When the Princess is awa
xxxx
xxxx
In the heart of Themyscira, the sacred temple of Athena stood tall, its marble pillars gleaming under the soft light of the sun. Inside, the air was cool and filled with the faint scent of incense. At the center of the temple, a large, ornate scrying pool shimmered with mystical energy, allowing the Amazons to glimpse the world beyond their island paradise.
Queen Hippolyta stood at the edge of the pool, her regal posture betraying no emotion, though her eyes remained fixed on the images unfolding before her. Flanked by several other Amazons, including her youngest daughter Donna Troy, the queen watched in stunned silence as the reflection in the water showed Diana—her eldest—engaged in a very peculiar race.
Beside her, Princess Audrey of Kasnia, Diana's longtime friend and occasional partner in mischief, was leaning forward with barely suppressed laughter, her hands gripping the edges of the pool for support. She had been invited to Themyscira for the Winter Feast, and now, they were witnessing something she could not have anticipated.
Through the scrying pool, Diana was behind the wheel of Bruce Wayne's Aston Martin, speeding through the rain-soaked streets of Paris, with half the city's police force in pursuit.
The roaring engines, flashing lights, and unmistakable thrill in Diana's expression were clearly visible. As the chase unfolded, Bruce Wayne—Hollywood's golden boy and the current James Bond—sat in the passenger seat, his face a mix of resignation and disbelief. He was gripping the door handle tightly as Diana laughed, completely at ease with the chaos she had sparked.
The stereo blared the iconic Dr. No theme, the familiar sounds echoing faintly even within the temple, as if the magic of the scrying pool had carried the music from Paris to Themyscira itself.
Audrey broke the silence first, her laughter finally spilling over.
"She's driving his car—his Aston Martin—and leading the police on a chase through Paris?! Oh, this is priceless!" She wiped a tear from her eye, her shoulders shaking with amusement.
Donna Troy, watching beside her mother, grinned widely.
"I always knew Diana had a wild side, but this... this is legendary. She's living out an action movie scene, and Bruce—James Bond himself—looks like he's barely holding it together!"
Queen Hippolyta's expression, however, remained serious. Her eyes were narrowed in thought, though a faint flicker of amusement tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"This... this is the daughter I raised?" she murmured under her breath, half to herself and half to the gods who might have been watching alongside them.
"Diana, who speaks of honor and duty, is now leading Paris's police force on a high-speed chase with an actor in tow?"
A soft, feminine voice joined the conversation, resonating from behind them. "You have to admit, Queen Mother, it's quite entertaining."
Hippolyta turned to see Athena, goddess of wisdom, standing beside the other goddesses who had gathered for the Winter Feast. Athena's lips curled into a knowing smile. Beside her, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, watched with an amused glint in her eye, clearly enjoying the spectacle Diana had created. Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, observed with a nod of approval. It wasn't often that she was impressed by anyone outside the her ranks, but even she had to give Diana credit for such boldness.
Audrey, still watching with delight, nudged Donna.
"You realize this is a story we'll be telling for ages, right? Diana, Wonder Woman, not only races through Paris but does it in James Bond's car, with James Bond himself clinging for dear life!"
Donna chuckled, crossing her arms.
"I think the Parisian police are just as amused as we are. They don't seem to be in any real rush to catch her. Can you blame them? How often do you get to be part of a James Bond car chase?"
Athena tilted her head, her sharp eyes analyzing the scene as Diana expertly maneuvered the car around tight corners, effortlessly evading her pursuers. "Diana has always been a quick learner. Her instincts serve her well in all situations, it seems—even in one as... unconventional as this."
Artemis crossed her arms, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "She certainly doesn't lack for bravery. Or recklessness."
Hippolyta finally let out a sigh, shaking her head. "Reckless, indeed. Diana has always had a penchant for finding adventure where others would not. I just never imagined it would be alongside some mere mortal."
Audrey grinned. "Well, If anyone can keep up with her, it's him. Though, from the looks of it, she's the one driving circles around him."
