Chapter 17: Day of the Deities

*Bruce's homeworld, present*

Superman was emotionally drained, it'd been months since Bruce had disappeared in that chamber against Vandal Savage. The league was fine, Bruce had everything always planned out, Alfred had informed Clark of a by-line nestled in Wayne Enterprises R&D which would always supply the league if funds were available. He remembered the headlines a few weeks after when Bruce Wayne was declared missing and presumed dead from a skiing accident in the European Alps.

Things had been somber around the tower, even Wally was going through motions at a snail's pace, just like when Diana was gone. But now even more so. Two founding members of the league, gone. Nobody could believe it was Batman either, they knew he had no powers but he always had a sort of mythic quality about him– Batman didn't die.

Clark still believed in that.

As he entered the monitor chambers for the League he saw Martian Manhunter working away on his project still, "Any luck Jonn?"

"I'm afraid not, Superman. He does not appear to be in any records of the past, and we are unable to peer into the future." the Martian responded.

Clark remembered when he'd been sent to the future by Toyman, Batman had told him how he didn't believe he was dead because matter can't be created or destroyed, only transformed…and there had been no trace of anything when Toyman had shot his beam. Those words had hung in Clark's mind for days as Star Lab scientists investigated and also confirmed— not a trace of anything regarding the time capsule. So as far as Clark was concerned, there was hope, "Just keep looking, alright, when you have time."

The green alien nodded, "I will do my best."

Clark nodded back with a grimace in his smile. He turned and headed back out, there was a lot to do.

The biggest change overall in the league's activities had definitely been Gotham. Gotham had always been a no-go zone for most of the league. It was Batman's city and he did not hesitate to send down his wrath at other leaguers who butted into his work. It was for him, and his wards alone.

In Bruce's absence though, crime had exploded in the city. Criminals like Scarecrow, Penguin, and more had been overjoyed to hear the news of The Batman's demise. There had always been a debate whether Batman was the solution or the cause of Gotham's problems, but no one was debating now. Crime was up almost 300% and was not slowing down. Bruce's wards were much more open to help, but even Clark couldn't keep up with it all and the rest of the world. The only good news was that the Joker had apparently lapsed into a deep depression within Arkham, his last words being: "Without Batman, crime has no punchline." before going silent in his cell.

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Diana was a mix of black and white, she was more comfortable than she'd ever been physically, and more anxious than ever before. The healers on Olympus were magical, both her and Bruce had been treated to samples of Olympian Ambrosia that had healed all their ailments.

The water had rejuvenated their energy and the blankets and beds of the heavens had literally left them both feeling their best. Diana wondered if any night's sleep would ever compare to the one she'd just had. Now, she and Bruce had separated for a little while, and she was acutely aware that she missed his presence. It had become comforting to her, but she also knew she wanted time to herself.

She was wearing long white robes and felt lighter than air as she walked through the gardens of Olympus. There obviously weren't many guests up here because satyrs and nymphs alike steered clear of her. Or maybe they knew exactly who she was? Diana couldn't say.

She was brought out of her thoughts by a voice breaking through the air, "Child, come be my companion for a while."

Diana turned to see Artemis on a bench, her bow leaned up against her as she pet a small deer. Diana was hesitant, it seemed weird how informal everything felt, for her and a goddess.

The lean and lithe huntress looked up from the deer and stared straight at Diana, "Come, child of the Amazons."

Silently, Diana made her way over and stood awaiting more direction. Artemis scoffed, "Sit. This bench is more than enough for both of us."

Diana sat, "Forgive me Artemis, I've never taken audience with Olympians before, and certainly not this…casually."

Artemis smirked, "Not often you know you are anyway."

Diana looked at the goddess with a perplexed expression, "You….you know me?"

Artemis smiled and nodded, "Do you think we've only been watching you from up here in the clouds? The mortal world is not for our interference, but it is not forbidden from our enjoyment. That was a great hunt we partook in last winter, the northern trip you took after the rare white bears."

Diana remembered that trip, far to the north with many Amazons, "Who…?"

"A young Amazon by the name of Allessa."

For a second Artemis changed her appearance, the light glow from her skin disappeared and she could have been any of her sisters.

Diana laughed, "You stole my Artemis's pants and hid them in the snows that trip!"

Artemis chuckled lightly and shrugged, "Only room for one true Artemis in my mind."

The queen of the Amazons nodded with a grin, "She wanted to whip you for that prank, I'm sure she'd be glad now that I talked her out of it."

"I was grateful." Artemis replied. She resumed petting the deer as she spoke, "You were always kind to your sisters, you were so sure of yourself back then. Angrier too." Artemis looked at her with a thoughtful expression, "The anger seems…less, but doubt has moved in."

