15

Meanwhile at Apokolips in St Peterburg

"What do you mean; she wasn't there?"

A rather large elderly woman knelt before Desaad. Held up by a hefty bat, the old woman answered.

"The Amazon has yet to return to the island,"

Desaad cursed.

"They believe her to be dead..."

Desaad went silent. Neither Lord Apollo nor Darkseid would be pleased with such an answer. Whether it was true or not, wasn't important. He needed to give something useful to their master before he lost it.

Darkseid had locked himself in his office, scouring over the millions of CCTV cameras he controlled worldwide. It had only been a day, but Darkseid understood the true danger we had been placed in. Though he killed his own gods, Apollo was on a different power level. One wrong move and they were dead.

"I highly doubt that," he replied.

"They seemed sure of it,"

The old woman had a twinge of annoyance in her voice.

"They wanted her dead," Desaad snorted. "They knew getting involved with a god was dangerous. Her death removes Apollo as a factor in their lives..."

The old woman perked up.

"Hmm, well that makes sense,"

"What of it?"

"One of the women, a ginger and rather masculine presenting one, seemed to know something. Moreover, she seemed to be worried about the lord's possession..."

"Worried?"

The old woman slowly got to her feet, pushing herself up with the bat in her hand.

"Even I worry about my Furies," the old woman replied coldly. "They are hard to replace..."

Desaad folded his arms across his withered chest.

"Odd, Lord Apollo made it seem they didn't care for her..."

"As I do with my girls," the old woman replied. "Hidden kindness, I don't want the boss to think I'm going soft."

"That would never cross our minds," Desaad said. "I take it this information wasn't given freely,"

The old woman swung the bat around, resting it across her broad shoulders.

"Granny gets everything, with a little push,"

Desaad looked up at the bat on the old woman's shoulder. It dripped with blood.

"They sang for old Bertha,"

Desaad waved his hand for her to continue.

"He most assuredly still has her,"

The old woman smirked.

"The Kryptonian observed her and took an interest,"

Desaad nodded to the old woman.

"You have done well Granny,"

"Anything for our lord and master," the old woman replied.

With a bow, the woman left Desaad's presence. The crippled old man let out a sigh of relief. At least he had some news for his master.

"DESAAD!"

His moment of calm was short-lived as Desaad heard the booming voice of his master calling him. He swiftly shuffled, cursing, as he traversed the marbled corridors. Reaching Darkseid, he knocked on the door.

"Master…."

Darkseid's heavy footsteps shook the ground as he walked to the door. Creeeek... Slowly the door opened. Desaad was on his knees, with his head lowered. Darkseid knelt to Desaad's level.

"They have returned," he growled as he rested his forearms on his knees. "Why hasn't Granny come to speak with me?"

Desaad tried to speak.

"You didn't answer her when she came to you,"

Darkseid took a deep breath as the muscles in his face flexed underneath his gray skin.

"You locked yourself in your office, master," Desaad continued. "Granny came to me and..."

Swiftly, Darkseid grabbed Desaad by his chin, silencing him. His thick gray fingers forced Desaad to stare directly into his fiery eyes as red seeped from their corners.

"AND?"

Fearing for his life, Desaad answered.

"She hasn't returned,"

Darkseid pulled Desaad's face closer to his, spitting in his face.

"SHE DIDN'T RETURN LAST NIGHT OR THIS MORNING?"

Darkseid clenched Desaad's chin tighter before the old man could reply. He cried out in pain.

"AHHH,"

"That wasn't an answer old friend," Darkseid added. "WHERE IS LORD APOLLO'S PRIZE?"

Clenching his eyes closed Desaad cried, "With Ultraman..."

"That 'boy'..." he mocked.

"Granny believes so," Desaad replied. "He showed an interest in her..."

A gentle laugh left Darkseid's mouth as he slowly loosened his grip upon Desaad's face. The old man let out a sigh of relief. Still holding Desaad's face, Darkseid pushed Desaad's face further away.

"You don't say," Darkseid muttered softly. "Maybe I'll just ask him to give her back."

Desaad nodded quickly, "He won't do that master..."

"Then force will be required!" Darkseid replied.

As he spoke, he tossed Desaad away from him. The old man slid across the marble floor until he slowly stopped.

"Have the boomtube prepped and ready in an hour," Darkseid added. "I'm going to pay Metropolis a little visit tonight."

Desaad picked himself off the floor and bowed low before Darkseid.

