Paradise Lost
Italics- Flashback
Washington, D.C. Embassy Press Conference
"This world is beautiful. Full of love and joy. For generations to come we want better. Our children should not suffer and be burdened by past mistakes. We must learn, teach, and grow together for our children's future. Thank you."
Ambassador Diana Prince smiled as she finished her speech and was met with roaring applause. Looking out to the crowd, her smile few wider as she eyed reporter, Clark Kent, who was clapping the loudest and winked at her.
Ambassador Prince and Reporter Kent had a very peculiar relationship. They had been in each other's lives for 12 years now.
Their first meeting as Superman and Wonder Woman fighting Darkseid and his parademons in the middle of downtown Metropolis.
Their eyes met and it was immediately clear of the spark between them. Clark was very a bit distracted by her, tried to show off just a little bit. A woman so beautiful, making fighting look so graceful. Diana found his showing off quite charming and amusing. She was amazed to see a powerful man be so kind, respectful, and protective. How he assured the children they had to get to safety would be alright.
After the battle, however, when they helped clean up as much structural damage as possible they all went their separate ways. They both wanted to say so much more to each other but in due time.
The President called for them to be honored the next day and he coined the team to be called the Justice League. They weren't all on one accord just yet to be an official team, but they would be there when needed.
A month later, at a Gala in Gotham City hosted by Bruce Wayne, Diana Prince was accompanied by Steve Trevor and Etta Candy. Clark Kent was accompanied by his Daily Planet colleagues Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen.
"Stay out of my way, Kent! I have my exclusive interview with Bruce already locked for the night…til morning maybe."
"Way too much information I didn't need to kn-"
Clark paused when he spotted Diana. She didn't look very enthused to be there.
"Ah, man! She's here! I have to get a close up photo of her!" Jimmy said about to walk over to her.
"I…um…yeah…I'll go with you, Jim."
Lois frowned and scuffed. "Pft. Men!"
Jimmy excited went up to her first.
"Hi, I'm Jimmy Olsen! I was wondering if I could get a picture for the front page! You are smo-"
Clark pulled Jimmy back laughing nervously. "Sorry about that. Jimmy takes his photography seriously and seeing such a beautiful woman as yourself, he got a little too excited."
Diana smiled. "It's fine. It is wonderful to see someone relish in the joys of their passion."
Clark couldn't stop staring into her eyes. "I'm..um…I'm, Clark Kent." He held out his hand for her to shake.
"Diana Prince," she said blushing shaking his hand.
"And what is your passion, Clark Kent?"
"I'm a reporter…for the Daily Planet. That was actually why I…if you don't mind…?"
"Of course she minds. She will not be answering any questions," Steve said grabbing Diana's wrist for her to let go of Clark's hand.
Diana frowned and yanked her hand away from Steve.
"I don't mind at all."
"Could we go out to the terrace for a bit of privacy?"
"Okay."
Diana latched onto Clark's arm as they walked away out to the terrace leaving Steve dumbfounded and Jimmy grinning from ear to ear.
Diana sighed. "It's a beautiful night and the night air is quite refreshing."
"Yes, it is."
Diana looked at him and smiled. Clark smiled back locking eyes with her.
"So your interview questions, Mister Kent?"
"Oh, right…right… Oh, call me Clark."
"Clark…well you can call me Diana."
"Deal. So, Diana, you moved from your home island about 2 years ago? Why leave? The Mediterranean is much more peaceful than here being so chaotic. I mean Boston is nice but…"
"I get what you are saying. I left because I wanted to explore the world for myself. I also felt that I could make a difference in regards to understanding the importance of embracing and celebrating unique cultures. Be a voice for women and children around the world that have been neglected by the corrupted system. My mother was very protective of me. Sometimes sheltering me. At first I never understood why but in my time here I have a bit of an understanding, I just don't feel that my purpose has been fulfilled to go back home just yet." Diana looked at him slightly titling her head. "Why did you become a reporter?"
Clark laughed slightly. "I thought I was the one giving the interview. But I've always enjoyed writing, science and I too, wanted to explore the world. It's amazing that it seems we both have the same idea just a different way of achieving it because I also wanted to help people who felt like they didn't have a voice to let their stories be known."
"And to think that Steve was trying to stop me from speaking with you."
"Well I am a reporter after all. So I get why he would be skeptical."
Diana looked at him questionably.
"What I mean is, some reporters like my friend, Cat Grant, she sometimes enjoy more gossip and rumors. She likes the celebrity drama whether it's true or not. Lois on the hand, even though she wants more facts, she snoops around even in private lives and stepping boundaries to get her front page byline."
"Oh…"
"But you don't have to worry about anything with me. Like I said, I want to have the truth out with people's stories as what they would like for it to be told. I would never step out of bound."
"That's good to know."
Clark unintentionally went into another daze staring at her.
"Clark? Are you alright?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. It's just…Nevermind."
"No, what is it?"
"Well, I know you probably get folks saying it all the time but you look like…"
"Wonder Woman?"
"Yeah…"
"I'm sure you get the same about Superman."
"Superman?!" He laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "No, why should I?"
"You look very much like him."
"I…do…? Can't be. Superman doesn't wear glasses."
Diana reached to take his glasses off.
"Diana. I don't think-"
"Steve told me about keeping a low profile. I suspect the others do the same. However, there are certain features that can't be completely hidden." Taking them off his face she smiled. "Your eyes remind me of the ocean back home. That's the feature that can't be hidden…at least not from me."
Clark was taken aback.
"Diana, I…" He sighed and laughed.
He couldn't lie to her. For one she wielded a lasso that would compel one to tell the truth anyway. But most importantly, Clark just didn't want to lie to her. He felt it instantly within his heart he could trust her and be open with her.
"You are truly a wonder. You didn't even need your lasso."
