K guys, I know we had quite the gap between chapters last time, but I am still hoping to have this done for you by the end of the month. If writing this story has taught me anything it is that I am lousy with deadlines. Thank you everyone that has been hanging with me through this. Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: Still don't own any of these characters only some of the ideas. If I did I wouldn't be posting here and I would be much richer.
I tapped my foot on the metal floor of the Batplane impatiently as we soared over the dark city, remarkably relieved that Bruce knew the city like the back of his hand as not even a single billboard had escaped Nyx's black clutches. I could just barely make out the towering shapes of buildings in an already impossibly dark night. Dick sat quietly behind us, his fingers tapping his knees, apparently as impatient as I was. His color had returned, but I didn't know how much use he would be without a decent's night sleep. Bruce and I had both urged him to try to rest as we gathered supplies, but he refused to close his eyes. I couldn't really blame him. After being in Gotham only a few hours I could already hear Nyx whispering to my subconscious, urging me to let go of my convictions and join the legion of shadowy warriors gathered on the bridge. I could only imagine the horrid scenarios she had devised to make him join her.
Suddenly, Bruce reached over and took my hand. "Don't listen to them." I nodded. How could he be so strong? Surely he, of all people, would have the most reason to lose hope. Gotham always seemed to be one step away from collapse and it was as if the world had its own personal vendetta against his happiness. As if reading my thoughts, he spoken again. "She can't blame me for anything worse than what I already blame myself. I have already faced my darkness head on and made it do my bidding." I squeezed his hand tighter. I did not agree with his logic, but all that mattered was that he did. I loved him, darkness and all.
My heart stuttered in my chest. I had been dancing around the thought for past couple weeks. Sure, I knew I cared for him, but I hadn't been quite ready to completely throw my mother's teachings to the wayside, though I had cautiously tested the boundaries. As I examined the thought, I knew that it hadn't really been so sudden. We had worked side by side for years now. I had seen him in many situations, watched him trade his Batman mask for that of Bruce Wayne and vice versa. Out of all the League, I probably understood him the best, the only one who was truly able to see the magician behind all the smoke and mirrors. My understanding of him was different than that of Alfred, who seen him as the adoptive son full of hurt and anger at the world, or that of Dick who envisioned him as the strict father figure and mentor. I was able to see him these ways by observing those around me, but also the man desperately wanting to love and be loved in return, but was so afraid of it being torn away from him like so many other things in his life.
It was obvious in the way he subconsciously used logic to select his lovers...Vicki Vale, the reporter who he would never be able to reveal his innermost self, or Selina Kyle, one who would accept him but could never be truly his in this war waged between good and evil, or even Talia Al Ghul, a woman truly his equal in skill and intelligence but lacking any scruples or moral code, desperate to fulfill her father's bidding. I did not know Talia well, but for some reason I found myself more jealous of the assassin than any other of Bruce's paramours.
No, I did not fool myself into thinking I was the first that Bruce may have had true feelings for, but I found myself hoping, desperately wishing, to be the one whom he would accept. It may have been easier for me, and all the others before me, if I believed Bruce had truly tired of them and had cast them aside, but he truly pushed them away believing he was saving them. How could I fault him for such a simultaneous selfless and selfish act? No, if anything it made me love him more. I tightened my grip on his hand. Maybe, if we survived this, I would test the waters...give into my feelings and see if Bruce reciprocated.
I had to hide a chuckle as the idea made me think of children at the zoo, urging the animals forward with food in hand, hoping that the wild creature would gather enough courage to come eat from their hand. He definitely would not appreciate that image.
The nearer we drew to the bridge, the darker the Batplane's interior grew and the lights began to flicker out completely as Bruce initiated the landing gear. "How are we supposed to fight shadows that swallow the light? Bruce smirked and tapped the side of his cowl, his eye slits glowing the green glow of night vision goggles. A swift glance toward Dick showed that, he too, had the device built into his domino mask. "Always be prepared, Princess." Bruce's voice was tinged with mirth as Dick reached into his utility belt and pulled out a spare mask. "Here. Try this on."
