Chapter 18: The Twilight of the Gods
Along the banks of the Oste river stood the massive castle Schwesterschloss. The castle formed a menacing shadow, as its twin spires pierced the red sky. The evening light barely illuminated the twisted architecture of the castle's walls and roofs. But while the outside of the castle was threatening to any outside observer, it couldn't fully exhibit the true terrors inside. For years, this castle was a secret laboratory for the Nazi regime. Below the medieval building were levels and levels of rooms with experimental weapons and horrifying medical apparatuses. It was here where the Nazis believed they would find the key to world domination.
Along the river was a simple dock, with two soldiers looking for potential threats. The dock jutted out from a rock wall, with the foot of the castle dozens of feet above. The soldiers looked up and down the river and across to the forest on the other side, but not into the murky river itself. Below their feet, a dark figure slowly moved its way through the water. Clad in a black frogsuit, Phantom Lady swam under the dock with a small scuba pack. The Blue Tracer anchored far enough upstream to avoid any searches, while the heroine swam the rest of the way. The plan was for her to enter alone, grab the dagger, rescue Wonder Woman, and get out of there. Once freed, Wonder Woman will be able to take care of herself, Phantom Lady thought, assuming SHE isn't there...
Phantom Lady continued under the dock. Beyond the dock, in the wall, was a cavern that boats could travel into. Phantom Lady poked her head out to see what the situation was. The inner dock was devoid of anyone. Phantom Lady swam to a ladder and climbed out of the water. Quickly, she looked around again and scampered to a nearby locker. Phantom Lady took off her equipment and peeled off her wetsuit. She wore her costume underneath it, the cape of which rolled down as she slipped the wetsuit off. Still remaining vigilant, Phantom Lady put on her goggles, bracelets, and belt, and stuffed the rest into the locker. If worse comes to worse, she thought, I can dive in and grab onto Diana as she swims. Phantom Lady closed the locker quietly and went into the castle.
The tunnels beneath Schwesterschloss were a tangled web of natural caves and brick-and-mortar hallways. It wasn't too hard for Phantom Lady to move undetected through the underground levels, as many of them were dark and empty. Occasionally, some soldiers or scientists would hurry through the hall by her, but Phantom Lady just turned the blacklight on herself and hid as they walked by. Phantom Lady started peeking through doors, trying to see where Wonder Woman could be. Unfortunately for her, she did not know the full layout of the castle, and the only information she had was incomplete and out of date. Still, she continued her search. Some doors were locked, while others just led to irrelevant rooms. Among these, Phantom Lady found a chemistry lab, a storage room full of bombs, and even a generator room. Yet there was no sign of Wonder Woman or the dagger.
Finally, Phantom Lady found a locked door to a room with light coming from the window in the center. Slowly, Phantom Lady unlocked the door and opened the door. Phantom Lady was in a large, circular room with a stairwell up to a platform. On the floor were several consoles and panels, being attended to by scientists. A smattering of guards was sprinkled throughout the room. In the middle of the room, Phantom Lady saw Wonder Woman clamped to a table. Several needles and tubes were inserted into her skin. What are they doing to her? Phantom Lady thought. On the platform, above the room, stood Colonel Dotsch, several scientists, and finally Brünnhilde. Of course she's here, Phantom Lady thought sarcastically.
The chief scientist on the floor and said something to the colonel. The colonel nodded his head and the scientists got to work. Phantom Lady observed the machines coming to life around Wonder Woman. Phantom Lady traced the tubes connected to the princess's arm back to another machine. On the top of the machine, in a glass case, was the dagger. As the machines went on, black liquid dripped from the dagger and went through the tube. The liquid hit Wonder Woman and she grimaced in pain. They're trying to kill her?! Phantom Lady thought. She looked at the other scientists as they took notes. No, they're testing the dagger on her to see how powerful it is! she thought. Regardless, I need to stop this!