"How did you know about me?"
"Oh, uh…" Clark cleared his throat he glanced up and down at Diana's figure which did not go unnoticed to her, making her blush. "Well you have a very distinctive voice. A very beautiful voice. And your smile. Really, Diana, everything about you."
"You haven't gotten to know everything about me just yet, Clark."
"We can definitely change that."
"Yes…yes, we can…"
After that night, Clark and Diana began forging their friendship.
About two months afterwards, Starro, a mind-controlling intergalactic starfish and leader of the Star Conquerors, its race of alien starfish, began wreaking havoc.
With the massively devastating impact of his invasion, the heroes decided they must unite as an official team working together to prevent another invasion of that scale to never occur again.
The Justice League was temporarily meeting in Batman's Batcave until they unanimously agreed on a location for their official headquarters. They were all also comfortable with sharing their secret identities with one other.
Clark and Diana became even closer and in sync in ways partnering more often with daily and/or nightly patrols, answering emergencies together. Even as Ambassador and Reporter, Diana only trusted Clark for interviews and features.
Sitting on top of the Daily Planet globe watching the sunset, Clark looked to Diana placing his hand on top of hers.
Diana looked down then looked up at him with a curious smile. "What is it?"
"There's something I want to show you."
"Oh?"
"But it's um…well it's all the way in the Arctic…"
Diana looked even more intrigued and flipped her hand over to grasp onto his.
"Show me."
The two flew off without any hesitation. Diana was amazed at the above view as the crossed from coast to coast.
"Let me know if you get too cold."
"I can handle it, Clark."
"You, sure? We will be flying through a snow storm. It's not that bad but still."
"I can handle storms whether it's on my own or I have someone in particular that can give me a little back up." She smirked and winked at him.
Clark smiled. "Of course!"
Upon arriving to their destination, Diana gasped.
"Oh by the Gods!"
"The Fortress of Solitude."
The fortress appeared to be like an enormous crystallized castle. It is the place where Superman first learned about his true identity, heritage, and purpose on Earth. It functioned as a place of solace and occasional headquarters for Superman.
"Solitude? Meaning you should be alone?"
"Well I mean I can be but I would like to share it with you."
"It's an honor."
Clark took her hand as the floated down to the enormous doors. Clark touch the doors and his hand started to glow being scanned. The doors slowly began to open.
"WOOF! WOOF!"
"Hey, Krypto! Down boy, right now!" Clark ordered.
Diana looked surprised. "You have a snow wolf?"
Clark laughed. "Snow wolf is a pretty apt description to any one else. But he comes from my home planet of Krypton."
Diana patted Krypto's head. "He's adorable!"
Krypto happily wagged is large white fluffy tail.
A flying robot appeared.
"Good Afternoon and welcome back, Kal-El. Would you like to go over the next of your father's journal entry?"
"Not now, Kelex. We have a guest. This is Diana."
Kelex, one of Jor-El's Kryptonian Service Robots on the planet Krypton. Presumed destroyed along with Jor-El and the rest of Krypton, Kelex has nonetheless returned as Superman's primary robotic servant within the Fortress of Solitude where he works as its property caretaker.
"Ah, yes. By your vital readings, Kal-El, it seems that your testosterone levels have increased significantly and-"
Clark's eyes went wide and cleared his throat. Diana blushed and giggled.
"Alright, Kelex, go prepare Krypto a steak or something. Krypto, go with Kelex."
"It was very nice to meet them both," Diana smiled as she patted Krypto on his head again.
"They are some characters. I have to show you my parents."
Clark took her hand. Diana was amazed looking around more. Then she was instantly taken aback at the enormous statues of a man and woman holding up a planet.
"Your parents?"
"Yes, Joe-El and Lara Lor-Van."
"You look much like your father and your mother is very beautiful."
"They were both scientists. My mother was also a General of the Kryptonian army."
"Really?!"
Clark chuckled seeing as Diana lit up more.
"Yeah, I knew you would definitely take interest in knowing that. From my father's journals, he said that she was the fiercest warrior and loved to go on expositions to other worlds. She wanted more for Krypton just as he. But things were complicated with the higher leaders."
"I'm sorry."
"Oh, no. It's okay. I mean it's…survivor's guilt that gets to me sometimes. My parents saved me and I was lucky to have been found by Ma and Pa."
Diana placed her hand on his shoulder. "You have been blessed to be the one to carry on the legacy of your world. Their sacrifice shall not go in vain. It is your strength along with the teachings of Martha and Jonathan Kent."
"You're right. Thanks, Diana. That's the perspective I need. I don't have anyone else to share this with that can truly understand it all."
"I'm very interested to know more. Kelex called you Kal-El? That is your Kryptonian name?"
"Yeah."
"I like that name."
"Oh, well, you know you can call me that too. Well, not in public with the glasses and reporter mode but when I'm Superman or us…alone like this."
Diana nodded slightly. "I understand, Kal."
A slightly shiver went down Clark's spine and his heart swelled hearing her say his name.
"Thank you for sharing this with me. It is truly an honor. Krypton's history is so vast. I would like to share my home island's history with you. Come with me."
"Wait I thought, no men were allowed?"
"Well, there are actually rare exceptions, and you aren't an ordinary man, Kal." Diana took his hand. "I trust you."
Diana walked over to Clark with a proud grin, "Hello, Mr. Kent."
Clark smiled and bowed slightly. "Ms. Prince. That was an amazing speech as always."
"Thank you! I just hope it's heeded."
"Diana, that's one thing you don't have to worry about. If it was anyone else, yeah. But you? You are the one that has been making a difference. So many have been listening to you and changing their ways. New schools and libraries all over the world are being properly funded for better books and other material for students. Safer recreational centers. It's all because of you."