"Should I have a few of the New Gods join you?" he said as he backed away from Darkseid. "Maybe the owl accompany you..."

"None of that will be needed," Darkseid replied. "I'm going to make my grand entrance into Metropolis alone."

"As you wish," Desaad answered.

"Oh, and Desaad, have the owl make reservations at his woman's place... the Cat's Den," Darkseid ordered. "I hear her dancers were sublime."

Back in Metropolis

Leaving the caverns under Bruce's house, I felt the full strength of the sun's rays. The morning had come and I did feel slightly better than when I arrived. His horny ass had that effect on people. He took one's mind off whatever was bothering you with his insanity. With his eyes everywhere and his interest in her peaked; Diana would be safe here in my city.

Fully in the morning light, I was greeted by Arthur standing beside a black car waiting.

"I didn't ask for a car," I said as I approached him.

"And I didn't ask to be stuck on land but here I am," he replied.

Opening the door to the car, I noticed a slight hint of lilies on Arthur. It was her. Knowing Arthur, he probably saw her in passing and introduced himself. However, as I stepped into the car, he looked nervous. He kept his gaze down, something he would never do. He was a loyal fish, outlandish at times, but loyal to me and our cause. What had happened in my absence?

I reached out to J'onzz.

"What's happened?"

J'onzz didn't reply. Looking up at the rearview mirror, I watched Arthur. His eyes told me all I needed to know. Something had happened concerning Diana.

"Arthur…" I growled.

He sat up straighter in the driver's seat.

"I'm not going to be the one to tell him," Arthur said. "You got yourself into this one..."

"... Got yourself into what..."

"Ultraman," J'onzz said.

His voice went up two octaves.

I put J'onzz on mute and moved closer to Arthur. The fish would crack faster.

"What has he done to her?" I asked, leaning closer to Arthur's ear.

His whole body trembled as my hot breath touched the nape of his neck. I gripped the side of the driver's seat, hulking over him from behind.

"Clark, you know I wouldn't do anything disloyal," Arthur replied. "J'onzz either..."

His grip on the steering wheel tightened.

"Then you'll have no trouble telling me what has happened," I hissed into his ear.

Arthur suddenly lifted his hand and patted me on the top of my head.

"Clark you old dog, you like her," he said as he messed up my curls. "He was right about that…"

Rage filled me so much so that I blasted out the front windshield of the car with my heat vision.

"Outrageous!" he said, tossing his hands up into the air. "I just washed that."

"What have J'onzz done with the girl…" I asked coldly.

Arthur went silent. He was weighing his options. Telling me the truth or dying.

"He took her to The Cat's Den…"

"Come again," I said.

I tilted my head to the side amused at what I'd just heard. He couldn't have been serious. Why would J'onzz take the Amazon, of all people, to Selina's?

"... I thought I'd heard you say... 'he took her to Selina's'…"

The words that followed sent me into a pure rage spiral. Arthur informed me that J'onzz had taken her out of the complex. Without my permission, I might add.

"... We were showing her around until Selina called," Arthur said.

"What did she want?"

"... She was talking about needing a dancer for tonight..."

Fuck...

Was this Bruce's game? To make me kill him sooner rather than later... I know he was acting too calm, too collected. That jealous fucker was up to something.

"Take me to Selina's," I ordered.

"Aye,"

Over the revving of the car's engine, I cursed J'onzz's name. Arthur drove like a bat out of hell down the street. He was muttering under his breath.

"Fucking Martain should have told him before acting..."

Reconnecting the mind-link, I said.

"You've got 15 minutes before I burn that shit hole to the ground, with you in it..."

"...I can explain…."

"I'm sure you think you can," I growled. "14 and a half minutes..."

"Something was up," he replied. "... and I needed to be sure..."

"When isn't it?" I asked. "13 minutes..."

"Clark, please calm down," he said.

"12..."

"...A high roller is booked to come here tonight,"

"There's always a high roller booked at Selina's. Why does that have anything to do with the Amazon?"

J'onzz interrupted.

"... It's Darkseid and he knows you have her..."

Shit, how did he find out she was here so quickly. I rifled through my mind, who could have told Darkseid she was here? It wouldn't have been Bruce, for obvious sadistic reasons. Lois had no connection with Darkseid or his organizations so it couldn't have been her. Then it hit me... Her people.

"Was it them?" I asked.

"Granny Goodness got a hold of one of the Amazons, she cracked," J'onzz said. "I assumed after he was informed of that information he arranged a room at Selina's."

"Does Selina know what's going on?"

