Strangers In Paradise
Chapter 3: Royal Decree
Themyscira – One Day Ago
"Aleka, do you have a moment? There's something I must ask of you," said Hippolyta, feeling more stressed than usual.
"Of course, my queen," answered Aleka without hesitation. "You know there is little I won't do for you."
"Well this is something I need you to do quietly and covertly. It involves Diana."
Now Aleka shared her concern. Any major issues involving Diana were usually handled privately between mother and daughter. That was how Hippolyta wanted it to be from the moment her daughter was born. For her to get someone else involved must mean something serious had come up.
"Is everything all right with her?" asked Aleka. "You're not still worried about that incident with her and Venelia, are you?"
"No, this is a new concern…one that may or may not be related," said Hippolyta. "I've noticed a change in Diana lately. She has been spending less time with her sisters and more time by herself."
"Has that not often been the case with her since she entered adolescence?"
"Yes, but this feels different. This feels like something more than the irrational behavior of adolescence."
The queen's tone took on a more anxious subtext. She knew the day Diana learned to walk on her own that one day she would enter these formative years. Even Hera had warned her that children tend to become more frustrating during adolescence. She had already dealt with those frustrations on a number of occasions, but they were usually minor and petty. Based on what she saw in Diana's recent behavior, this could be much bigger.
"I really hope I'm wrong. Diana has never given me a reason not to trust her. I just…need some assurance," said Hippolyta, now pacing somewhat.
"Are you still talking to me, my queen? Or are you just thinking out loud?" asked Aleka.
"It never bothered me that Diana would finish her training, do her chores, and run off to the shores. She claims she likes to hunt and fish in that area. I never had a reason to doubt her. But the way she has been carrying herself lately – it troubles me."
"And you want me to confront her?" questioned Aleka in confusion. "With all due respect, my queen, this sounds like an issue that is best addressed between mother and daughter."
"That was my initial inclination. But with each passing day, it seems, I've more reason to worry. She seems much more eager than usual to go off on these hunts, as she calls them. And whenever she returns, she has this spirit about her…one that I've seen before and hoped to never see in her."
"What do you mean? And how am I to aid you?"
Aleka remained confused. She clearly hadn't seen it. Hippolyta doubted that any of the other Amazons had seen it. These were the kinds of subtleties that only a mother could notice in her daughter. As she paced, she mused over the possibilities. There could still be a simple, mundane explanation to Diana's recent activities. She prayed with all her heart that this was the case. However, she had to know for sure.
"I want you to follow Diana to the shore tomorrow," said Hippolyta, now speaking with the authority of the queen once more. "I want you to find out what she's been doing these past few weeks."
"Forgive my candor, my queen…but are you asking me to spy on your daughter?" asked Aleka, saying each word very carefully.
"I'm asking you to verify that my daughter is being truthful," replied Hippolyta. "Do not, under any circumstances, let her know of your presence. And no matter what you discover, you are not to act on your own accord.
"What if I discover something distressing? What if the princess is in danger?"
"Just note her activities, Aleka. I'll decide the appropriate recourse if necessary."
She was firm with her words, leaving Aleka with little else to question. While she still had reservations, she nodded and bowed loyally to her queen.
"Very well, my queen. It will be done," said Aleka.
"Thank you, Aleka," said Hippolyta, still very anxious about what she might uncover.
"And as an aside, I feel I must say this…I believe in Diana. I might not always agree with her and or approve of her attitude, but I never doubt her honor or her warrior spirit. Whatever is behind her recent behavior, I have faith that it is nothing egregious."
"I hope you're right, Aleka," said Hippolyta. "I pray to every god on Olympus that you're right."
Present Time
Diana returned from the shore in higher spirits than usual. It was late. A full moon had already risen over the island, but she didn't feel tired in the slightest. The warmth from his embrace and the kindness in his words still lingered, adding fuel to all the complex feelings she had for him. While they had confused her initially, Diana had come to embrace them. Even though he was going to be leaving soon, these feelings would not leave with him. It gave her a whole new perspective, one that promised to change her understanding of what it meant to be a warrior.
As always, she had to be somewhat tactful when returning home. She was a bit later than usual, having claimed that she spent the day hunting and fishing. She even brought her sword and spear with her to make it appear convincing. She passed by some of her sisters, who were going about their various evening activities. Diana didn't see her mother anywhere, which wasn't unusual at this hour. She assumed she was busying herself with the day-to-day duties of a queen. As she made her way to her private quarters, she already began contemplating her next visit with Kal.
'It's going to be hard saying goodbye to Kal. I wish there was some way we could still meet. If only we had those phones or emails he speaks of. Perhaps there's something special I can do for him before he leaves. It's only fitting that we part with something that'll make us cherish our time together even more.'
As Diana considered the possible gifts she could give to express her fondness for this man, she casually entered her sleeping chamber. Then, much to her surprise, her mother was there waiting for her, sitting on the edge of her bed with a look that could have rivaled Medusa.
"Good evening, Diana. I trust you had a good hunt," greeted Hippolyta with folded arms.
"Mother…I thought you would be occupied with other matters at this hour," said Diana, trying not to sound too startled.
"What matters could be more important than those that concern my daughter?" she retorted.
"Why is that so concerning? It was just a hunt."
"I know that's what you told me. And I've never had a reason to doubt what you tell me. I like to think that I can trust you as much as I can trust my own heart. So tell me, truthfully Diana…have you really been off hunting these past few weeks? Or have you been consorting with a man who shouldn't be on this island?"
When Diana heard this question, she felt like she had just been struck by one of Zeus's thunderbolts. In an instant, her high spirits turned into the utmost dread. Were this anyone other than her mother, she would have reached for her sword and prepared to defend herself. Instead, Diana could only tremble, something no Amazon warrior was used to doing.
"What? Why would you ask such a notion?" asked Diana, unable to hide her nervousness.
"Don't avoid the question, Diana! I expect that from a fool, but not from my daughter," said Hippolyta angrily.
The Queen of the Amazons rose up and confronted her daughter, looking down at her like a titan looking down at an insect. She listened intently, giving Diana a chance to answer the question. But only silence followed, which was an answer in and of itself.
"Well? Are you going to say anything or can I assume your answers will be equally foolish?" scolded Hippolyta.
"What does it matter? You already seem to know the answers," muttered Diana. "Can I also assume that you've been spying on me?"
"Don't you dare turn this around on me, Diana!" spat Hippolyta. "I cannot believe this. My own daughter, deceiving me and all her sisters! How could you?!"
"Will you at least give me a chance to explain myself before you condemn me?" retorted Diana defensively.
"I don't see how your actions could possibly be justified!"
"Then why should I bother explaining myself? It's true. There is man here on Paradise Island. It's also true that I've been going to see him on a regular basis for the past few weeks."
"And at no point you saw fit to inform me? What were you thinking?!"
"I was thinking you would react just like this!" exclaimed Diana, her voice becoming strained in wake of her mother's anger. "I know what the Amazon Code says. I know what would happen to him if I told of his presence."