Phantom Lady snuck around the consoles along the wall. Hiding in the shadows, Phantom Lady watched as the scientists went back and forth from Wonder Woman to the various machines around her. Wonder Woman was bound by steel clamps ranging from her neck down to her ankles. On one of the legs of the table was a lever that Phantom Lady recognized. That's an emergency release lever, she thought. All I need to do is pull that lever, and Wonder Woman would be free. But I need a distraction. Phantom Lady observed that the consoles had wires coming out of the back, and these wires twisted and knotted into a central electrical panel. She thought she could pull those wires, but there was a guard stationed by the panel. She looked over where she came in and saw a large switch on the wall. That must control the lights, she thought. Digging into her belt, Phantom Lady pulled out a rope. Checking around to see if anyone was looking, Phantom Lady lassoed the rope around the switch and pulled it down.
The whole room was thrown into darkness. The scientists all yelled and tried to look around. A few of the soldiers grabbed some flashlights and began trying to walk through the room. Phantom Lady took this time to do the same with her projectors. They won't notice another person walking around with this, she thought. Phantom Lady began moving her way to the center of the room, taking pains to walk slowly and not bump into anyone. Suddenly, a guard appeared right in front of her. Phantom Lady couldn't get out of the way fast enough as the guard lifted his flashlight onto her. Quickly, Phantom Lady rushed the guard and knocked him into the ground. The superheroine covered his mouth so he couldn't yell. Phantom Lady pressed her forearm into his windpipe. After several moments of struggling, the guard passed out.
Before she could move, Phantom Lady heard the lights kick back on. These were massive lights, so when the power came back, they started dim sparks that increased in brightness. Crap, I gotta hide! she thought. Phantom Lady grabbed the body and dragged it behind another console. She shone the black light on herself and the body to make sure no one could see them. The guards and scientists were more agitated now, wondering how the lights turned off – and if there was someone in this room who made that happen. Phantom Lady peered over the console. Wonder Woman was only about ten feet from her; if the console wasn't there, she could just leap to her and release her. Phantom Lady lowered her black light so that Wonder Woman could see her. Wonder Woman turned her head to see Phantom Lady. Her eyes lit up. Wonder Woman looked like she was going to say something, so Phantom Lady put her finger to her lips, signaling to her to remain quiet. She then pointed to the scientist working the console between them. The scientist turned to Wonder Woman, then back towards Phantom Lady, but Phantom Lady ducked back down out of sight. Confused, the scientist went back to work.
Phantom Lady knew she had to get the scientist away from the console somehow. Phantom Lady looked down to see the cord going to the electrical panel. The guard who was there previously was no longer there; she couldn't recall if he was the guard she knocked out, or if he just moved. Regardless, Phantom Lady now knew she could use this as a distraction. Quietly, she grabbed the cord and pulled it. The panel sparked a bit and the console powered off. The scientist looked at it and pressed a few buttons, trying to bring it back to life. Some other scientists looked over to see what he was doing. Finally, the scientist looked over at the electrical panel and realized what had happened. The scientist, along with a few others, walked towards the panel.
Now's my chance! Phantom Lady thought. There were still others in the room, including those on the platform, but it was the best chance she would get to free Wonder Woman. Phantom Lady set her projector to the widest range possible and shone it in front of the platform.
As the people above yelled, Phantom Lady ran towards Wonder Woman. In a flash, she pulled the lever freeing Wonder Woman. Phantom Lady looked at the exhausted Amazon below her. Even after all she went through, Diana looked beautiful. But before she could say anything, another guard yelled at her. Phantom Lady ran out as the guard shot at her. She dove behind the machine where the dagger was being held. She tried to grab it, but she ducked back down as the guard shot at her again. The guard ran around the machine and pointed his gun at her. Phantom Lady was trapped. But before he could fire his gun, a red, white, and blue blur struck him down. Wonder Woman stood above the fallen guard and looked at Phantom Lady.
"Phantom Lady," she said, "thank you for your help, but I can take it from here". Phantom Lady hugged the larger woman.
"God, I was so worried after the boat," Phantom Lady replied, her voice trembling. "Are you ok?"
"Yes," said Wonder Woman. "Their dagger has weakened me, but you should know it would take a lot more to fell an Amazon!"
Phantom Lady smiled. She went in to kiss Wonder Woman, but just then she heard the yells of Colonel Dotsch. "Phantom Lady!" he screamed. "Guards! Take the dagger! Kill her!"
