Strangers In Paradise
Chapter 4: Daze Gone By
AN: This chapter takes place five years after the events of the previous chapter.
Themyscira – Training Arena
The greatest warriors were willing to take the longest road to achieve victory. That was the mantra for every Amazon warrior from the day they picked up a sword. They conditioned themselves to brave every hardship, endure every struggle, and defeat every enemy. This rigid warrior code had served many Amazons well through many battles. However, none had to fight the kinds of battles that Diana fought after she was convicted and punished for aiding a male trespasser on Themyscira.
This crime, and the sentence imposed on her, was supposed to set her back on her path to becoming a true Amazon warrior. It was supposed to shame and discredit her until she earned back the trust of her sisters. However, this was not what happened.
If anything, the punishment handed down by her mother and the scorn conveyed by her sisters only emboldened Diana. In the years that followed, she grew from an immature teenage girl to imposing woman who did not back down from a fight and endured every hardship to achieve her goal. That still didn't stop some of her sisters from provoking.
"How many more times are you going to do this, Aleka? What are you trying to prove?" asked Diana, always poised in the face of new challenges.
"Why must you ask questions I've been answering for the past five years?" replied Aleka with an angry determination that would have made Hades himself shudder. "Now choose a damn weapon. No lassos. No shields. No fancy armor. Just you and me…one weapon…one fight."
"Very well, since you're so adept at being unreasonable…I choose the sword."
"I was hoping you'd say that. It wouldn't be a true battle if one of us didn't walk away wounded."
Aleka couldn't retrieve a standard Amazon sword from the training racks fast enough. She tossed one to Diana as she joined her in the training ring. Officially, training was supposed to have ended. Diana, and every other Amazon scheduled to use the arena, had gone through their routines. Once again, Diana bested everyone she sparred with. Where others tired, she endured. Where others showed skill, she showed even greater skill. For a woman who had once been convicted of high crimes against the Amazons, it should've have been impossible. As such, Aleka refused to let it stand.
As the imposing Amazon stood in the training circle with Diana, she assessed the challenge before her. Even under the light of the setting sun, she could tell that this was not the same woman she once looked down on five years ago. Diana had grown both in stature and in form. She was taller than many of her fellow Amazons, having grown into a body that embodied a perfect feminine physique. It was a byproduct of rigorous training and a drive that set her apart from her sister. It had even drawn envy from some. But Aleka intended to prove that she was still the same scorned Amazon that once betrayed her sisters' trust.
The two women took a battle stance in the training circle. A few Amazons, who were either too tired or too wounded to train anymore, stayed behind to watch. It was an unspoken understanding, the animosity between these two women. While Diana had done plenty to regain the respect of her fellow sisters, some refused to forgive her past transgressions.
"She who draws first blood will claim victory!" proclaimed Aleka.
"Or she who yields, whichever comes first," added Diana, who always insisted on adding that provision.
"So be it," said the bigger Amazon. "Just know that you'll have to shed a lot more than blood to make me yield."
"I wouldn't expect anything less."
The imposing woman let out a battle cry and attacked Diana, charging her and slashing at her with savage fury. The princess countered, dodging and blocking the initial onslaught. She knew she could match everything Aleka threw at her, except for her fury. That was something she could never match, but she understood where it came from.
As she fought off Aleka's attacks, Diana recounted the struggles that had led her to furious clashes such as this. Aleka had been present the day her mother and the tribunal handed down her sentence for aiding a male trespasser and allowing herself to be corrupted. It was not a lenient sentence, nor was it the harshest. Diana was forced to endure hard labor in the Olympian mines, a common punishment for certain offenses. She was also required to clean stables, sharpen weapons, and polish statutes. They were menial tasks meant to humiliate and degrade her, but these toils were not the worst.
The part of her punishment that Diana hated most was submission. This was the second worst punishment an Amazon could receive after exile. It involved her walking around with her wrists bound by magic shackles, a reminder to all that she had transgressed. She even had to wear these shackles during training, which had been increased considerably in terms of quantity and intensity.
If that weren't a great enough indignation, she was also required to lose every sparring match and every contest in which she participated. It didn't matter how hard she fought or how much she outwitted her opponents. She still had to end the session with her bowing in submission. It was demeaning and every Amazon rightfully looked down on her.
However, Diana refused to let her punishment hold her back. She promised the day her punishment began that this would make her stronger. Her commitment to keeping that promise showed in how she dealt with Aleka's fury.
"You fight with such skill…such passion…such focus," grunted Aleka as she slashed relentlessly, throwing in a kick to deflect one of Diana's counterattacks, "But I can see through your ruse."
"You delude yourself with your anger, Aleka," retorted Diana, easily enduring the kick and striking with attacks of her own.
"Do I? Tell me, Princess…do you believe you've earned everything you've gained?"
"I don't see any blood and I'm not even out of breath. You tell me," quipped Diana.
"Is that so?" said Aleka skeptically as she blocked her incoming sword slashes. "Because I say you're still lying to yourself and your sisters. Fight as many battles as you want. You still fight for yourself and not for us."
Her harsh words were coupled with more harsh attacks. Aleka let out another battle cry as she attempted to use her strength and body weight to push Diana towards the edge of the ring. Diana managed to evade her and maintain her poise, but shutting out her words would prove to be a much greater challenge.
Aleka's angry tone ignored the context of Diana's situation. As part of her submission, Diana was barred from participating in any battles during her sentence. This was akin to denying an Amazon basic sustenance. It meant she was often left behind, locked in her quarters with nothing but her thoughts. As much as this pained her, Diana made good use of this time. It allowed her time to contemplate things that no other Amazon dared contemplate. Rather than dwell on her punishment, she gained a greater perspective. That perspective showed in the way she carried herself after her punishment had ended.
When that day finally came, she and her sisters celebrated. Hippolyta led a ceremony in the Temple of Athena. The moment the sun set, her shackles were removed and she was allowed to wield a sword again. This symbolized the completion of her sentence, which earned her atonement in the eyes of the gods and her fellow Amazons. Her mother made it clear that they were not to chastise her for her crimes anymore. As far as she was concerned, the incident was in the past and need not be mentioned ever again.
While Diana never spoke of it, she never lost her new perspective. It affected the way she fought, the way she trained, and the way she grew as a woman. The results made her formidable in a way that set her apart from her fellow Amazons. They might not acknowledge it, but Aleka was always eager to point it out. She got her chance when their swords clashed between them and they attempted to overpower one another near the center of the training circle.
"Look at yourself. The way you stand, the way you move, and even the way you grip your sword…it is not the poise of a woman seeking to become part of something greater," taunted Aleka.
"You observe all this rather than focus on your opponent? No wonder you haven't bested me in two years," retorted Diana with a sneer.
"Yet in all that time, you still refuse to see it yourself. And since you're no longer an immature teenager, you have no excuse!"
Aleka began fighting dirty, striking Diana with a knee to the torso. The princess endured it, but lost her poise. Aleka tried to go in for the finishing blow, overpowering Diana with her strength and slashing at her with her sword. Again, Diana evaded, barely avoiding the edge of the ring in the process. She tried going for a finishing blow as well, but Aleka countered again and shoved her back.
"I don't make excuses, Aleka. I never have," shouted Diana.
"It's even worse than that. You don't even try to make them. You just carry on like you're no different than us. But you're not!"