"And you chose to defy it?" scolded Hippolyta.
"He was shipwrecked. He only wanted help. I chose to do what was right!"
"You mean to tell me you believed the words of a man over that of your fellow Amazons?"
"He's not just some man, mother! He showed me in both words and deeds that he is a good, kind soul who means us no harm. You and our sisters would have him imprisoned, tried, or executed. And for what? For being a man? How is that just?"
Never before had Diana dared raise her voice to her mother like this. She had long since stopped trembling and dared to justify her actions, but this only added to her mother's outrage. Within her mother's angry glare, she saw the unyielding dogma that had governed the Amazons for centuries. That dogma would not be easy to confront, even if she was convinced that she had done the right thing.
Hippolyta had to restrain herself, taking a step back and turning away so that Diana wouldn't see the pained look on her face. She shook her head solemnly as a sick feeling emerged within the pit of her stomach. Not long ago, she entertained the idea of stepping down from the throne and letting Diana take over. She actually trusted that she would continue to lead the Amazons and uphold the traditions that had made them so strong. Now here she was, listening to her daughter slander those very traditions. She had sincerely hoped that this man hadn't influenced Diana to the extent that Aleka described. Once again, the whims of a man had hurt her deeply.
"Great Hera, this is even worse than I feared," Hippolyta lamented. "This man has corrupted your thinking."
"Nothing could be further from the truth, mother," said Diana, lowering her tone in an effort to ease hostilities. "If you'll just take a moment to listen to what I've learned from him…"
But Hippolyta didn't care to hear her excuses. She just closed her eyes and attempted to conceal her disgust.
"How far did this abomination go? Did he seduce you? Did you have coitus with him?" she asked.
"What?! No! We did nothing of the sort," exclaimed Diana.
"So you just allowed him to rape your mind?"
"Quit talking about him like he's some sort of beast! He's not Hercules!"
"He's still a man, Diana. His inclinations are not that different from a beast," said Hippolyta.
"You're wrong! Your judgment is clouded, mother. You're using the crimes of one man condemn to condemn all men. Can't you see the error in such thinking?"
Diana attempted to confront her mother again, grabbing her arm and turning her around so that she could face her. But to her shock, Hippolyta grabbed her by the wrist and threw her across the room so that she hit the stone wall right next to her bed.
"Aagh!" cried Diana. "Mother! What are you…"
"I'm doing what I must as a queen and a mother," said Hippolyta in coldly.
With a heavy heart, Hippolyta retrieved the special lasso she had strapped to her side. While her daughter sat stunned and shocked, she used it to bind her wrists. Since the lasso was blessed, it could not be broken. Once secure, she gave it a hard tug to force Diana back towards her. She still struggled, but it did her little good. No matter how unruly her daughter chose to be, Hippolyta made clear that she had no authority in this matter.
It was the worst feeling any Amazon could've endured, submission and defeat. Diana struggled with the lasso at first, but it was no use. Looking up at her mother, she saw no sympathy in her eyes. She was now asserting herself both as a parent and as queen of the Amazons.
"This is what is going to happen, Diana. I will convene an emergency meeting with a legion of Themyscira's best warriors," said Hippolyta assertively. "Together, we will formulate a course of action. Make no mistake. We intend to subdue the male trespasser by whatever means necessary, as our bylaws decree. He will then face punishment for his crimes."
"What crimes? Being stranded on an island against his will? Being condemned for crimes he never committed?" scoffed Diana.
"Had he merely trespassed, the gods might have shown mercy. But now his crimes are much more egregious. He didn't just corrupt an Amazon. He turned my own daughter against me. For that, his punishment will be far more severe."
"So you're going to kill him? Just for making me think thoughts you don't approve of?!" cried Diana, her outrage giving way to horror.
"I'm merely upholding our sacred code, Diana. You, of all Amazons, know what that code decrees. You should've known before you allowed yourself to get attached to this man."
Her words were harsh, but not wholly inaccurate. Diana wanted to scold her mother for contemplating such an egregious injustice, but she couldn't deny her role in that injustice. By allowing herself to get close with this man, she effectively condemned him. Ironically, all these wonderful experiences that she had shared with Kal-El could end up being what destroys him.
"By that same code, you will participate in this process, but only as a witness" Hippolyta continued. "You must see why we uphold these traditions. I don't expect you to enjoy it. I don't intend to enjoy my role either."
"That or you'll do a masterful job of hiding that sentiment," said Diana under her breath.
"Nevertheless, this is what the gods decree. This is what we as Amazons must pursue. If you care at all about your sisters and your mother, you'll remember that there is no place on Themyscira for the corrupt influences of men."
There was a sense of desperation within her authoritative. She might have carried herself like a queen, but Hippolyta could not hide her disappointment. If Diana weren't so upset with her or herself, she might have acknowledged it. Instead, she just held her head low and prayed for the strength she would surely need to get through this.
'Kal…forgive me.'
Early Next Morning
'I'm going to miss this place. Even though it's full of a bunch of man-hating warrior women, I'm still going to miss it.'
Clark took a stepped back and admired his and Diana's work. The makeshift boat they had cobbled together with trees, twigs, rope, and old togas was finally complete. He had woken up early just before sunrise to make the final tweaks. Now, in addition to the changing winds, it was seaworthy. Diana warned him that the waters surrounding the island often got choppy during this time of year. So long as the weather held up, he should be able to get through and make his way to civilization. While he looked forward to getting back to being Superman, he was definitely going to miss spending time with Diana.
After making sure the sail was secure, he used his super strength to carry the boat down to the shore. Along the way, he made sure to commit his surroundings to memory. He saw the campsite that he and Diana set up where they shared meals, the spots near the creek where they went fishing, and even the waterfall upstream where she accidentally dropped in on him while he was showering. Clark smiled as he recalled all these moments.
Diana was the first person he felt like he could relate to since his adopted parents died. It wasn't just that she was strong. They came from such different worlds, but they understood each other and their struggles. He doubted he would ever find anyone else like that back in Metropolis.
Clark tried not to think too much about life without Diana. Once he reached the shore, he set the boat down and contemplated how he would spend his last day on Paradise Island. Diana told him the winds would be at their highest in the middle of the afternoon. That gave them at least half a day to enjoy each other's company one last time.
'I'm not looking forward to saying goodbye, Diana. We haven't known each other long, but I know enough to understand how special you are. I may never find anyone like you and not just because you're the first one to ever beat me in an arm wrestling match. I wish there was some way to bridge the gap between our worlds. But I guess some jobs are impossible, even for Superman. That doesn't mean we can't leave on a good note.'
Once the boat was set, he retrieved a little memento he had crafted for Diana late last night after she left. It was a football, which he forged using some spare rope and his heat vision. It didn't look like much, but it seemed fitting. Of all the sports Clark had told her about, she had been most fond of football. Being a warrior, it made sense that she would have a taste for contact sports. Maybe before he left, they could throw the ball around a bit and create a few more good memories before he left.