Diana stayed silent, it wasn't a question. This was a virgin goddess of the hunt though, if anyone might understand Diana's emotions it would be Artemis, "I…I am a little confused, with some things."

Artemis nodded, "This man, Bruce Wayne." Again, not a question. The goddess tapped her fingers to her chin, "It's not new information that I swore off men a millenia ago. My father was determined to set me up with one. I found my love in the hunt though, and swearing off men entirely was the only way to stop my father from his efforts."

"But what of Orion?"

The goddess took on a smile, "Ah yes Orion," her look wasn't that of a dreamy young girl, but fond remembrance of a respected equal, "He came into my life as a hunter, for the hunt. He was the most skilled man I ever met, and he never knew me as a goddess, just Artemis."

Now her look became sad, "Apollo put an end to him and I, and I have never found another like him. I don't regret my oaths, but if there ever was a man who made me question them, it was him…I still miss him"

Diana was surprised to hear such candor from the goddess, "I'm sorry…And me?" She asked.

Artemis looked at her in a way one might for an old friend, "All I'll say is this, I have seen his history, his thoughts, and I would hunt with Bruce Wayne." She nodded at her own advice. Then she leaned over and bumped the queen of the Amazons with her shoulder, "Trust yourself, your heart, and in whom you are. You'll find your answers soon enough… and he's not bad to look at either."

Diana blushed slightly but nodded. Another bit of silence came before Diana burst out laughing, "I'm sorry my Lady, I thank you for the advice. I just didn't expect to be having, um, 'girl time' with the goddess of the hunt today."

Artemis also laughed at the concept, "Ah, the wonders of the cosmos."

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On the other side of the mountain, Bruce sat on a ledge looking out over the Earth. Land dotted the surface but more than anything was the deep blue ocean that connected it all. Bruce had gone looking for some quiet. The vendors and stalls of the mountain would still be there later, he'd have to figure out a game plan for the tests but for now, it was still early. A sound like crunching sand brought him out of his quiet pondering.

A man with tan skin and a dark black beard had sat down next to him. He wore white loose robes that made him look like one of those carefree tourists vacationing down in the tropics. He spoke with a casual air to him, "Not enjoying the local sites?" He asked Bruce.

"Just been awhile since I had a minute to sit for myself in peace." Bruce responded, a slight annoyance in his voice from the intrusion.

The man lifted his hands in mock surrender, "Hey, you're the one staring at my stuff."

Bruce glanced over at the man, before realization hit, "Poseidon, I assume?" he asked.

The god of the seas nodded, "Correct, I came to talk to you, a little face to face."

"Why's that?" Bruce asked.

"Because you seem like you need some advice. From someone other than slaves and women. Lucky for you, I happen to fit that well, with a lot less doom and gloom and following the laws than my brother." Poseidon answered as he relaxed.

Bruce scoffed in amusement, "So I'm having 'Bro' time with the Greek God of the seas?"

Poseidon seemed to roll his eyes, "Yes… that's one way to put it, I prefer to think of it as two respected sailors honoring each other, I was very impressed by the naval battle you won in the coliseum, that is no ocean, but I could see your skill with a ship even from that. Tell me, when did you learn to sail?"

Bruce was surprised at the topic, "Um, when I was training and learning around the world, I didn't have anyone to help me get where I was going. Sometimes I hitched rides in carts from town to town, other times I hiked, and other times still I worked as part of a sailing crew to get where I needed."

The god of the sea wasn't satisfied, "You still haven't answered the question."

Bruce knit his eyebrows together before realizing he was right, those were how he became such a proficient sailor, but it wasn't when he had learned, "My…father, he had started taking us out of Gotham and to the sea, a small keel-hulled wooden boat, and he had started teaching me to sail."

Bruce smiled as the old memories flooded back, he had only sailed with his father three summers, starting when he was five and up until their fateful night, "I was always so afraid of us tipping, but my father would hold me steady and we'd trim the sails for more speed and…I'd laugh…enjoying the wind in my hair and the splash of the sea breeze in my face."

Poseidon seemed happy with his answer, offering a small smile to Bruce.

Bruce, the usually stoic man, had a few happy tears running down his face, memories he'd almost forgotten now vibrant and brimming at the top of his mind, "Why did you do that?" He asked.

Poseidon clasped a hand on his shoulder, "My family hates this, but it's time for some ocean wisdom, I hope you like metaphors."

Bruce just let out a small groan in protest, which was met with the god of the sea chuckling heartily before he continued, "Listen, dark knight. There are those who go with the powers that be, and those that fight against it. You fight against it, do you deny?"

Bruce was silent but shook his head at the rhetorical question.