Clark wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed Diana's cheek then rubbed her nose with his making her giggle. At the moment, he didn't care who saw. He was proud of her.
Diana remembered the very first time Clark rubbed his nose against hers.
Clark Kent went to visit Diana at her office at the UN. Embassy.
"Thank you for taking some time out of your schedule, Diana. I'll make this quick."
"Kal, you know I'll always make time for you," she smiled. "So what's on your mind?"
Diana got up from her desk chair and walked around to lean against the front of her desk.
"I wanted to see you in person because I wanted to apologize for the story Lois wrote. If I'd known sooner, I would've gone to Perry to stop it from being published."
Diana smiled. "It's fine. I've already spoke on the matter anyway. People are going to want to tarnish my name because I seem to be a threat to not only the men but some of the women in the same bracket, I'm in here and even in higher positions. It's only been 3 years and I've witnessed things that shouldn't be."
"My first outing as Superman…I dealt with some very corrupted businessmen who put on a front to the public. Money laundering, trafficking…it was awful. That's why I'm a reporter, too. The truth will be printed or online. I will never give up that."
"I admire your determination and work ethic. I, too, will never give up speaking."
"Listen Diana, I was thinking…"
"Yes?"
"Maybe I should be the one to handle your interviews…?"
"I would feel more comfortable, but may I ask why?"
"Lots of other reporters want exclusives without taking in consideration on the person they so desperately want to interview. They are the ones who want to be seen. Lois is a very good reporter in regard to snooping and swindling her way to information. But I've read enough of her articles to know when things are going too far and it becomes somewhat of a bias rant. I find it odd that she's antagonistic towards you. But to get away from all of that, I know and understand what you are trying to achieve. I'll be sure that nothing is misconstrued. What you have to say, will be. You have the voice for so many people who desperately need, Diana. I want to help. We are already a team as Superman and Wonder Woman but we can do more together as Clark Kent and Diana Prince. What do you say?"
Diana smiled and hugged him taking him by surprise.
"So, I definitely take that as a yes!" He chuckled hugging her back.
Diana let out a sigh relaxing in his strong arms. He felt so warm. Clark couldn't help but glide his hands slowly up and down her back feeling her softness.
Pulling back slightly, faces only centimeters apart, they stared into each other's eyes.
"Thank you, Kal. From the moment we met you've been so protective of me."
"I want you to trust me, Diana."
"I do."
They both smiled, leaning in closer. Their lips almost touching until there was a knock at Diana's office door, making them jump back. Clark quickly sat down pretending he was writing something while Diana was still standing.
"Come in," Diana said.
"Ms. Prince? Ms. Holloway is in the lobby. I told her you were still having an interview with Mr. Kent."
"Yes, we will be done momentarily."
"Okay, I'll let her know about 5 more minutes?"
"Yes, that's fine."
"Okay…"
Diana and Clark both let out a sigh as the receptionist closed the door. Clark laughed as he stood up.
"Would this be a conflict of interest?" Diana's asked.
"No, not at all. I know you. You won't hide anything, and I won't either."
As Diana leaned forward to kiss his cheek, Clark wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close.
Diana blushed. "Clark?"
He leaned forward resting his forehead against hers.
"Diana…"
They both smiled and laughed.
"I should get going."
"Call me later?"
"Of course. As much as I would rather it be under different circumstances, but we could meet later at the WatchTower."
"We don't have to always meet just there."
"Wherever you want to go."
Diana smiled. "Okay…"
Wanting so bad to kiss, though, they both knew it wasn't the right time just yet. Clark rubbed his nose against hers wantonly. That gave them at least some kind of temporary satisfaction becoming an ongoing thing of theirs.
Clark…" Diana blushed. "I know you have to get back to Metropolis, but can you stay for just 10 minutes to see Mother?"
"Gladly. But I'm not sure if your mom will be glad to see me."
"Yes, she will!"
"Diana, the last time she saw me, she kept giving me the death stare."
Diana laughed. "No, she didn't."
"If she had heat vision, I'd already be a goner."
Diana laughed again. "Stop it!"
"It's true!"
Diana latched into his arm. "Let's go, Mr. Kent before my mother does end up surprising us with heat vision. You know how impatient she gets."
"Diana…"
She bursted out laughing. "I'm kidding, Kal!"
"That's not funny…"
Diana tried to hold in her laugh. "I'm sorry…okay…okay…" She couldn't hold it. "Oh, your face! You're adorable!"
"Funny, Di. Real funny…"
Diana kissed his cheek.
20 minutes later….
Officina at The Wharf, a multilevel venue featuring a bright, modern Italian trattoria, outdoor seating, a specialty market, and a rooftop bar.
"Hello and welcome! Reservations?"
"Yes, reservation for Diana Prince."
"Ah, yes…your party is already seated however, another is joining?"
"Oh, no. I'm just going to say hi to-"
"His favorite mother-in-law," Diana grinned at him teasingly.
"Did she really just say that?!" Clark thought to himself.
He looked at Diana shocked as his heart turned back flips, but he had to keep his composure and play it cool.
"You're being really funny today," he said quirking his brow.
"Well, Dinah and Mari said I had to work on my sense of humor a little bit."
The host smiled. "Follow me."
Diana giggled and hugged Clark's arm as they followed her to the outside area.
"Mother?" Diana waved.
Hippolyta looked up and smiled slightly.
"Your waiter will be with you shortly."
"Thank you." Diana hugged Hippolyta as she stood up. "I've missed you, Mother."
"I've missed you, too. But…well, if you would come home more often that wouldn't be."
Diana frowned slightly. "Mother…please."
Clark cleared his throat. "Um…it's nice to see you, Hippolyta," he slightly bowed.
"Kal-El," she said sternly. "It seems that at every turn from the day I first met you, you've been at my daughter's side?"