As Clark smiled at the thought, he heard some rustling from the bushes near the trail that led to the beach. This was the trail Diana usually took when she arrived so he didn't think much of it.
"Is that you, Diana? You're right on time. I've got something for you," said Clark as he walked up the beach to greet her.
He couldn't make his way up the sandy shore fast enough. Then he saw a figure emerged from the trail, but it wasn't Diana. His smile quickly faded and he froze as an older, imposing woman approached.
"You've nothing she wants. You should know better, but then again you are a man," said the woman.
"Who are you? Where's Diana?!" exclaimed Clark as he stepped back.
"You don't get to make demands of me, barbarian. I am Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons. And you're going to answer for your crimes against my daughter and my sisters!"
And just like that, the possibility of creating anymore good memories before he left completely disappeared. Diana warned him that the rest of the Amazons on this island would not take kindly to his presence, but this wasn't just any Amazon. This was Diana's mother. Her angry gaze alone was enough to make even Superman tremble.
As she approached, he cautiously stepped back towards his boat. Along the way, he heard more rustling in the bushes surrounding the shore. Then, Hippolyta raised her sword and like a trap being sprung, a whole legion of armed Amazons emerged. Clark watched with dread as the warrior women let out angry battle cries and surrounded him with stunning speed.
"For Themyscira!" they all yelled out.
They moved in a perfect swarm, making sure every escape route was blocked. Clark had dealt with soldiers and mercenaries before, but none of them had demonstrated this kind of efficiency. From what Diana had told him, these were immortal women who had multiple lifetimes of combat experience. He was just a kid from Smallville who had only a few weeks of training under Diana. If each of these women were as strong as Diana, then he didn't stand a chance.
"Please…I don't want to fight any of you. Can we just talk about this?" asked Clark, doing his best to sound diplomatic.
"I'm afraid we're already past that point. You've already done enough damage with your words and I'll see to it that you do no more," said Hippolyta.
The queen turned towards one of the Amazons behind her and nodded. She got the message and stepped aside, allowing Aleka to step forth. And following close behind was Diana, still bound by her wrists by a lasso. Aleka had been tasked with keeping Diana cooperative. She didn't make it easy on her, often resisting her efforts to keep her moving. Aleka had to give the lasso a few hard tugs to keep her in line. While the princess showed grit, her demeanor shifted considerably when she approached.
"Diana!" gasped Clark when he saw her bound state.
"I'm okay, Kal," she assured him.
Aleka gave the lasso another tug to silence her. As she stepped forward, the rest of the Amazon legion closed in, their shields and spears pointed at him. They were clearly very upset with him, but they looked every bit as upset with Diana.
"Please, let her go. I'll do whatever you want. Just don't hurt her," said Clark, holding his hands up in the face of all this hostility.
"Oh Kal… tis is one case where your humility will only hurt us both," said Diana solemnly.
"Spare me your empty words! They've done enough damage," said Hippolyta. "You will not deceive me as you have my daughter."
"I swear, I'm not trying to deceive anyone," said Clark calmly.
"I've heard that talk from men before. They pretend to be sincere, saying whatever they need to say to get a woman under their spell. Your methods must not work on sensible women so you set your sights on an immature teenager. Even for a man, that's pathetic."
"Nobody put anyone under any spell. I was shipwrecked. Diana helped me. Anything else that happened…"
But Hippolyta wouldn't hear it. She stepped towards him and pointed her sword at him so the tip was only inches from his neck.
"Silence!" barked the queen, "I don't want to hear any more of your lies."
"He's not lying, Mother!" shouted Diana, which earned another rough tug of the lasso from Aleka.
"That applies to you too, Princess," said Aleka coldly. "You're only making it worse by believing whatever this beast of man says."
"A beast is too kind a word, Aleka," said Hippolyta, glaring at Clark with the utmost hatred. "This man did something far worse than trespass on our homeland and spread lies. He actually turned my own daughter against me, convincing her to lie to her mother and her sisters. His crimes are almost as egregious as those of Hercules. While that monster never paid for his crimes, I can assure you that this man will!"
Clark, his hands still raised, gulped nervously under her harsh words. This woman's hatred of men ran deep. Diana only told him so much about the horrors the Amazons endured in the past, but she also told him to assume it was many times worse than anything she could describe. Between these horrors and her being a protective parent, Clark couldn't have been in a worse position.
By now, the Amazons had fully encircled him. He briefly considered jumping over them, but he noticed some of the Amazons were armed with bows and arrows. Based on what Diana told him about Amazonian weapons, these weapons were probably enchanted with magic. That meant they could hurt him and if their archery skills were as good as Diana's, they could really wound him. His only other option was to fight, but that would only provoke these women even more. As Superman, he was supposed to be powerful enough to get out of any situation. But this was one situation where even he was powerless.
"You will not be leaving this island in one piece, barbarian. You're going to come with us and stand trial at the Temple of Athena. There, your crimes against the Amazons will be documented and your punishment will be administered. Between trespassing on our island and corrupting the queen's daughter, Hades will have to prepare a special place in the underworld for your soul."
It didn't sound like much of a trial. Hippolyta had already made her judgment. Her voice echoed with so much outrage. Clark tried to say something in his defense, but a desperate look from Diana dissuaded him. Anything he said at this point would only make matters worse. Every Amazon surrounding him was ready to attack and silence him at the slightest provocation. Now, the promise of getting home felt more distant than ever.
'I knew Diana's mother was harsh, but this is a whole new level of hate. Guess I won't be missing this place that much after all…if I actually manage to leave in one piece.'
Clark continued to keep his hands up, not moving a muscle as Hippolyta stared him down, already contemplating the ways she would punish him. It was the first time Diana ever looked at her mother with disgust. This woman, who she loved with all her heart and who taught her to be strong, was so consumed with the vilest of hatred. She looked around at her sisters, who shared in that hatred. In that moment, she no longer saw an army of proud, honorable warriors. She saw a pack of bloodthirsty animals, looking to prey on the innocent.
In this moment of disgust, Diana fell to her knees and bowed her head in sorrow. She thought she had seen great horrors in battle. None could possibly compare to this. Her sisters might be the ones that hurt Clark, but she was the one that condemned him. She condemned him by daring to open her heart. Everything about that felt wrong. Being a warrior, she could not let that stand.
As she struggled with her disgust, she noticed that Aleka was not in the same defensive stance as the rest of the Amazons. Being bigger and stronger than most of her sisters, she likely assumed she didn't need to be vigilant when her only task involved keeping a rebellious teenager restrained. That arrogance might be her last opportunity to end this. She briefly looked back towards Clark and then at her mother. Knowing Clark would never risk hurting her or her sisters, Diana realized that only she could stop this injustice.
"Don't waste your time shedding tears for him, Princess. Once justice is done, we'll see to it that you forget all his lies," said Aleka smugly.
"You're only half-right, Aleka. Justice will be done," said Diana.
