Strangers In Paradise

by MarvelMaster616

In their youth, Clark Kent and Princess Diana met when Clark was shipwrecked on Themyscira. This accident of fate would come to have a profound impact on their lives and their hearts, disrupting the traditions of the Amazons and the order of the gods. Years later, as greater forces conspire against them, can they come together or will fate tear them apart?

21. War and Peace and Love

Strangers In Paradise
Chapter 21: War and Peace and Love

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Skies over Themyscira

"Make no mistake, Clark. You'll have a lot of catching up to do when you get back. Perry actually cracked a smile this morning. You should've seen it! None of us thought Luthor would top himself after the Metallo ordeal, but he somehow found a way to look like the dumbest genius in history!"

Clark couldn't stop smiling as he listened to Lois detail the aftermath of Lex Luthor's latest failure over the phone. She had been talking a mile a minute since he called her. Having flown up over the mystical shroud protecting Themyscira, he intended to check in with her while the Amazon Court began deliberations on what would be done with Diana and her mother. He also planned to update her on how things were going with Diana, having already come up with a series of half-truths about how he and her family were working things out. But that plan ended up being unnecessary. As soon as Lois started talking about this story, there was no stopping her.

He couldn't remember Lois ever sounding this elated. Then again, it wasn't every day a megalomaniacal madman like Lex Luthor ever showed his true colors for all to see. According to Lois, the footage she and Jonathan captured in New Mexico went viral the moment the Dailey Planet posted it on their website. Hours later, Lois did a live report from New Mexico with Jonathan Carroll. They even coordinated with the authorities to get some of the Helion Solar personnel to describe this test and the unexpected results it yielded. Between their testimony and the footage Jonathan took with his equipment, it was a boon.

In the two days he and Diana had spent healing from their wounds, the world turned against Lex Luthor. He was now a madman on the loose. It put the Daily Planet in a venerable position. Web traffic went through the roof as Lex Luthor's deranged musings were broadcast all over the world. For the first time, everybody got to hear how this man truly thought. The image of the benevolent businessman was shattered for good, making his and Wonder Woman's triumph over him all the more satisfying.

"I'll be sure to check out all the write-ups on my flight back, Lois. I promise I'll start contributing as soon as I get back. I just wish I could've been there to see the look on Perry's face," said Clark into his phone, sensing Lois was still smiling on the other end.

"Too bad that won't be in any articles. Would you believe me if I told you he actually has gone two days without smoking a cigar?" replied Lois.

"Only to the extent I believe that we've finally exposed Lex Luthor for the man he really is," he said.

"Be careful with the pronouns, Smallville. Remember, you didn't do anything. You've been off getting cozy with your girlfriend's family while Jonathan and I were roughing it in New Mexico."

"I always give credit where credit is due, Lois. That's why it's worth reminding you that I gave you that story about Helion Solar. I had a feeling there was something fishy going on, but I had no idea Lex Luthor's name would be attached to it."

"Point taken, but don't expect Perry to give you any extra pats on the back. He's already loading up the gravy train and he's going to ride it as far it'll take us," said Lois. "Since the Planet was on the ground floor of the anti-Luthor movement, we're going to spearhead the effort in taking him down. He may still be at large, but he's lost the image he worked so hard to create."

She said these words knowing better than anyone that this completely changed the way Lex Luthor operated. It was one thing for him to hide behind creations like Metallo, but his overpaid lawyers could only spin it so much when Luthor's own voice echoed from a monstrosity like the Annihilator Armor. The image of him trying to crush Superman and Wonder Woman was now his most defining moment. So long as he remained at large, he would still be dangerous. But for now, this defeat would ensure he had far fewer resources.

It was an unexpected bonus that Clark never planned for. He gave Lois the Helion story because he trusted her to dig up the truth while he focused on Diana. It was funny how everything panned out. Battling alongside Diana and dealing with the gods of Olympus gave him a newfound respect for the concept of fate. Sometimes there were connections in every struggle and the strength of those connections could make all the difference.

These connections promised to shake things up at the Daily Planet once he got back. He would probably have plenty to keep him busy, both as Superman and Clark Kent. The Daily Planet would keep spreading the truth about Lex Luthor while Superman worked to put him behind bars. It was a promising world to return to, but it was also a world he intended to share with Diana.

Between the rigors of this battle and the stories Lois described, this changing world was going to need both Superman and Wonder Woman. Together, they stopped Lex Luthor and Ares. Together, they revealed just how strong they could be as lovers and as warriors. It promised to be a time where both the truth and hope would help forge a better future.

"I look forward to seeing where this leads us. It's a good time to be working for the planet," said Clark.

"That's for sure, but don't try to rush back too quickly. I haven't forgotten why you're over there in the first place. I also haven't forgotten I've been talking your ear off for the past half-hour and I haven't once asked about Diana," replied Lois.

"Well that's a story that's still incomplete," he said, having to be tactful with his words once more. "I managed to meet up with Diana's mother. I even met some of her family. They're all…nice once you break the ice."

"Quit pretending your ass isn't sore, Clark. I know all about family issues. I'd be shocked if they didn't make you fight a full-blown war to get on their good side."

Clark fought with all his might not to laugh. Lois didn't know just how right she was. It was almost too fitting, given her role in this ordeal. It also helped put a few things into perspective.

"Don't get too confident," Lois continued. "Dealing with the family of loved ones is always an ongoing struggle. Jonathan's dad still gives me a dirty look every time I see him. He still thinks I'm corrupting his son by moving in with him without marrying him."

"I'll try to keep that in mind," said Clark. "I'm not expecting all the dirty looks to go away, but I think we're at a place right now where Diana and I can move forward with our lives."

"And just how forward are we talking about here? Are we talking about just sharing a barn or are we talking about building a whole new farm here?"

"Lois, just because I was raised on a farm doesn't mean I understand all the colorful metaphors that go along with it," said Clark.

"Don't avoid the question, Clark. It's a legitimate concern. When I moved in with Jonathan, I did so with the idea that it was a step towards something more serious. Now I'll let you come up with whatever metaphors you want on what those steps might be, but I think you already know what they are for you and Diana. How many of them are you willing to take?"

Once again, Lois didn't know how right she was. This time, however, she was very serious about what this mean for his and Diana's future. Lois was ahead of the curve in that she had already taken a few steps with Jonathan Carroll. Just seeing them work together in New Mexico showed how far along they were. It gave Clark something to think about in determining where he stood with Diana and where he wanted to take this with her.

A lot of what they ended up deciding would depend on how the Amazon Court judged Diana and her mother. She was still going to play a major role in the affairs of her homeland and her family was certainly going to play a role in their relationship. It was going to be a challenge, regardless of whatever judgment was rendered. But the more Clark thought about it, the more he believed he was ready for this.

"I'll definitely give that some thought, Lois," said Clark. "I can't answer that question now, but I should be able to once I get back to Metropolis."

"You better. Because if you don't give me the juicy details, you know I'll get them from Diana. She and I talk. And you can expect us to blow things way out of proportion," said Lois in a semi-threatening tone.

"The extent to which you care about my personal life is touch, Lois," teased Clark.

"You make it a tough job, but somebody's gotta to do it. Just do what you do best and give Diana even more reasons to love you."

"Consider it done," he said without hesitation.

"Then get back to tending to your woman while I get back to belaboring Lex Luthor's latest failures. Send Diana my regards and I'll see you two love birds in a day or two."

"Sounds like a plan. Take care, Lois."

"Likewise, Smallville."

The call ended and Clark continued to hover high in the skies over Themyscira. After putting away his cell phone, he looked out over the horizon at the late morning sun and absorbed some of its rays. He would need the strength it gave him to get through this day. So much of his future with Diana would be determined today, but he had faith that this would make them both stronger in the long run. And after what Lois told him about taking the next step with Diana, he realized he could go even farther. With the Amazon Court set to make its decision soon, Clark still had time to show Diana just how bright their future could be together.

"Do what I do best. Give her more reasons to love me," said Clark, echoing Lois' words. "For Diana, I can do that."