"No," J'onzz replied. "I suspected something was up so I arranged for a dancer to fall ill..."

"Get her out of there J'onzz, right now..." I said. "Whatever you're planning doesn't need to involve her..."

"Do you want to strike first?"

"Yes,"

"Then use her as bait," J'onzz continued. "She agreed to..."

"To nothing..." I hissed.

The Amazon was in over her head. I knew J'onzz was being practical but this situation was different. She was different. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on her. Even the faintest whimper would have set her apart from anyone in this city. After watching her sleep last night, I knew enough noises from her to pick her out of a crowd.

I didn't bother to finish counting down for J'onzz. His ass was mine, but the Amazon's safety took priority. I found her after a few seconds. She was speaking with Selina.

"So why are you helping that big blue ass?" I heard Selina's voice.

"J'onzz said Ultraman needed help," Diana replied. "So here I am to help…"

She was too innocent for this world of mine. The thought of the dirty men at The Cat's Den looking at her made my blood boil but Selina's voice caught me off guard.

"Right, what does he have on you, sweet cheeks?" Selina asked.

"Nothing," Diana replied.

"So, you're screwing him?"

"Screwing him?"

"Well damn," Selina replied. "Look Dinah we've got a real virgin here with us…"

"A virgin?" Diana asked. "I have been with one of my sisters..."

"Well, I'll be damned," Selina laughed. "I wouldn't have taken you for a Targaryen incest kind of girl."

"What... my fellow Amazons refer to ourselves as sisters, none of us are blood relatives save me and my mother..."

Her reply was innocent.

"Clark…"

The car had come to a complete stop in front of the Cat's Den. Arthur had turned back to face me.

"What?" I snapped at him.

"We're here,"

"Good,"

Arthur looked at me up and down.

"Dressed like that?" Arthur asked.

I looked down at myself. I was still shirtless in pajama bottoms.

"Does it look like I care?"

Arthur nodded as he got out of the car.

"Clark…" J'onzz called out.

"Don't even," I replied. "I want her out of that building right now, I'll deal with you when you get out here."

"She wanted to help you," he replied.

"No, you lied to her to get her to do something for you," I hissed.

"This will allow us to see what Darkseid is willing to do," J'onzz said. "He's testing the waters. Diana could be useful in getting close to him..."

"No," I replied.

"You're letting your feelings cloud your judgment," J'onzz replied.

"She's not a tool..."

I heard J'onzz sigh, "...Like you..."

"Shut up..."

"We'll be waiting for you inside..."

J'onzz dropped the mind-link as Arthur opened my door.

"Barry is on his way with a clean suit..."

Stepping out of the car, I replied.

"No need, I won't be in there for long..."

16

Diana's POV

The Cat's Den Downtown Metropolis

J'onzz and Jimmy were pretty quiet the rest of the ride. If they spoke, they kept their conversation to themselves. A fact I didn't mind. Metropolis was forged by the gods, a monument to glass and steel. The car abruptly stopped in front of a towering building with a fountain encased in a metal globe.

"Did you have to come this way, Jimmy," J'onzz hissed.

Jimmy sighed, "There is an accident on 23rd Street. It's not like I wanted to drive past this shit hole…"

As the metal globe spun, lettering came into view.

"The Daily Planet…" I read. "What an odd name…"

"It is an 'ally's' headquarters," J'onzz replied coldly.

Jimmy grumbled under his breath. He said something about 'ally' being a loose term.

"Not like she has x-ray vision to see us…" J'onzz replied.

My gut told me something was off. Their faces told a different story, they were full of vitriol. If this Daily Planet was an ally, they surely didn't behave like they were.

"Will I meet this ally?" I asked.

"Let's hope not," Jimmy said as he started driving.

Following Jimmy's grumblings, he drove in silence. J'onzz had given him a look, the one you give to shut someone up. He kept his eyes on the road, taking us down an unmarked alleyway. A few feet into the alley stood a woman in a tight black dress. She was standing in front of a lone red door with her arms folded across her chest.

"Took you long enough," she said as our car came to a stop.

The woman walked up to my window and knocked on it. I jumped back as I watched her lean closer. The windows in the car were so dark she couldn't see inside.

"So where is she,"

The woman took a step away from my window, looking over to J'onzz.

"You can't trust her…" Jimmy said. "She's loyal to no one..."

"... but she knows who feeds her," J'onzz replied. "Just roll down the window. I've got this under control."