In an act that would surely pain her heart, Diana roughly tugged on the lasso restraining her, causing Aleka to stumble forward. Before the taller woman could regain her balance, Diana delivered a powerful sweep kick that knocked her feet. In the process, she lost her grip on the lasso, allowing the Diana to free her wrists and wield the lasso on her own.
"Ungh!" grunted Aleka as her back hit the sand. "Look out, my queen!"
But neither Hippolyta nor the rest of the Amazon legion had a chance to stop Diana. They were too focused on Clark, blinded by their hatred and their desire to administer their precious Amazon Code. Diana, now emboldened and armed with a lasso, put to use the same warrior skills she had been taught to uphold that code.
She threw the loop of the lasso at her mother so that it wrapped around her torso. Then, just as her mother realized what was happening, Diana summoned a level of strength she had yet to show and pulled her away from Clark.
"Ahh! Diana?!" exclaimed Hippolyta. "What in Poseidon's name are you doing?!"
"Preserving what's left of our honor," answered Diana.
"Say focused on the man, sisters! I'll stop her," yelled Aleka.
The rest of the Amazons flinched only briefly, not nearly enough time for Clark to do anything. It was still plenty of time for Aleka to get up and attack Diana. She managed to come up behind her and pull her into a choke hold. For a moment it seemed to work and she attempted to push Diana back down to her knees.
"Attacking your sisters? And your mother?" said Aleka in disgust. "You call that honor?"
"Your bark was always worse than your bite, Aleka," quipped Diana.
Before the larger Amazon could exert more of her strength, Diana jerked her head back and hit Aleka right in the nose. It was a somewhat crude tactic, but it worked. It stunned Aleka just long enough for Diana escape her grip, strike her in the torso with her fist, and hit her with a punishing roundhouse kick that sent the imposing woman crashing against a nearby tree.
Even though the other Amazons remained focused on Clark, they couldn't help but be shocked by the sight of their princess attacking a sister, and for a man no less. They had trained all their lives to fight invaders, monsters, and titans on a whim. They never trained to fight one of their own, let alone someone destined to inherit the throne. Nobody was sure what to do other than maintain their defensive stance while Diana retrieved her mother's sword and rushed towards Clark.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" asked Clark, every bit as astonished as the Amazons.
"I'm sure," she replied in complete confidence.
With Hippolyta still restrained, Diana positioned herself between Clark and the Amazon legion. Lacking armor and wielding only a lasso and a sword, she was incredibly outmatched. But she didn't care. At the moment, she was the only Amazon on this island acting like a true warrior.
"Hear me, sisters! Stop this affront to our honor!" Diana proclaimed, now speaking with the authority of the princess. "Consider for a moment what you're doing. This man has been on this island for weeks and has harmed no one. He has had ample opportunities. And he has demonstrated to me that he has ample ability as well, but has done no such thing. Yet you seek to condemn him anyways. Ask yourself, is that the act of a noble warrior?"
She had hoped her rhetoric, along with the weight her name carried, would at least get her sisters to back off slightly. Instead, it had the opposite effect. Now they looked even more enraged and not just towards Clark. They both had to take a step back towards the boat. Clark even kept his hands up, preparing to defend himself the moment the first shot was fired.
"I don't think you've convinced them," commented Clark.
"I suppose I had too much faith in my sisters," said Diana in dismay.
"That's because you overestimate the value of your title, Diana. You may be my daughter and the Princess of Themyscira, but you are still a child," said Hippolyta, still bound by the lasso.
"Should that really matter?" retorted Diana. "Does my age make my words any less valid?"
"It's not just your age, my daughter. It's your limited experience. Look into the eyes of your fellow sisters. You'll see in them the experiences they've had with men…experiences you've never had and couldn't possibly understand. You're right in one way. This man is not Hercules. But he's still a man and our experiences have given us plenty of reasons not to trust his ilk."
Diana stayed close to Clark, holding her sword up in a defensive stance as some of her sisters closed in. To her dismay, the hatred in their gazes confirmed her mother's words. There was so much pain and resentment in all of them. To them, they weren't looking at an innocent man. They were looking at a manifestation of that which had inflicted such torment. She knew the pain that Hercules inflicted had run deep, but she had never seen it on display like this. It meant there could be no peaceful resolution to this situation. One of them would have to make a painful decision.
"Kal…" said Diana under her breath as she continued to stare down her sisters.
"We're not going to convince them," said Clark anxiously. "There has to be another way. Maybe I can…"
"Go," she told him in a tone that masked the pain of her decision.
"What? But what about…"
"I'll hold them off. Just get back to your world. Get back and keep being the man I know you to be."
Clark didn't claim to know everything about Amazon culture, but he understood the implications of what she was suggesting. By fighting her sisters, she was committing yet another crime. Such a crime surely wouldn't go unpunished. But the determination in her tone made it clear. She was willing to go that for him.
"Diana…" he said sadly.
"I'll be fine. Just go!" she ordered.
As he stumbled back towards the boat, Hippolyta realized what her daughter was doing. Despise being bound by the lasso, she rose up and took command.
"Arrogant brat! Are you really going to oppose your own sisters?" yelled Hippolyta.
"You want to harm this man? You want to commit injustice in our name? You'll have to go through me!" said Diana.
With a heavy heart, the Amazon queen scolded her daughter with the utmost disgust and made a decision of her own.
"Sisters, seize the princess! Don't let the man get away!" she ordered.
"For Hera!" they all exclaimed.
The moments that followed unfolded in slow motion for Clark. As he reached his boat, Diana let out her own war cry and threw herself into the crowd of angry Amazons. This 17-year-old girl he had only known for a couple weeks was willing to fight this hard to save him. That made what he had to do next all the more painful.
While Diana's attack drew most of the attention from the Amazon legion, Clark managed to get on the boat. Some of the Amazons shot arrows at him. They would have hit all over his body if he hadn't slammed his fists together to create a powerful shockwave that blew them back. This display of strength stunned the Amazons long enough for him to shove the boat into the clear waters. Once he was in position, he was ready. But before he departed, he gazed towards Diana one last time.
She didn't get a chance to do much fighting. She swung her sword a few times to deflect the incoming spear attacks. She even managed to shove off a shield attack and disarm one of her sisters that tried to sneak up behind her. But there were too many of them, even for someone of Diana's tenacity.
Seven Amazons attacked at once, using their shields to knock Diana off balance. Then they all tackled her to the sandy shore, pinning on her stomach and restraining her limbs. With each Amazon bearing the same strength as her, she had no hope of escape. But she was still able to look back at him just long enough to see his sad yet grateful expression.
"Thank you, Diana," said Clark, managing one last warm smile.
Then, with more Amazons closing in on him, Clark took a deep breath and let out a powerful gust of wind that sent a miniature cyclone towards the shore. It both stopped the oncoming attack and propelled him into the sea like a rocket. He accelerated fast, straining the makeshift boat in the process. But it held together and within seconds, the shores of Paradise Island became a distant sight. Once he expended his breath, he raised the sail and let the winds carry him away.