"Get behind me," Wonder Woman said. Two other guards shot at the pair, but Wonder Woman deflected their bullets with her bracelets. Other people around were hit by the ricochets. More soldiers poured in. A couple went to the dagger and began removing it. The pair ran over to fight off and get it for themselves. Just then, Brünnhilde leapt from the platform and landed on the table.
"Back off, everyone" she yelled, as she pointed at Wonder Woman. "The princess is mine!"
The soldiers at the dagger took the glass container off of the machine and put it on a cart. "Phantom Lady, can you take care of the dagger?" asked Wonder Woman as the group with the dagger left.
"Yes, but what about you?" Phantom Lady replied.
"I'll take care of Dalma," she said.
"But Wonder Woman, you can't. She beat you before, and you're weaker now!"
"I know that," she said. "But strength isn't everything. I know what she does now, what she did before, and what she will always do. And I will withstand all of that! Now go!"
Phantom Lady ran after the dagger. As she did, Wonder Woman walked towards Brünnhilde. "Dalma, in the name of the Amazons, and of their Queen Hippolyta, I must end your reign of terror and send you back to Themyscira – dead or alive!"
"Diana, I could never decide what I hated most about you – your conceited attitude, or your incessant histrionics. Regardless, I will enjoy ending your life," Brünnhilde said back.
Diana grimaced. "Very well. Let this be our final battle". Brünnhilde lunged at Wonder Woman wildly. Wonder Woman dodged the other woman's attacks like before. Brünnhilde hit many of the machines around the room, sending sparks and parts everywhere. Wonder Woman could tell Brünnhilde was angrier now than in their previous encounter. Feeling she had to take control of the fight, Wonder Woman decided to run out of the room, leading Brünnhilde away.
In another hallway, three soldiers were transporting the dagger. Their destination was a vault many levels below them. One soldier pushed the cart with the dagger on it, while the other two kept watch. People ran to and fro in the hallway around them; everyone was on edge after Phantom Lady appeared and Wonder Woman escaped. The entire castle was looking for the first woman as the two Amazons faced each other. And these soldiers were just as worried about Phantom Lady as everyone else.
Suddenly, the room the guards were in went dark. The guards starting shouting, thinking Phantom Lady was here. A guard stated shooting around. A *THUNK* was heard, followed by a louder *THUNK*. The hallway lit up again. One guard was standing, frantically spinning around. He looked to the cart, only to see the person pushing it collapsed on the ground. The guard then looked to find the other guard, but didn't see him. He peered over the cart to find him on the ground, dead, with bullet holes in him.
"Nice shooting there, partner," a voice said. The guard spun around and was face to face with Phantom Lady. "Taking out a Nazi completely blind? The president could give you a medal for a feat like that". The guard aimed his gun at her, but Phantom Lady was too quick. She grabbed the barrel of the gun and pulled it away from the guard. In a flash, Phantom Lady hit the guard in the face with the butt of the gun. The guard fell back, hitting the cart. Phantom Lady hit him in the head several more times until he was unconscious.
Phantom Lady walked to the cart, opened the case, and pulled out the dagger. Now, we can kill Brünnhilde, she thought. I just hope I can find her before Wonder Woman is taken out for good! Phantom Lady looked around, then ran down the hall she came from.
Meanwhile, Brünnhilde had caught up to Wonder Woman in a different hallway. She grabbed the princess and attempted to lit her up. In response, Wonder Woman slipped her hold. Brünnhilde growled in frustration. "Why can't you accept your fate and just die?" yelled Brünnhilde.
"Does the gazelle lay down for the lion, or does it run to survive?" retorted Wonder Woman. "What kind of hunter begs for her prey to stop? Come, Dalma, show me why you are destined to destroy us". Wonder Woman continued to run down the halls as Brünnhilde followed. Every time Brünnhilde would catch up to Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman would fight her off.
