a grin.
0000000
Diana Prince was waiting at the long dining room table that had silver trays and bowls of different kinds of fruit along with three different types of juice. She wasn't alone Alfred was there preparing her plate. "Master Wayne, never eats the breakfasts I prepare from him."
"How come, Alfred?" Diana asked.
"I believe it's because when he was training in the mountains of the Tibet , he was only allowed to eat small proportions of food such as rice and steamed vegetables , mind you he does eat when he is hungry."
Diana gave a small smile. "How did you become Bruce's butler?"
"His father, Thomas Wayne is in England, I was a field medic that he befriend but I was too old for the battle fields so he offered me a job at Wayne Manor. After thought I've stayed behind these walls taking care of the Waynes. But after their murder I was left in care of Master Wayne."
"So you're sort of like Bruce's substitute father figure?" Diana asked as Alfred handed her a plate of breakfast.
"No, Miss Prince, I am Master's friend. I can never replace his parents."
Bruce Wayne strode into the dining room wearing a dark blue sweater and jeans, his hair was messy but to Diana he still looked stunning. "Good morning," He said with a small smile looking at Diana. "Sorry that I was a little late rising this morning."
"Let me guess, another long night for the Dark Knight?" Diana asked sipping a glass of cranberry juice. "You should take a few nights off and give your body proper time to heal."
"I'm fine Diana," Bruce snapped holding his pride. "I never rest, not in this city princess." He looked at her. "So what brings you back to the manor?"
"I just wanted to see you again." Diana said. "I love your company and of course Alfred's'.
Alfred smirked trying not to blush.
Bruce dropped into a chair next to Diana and Alfred began to load his plate. "Alfred," Bruce said with scowl. "I'm not hungry, just a glass of juice."
"Bruce , come on , Alfred made this wonderful breakfast , you can least have a few bites."
Bruce rolled his eyes. "Fine, maybe I bowl of fruit."
Alfred smiled. "Bacon , sir?"
Bruce shrugged. "No thanks. I think I'm good."
Diana exchanged looks with Alfred and said. "Load the plate all up Alfred. He needs a good meal in his system."
"What? No!' Bruce growled. "I'm fine."
"Don't listen to him Alfred." Diana said smiling. "I know what he needs."
Bruce turned and gave his butler an intense glare with his silver hazel green eyes. "No you don't Diana." He gave another scowling look. "I've trained my body to only consume enough nourishment of what I need princess. If I over eat my limit I will hurl."
Diana understood.
"Master Bruce, Lucius called and said for me to remind you about the fundraiser that Veronica Greeland is hosting tonight. I said to him that you will be attending."
Bruce tightened his lips. "I can't tonight, I'm hunting down Scarecrow."
"Sir, it's at seven, which give you plenty of time to make your dramatic entrance, say a few word and then leave without being noticed."
The billionaire sighed a grimly moan. "Fine, I'll put in a few words and then I will make my exit." He looked at Diana. "I don't suppose you would want to come, as my date?" He asked. "It's up to you because if you refuse then that means I have to fine three supermodels with high standards."
Diana smiled arching an eyebrow. "Let me think about it."
Bruce sipped his juice. "Alfred, did fox mention anything about the blood samples.
"Nothing yet sir," Alfred replied.
Bruce pulled out his drawn and stood up. "Excuse me princess, but I have a few DNA scans to analyze. I won't be long."
He walked out leaving Alfred and Diana finishing their breakfast. "I think this is becoming a ritual?" Diana said. "He did this yesterday as well expect it was a different place but same time."
Alfred nodded. "You get use to it Miss Prince, believe me."
Diana dabbed her lips with the napkin. "So I guess I should be Bruce's date for the evening? He sounded distort when he mention about showing up at the party alone, are the women there animals?"
Alfred grinned. "Oh you have no idea."
Bruce Wayne was sitting on his huge computer desk looking at the original scans of a thumb print that Gotham Police Department forensics team discovered on the needle that Batman found that the Gotham River bed three nights ago. He typed on the keyboard and hit the number lock key which showed him more detail of the print.
He pressed the button on the screen that read email and sent a copy of the scan to Lucius Fox's address. Then he clicked another saved tag on the bottom of the screen and looked at the toxicology report from the police files of the other victims before Ashley Whitehorn. His lips formed into a straight line.
In the late afternoon , hours in the day, Diana came down the Batcave to discover that the billionaire detective was still at the computer working on his current case. His hair was shaggy looking and face worn out from the lack of sleep. He was wearing the Kevlar armor minus the graphite cowl.
"You're still here princess," he said, typing in a code word for the police files.
Diana looked at the image of the thumb print on the screen. "What's that?"she asked.
"I found a glitch on the DNA scan that was sent for the forensics team over at the MCU, they got the genre of the suspect wrong. It's female."
"So a woman murdered the victims?" Diana asked as she walked up and rested her hands on his strong shoulders.
"It appeared to be so princess, although what we're looking for is a female, someone with medical experience in the field of toxicology and toxins."
"Toxins?" Diana asked looking down at his thick neck. "Are you talking chemicals that are found in the homes of men?"
"No," Bruce answered. "These are toxins for poisons that are found in Black Widows, Blow fish and poison Dart Tree frogs mucus with a compound that is mixed with a hidden formula that is very similar to Johnathan Cranes' fear toxin."
Diana found the insight boring and created a new topic to discuss ."So I made up my mind and I will go to fundraiser with you."
"That's nice. I'm not worried about a social gathering right now." Bruce said in deep voice sounding just like his Batman voice. "I have a body to examine."
"A Body?" Diana asked as pulled him close to her and kissed him on the lips, she wanted to melt into his arms.
Bruce pulled away, showing that the kiss didn't even phase him .
"Yes, the body of Ashley Whitehorn." He pulled his cowl over his face and headed towards the BatCycle , he slid his body on the seat , hunch his back so his arms were straight to gasp the wide handlebars , his boots were resting on the side.
"I thought you said Batman only works during the night hours?" Diana asked crossing her arms.
"Today I'm making an exception." He growled in rasp. "I won't be long." He pressed the button on the handle bars and the intimating bike roared as he zoomed out through the waterfall.
"I guess I should figure out what to wear?" Diana said.