The mask was lightweight, hiding well the numerous technological wonders I knew to be hiding away in its seams. When I placed it on my face, my vision sharpened, almost back to where it had been when I lost my powers. Bruce leaned forward and tapped a spot toward my right temple and the plane's interior illuminated in a ghastly green light. "There is a button on the side that will allow you to change the mask to an x-ray and infrared mode as well." I was surprised, though I really didn't know why. The Batclan always did have the best tech, courtesy of Wayne Enterprises', of course. I don't know what Bruce paid Lucius Fox, but it wasn't nearly enough for the man's genius.
We neared the plane's hangar door, Dick standing to my left and Bruce to my right as the Boy Wonder reached toward the button that would guide us to our fates. "Are we ready?" Such a silly question. Is anyone ever truly ready to fight darkness? I drew my blade, the sword still emanating a dull golden hue. It felt lighter than had when Bruce first handed it to me, no pun intended. I wore my armor, though I knew it truly would be little protection without the aid of my goddesses, and my useless lasso was coiled at my side. This might very well be the last time I donned my armor, but I would wear it proudly, my aged tiara perched on a head held high. For I was Diana, title or no title, and I would be fighting for victory.
As the bay door silently opened we moved out as one, eyes constantly surveying the minuscule section of bridge we could see for our enemies. It was too quiet, not even the whisper of the wind. I tightened my grip on my sword, praying silently that we would survive. Suddenly, with the shriek of a thousand screams, the horde descended upon us. Nyx's voice echoed around the bridge, impossibly intense so as to be heard over her shadows. "Mighty heroes, you are far too late. My darkness has fallen and those of your ilk have either given themselves to me or have chosen their deaths. Do not embarrass yourselves with a show of paltry disobedience." Her shadows had already neared, contorting their forms into humanoid figures and monsters beyond imagination, teeth gnashing and claws reaching to tear us apart. They shied from my blade, but they neared closer and closer as their unity gave them courage. Taking a deep breath to center myself, I launched forward.
"Rarghhhhh!" My war cry caused several to step back but the demon in front of me did not grasp my intentions soon enough. My blade plunged deeply into his chest, staying firm as if I had connected with flesh rather than shadow. I threw my weight against him, pinning him to the ground as I pulled my blade free. Black ichor flowed free like tar and, in a move that seemed second nature after the training Bruce had instilled within me for the past few weeks, I spun around and sliced at the monster behind me, severing the arm that had reached out to grab me. My blood pumped through my veins and suddenly I felt free once more, like a weight had lifted off my chest. I cut this demon down with just as much fervor, lifting my sword high into the air with another loud battle cry. The blade blazed with an otherworldly light, sending a jet of pure, golden light into the air.
It sliced into the darkened sky as it rose, piercing the veil of darkness that smothered us. Though I had seen the blue sky not so long ago in Themyscira, seeing it above me here and now made me want to weep for joy. "Keep going, Diana!" Bruce and Dick began to fight off the nearing shadows who attempted desperately to lower my sword. Dick's escrima flickered in the corner of my eye as the electricity arced toward the shadows. To my right Bruce was pulling objects out of his utility belt at a speed that would have impressed even the Flash...flash-bombs, electric batarangs, and fireworks.
As the horde shuffled closer, endless ranks pressing forward, I began to notice the sky lightening ever so slightly with every shadow we cut down. Sweat began to poor from my brow and my sword arm began to feel like an anchor. I used my free elbow to shove back a lock of hair that had escaped the braid behind my head. How many more could there possibly be?!?
"Raghgrhhr!!!" I turned toward the shadow that had snuck up behind me, Bruce and Dick having drifted from my side during the battle. As I turned my foot slid in the black ichor at my feet, dropping me instantly to a knee. The black creature instantly came down on me, gray bile oozing from his mouth as his fangs crashed toward me. The creature smelled foul like a decaying body and Nyx's voice grew louder, reverberating in my skull as he struggled for purchase on my throat. I tightened my grip on my sword, still emanating a weak glow but quickly fading as my focus dimmed.