---

Themyscira – Temple of Athena

Throughout the history of the Amazons, the concept of justice had been pretty easy to grasp. Everything that was in the best interests of Themyscira and their sisterhood was inherently just. The will of the gods was, by default, an act of justice. It was so simple that it rarely required debate. An Amazon that broke the rules or defied the gods knew as well as her sisters what the consequences entailed. But that was before their traditions and their gods betrayed them.

The Amazons never struggled this much to determine the merits of justice. This wasn't as simple as wrapping the accused in the lasso of truth and having them confess. Every Amazon on Themyscira knew what Hippolyta and Diana did. They didn't even attempt to deny it. Under the strict traditions of the past, their actions were an affront to Amazon justice. Now, in wake of so much upheaval, nobody was certain anymore. But they had to make a decision. If the Amazons were to have any hope of making Themyscira and their sisterhood stronger, then they had to grasp a new understanding of justice.

"Are the accused ready to hear their final judgment?" said Hera, who presided over the whole process.

"I am ready, Goddess," said Hippolyta, still respectful and pious in her demeanor.

"As am I," said Diana, who stood by her mother's side.

"Then approach the Court for the final ruling."

Standing together as mother and daughter, Diana and Hippolyta stepped forth to receive the final judgment of their sisters and their gods. Before them was a long semi-circular table where the sisters representing the Amazon Court, each of which had been chosen by Hera to administer this case. This included some of the highest ranking Amazons on Themysicra such as Philipus, Epone, Menalippe, and Penthesilea. Aleka had also been chosen, having been the one who revealed the secrets that started them down this path. They all answered to Hera, who acted as an overseer from the throne behind the table that Hippolyta usually sat in. However, Hera acted only as a guide, granting the Amazons the final decision. For this reason, every Amazon had gathered around the temple and crowded the entrance in anticipation of this final judgment. It was a decision that wouldn't just affect the fate of Diana and Hippolyta. It would likely determine the future of the Amazons.

From the moment the trial began shortly after the sun rose over Themyscira, the Amazons heard testimony and conducted numerous debates. It began with Hera listing the transgressions Diana and Hippolyta had committed. Then she had Philipus list the transgressions the gods had committed in their response to this crisis. It helped give everyone the right perspective, allowing them to confront the extent of their shortcomings and how they had allowed devious men and gods exploit them. It complicated the debates, making it impossible to apply the standards dictated by tradition. But that ended up being a necessary part of the process.

Diana and Hippolyta didn't just give reasons for why they did what they did. They sparked entire debates over the merits of Amazon traditions, much of which was driven by their hatred of men. It opened old wounds that hadn't been confronted in centuries. They talked about the crimes committed by Hercules. They talked about Diana's first encounter with Kal. They talked about Hippolyta's decision to lay with Zeus and the lies she told as a result. They even talked about fighting alongside the Sons of Leuctra in the battle against Ares. Recent events turned every tradition and assumption upside down for the Amazons, but they all agreed they couldn't rely on these traditions anymore.

Emotions ran high at times. Some even started shouting in an effort to make their voices heard, but Hera made sure things didn't get too hostile. She kept reminding them that both the Amazons and the gods needed to come up with a new way of conducting themselves. Now that she was ruling in Zeus' place, she had every intention of establishing a precedent here on Themyscira.

"Let it be stated for the annuls that the decisions rendered today will serve as the basis for Themyscira's new traditions as we move forward," said Hera. "The old ways served us well for centuries, but we've all learned the hard way that these ways are no longer sufficient. With that in mind, my loyal disciples – judge wisely and judge with your hearts."

"Thy will be done, Goddess Hera," said each woman on the Amazon Court simultaneously.

Every Amazon present bowed as well, acknowledging the importance of Hera's statement. It also made Diana and Hippolyta more anxious, knowing just how high the stakes were. They each wore the ceremonial togas of the accused, which they could only shed once a judgment was rendered. They also had to wear special braces around their wrists to symbolize their restraint under the weight of their accusations. Together, they bore more burdens than those of their accusations. This promised to be a defining moment for the future of the Amazons.

As Diana and her mother stood before the Amazon Court, she briefly turned to her right to see Clark watching over her from a special observation area alongside Hessia. Since he was still a man and Hessia was still an exile, they had to be surrounded by Amazon guards at all times. But Hera permitted them both to be present during this hearing. Despite the tense moments that were sure to follow, Clark cast a reassuring smile. Diana smiled back, drawing strength from his support and the knowledge that he helped make this overdue moment possible.

"Before the judgment is rendered, the accused are hereby granted one last opportunity for a statement," said Hera. "Do you have anything else to add?"

"No, Goddess Hera," said Diana without hesitation. "I've made my choices. I've my feelings about those choices clear. I did what I did. I aided a man in need, returned from self-imposed exile, and waged war against treacherous gods. And I did it with the utmost love in my heart. My love for my sisters, my home, and the man who returns my love with his own has guided all my actions."

Her statement surprised no one, although it still generated a fair amount of mumbling. Some, like Aleka, still had a hard time accepting the idea of Diana being in love with a man. Others, like Hessia and Hippolyta, smiled warmly at the way she proudly reaffirmed her dedication to following her heart.

"What about you, Hippolyta? Do you have anything else to say?" asked Hera, ignoring some of the chatter.

"Yes. As a matter of fact, I do," said Hippolyta.

The former queen looked over towards her daughter briefly and then over towards the man she fell in love with. She still had mixed emotions about her daughter being involved with a man. However, the way they carried themselves, going back to their first encounter all those years ago, revealed many profound truths that she had yet to confront. With every one of her sisters and the goddess herself watching, Hippolyta used this chance to ensure these truths remained a part of their future.

"What I'm about to say may upset my sisters, but it needs to be said," Hippolyta began. "If these proceedings and the recent events that inspired them have shown us anything, it's this – Diana and the man they call Superman were the only ones who acted in accord with the true ideals of the Amazons."

Her words evoked a series of gasps throughout the crowd. Even Hera was surprised by what she said, but Hippolyta didn't let this stop her from continuing.

"We Amazons have always preached the values of unwavering strength and compassionate heart," she went on. "We strive to carry ourselves honorable in the spirit battle and sisterhood, but these efforts have always been…incomplete. We may have extended this sentiment to each other and the gods, but we denied it to the world of man. Now I know our excuse for doing this. We decreed that all men were vile creatures that couldn't be trusted. We made this sweeping declaration because of the barbaric acts of one man. We let those acts harden our hearts – so much so that we refused to see the good in any man, even when he washed up on our shores."

Hippolyta turned to face Clark again, helping to direct the attention of her fellow Amazons in the process. She still remembered that fateful day they first encountered him. She remembered all the hate and mistrust they harbored. Now, as he stood before them as a champion of all that was good an honorable, the Amazons had to confront just how wrong they were that day.

"No matter how much the crimes of Hercules hurt us, it cannot justify our actions," said Hippolyta strongly. "We showed this man nothing but hate when his only crime was being a victim of fate. Yet despite our actions, he did not attempt to harm us. And despite our egregious treatment of him, he still came to our aid. Only Diana saw the good that our hardened hearts wouldn't allow us to see. We should've known better. And in order to learn from our mistakes, we must be better…because I've seen what will happen to us if we do not change our ways."

She turned back to face the Amazon Court briefly. She had their full attention now. She then turned to face the Amazons that had crowded the temple. She could even see out the open door where the rest of her sisters had gathered to listen in on the proceedings. This was Hippolyta's chance to address them all so they could know how close they came to betraying everything they stood for.

"Many of you might not recall what transpired while you were under Ares' control, but I do. I saw what the Amazons did under his influence. Ares turned you on that man standing right there at this very moment – this same man that you once wanted to attack without his influence. And you – no, we attacked him."

Hippolyta pointed towards Superman to emphasize her point. It drew unexpected attention towards him, something he was not prepared for. He did his best to remain respectful under the suspicious gazes of these women, but even he could tell that the tone of Hippolyta's voice was having an influence.

"We assaulted him without mercy. We surrounded him, beat him, and wounded him on Ares' behalf. But it wasn't his influence that drove us. He only channeled the hatred that was already there," Hippolyta continued, now speaking with shame in her tone. "The act of attacking an innocent – even a male innocent – is an atrocity. But the circumstance of this attack is what made it truly egregious."