Despite her skill at fighting, Wonder Woman was losing ground to Brünnhilde. The days of testing and torture affected her stamina. Meanwhile, Brünnhilde was growing angrier and angrier, and this anger was channeled through the ring. Wonder Woman blocked Brünnhilde's swords with her bracelets, but Brünnhilde kicked her in the stomach, sending her flying into a steel door. The door broke off its hinges and fell into the room. Wonder Woman climbed into the room, only to have her hair grabbed by Brünnhilde. Brünnhilde put her sword to Wonder Woman's neck, but Wonder Woman blocked it by grabbing her arm. Brünnhilde forced her sword closer and closer to the princess's neck, while Wonder Woman strained to keep it away.
At the same time, Phantom Lady was running through the halls to catch up with her partner. She tried to follow the sounds of destruction as the two fought. Suddenly, Phantom Lady turned the corner only to find three more soldiers. In a flash, the soldiers opened fire, and Phantom Lady was forced into a small alcove. She tried to move, but the soldiers kept firing at her. As two of the soldiers fired, the third one ran to her to finish the job. Phantom Lady was trapped.
Meanwhile, Wonder Woman was struggling to protect herself from Brünnhilde. As she forced her sword towards Wonder Woman's neck, Brünnhilde said, "How fitting of an end this is for you, Diana – to be slaughtered like a pig!"
Wonder Woman looked around to see what could help her. In front of here were rows and rows of guns and shells. In their fighting, they had ended up in the armory. I think I can use this! Wonder Woman thought. It's risky, but it's the only chance I have! Slowly, Wonder Woman got to her feet. The cold steel of the sword was touching her neck now. "If I am to die here, I will die a warrior!" she said in between labored breaths. "With my enemy obliterated!" With all of her might, Wonder Woman ducked down and threw Brünnhilde over her shoulder. The Nazi woman sailed into a rack of shells. Upon impact, the shells exploded. Wonder Woman shielded herself from the fire as the force of the explosion knocked her off her feet. The explosions continued as the impact triggered a chain reaction within the room, shaking the entire castle. Wonder Woman managed to crawl out just before fire engulfed the room. Wonder Woman stood up and looked at the room. The explosions continued as she tried to see what had happened to Brünnhilde.
Suddenly, the fire subsided. Wonder Woman peered in to see what was going on. At that moment, a loud rumble was heard, and Wonder Woman was blasted by a wall of water. The explosions had breached the external wall of the castle, and now the river was flooding into the basement levels. Wonder Woman turned and ran from the water. She came to a crossroads and couldn't decide which way to go. That pause allowed for the water to catch up with her, as Wonder Woman was engulfed in the rushing rapids. She would have been knocked down had she not grabbed onto a nearby railing on the wall. With her superhuman strength, Wonder Woman walked down a nearby hallway where the water level was lower. She stood up and wiped the hair out of her face. The water continued past her down a stairwell.
Below Wonder Woman's floor, the soldier that had come for Phantom Lady approached his target. Looks like this is it, she thought glumly as he pointed his gun. Just then, the entire castle rumbled. Phantom Lady used the moment to get behind the soldier and grab him. Phantom Lady walked out with the soldier shielding her. The Germans yelled at each other, unsure whether they should shoot at her or not. As they did, Phantom Lady heard a low roar. This roar grew, until Phantom Lady saw the reason for it. Behind the two soldiers, a wall of water was roaring through the tunnel. Phantom Lady could do nothing as the wave crashed into the two soldiers, then hitting the superheroine and the hostage. All of them were tossed and turned as they traveled down the hall. As the flow of the water decreased, Phantom Lady surfaced. She looked to see if any other the other soldiers were behind her, but saw no one.
The water continued to subside as Phantom Lady ended up at a dead end. She stood up to catch her bearings, where the water was up to her waist. I wasn't expecting to start swimming this early, she thought. At this point, I should probably travel with a scuba tank everywhere I go! Just then, she heard a yell. One of the soldiers had survived the trip and was now taking aim at her. Quickly, Phantom Lady dove under the water as he opened fire. The bullets flew past her under the water as she swam towards her enemy. The soldier continued firing wildly into the water, unable to see where she was. Soon, he stopped and tried to look around at where she could be. Mere moments later, the soldier was dragged under by Phantom Lady. Before he could react, Phantom Lady drew the dagger and stabbed it into his side. Phantom Lady emerged from the water as the corpse began floating by. Alright, I need to find Wonder Woman and go! she thought. Immediately, she began trudging through the water.