"Oh, well…yeah. I mean we do work closely together for one thing and I'm here to give Diana my support."
"Hm…"
As much as it seemed as if Hippolyta did not approve let alone like Clark, it was quite the contrary. She was quite impressed and intrigued by him. A man of so much power, yet humbled, generous, and respectable. She actually did find him quite worthy of her daughter's love.
The Erymanthian Boar was a mythical creature that took the form of a shaggy tameless boar of vast weight and foaming jaws. No matter how arrows and spears were thrown, the boar was unstoppable until…
"MOTHER?!"
Queen Hippolyta looked up to see her daughter rushing towards the boar.
"Diana, no! Don't-"
"Don't worry, Your Highness, Diana and I got this!"
"What?!" Hippolyta questioned as a man was right in front of her in the blink of an eye then took off toward Diana.
She watched in awe as her daughter and this man quickly tamed the boar and the man threw the boar back into Dooms Doors with ease. He and Diana then closed the doors, and he uses red beams from his eyes to seal the doors shut.
"That should do it," he said proudly.
"Diana?" Hippolyta called.
Diana beamed excitedly and hugged her. "We made it just in time. I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner; Kal and I were in a briefing."
"Kal? You are Kal-El?"
Hippolyta stared at him in awe.
"Yes…yes ma'am."
"The way my daughter spoke of you. Very highly yet you are still not what I had imagine. You exceed that and I don't know if I can trust you to be here now."
Diana frowned. "Mother?"
"I mean no disrespect, your Highness. If I am to not be here, I will leave. Diana brought me here in good faith to learn the ways of the Amazons. I want to help her any way I can to achieve her mission in integrating Amazon teachings to the outside world."
"Mother this is not what we agreed!"
"It's okay, Di. I'll see you when you get back," he smiled reassuringly.
"Kal-El?"
"Um…yes, your Highness?"
Hippolyta turned with her back facing then.
"You will get yourself clean first from the boar and the outside world. Diana will give you the proper robes."
Kal blinked. "Oh…okay." He bowed. "Yes, Your Highness"
"You will also refer to me as Hippolyta."
"Yes, your High- Hippolyta."
"Well, I better get going before Perry starts ranting," Clark chuckled.
Diana leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Call me later."
"Course." Clark kissed her cheek and embraced her.
Pulling back slightly, Clark rested his forehead against Diana's. Diana giggled as Clark rubbed her nose with his own.
"You're so silly, Kal."
"Part of the charm, right?"
"Uh hmm…"
Clark turned his attention to Hippolyta.
"It's always a pleasure to see you, Hippolyta. Til next time."
Hippolyta gave him a half smile and slightly waved.
Clark gave Diana another kiss on the cheek before leaving.
The waiter came not too long afterwards taking Diana and Hippolyta's orders.
Even though, Diana had told her about her achievements with the schools and her latest traveling experience to Singapore, Hippolyta was curious of something more personal.
"Diana? Is there something you haven't told me?" Hippolyta asked with a raised brow.
"No?"
"Is there any other reason as to why Kal-El is always with you?"
"Kal and I are just friends."
"You are speaking to someone who has lived for centuries."
"I know that and I'm telling the truth. Even if Kal and I did have deeper feelings, would you be opposed to our courtship?"
"As long as it doesn't distract you from you duties even more so than you already are."
"What do you mean?"
"Diana, you've neglected your royal duties. You haven't been back home in months. Though, I made my way here."
"What am I to do back home? Sit and listen to the elders complain? Get into a pointless debate?"
"Diana, you know that important decisions need to be made."
"What decisions? Every suggestion I've made is rejected. So, I'm doing things here. What more am I to do?"
"Diana, one day you will be Queen and you must know certain things that I have yet to teach you. You never listened when you were younger and you still aren't. If the council does not see it fit for you to be Queen then-"
"So that's why you are really here. The counsel has yet again threatened to find a new Queen to be in line. One day is a very long ways away. It's not fair that I must continue to put my desires and personal endeavors aside even more because of duty. I've committed so much time to my work…my mission without question. But what I desire is questioned? I should have that choice, Mother! If the council wants to take away my birthright, let them."
"When it comes down to you being next in line as Queen, there is no choice!"
"There's always a choice. Even if not, I'll make one."
"Diana, you need to know that there are sacrifices that has to be made. This luxury of freedom you have is-"
"Freedom? Mother, I am making sacrifices every single day! Freedom would be that I'm able to have time for myself instead of being on a constant schedule. Instead of pushing back my desire if I did want to have a quiet evening with Kal or have a girls' day with Donna and Cassie more often. I don't have the luxury to sit on a throne all day and be served. I was never interested as a child and I'm certainly not now!" Diana gasped realizing what she had said. "Mother, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"You have every right to say how you feel. You always have whether I agree or not. You've made your choices and as I've always done, I have stood back and let you follow your own path. I will continue to do so."
Diana sighed. "Mother, I-"
"Wonder Woman. You are needed at the WatchTower. There's been an attack."
"I…I have to go. There's been an attack. I…"
"Go…"
"Mother."
"Go, Diana."
Diana, still hesitant, nodded slight. She left from the patio taking out her lasso and spinning it around her changing into her Wonder Woman attire.
Hippolyta watched her as she flew off and then stood up to leave as well to go back to her hotel. As she stood up, she felt lightheaded. About to fall backwards, someone caught her. She tried to look up at the person, but her vision was becoming unfocused.
"Maybe that was a little too much but quite effective, Queen Hippolyta," she heard a woman voice say.
"Who? Who are you?!" Hippolyta questioned starting to panic upon realizing she was paralyzed from the neck down.
"That's not important right now. Right now, we are going to take a little ride to the airport and then a flight to paradise."