"Um…mother," said Diana, sensing her mother was getting a bit worked up. "You might want to temper your tone."

"He could've fought back – not just on that occasion, but on the one that preceded it," Hippolyta continued, ignoring her daughter's concern. "He had every reason to do so. We were threatening him…hurting him…assailing without mercy. Yet he did not fight back. He never raised his hand to an Amazon. He let us hurt him. In doing so, I saw something truly horrifying."

For a moment, her gaze remained fixed on Clark. In looking at him, she still felt many mixed emotions. This was the man who captured her daughter's heart, but he was also the man that drove her away from her sisters. In the end, his most important act was what he didn't do when he had the chance. He even acknowledged this act, smiling and nodding to her to show that he understood the point she was trying to make.

"There's a fine line between warrior and monster. A warrior fights with heart, honor, and compassion. A monster just fights to kill. And when I saw our sisters attacking this man, I didn't see warriors. I saw monsters – not at all unlike the ones that ravaged us."

"That…is a very severe comparison, Hippolyta. Are you sure you want to make it?" asked Philippus, hoping to stop her statement before she said anything too abominable.

"Yes. I'm sure," said Hippolyta with the utmost certainty. "We cannot avoid the cold, hard truth. We became the very monsters we despised. We – in our hatred– attacked an innocent. We Amazons, with every breath we draw, pride ourselves on being warriors. Every time we march into battle, we proclaim that we are warriors. But have we ever stopped and considered that that truly means? Have we ever wondered if we are worthy of such a title? If our actions during this ordeal are any indication, then I can say without a shred of doubt that…no, they are not."

These words evoked more gasps among the Amazons. At this point, Diana didn't bother trying to stop her mother. She just smiled and shook her head. She was right. This needed to be said. As harsh as it might have been, every Amazon had to understand this before moving forward.

"We can no longer deny what we have experienced," said Hippolyta, her voice finally settling. "This same man that we attacked still fought to save our home and our souls. This man and the Sons of Leuctra stood by us and fought with honor against forces only true warriors could confront. Remember, now and from this day forward, that the warriors who stood by us were men – good, honorable men."

"Hippolyta, need I remind you that the honor of men is not a factor in our judgment today," said Penthesilea as her words triggered more reactions.

"I know. It cannot change what you decide for me and Diana today. I only say it to instill in all of you a new perspective in rendering future judgments. We condemned all men for the acts of a few. Now we have fought alongside others who deserve our respect and our love. I say that as your former queen who once championed the traditions that preserved that hatred."

Her statement had now become a full-blown confession. She held her head low before her sisters as they watched and listened to the woman they once loved as their queen. Hippolyta saw in them plenty of conflict, but she also saw them accepting that conflict. It filled them with the same distressing feelings that she had felt when she saw the atrocities her sisters committed under Ares. It opened old wounds, but it also opened their hearts.

Confident that her sisters had gotten the core of her message, Hippolyta turned back to the Amazon Court that would decide her fate. She understood that nothing she said could influence them more than she already had. With Diana now looking at her with more pride than she had seen in years, Hippolyta stood strong in the face of a new fate.

"Regardless of whether I am your queen or your prisoner, I ask that you remember what this war has shown you. It's not enough for Amazons to carry themselves as warriors anymore. We must strive to be something better. Great warriors know no gender. Such a struggle involves rising above the tragedies and atrocities we've suffered in the past, but I'm ready to endure it in order to be a better warrior and a better woman. My greatest hope is that my sisters will share that struggle with me."

It was more than just a plea. It was a challenge to her sisters and the gods. Hippolyta dared them to be better. It was the kind of sentiment that struck all the right chords and even a few of the wrong ones.

More discussions and rumblings amongst the Amazons followed. It started getting somewhat chaotic. The hardened warriors talked amongst themselves, questioning and debating these new realizations that their former queen had just forced them to confront. For a moment, the actual purpose of this court became secondary. Hippolyta had her sisters more concerned about the bigger picture with Themyscira and the Amazons. She might not have been queen anymore, but she could still inspire her sisters for all the right reasons.

These rumblings continued. Hera did nothing to stop them, remaining silent and stoic. The only one who became really agitated by the effects of her statement was Aleka. Her emotions were still painfully raw from the revelations and betrayals that she herself exposed. She ended up pounding her fist on the table in an effort silence.

"Enough!" Aleka shouted. "There will be order in this court. We're here to issue a ruling. We will not distract ourselves with matters we're not ready to address."

"Isn't that part of the problem, Aleka? That the Amazons have never been ready to confront these issues?" questioned Hippolyta.

"You've already given your statement. You will be silent so we can proceed with this trial!" said Aleka, pounding her fists on the table again.

"Please be calm, my sisters. Let's make this a time of healing, not discord," said Epione, addressing her sisters in a calmer tone.

It took a few minutes for everything to settle down. During this time, a smile never left Hippolyta's face. Her words had just the impact she had intended. These once forbidden ideas could no longer be suppressed. It annoyed some of her more hardened sisters, but even they could not deny the power of these ideas.

For Diana, who once exiled herself for daring to think the things her mother just said, she couldn't have been more proud. Despite all the emotions and passions that tore them apart, her love and respect for her mother had never been greater. As order was restored, she reached over and lightly grasped her mother's hand to convey those feelings.

"Thank you, mother," said Diana warmly. "That needed to be said."

"I didn't just say it for you," said Hippolyta. "It should've been said long ago. I just wish I didn't wait until it nearly tore us apart."

"But it didn't," she said strongly. "My love for my mother is stronger than that just as I know my mother's love for me is stronger. And love will always be stronger than regret."

Hippolyta squeezed her daughter's hand, doing her best not to get too emotional before the final judgment was issued. They had to remain strong for each other and their sisters.

Eventually, the Amazons managed to silence themselves so they could listen to the judgment they all came to see. Once everything got quiet, the ranking members of the Amazon Court all stood up and turned towards Hera for a moment. She maintained her silence, not once taking her eye off Hippolyta and Diana. With a simple nod, she assured the Amazons that it was okay to proceed.

"The final statements have been issued," announced Philippus. "From this moment forward, the accused are to remain silent. Is that clear?"

Diana and Hippolyta nodded, still holding their heads high in preparation for the ruling.

"Very well then," she said. "Sisters of this court, are we ready to issue our final judgment?"

"Aye," they all said simultaneously.

"Then allow me to begin by restating the transgressions we have before us. We have one sister with an admitted history of defying our laws," said Philippus, looking towards Diana. "She went so far as to exile herself over her defiance, only to break the terms of that exile and return to Themyscira in an act of even greater defiance. By the letter of the law, this constitutes multiple crimes. But we all now know that the context of these crimes go beyond the law."

Philippus then turned her attention to Hippolyta, still holding her daughter's hand and bracing herself for the coming judgment.

"We also have a sister who, for many of us, is much more than a sister," she continued. "Being our queen, we placed our absolute faith in you. We trusted you to be the arbiter of the values that we Amazons cherish. And you broke that trust. You lied to us about the circumstances of your daughter's birth. You even lied to the very goddess we worshipped. And as part of those lies, you consorted with a man. He might have been a god, but he was still a man."

Hera's demeanor finally shifted at the mention of this crime. She couldn't forget her husband's role in this, nor could she ignore the feelings it evoked. But in the same way the Amazons sought to become better warriors, she sought to become a better goddess and this ruling was part of that process.

"These crimes, as I've described them, are severe in nature. However, we would be repeating past mistakes if we ignored the context of these crimes. What you both did – you did with no malice in your hearts. Diana, you dared to love for a man and embrace his world. Hippolyta, you dared to lie to your sisters and your goddess to protect your daughter. In no way does this constitute a crime of the heart or mind. If anything, it exposes another crime of which we are all guilty."

Philippus turned to Menalippe. As the top oracle of Themyscira, she had been responsible for assessing this matter through various visions. The past, present, and future often became obscure in these visions, granting her a unique perspective that had to be taken into account in any judgment.

"The crime Philippus speaks of is one of hypocrisy," said Menalippe solemnly. "It's a crime that became painfully clear in my latest visions. We created a sisterhood that fosters compassion and love, but we abandon all of that the moment we regress to our traditions of hatred. That hatred does more than just insolate us from men. It makes that compassion and love we so cherish less meaningful. And we can't hope to build a strong sisterhood on such hallow passions."