Aphrodite, her golden hair gleaming like the sun, stepped forward, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Ah, but love, or perhaps the thrill of it, can bring out the wildest parts of ourselves. Bruce Wayne—this mortal man with so many secrets—and Diana, who keeps her own, are an interesting pair, don't you think?"
Hippolyta raised an eyebrow at the goddess's remark.
"Love? I don't see how this... situation speaks of love."
Aphrodite smiled knowingly.
"It's not always about love, dear Hippolyta. Sometimes, it's about the excitement, the challenge. He challenges her, and she, in turn, challenges him. Look at them. They dance around each other, even now. He pretends to be exasperated, but there's admiration in his eyes. He enjoys it more than he'll ever admit."
Hippolyta frowned slightly, her gaze returning to the scrying pool, where Bruce now had a firm grip on his seatbelt as Diana floored the gas, speeding through the streets at breakneck speed. Despite the tension in his posture, there was no mistaking the glimmer of a smile on his lips.
Audrey leaned closer to Donna, whispering with a teasing grin. "Think he'll survive the night?"
Donna laughed.
"I'm more worried about the police force. Diana looks like she's just getting started."
Athena watched quietly as Diana continued her playful chase.
"Your daughter is remarkable, Hippolyta. She has faced gods, monsters, and mortals alike, and yet she remains grounded. Bruce Wayne, whether he knows it or not, has found someone who can match his every step."
Hippolyta sighed again, though this time, it was softer, her worry easing just a bit.
"She's always been strong, but this... this is something else entirely."
Aphrodite's smile widened, her voice like honey.
"Perhaps Bruce Wayne is more than just a mere mortal, Hippolyta. Perhaps he is a man with as many masks as Diana herself."
Hippolyta's gaze sharpened, but before she could respond, a burst of laughter came from Audrey as Diana spun the car in a perfect drift, narrowly avoiding a barricade.
"Now that's how you drive!" Audrey exclaimed, clapping her hands.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say Diana's the real James Bond here!"
The goddesses and Amazons laughed together, the tension lifting for a moment as they shared in the spectacle. Hippolyta's lips quirked into a reluctant smile. Diana might be unpredictable, but there was no denying the joy she brought to those around her—no matter how unconventional her methods.
As the scene in the scrying pool continued to unfold, the queen of the Amazons crossed her arms and murmured:
"Diana, what am I going to do with you?"
Donna smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Maybe let her drive the chariot at the next festival?"
Hippolyta shook her head, though the hint of a smile remained. "I don't think I could handle that."
xxx
Hippolyta's subtle smile lingered as the laughter of the Amazons echoed through the temple. The joy of seeing Diana so free, so at ease with her companion, was infectious—even though the queen of the Amazons would never admit to feeling quite so indulgent of her daughter's antics.
But before the moment could pass entirely, something shifted in the scrying pool. The image of Paris's rain-soaked streets, with Diana and Bruce still racing the police, shimmered for a moment, as if the magic itself sensed a change in the winds.
The rippling surface slowly transformed, showing a new scene: a dark, expansive cave—massive stalactites looming above a series of computer monitors and sleek, high-tech equipment. In the center of it all stood Bruce Wayne. He had just stepped off a raised platform, a soft hum of technology signaling the activation of what could only be some sort of advanced teleporter.
"Where is he now?" Donna asked, curiosity piqued as she watched the scene unfold.
"Is this his home?" Audrey added, leaning closer to the scrying pool. The excitement of the car chase was suddenly overshadowed by this unexpected shift in perspective.
But Hippolyta's eyes had narrowed in suspicion. The Amazons were warriors, tacticians, and they had learned to recognize signs of deception, of hidden lives. The cave—this vast, high-tech fortress—it spoke of secrecy. And Bruce Wayne, who had played the fool with Diana just moments ago, now moved with a calculated precision that suggested he was no mere actor.
Bruce's posture was different now, more deliberate, as he approached a massive console—the heart of what could only be some kind of command center. He tapped a series of buttons, and the Batcomputer whirred to life, its screens lighting up with streams of data. But something else caught the Amazons' attention.
