Chapter 13

Clark Kent adjusted his glasses as he rang the doorbell before finally moving to straighten his tie again. He forced a smile to his usually jovial face, an emotion that he definitely wasn't feeling in that moment or any moment since Bruce and Diana had been taken the Underworld, but he knew that he needed to put on a strong front for everyone right now.

"Stop fidgeting," John Stewart scolded him as if he was a petulant child. From his position beside the Metropolis reporter, he couldn't help but notice how uptight was.

"I can't help it" he muttered with a frown, looking to John who was also dressed in civilian clothes. "We still have no news to share with them yet."

Before John could respond, the front door suddenly opened to reveal the British butler Clark had affectionately come to know and considered a good friend. Grimness and fatigue weighed heavily in his eyes despite the pleasant smile on his face. "Master Kent…Master Stewart," he greeted them. "Please come in."

"Thank you, Alfred," Clark said with a nod as he entered the manor with the Green Lantern in tow.

It felt awkward being here especially knowing where Bruce and Diana were at that moment. God only knew what they were probably enduring right now all because they had fallen in love with each other. It was wrong in so many ways, coming at the worst possible time...of course not like there was a good time to suddenly be taken to Hell for a confrontation with Hades.

"Won't you both come with me to the kitchen?" Alfred offered. "I was just finishing preparing Master Timothy's dinner. Could I interest you in joining him?"

"We don't want to interrupt," Clark replied. "We just wanted to see how you and Tim were doing."

"I appreciate your concern," Alfred gratefully said. "I'm afraid it's been most difficult since they were taken. Master Tim is having a very difficult time not knowing what is happening with them or when they'll return."

"I can imagine," Clark replied with a weary sigh as he took his glasses off. "None of us have been doing very well. It's hard to focus on anything knowing they're in such terrible danger."

"I know your visit will help boost Master Tim's spirits," the elderly man informed them. "Having Master Dick gone as well has only seemed to multiply the stress of the situation."

"Please let us know if there is anything we can do," John told him.

"I appreciate that and I'm sure Master Timothy does as well."

"Where is Tim?" Clark asked.

"He is in the cave already preparing for patrol," he informed them. "I'm afraid he's becoming as obsessive and reclusive as Master Bruce. I haven't been able to coax him out of that chair since he came home from school this afternoon."

"Let us try to see what we can do," John offered.

Alfred released a rarely seen sigh of relief mingled with frustration. "I would be most grateful."

The butler quickly led them down into the underbelly of the manor, the dim lighting of the Batcave adding to the eerie atmosphere that it always exuded. Even after all of these years, it still left Clark feeling a little unsettled after visiting here.

The trio found Tim sitting in the big black chair before Bruce's specially designed supercomputer, his head propped up with his hand as he studied several pieces of evidence that he'd gathered on a case he was working on. Turning at the sound of several footsteps, his expression morphed from one of utter despair to hope at the sight of Clark and John.

"Hey!" Tim exclaimed, suddenly sitting up straighter in his chair. "Have you heard anything yet?"

"No, Tim, I'm afraid not," Clark regretfully replied. "I'm sorry, but there's been no news yet."

The teenager's shoulders fell along with his face. "It's been almost two days now."

"I know, but it's going to take some time to get them out of there," Clark said as he came to stand before him. "Have you heard anything from Dick?"

"He checked in yesterday to let us know that he and Donna had made it to Themyscira," he informed them. "I guess Hippolyta is going to let him live since Bruce and Diana are in so much trouble right now."

"Well, that's some good news," John readily decided, trying to keep the mood light.

"It just feels so hopeless," Tim softly admitted, turning to look back at the computer screen. He fought back the well of tears that suddenly stuck in his throat. He didn't want to cry especially in front of two of the founders of the Justice League. He didn't want to look like a baby.

Clark reached over, placing a large hand on the boy's shoulder and squeezing it. "I know this hard, Tim," he gently told him, sharing his grief. "I'm struggling to not lose hope too, but we won't give up on them no matter what."

"What are we going to do?" Tim asked, dejected. "The wedding is in five days."

"We proceed as if they will be back in time," came Alfred's confident voice from where he stood behind the towering superheroes. "I've already had Lucius issue a statement that Master Bruce unfortunately had to leave the country for an emergency business trip, but plans on being back for his wedding so we're covered for the moment."