The halls of the temple and all those standing outside it became deathly silent. Now the Amazons as a whole were being judged, not just Diana and Hippolyta. But like the former queen and princess, they did not avoid this judgment or make excuses. They had to confront their crimes as well.

"I saw the path we were on before and the many paths we could take," Menalippe continued. "In all of these visions, there was one common theme. Our hatred for mankind and our adherence to tradition always led towards destruction. If we were to judge you today by the letter of the Amazon Code, then we would continue down that path. More destruction will follow – if not from the gods, then certainly from ourselves. We simply cannot judge the crimes before us under that code anymore. So for the sake of the sisters standing before us and our sisterhood as a whole, we must dare to walk a new path."

The Amazon Court had now entered the most difficult part of its judgment. With the Amazon Code no longer an option and so many uncertainties plaguing them, the Amazons would have to enter uncharted territory in protecting the sanctity of their sisterhood.

The burden of this task fell upon Aleka, the sister who had endured so much emotional upheaval from the moment this ordeal began. Once Hippolyta's most loyal and trusted sister, she was hit harder by these crimes than nearly anyone else. Her gaze narrowed on her former queen, hiding the impact of these crimes as best she could. She still ended up doing a poor job because the strain of everything that had been said so far had already taken a toll.

"I don't disagree with my sisters," began Aleka. "We need a new path. We cannot follow the same ways that nearly led to our destruction. At the same time, we cannot forget what helped make us strong. We cannot forget the merits of these traditions. They may have been misguided, but they too had context. No matter what path we end up choosing, we cannot forget the one that brought us here."

For a moment, Aleka looked over towards Clark. Seeing a man still brought out many painful emotions. The scars left by Hercules and his men could never fully heal. For that reason, the Amazons couldn't completely reject the old ways.

"We must still have order, no matter what the context of a crime might be," Aleka continued. "In the same way we cannot allow our passions to harden our hearts, we must not let those same passions make us vulnerable. That is the challenge this court faced in issuing a judgment. We understand that what we rule is going to do more than just address the crimes of two sisters. So as I read our final ruling, keep in mind that the past and the future must carry equal weight."

Diana, Hippolyta, and every Amazon listened intently. In her hand, Aleka had a written decree articulating the judgment the court had rendered. It was sure to evoke a wide range of emotions, but these feelings had to remain secondary. So with the strength that made her such an imposing Amazon, Aleka read from the statement.

"Diana, for the transgressions you committed against your sisters and Themyscira, your status as princess is hereby revoked. From this day forward, you will no longer have a claim to the throne or a title beyond the rank of an Amazon warrior. You are also hereby barred from participating in the governance of Themyscira, absent a decree from the gods."

It wasn't at all the worst sentence that could've been rendered. It essentially ended any hopes Diana ever had of becoming queen, which she had never desperately sought. However, not being able to participate in the affairs of Themyscira, as she often did before her exile, still hit her on some levels.

"Just an Amazon warrior – I can live with that," Diana said under her breath.

"That's not all," Aleka continued. "In the same way this court must judge your crimes, we must also judge your valor in coming to the aid of your sisters in Themyscira in their time of need. One part of Amazon tradition that is worth preserving is the importance of recognizing great valor. By doing what you knew in your heart to be right, you helped save us all…even after we condemned you."

Aleka's tone shifted. It was her subtle way of admitting that she did more than most to condemn Diana for her actions. While she would not apologize for it, she could not deny that this made Diana's feats even more impressive.

"You fought with honor and heart when nobody else could," she continued. "You endured hardship, pain, and struggle for your sisters, your gods, and a world you dared to embrace. For this reason and so many more, we hereby rescind the provisions of your exile. You will now be allowed to come and go as you please. While you may only bring guests that we deem fit for passage, you are once again welcome on the shores of Themyscira."

This fateful judgment didn't come with complete mercy, but it echoed with justice. It marked a clean break from Amazon tradition. There would be no labors or exile, but a price had still been paid. It left Diana with mixed emotions, but they felt like the right emotions. Despite remaining strong in her demeanor through every word of her judgment, she allowed herself to react. She bowed her head and smiled to herself, feeling a sense of closure that she thought she would never get.

"Do you accept these terms, Diana?" asked Philippus.

"I do," said Diana without hesitation.

"Then it is settled," she said. "Now, onto the next judgment."

Now it was Hippolyta's turn to remain strong. Being queen meant her judgment had much higher stakes. She expected her daughter's judgment to be tempered because she boldly did what she knew to be right, regardless of what her sisters felt. Hippolyta couldn't make that claim. She braced herself for a much harsher judgment.

Once again, it fell upon Aleka to deliver it. She set aside the parchment that detailed Diana's judgment and retrieved the one that contained Hippolyta's. The imposing Amazon actually hesitated for a brief moment, something she never did even in the heat of battle. She hadn't forgotten all the loyalty and love she gave this woman over the course of her immortal life. She also hadn't forgotten the pain she felt as a result of her betrayal. What she and this Court decided promised to strain her heart. But like the warrior she was, Aleka pressed on.

"Hippolyta – our beloved sister and former queen – please understand that the judgment I'm about to read has no precedent," she began. "There are no provisions in the Amazon Code or any code we've ever followed on how to judge the transgressions of a queen. We never needed it. And some of us thought we never would."

Hippolyta only nodded and bowed her head, remaining silent as instructed. It was her way of acknowledging that her transgressions went beyond traditions and codes. It also acknowledged to Aleka just how painful this was for both of them. Like her, she had to find the strength to endure the fate that lay before her.

"That being said, you still lied to us and the gods. You betrayed the trust and love of your sisters. This is something we simply cannot overlook," Aleka continued. "However, we also cannot overlook that for the centuries preceding this secret, you honored that trust and love in a way that can never be matched. You led us, inspired us, and honored us for so long. To let this one act taint that legacy would be petty and cruel. We can't – as a sisterhood – allow ourselves to be that heartless."

There was a distinctly personal undertone to Aleka's words, even as she read them out loud. It revealed that as hurt as she had been by Hippolyta's actions, she hadn't forgotten why she loved her so dearly in the first place. That gave the former queen assurance that her sisters wouldn't allow an exceedingly unjust judgment.

"Determining a suitable recourse for your actions was incredibly difficult. We debated, argued, and prayed. And through our reason and our passions, we made as fair a ruling as we could," said Aleka, taking a deep breath before reading the next part. "Hippolyta, for your actions and the consequences they wrought for your sisters and the gods, you are hereby stripped of your title as queen. It is the opinion of this court that no matter how much love and respect we have for a fellow sister, she is not immune to mistakes."

The ruling was tough, but not unexpected. Hippolyta never expected to be reinstated as queen. She couldn't possibly wear the crown after what she did. It still triggered some reactions amongst her sisters. The idea of not having a queen like her didn't sit well with many. But the judgment wasn't over so she remained silent.

"This court understands that this ruling will leave Themyscira without a queen. Let it be known that from this day forward, no Amazon will wield such a title. We simply cannot allow the mistake of one sister – no matter how loved and respected she might be – to put everything we hold dear at risk." said Aleka. "Let it also be known that there is still a need for order as we rebuild our home. This process will afford us many opportunities. And among those opportunities is a chance for the accused to redeem herself in the eyes of her sisters."

Aleka's gaze narrowed on Hippolyta once more. She set aside the paper that detailed the ruling. She didn't need to read from it at this point. She already knew it by heart because she was the one that helped craft it. There were still so many difficult emotions between them, but they still shared in their desire to do right by their sisters now and for whatever fate that awaited them.

"In this spirit and with the blessings of Hera, you are hereby bestowed with the title of Regent of Themyscira. Under this title, you will not wield the powers of a queen. However, you will retain limited powers – as determined by the gods and this court – so as to guide the Amazons through the new challenges before us. Let me make clear for the record that this is not an act of mercy. This is a chance to show your sisters that you're capable of winning back their trust. It's also a chance for you to show the gods that you can be better than you've let yourself be. For your sake and for the sake of your sisters, make good use of it."