Poseidon grunted and continued on with his words, "All those that fight are not made equal, and you are made of granite, marble, diamond, and more. One of the strongest constitutions I've ever had the pleasure to bear witness to."

Bruce actually felt happy at the praise he was given, but he could feel the 'but' coming.

Poseidon paused for dramatic effect, "...But life and the powers that be, those are the ocean. The waves of life will crash against your rock again and again, you may hold out for years and years, but eventually you will find yourself to be a shadow of your former glory. Years of yourself– eroded away by that which you cannot control."

Poseidon stood up and dusted himself off, "Now your rock has been dropped in our world, without a foundation or base to stand upon. Now you can choose to sink, or to trust in the tides and fair winds."

Bruce couldn't help feeling annoyed, "So what, I'm just supposed to give up on fighting for my goals? Just say 'Oh well, whatever happens happens' and stay happy go lucky for everything?!"

Once again the god of the seas laughed, "Absolutely not. Fight for the battles you can still win, for the controllables you have influence over, and for things that you still hope to save. Those are simply other rocks on the beach next to you. But do not forget the tides and waves that will always come back for you."

Without another word, Poseidon turned and took his exit, leaving Bruce still pondering his words as he looked out over the blue expanse of the Earth.

He hated to admit it, but the ocean metaphors…they weren't bad.

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Around noon Diana and Bruce met up again, walking along the streets of Olympus as they searched for food together.

"How was your morning Princess?" Bruce asked.

"It was lovely, the gardens of Olympus are of the highest order." Diana replied, "And yours?"

Bruce nodded, "Mine was alright, talked with Poseidon for a bit."

Diana raised an eyebrow, "What did the god of the seas want with you?"

Bruce smirked, "He was impressed with my sailing in the naval battle of the games."

"So he's a fan of yours?" Diana asked with a chuckle.

"Guess so…here are you hungry? Do you want to eat with me?" Bruce asked as he gestured to a small shop with tables and chairs to sit out in.

Diana nodded and followed her companion to a table partially shaded from the hot sun. As they sat for a few minutes Diana couldn't help but notice the silence between them, it didn't seem awkward though, and Bruce sat across from her in what seemed to be comfort, she thought? Eventually a wind nymph appeared before them, offering beverages and food. They both settled for water with some breads, oils, and small meats. Despite the beauty of the day, neither of them had large appetites as they knew what was to come.

They ate together in silence, each sometimes glancing at the other, unsure how to approach this seemingly casual location. After weeks of fighting, running, and camping in the wilderness, a small cafe on Mount Olympus seemed weird now. They asked how the other liked the food though, exchanged small smiles, little things that meant a lot at the moment.

When they had been sent out to explore and enjoy their day on Olympus, Bruce and Diana had each been given a small bag of golden drachma coins to pay for any food or items. As they finished up eating Bruce brought out one of these small bags. He took out one of the golden coins and held it in his hand, suddenly a stupid idea came to him, an idea he had never considered while dating as Bruce Wayne. As he moved the coin in his hand, he started manipulating it, using sleight of hand he hadn't practiced since his days training with Zatanna and her escape artist father. Oh yes indeed, Bruce Wayne was performing, for the Queen of the Amazons and an immortal warrior of old…a magic trick.

He didn't say anything, but he moved the coin freely, making it seem like it would disappear in one hand just to reappear in another. Diana didn't notice at first but eventually his actions caught her eye, first she was puzzled, then confused, then a bit of mirth hitting her eyebrow.

Bruce smirked as he watched her expressions, tossing the coin in the air before grabbing it and making it disappear again, at one point reaching across the table and making it appear from behind her ear. At this, a full smile touched Diana's face as she started to giggle. Bruce smiled as well and as he wrapped up his trick he made the coin disappear completely from both hands. He paused for dramatic effect and gave a shrug with a little fake panic to indicate he didn't know where it was. Diana cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow as she doubted the sincerity of his performance. Bruce rubbed his chin as if in pondering thought, then slyly reached over and tapped Diana's hand which had been resting on the table the entire time.

Diana looked down at her hand as he tapped it, slowly lifted it up to reveal the golden drachma shining up at her. Her giggles became a full on laugh, "Oh OK! How did you do that! What…Why do you know how to do that?! You never told me you knew Hecation Magic?!"

Bruce laughed, "A magician never reveals his secrets, Princess. But no, that's not real magic, it's just a trick I know. I studied under a magician to learn escape arts, how to pick locks and escape traps and prisons, but he still taught me sleight of hand as well." Bruce sat back with a satisfied smile on his face, "The skills have gotten me out of some nasty situations before."

Diana was still laughing, "Well trick or not, I thoroughly enjoyed that."