WatchTower
The headquarters of the Justice League of America. The Watchtower was constructed of promethium and used highly advanced Martian, Thanagarian, Kryptonian and Terran technology.
Diana felt the familiar dizzying sensation as she was teleported to the Watchtower in high orbit above the Earth. She was dressed in her golden armor, razor sharp wings attached to her back, like the Thanagarian. Assembled was the entire JLA of Superman, Batman, Flash, Vixen, Black Canary, and the other champions of humanity. In the middle of the command center, Cyborg stood projecting a map of the Earth with red dots at various locations throughout the planet.
"Here's the current situation" Batman began.
The map flickered as it zoomed in on the city of Metropolis. "Metropolis is currently under attack by a villain calling himself Monarch. The Titans engaged when he emerged, but he swatted them away like flies. At this point, it's all hands-on deck. Flash, you're on crowd control while the rest of us engage Monarch directly. We need to take him down quick to minimize the destruction. Let's get to it," and with that, the League scrambled to the teleporters.
Metropolis was a warzone when the League arrived. National Guardsmen were engaging robotic drones, but tide had turned with the arrival of man's gods, the pantheon of heroes, the Justice League. The heroes spread out, Flash ran about the battlefield at lightning-fast speeds, creating mini tornadoes as he moved at the speed of light. Batman on the other hand, relied on his ample supply of EMP and explosive batarangs, the projectiles flying accords the sky like needles.
In the sky, the Lanterns bombed the mechanical creatures from the air. Hal Jordan and John Stewart led the assault, while the rookies Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz evacuated civilians in their hard light giant hands.
Now Wonder Woman and Superman, they fought in perfect sync as if they were dancing instead of in an epic battle. Like a sonic boom, they flew through the sky, cutting through the androids as if they were butter, a testament to not only the immense power these two possess, but also the way they are together as one.
Suddenly, Superman was knocked back by Monarch, himself, into a wall and pummeled him with punches. It was a flurry that even the Man Of Steel could barely endure but, as Clark felt his consciousness slipping, he heard the battle cry of the warrior he called his best friend, Wonder Woman. Diana blasted Monarch through two buildings and slashed at his armor with her sword, parts collapsing off his body in shards.
"Surrender, and you will not be harmed, fiend!" Diana demanded.
"I think you have more pressing matters to worry about, sweet cheeks! Like, how is that beautiful island of yours? I hear it's getting pretty hot there," he countered with a knowing grin through his helmet.
"What the hell are you-"
Suddenly, the very earth shook like the aftershocks of a massive earthquake. Car alarms blared from the shockwave and windows shattered into numerous shards.
Diana's looked to Monarch with anger.
"What did you do?!" she asked with venom.
"Nothing, Sweetheart. I am here with you. Now, Maxwell Lord on the other hand…" he trailed off with a grin.
"What?!"
Diana launched herself at Monarch punching him as hard as she could.
Monarch countered her attack and the two clashed, though Wonder Woman maintained the upper hand.
"Why are you doing this?!"
"I'm just enjoying the wild ride! Waiting for what was promised to me."
"You think killing millions of innocence is some kind of accomplishment?!"
"No, seeing the Justice League fall one by one starting with you, is the true glory."
A large Jumbotron suddenly appeared in the sky.
"Evening to all!" Maxwell Lord greeted with a maniacal laugh. "Today will be a a glorious day in our world's history. Go far too long Gods have walked amongst us more humbled beings. Have manipulated their way into our hearts. Well, it's time for them to show their true colors showing how they should've never been trusted!"
"What the hell is he waffling about?!" Shazam asked.
"Wonder Woman! The Goddess of peace and love. Ha! What really is peace and love to the Amazons? Barbarian women trained to fight! Nothing more than black widows. But they are no longer a threat as they have all been terminated except for 2. You, Wonder Woman, and the Queen. Recognize where I am now, Wonder Woman?"
There was a panoramic view of the island's destruction.
Wonder Woman gasped; her heart dropped.
"I've done some redecorating. And your mother…"
Hippolyta was unconscious held up by androids.
"Well, I'll give you 5 minutes. So, hurry, hurry." Max put on his helmet. "Lord Havok has more terminations to get to."
Diana's eyes widened with realization as she shot up into the sky and rocketed toward her home. She had never flown so fast in her long life, as a sonic boom wave shot out in all directions with a dull thud.
As Superman was about to take off after her, Batman stopped him.
"We need you here," he said sternly. "She can handle it."
Superman frowned. "If anything happens to her, Bruce, it will be on you."
With Diana
"Diana! Diana! Cassie and I are on our way with you!" Donna said through the communicator.
"No! You both stay with everyone else. He wants me alone. That's what he will get!"
"You of all people should know it's a trap."
"That's even more reason for you both to stay safe. If anything happens to me, Donna! You are to take my place."
"Diana?! Wait no, are you seriously going on a damn suicide mission?! Diana? Di-"
Diana took her communicator out her ear and crushed it.
As she neared the Island, the first thing she saw was the smoke rising from the horizon. As she got closer, the rubble came into view along with the charred bodies of Amazons.
Diana froze, seeing her sisters disfigured, bloodied limbs littering the streets of the market, the structures she had spent her many childhood years playing about now lay in ruin, a façade of their former glory.
Diana began hyperventilating. She was trembling with anger. Her mind completely blank, she took off, attacking the androids destroying them all. Unbeknownst to her, her every move was being broadcasted all over the world with a few drones still flying around.
Back in Metropolis
Superman, Hawkman and Green Lantern were able to take down Metron with a few blows after Wonder Woman made it easier to get through his half-cracked armor.
"He's getting hauled off to A.R.G.U.S. I have questions as to what this attack is," Batman said.
"The rest of the League has everything covered. Flash has everyone evacuated."