His escape was now complete. In the end, Diana kept her promise in helping him get off the island. It was bittersweet, knowing that he escaped while Diana faced the wrath of her mother and her sisters. But in her final gaze, he saw no regrets. He tried to take comfort in that, as well as all the wonderful moments he shared with her. Knowing he might never meet another woman like her again, those moments became all the more precious.
'So here I am…alone again. By accident, I meet a beautiful girl who actually understands me and accepts me for who I am. She embraces me, making me feel things I've never felt before. Then when it all goes horribly wrong, she risks her life and goes against her own family to do what she thought was right. That's more than Superman has ever had to do. Guess that means I'll have to be an even better man. It's the only way I can honor such a wonderful woman.'
Later - Themyscira Dungeons
Amazons weren't used to battles that had no victors. They expected only two outcomes in a battle – victory or death. So when a battle ended with neither their blood nor that of their enemy's being shed, nobody could truly claim victory.
The Amazons had been dishonored. Their homeland had been tainted by the presence of a man. Worst of all, their own princess had been corrupted. This woman, who they loved and respected dearly, had undermined the very code she swore to uphold. She was supposed to be their future queen, one who would have the strength to lead the Amazons into a new era. Now, under the Amazon Code, she was a deviant. Her heart and her commitment to her sisters were now in question. It left even the most hardened Amazons conflicted.
Yet still, the only one who could say she wasn't conflicted in any way was Diana herself. As soon as Kal-El disappeared from sight, she was subdued. Everything after that transpired in a blur. She remembered her sisters yelling at her in anger. Some even cried. What she had done was so egregious that it hurt them in ways no beast or man ever could. As she now sat in a dungeon, her wrists chained with shackles made by Hephaestus himself, she could still hear their cries.
"How could you, Diana? How could you!"
"A man! A man over your own sisters!"
"You dare call yourself an Amazon? You dare aspire to be our queen?"
Their words cut deep, but Diana never responded to any of them. Even when they struck her and slapped her in their outrage, she remained silent. There was nothing to say. And nothing they said convinced her that she done anything wrong. However, it did force her to contemplate how her experiences with Kal-El would affect her moving forward and not just with respect to the fate that awaited her.
After she was subdued, she was escorted her back to the Temple of Athena. Along the way, every Amazon on the island gathered to watch the scene. They were all shocked at the sight of their princess being treated like a common criminal. Some of the Amazons, namely Aleka, loudly proclaimed her crimes. It was an act of public shaming, a powerful tactic in this close-knit community of warriors. They all shared in the outrage, but none could hide their dismay. Diana remembered seeing their sad eyes. Yet she showed no regret, even after they threw her into the dungeon in the basement of the temple.
"From princess to prisoner in just one day," sighed Diana. "And it was all because of a man…a kind, caring, handsome man."
It was strange. Her crimes were so egregious. She would surely pay a high price for them. Yet in recalling her experiences with Kal-El, she was more convinced than ever that she had acted honorably. This also promised to further complicate how she would deal with the judgment of her sisters and her mother.
Diana already knew what she was in for. Her mother was probably putting together a trial with her and a council of their best warriors. She would be brought before them, they would review her crimes, and a punishment would be handed down. Since she was the princess and a teenager, she might be afforded mercy, but she didn't dare assume.
While Amazons did not execute their own, they never hesitated to administer harsh punishments. The worst, by far, was exile. It involved stripping an Amazon of their immortality and expelling them from Themyscira with nothing but the clothes on their back. Diana would probably avoid that fate, but other punishments, such as working in the Olympian mines or being kept out of battles, could be expected. Knowing her mother, Diana expected plenty of toil. She didn't fear punishment for something she believed to be honorable. However, she did fear what this meant for her relationship with her mother and her sisters.
As Diana sat in the corner of her confined cell, resting her eyes and reliving the memories she shared with Kal-El, the chamber door finally opened and her mother walked in.
"Hello, Diana. I trust you've had time to settle in," greeted Hippolyta, throwing in another parental scold.
Diana acknowledged her presence, but remained silent. She since become numb to such scolding. She hoped to make it clear that she would not be shamed into apologizing. Her mother seemed to get the message quickly.
"I was hoping we could talk. It's been a long, trying day for all of us."
"Speak for yourself," muttered Diana under her breath.
"I'd still like to end it with at least some hope that tomorrow will be better. I don't want one day to ruin a lifetime of love between me and my daughter. Don't you want that too?"
Now she sounded less like the queen of the Amazons and more like a concerned mother. Diana finally allowed herself to feel uncomfortable with her situation. She looked up at her mother with solemn eyes, watching as she sat down on the cold stone floor next to her. Diana didn't expect to garner much sympathy. Nobody became queen of the Amazons by being overly sympathetic. At the very least, they needed to come to an understanding.
"What's done is done. We cannot undo it and we shouldn't dwell on it more than we need to," began Hippolyta.
"That's easy to say when you're not the one in shackles," Diana pointed out.
"You won't be wearing those shackles much longer. I've assembled a tribunal and scheduled your hearing for tomorrow morning."
"How much more public shaming can I expect? I get the sense that my sisters have plenty more to inflict."
"There will be none. I've made sure of that," said Hippolyta strongly.
"How can you be so sure?" scoffed Diana.
"Because before I came here, I issued a decree," she replied. "No one is to scold, insult, or demean you once the sun rises tomorrow. I do not wish for this ordeal to become worse than it already has. I want us to heal rather than fester."
Diana was somewhat surprised. She expected her mother to be far less forgiving. Being the princess, she was supposed to be held to a higher standard. This was the first sign that her mother might be willing to talk about this issue. However, she didn't expect her to be too reasonable.
Hippolyta still struggled to look her daughter in the eye, knowing she was still jaded and distant. She had never been this upset with her daughter before. She didn't like it in the slightest. She hadn't shown it earlier, but in hearing those angry curses from her sisters, it hurt her almost as much as Diana. As queen, she had to be stern in treating her daughter like any other Amazon that had transgressed against their warrior code. As a mother, her sorrow overshadowed her anger. She had raised Diana from birth with the utmost love. One transgression shouldn't taint that love.
"I'm not going to let them exile you, Diana," Hippolyta told her, still speaking in as reasonable tone as a queen could manage. "There will be some that wish to see you banished. I intend to remind them that what you did was not a bannishable offense. Your actions, egregious as they were, did not lead to any other Amazons being harmed."
"And yet I heard words like treason being yelled quite frequently," said Diana.
"They were upset. Do not mistake their outrage for their honest sentiment," said Hippolyta.
"I understand that they're upset. Now that I've had time to think about it, I also understand that they're hurt. I did something that they all saw as a serious offense. I've been taught all my life that it was a serious offense and I'm not going to argue that it wasn't."
"But you're not going to apologize for it, are you?"
Diana laughed to herself and shook her head. As uptight as her mother could be at times, she knew her very well. She had been the one to instill in her that strong spirit that drove her to be such a great warrior. She probably never expected that spirit to lead her to do something like this, but she didn't belabor the situation. She remained focused on moving forward and Diana needed to share that focus.