Bruce was happy with that response, "Good, you're the first one I've ever done a magic trick for."

Diana's laughs slowly subsided to her smile, a kind of smile Bruce had never seen since his arrival, and now he was on the receiving end as she stared at him, "Well don't I feel special now." she said with a slightly playful voice.

Bruce was about to respond with something witty, but as her smile and eyes stared straight at him he found his throat feeling drier than usual. Instead, all he managed was a grin and a nod for her words. It was like when the sun came out after a cloudy day and seemed so much brighter in the sky because of it. After weeks of Diana's cold eyes staring at him, the warmth they now offered seemed hotter and brighter than the sun.

Suddenly though a voice cut through their moment, "Ah! I knew it seemed steamier on this side of the mountain!" Bruce and Diana turned to see Aphrodite sauntering their way. Her appearance once again shifted to a Diana-esque appearance and Bruce wondered if Diana herself saw the same thing. He hoped not.

The goddess of love approached their table and held out her hand to Bruce. Bruce glanced at Diana uneasily but took Aphrodite's hand and gave it the small formal kiss she requested. Bruce was acutely aware of Diana's stare and when he was finished there was no smile anymore and her eyebrows were knit in…jealousy?

Aphrodite continued on, "My my, you are a treat that's hard to beat Mr. Bruce Wayne, I'm positive one of our sculptors put too much time into you for you can't be real," she flirted, "...sure you wouldn't like to come pray at my temple for a few..hours before tonight?" her eyes fluttered suggestively and there was no subtleness to her smile. Did she mean temple? Or her…TEMPLE?

Bruce couldn't be sure but he thought he saw Diana's hand tense a little at the proposition. She played it well though, her face was as stoic as the bat-glare, "That's very kind of you my Lady, but I'll have to decline your invit…"

Before Bruce could finish rejecting the offer though another voice spoke up gruffly from farther in the street, "Wife! Enough of your teasing."

Hephaestus stood in the streets, slightly hunched but still with an air of confidence and skill. Aphrodite turned and pouted at him, "You're no fun at all." She turned back towards the table and addressed Diana, "Oh don't worry honey, I'm not about to ruin one of my favorite new developments, you two are the absolute TALK of my circles." With that she winked at Diana before turning and sauntering back to her husband.

As the goddess of love left, Bruce turned back to Diana and was surprised to see a slight hint of a blush on her face. When her eyes met his it even seemed to deepen for a moment. Who was he to talk though? He was pretty sure he felt some heat in his face from that encounter. To say Aphrodite had no filter was an understatement.

By the time they left and began to walk again through the streets, the light was beginning to wane and creep up buildings as the sun began to set. Eventually they found themselves on an Olympian beach, a small lagoon that ended with the water falling off the edge of the mountain itself.

As they enjoyed the view, Diana sat on the white sand and gestured for Bruce to join her. While they watched the sun begin to set she turned to him and took his hand, "...Thank you, for all you've done to help me these last few weeks, and thank you for today."

Bruce responded by squeezing her hand in acknowledgement, "You're welcome princess."

Diana seemed to hesitate with something, but with a small movement she leaned forward and planted a small kiss on Bruce's cheek. As she pulled away Bruce looked at her in slight shock at the action. She had a small smile on her face and a little apprehension. For all her years of killing and warring, she was still inexperienced with these emotions and actions. Bruce couldn't help but smile at her as well. As the last rays of sun covered them in golden light Bruce was once again at a loss of words as he stared at the Queen of the Amazons. He didn't need words though and he found his body starting to lean in towards her. Was it his imagination or was hers starting to lean in as well? Their faces were inches away when the sun dipped below the horizon, and when it did a golden light started materializing around them. Both of them pulled back in surprise as the golden light enveloped them. Damn! Bruce thought.

Their vision turned to white and when it returned they were once again standing in the great hall of the Olympian Lords.

A cry rang out in the hall, Aphrodite was in her seat and clenching her fists as she squealed in excitement, "AHHH! Dammit Zeus it was RIGHT THERE! NO! UGH! HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME!" The goddess of love seemed to take a deep breath in and turned to Bruce and Diana, "Well…we'll get 'em next time." she said before turning back as if nothing happened.

Zeus was staring at the goddess during her outburst and while he rolled his eyes in annoyance even he seemed satisfied and amused with his actions. He turned back towards Bruce and Diana, "I hope you have enjoyed your day with us," He clapped his hands and thunder rolled through the hall, "For it is time to face the challenges of Olympus!"

END OF CHAPTER 17

Sorry for the late update, I hope you enjoy it though. Comments and reviews are always welcome. You readers are the reason I keep this story going even through my long writer's blocks.