"We need you to go south, Clark. Vixen and the rest of her team needs help with a bridge collapse."
"Superman!" Donna yelled as she flew towards him.
"Don…hey! Hey!"
"It's Diana! I told her Cassie and I would go with her but she told us to stay back. She also seems to have lost her communicator or something!"
"Wonder Girl, we can't drop everything here right now. I'm sorry."
"Batman, you can't be serious?!" Donna questioned. "You're not sorry! I'm not talking to you anyway! I'm talking to Superman! Look at her! I know this isn't good! It's a trap!"
Clark looked up at the screen to see Diana still tearing through androids and drones.
"I know, Don. Come with me to the bridge. We will help there and then get to Diana as fast as we can."
Themyscira
In the center of the island was a massive crater, the diameter encompassing the entire royal palace which was nonexistent.
"No! No, no, no!"
Diana flew straight for the center of the crater and saw two human sized shapes concealed by the smoke. As she neared the shapes, the form of Maxwell Lord came into view, holding a round covered object.
"Well, well, well. The prodigal princess returns!" He greeted her with a manacle grin.
"What have you done?!" Diana asked shakily.
"What needed to be done! Metahumans are a disease upon the Earth, and it is my right and mission to eradicate that plague, starting with the obsolete society that worships vindictive gods. Oh, and I think you'll be wanting this," he said as he tossed the bundle to Diana.
It landed at Diana's feet and the covering fell from the object, revealing the decapitated head of Hippolyta.
Diana immediately felt her stomach turn as if she was about the throw up. She shook with fear and rage as she looked into the lifeless eyes of her mother. Tears ran down her face uncontrollably.
"MOTHER!!!! MOTHER, NO!" She screamed and dropped to her knees. "NO! NO! NO!"
"I can see the uncanny resemblance between you and her. Like Mother, like daughter. She did put up quite a fight. I'm impressed. But my patience ran very thin with her insults, however. Do you want to know her last words?" Max laughed. "It was actually sweet. Oh, a mother's love for her child. She said that she loved you. But I sensed her disappointment as she was buying time for herself thinking that you would save her. No, there was no chance of that. There's no happy ending for any of you conniving metahumans."
Diana stared down at her mother's head. "I'm so…so sorry," she whispered. "I should've been here. I should've…I'm sorry."
"It's your time now, woman."
Diana frowned and gripped her sword tighter as she turned to Lord, looking as if she would slay him.
"Oh please, we both know you're a hero who is against taking a life, so don't even try."
"You are a monster! Damn you! Damn you to the deepest depths of hell!"
Diana dashed toward him but was slapped to the side.
"Oh, come on. Give me a fight at least!"
Diana dashed toward him again and as soon as he was going to try to back hand her again, she dodged then kick him knocking his helmet off.
"You are just a little man, hiding behind armor. You are nothing!"
"I am nothing? I am the one who will succeed bringing all of you down! The world will now see, all of you were never to be trusted. This peace and love image you portrayed isn't really you. You are a she-demon. Barbaric warrior women isolated, trained for war since birth was always a red flag. I'll say, you women were gorgeous. Any man would love such as I would've loved to have a few spins. But as I said, the Amazons are nothing more than black widows so I just couldn't take that chance." Max smirked. "If you are a good girl and be just as submissive to me as you are to that flying brick alien. I'll spare you for a little while longer."
Diana punched him.
"Oh…" he spat out blood. "Did I strike a nerve? So, it's true then. You and that alien having an affair right under everyone's noses. Well, this just got even more interesting, and the plan continues on."
"What are you talking about?! What plan?!"
Max laughed and attacked Diana.
All around the world, this clash was on full display as many were running for their lives, taking shelter or unfortunately perishing. The rest of the Justice League were doing their best trying to get control of the situation.
Clark glanced up seeing a screen of Diana being tossed like a rag doll. Though she recovered, getting back up quickly.
"I'm on my way, Diana. Just hold on a little longer."
Diana finally found the opening she needed as she slashed Max's armor.
"All of you are all the same. Inside this armor is nothing more than a misguided child posing as a man."
Diana slammed him down then grabbed him by his collar with her sword to his neck.
"Tell me how to stop this! Tell me what was your plan!"
Max spat out more blood and smiled. He looked up to see the last drone staggering midair. It was a possibility that the sound was damaged which was still perfect for the moment. But just in case, not wanting to be heard, he moved closer to Diana to whisper to her.
"The Batman does not trust his fellow comrades. There has been some very viable information discovered. All of you are nothing more than a ticking time bomb that can't be maintained for long. Especially the alien. His weakness, a green rock, magic… all much too easy. We need to break him slowly. Take something that truly matters to him."
"Who the hell I are you working with?!"
"He said you are lethal. A very dangerous broad. The perfect bait for the alien."
"Who are you talking about?!"
"Princess…the answers are so clear. You were bait for part of phase one. Once the alien sees your lifeless body, he will become unfocused. Easy access to that pea brain of his to be under my control. He will be the cause of much destruction and who will be there to clean up not only the beloved city of Metropolis but the entirety of the world, gaining the people's trust and …vote."
Diana gasped. "Luthor…"
"Ding…Ding…Ding."
"You will not get away with any of this!"
"Princess, it's already happening. There's no way of stopping the inevitable. I bet the alien will be here soon. And once he steps foot on this island, his mind is mine!"
"I won't let you harm him."
"There's nothing you can do except kill me and that will nev-
Max never got a chance to finish before Diana severed his head from his shoulders without a second thought. Max's head rolled away from his lifeless body that crumpled to the ground like a bag of noodles.
It was as if time stood still. All across the world, silence, staring at the screens in horror.
"Diana…"
"Clark, don't you dare," Bruce warned.
"Donna, stay here. I'll be back with Diana."
"Clark," Bruce said sternly.