Tim seemed to grow more sullen despite their attempts to cheer him up. "They're supposed to be here…now, not trapped in hell fighting for their lives. This was supposed to be the best week of their lives and now it's turned into the worst."

"I know it's a travesty and is most unfair to have happened now, Master Tim, but they will pull through it," Alfred reassured him. "At least they have each other down there."

Tim needed to change the subject before he lost it altogether. He was in charge of Gotham right now and needed to be in complete control. It's what Bruce needed him to do now and would expect of him. This city, his father needed him to be Robin now more than ever and he wasn't about to let either of them down.

"Have you been able to find any sign of Lex Luthor yet?" Tim asked, sitting up straighter in the large chair again, hoping for some sliver of good news.

"Nothing yet, but I'm still looking for him," Clark informed him, noticing the abrupt change in the teen's countenance. He was becoming more like Bruce in some ways, learning how to compartmentalize and bury his feelings for the good of the mission. He couldn't decide if that a good or a bad thing. "I did receive some information that he may have been spotted back in Metropolis so I'm following up on that after I leave here."

"Why would he do something stupid like that?" Tim wondered out loud. "You would think that he'd want to stay out of Metropolis or Gotham at least until things had quieted down some."

"My theory is that he needs more money," Clark surmised. "I'm sure he has money stashed in various places, but it's probably not nearly enough for whatever he's got brewing in that sick depraved mind of his."

"Do you think that he'll go after Diana again?" Tim questioned him. His voice revealed the fear that he felt despite his best efforts to keep it locked deep inside.

"Honestly? Yes," Clark confessed with a regretful sigh. "Nothing Bruce or I have said to him seems to faze him. Whatever he's planning, it's not going to be anything good."

"At least he can't touch her for the time being I guess," Tim replied, desperately trying to find some silver lining in the black cloud that had eclipsed the sun for them.

"Please call me if you need me, Tim," Clark encouraged him, his hand coming to rest on the teenager's shoulder. "I don't care what time it is or if it's just to talk, you call me and I'll be here as fast I can fly."

"That goes for me too," John added. "We got your back, kid."

"Thanks, guys," Tim said with a small forced smile. "I really appreciate that."

"How has Gotham been?" Clark inquired. "Anything we need to know about or can help with?"

"Nah, it's been pretty quiet ever since the Arkham breakout," he revealed. "I think everyone's afraid of being taken in as well since we've been scouring the city for the last three escapees."

John frowned as he stuffed his hands in the pockets of his coat. "Who's still missing?"

"Luthor, Two-Face, and Hush," Tim told them. "I think I may have some leads on where Hush might be, though."

"Hush?" John repeated with a look of uncertainty. "I don't think I've heard of him before. Is he one of Batman's rogues?"

"Yah, he's definitely bad news," Tim divulged with a visible grimace. "He hates Bruce and has made it his goal to create as much trouble for Bruce as he can in order to destroy him."

John scowled. "Does he know Bruce is Batman?"

"I'm afraid so," Tim admitted. "I may also have a lead on Two-Face. I'm just waiting on Barbara to check out a few things first."

"Good luck finding them and be careful. You call us if you need help bringing them in. I don't want you going after them alone," Clark told him.

"I won't," Tim reassured them. "Dick called in Huntress and Canary to back me up."

Clark nodded his head in relief. "We have to go now, but we'll be back to check in on you tomorrow."

"Thanks again, guys," Tim said, turning his attention back to the supercomputer.

He couldn't help the fear that continued to gnaw at his insides, making it difficult to eat or sleep. He wanted his family back where they belonged instead of being forced to fight for their survival in a place that he couldn't even get to them. He just prayed that Dick and Donna would be able to rescue them soon.

XXX

Dick and Donna both continued to pace around the large ornate throne room, each of them lost in their own private thoughts. The grim expressions coloring both of their faces were identical, though, as they waited for Queen Hippolyta to return.

A servant had brought them food and drink, but neither had felt like eating. They just wanted to get started on their journey to the Underworld to rescue Bruce and Diana before it was too late. Hippolyta had already been gone for hours, costing them precious time.

Dick cast a side-long glance at the beautiful Amazon with flowing jet black hair as she paused to lean her back against a marble pillar, her arms folded against her chest. He could feel her rising frustration and anger. It was palpable, adding to the thick blanket of tension that filled the room.

He made his way towards her, settling down on one of the steps that led up to the royal throne. "It'll be alright, Donna. We'll get into the Underworld and get them back long before the wedding."