She made it sound less like a punishment and more like a challenge. Aleka stared down her former queen, daring her to be better. She also made clear that she would have to go farther than the provisions of this ruling to win back her trust. She gave her centuries of love and loyalty. She was willing to let her win it back, but it wouldn't be easy.

"Do you accept these terms, Hippolyta?" said Philippus.

Hippolyta glanced over at her daughter briefly, who nodded confidently as a show of faith. She then looked back towards and Aleka, acknowledging both the content and the subtext of her words. She had already accepted that she would never be queen again in the eyes of her sisters, but that just meant she would have to fight harder to be the Amazon she wanted to be.

"I do," said Hippolyta with all the strength and faith she could muster for her sisters.

"Then it is settled. This court is hereby adjourned."

Philippus rose up, along with the rest of the Amazon Court. Hera then rose up after them from her throne. Every other Amazon watching knelt accordingly. Diana and Hippolyta bowed their heads respectfully as she approached. They could still feel in her gaze many mixed emotions. They were yet another product of her husband's infidelity. But like the Amazons, she was not inclined to fall into old habits.

Now standing before the two women who had done so much to change the world of the Amazons, Hera waved her hand and the braces around their wrists unlocked themselves. It signified the true end of this ordeal and the beginning of a new era.

"I hereby bless the judgment of this court, as well as the accused in hopes that they uphold it," said Hera with only a slight touch of bitterness.

"Thank you, Goddess. We promise to honor your blessings with all our hearts," said Diana respectfully.

"And this time, I intend to keep my promises," added Hippolyta.

"Be sure that you do. We've got enough challenges before us," said the Queen of Olympus with a sigh. "Now let's do something no god or demigod has ever done and avoid further tragedy. It's time to build a better legacy for gods and mortal alike."

Hera's words evoked cheers and applause from every Amazon present. Hippolyta knelt before Hera again in a show of loyalty, triggering more mixed feelings within the jaded goddess. But despite all these feelings, she still smiled. Letting go of past injustice was never easy, but it had to start somewhere. It might as well be on this day.

While Hippolyta humbled herself before her beloved goddess once more, Diana immediately flew over towards Clark and embraced him. Her gesture triggered some surprised reactions from her sisters, who weren't too familiar with the sight of a man and woman embracing each other so affectionately. They would have to get used to it though because Diana had no intention of not sharing this moment with the man she loved.

"What say you, Kal? Was justice served today?" asked Diana with a warm smile.

"In my experience, justice is an ongoing process. But I'd say any result that ends with you in my arms is a good sign," said Clark, smiling back.

"Then I think I'm now ready to start working on that new legacy Hera mentioned."

"So am I. And I have a feeling we'll be in good company."

---

Later That Day

The process of rebuilding was always longer than the act of destruction. Every warrior that ever set foot on a battlefield understood this. The greater the destruction was, the harder the rebuilding process ended up being. Most of the time, it was impossible to rebuild everything. The best any warrior could hope for was a better foundation than the one that had been lost.

For the Sons of Leuctra, they needed more than just a foundation. Ares' treachery robbed them of more than just glory. It robbed them of their home. The Sparta they once fought so hard to protect was long gone, a relic of history. Their homes and their families now existed only as memories. However, these powerful warriors had no intention of letting their losses shatter their spirits. King Agesilaus III had inspired his brothers to embody the honor of Sparta until their dying breath and like true warriors, they had every intention of doing so as they rebuilt.

But they wouldn't be starting from scratch. For the past few days, the Sons of Leuctra lived in a barracks near the base of Mount Olympus where they rested and healed. Then, Hera came to them with news of their future. She, in consultation with Hades and Poseidon, had made a decision on their future. For their valor and sacrifice, as well as the injustice they endured, the gods of Olympus aided them in a big way.

"Welcome to your new home, Sons of Leuctra," proclaimed Poseidon in a booming tone. "By the power of the seas, I raise this land from the depths."

In sight every bit as spectacular as the setting sun, Poseidon hovered over a seemingly empty patch of sea not far from the shores of Themyscira. The rest of the Sons of Leuctra watched from a fleet of boats crafted by the gods with Hera and King Agesilaus III standing at the bow of the lead ship. They could feel the waters churn and the sea floor shake as the God of the Seas rose a massive piece of land from the depths, forming an entire island that stood nearly as vast as Themyscira.

What would've taken natural forces centuries transpired in minutes. The Spartan Warriors watched as swirling storm cloud surrounded Poseidon, echoing with booming thunder as he shaped this new island to his will. Rock, dirt, and water warped in ways that only a god could command, creating everything from sandy shores to mountains. It offered the Sons of Leuctra plenty of space on which to build a new home, albeit with few resources. However, Hera knew how to deal with that issue.

"Nicely done, Poseidon," she said dryly. "You're as much the God of the Seas as you are the God of Showing Off. It's decent, but it still needs a woman's touch."

Poseidon barely heard her, still hovering over the center of the island and using his power to help it settle. As the tremors finally started to die down, Hera levitated from the boat where she had been standing and flew over to the shores of the islands. As soon as she set foot onto the sandy, lifeless shores, she knelt down and gently touched this new land with her soft fingertips.

In doing so, a bright green light surrounded her hand. This light then spread out, going out in all directions from down the shore to the other side of the island. In its wake, a lush range of vegetation grew in mere minutes. The once lifeless hunk of rock turned into an island paradise, complete with trees, streams, plants, and animals. The Spartans could even hear the cries of the animals appearing, as if letting out cries of joy at the creation of this beautiful land.

It inspired unparalleled awe in the hardened warriors. It also reminded them that while the gods were capable of great destruction, they were also plenty capable of creation. The island before them now had everything a group of men needed to survive. It had fertile land to cultivate, pastures for animals, water for drinking, and materials for homes. They could've searched for centuries and never found an island this lush. These men, who no longer had a place to call home, witnessed the birth of a new Sparta. It had been a long time since any of them had seen such beauty and it filled them with a hope that Ares came so close to destroying.

"By the gods – there is justice in a hopeless world after all," said King Agesilaus III.

Some of his brothers began cheering as they eagerly sailed to the shores of the island. By the time they arrived, the tremors finally ceased and Hera's special touch was complete. The men were so overwhelmed by the beauty of this new land that some jumped off the boats and kissed the sands of the shore. Many could already envision the new homes and temples they would build. It might not be the same lands of their beloved Sparta, but it would preserve everything it stood for.

"I hereby deem this land, New Sparta," said Hera, still standing on the sandy shores. "I think the Sons of Leuctra will be quite comfortable here, wouldn't you say?"

"It'll provide comfort second only to the battlefield," said King Agesilaus III. "Thank you, Goddess Hera. On behalf of the Sons of Leuctra, thank you for this blessing."

"Oh don't humble yourself too much. It's not like this blessing is an act of pure altruism. The gods are still a long ways away from that divine feat. For what Ares did to you, I'd say this constitutes a down payment of sorts."

"Call it what you will. My men and I are still eternally grateful."

"And I'll gladly accept gratitude over bitterness. I think the gods have had quite enough of that," said Hera.

"So long as the gods do our part, we will do ours," assured the Spartan King. "Passions are still raw. Hearts are still broken. It'll take time for all of us to rebuild."

"Then you should take comfort in the knowledge that the gods need you more than you need the gods at this point," said Poseidon in a less booming voice as he descended from the sky.

The God of the Seas was a lot more restless than Hera, who was still adjusting to being ruler of Olympus. He had been with her and Hades when they decided to give the Sons of Leuctra a new home not far from Themyscira. The act of raising the necessary land from the sea floor was actually the easiest part. As Poseidon landed on the sandy shores next to Hera, he understood that a much greater challenge lay before them.

"You look a little restless, even for a god who just carved an island out of a sea floor, Poseidon," commented Hera, who had hoped to avoid this conversation.

"If forging a new order was as easy as new land, then none of us would be restless," said the God of the Seas. "We're all eager to rebuild what Ares and Apollo destroyed, but there are certain logistics that we cannot overlook."

"Can you not let these brave men just enjoy their new home for one evening before we get to that?" groaned Hera. "A lack of mercy is exactly what got us into this mess in the first place."

"This isn't about mercy. This is about protecting the foundation for our new order. And unfortunately, that will require some aspects of the old foundation to remain."