The powerful Amazon attacked again, this time with greater tenacity. Their swords clashed with loud clangs, even causing sparks at times. It was far more intense than any normal training regimen, but Diana had long abandoned the standards of a normal Amazon. That was a big reason behind Aleka's anger, but it wasn't the only reason.
Diana continued to block and counter Aleka's attacks, not letting her throw much strength into each strike. She kept moving around the training circle, not letting Aleka dig her feet in or gain any leverage. At one point, their swords clashed again in a battle of strength. This time, Aleka fought dirty and head-butted Diana right in the face. It didn't draw any blood, but it did disorient her enough to put her back on the defensive.
"You think you can compensate by seeking all these blessed abilities," Aleka went on as she continued slashing away, chipping away at Diana's defenses. "The gods already blessed you with greater strength, durability, reflexes, senses, and stamina. But that wasn't enough, was it?"
"I did not seek. I earned!" grunted Diana as she blocked each slash with increasing strain.
"Keep telling yourself that. Did you really need Hermes to grant you the power of flight? Or the power of speed?"
"You could've had it too," Diana pointed out.
"But you didn't stop there, did you? You also needed a rapport with animals. Then you needed empathy and wisdom from Athena. Honestly, Diana, are you really that insecure? Must you seek vindication from everyone on Olympus?"
At this point, both warriors had strained themselves. Diana finally mustered enough strength to push Aleka back when she tried to overpower her again. This time they both stumbled to the edge of the training ring, their heels barely hovering over the line. The two women gripped their swords intently, still seeking to draw first blood. Even as Aleka recounted the skills and abilities Diana had gained over the past five years, she did not see that as a mark of superiority.
"But innate ability still wasn't enough, was it?" Aleka continued, despite being short of breath. "When the Queen held a contest for the newly minted Bracelets of Submission, you made it a point to obtain them. You did the same for the Lasso of Truth. You even sought that ridiculous golden tiara you insist on wearing into battle. I still say it makes you look foolish."
"If I recall, I used it to blind a cyclops and prevent an incursion from the gates of Thanatos. It can't be that foolish," retorted Diana, still clutching her sword and ready to fight.
"It looks even more foolish when you wear it with that so-called battle attire you wear. Between the ridiculous beast plate, the red and blue color scheme, and the ill-matched boots – you give the impression that you're too good for traditional Amazonian armor."
"My choice of attire doesn't make me a great warrior."
"But your choice in and of itself reveals your true nature," spat Aleka.
The imposing Amazon launched her most ferocious attack yet. She yelled out with the frustrations and animosity that every other Amazon could only suppressed, charging towards Diana and going right for the finishing blow. She attempted to stab her at first, going right for her core. One drop of blood wouldn't be enough. It had to be more to prove her point.
Diana still couldn't match her ferocity, but she never lost focus. She continued blocking and evading. That was all she could do because Aleka did not allow her any opportunities to counter. She was so fast and relentless that she couldn't even get close with her sword. To Aleka, this was no longer about training. This was her trying to prove a point.
"An Amazon is supposed to embrace her sisters! Not push them away!" yelled Aleka as she continued her relentless attack. "They seek unity, not selfishness! Cohesion, not discord!"
"I seek…all of that," argued Diana.
"Do you?" she questioned. "Or do you seek something else? Something beyond sisterhood?"
Her words finally got under Diana's skin. This caused her to miss blocking one of Aleka's slashes, forcing her to evade it instead. This threw her off-balance, allowing Aleka to throw in a punch to her core that forced her down to one knee. Now with height and leverage, she hacked away with her sword, forcing Diana to keep blocking. This effectively wore her down while Aleka continued with her harsh words.
"You insult us all with your ruse!" shouted Aleka. "If being an Amazon isn't enough for you, then you don't deserve to call yourself one. Yet you aspire to be our queen?"
"No Aleka…I aspire for something greater," grunted Diana.
She kept enduring her attack, letting Aleka to vent her impassioned anger. Every Amazon that dared to watch dreaded the outcome. Either their princess would be wounded or Aleka would overwhelm herself into submission. But this was not the outcome that Diana sought. She intended to end this in a way that would be honorable.
Pushing the stamina that had grown to such immense levels in recent years, Diana blocked and deflected every one of Aleka's attacks. She kept goading her with her gaze, fueling more outrage in the process. At this point, sparks were flying whenever their swords clashed and dirty sweat dripped down their faces. She even noticed hers cracking somewhat under the force of Aleka's slashes. That meant she had to make her move soon. Eventually, she saw her opportunity and she took it.
With one last angry battle cry, Aleka attempted a punishing slash to break her defenses. This time, Diana didn't block it. She narrowly ducked out of the way, feeling the blade lightly graze her hair in the process. Not missing a beat, she delivered a punishing kick to the side of Aleka's right knee. The force of the blow caused it to bend awkwardly, unleashing a world of pain within the imposing Amazon. As she howled out in agony, Diana shot up and delivered a powerful strike to the sword, knocking it right out of her hand. She could have ended the battle there, but that wouldn't get her point across.
Despite her pain, Aleka still attempted to fight back. Diana easily dodged one last desperate swing before delivering a swift kick to the torso that knocked the imposing Amazon flat on her back. She tried to get up, but Diana effectively pinned her, keeping one foot on her free hand and the other on her chest. She then put the tip of her sword right at Aleka's throat, ensuring that the slightest twitch would draw blood. This didn't just ensure victory. It gave Diana a chance to address her scathing remarks.
"I know what you're trying to do, Aleka," said Diana strongly, despite being short of breath. "You're not the first to attempt it. I doubt you'll be the last. Pick as many petty battles as you want. You will not get the victory you seek."
"Speak for yourself," scoffed Aleka, undaunted by her words and her state of near-defeat.
"You see my actions over these past five years as an affront to the Amazons, but nothing could be further from the truth. I don't seek new arms, greater skill, or different attire to set myself apart. I do so because I understand something that I didn't understand in my youth."
"As if you understood anything in your youth," muttered Aleka.
"I must hold myself to a higher standard. I must raise the bar for all my sisters, not just for myself," continued Diana. "Say what you will, but I want the Amazons to be great warriors. However, I don't believe that's possible if we continue to adhere to principles that contradict and confound our honor."
"You dare question our honor?" said Aleka, daring Diana with her eyes to cut her.
"What good is honor if we don't remind ourselves why it matters? If we don't question it, then how do we know we even have it?"
"And actually you think you have it?"
"Only to the extent that I'm willing to fight harder for it. And if you truly understand that, then you'll yield so I won't have to cut you. Even you can agree that there is no honor in shedding the blood of a fellow sister."
Diana effectively turned the argument against Aleka. Still outraged and defiant, she tried pushing back against the princess, but this only added to her pain. Diana pressed her foot down on her wrist harder and stomped on her chest with a level of force that would have subdued most of her sisters. However, Aleka refused to submit.
"Please, Aleka…yield," said Diana in a more sincere tone.
"I…will not. I am…a warrior," seethed Aleka.
"A warrior knows the difference between waging war and mere fighting. You know this to be true. I know you do."
She almost sounded desperate, hoping that Aleka would not drag this out any longer. The air grew tense. The other Amazons, who had since crowded around the training circle, watched intently. The two mighty warriors kept staring each other down, daring each other to make the move they didn't want to make. Someone was going to be disappointed and bloodied. It was only a matter of time.