Jimmy shook his head. Suddenly the window in front of me started to go down. The woman in the black dress eyes met mine. Her jaws dropped.

"Well, damn," she said. "I see why she's so sought over."

"Darkseid has taken an interest in her," J'onzz replied.

The woman in black suddenly turned to J'onzz with a look of horror on her face.

"And he's going to be here tonight... What game are you playing J'onzz?"

J'onzz smiled.

"Oh, nothing,"

"Lies," the woman replied. "Whatever this is, I want to part in it..."

J'onzz slowly opened his door and stepped out. Towering over Selina, he stared down at her.

"You were in open dialogue with a known threat, Miss Kyle," J'onzz said. "Moreover, you are allowing that threat into your establishment. You know the establishment that resides in Ultraman's territory. Why wasn't our boss immediately informed about this encounter..."

As J'onzz spoke, his voice was no louder than a whisper. The woman's face became visibly more uncomfortable.

"Whether you like it or not, you've inserted yourself into this," he continued. "Your only recourse is to be of assistance in this endeavor..."

J'onzz leaned closer to the woman.

"Or I'll inform Ultraman of your collusion with Darkseid to undermine him. Have I made myself clear..."

The woman gulped hard and nodded. J'onzz walked in front of her and opened my door.

"Good..."

He extended his hand out to me. I glanced at his hand and then back to the woman. She looked scared.

"Was that necessary?" I said, taking his hand.

"In our line of work, yes," he whispered. "Having sympathy for anyone you encounter here is wasted energy."

Stepping out of the car, I stood beside J'onzz. I wondered if that sentiment extended to Ultraman as well.

"Selina, why don't you show our guest inside,"

The woman nodded as she opened the red door behind her. J'onzz, still holding my hand, led me to the open red door. The woman looked me up and down as we drew closer.

"They don't make 'em like this anymore,"

Her words made me uncomfortable. She looked at me as if I was a piece of meat. The look in her eyes reminded me of the Owlman from last night. Soulless. J'onzz was right. Empathy was wasted on those here.

"My mother made me this way,"

"Well, I'll have to thank her for giving you them titties," she replied. "Now come with me…"

I looked at J'onzz.

He sighed, "Forget her, she has no manners."

The woman gasped.

"You've forced me into your little scheme and expect me to care about being polite?"

Jimmy laughed, "You accepted Darkseid's money, so technically you did this to yourself. You greedy bitch."

"Shut up Olsen," she hissed.

Pulling me forward, J'onzz stopped at the door.

"Diana, this is Selina," he said. "She's one of Ultraman's business associates."

The woman had to look up at me as I towered over her..

"Hello,"

"So, where did that fucker dig you up from?" she asked. "Brazil, Trinidad…"

"Themyscira," I replied.

She raised her eyebrow.

"Never heard of it," she replied.

In mid-sentence, Selina entered the building. I looked at J'onzz.

"Go on," he said. "I'll be right beside you."

Gathering my courage, I followed behind Selina. Still holding on to J'onzz's hand, the door slammed behind us. An echo filled the empty entryway but from the shadows, I felt eyes on me.

The entryway was dimly lit. Deep red uplighting illuminated the room. There was an audible scoff to the right of us.

"Fresh meat,"

I held onto J'onzz tighter as a burst of laughter echoed.

"Voluptuous meat at that…"

"Cut it out Ollie," the woman snapped.

From the right, a man took a deep bow beside the woman called Selina.

"Forgive me, my 'lady'," he said. "But fresh meat is so rare here…."

The strange man reached out to me with his fingertips painted a dark emerald green. J'onzz stepped in between us, blocking his advances.

"Stand down Ollie…" J'onzz said.

"Ultraman's fuck toy strikes again," the man mocked.

"You mean his other fuck toy," another voice shouted.

"Yeah, that's right," the man called Ollie added. "It's hard to tell which one is which. You're the green one... right..."

J'onzz took several deep breaths as I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"J'onzz," I said.

"It's fine," he replied.

From how his face twitched, he was far from fine.

"Don't worry about me..."

Ollie laughed, "So now the green alien has feelings..."

The green-fingered man clapped slowly.

"...who knew..."

"She's off limits" J'onzz growled.

"Because you say so?"

"No, because 'HE' said so,"

Ollie ignored J'onzz's warning, peeking around him to look right at me. The man staring at me had blond hair with dark eye makeup painted under his eyes. He was sickly pale with a scruffy beard.

"What brings you here thicc princess?" Ollie asked.

"I'm helping with something for Ultraman," I replied.