Hera still didn't care for this topic, even though it was bound to affect her in a big way. Being the ruler of Olympus had its perks, as her husband demonstrated many times during his reign, but it also came with burdens. Poseidon understood these burdens a bit better and decided to address them, even during what should've been a joyous time.

"King Agesilaus III of the Sons of Leuctra – I know the gods have said this many times over the past few days, but we thank you for valor in opposing our devious brethren," said Poseidon, now speaking in a more diplomatic tone.

"It was our honor, Lord Poseidon," said the Spartan King respectfully.

"It was more than that. You and your men were betrayed by a god. You had no reason at all to fight for us. Some would even argue you would've benefited if had Olympus fallen."

"Some of my own men have made that argument, but they understand as well as I do that there is no honor in being petty. To let the actions of one god subvert our loyalty to all gods would just be another injustice."

"Which on its own makes your men more honorable than most gods," said Poseidon. "After what you endured, I'm actually perplexed at how you could stand for justice after so little has been granted to you."

"It hasn't been easy. That much, I'll say. But it's certainly easier when others inspire us to be better," said King Agesilaus III.

The Spartan King smiled to himself in recalling the source of this inspiration. Others called him Superman. The gods still called him mortal. Neither could understand what he did for the Sons of Leuctra in their darkest hour. He guided them into noble battle at a time when their passions probably would've led them astray. And for a Spartan, leading a warrior to a noble battle was more than just an inspiration. It reminded them why justice and honor were worth fighting for.

"Whatever your inspiration, that honor and valor makes the Sons of Leuctra a precious commodity for the gods," Poseidon continued.

"Right. And referring to mortals as commodities does so much to inspire them even more," said Hera, rolling her eyes at Poseidon's poor choice of words.

"We are all in a precarious state at the moment. We have no idea how long Zeus will remain in his chamber. There are still many repairs to be made in and around Olympus and Themyscira. And as committed as we are to creating a more just order, there is still plenty of chaos to combat. The gods can only do so much. In fact, we can do even less than we did before. But these battles still need to be fought."

"And I suppose this is where you want the Sons of Leuctra to contribute," surmised King Agesilaus III.

It was easy to see where Poseidon was going with this. The idea of serving the gods after what Ares did to them couldn't have been appealing. That's why Hera decided to step in before Poseidon made it even less appealing.

"Before my brother-in-law put it into words that'll grossly offend us all, I should probably add that your men would be more than contributors," said Hera. "You see – for centuries, the Amazons were Olympus' first line of defense. They acted as our army against that chaos that threatened to encroach into the mortal world. And while they served that role honorably for centuries, their efforts might not be enough anymore."

"There's no way to put it less offensively, Hera. The Amazons suffered significant losses in the battle against Ares. They also have the burden of rebuilding their home and reforming their entire culture," added Poseidon.

"And my men do not?" questioned the Spartan King. "Like the Amazons, the Sons of Leuctra suffered significant losses as well. Now, we have an entire society to build on this island."

"And the gods intend to aid you in building it. However, none of us have the luxury of ignoring this chaos," said Poseidon strongly. "If we do not effectively work together, then we will all succumb alone."

"Speak for yourself," said Hera under her breath.

"That is why that – after consultation amongst myself, Hera, and Hades – we ask that you join the army of Olympus where you will serve alongside the Amazons as protectors of the mortal realm."

"And yes, this means the Sons of Leuctra will fight alongside an army of warrior women who spent a great many centuries rejecting and despising all men," added Hera, "But I assure you, they're working on reassessing some of those values."

"I must also make clear that this is not a decree," continued Poseidon. "You and your men could walk away from us if you wish. But by serving the gods, your men and your new home will receive the same blessings as the Amazons."

"My men appreciate the blessings of the gods as much as anyone. But forgive us if we're a bit more wary of the price of those blessings," said the Spartan King.

Poseidon began getting impatient. He wasn't used to being diplomatic. He and the other gods were too accustomed to just demanding something and getting their way. Once again, Hera stepped in to make it a better deal for all of them."

"I know gods have made similar promises in the past and broken them, but this time we all have more incentive to do the right thing," she said. "This ordeal with Ares has humbled us all. In some respects, it was overdue."

"Speak for yourself," said Poseidon, echoing the same tone Hera used earlier.

"Take it from someone who knows better than any god or mortal – holding a grudge only makes things worse," Hera continued. "We've given mortals like you too many reasons not to have faith in us. Now we're asking you to cling to what's left of that faith. If it's any comfort at all, know that the gods have much more faith in mortals than they have in us. I'd like to make something of that and I'd also like your men to be part of it."

It was probably the most humble a god had ever spoken to a mortal. King Agesilaus III still maintained his respectful poise before Hera and Poseidon, but he remained tepid in placing his faith in them again. He understood that they were all in an unfavorable situation. They had all lost so much and they were all vulnerable to losing even more. But as the Spartan King looked back at his men while they eagerly crowded the shores of their new home, he contemplated the future of his brothers.

The world was a very different place. So much time had passed and based on what the gods revealed to them over the past few days, a great deal had changed. Sparta wasn't just gone. The very concept of what it meant to be a warrior had evolved. There were few places for the kinds of warriors his men strived to be. But the gods of Olympus still had a need for such warriors and his men still harbored that same warrior spirit.

They never got a chance to fight the battles that would've saved their homes. Now they had a chance to fight new battles to save what they had left. It promised to test their faith more than it already had. But if that faith granted them another chance for glory, then it was certainly a faith worth saving. While King Agesilaus III's faith had been shaken by Ares' treachery, it hadn't been broken. When he turned back to face Hera and Poseidon once more, he conveyed a strength befitting of a warrior.

"I believe I speak for all my brothers when I say the Sons of Leuctra would be honored to lend our swords," said the Spartan King. "Just remember that our faith in the gods extends only our commitment to preserving that honor."

"Very well. I suppose that'll have to suffice," said Poseidon.

"Since he won't say it, I will – thank you, King Agesilaus," said Hera, "And to show that the gods are still capable of generosity, I had Hephaestus prepare another gift. I heard you two discussing it yesterday and I made sure it was completed for this very moment."

The Queen of the gods stepped back and cast a quick spell to retrieve something she stored on Olympus for this very occasion. From a greenish hue of light, a polished Spartan shield appeared in her arms. She then presented it to King Agesilaus III. As soon as he saw it, he accepted the shield and held it with pride.

It had the same shape and design as any Spartan shield. As one of their most defining weapons, Spartan warriors often took great pride in their shields. But this one took it a step further. It was composed of a polished, bronze-like metal that felt harder and smoother than any metal in the mortal world. However, what made it even more special was the symbol that had been etched in the center.

"Honor…valor…and hope," said the Spartan king distantly as he grazed his hand over the shield.

These were all values that Spartans cherished as warriors, but the value of hope was by far the most precious. That's what made the symbol so important. It was the same symbol that adorned Superman's chest. Now it adorned his shield and would serve as the symbol for the Sons of Leuctra moving forward.

It filled the battle-hardened warrior with such pride. King Agesilaus III recalled asked him about this symbol shortly after Superman rescued him and his brothers. He said it was the symbol of his family, the House of El. He said it stood for hope. In any war, hope was always the first casualty. With the Sons of Leuctra seeking to build a new home and a new legacy, hope was their greatest tool and their greatest source of guidance.

"I won't say it's my son's best work, but I will say it's rather fitting. I suppose if you and your men going to aspire to something greater, you might as well follow a damn good example," said Hera, who understood the meaning better than any of her fellow gods.

"It's more than an example, Goddess Hera. It's an inspiration," said King Agesilaus III with a smile. "Thank you, on behalf of my brothers. I promise on my honor that the Sons of Leuctra will let this shield guide us."

"And so long as you keep that promise, I'll promise you that the gods will do their part," said Hera with authority. "More importantly, Poseidon and I will see to it that the gods make the effort. Isn't that right, Poseidon?"

"Of course we will," said the King of the Seas, rolling his eyes at Hera's glare.