On a nearby platform lay an array of armor. Not just any armor—but black, sleek, and unmistakable: the armor of the Batman.
The atmosphere in the temple shifted immediately. The casual amusement that had filled the air just moments ago was gone, replaced by a sense of growing realization.
"Is that...?" Donna began, her eyes widening as she took in the sight.
"It can't be," Audrey whispered, though even she sounded uncertain.
Hippolyta, ever the sharp strategist, said nothing at first. Her eyes remained locked on the pool, watching as Bruce, now fully alone, began the transformation. He removed the leather jacket and the casual clothing he'd worn during their escapades in Paris, revealing a much more battle-hardened physique beneath. His movements were fluid, practiced—too practiced for someone who spent his days pretending to be a mere actor.
Piece by piece, Bruce donned the Batman armor, pulling the cowl over his head, his entire demeanor changing as he did. Gone was the easy-going charm, replaced by the cold, calculating focus of Gotham's Dark Knight.
"He's... Batman?" Donna whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Hippolyta's expression remained unreadable, but internally, a storm of thoughts swirled. Bruce Wayne—charming, playful Bruce—was one of the world's greatest vigilantes? And Diana had no idea?
Before any of them could fully process what they were witnessing, an alarm rang out across the Batcave. The Batcomputer had detected something, and the Amazons didn't need to hear the alert to understand what it was.
"He knows we're watching," Artemis said, her tone one of cautious approval. "He's sharper than we gave him credit for."
The Batcomputer's screen flashed a warning: MAGIC SCRYING DETECTED. SOURCE: UNKNOWN.
Bruce—now fully in his Batman persona—looked up sharply, his eyes narrowing behind the mask. He stepped toward the console, his gloved hands moving quickly across the controls as he initiated a scan to trace the source of the scrying. His expression was calm, controlled, but there was an intensity in his gaze that sent a shiver down even Donna's spine.
"Is it possible for him to find us?" Audrey asked, her voice carrying a hint of nervous excitement.
Athena, still standing beside the other goddesses, shook her head with a knowing smile. "He may be brilliant, but even the greatest mortal mind cannot trace a scrying pool as old as this one."
Bruce's fingers flew across the Batcomputer's console with a speed and precision born of years of training. His face, hidden beneath the mask, betrayed nothing, but the Amazons could feel the tension building through the scrying pool. Data streamed across the massive screens, algorithms running at breakneck speed as Batman initiated a series of countermeasures.
In the temple, the air grew thick with apprehension. The goddesses and Amazons exchanged uneasy glances. They had long been accustomed to watching the world unseen, but this—this was different.
Bruce's eyes narrowed as he activated a protocol labeled SCRY-NULL, a defense mechanism designed for exactly this type of intrusion. He clearly had experience with magic, or at least knew enough to combat it. Instantly, the scrying pool's image began to blur, the clear vision of the Batcave flickering as if the connection were being actively severed.
"He's... shutting us out," Donna said, her voice rising with sudden realization. "How is that even possible?"
Hippolyta took a step forward, her brow furrowed in disbelief. The Amazons had faced magic before—powerful magic—but this was something else. Bruce Wayne, a mortal, was managing to resist their ancient scrying. Not even the most brilliant tacticians of Man's World should be able to detect, let alone counter, the magic of Themyscira.
"Impossible," Hippolyta murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Yet, before her eyes, the image was fading, the connection between the scrying pool and the Batcave unraveling with each keystroke Bruce executed.
Beside her, Artemis watched with begrudging admiration. "He's more than just mortal. He's planned for this... for everything."
As if to emphasize her point, the scrying pool flickered violently before stabilizing once more. The image was weaker now, distorted, but Bruce had not yet fully succeeded in cutting them off. The Amazons could still see him, standing tall before the Batcomputer, his hands pausing briefly over the keys as he considered his next move.
And then he initiated something that sent a ripple of panic through the temple.