"Just say it, Aleka…yield," said Diana.
"No! I…will defeat you…Clay," spat Aleka.
Some of the Amazons gasped. They all know how much Diana hated being called that. They all saw the princess' face cringe with anger. Several years ago, she would have done far more than just cut her. On this day, she restrained herself, but did not hide her angry reaction.
Then, just as the tension seemed at its highest, an authoritative voice rang out from the main entrance to the training arena.
"That's enough!" said Hippolyta. "Diana…Aleka…stand down."
The two Amazons continued scolding each other for a moment, but eventually obeyed their queen. Diana took her foot off Aleka's chest and turned away, tossing her sword aside in the process. She might not have proven her point, but she sent a clear message.
However, Aleka was not content with such an unceremonious resolution. Still short of breath and brimming with anger, she ignored the lingering pain in her knee and rose up. With Diana's back still turned, she launched one final attack before she could exit the training circle.
"The Amazons will not be dishonored!" Aleka shouted.
For a moment, it looked like the princess would be blindsided, but Diana had sensed her sister's defiant resilience before her angry proclamation. Once again, her anger blinded her, leaving her unfocused and vulnerable in a way unbefitting of an Amazon. Had Diana's perfectly honed instincts not kicked in, she might have felt pity for her.
Instead of pity, Diana turned around with lightning-fast reflexes and delivered a punishing haymaker right to Aleka's face. This time, she didn't hold back. She hit with such force that she usually reserved for a titan, knocking Aleka back about ten feet. When she landed in the center of the training ring, she was momentarily stunned. But before another round of rage overwhelmed her, she felt blood dripping down her nose. Anger then gave way to sorrow. Diana had bested her and there was no honor in arguing any further.
"Thank you for proving my point," Diana told her.
Aleka only responded with an embittered scowl. As she lay defeated, several other Amazons who had been watching rushed to her aid. This inglorious end to what should have been a simple training match unfolded right before Hippolyta's eyes. Her orders hadn't been enough to ease the discord, which was not a good sign for any queen.
"I'm going to assume I don't want to know the details of what I just witnessed," said the queen.
"You can also assume she's the one who started it," said Diana.
"And like always, you finished it with your fists or whatever weapon you happen to be wielding at the time."
"I've attempted less violent resolutions, but some refuse to be reasonable."
"You and Aleka can still expect to have a private conversation with me tomorrow morning over additional chores. I hope you'll both be reasonable because I've no patience for such bickering," said Hippolyta strongly.
Diana resisted the urge to remind her mother why this bickering persisted. She knew as well as her that it came exclusively from sisters like Aleka who refused overlook her transgression with Kal-El and the effect he may or may not have had on her. But that was a conversation that always roused the wrong passions and after battling Aleka, Diana did not have the patience for that either.
"Come with me. There's a matter we need to discuss," said Hippolyta.
"Is it urgent?" asked Diana.
"No, but it has the potential to be. And since I know you like to supplement your training with a glass of wine and a hearty meal, I'll make this quick."
After making sure their sisters tended to Aleka, Hippolyta led Diana out of the training arena. She waited until they were within the entrance halls that led to the bath house. She didn't need others knowing about this just yet.
The queen wasn't usually seem this agitated, even after having to resolve another heated argument between Diana and her sisters. To Diana's credit, she handled these arguments as honorably as she could. She never instigated a conflict. She never threw the first punch. She only ever dedicated herself to becoming the best Amazon she could be. That dedication had earned her many accolades, including blessed weapons and new abilities from the gods. But it never seemed to be enough in the eyes of her sisters or in Diana's for that matter. For their sake and that of everything they held dear, it needed to be enough.
"Before I say anything, I wish to acknowledge your capacity for restraint, Diana," began Hippolyta.
"I punched a sister in the face. That shouldn't qualify as restraint," sighed Diana they stood together in the middle of the hallway.
"Aleka was trying to infuriate you. She crosses lines that most Amazons are too respectful to cross. The fact that you are able to remain focused and not succumb to lesser emotions says a lot about you as a warrior."
The queen affectionately cupped her daughter's chin and admired her mature form. She was still sweaty, short of breath, and dirty from the training arena. But this only highlighted her transformation from a rebellious young girl to a powerful young woman.
"Mother please, I know you're not just here to coddle me," said Diana with a humored grin.
"Of course not. I haven't had to coddle you since you were old enough to wield a sword. But I have been asking a lot of you these past few years. We all have."
"We don't need to have this conversation again. I know I'm held to a higher standard, even if it evokes jealousy from some of my sisters."
"This is a different conversation entirely," said Hippolyta in a more serious tone. "It has less to do with you and your sisters and more to do with the battlefields we enter."
This sparked Diana's attention. She cast aside her lingering feelings from her battle with Aleka and took on a more serious interest.
"I don't know if you've ever pondered this, but do you know why the gods decided to offer a worthy Amazon greater skill, better weapons, and more ability?" asked Hippolyta.
"The thought had crossed my mind. I never assumed it was generous," said Diana.
"With the gods, it rarely is. They always have a vested interest in every move they make. And after my recent meetings with Hera and Athena, I now know why they're going to such lengths to equip themselves. It actually has less to do with us and more to do with the world beyond Themyscira and the realm of the gods."
"You mean man's world?"
"I was hoping to avoid that term, but yes," affirmed Hippolyta.
Now Diana's interest was piqued. The mere mention of man's world had become more taboo after the incident with Kal-El. She went out of her way to avoid it. Her mother probably knew that, but she never doubted that it would one day become an issue again.
"The world of man is changing in ways it has not seen since the gods began keeping records," the queen explained. "For centuries, the patriarchal order has fluctuated between periods of conflict and tension. Every now and then, something comes along that shakes up that order. Those disruptions are often felt by the gods. They also affect the chaos that we fight to contain."
"You're telling me things I already know or can surmise on my own. What sort of disruption are we dealing with now?" asked Diana.
"One that has injected a new imbalance to the equation," said Hippolyta. "Something or someone has exerted a powerful new influence on man's world. This 'modern era' as they call it is changing attitudes and perceptions at an unprecedented level. Even the gods are having difficulty keeping up."
"I thought change in man's world was supposed to be constant and chaotic. Why would the gods have a problem keeping up now?"
"Because this is a different kind of change," said the queen. "Athena described new beings arising, male and female, with extraordinary abilities. They are not unlike the demigods of Amazon lore, but they are not a product of the gods or any divine will."
"That we know of," added Diana.
"I was hoping to avoid assumptions, but that thought has crossed my mind too. I've tried to focus less on the how and more on the impact because these changes have a direct effect on the affairs of Olympus. As you and every Amazon know, the natural flow of energies that fuel our domain are directly linked to hearts, spirits, and actions of all on this world. Regardless of whether the gods are worshipped, their domain is impacted by these changes. And the changes the gods are seeing have some hopeful, but some worried."
It sounded like Olympus was in a state of uncertainty, which was something the gods weren't used to. Diana didn't usually concern herself with their affairs. She had enough to deal with as it stood. However, the mention of man's world and the emergence of beings with great ability reminded her of Kal-El.
She hadn't forgotten the extraordinary abilities he demonstrated during his time on Themyscira. It wouldn't surprise her in the slightest if he was one of these beings concerning the gods, but it did concern her that the gods were now noting the impact of men like him.