This new way of doing things was still a work-in-progress for the gods. They had as much to rebuild as the Amazons and the Sons of Leuctra at this point. But that didn't concern King Agesilaus III at this point. He accepted Hera's promise with a much greater sense of hope than he ever had with Ares. He also proudly slipped his arm into the shield and held it up so that the light of the setting sun could reflect its glare for all to see.

It helped draw the attention of his brothers, just as the Spartan King had intended. They were all still plenty thrilled with their new home and being free of Ares' treachery. But King Agesilaus III understood the challenges that lay ahead of them. He made sure his brothers understood as well.

"Hear me, brothers! Gather around your king as we make this island our own," he proclaimed, quickly getting the attention of his men. "Look upon this shield. Look upon this gift of the gods and remember what lays before us…and what we lost to get here. The world of man and god has changed, but it still needs warriors – brave warriors willing to fight to their last breath for honor and glory. And what are Spartans if not warriors?"

His men answered by cheering together as one. None of them had forgotten who and what they were. No mortal, god, or beast could take that away from them. And they let their king know just how much they cherished it.

"For honor! For glory!" they cheered.

It filled King Agesilaus III's heart with more pride. His smile grew as he looked out over his men. But he wasn't finished just yet.

"We cannot bring back our families or our former home, but we can build a new future for ourselves," the Spartan King continued. "We also cannot remain slaves to the passions that nearly destroyed us. We mustn't forget that it was our misguided passion – our desire to do what was necessary and not what was just – that Ares exploited. We cannot…we will not make that mistake again."

He then held the shield up a little higher, allowing its reflecting light to shine even brighter before his men.

"On this shield is a symbol of hope – a symbol that dares us to be better through honor rather than strength. As we rebuild our home, let this symbol be our guiding light. Let this hope lead us to greater glory. And may the Sons of Leuctra fight on in the spirit of honor, justice, and hope!"

"For honor! For justice! For hope!" his men repeated.

The men cheered more, this time with greater passion and strength than before. It helped reaffirm the unity and power of their brotherhood. Even Hera and Poseidon were impressed by their collective spirit. No matter how much they had lost or how badly they had been betrayed, they were still warriors. They were still going to keep fighting. But this time, they were going to fight in the spirit of hope.

---

Skies Above New Sparta

The echoes of the cheers from the Sons of Leuctra reverberated into the skies where Clark and Diana had been watching from afar. They hovered just below the clouds over the shores of the newly created island. Before they left this world of gods and demigods, they wanted to make sure that the Amazons and the Sons of Leuctra were in good hands. And for once, the gods had delivered. Themyscira was being rebuilt and the last of the Spartans had a new home. Their cheers and their choice of symbolism was an unexpected bonus. It gave Clark and Diana further assurance that they had done more than just triumph in battle.

"Looks like the Sons of Leuctra have a new home and you have some new fans," said Diana.

"And the very loyal kind, at that," said Superman as he listened to the cheers of the Spartan warriors. "I'm glad I made an impression on them, but I had no idea they would adopt my family seal as their new symbol."

"Can you blame them? You make it so appealing," she teased, affectionately placing her hand on it.

"I didn't say I minded. In fact, I couldn't be prouder. When I first became Superman, I learned early on that the hardest part isn't winning the battles. It's inspiring others to follow your lead. It's one of those feats that can't be accomplished through power and strength alone…although that doesn't stop ambitious gods and men from trying."

"And they both still fail while you succeed," Diana reminded him.

"That's what makes all the hardships so worth it," he said. "On Krypton, it was one of our highest values. It was also the hardest to achieve. I've noticed it's a lot harder here on Earth. Sometimes it feels downright impossible."

"Yet you still succeeded. Be proud of that," she told him.

"I am," said Clark with a smile. "I inspired the Amazons. I inspired these men. I even managed to inspire the gods. That, more than anything, embodies the hope the House of El stands for."

"I don't disagree, but you're still missing one important person from that list – namely the first person you inspired."

Diana made the extent of his inspiration clear by pulling him into a strong embrace. It helped turn his attention away from the cheers on the shores to the beautiful woman hovering before him. In the light of the sunset, she looked so beautiful. She revealed so many of her strengths over the course of this struggle. She was a warrior, a visionary, a daughter, a lover, and even a demigoddess. The sheer breadth of this woman's spirit made her all the more captivating. It was easy to forget at times that it all started with one chance encounter in their youth.

That fateful encounter had changed the course of their lives. It set Diana on a path that had been so arduous, straining her heart and her spirit in so many ways. Now, it had led her to this moment, alone with this incredible man that she had fallen so deeply in love with.

"Years ago – on that fateful day we first met – I had a feeling you were special," said Diana affectionately. "I remember that moment so clearly. Your power and strength gave you so many choices, but you still chose to do what was right."

"I remember it too. Was it really that long ago?" he said distantly.

"It doesn't matter. It still inspired me in ways that made me a better warrior and a better woman."

"I like to think you returned the favor. My life also changed a lot after we met. I might still be Superman, but I wouldn't be as good a Superman."

"You'd still good enough because your heart is just that strong. Mine wasn't," said Diana. "I only ever had doubts about the things my sisters taught me. I still needed someone to inspire me to be strong enough to follow my heart. And that's exactly what you did for me, Kal – that and so much more."

Her voice became more emotional. Looking into his eyes and his feeling his loving arms around her, she felt so many feelings. Everything she felt from that fateful day they first met to this moment converged, as though to complete something that began on that fateful moment she dared to have feelings for a man. It took all her warrior strength to not be overwhelmed by it, but she remained as strong as this man had inspired her to be.

"Just step back for a moment and look at what we accomplished here," she went on. "When I first pitched the idea of reaching out to my mother and sisters, you were against it. I know you were."

"I won't deny it. I didn't think much good could come of it," Clark admitted.

"But you agreed to help me anyways. You trusted me to do what was necessary. You trusted me to survive and endure – just as I trusted you to do the right thing."

"And we pulled through. It all turned out for the best. I'm not afraid to admit that you were right," he said.

"I don't care about being right this time. I care more about what it revealed in us. By trusting each other and doing the right thing, we took the hardest possible path. We fought, we struggled, and we suffered in ways we didn't have to. There were plenty of moments where we could've made different choices, but we didn't because they wouldn't have been the right choices. And maybe we could've made them on our own without knowing each other. But by making them together…"

Diana's words trailed off. For a moment, all the emotions she experienced over the course of this struggle overwhelmed her. She continued to embrace Clark for support and he didn't dare let go. He then gently caressed the side of her face and smiled. There were so many feelings she wanted to convey, but he made clear to her that it wasn't necessary. However, there were still some feelings she needed to convey after everything they had been through.

"Being with you and being in man's world has taught me so many things," she continued as more emotions flowed through her voice. "I can be a great warrior on my own. I can thrive in man's world on my own. I can even hold my own in battles against gods and men who pretend their gods. But sharing all these experiences with someone I love – that fills me with a special kind of strength."

"I know what you mean. I feel it too," said Clark.

"And I guess what I'm trying to say is – before we dared to fight this battle, I knew I was in love with you. And I wasn't afraid to admit that," said Diana, "But to love someone isn't the same as wanting to truly be with them. I'm not just talking about sharing a smile, a kiss, or a night in bed together. I'm talking about being with someone and wanting to share a future with them."

She had to stop again, but not because it was too overwhelming. By conveying all these powerful feelings to him, Diana let him know just how precious he was to her. It made her feel stronger in so many ways. She even showed that strength, taking his hands in hers so that their fingers became entwined. This helped make all these powerful emotions feel complete.

"I want to be with you, Kal. I want that future," she said strongly.

"I want to have that future too, Diana," said Clark. "There's no other woman – mortal, goddess, or demigoddess – that I would rather have with."

"Well now that we've confronted the past, we can pursue that future…together. So let's use what's left of this day to make another fateful choice together. I'm ready if you're ready."

Diana made clear in the way she grasped his hands in hers just how ready she was for this moment. No man, god, or demigod would stand in her way. She had come too far as a warrior and as this man's lover. Letting her emotions guide her, she pulled Clark in closer for a deep kiss that would've sealed their choice and their future.

However, just as their lips were about to touch, Clark released his grip on her hand and placed a finger between them. This surprised Diana at first, but the smile on Clark's face kept her from worrying.