"He's not just blocking us," Athena observed calmly, though her eyes sharpened. "He's tracing the magic."
Audrey took a step back, her hand gripping Donna's arm. "Can he find us? Can he trace it back to Themyscira?"
Athena hesitated for the briefest of moments, her gaze fixed on the shimmering pool. "He's trying," she admitted. "But no, he won't find us. Our magic is too ancient, too vast. He may sense it, but the location of Themyscira is beyond the reach of any mortal."
Hippolyta, however, was not as reassured. "If he can trace the magic, even partially, he could still learn enough to raise suspicions. Diana's trust—her loyalty—could be compromised if she learns of this through him."
The image in the scrying pool flickered once more, Bruce's face coming into clearer focus as he stood before the Batcomputer. His eyes were sharp, calculating, as he watched the data on his screens.
And then, he spoke.
"I don't know who's watching me, but you're not going to like what happens next," his voice was cold, cutting through the distorted scrying link like a blade.
As if on cue, Bruce activated a new command on the console—one that sent shockwaves through the temple.
The pool flashed violently, the waters trembling as the energy from the Batcomputer surged against their magic. A glowing red light enveloped the scene, obscuring Bruce's figure. Whatever he had activated was far more powerful than anything the Amazons had anticipated.
"Mother," Donna whispered urgently, "he's forcing the connection shut. We need to—"
"Quiet!" Hippolyta snapped, her eyes fixed on the pool. "We need to see how far he can go."
Bruce's face appeared one last time in the pool, his expression unreadable but focused. The red light pulsed brighter, growing more intense until the connection finally shattered. The image disappeared entirely, the scrying pool returning to its usual calm surface.
The temple was deathly silent.
For a moment, no one moved. The goddesses exchanged glances, and even Athena seemed unsettled by what had just transpired. Artemis folded her arms across her chest, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Hippolyta, however, was the first to break the silence. "He nearly traced us."
Athena stepped forward, her tone measured but serious. "It was closer than I expected. For a mortal to detect, block, and attempt to trace Amazonian magic... he is no ordinary man."
"Batman," Donna murmured, still in shock. "He's the Batman."
Audrey let out a low whistle. "Well, that explains a lot."
But Hippolyta's face was set in grim determination. "This... complicates things. Diana cannot know of this. Not yet."
Athena looked at her curiously. "You plan to keep it from her?"
"For now," Hippolyta said, her voice firm. "Diana's loyalty to Themyscira and her sense of justice are intertwined. If she learns that we were scrying on Bruce—on Batman—without her knowledge, it could fracture the trust she has in both worlds."
"She'll find out eventually," Donna said, though there was no challenge in her voice—only a quiet understanding.
"Perhaps," Hippolyta conceded. "But not today."
Artemis stepped forward, her voice low and respectful. "If I may speak plainly, my queen, this Bruce Wayne—this Batman—he is not like other men. He is prepared for threats, even those from beyond Man's World. He is dangerous, but I believe he respects Diana more than we realize."
Hippolyta met her gaze, then turned her attention back to the pool. "Respect is one thing, Artemis. Trust is another. And trust between Diana and this man will be tested—especially now that we've seen the truth behind his masks."
Audrey, ever the pragmatist, raised an eyebrow. "So, what do we do now? Pretend none of this happened?"
Hippolyta exhaled softly, her eyes still on the scrying pool as if expecting Bruce to somehow reappear. "We watch. And we wait. Bruce Wayne is not our enemy, but he is unpredictable. And if he is to remain close to Diana, we must be prepared for whatever may come."
Athena's voice cut through the tension, calm yet firm. "Secrets have a way of surfacing, Hippolyta. Bruce may have hidden behind his mask today, but he cannot keep it from Diana forever."
Hippolyta turned toward her, her gaze resolute. "When the time comes, Diana will learn the truth. But it will be on our terms—not his."
The temple remained quiet, but the unease in the air was palpable. The Amazons had seen much that day—far more than they had expected—and the implications of what they had witnessed would ripple far beyond the walls of the temple.