"This brings me to why I wanted to share this with you," said Hippolyta, now speaking to her as a warrior more than a daughter.
"And you want to be the one to tell me instead of the gods," Diana pointed out. "That alone concerns me."
"It should because the gods don't have a history of responding well to change. Every disruption is a window for someone, god or beast, to pursue their own agenda. That means we may be facing a new kind of battle in the near-future…one that neither the Amazons nor the gods are prepared for."
"So then how do we prepare?" asked Diana intently.
"We already are," said the queen. "You've grown so much these past five years, Diana. And I'm not just referring to the challenges you've overcome and the abilities you've earned. You've matured into a special kind of warrior…one I couldn't be more proud of."
"I thought you said you weren't going to coddle me, mother."
"I am merely stating facts," said Hippolyta with a proud smile, "And the most important fact at this point is that you're the most skilled warrior on Themyscira. You trained, fought, and struggled through so much. I think you're now getting to the point where you would be more equipped to lead the Amazons into battle than I."
Now Diana felt a different kind of concern. She and her mother had these sorts of conversations before, especially within the past year. Her mother still dreamed of a day when she would take over as queen of the Amazons. For a time, Diana shared that dream. But after what happened with Kal-El, many things changed and many of those changes still affected her.
Diana shifted somewhat under her mother's proud gaze. It didn't feel right sometimes, her mother looking upon her in the context of the Amazon legacy. She had focused so much on being a warrior that she rarely had time to consider being a queen. She rarely had time to consider being anything else. It seemed she might not have a choice in the matter.
"I appreciate and cherish your support, mother. But I should remind you that some Amazons aren't ready to accept me as their queen," said Diana.
"Don't let criticism from sisters like Aleka cloud your perceptions. They still love you and would gladly follow you through the darkest pits of Hades," assured Hippolyta.
"I don't doubt their love. It's their respect that concerns me. Some refuse to forget my transgression five years ago."
"It doesn't help that you've yet to apologize for it," Hippolyta pointed out.
"And I've no intention of apologizing. You know this and I've told you my reasons."
"And I'd rather not argue those reasons again. I think we both know where we stand on that issue."
"I've no desire to have that conversation again either, but I don't think that matters in the eyes of my sisters," said Diana. "I think they'll always have reservations about me consorting with a man. It doesn't matter if I was just a teenager at the time. They still doubt me."
"That's nonsense, Diana. They don't doubt you," assured Hippolyta.
"They claim they don't. Sometimes they even say they don't. But I suspect that Aleka is only being the most honest among them in that she voices her doubts. And until I can prove myself to her and to all my sisters, I cannot lead them."
"I share your concerns, but the situation might not afford us the necessary time."
"Which only makes us more vulnerable," Diana argued. "You know I'm willing to train and toil for my sisters. They know it too. But they're not ready and neither am I. In that respect, maybe we both need to be stronger in ways we're not ready to be."
She remained conflicted. Hippolyta did her best to support her daughter as she always had, but this might have been the only battle that Diana wasn't willing to fight. She could slay countless beasts, win countless matches, and gain greater skill. But she couldn't see herself as having the respect needed to lead her sisters. It was tragic that only one transgression was enough to undermine her potential, but like the gods themselves, she and her daughter had to deal with a changing world.
Syria – Refugee Camp
"Where are you, Superman? Show yourself! Come to me so I can show the world how pathetic you really are!"
There was once a time when a man shouting loudly into the desert was little cause for concern. It actually wasn't that long ago when Superman might have been the only one capable of hearing these insane ramblings. Now in a world of social media and global news coverage, madmen like this had an audience. That raised the stakes and added to the danger. While most would instinctively run from such danger, some were drawn to it.
"Hurry up, Smallville! This guy is really stepping up the trash talk. I don't want to miss seeing Superman shut him up," said the always fearless Lois Lane.
"I think we're really pushing our luck here, Lois. I'm pretty sure those UN troops told us to stay behind that barrier 200 feet behind us," replied Clark as he followed Lois closely.
"What's the matter? Not feeling lucky today?" teased Lois.
"Did I say we should turn back? I know a there's nothing I can say to make you back down from a story like this. I just feel as though someone should remind you how risky this is."
"And you just love being that someone, don't you?"
"It has its perks," said Clark with a slight grin.
Nobody should have been this excited to be in a place so dangerous, but Lois Lane wasn't just anybody. She was a hard-nosed army brat, an ambitious reporter, and an unyielding champion of the truth. There was no story too big for her. There was no locale too dangerous. One day, she could be sitting in a palace, interviewing a king, and making his wife insanely jealous with her charisma and beauty. The next, she could be running around in a war zone in a pair of dirty jeans and a T-shirt, trying to share a story with the world. She didn't have any superpowers, but she didn't need them. And that was a big reason why Clark enjoyed her company.
This wasn't the first time he had followed Lois into a war zone, but this was the first time he had followed her this far. He joined the Daily Planet four years ago shortly after he moved to Metropolis. Originally, he planned on establishing Superman as something bigger than some kid in a pair of jeans who occasionally played hero. Those plans expanded a great deal thanks to Lois. She had been the one who introduced Superman to the world. She helped turn the Man of Steel from just another guy with superpowers to an icon. She also inspired Clark Kent to adopt her passion for the truth. It's what inspired him to be a reporter and now he found himself in the middle of another story.
"This is your last chance, Superman! You have five minutes left. Show yourself or I'll turn this whole desert into a toxic waste dump!"
As he stayed close to Lois, Clark used his telescopic vision to see the source of that booming voice. It came from a man, but he sounded more like a machine. However, that machine had clearly malfunctioned because it was driving the man insane, among other things.
The machine itself probably wasn't designed to be the walking nuclear meltdown. Based on the official UN reported, this special armored battle suit was designed to enter a major war zone in which chemical weapons had been unleashed. It was big and clunky, standing about the size of a small building and bearing a distinctly humanoid design. It supposedly packed the firepower of an entire tank battalion and was armored with an exotic metallic shell composed of metallo, a nearly indestructible metal.
This prototype unit, aptly dubbed Project Metallo, promised to end a civil war that had been raging for nearly a decade. The use of illegal chemical weapons kept most countries from sending troops, but the promise of a game-changing weapon helped attract international attention. This prompted their editor-in-chief, Perry White, to send him and Lois as the Daily Planet's chief correspondents. He claimed his gut told him something would go wrong here that would make this a bigger story. More often than not, Perry's gut was right.
Now Clark found himself following Lois through a series of trenches that had been dug by the rebels just outside a nearby city. The prototype had just finished leveling the city and now stood in a large crater that had once been a rebel stronghold. What led him to go from peacemaker to wanting to pick a fight with Superman was the big story here.
"This way! This Spanish colonel told me they're setting up drone strike from this old bunker, but I get the feeling he was only telling half the truth," said Lois as she led him over a mound of sandbags.
"How did you get him to reveal something like that?" questioned Clark.
"Let's just say the man had a thing for brunettes and leave it at that," she replied coyly. "He also told me the name of the unlucky bastard in that suit. His name is John Corban. That name ring a bell?"
"Only if it's the same Sergeant Jonathan Corban of the United States Army who served three tours overseas and was dishonorably discharged for reasons still classified."