"Wait. There's one more thing I want to show you before we take this step, Diana," he told her.

"What is it?" asked Diana intently.

"Before I answer that, let me just ask this again – do you trust me?"

"Of course," she said without hesitation. "You know I do. After what we went through today, I hope that would go without saying."

"Just thought I should ask again anyway because I want you to stay here, close your eyes, and hold out your hands for a few moments."

"That's hardly the most unreasonable request you've ever made," said Diana with a humored grin.

"That's why I need you to trust me. I don't think I'll ever have a moment as perfect as this to do it."

He sounded a bit overly excited, like he just came up with an idea that he hadn't exactly thought fully through. Clark usually wasn't prone to such impulses, but Diana chose to trust that he had a good reason this time.

"Okay," said Diana. "I trust you, Kal. I'll do what you need me to do."

"Great!" said Clark intently. "Just give me a few seconds at the most. I promise it'll make sense."

Diana took a deep breath and did as he requested, closing her eyes and holding out her hands. Clark made sure she didn't have to wait for very long. Using his super speed, he flew up high into suborbital space at speeds that left a sharp gust in its wake. Then, never decelerating beyond hypersonic speeds, he flew to his Fortress of Solitude at the North Pole where he activated a special access port on the roof and entered the crystalline structure. Once inside, he retrieved a small, opened box he had stored on his workbench. He paused for a millisecond to make sure its contents were ready before closing the box and flying back towards Diana.

The whole trip took no more than eight seconds. As soon as he appeared back in front of Diana, who remained still just as he had requested, Clark placed the box in her hands and opened it. He hadn't intended to give this to her today, but he couldn't think of a better way to show this woman how much she meant to him.

"Okay. Open your eyes," Clark told her.

As soon as Diana complied, she was greeted with a sight that rendered her momentarily speechless. Within this box lay a familiar object that carried with it a very special meaning. She thought it had been lost forever, but once again this man found a way to set himself apart from man and god alike.

"Oh Kal," she gasped. "Is…is this what I think it is."

"That and a little more," said Clark proudly.

Diana's hands trembled as she reached into the box and held the object within her hand. In doing so, she once again recalled the fateful day her fate became entwined with his.

On that day, Diana initially greeted Clark with hostility. However, he went to great lengths to prove that he was different from the men she had been conditioned to despise. To prove himself, he used the sand on the shores of Themyscira and his heat vision to forge glass sphere with the S-shaped emblem of his family etched within. He presented it to her both as a demonstration of his power and as a peace offering. It ended up becoming one of Diana's most cherished possessions because for the years after their encounter, it was the only tangible relic of their encounter that remained. And when her mother destroyed it in a fit of outrage, it struck her in ways that eventually led to her fateful decision to leave Themyscira.

She thought that relic had been lost forever, but now she was holding it in her hands again. However, this one was different than the one from before. It had the same shape, size, and color as the first, but the emblem etched on it was different. It still had the distinct S-shaped seal of the House of El, but it also had an etching of the W-shaped emblem that adorned her breastplate. Both symbols had been merged to create a single unit. The symbolism was not lost on Diana. It sent a clear, powerful message that evoked a fresh round of overwhelming emotions.

"I remember you telling me how upset you were when your mother broke the old one so I thought I'd make you a new one," said Clark, smiling as his lover admired his handiwork. "I used sand from another Greek island and mixed it with a spare Kryptonian crystal. Nobody will be breaking this one. That, you can be sure of."

"The symbol…" said Diana distantly, still in a state of shock.

"Was a little something else I decided to add," he said in a more affectionate tone as he drew her back into his embrace. "We often talk about how our fates became entwined after we met on that beach years ago. Well given all we've been through, I think it's safe to say our fates are destined to stay entwined. Whether we're Superman or Wonder Woman – Clark Kent or Diana Prince – Kal-El or Princess Diana – I love you. And whatever fate may lead us in the future, I'm ready to face it together."

"Together," was all Diana could say in response.

Tears formed in her eyes as she felt her lover's powerful arms around her once more. She continued gazing at the glass sphere that now bore her emblem and that of her lover's. It was like a tangible sign that she was destined to love this man and he was destined to love her.

When Diana finally looked up to meet her lover's gaze, there was no more hesitation. She threw her arms around his neck, never letting go of the globe in the process, and captured his lips in a passionate kiss. With the light of the setting sun in the background, she and Clark shared an intimate moment that signaled the end of one arduous journey and the beginning of another. It effectively sealed their fate together, preserving the love and trust they had forged together through so much hardship.

They had once been two young strangers, lost and full of doubt in an increasingly chaotic world. Then, through an act of fate, their paths crossed and they forged a connection that forever altered the course of their lives. Yet from the challenges and struggles they endured, Diana and Kal-El forged a special bond. Through the love and passion that brought them together, they showed that even in a world full of petty gods and corrupt mortals, the greatest strength came from a loving heart.

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Epilogue

In the months that followed the crisis on Themyscira, a new order took shape for the Amazons and the Sons of Leuctra. Hippolyta reestablished her role as Regent, leading the rebuilding efforts while the Amazon Court established a new range of powers. During this transition period, Hera and the rest of her fellow gods rebuilt Mount Olympus' defenses and were able to contain most of the chaos until the Amazons and the Sons of Leuctra were ready to participate in battle once more.

In addition to rebuilding, the first major challenge of the new order was establishing a peaceful relationship with the Sons of Leuctra. While many Amazons remained suspicious about fighting alongside male warriors, Hippolyta and others on the Amazon Court convinced them that they needed to make a concerted effort to trust men again.

This led to the first major ruling of the Amazon Court, which partially nullified the sentence imposed on Hessia. While she could not regain her immortality, she was allowed to travel to and from Themyscira as she pleased. As a condition of this ruling, she was to act as Themyscira's liaison to New Sparta. Her experiences in man's world helped her create a foundation for a new partnership between the Amazons and the Spartans.

The strength of this partnership showed when they began taking part in skirmishes within Tartarus again. While the two tribes kept their distance at first, fighting alongside one another helped slowly bridge the divide. It even got to a point where some Amazons and Spartans began to intermingle, leading Hera lay the groundwork for new policies on marriage and child-rearing among the two tribes.

As this new order took shape in the realm of the gods, Clark and Diana established their own new order back home. Shortly after returning from Themyscira, Diana was promoted by the Red Cross to a top position that allowed her to move from London to Metropolis. This led to her and Clark moving in together, sharing a condominium in a building not far from the Daily Planet.

Shortly after they began living together, the Earth was invaded by the armies of Darkseid and Apokalipse. Clark and Diana naturally found themselves on the front lines of this conflict as Superman and Wonder Woman. This led them to cross paths with other heroes such as Batman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, the Flash, and Cyborg. By working together, they were able to defeat the invasion. And in wake of the global response to their heroics, they formed the Justice League to help protect the world from future threats.

As their professional lives evolved, their personal lives grew as well. Jonathan Carroll proposed to Lois Lane shortly after they both won an award for breaking the story on Helion Solar. The wedding was a small, private affair in which Diana served as Lois' Maid of Honor and Clark served as a groomsman. Less than a week after this wedding, Clark proposed to Diana and she accepted without hesitation.

They ended up having two ceremonies. First, they had one as civilians where they invited friends and co-workers. Then, they had another one on Themyscira where Hera herself presided over the ceremony with both the Amazons and the Sons of Leuctra present. It was a joyous occasion and one that further strengthened the love they shared. Together, they served as an example for mortals and gods alike just how powerful love could be. Secure in this bond and the strength it gave them, Clark and Diana moved forward in a shared future where their love guided them against the forces of chaos and injustice.

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THE END

AN: This marks the end of my first DC story and my first Superman/Wonder Woman story. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everybody who took the time to read and review it. This was a challenging story to write and not just because I had never written a Justice League story before. Fans of Superman, Wonder Woman, and their relationship are a passionate bunch and I wanted this story to do justice to all those fans. Such wonderful support helped make this story great. I really appreciate it.

I hope the success and response from this story will inspire others like it. But as always, I strongly encourage everybody to provide feedback by posting reviews on this site or contacting me directly. Thanks again to everybody who has supported this story and my other stories. Until next time, take care and best wishes!

MarvelMaster616