As they stood in silence, watching the calm waters of the scrying pool, one thing was certain:
Bruce Wayne—Batman—was far more than they had anticipated. And the delicate balance between Diana's two worlds was about to be tested like never before.
xxx
The dim light of the temple was tinged with a growing sense of unease. As night descended, the Amazons and goddesses stood vigilant, knowing that their work was far from over. Bruce Wayne—Batman—had nearly succeeded in tracing their scrying magic.
Now, they had to assume he would continue his attempts, perhaps even mounting an offense against their surveillance. The warrior instincts of the Amazons were sharpened, and even the goddesses were not immune to the quiet tension building in the sacred space.
Hippolyta stood at the edge of the scrying pool, her fingers resting lightly on its rim. "He will try again," she said, her voice calm but determined.
"Of course he will," Artemis of thr Amazons replied, her arms crossed. "He's not the type to leave a mystery unsolved, especially one involving magic."
The Goddess Athena stepped forward, her brow furrowed in contemplation. "He is a strategist, as we have seen. His mind works like a puzzle. If he knows that we can watch him, he will view it as a threat and will not rest until he neutralizes it."
"Then we must be ready," Hippolyta said. "No mortal can best the magic of Themyscira. We will strengthen the wards, and if he dares try again, we will meet him with the full force of our power."
As if on cue, the scrying pool rippled again, a faint glow signaling that the Batcomputer's systems were attempting to re-establish a connection.
Whatever countermeasure Bruce had activated earlier, it was still in play, and now, its presence could be felt like an invisible thread, tugging at the veil between the mortal world and the Amazonian magic.
"He's trying again," Audrey observed, her eyes wide with both awe and concern.
"It's incredible he's not backing down."
Donna, standing beside her, clenched her fists. "He doesn't know when to quit."
The air around the scrying pool began to hum with energy, the ancient magic of Themyscira responding to the intrusion.
Athena moved swiftly, her hands glowing with divine power as she reinforced the wards surrounding the pool. Artemis, always the warrior, gripped her spear tightly, ready for any sign that this battle might require more than just magic.
"Mother we can't just keep blocking him. We have to stop him from ever attempting this again!".
Hippolyta's eyes remained on the shimmering pool. "We will. But we must understand how far he is willing to go. For now, we hold our ground."
Suddenly, the pool flashed violently, its waters churning as the Batcomputer's algorithms pushed against the Amazonian defenses. Bruce was relentless, using every resource at his disposal to breach the magical barrier and trace the origin of the scrying. Streams of code and encrypted data appeared briefly within the pool, flickering and vanishing as the Amazonian magic resisted.
"He's adapted," Athena said, her voice edged with respect.
"He's no longer just trying to block us. He's using technology to map the magical energy, to isolate its source."
Hippolyta's face hardened. "Then we meet him with strength."
With a single gesture, Hippolyta summoned the full might of Themyscira's ancient magic. The temple trembled as the power of the island surged into the scrying pool, reinforcing the wards with layers of enchantments dating back millennia. Bruce's attempts to trace them faltered for a moment, his connection wavering under the weight of the Amazonian magic.
But then, to the amazement of everyone present, the pool began to glow brighter once again. Despite the vast magical power arrayed against him, Bruce was still fighting back. His mind, his technology, and his indomitable will were working in perfect harmony, exploiting every crack, every minor fluctuation in the magical defenses.
"He's relentless," Artemis said, her voice filled with something close to admiration.
"Of course he is," Hippolyta replied. "That's why he's dangerous."
Suddenly, a new sound echoed through the temple—the unmistakable beep of the Batcomputer's encrypted communications. The scrying pool flickered again, but this time, the image that formed was clearer than before. Bruce's face appeared, his eyes sharp beneath the cowl. He had succeeded in partially re-establishing a connection, though he had not yet fully traced the source.
But what he had managed to do was just as concerning.
The Batcomputer's screens reflected in the scrying pool, showing intricate maps of energy readings, patterns of magic that he had begun to decipher. Though he hadn't located Themyscira itself, he was dangerously close to understanding the magic that protected it.