"You already know how I feel about my actions, mother," said Diana. "I'm not going to say more than I've already said. I'm not going to make excuses either. I still believe that I did the right thing by helping that man."
"That's still the one part of this ordeal that I struggle to process," said Hippolyta with a hint of frustration.
"Which part? That I dared to do what I felt was right or that I dared to question the merits of the Amazon Code?"
"The part where you chose to lie to your sisters for the sake of a man…a man who you barely knew, yet trusted more than your own mother."
There was plenty of pain in her tone. The mere mention of a man was enough to remind her of the pain she endured under Hercules. It clouded her judgment and heightened her emotions. This was where the conversation broke down between Diana, her mother, and the rest of her sisters. This was what she had to confront if they were going to get through this.
"I'm not going to retell the same story you've heard many times before," Hippolyta continued. "I know this man was not Hercules. I don't doubt that he's different from him. But who he is doesn't matter. He's still a man."
"So what he is matters more than what he does? Do you not see the problem with that?" questioned Diana.
"It's not a problem. It is the standard by which men are held in the eyes of the Amazon. We are warriors. As such, our standard must be higher than those of man's world. To let our guard down, even when it feels like the right thing to do, isn't just a threat to who we are as warriors. It is opens the door for more tragedy."
"You're not going to convince me that by helping this man, I put our sisters at risk," said Diana.
"I'm not trying to convince you. I'm trying to make it clear to you that we must hold ourselves to that great standard. Hera blessed the Amazons with great power and she expects us to use that power to become great warriors. And part of being a great warrior is staying true to the warrior code that we have sworn to uphold."
"Does that code mean not trusting our hearts when it tells us what we know to be right?" asked Diana.
"Do not mistake your heart with your spirit, Diana. That is a weakness that youth and inexperience often confound," said Hippolyta. "You might think your heart was in the right place, but you lack the full perspective."
"So I cannot trust my own thoughts?"
"That's not what I'm saying. What you did might have felt right on some levels, but that's exactly why we adhere to the Amazon Code. It provides guidance that ensures our hearts do not lead us astray. And I need to know that my daughter is not going to drift away from her sisters…or her mother."
The strain on her heart and spirit kept building. With every word her mother said, the extent of her actions grew. Even if she did the right thing, the burden it wrought was greater than Diana could have imagined. It shouldn't have been this complicated, helping someone in need and acting honorably. But there was no escaping these complications at this point.
Diana briefly looked over at her mother, who still appeared so conflicted. She then looked down at the shackles binding her wrists. There had been times when she questioned the Amazon Code, even before she met Kal-El. Her mother and her sisters convinced her that this was the product of a young, inexperienced mind. Most of her sisters were immortal, having memories and experiences far greater than anything she could imagine. She tried to convince herself that she understood their perspective. These shackles on her wrist were proof that she didn't.
Between her mother and the shackles that bound her, Diana had to make a choice. On some levels, her mother and sisters were correct. The experience she had with one man wasn't enough to override the crimes of his kind. Kal had even demonstrated that he was no ordinary man. For all she knew, ordinary men were as detestable as her sisters claimed. But that was the problem and in some ways, it was also the solution. In that context, Diana made her choice, knowing it would likely lead to more complications.
"I'm not going to push you away, mother. I am an Amazon. This experience has not changed that. Nothing can change that," said Diana, finally speaking with strength worthy of a princess. "I concede that my youth does affect my actions, but I will not use that as an excuse."
"I wouldn't want you to either. You're better than that, Diana," said Hippolyta.
"And I understand that I have to be better. I am not just an Amazon. I am the princess. That means I have to hold myself to a higher standard, especially when it comes to transgressions."
"That's what the tribunal is expecting to hear. Just saying that will help reassure them."
"But I cannot tell them everything they want to hear," Diana went on. "I will not gravel. I will not beg for mercy. What's done is done. They know how I feel about it. You know how I feel about it."
"You'll have to find a way to say that with less arrogance," said the Queen.
"I will do what I can, that I promise. But I cannot promise that I will immediately adopt the perspective of you and my sisters. Like you said, I am young. And this experience has influenced me in ways I never could have imagined."
"My main concern is how far that influence will go. What can you say to convince me and your sisters that it will not undermine your loyalty to your sisters and your adherence to our code?"
"I'm not sure there's much I can say, mother. But I intend to make clear that this influence has revealed to me just how much I need to grow. I am still a child in their eyes and yours. Part of holding myself to a higher standard involves working harder to gain that perspective you mentioned."
Despite the shackles still binding her wrists, Diana scooted closer to her mother so that she could grasp her hand. It was the first show of affection they had managed since this trying ordeal began. It seemed to bring relief to her mother's distress. It wasn't as much as she wished she could give, but it conveyed her sincerity.
"I want to be the Amazon warrior that I know I'm capable of being. I want to be the Amazon warrior that you and my sisters want me to be," said Diana. "If having this experience and dealing with the consequences will aid me in that effort, then I accept every punishment and every burden I receive."
"You're already sounding more responsible," said Hippolyta with a slight smile. "I just hope that we can eventually put that behind us."
"As do I, but that doesn't mean we should forget about it. I want this to make me stronger. I want this to make us stronger. To do that, I only ask that you and my sisters give me a chance to learn from this experience. I know it's unreasonable, me asking for anything in my position…"
She was about to start pleading, something she never did before. Hippolyta, not willing to let her daughter forsake her Amazon pride, silenced her and embraced Diana for the first time since this ordeal began. It was a conflicted, yet genuine show of love. It helped mark the first step they needed to take to get through this affair.
"You don't need to ask for anything, Diana," said Hippolyta. "You've never asked for any favors and I don't expect you to start now. Everything you say you want is a noble aspiration, but these are things that can't be given. They must be earned."
"But will I even get a chance to earn it?" asked Diana.
"Every Amazon is given a chance. I understand this and I intend to remind the tribunal as well. That chance you seek will begin as soon as your punishment is administered. You'll have to toil more than you would have had this incident never occurred. You'll have to endure the added scrutiny of your fellow Amazons every step of the way."
"I'm fully willing to accept those struggles. I hope I've made that clear."
"You have, Diana. You've also made clear that you have the heart and the spirit to be that great warrior. I want you to achieve that greatness, as any mother would. And I'll stand by your side and love you as I always have."
"And I still cherish that love. Don't think for a second this changes that," said Diana sincerely.
"Then trust in me and your sisters to guide you so that you have that perspective and that experience that unites us as Amazons. Let's use this to make ourselves stronger, not tear us apart."
Hippolyta embraced her daughter closer. This time, Diana returned the feeling. What she experienced with Kal-El didn't change how she felt about her mother and her sisters. She remained dedicated to them, even though her previous assumptions had been challenged. There was still so much about her sisters and the Amazon traditions that she cherished. She never contemplated rejecting them or her mother. It was just going to be a lot harder now.