"You forgot card-carrying member of the Lex Luthor fan club and test pilot for Lexcorp's highly experimental (and probably illegal) defense subsidiary."
"I didn't forget, but I don't remember his name being mentioned in the UN's press release," said Clark, already sensing where Lois was going with this.
"Probably by Luthor's request," scoffed Lois, "Which is why I'm positive this is going to get worse before it gets better."
Her instincts were even better than Perry White's in situations like this. As they neared the bunker, Clark attempted to assess the situation. It was no longer a matter of whether Superman would be needed to resolve this situation. It was just a matter of knowing the perfect time to strike.
Knowing now there was a Lex Luthor connection, Clark attempted to scan the prototype with his X-ray vision. What he saw only added to the danger. He couldn't see into the major components, which was to be expected from Luthor. Since he began clashing with Superman, he had been lining his facilities and weapons with lead. But he was able to see a very potent power source built into the chest of the prototype. It had a distinct greenish glow and radiated with an energy that Clark recognized all too well.
'Kryptonite. I knew it. This is definitely Luthor's handiwork. He built the whole prototype around it. No way he planned on using this as a peacekeeping force. He made this suit just for me. Might as well return the favor before anyone else gets hurt.'
They reached the entrance to the bunker, which was already badly damaged. As soon as they entered, they discovered that the UN's plan to deal with this renegade prototype had already failed. Several men and two women, who clearly weren't associated with the UN, were tinkering with a large refrigerator-sized machine. Something must have gone horribly wrong because it was sparking erratically. A couple of UN soldiers already lay wounded nearby the several other soldiers present didn't look in any condition to fight.
"Who the hell are you? You're not supposed to be here!" yelled one of the men working on the machine.
"From the looks of it, neither are you," said Lois.
"You better not be reporters. This whole are is supposed to be off-limits," said one of the soldiers. "This is a sensitive operation and we don't need civilians screwing it up!"
"Right, because you guys have such a good handle of the situation," said Lois dryly.
"You don't understand. This neural-disruptor can stop that thing!" said a beleaguered middle-aged woman standing restlessly over the machine.
"You mean that oversized toaster that looks way past warranty? It doesn't look like it could stop a fruit fly."
"It's not our fault. It wasn't supposed to go so wrong," lamented another soldier, who also looked wounded. "The army said they would keep it busy. They thought the drone strikes would slow it down. But one of the missiles – it misfired. It hit us before we could activate the disruptor. Now nothing can stop the prototype."
These people were clearly not Lex Luthor's die-hard loyalists. They just got caught up in a dangerous job given to them by a man who valued their lives as much as he valued a lab rat. Lois only shook her head in pity while Clark formulated a new plan.
He assumed this machine that Luthor probably designed to keep Corben under control could not be fixed. He also assumed that these people weren't going to be able to escape in time. This bunker was not going to hold up against another attack or a botched drone strike. In addition, there were innocent people wounded. Seeing his window, he put his plan into action.
"These men need medical attention. I'm going to get them to a medic and you people are going to fix that thing," said Clark as he knelt beside the two wounded men.
"I can always count on you to keep things basic in a crisis, Clark," commented Lois.
"Do you two need to get your eyes checked or something? Look at this thing!" said one of the technicians working on the machine. "Does it look like it can be fixed before the prototype throws another tantrum?"
"If it hasn't blown up yet, it can be fixed," said Lois, "And if you do, you'll have your names right up there with Superman when we stop this thing. I'll see to it personally."
"When? You sure are confidently," said the female technician.
"You guys don't read the Daily Planet much, do you?"
Nobody else shared Lois's confidence, but that was to be expected. Clark could tell that she was already outlining the story she planned to write in her head. No matter how dangerous a situation got, she never lost sight of her goal. That was one of the many things he admired about her. It was also one of the many things that complicated their friendship.
While Lois aided the technicians and soldiers, Clark helped the two wounded men back to their feet. They were barely conscious and in a lot of discomfort. He also heard more drones fly overhead, indicating that another airstrike was coming. That was sure to only frustrate the prototype even more. Superman needed to end this conflict.
"Be careful out there, Smallville. Looks like Corben is almost out of patience," said Lois as she looked out from the bunker towards the raging metallic behemoth.
"I'll be fine, Lois. I would ask you to be careful as well, but I know that would be redundant," said Clark.
"I can take care of myself. No need to make it sound like a character flaw," she scoffed.
"I never meant to say I didn't admire it," said Clark, "Although I imagine Superman still worries about you when you get into trouble like this."
"He can get in line."
Leaving Lois to deal with the volatile situation in the bunker, Clark slipped out through the entrance and went to work. As soon as he was out of sight, he used his super speed to deliver the two men to a medical tent, much to the surprise of a couple medics. A fraction of a second later, he changed into Superman, activating the special Kryptonian biotech armor he always kept with him. It proved much more functional than the jeans and sneakers he used to wear. Those wouldn't have lasted a second against a threat like this.
He made sure he flew out ahead of the incoming drones, just in case they botched another strike. As soon as he came into view of the prototype, he got a better look at what he was up against. The clunky metal humanoid was even more menacing than he thought.
"There you are! You finally muster up the courage to show yourself," taunted John Corben from within the device.
"You're clearly not well, Sergeant Corben. I don't know what Luthor told you about this prototype, but he clearly negated its effects on your psyche," said Superman, hoping to talk him down.
"My psyche? You think I'm crazy? I'm a soldier! I serve my country. I defend it from all threats, foreign and domestic. And you, Superman, are the greatest threat of all!"
Themyscira – Diana's Quarters
There used to be a time when Diana felt stronger and bolder after a long day of training. Winning any battle, be it a sparring battle with a sister or an invasion by marauding satyrs, should have been an accomplishment worth celebrating. However, the very concept of winning a battle and becoming a better Amazon had changed a great deal over the past five years.
On the surface, Diana carried herself as the proud Amazon princess who aspired to lead her sisters as queen one day. Her actions certainly backed up those impressions. Each new ability she gained and every new weapon she earned from various contests convinced even the most ardent Amazon that she had matured since her transgression. Aleka, and all her scathing remarks towards, was part of a declining minority that would one day disappear completely. Diana should have felt relieved. Instead, it only made Aleka's words cut even deeper.
'Mother…sisters…why must you make it so difficult to be an Amazon? You give me so much love and support. You cheer me on as I strive to be a great warrior. If only you knew how much it hurts to hear those cheers.'
As soon as Diana entered her quarters, she locked her door and covered her windows with curtains. Then, once certain that she had total privacy, she pulled out an unmarked chest from under her bed. This chest was the best kept secret in all of Themyscira. Every time she opened it, her hands trembled. But its contents contained a source of strength that helped guide her in ways her sisters could never understand.
"Why do I do this to myself? Why do I do this to my sisters? To my mother?" she said to herself.
The Amazon princess reached inside to retrieve the most forbidden objects that didn't belong to the gods. These were the artifacts of man's world that she had been smuggling for the past two years now. They included magazine, pictures, books, and various products produced by this world she had been told produced nothing of value for any Amazon. Just holding these things in her hands gave her tangible proof of how wrong her sisters were.
'I might as well be a drunkard who cannot survive without several bottles of wine. Man's world has become my own worst vice. Kal-El might have given me my first insight, but I chose to dig deeper. I keep hoping I'll find something that'll disgust me to the point where I'll throw it all away. I'm starting to think that won't happen.'