Ignoring Bruce, Clark took off as fast as he could.
Finally realizing what she had done, Diana uttered a pained cry into the smoky night sky, and she collapsed onto the ground, her mother's head staring back at her.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Mother," Diana continued sobbing. "I should've been here. You were right. I should've listened. I should've listened. I'm sorry," she repeated over and over.
She didn't know how long she sat there until she felt arms wrapped around her, the arms of someone who's comfort she desperately needed. She turned her head into Clark's shoulder and wept harder than she had ever wept. She hears him talking to her, his voice is soothing and reassuring.
"Shhh, it'll be okay. I'm here for you, always."
The last drone finally fell and powered off. The screens across the nation frozen to the image of a blooded, bruised, and battered Wonder Woman weeping in the arms of Superman.
"They're all gone, Kal… They're gone."
"We have to leave, Diana. We can't stay."
"I can't leave her like that. I can't leave them…"
"Okay…okay…" Clark kissed her the top of her head. "We will give them a proper burial."
"I…I can't…" Diana sobbed.
"I got you. Just stay right here."
Clark took off his cape and placed it around Diana. She laid on the ground in fiddle position, sobbing.
Clark's heart shattered seeing her like this. Hours ago, she had just given a speech about moving forward, being happy and at peace. They were just with Hippolyta at the restaurant even if it was a bit awkward. Now, she's gone. Murdered. The island still engulfed in flames. Wonder Woman…Diana Prince…Princess Diana of Themyscira…broken and in so much pain.
Clark flew off to put out the flames.
It was one of the most traumatizing experiences, but he had to do it for Diana. He located the charred and beyond recognizable bodies of her sisters and carefully picked them up placing them side by side in the large crater at the very center of the island.
He was able to find a large bed cloth that wasn't completely ruined for Hippolyta's body. He took a deep breath as he saw her headless body.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. If we would've known, we wouldn't have left you alone. I swore to protect you and this island. I'm sorry I failed you."
Clark then flew over to Diana and gently touched her shoulder.
"Diana, you have to get your Mother."
She shook her head no.
"Diana, you have to. Only you can do this to give their souls peace."
Diana reluctantly got up and slowly walked over to Hippolyta's severed head. Diana closed her eyes and walked over to her body placing her head there.
Clark then wrapped her body in the bed cloth. They both carefully picked up her body placing her at the center.
"Mother…"
Diana broke down again in Clark's arms. Clark cradled her holding her as tight as he could as they kneeled down.
"I promise, Diana. We're going to find out why this happened."
Diana just held onto him tighter. She knew why and it pained her even more. She couldn't bring herself to tell him knowing it would cause him to feel guilty.
They sat there silently for a long while longer until they heard the Justice League plane land behind them.
"Man…" Shazam said.
"Don't say anything, kid. Not now," Barry whispered to him.
They all walked over to Clark and Diana's with their heads down.
"Diana. Clark."
"Bruce, just give her some time," Clark said.
"This is a crime scene. We have to get Lord's body transported."
Clark turned his head and looked at Bruce with glowing red eyes.
"Woah," Green Lantern put his hands up in defense.
Bruce stepped back and put his head down as did everyone else standing there in eerie silence.
They didn't exactly know how long they stood in silence. Diana was the first to speak.
"I want to get back to London."
Without any hesitation, Clark nodded.
He still held onto Diana as they stood up.
Diana frowned looking at the League feeling their distance. She turned her attention solely to Bruce and glared.
"Get that maniac's corpse off my island. Do whatever else you have to do, but don't you dare decimate my mother and sisters from their resting place."
Bruce remained silent narrowing his eyes.
Clark took Diana's hand as they flew up.
"Oh boy…" Hal sighed. "I really don't like being here already. Just doesn't seem right at all."
"Shut up and move," Bruce grumbled.
Clark kept glancing at Diana.
"Di."
"I don't want to talk about it."
"…Okay."
London: Diana Prince's Condominium
They landed on the balcony. Diana got her key from under a flowerpot. She began trembling trying to unlock the door.
"Here…I got it."
Clark slowly took the key out of her hand and unlocked the door.
"Thank you."
Clark slightly nodded.
As they walked in, Diana sighed. Her mind was running wild, and she just didn't know what to do.
"Hey, Di. Go get a shower to try to relax. I'll wait for you."
She hesitated then nodded.
"Hey…" Clark grabbed her hand and pulled her to him in an embrace. "It's alright."
Diana began crying again and held onto him tighter.
They stayed there for however long until there was a knock at the door.
"That's Donna."
"I can't let her see me like this."
"Go ahead."
Diana took off his cape handing it to him.
Clark watched her as she walked away heading to her bedroom.
When Donna knocked again, Clark quickly went to open the door. Seeing Clark, she was relieved Diana wasn't alone. She knew he would be here anyway because not only being Diana's best friend but it was obvious that he was in love with her. He would be by Diana's side through any and everything.
Donna sighed walking in as Clark closed the door.
"Where is she?"
"Taking a shower." Seeing Donna's painful expression broke Clark's heart. "I'm so sorry, Don."
Donna shook her head and tried not to cry.
"It's okay. It's okay. Just let it out, Don." He hugged her.
"I'm here for both of you."
"Thank you. Diana really needs you more than ever, Clark."
In the bathroom…
Diana purposely ignored looking into the mirror. There was so much blood staining all over her and she smelled of smoke from the blazing fire.
She can't hear anything but the sound of screams and cries of her sisters' dying. Closing her eyes even for a second, she could only see their charred bodies, her home island ablaze, her mother's….her mother's decapitated head rolling to her feet.
She stepped into the steaming hot water of the shower. She shivered. It thundered against the floor and echoed around her. She stepped under the stream of water, letting it cascade over her, washing the blood from her. She grabbed her bath cloth and shower gel, gently washing her body.