"I trust in you, mother. I will become stronger," said Diana, sincere emotions mixing with her bold words.
"Then we need not worry about the tribunal tomorrow. From here on out, I say we focus on moving forward."
"Agreed!"
The tension finally eased. Hippolyta felt a wave of relief, knowing her daughter had the determination and spirit to move beyond this ordeal. She still worried that her experiences would continue to affect her. But like a true Amazon, she buried her worries and fears under the hope and love she had for Diana. She believed she could get through this and become the proud Amazon that would one day lead her sisters. She just had to prove that she was strong enough to overcome the corrupting influences of man's world.
Diana still shared in her mother's hope for her. She didn't expect that to change in light of this incident. However, she refused to cast aside these feelings and reservations she gained in being with Kal-El. She wanted to believe that it would all make sense once she reached a certain age and earned the strength she sought. Whether she would achieve that perspective remained to be seen, but Diana knew she was in for a struggle.
As she and her mother prepared to move forward, Diana's thoughts drifted back towards Kal. She couldn't allow herself to think too much about him, otherwise those feelings she felt around him would only further complicate her struggle. But despite the sentiments of her mother and sisters, she believed that he was the good man he claimed to be. She also believed that the man's world would be better because of him.
'I hope you got home safely, Kal. I also hope you'll cherish our time together as much as I did, regardless of how it ended. I've still got my battles to fight and you have yours. I don't know if our paths will ever cross again, but I hope I've helped make you stronger because you've already made me stronger.'
Smallville, Kansas - One Week Later
Clark never expected to return to Smallville this soon. He never thought he would be able to get over the death of his parents to a point where he could return without being too great a strain on his heart. But after his experience on Paradise Island, his outlook had changed. He made himself endure the strain. He had to confront these painful issues to become a better man and a better Superman.
"Home sweet home, but not for much longer," sighed Clark as he stood at the end of what used to be the driveway into the Kent family farm.
It had been a long journey since he left Themyscira and not just in terms of the distance traveled. After making it away from the island, he drifted for about a day and a half until an ocean liner found him. From there, he hitched a ride to a port in Athens, Greece where he spent the next few days resting and recuperating. There was a lot to digest and even more to contemplate.
At first, he worried about Diana. Her sisters were pretty upset with her. At times, he even contemplated going back to help her. However, Clark trusted that Diana knew what she was doing when she helped him escape. She made a sacrifice for him, giving him a chance to get away before the conflict could escalate. It was the first time someone made sure that he didn't have to fight. For once, he didn't have to be Superman. Instead, he inspired Diana, a beautiful young woman who had been brought up to never trust a man, to do what she believed to be right. That experience and the impact she had on him led Clark to make some big decisions.
As Clark hopped various trains and planes to make his way back home, he laid out a plan to turn those decisions into actions. The first step involved changing what it meant to be Clark Kent and Superman.
"Ma…Pa…you used to tell me that no matter how big the world seemed, there was always room to grow. I'm sorry I didn't understand that sooner," said Clark distantly.
With a heavy heart, he walked up the driveway and past the house where he grew up as Clark Kent. Along the way, a number of vivid memories played out in his mind. He looked out over the now vacant corn fields and recalled the times he and Lana Lang would chase each other. He then looked up at the window to his bedroom and remembered watching the stars with his father, often using his telescopic vision to describe celestial events that could not be seen with human eyes. He also looked towards the windows leading into the kitchen and he could still smell the intoxicating aroma of his mother's pies. All these memories became painful after they died, but now they took on a new meaning.
For a moment, Clark just stood near the front steps and looked up at the now vacant house. Officially, it was still in his name. After his parents died, he inherited it. However, he knew he couldn't keep it. The house still had plenty of debt. His father told him that much of it came from years ago when they took out a second mortgage to pay for a fertility treatment that they hoped would allow them to have a child. Even though it didn't work, they often joked how it panned out in other ways. Now the bank had a lien on the house. A sign had been posted on the front door for months now. Clark, in his grief, never got around to decide what to do with this house. Now he had a plan.
"Five generations of farming and this is how it ends," he said sadly. "I know you two wanted more for me. I just wish I could have given you more when it mattered."
With a solemn sigh, Clark removed the flyer from the door and noted the phone number at the bottom. This was the number he would have to call to inform the bank that he had no intention of paying off the lean. He was prepared to sell the farm, knowing it would probably sell just enough to pay down the debt. But that would be the easy part. His biggest challenge lay hidden in the barn.
After folding up the flyer and putting it in his pocket, Clark made his way over to the barn and opened the large doors. He then moved aside several large tool boxes and a heavy chest containing farm equipment to reveal a large compartment built into the floor. This compartment, which had once been a storm cellar, had housed the Kryptonian ship that brought him here when he was a baby. As he opened up the compartment and laid eyes on the ship, Clark took a moment to gather his thoughts.
Few men in their early twenties faced predicaments like this. He knew he would face plenty when he decided to be Superman. This would be by far the most daunting to date.
'Diana showed me a lot of things – things other than how even Superman can be awkward around pretty girls. She never ran from who she was or where she came from, but she didn't let it define her. She didn't let it stop her from doing the right thing. That's something my parents taught me and I've negated that because of my own personal sorrows.'
Clark carefully approached the ship and placed his hand atop the distinct S-symbol near the hatch. When his parents first showed this to him, his presence activated the crystals inside, which revealed to him his Kryptonian heritage. He learned from these revelations that the S that came to stand for Superman also stood for hope. He thought he knew what it meant to inspire hope. His experience on Themyscira revealed that he needed to inspire more.
'No more excuses. No more aimless wandering. I need to embrace who I am – Kal-El and Clark Kent. That means I can't keep clinging to the past. I need to lay a new foundation. I need to sew new crops, as my father would say. I can't do that here. I can't even do it in Metropolis. I need someplace where I can figure this out…a safe place where I can be who I am and learn to be a better Superman.'
Using his own flesh, to which the ship had been tailored, he activated its systems. Within moments, it lit up. All the lights, crystals, and alien technology came to life. There was a lot within these systems he had to figure out. For a number of years, he had been afraid to learn too much about himself. He couldn't afford to be afraid anymore. Channeling the same bravery he saw in Diana, Clark climbed inside the ship, activated the main controls, and prepared for the next stage in his life.
'Time to fire this thing up. I'll need some place to store this ship and its technology. I'll need to keep it protected. Hell, I'll need a fortress for some of this stuff. Too bad I don't have my own island like the Amazons. Maybe I'll find some place up north.'
Olympus – Ares' Chamber
Being the God of War used to be a pretty good deal. Compared to the other gods on Olympus, Ares had it pretty easy. Humanity always seemed to waging war in some form or another. Sometimes it was political. Sometimes it stemmed from religious or ethnic differences. Sometimes it was just a product of humanity's inability to get along. For most of human history, he never lacked his share of opportunities to influence war to his choosing. The extent and intensity of these wars helped fuel his power. Now, for the first time in many centuries, Ares had reason to be concerned.