Diana began feeding her vice by opening up one of the magazines. It was a simple news magazine. It was somewhat outdated by a few months, but the insight it offered only deepened her fascination with man's world. It also gave her even more reasons to keep deceiving her mother and sisters, much to her dismay.
This had been going on since she gained the ability to fly. Under the guise of scouting missions, Diana would sneak off Themyscira to the closest populated island she could reach, which happened to be a popular vacation destination, as it was called. Cruise ships carrying men and women from all over the region would dock there, bringing relics of their culture and world with them. Most of what she found initially came from trash cans or anything the people discarded. Later on, she made contact with an exiled sister, another severe crime under the Amazon Code, who gave her access to more materials. It didn't take long before she became immersed in the culture of man's world.
Early on, she developed a healthy appetite for books about romance and war. She would stay up for hours on end, reading stories of men and women coming together and finding love. Some of these stories were fictional. Some were based on real stories. That led her to read more magazines that provided insight into the more contemporary cultures of man's world. These things they called movies, TV shows, and sports offered such a different perspective compared to what she had been taught by her sisters. There were some disheartening stories, especially those about the treatment of women in certain regions. However, time and again, the good overshadowed the bad, which only added to the conflict in her heart.
She tried not to think about that as she read through the magazine. The cover itself was pretty intriguing. It had an image of the world with a large question mark over top of it. Just above it read the headline, "Superpowered Beings: Gods Among Us?" It documented a growing list of cases that involved men and women wielding extraordinary powers carrying out extraordinary feats. This magazine in particular had sections on the various regions such as Gotham, Central City, Liverpool, and Khandaq. But it was the story in Metropolis that drew the most intrigue.
This is where the strain on her heart became too much. Seeing pictures of Kal-El, now known to the world as Superman, reminded her of all the emotions she felt for him that fateful day he washed up on the shores of Themyscira.
"Oh Kal…you're becoming so much more than I ever thought you would," said Diana as she placed her hand over a picture of Superman. "Now it seems others are joining you. It must be nice to not be so alone."
The princess held back a tear and turned the page, choosing not to add to the strain. In the stories that followed, she read a report about a group of men who rescued a little girl stranded in the jungle. Another story told of women who stood up to corrupt businessmen who refused to give them equal pay for their labors. There were even stories of men and women standing together, rising up against oppressive governments and demanding justice. These people weren't warriors. They were ordinary men and women, struggling in a world full of injustice. Yet here she was, a warrior who never once used her skills to further justice.
'How can I be surrounded by so much love and feel so alone? The Amazons speak of justice, honor, and compassion. But they do nothing about it outside this god-granted paradise. I know I shouldn't be thinking these things. I certainly shouldn't be creating this burden when my mother tells me there is a greater conflict brewing. She expects me to be queen one day and lead my sisters into battle. But how can I be queen when our code feels so unjust?'
Diana forced herself to close the magazine and put it away. Anymore at this point would only make it worse. She stuffed it back into the chest and prepared to close it. But before she could, her eyes fell upon the two most precious items in her illicit collection.
They were the only remnants of Kal-El's visit to Themyscira. One was the glass sphere that he forged for her to demonstrate his power. The other was a makeshift football that he crafted out of the skin of the wild boar they ate the night before he left. Originally, her mother ordered these items thrown away. Diana managed to retrieve them and had kept them under lock and key ever since. Every time she touched them, she recalled the warmth of his embrace. It brought more conflict into her already complicated world, but it also brought comfort.
Needing that comfort now more than ever, Diana grasped both the football and the glass orb. She may have been the strongest Amazon on Themyscira, but her Amazonian spirit only grew weaker every time she reminded herself of the bitter truth.
"Aleka is right and Mother is wrong…if only in part," she said distantly. "I know what it means to be a warrior, but I don't know what it means to be an Amazon anymore. You opened my eyes, Kal-El. You helped me see the world in a new way. I want to embrace that world, but I know I can't…not without losing everything I hold dear."
With a heavy heart, Diana put the football and the glass orb back into the chest and closed it. She looked over at her mirror briefly to see that she let only a slight tear escape her eyes. She quickly wiped it away. A warrior and the future queen of the Amazons wasn't supposed to cry. She was supposed to remain strong, no matter what her burden. With that burden becoming increasingly heavy, Diana closed her eyes and shut it all out as best she could before taking off her clothes and going to bed.
But just as she closed her eyes and drifted off, Apollo appeared in her mirror. Gods weren't supposed to spy on the Amazons. Zeus made it clear that they were off-limits. However, Apollo had never been keen on following his father's rules. Every now and then they paid off and this promised to significantly change his plans with Ares for the better.
"You poor, pampered princess. I would pity you if you weren't so pathetic," said the renegade god as he gazed upon Diana's sleeping form. "Ares is going to love this. I think our plans just got a lot less complicated."
Syria Desert
"Come on, Superman! This can't possibly be your best," barked an increasingly unstable John Corben.
"Believe me, Sergeant Corben. You don't want my best," warned Superman after avoiding yet another devastating attack.
"Quit pretending you're stronger than me. Let the world see just how pathetic you are!"
"And here I was thinking I would give you another chance to end this peacefully."
Superman had already accomplished one of his primary goals in attacking the prototype that contained Sergeant John Corben. He directed his attacks away from innocent bystanders. He spent the last several minutes leading him away from the city that contained the refugee camp and the bunker. As far as he could tell, Lois and the Lexcorp personnel attempting were still trying to activate the neural-disruptor. It didn't look like they had made much progress. That meant he would likely have to subdue Corben the hard way.
This prototype had been designed with him in mind, despite what the UN claimed. Corben demonstrated this by showing that he could channel the energy from the kryptonite in his chest and unleashing it in concentrated beams. Superman was able to avoid them, but he couldn't get too close to the oversized humanoid robot without getting weak. So as the prototype kept shooting at him, he kept his distance, remaining a moving target. As he avoided the attacks, he made a few more disturbing discoveries about this prototype and the man inside.
'Luthor really went over budget on this one. Ever since he figured out that kryptonite can hurt me, he's gone to great lengths to weaponize it. If only he had spent that much time on the interface. Those crude neural connections really messed Corben up. Then again, he might have been messed up before then.'
Superman kept leading the prototype away, drawing him into a clearing that appeared to be a dried up riverbed. He kept flying around the deadly device at high speeds, kicking up a sandstorm and bombarding the prototype with blistering winds. This made the prototype's movements a bit clumsier, but it didn't dissuade Corben in the slightest.
"Do you really think you can win like this, Superman?" laughed the deranged ex-soldier. "You're only going to make this more satisfying for me!"
The prototype fired another kryptonite beam, but this time it had a wider arc. Superman couldn't avoid it entirely and immediately felt sickened when part of it struck him. He slowed down and descended slightly, becoming dizzier and less coordinated. But he never lost his focus. He kept on moving.
As he continued encircling the prototype, he noticed that parts of it started spewing this mist of greenish gas. Most of it was concentrated around the cockpit area where John Corben was piloting the device. It was a further testament to Luthor's workmanship and utter disregard for human life.