"I can't take this any longer, Dick," she softly confessed, averting her gaze in an effort to hide the tears that were rapidly forming. "I can feel what she's going through. She's in pain and I can't get to her."

Dick stood to his feet, closing the distance between them, suddenly growing even more worried than he already had been. Diana had quickly become a part of the family, a family he didn't want to ever lose. "What kind of pain is she in?"

"She's hurt," Donna revealed, her voice choked with emotion. "Something that she was fighting against caused some sort of injuries, but I don't know how severe they are. All I know is that she's in a lot of pain."

"For Diana to be in pain it must be bad," Dick muttered as he took Donna into his arms and held her close. "Diana's strong. She won't let it stop her from getting Bruce out of there."

All of the feelings that she'd been fighting to contain swiftly bubbled up to the surface as she breathed in his masculine scent, savored the feel of his arms wrapped so firmly around her. She knew that she needed to tell him how she felt in case they weren't able to make it out of the Underworld.

She lifted her head from the crook of his neck, allowing her cheek to caress his as she sent up a prayer to Hera that he felt the same way about her too. She tightened her hold on him absorbing his strength as she sought out the courage to reveal her heart to him.

"Dick, I…"

"Donna, there's something…" he said at the same time as her.

They both pulled back in order to look each other in the eye, their arms still wrapped around one another. "You first," she told him, suddenly feeling awkward. She felt herself flush. The feel of him pressed against her was taking her thoughts down a very lust-filled path.

Dick lost his train of thought as he stared into the twin blue pools gazing back at him. There was something in those beautiful depths, intense emotion swimming there that he had been hoping for…longing to see. She looked at him with love in her eyes, but did it go beyond just friendship?"

He decided there was only way to find out. "Donna, there's something that I've been wanting to talk to you about for a long time now and I know it isn't exactly the best time with Bruce and Diana in trouble, but I don't know what's going to happen once we get into the Underworld."

His rambling caused her worry to rise. "What is it, Dick?"

Dick reached for his mask, needing her to see the real man in that moment of heartfelt confession, not the superhero. Unfortunately, Artemis decided to pick that very second to come into the throne room, interrupting the private moment. She shot Donna a disapproving glare at the sight of her in a man's embrace.

Donna sheepishly pulled out of Dick's arms, a rosy hue rising to her cheeks. "What's taking mother so long? She's been gone for hours." Donna's stomach immediately dropped into her boots with the look on the Amazon warrior's face. "Artemis, where is my mother?"

"Donna…" Artemis began, drawing a deep breath as she came to stand before her. "She went to the Underworld to stop Hades and bring Diana and her mate back."

"She what?" Donna shrieked. "I'm going after her!"

Before Donna could take a step, Artemis's hand shot out to grab hold of the young Amazon's arm, her steel-like grip bringing her to an immediate stop. "The Queen forbids you from following, Donna. If you try to follow, I am to do everything in my power to stop you."

Donna ground her teeth in fury, her balled up fists at her sides desperate to tear into something. "She forbade me?"

"Donna, calm down," Dick gently attempted to sooth her, his arm circling securely around her waist in hopes of keeping her from doing something she would only end up regretting later. "I'm sure your mother has her reasons for doing what she did."

"There is no reason good enough to go down there by herself," Donna yelled, her body trembling with helpless fury. Now, her mother and her sister were down there and she was stuck her, left to worry and wait to see if they would even survive this or not. "I can't believe she did this."

"Donna, she told me she couldn't allow you to risk your life for something that she blames herself for," Artemis explained. "She couldn't bear the thought of having both of her daughters trapped in the Underworld for all eternity. She needs you here where she knows you are safe in case she and Diana don't make it out of there."

"To rule Themyscira in her place," Donna bitterly realized.

"She did it because she loves you, Donna," Dick reminded her.

"I should be down there fighting to free Diana and Bruce…not her," Donna choked out, pulling out of Dick's hold and storming off to the other side of the throne room.

"Donna," Artemis barked as she took a step towards her.

"Just give her a little time," Dick softly suggested to her. "I'll try to talk to her, keep her from trying to escape the palace."

Artemis glared skeptically at him, sizing him up and trying to decide if this was an appropriate course of action. She definitely didn't like bowing to a man's wishes especially one who was dressed the way he currently was. At the same time he obviously seemed to have Donna's best interest in mind.