"Well this is certainly an interesting development," said the God of War as he witnessed a series of scenes unfold within a vision portal.
Olympus was abuzz with news of the incident on Themyscira. It was practically scandalous and for once it didn't involve Zeus fathering another illegitimate offspring. Diana, princess of the Amazons, had become smitten with a man. It certainly raised concerns among his fellow gods. Any discord among the Amazons affected them because they relied on them so heavily to combat the chaos from Tartarus. But Ares was more interested in the man himself and not the affect he had on Diana.
After re-watching the incident where Diana defended the man so he could escape, Ares reviewed other exploits of this man. The muses of Olympus often kept records of certain developments in the mortal world and this man, who the mortals had dubbed Superman, had been having quite an impact.
There had been plenty of individuals who had wielded god-like power in the past. There were even plenty of individuals in the present with such power. However, none had the potential and the spirit that this Superman had. Based on what he observed, this being could end up wielding power that would rival Zeus himself.
This power, combined with his spirit, would have a profound impact on the mortal world. He carried himself as a protector, one who sought to end conflicts and save lives. So far, most of his efforts were small, relegated to that of another costumed vigilante in a world that had plenty. Now, in wake of his experience on Themyscira, he might have greater ambitions that would eventually affect him.
At the moment, he had two vision portals open. One showed an image from the past, depicting Diana teaching him some basic Amazonian fighting techniques. One showed an image of the present, tracking the alien ship as it took off from a small farm and flew north towards the arctic. The ship was so fast and so powerful that even the monitoring power of Olympus couldn't keep up with it. And if a being this powerful could influence the Amazons and avoid the scrutiny of the gods, then that could present problems.
"So this is where the God of War resides when his sword had been dulled. It would only be somewhat less pathetic if you ran off crying to Aphrodite again," greeted the snide yet familiar tone of his brother as he entered his chamber.
"Hello Apollo," greeted Ares indifferently. "Shouldn't you be busy giving mortals sunburn and skin cancer?"
"That stopped being fun centuries ago. Besides, I got tired of listening to my fellow gods drone on and on about the uproar with the Amazons," said Apollo. "I thought I would entertain by watching your feeble attempts to work around Father's decrees."
"I always questioned your tastes in entertainment. It's no wonder father has never trusted you with more than being a glorified firefly," quipped Ares.
"As if he would ever trust you with a war that actually mattered? Seriously, how much more can you get out of these pestilent mortals. You must be bored by now with that patch of desert the mortals call the Middle East."
"I only wish I could be so bored. While the rest of our dysfunctional family obsesses over the misdeeds of one Amazon, they foolishly overlook the potential of the man behind those misdeeds."
Apollo remained only partially interested at best. Ares didn't care and ignored his presence as he brought up more viewing portals. Apollo was another Olympian who didn't care for Zeus's decrees. He also enjoyed going behind his father's back and pursuing his own selfish exploits in the mortal world. Most of the time, it lead to little more than a passing frustration among the other Olympians. Zeus was content to merely censure Apollo's activities rather than risk additional conflict amongst the gods. While Ares usually distanced himself from Apollo, this was one issue that might end up involving them both.
While Apollo watched on in bemusement, Ares directed the viewing portals to recount more of this Superman's exploits. He noted various activities all over the world, most of which took place in a city known as Metropolis. His actions mostly involved stopping petty crime and taking on authority figures that feared his power. He came off as an overly idealistic young man with a hero complex and gross immaturity. But he had the power and the means to become so much more.
"This man is no mere mortal. They call him Superman," said Ares. "His power is vast and appears to be growing. In fact, his power is so vast that he could, in theory, challenge Zeus."
"He would have to get in line," scoffed Apollo.
"Well unlike others in those line, he might actually succeed. But since he's concerned primarily with the mortal world, Father could care less."
"And we should?"
"I certainly would if I were you. His powers are fueled by the rays of the sun. That means if he ever did concern himself with our affairs, you would be least equipped to confront him."
Apollo scolded his uncle for such a comment, but he now took a greater interest in this mortal. He didn't usually concern himself with possible power struggles among mortals or Olympians. However, in seeing some of this Superman's feats, he could easily imagine him being a problem for Olympus.
"As if the mortals didn't have enough petty do-gooders," groaned Apollo. "Why must they be so bad at wielding the power of the gods?"
"They rarely understand the nature of such power, let alone how to wield it. The Superman is in a different class. I see from his encounter with Diana that he is genuine…too genuine in some respects."
"That's not the words the other gods would use to describe him. I distinctly Aphrodite used rather colorful language."
"I doubt such language acknowledged the possible impact this mortal could have," said Ares, maintaining a deadly serious tone. "He doesn't just seek to do good. He wants to make a bigger difference in the affairs of mortal. He wants to end conflicts, protect the innocent, and inspire other mortals to follow his example. If he has his way, there will be no more war. There would be no conflict among mortals."
"And that would put you out of a job, wouldn't it? Is that what this is about? You think this mortal threatens your very existence?" said Apollo, who couldn't resist taunting his uncle. "That must be disconcerting, the God of War fearing the acts of a mortal."
Ares sneered at the God of the Sun, but knew it would have little effect. Apollo enjoyed frustrating his fellow gods. It seemed to be his only source of entertainment these days. Ares refused to give him the satisfaction. However, his snide remarks weren't wholly inaccurate. As he expanded the vision portal to display a larger depiction of the mortal known as Superman, he assessed the threat before him.
"Your efforts to further demean me won't succeed, Apollo. While I know you'll argue otherwise, losing my purpose is not my greatest concern," said Ares. "War, in all its horrific forms, is a byproduct of the balance between order and chaos. To disrupt it is to disrupt the very nature of the heavens."
"Yes, I'm sure you're so worried about preserving the natural order," said Apollo dryly.
"That order is a significant part of the foundation on which Olympus rests. Zeus refuses to see it because he seeks to minimize our entanglement with the mortal world, but I will not stand by and let this mortal undermine that foundation. He may have forbidden me from involving myself in the affairs of the Amazons, but the affairs of this Superman might end up bearing greater fruit."
"It sounds to me like you already have a plan," Apollo commented.
"So what if I did? Are you going to run crying to Zeus and accuse me of false transgressions?" said Ares, throwing in a subtle threat to dissuade his nephew.
"Are you kidding? This might be the most entertaining thing I've witnessed in centuries! Consider me an active observer. If, by chance, you happen to be right about this mortal, I want a front row seat to the action."
The God of War could do without Apollo's attitude, but he could deal with it. No god ever accomplished anything on Olympus without being able to tolerate frustrating personalities. He could care less what Apollo thought of his concerns. Even if every god on Olympus stood against him, he would be vindicated.
With the image of Superman now dominating his chamber, Ares studied every feature of this powerful mortal. It wouldn't be enough to subdue or contain this being. He had to figure out a way to ensure that Superman would serve his goals in propagating his war. If all went accordingly, even Zeus would not be able to stop what he planned to unleash.
Up next: Daze Gone By