'I want to feel sorry for this guy, but he's really making it hard. That gas must be some sort of stabilizing catalyst. It's crude, but it's the only way Luthor could have channeled the kryptonite. I doubt he expected the gas to react with the chemical weapons being used by the rebels.'
Then the prototype fired another beam, this time in a more concentrated manner. It narrowly missed him, but was close enough to make him queasy. It forced him to rethink his last thought.
'Scratch that. I think he did. He's too smart to overlook something like this. He knew that the second a rebel hit him with the gas that it would react with the catalyst. He wanted Sergeant Corben to go into a murderous rage. He must have thought that would put him at an advantage. Guess I'll have to prove him wrong.'
Everything Superman saw in this prototype gave him more reasons to despise Lex Luthor. He was just about ready to add it to Lexcorp's growing pile of scrap metal. He just needed to get close enough to make his move.
As the battle between Superman and the prototype unfolded, Lois Lane made sure she documented every second of it. This promised to be yet another scathing story for Luthor. While his tech team kept working on the disruptor, she used a special portable camera that Jimmy Olsen had given her to capture the fight. She made sure to capture everything John Corben said as well. This would provide the most compelling footage, especially if Corben let slip how deeply Luthor had been involved.
"That's it, Superman. Keep him pissed off. Wait for him to drop Luthor's name and we'll have our story," said Lois as she zoomed in on the scene.
She kept ignoring the danger, watching and listening intently for anything that would add weight to this story. Then one of the technicians knocked the camera out of her hands and kicked it across the floor.
"Hey! What the hell?" exclaimed Lois.
"Trust me, lady. You don't want to do that," said the female technician. "You'll only make this harder on all of us."
"Is that how you really feel or is that just what Luthor told you to say?" she scoffed.
"I know your reputation, Ms. Lane. I'm not telling you anything that'll require my family to move to Antarctica. I'll just say there are a lot of people you would hurt if this became a bigger story."
"And how many more people would get hurt if the truth stays hidden?" asked Lois, "Keep in mind that there's an oversized death machine rampaging about half-a-mile away."
These were hard questions that nobody in this bunker was ready to answer. The female technician just looked at her with an irritated scowl while the rest of Luthor's tech team lowered their heads, hiding their expressions to avoid having to make excuses.
It was a common theme among any story that had ties to Lex Luthor. He made sure his people understood that there would be consequences if they divulged too much. Lois knew better than anyone how far Luthor would go to protect his image of genius billionaire businessman who could solve all the world's problems with his intellect. Many people had mysteriously disappeared as a result of his tactics. That only made her more determined to expose his dirty secrets, but these people weren't making it easy on her.
"I…I think I've got it!" said one of the technicians working on the device. "The disruptor is now active."
"That better not be an underhanded way of avoiding the question," said Lois firmly.
"I'm dead serious! We can activate it now."
"Then why the hell haven't you done it already?" asked the female technician.
"There's just one problem…we don't have the power," he said grimly.
"What?! But it's supposed to have its own power cell!"
"I'm afraid it was damaged to the point where we can only get a partial charge. And the backup cell was destroyed in the botched drone strike. So unless we hook into a new power source soon, that prototype won't be stopped."
The tech team had stopped tinkering, having reached a dead end. Lois scolded them even harder. Not only were they willing to protect Lex Luthor from the truth, but they couldn't even fix this clunky device enough to help Superman. This just kept getting more and more frustrating. She was ready to berate these Luthor apologists in every way they deserved.
Then, another unexpected presence entered the bunker. It was a man wearing a flak jacket, a baseball cap, and cargo pants. As soon as he saw Lois and the tech team, he smiled.
"Well this is way more promising than I thought," he said. "I knew those tracks had to lead somewhere."
"Oh great, another one," groaned one of the technicians, "And who are you? Another annoying news jock who refuses to respect restricted war zones?"
"The names Jonathan Carroll and I've more respect for war zones than you think. I also have a truck with half-a-tank of gas, a makeshift camera crew, and some water. If any of you are interested, you'll offer up a few sound bites to my story."
Almost immediately, this man became Lois Lanes new favorite person. It helped that he had a handsome face and little respect for arbitrary press blackouts. He made the overwhelmed and beleaguered tech team writhe in a way she could never have done on her own. Now they had incentive to turn on their boss. They also had the means to end this conflict.
"Well Mr. Carroll, I think I speak for everyone here when I say your timing is impeccable," said Lois.
"Speak for yourself," muttered the female technician that had attacked Lois earlier.
"It's a trick of the trade. It's keeps people like us alive in places like this long enough to get the story," said Jonathan.
"And you can become part of that story for all the right reasons if that truck, you mentioned, has jumper cables," added Lois.
"I think I have a pair. I never enter a war zone under-equipped."
"I'm sure you don't," said Lois with a hint of subtext.
Jonathan didn't waste a second heading back to his truck to get the cables. Lois ran after him, grabbing the female technician by the collar and dragging her with along for the ride. She didn't appreciate it, but they didn't have the luxury of being friendly at this point.
"Tell me your standard truck can provide enough juice to turn that thing on," said Lois.
"Speaking from my extensive expertise in the subject, it's a longshot at best," she said with little confidence.
"I'm willing to play the odds. And I'm willing to bet Superman is as well."
While Lois went to work with Jonathan and the tech team, the battle against him and the prototype continued to escalate. The greenish gas cloud around the humanoid battle structure kept growing. Parts of it even sparked as it clashed with the swirling sandstorms that Superman had kicked up. It threatened to spread into populated areas, meaning this battle couldn't end quickly enough.
Superman narrowly avoided more Kryptonite blasts. In the distance, he saw more drones approaching. The UN was going to try and blow the prototype to bits again, which would most likely spread the gas cloud even farther. He couldn't let that happen. That meant he had to go in for the finishing blow.
'The UN isn't cooperating and Luthor's flunkies aren't coming through. Guess I'm going to have to shut Corben down with the direct approach. It's probably going to hurt in ways I'm not used to. Luthor's probably going to enjoy it. I'll make sure to get back at him later. Right now, I need to end this before anyone else gets hurt.'
Despite lingering nausea from the kryptonite, Superman slowed down and took aim with his heat vision. In between kryptonite blasts, he struck the prototype around the central area just above the kryptonite power cell. It opened a sliver between the panels of metallo armor. This exotic metal was too hard to just cut open so he would have to find a narrow opening to reach the inner components of the prototype. That meant getting uncomfortably close to the kryptonite.
"Here goes," he said with a deep breath.
Braving the greenish gas and swirling sands, Superman flew right into the gut of the imposing prototype and struck the panels he had just loosened. He struck it hard enough to dislodge the panels, exposing the interior of the oversized death machine. That included Sergeant Corben himself, who stood within a complex, albeit messy, interface of wires and controls. But in seeing this interface, he confirmed what he already dreaded.
"Good Lord, Luthor. What have you done?" Superman gasped.
This prototype went much further than making just another battle suit. The controls had actually been integrated into Sergeant Corben's nervous system. That meant when the systems reacted poorly with the chemical weapons agent, it seeped into his flesh. It didn't just leave him physically burned. It scarred his mind. His face, which had no fewer than a hundred wires going into it, looked utterly deranged. His body and his mind had become detached, leaving him unhinged and beyond reason.
"Finally! We meet face-to-face," said Corben menacingly. "Now I can look you in the eye when I kill you."