Artemis stiffly tilted her head in deference to his judgment, noticing the bond that the two shared with each other. He clearly seemed to know her as well as her Amazon sisters did…maybe even better. What was up with Hippolyta's daughters choosing these mortal men?

"Queen Hippolyta requested that the two of you stay here in the palace. The guards have been ordered to attack if either of you attempt to leave and hold you in the dungeons until Hippolyta or Diana returns," Artemis revealed. "I will have the servants prepare a guest room for you near Donna's room."

Dick watched as Artemis turned to leave, the thought of being near Donna's bedroom did nothing to help quell the fire inside that she always managed to stir. He turned towards Donna, finding her standing near a window, gazing out into the darkness. From beyond her, he could see the moon shining brightly, the sky littered with millions of stars as far as the eye could see.

He slowly made his way to her, his heart aching to take away her pain. However, he shared her pain, her anger and frustration. The best he could do was provide her support and comfort right now. He laid his hand on her shoulder, his forehead coming to rest against the back of her head.

"Donna, I'm so sorry," he softly said. "I wish there was something I could do or say to make it better, but I know that I can't. There's nothing that could make this better except for Hades releasing them."

Donna's eyes fell closed as she fought back the sudden swell of angry tears. "I can't lose them, Dick."

"I know," he murmured, turning her around to face him, his hands cradling her face. "I'm right here with you every step of the way, Donna. I'm not leaving you."

Donna swiftly buried herself in his chest, fighting to remain in control when all she wanted was to let lose the firestorm of emotions roiling inside of her. She released a ragged breath as she felt Dick's arms envelope her and pull her in even tighter.

Things had just gone from bad to worse.

XXX

Diana sat on a rock, leaning forward and holding her head in her hands. Her long hair spilled like a silky black waterfall around her face as she fought to catch her breath and calm the erratic pounding of her heart. She could feel her body trying to fight off the poison from the Hydra's spiked tail, but she feared it wouldn't be enough. Not this time.

Her stomach roiled as nausea rose within her, causing her to swallow it back down. Her head was like a hammer on an anvil, a bitter metallic taste settling into the back of her throat that only made her feel even worse. It was only a matter of time before the toxin became too much for even her Meta healing to thwart.

She was not about to be taken down by some poisonous cut, though. Not when she was so close to finally having what she had wanted since she'd first joined the Justice League. She would will herself to fight the venom no matter what. She wouldn't allow it to keep her from the man that she loved with every fiber of her being.

She dug her fingers into her skull as she held her head, trying to force the pain away, but it was a futile effort. She knew that she needed to keep moving or she would die here and she couldn't do that to Bruce. She wouldn't.

He had come so far since finally confessing his love for her and letting her not only into his life, but his heart as well. She knew how fragile that heart was even now after all this time, how much he loved her and yet how terrified he still was losing her just like he had lost his parents.

She had sworn to herself from the very beginning that she would do everything in her power to always come back to him no matter what it took so that he never had to relive that horrifying anguish ever again. Now, she needed to keep that self-made promise now more than ever.

Bruce was no doubt giving everything he had to make it to her and she would do no less for him. A wry smile touched her lips with the thought of the brutal misery he was no doubt doling out to everyone and everything that stood in his way of getting to her. It momentarily lightened her spirits.

Diana instantly grew tense, suddenly sensing someone approaching. She lifted her head, pushing back her hair as she opened her eyes. Her gaze settled on the one person that she never thought she'd find here. "Mother?" she murmured, bewilderment washing through her. "What are yyyou dddoing here?"

"My little sun and stars," Hippolyta greeted her as she came to stand before her. "Why wouldn't I come for my daughter?"

Focusing her mind, Diana forced herself to her feet, gritting her teeth against the burning pain that had settled into every single muscle. She'd never felt anything remotely close to this before and she prayed she never would again.

"Mother, you sh…shouldn't be hhhere," Diana insisted with a shake of her head. "It's fffar too dangerous. Hades will keep you tttrapped here forever if he discovers your pr…presence."

Hippolyta chuckled softly with her daughter's concern, quickly dismissing it. "Hades does not scare me," she scoffed as her hand came to rest against her daughter's dirt stained cheek. "I'm your mother, Diana. Nothing could keep me from coming for you when you need me."

Tears welled in the raven haired Amazon's eyes as she fell into her mother's arms, unable to hold in the pain and anger any longer as she finally broke down. Her arms came up to drape around her mother as the tears fell faster.