My arm was so tired, my body weary. Yes, my child, give in to me. You have made a valiant effort. No one will ever deny that you died a hero's death. The shade's form pressed even closer to me, possessing more weight that a shadow should ever possess. My chest grew tight and I struggled to breathe.
"Yraarrggyyhh!!!!" The demon's scream was deafening as it let loose an agonizing wail as it stiffened. My vision slowly returned as its attention was pulled from me and I noticed a birdarang lodged in the back of its head, sizzling and sparking with energy. Dick cackled as he raced to my side. "Did you see that? I got him on a trick shot from about forty feet that way! I thought for sure I was gonna clip one of those other things instead." I pulled him into a quick hug. "Thank you, Dick. That was brilliant!" He reddened and pushed me away. "Alright, what's the plan? We can't just keep slashing and hacking. We are getting nowhere." I surveyed the shadow army. We had cut down so many, and yet their ranks were refilled.
"We need to figure out away to stop the source. We have to find a way to muffle out Nyx's commands. Her influence is just too strong." Dick paused. "Oh, Diana!!!! That's just so simple, it may work! You and Bruce hold them off for just a bit longer!" Without a backward glance he darted back to the Batplane and Bruce was at my side. "What's going on?" I shrugged, switching my blade to my left hand. "He has an idea and asked us to hold them off." Bruce turned and kicked away one of the creatures that had grabbed at his arm. "He better make it quick or...". His words were drowned out by the shadows.
It was only then that I realized that Nyx's voice had quieted. The silence was almost more sickening than her words as the demon army slowly parted, a path being made directly to Akantha.
Akantha did not look well, her blonde hair was matted and covered in black ooze and her armor looked almost large on her frame as though serving Nyx had taken some of her very self. Her face had lines drawn around it and her eyes...though I had seen her eyes change from green to silver, one eyes was now mercurial and the other looked as though it had been blinded.
Raspy, she yelled across the bridge, her voice carrying to us on the wind. "Yield, Diana. You have seen my Mistress's power. Give up hope."
"Why should I yield? We came before you as warriors and if we are to die, it will be a warrior's death! There is no honor in ceding a battle when the outcome is worse than death. You should join us and fight for the light. Look at what your mistress has done, how she has treated you! You look like you have treaded Hades' realm of dread and rejoined the living. Join us, and find peace."
I held my breath as Akantha stood there silently. Would she change sides? Had she realized why Nyx could not win?!? With a steady hand she raised her spear. "Nyx, goddess of darkness, use me as a vessel, guide my weapon, allow me to usher in your kingdom. You will conquer all!" She slammed the butt of her spear into the pavement, the wooden handle sinking impossibly into the pavement. I stumbled as the bridge shook beneath my feet. "What's happening?" I asked as Bruce came near me, standing back to back. First one vine shot out, then another. They were dark as if made of molten obsidian, twisting as the reached toward us. Like a viper, one twined around my arm. The large, thick thorns scratches across my manacle before impaling itself into the soft flesh of my arm. I screamed and hacked at it with my sword, my anguish causing the light to blink out, though only for a moment before I centered myself. The shoot of the vine that I had severed morphed on the ground, wriggling like an earthworm as it began to rejuvenate and become a twin to its mother. Bruce's hand caught mine.
"Diana, concentrate on the light from your blade. We need to drive off the darkness. I will keep the vines and demons away." Glancing to the sky, I realized that the hole I had cut in the choking darkness had been eaten away until the only night had returned. Now that Akantha had turned her attention toward sending her vines across the bridge, Nyx's voice had once again began her assault on our minds." I nodded and drew my courage. Dick, whatever you are doing, please, do it fast.
Okay...maybe two more chapters. I still want to have this done before the end of September but family members made plans on my behalf for next weekend so I don't know if it will be possible. Either way it is getting so close and you guys should at least have an actual ending. Thank you for reading! Please comment and review and if you enjoyed share with a friend. If you didn't...share with any enemy??? Thank you again!!!!