Ollie laughed.

"Do you hear this guys," he laughed. "She's here "helping' Ultraman…"

Selina hissed, but Ollie kept speaking.

"...Honey, I'm sure you've helped Ultraman a lot,"

He leaned closer to me. His breath smelt of booze and smoke.

"...did you take his two dicks like a real champ?" he continued.

"OLLIE!"

A woman's voice shrieked. Ollie's face turned a bright red. Sheepishly he took two steps away from J'onzz and me. Selina laughed.

"Come on newbie,"

J'onzz pointed at Ollie and he immediately straightened up. He kept his gaze on the floor as I walked past. Once we were far enough away, I asked.

"What did you say to him?"

J'onzz didn't reply. He just kept walking us forward.

"1, 2, 3…. Again," a voice echoed.

It sounded like the shrill female voice from earlier. Ahead of us, Selina flung open the red double doors.

"Welcome to the Cat's Den!"

Through the double doors was a grand room, still shrouded in crimson lighting. Selina stood next to a railing, overlooking a main stage with a few figures. Her hands slid along the railing until she reached a step. Sauntering down a grand staircase she made her way down below.

I followed behind J'onzz as he led me to the edge. Looking down, there was a blond woman with a riding crop in her hand. She was pacing across the stage.

"1, 2, 3… Again…." the woman shouted.

Selina shouted, "Canary!"

The blond woman looked up.

"Cat,"

The blond woman looked annoyed at Selina's presence.

"Don't look at me like that you fucking bird," Selina said as she stopped in front of the main stage. "I've brought you a replacement..."

Selina stood in the middle of the center aisle, staring up at the blond woman on the stage. The blond woman knelt and looked Selina in the eyes.

"Who?"

Selina pointed up to me. The blond woman looked up at me squinting.

"Oh, a thicc one," the blond woman replied. "I might have use of her…"

The blond woman stood back to her feet.

"Hey, you!" she called out to me. "Come down here and show me what you've got…"

Nervously, I looked back to J'onzz. He nodded.

"Go on,"

I leapt down, landing on the stage with ease. The blond woman took a step back and gave me the stage. Suddenly the stage went dark. A lone light beamed down on me.

"Hit me with a beat," the woman shouted.

The music flipped through a few songs before the blond woman shouted stop. I closed my eyes and let the rhythm take me. It was fast with a deep slow bass. I pictured the dances from home, the ones used for Dionysus. My hips swayed from side to side as I caressed my body. I imagined I was back at home with Alexia.

They were my first time with anyone. They caressed every inch of my body with their war-worn hands. My head instinctively tilted up as if expecting their lips to kiss my neck. However, my image of her faded. I felt pure heat against my neck. Their calloused hands were replaced by something bigger and hotter. I gasped at the sensation. As I opened my eyes, I heard Selina's voice shout.

"Take it off,"

I felt hungry eyes looking down at me. Slowly I unwrapped the shirt from around my waist. It fell open. The sensation of hunger grew as my full breasts were exposed by my undone top.

"Now turn around…."

I did as I was told. I turned around and rolled the top off my shoulders. As the top slid down, the image of Alexia was replaced by Ultraman. He was standing behind me with his massive callous hands slowly cupping my breasts. His hot breath breathed against the nape of my neck.

"Diana,"

My mind imagined him growling my name. I took a step away from my top and looked over my shoulders. They say this dance was between the lands of mortals and men. One would be given visions while doing it. The feeling of eyes upon me was still there, staring down at me. Red eyes. Was this my mind playing tricks with me? I cupped my full breasts and rolled my hips as if he was behind me.

Suddenly the music stopped. The sensation of eyes faded. I looked down and realized I was exposed. Immediately, I covered my breasts with my hands. My face flushed. What had I done?

"And she's shy too…" Selina shouted. "Oh, he'll eat this shit up."

"That he will…" the blond woman added.

She stepped out from behind me, offering me a coat to cover myself with.

"I'll get her an outfit," she added as she wrapped the coat over my shoulders.

"Good, good," Selina said.

Looking down from the stage I saw someone walk up beside Selina. From the look on her face, she wasn't happy.

"Did I do something wrong?" I said as I felt the blond woman touch my arm.

"Probably business-related kid," she replied. "Don't worry your little head about it. You just worry about dancing later."

The blond woman pulled me off the stage and off to a dressing room. She told me her name was Dinah. As she left me in my dressing room, I looked at the outfit that was laid out for me.

"It's just gold strings….".