"We need to sever the connection," Donna said urgently, looking to Hippolyta.
"No," Hippolyta replied. "If we do that, he will only try again, more determined than before."
Athena stepped forward, her eyes glowing with divine light.
"Then we will turn his own tactics against him."
She raised her hands, and the air around the pool shimmered with divine power. Slowly, the image of the Batcave began to fade, but not as a result of Bruce's countermeasures. Instead, Athena was reshaping the magic, creating a false image—a trap for the Dark Knight.
"He thinks he's making progress," Athena said, her voice calm but edged with determination. "Let him believe that. We will feed him false data, lead him down a path that will keep him occupied."
Hippolyta nodded. "A diversion. But will it hold?"
"For a time," Athena replied. "But eventually, he will see through it."
"Then we make sure that by the time he does, we are ready," Artemis said, gripping her spear more tightly. "If he wants a battle, we'll give him one."
The scrying pool flickered once more, the false data taking root in Bruce's systems. For now, it seemed to be working. The image of the Batcave faded entirely, leaving only the calm surface of the pool. But the tension in the air remained. The Amazons knew that this was only a temporary victory.
"He will keep coming," Audrey said, her voice quiet but steady. "He won't stop until he knows the truth."
"And we will be ready," Hippolyta said, her voice strong and resolute. "He may be the Batman, but he is not invincible. We are the Amazons. We have faced gods, monsters, and the forces of the world. One man, no matter how skilled, will not best us."
Athena lowered her hands, the last traces of divine energy fading from the air. "But we must not underestimate him. He is a mortal, yes, but his mind is sharp, perhaps sharper than any we have faced."
"And what of Diana?She trusts him." Donna asked.
"That trust will be tested," Hippolyta replied.
"But for now, she must not know of this. Not until we are sure of where Bruce Wayne stands." She added.
The temple fell silent again, the calm before the storm. The Amazons and goddesses knew that the night was far from over. Bruce Wayne—Batman—would not rest. He would continue his pursuit, continue to unravel the mysteries of Themyscira.
But as long as they stood together, united in their purpose, the Amazons would be ready. Ready for whatever came next.
cxxxx
The sky above Themyscira darkened as the moon reached its zenith, casting an eerie glow across the sacred temple. The duel between Batman's relentless technology and the ancient magic of the Amazons had raged for hours, each side pushing the limits of their abilities. Inside the temple, the air was charged with energy as the Amazons and goddesses maintained their vigil, their focus unwavering despite the long, grueling night.
The scrying pool continued to ripple and shift as Bruce's Batcomputer sent wave after wave of data to infiltrate the magic. Every few minutes, new streams of encrypted code would appear, testing the wards, probing for weaknesses. The Amazons responded in kind, summoning layers of defense, weaving together the centuries-old magic of Themyscira.
Artemis stood ready, her spear glowing faintly as she paced along the temple's edge. Her eyes flickered between the shimmering pool and the night outside, her instincts attuned to the ebb and flow of battle. Hippolyta stood beside Athena, her hands clasped in concentration as she reinforced the barriers, sending waves of protection surging through the temple.
"He's pushing harder," Athena remarked, her divine energy flaring as she closed another breach. "But he hasn't yet broken through."
Hippolyta nodded. "He is close, though. Too close."
Suddenly, the scrying pool rippled violently, and the temple trembled. The Batcomputer's intrusion had intensified, its data streams becoming more aggressive, slicing through the magical defenses like a blade. The ancient runes surrounding the pool flickered as they strained to hold the barrier.
Donna narrowed her eyes, watching the pool closely. "He's trying something different. He's... mapping the weaknesses."
"He learns quickly," Athena said, her voice laced with both concern and admiration. "He's adapting."
Another surge of power from the Batcomputer sent sparks flying across the surface of the scrying pool, but just as quickly, the Amazons countered. Athena's hands glowed with divine light, weaving a counter-spell that forced the data streams to scatter.