"It doesn't have to be this way, Sergeant. Look at what Luthor has done to you. Is this what you think a soldier looks like?" asked Superman.
"I don't care. I know what a threat to the human race looks like and I have the perfect weapon to take it out!"
In his unstable state, Sergeant Corben redirected all the energy from the Kryptonite onto his position. This caused more gas to spew out, shrouding them both in a poisonous mist. It quickly sapped Superman's strength and left him feeling ill and disoriented. He struggled to hold onto the panels he ripped open, fighting with all his might not to succumb to the weakness. There was no way he had enough strength to tear through the heavy gears to disable to prototype. He also didn't have the power to use his heat vision to disconnect the wires going into Sergeant Corben's body. But, as he learned five years ago, he didn't always need to use his powers to win a battle.
'Don't have much time before the gas starts to get to me. Need to focus. Find your opponents, hit it hard, and endure. Great warriors don't have to overpower their enemies. They just have to outlast them.'
His thoughts echoed the very words Diana once told him when he trained with her during their brief time together. She didn't get a chance to show him much, but she showed him enough to demonstrate the difference between someone who was strong and someone who was a warrior.
Sergeant Corben seethed with malice as he increased the intensity of the kryptonite beam. Superman made sure he thought he was on the brink of collapse. He had to be overly confident that he was about to do what nobody thought was possible and defeat Superman.
"That's it! Whither like the pathetic coward you are. Prove to the world that you're as foolish as any man," proclaimed Corben.
"Speak for yourself," said Superman under his breath.
With one last burst of strength, Superman lunged forward into the heart of the tangled gears surrounding the prototype. Armed with only a fraction of his strength, he attacked Sergeant Corben's wired form within the core of the prototype.
He caught the deranged man by surprised, ensuring he had no chance to brace himself. Superman made sure he struck at just the right points, exactly as Diana had taught him. He used his forearm to hit Sergeant Corben right in the neck, choking him off and stunning him. He then hit Corben right in the sternum, sending a shock that knocked the wind out of him and sent a punishing jolt to his heart. The impact had a quick and immediate effect on Corben. Even in his maddened state, he was struck by a paralyzing feeling all over his body.
"Ack!" was all he got out.
The feeling quickly spread to the rest of the prototype, causing it to stumble and lose its balance. Superman made sure the attack wasn't lethal. Mad or not, John Corben didn't deserve to die for Lex Luthor's aspirations. He made sure Corben didn't have a chance to recover, keeping his forearm pressed against his neck and holding on as the prototype fell to the parched desert surface.
As soon as it impacted, much of the already-damaged interior collapsed. Gears warped, cables snapped, and motors failed. The whole support system for this walking war machine fell apart in spectacular fashion. In addition, the power systems feeding into the kryptonite containment cell failed, effectively cutting off the flow of radiation and providing Superman with some much needed relief from its poisonous effects.
It was all over within ten seconds. The prototype collapsed and Superman ended up falling out through the slit he created. He ended up landing atop the metallic behemoth, just above the kryptonite cell. It was sufficiently shielded to limit its effects. The hot desert sun also helped replenish the strength he had lost in the attack. So for a moment, he attempted to catch his breath. However, Sergeant Corben wasn't ready to end the battle, even if the prototype was disabled.
"Nnn…NOOO! I will not…let it end…like this!" he exclaimed.
His body burned and still covered in wires, he fought his way through the mangled gears of the prototype and climbed out from the control area. He set his deranged sights on the still-recovering Superman, hoping to reach him before he regained his strength. But before he could take one step closer, he was struck with one last paralyzing blow. This time, however, it didn't come from Superman.
"AAAGGGHHH!" Sergeant Corben cried out as he clutched his head in agony.
Superman didn't need his X-ray vision to figure out what had just happened. The sparks shooting out from the wires in his head gave it away. While he often went into battle assuming the worst, he was often surprised by how much lucky breaks he got, thanks to his friends.
He could already hear Lois and the tech team breathing a sigh of relief in the bunker. There was even someone else cheering. He would have to thank him too when he got a chance. With the destruction of the prototype, the drones pulled away. This prototype had done enough damage in this war torn region. It marked another battle won for Superman. Again, he needed help from friends like Lois Lane. But that didn't bother him. As he learned five years ago, inspiring others to do the right thing was as great a strength as any power.
'She did it again. Lois, I don't know how you keep pulling it off. Between your knack for dealing with danger and the skills Diana taught me, I keep becoming a better Superman. With all these monsters Lex Luthor keeps throwing at me are any indication, I'll need to keep getting better to keep up.'
Themyscira – Temple of Hera
"Goddess Hera, hear my prayers! I seek your guidance. For my sisters and my daughter, please show me the way," proclaimed Queen Hippolyta in a heartfelt prayer.
It had been a while since Hippolyta had sought the presence of the gods so intently. For most of their history, the Amazons had a very structured relationship with Olympus. Various gods regularly visited them on numerous occasions. Sometimes it was part of a ceremony. Sometimes it was to celebrate a holiday. Sometimes it was to bestow on them new skills and abilities. It was rare for an Amazon to seek a private audience with the gods and it was even rarer when they answered. At the moment, she needed divine guidance.
After most of her sisters had either turned in for the night or taken up guard duty, Hippolyta entered the Temple of Hera and sealed herself inside. She entered the sacred shrine in the center of the temple, which had been ordained with a beautifully sculpted statue of Hera, the goddess that had initially answered her prayer after her defeat at the hands of Hercules. Now for the past half-hour, she had been on her knees, calling out to the goddess.
"Please goddess, I need your divine wisdom," she prayed. "I'm told a new chaos is brewing…one that the Amazons are ill-equipped to confront. This comes at a time when my daughter is still clashing with her sisters when she needs to be preparing herself for the day she becomes their queen. I feel fate is working against us. Tell me, Hera…what must I do?"
A sharp gust blew through the halls of the temple, causing the various candles and torches surrounding the statue to flicker. The air around the statute soon became hot, giving the distinct feeling of a presence nearby. Hippolyta continued her praying, sensing that someone was now listening to her pleas. However, the presence that emerged did not feel like Hera.
"Enough with the desperation, Queen Hippolyta. Olympus hears all your prayers. We just don't always have the time or the capacity to answer them," said a deep, male voice.
Hippolyta opened her eyes and looked up to see Apollo standing before her. The flames from the candles and torches had come to life, forming a figure in front of Hera's statue. He had not been the god she prayed to, but she stood up and bowed respectfully none-the-less.
"Lord Apollo, this is an unexpected honor," greeted the queen. "Forgive my formalities, but I was seeking the voice of Hera."
"Well she is preoccupied with other godly matters, so I guess you'll have to make due with me," said Apollo casually. "That's probably a good thing because I doubt she would want to say what I've come here to say."
"What do you mean? Is there trouble on Olympus?" asked Hippolyta.
Apollo pretended to appear solemn, taking comfort in the knowledge that Hippolyta's piety would prevent her from questioning him. What he was about to do would cause great upheaval among the Amazons and among Olympus. He was sure to upset many, increasing the already growing anxiety among his fellow gods. But that's exactly what he needed at the moment. His plans with Ares had entered a new stage and, as was often the case on Olympus, discord was their greatest ally.
"I'm afraid there is trouble of a very pressing kind," said Apollo. "However, it doesn't involve Olympus. It involves your daughter."
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