"It's alright, my daughter," Hippolyta whispered.

"I…I don't kn…know where Bruce is," she cried, exhausted and wounded and filled with such suffocating fear it nearly choked the life out of her. "I have to fffind him before it's too lllate."

"Shhh…my little sun and stars," Hippolyta attempted to soothe her as she held her daughter close. "Now, let's try to pull ourselves together. This is most unbecoming of an Amazon let alone an Amazon Princess to be crying over a mortal man."

Diana instantly stiffened with her mother's chastisement, first because it stung so deeply, but mostly because she knew her mother was right. She was letting everything that had happened the last several months, everything that was happening now to crush her spirit. She needed to pull herself together. Losing it right now would not save Bruce.

She pulled back from her mother, wiping her face streaked with tears. "I'm sorry, mother," she softly apologized, embarrassed. "You are right as always."

"Alright, chin up," Hippolyta told her daughter, her fingers gently lifting her head up. "Time to think and act like the Amazon warrior I know that you are. You are not a lovesick young girl, sitting around pining for her lost love. You depend on no one for your happiness especially a man."

Diana felt her anger returning with a fierce vengeance, heating her blood and warming her cheeks as she stared at her in disbelief. "I know, mother," she bit out. "I'm just dddesperate to find Bruce before he's killed dddown here. Do you kn…know where hhhe is?"

"No, I do not, but you need to come with me right away, Diana," the queen insisted as she took her daughter's hand and began to lead her in the opposite direction.

Diana pressed the heels of her boots into the rocky ground as she yanked her hand free from her mother's grasp. Her face streaked with soot and dirt suddenly scrunched with both confusion and frustration. "What are yyyou talking about, mother? I th…think Bruce is this wwway."

"We need to get you out of here now," her mother heatedly insisted, her brow furrowed with urgency. "You're sick from the poison that flows through your body. You're not thinking straight."

Diana scowled at her, incredulous by her mother's behavior. "How do yyyou know about the pppoison?"

"I saw your battle with the Hydra," she informed her. "Now, come with me so we can get you back to Themyscira. We need to purge you of the deadly toxin before it's too late."

"I'm not go…going anywhere until I fffind Bruce," Diana heatedly stated, her anger simmering hotly in her core along with a rising sense of suspicion. Something inside told her that this was all wrong.

"Diana, quit being so stubborn," Hippolyta snapped. "I am your mother and your queen. I know what is best for you and you need to leave here immediately or you will die along with Bruce."

"I don't ca…care about mmmy life," Diana shot back with equal fury, leveling her with a withering glare. "I only care about sssaving Bruce. No…nothing means mo…more to me than him."

"You are so pathetic," Hippolyta hissed with obvious disdain. "You are a disgrace to the Amazons. It's about time you start acting like one instead of an obsessed fool. Amazons do not need men."

Diana sneered at her, her hands curling into fists as she stood her ground. "You are nnnot mmmy mo…mother," she ground out through clenched teeth. "Who are yyyou?"

"I am your mother and you will address me with the respect that I deserve!" Hippolyta yelled at her.

"If yyyou are truly mmmy mother, tell me so…something that only my mother and I would kn…know," Diana challenged her.

Hippolyta straightened up to her full height, her chin raised in defiance. "I don't have to prove myself to you or anyone else. You will come with me now. As your queen, I demand it."

"Who was mmmy best friend gr…growing up?"

Hippolyta sneered at her, reaching out to take her daughter's hand again, but Diana swiftly pulled it away. "You had many friends growing up. Now, let's go before Hades finds out I'm here."

"I only had one true friend growing up as a princess in the palace. Now, show yourself to mmme and I will try my bbbest not to pound you into du…dust," Diana threatened her as she took a menacing step forward, raising her fist at the blond-haired woman before her.

Diana watched as her mother closed the distance between them, tears filling her mother's eyes. "My little sun and stars, you must know in your heart it is me," she softly said. "Has the Hydra's poison affected you so much that you can't see your own mother standing before you now? I only wish to save you from all of this, to not lose my precious daughter."

Diana flinched, her fist lowering minutely as she stared at the woman before her. The pounding in her head refused to cease, her vision momentarily blurring as she fought to stand upright. "Mother?"

"That's right, my Diana," she gently affirmed as her hand came to rest against her daughter's cheek. "Now, let me get you out of here and then I'll go find Bruce."