But even with their combined strength, they could feel the strain of the all-night duel.
"He's not stopping," Donna said, her voice tight with frustration. "How can one man keep this up?"
"He's not just a man," Hippolyta replied, her eyes fixed on the pool. "He's Batman. His mind is his greatest weapon."
Just as she spoke, the Batcomputer sent a final surge of data, one more powerful than any before. The scrying pool flared, its waters boiling and churning as the temple shook violently. The Amazons braced themselves, summoning all their strength to reinforce the wards.
And then, just as suddenly as it began, the surge stopped.
The waters of the scrying pool calmed, returning to their previous stillness. The temple fell silent, the tension in the air lifting slightly as the intrusion appeared to cease.
"He's... stopped?" Artemis asked, her brow furrowed in disbelief.
Donna scanned the pool, her expression suspicious. "It's too sudden. After all that—he just gives up?"
Athena's eyes narrowed as she examined the fading data streams. "No. He hasn't given up. He's... pausing."
Sure enough, as they watched, the faint image of the Batcomputer's screen flickered once more within the pool. Bruce Wayne's figure appeared, slumped over in his chair, his cowl pulled back as his face was bathed in the pale glow of his monitors. His eyes were closed, his breathing shallow, as though he had finally succumbed to exhaustion after the relentless fight.
"He's fallen asleep," Artemis said, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Hippolyta's eyes narrowed. "Or he wants us to think he has."
Suddenly, a sharp crackling sound filled the temple. The scrying pool began to glow brighter, and then, without warning, a burst of fire erupted from within. The Amazons stepped back as the flames danced across the surface of the pool, and through the flickering flames, they saw the Batcomputer's monitors ignite, sparks flying as the screens cracked and shattered.
"He's burned out his systems," Audrey said, her voice awed. "He pushed them too hard."
For a moment, there was nothing but the crackling of the flames and the distant hum of magic as the Amazons surveyed the scene. Bruce's systems had collapsed, his attempt to breach their defenses seemingly defeated by his own determination.
"We've won," Donna said, though her tone held uncertainty.
Hippolyta's gaze remained on the pool. "Perhaps. But we should remain vigilant."
One by one, the Amazons and goddesses began to relax, their stances loosening as the long night took its toll. Artemis lowered her spear, Athena's divine light faded, and Hippolyta released a slow breath. The tension that had gripped the temple began to ease as exhaustion settled in.
But just as the first rays of dawn began to creep over the horizon, an alarm blared through the temple.
The Amazons snapped to attention, their senses sharp once more. The scrying pool, which had gone dark moments earlier, now flickered violently. Bruce's figure was gone, replaced by a stream of encrypted code—a final surge of data that had been hidden beneath the collapse of his systems.
"It was a trick!" Donna shouted, racing toward the pool.
The code danced across the surface of the water, and through it, the Amazons could see the faintest outline of Themyscira's magical signature. Bruce had used the destruction of his system as a decoy, masking his final move beneath the flames.
"He's close—too close!" Audrey cried out.
Without hesitation, Donna reached into the pool, her hands glowing with divine energy as she plunged them into the water. The magical currents swirled around her fingers as she gripped the edges of the scrying pool, her eyes focused with determination.
With a single, powerful motion, Donna flipped the rim of the pool, causing the water to spill onto the floor. The sacred pool, now emptied, flickered one last time before the connection to Bruce's Batcomputer severed completely.
The temple fell silent again, the only sound the steady drip of water on the stone floor.
Donna straightened, breathing heavily, her hands still glowing faintly with residual energy.
"It's over," she said, her voice steady. "For now."
Hippolyta placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "You did well, Donna. But this isn't the end."
Athena nodded, her gaze fixed on the empty pool. "He will try again. And when he does, we must be ready."
The Amazons gathered once more, their resolve hardening. Bruce Wayne—Batman—had come closer than any mortal had before, but for now, Themyscira remained hidden. Yet they all knew that the battle between magic and technology was far from over.
xxxxxxx