Diana adamantly shook her head as she tried to pull away. "No…no, I nnneed to fffind him," she murmured, rubbing her face with her hands in an effort to dispel the fog that was settling over her mind. It was growing harder and harder to connect her thoughts.

Hippolyta suddenly lifted her other hand that had been hidden in her robe, pulling out a dagger. She lifted it high, bringing it down in a sweeping arc towards the Amazon's chest. Her eyes flashed with rage as Diana suddenly blocked the blade with her bracers at the last possible second.

"No!" the woman screamed in fury, her image shimmering and changing to her real appearance.

"Ate!" Diana yelled. "I sh…should have known it was yyyou."

"My, Diana, it has been a while," Ate fired back, making another swipe with the dagger at the Amazon.

Diana leapt back out of the way before the blade could slice through her abdomen. With a cry, she lunged at the goddess of delusion, the flames of her fury licking at her soul. Ate had not only impersonated her mother, but she also stood in the way of her getting to Bruce.

"Get out of mmmy way, Ate," Diana warned her. "I don't ha…have tttime for th…this."

Ate made a pouting face as she waved her dagger at the Amazon as if it was a finger. "I'm sorry, but you are going to make time for me. By the way…nice stutter. I hear it was your boyfriend's fault. He couldn't protect you when you lost your powers. Tell me. Was it hard to forgive him or is the sex that good that you had to keep him around?"

"I don't nnneed anyone to pr…protect me so there was nothing to ffforgive," Diana hissed as they circled one another. "I can tttake care of mmmyself."

Diana dove at her, knocking the goddess down and pinning her to the ground. They wrestled with each other, rolling over again and again in the dirt as each fought to gain the upper hand. Fortunately for Diana, she had sparred with Bruce who had taught her many tricks that she was sure Ate had never seen.

Allowing her to get the upper hand, Diana smiled to herself as Ate pinned her to the ground, a wicked smile spreading across the goddess's face. "You've grown weak away from your Amazon sisters. Being around mortals has made you foolish and useless. You're blinded by your love for a pathetic mortal man."

"That's wh…what you think," Diana growled as she swiftly lifted her head and slammed it hard into Ate's.

Stunned, the goddess cried out in pain and shock, her hands releasing the Amazon to grab hold of her head. Diana quickly took advantage of the stunned goddess, her fist coming up to connect with Ate's face. Ate flew several feet backwards, landing with a thud on her back.

Diana leapt to her feet, not giving Ate a chance to recover as she went in for another attack. Her boot met Ate's jaw as the goddess attempted to get up, knocking her back even further. The Amazon wasn't close to being done as she stormed towards the now staggering goddess who was attempting to get up on her hands and knees.

Diana stood over her, chest heaving and head pounding from the poison that was threatening to steal her life. "No one wwwill keep mmme from finding Bruce and re…returning him to Gotham."

"Wha…what do you see…in a weak mortal man…like him?" Ate demanded to know, breathing heavily as she wiped the blood from her lip before trying to thrust her dagger into Diana's thigh.

The Amazon warrior kicked her hard in the stomach, causing her to fall back again. "Bruce is one of the st…strongest mmmen I have ever known," she replied. "His ch…character and nobility can be mmmatched by none, his heart full of such cccompassion for others."

Ate groaned as she held her abdomen with her arm, struggling to get to her feet, her dagger still clutched tightly in her hand. She wasn't about to give up. "What if I told you he was already dead?"

Diana froze, her heart thundering in her chest as she stared down at the goddess at her feet. Just the words alone stole the very breath from her lungs. It couldn't be true. She would know it in her heart if Bruce was dead.

"You lie!" Diana growled, picking up the goddess by the hair and throwing her against the thick trunk of a tree. "Br…Bruce will not gggive up. He will fffight until his very lllast breath to return to mmme."

Ate attempted to force herself up only to have her arms give out on her. "You will not survive this, Princess. Neither of you will," she told her with a menacing chuckle that quickly morphed into a coughing groan.

Diana stood there for several long moments, watching her until Ate suddenly disappeared from sight. She had defeated the goddess, but she knew even deadlier threats awaited her, ones that were just as determined as Ate to keep her from getting to him. She would not allow them to win, to steal from her what she had fought so hard to have.

"Please, Bruce," she whispered to herself as tears burned in her eyes. "Please hhhold on for mmme."