She shampooed her hair, taking her time, thoroughly massaging her scalp and meticulously getting all the blood out.
It mixed with the water as it swirled down the drain.
"Mother…I'm so sorry…" Diana said as she suddenly broke down in tears.
20 minutes later, back in the living room…
Clark looked at the clock pacing around.
"I should check on her. She's been in there too long."
"Wait, Clark. She probably just needs time."
"I know I just-"
"I'm fine," Diana said walking into the living room.
Clark looked at her sorrowfully seeing how red her eyes were from crying. She looked so drained and tired.
"Diana!" Donna ran to her hugging her.
Diana hugged her sister as tight as she could. "I failed you, Donna. I'm sorry."
"No! No, Diana! No, that wasn't your fault!"
"I should've been home when Mother asked me to."
"Diana, there was no way you could've known. You do so much. It's okay. We will get through this."
Donna hugged Diana reassuringly.
"I'll go put on some tea and warm up our favorite blanket."
Diana nodded.
"Hey, Di?" Clark placed his hand on her hip.
She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Thank you for being here."
"I've told you, you got me, Di."
"I know…"
Clark cupped her face with both hands. He then leaned close rubbing his nose against hers.
"It will be okay. I promise you, we will figure out all of this."
Diana's eyes glossed, tears threatening to run down her face again.
"Go home, Kal."
"What? No, why?"
"You have a deadline."
"That doesn't matter right now. I'm pretty damn sure Perry will understand and-"
"Kal, please. Donna is here with me."
"Diana, I don't want to leave you."
"You are always watching over me. You can hear practically every move I make from miles away when you are really concentrating. If it makes you feel better, I give you permission to do so."
As Kal stared into her beautiful, majestic silver eyes that were once full of joy now full of sadness. Though, Diana gave him a reassuring smile.
"Promise to call me if you need to talk, okay? Don't you dare hesitate."
"I won't. I promise."
Clark kissed her forehead. "I know it's hard but just please, try to get some rest. Just try. I'll be back in the morning for us to go to the WatchTower together."
Diana nodded. "Okay."
Clark kissed her forehead once more before letting her go. He didn't want to leave but he did have so much work to get back to especially dealing with the media frenzy that would be. The Justice League would surely have to hold a press conference soon as well.
Diana just stood there, hugging herself watching as he left from the balcony.
"You know he could've stayed."
"He can hear you still."
"Good," Donna shrugged. "He would agree anyway."
"This is not what we should be talking about right now."
"I would much rather talk about you and Clark being adorable than…what happened," she sniffed trying to hold back her tears.
Diana looked at her sympathetically and wrapped her arms around her.
"Donna."
"Diana, it wasn't your fault. Please don't blame yourself."
"I was the main target of this."
"But why? What did he say to you?"
"I can't say yet, Donna. I don't need you anymore worried. I have to speak to the League first."
Meanwhile, the worldwide news was running wild…
"I don't know, I have always had my suspicions of the Justice League. I knew the chances they would go so far to be as judge, jury, and executioner."
"It was horrific what happened to Wonder Woman's island."
"It was a mass murder. Unforgivable"
"But Wonder Woman still killed a man. What makes her better?"
The next morning…Justice League WatchTower
Kal took Diana's hand before the went into the conference room.
"Hey…Di. You've been quiet, just relax, please. Donna told me you didn't get any sleep at all."
"How can I sleep now without that visual coming to mind? I can't relax, Kal. You read and heard what has been said in the news. The debates over me."
"Let's just see what Bruce figured out then we will go from there, okay?" Clark caressed her cheek for her to look at him. "Okay?"
Diana nodded.
The doors slid open. Clark and Diana's walked into an eerie awkward silence.
As they sat down, Diana noticed how everyone has their heads down purposely trying not to make eye contact with her.
"You of all people should've known better, Diana," Bruce said dryly. "You reacted without thinking, giving Max Lord the show he wanted."
Diana frowned. "So what?! He destroyed my home! My mother and sisters are all gone because of him!"
"You need to calm down and think of-"
"Think of what? This team? That's all I've ever done."
"Diana, I think what Bruce is trying to say is that we need to get ahead of the bad publicity. Set the record straight so we can continue with this investigation properly," Dinah informed.
"So I'm supposed to apologize?" Diana's frowned. "Is that what you are saying?"
"You killed a man in front of the entire world!"
Diana quickly stood up. "And that man killed my family, broadcasting it to the entire world!"
"Di…" Clark tried to touch her hand.
"No! I'm tired of having to hold my tongue! He laughed at their cries! He killed my mother because she didn't bow down to him."
"If you could've hold down longer, we could've gotten there to detain him!" Batman yelled back.
"Detain?! He committed genocide and you say he should've just been detained?!"
"We have to maintain protocol! We cannot make those kind of snap judgements! What you did just seemed like an act of vengeance!"
"Not only my home but thousands of others lost their lives yesterday because of what he did and more would've if I didn't stop him! You are such a hypocrite just like those people on the news judging me! That wasn't vengeance! I get that vengeance is your whole thing and you can have that, Batman! I was doing my damn job!"
"Your job was to detain the threat!"
"And I did just that!"
"Come on, Bats. Give Wondy a break," Billy said. "You know every last one of us would've done the same thing."
"That doesn't matter."
"It does matter," Diana retorted. "What about when Circe broadcasted my battle with Medusa?! When I defeated her, having to blind myself. Everyone was on my side and cheered! Why?! Because Medusa was seen as a monster. Maxwell Lord is just as much as a monster if not more so despite his outside mortal appearance!"
"We know that, but the public didn't!"
"He had a whole damn broadcast naming himself Lord Havok, Bruce. I would've kicked his ass just for that," Hal scoffed.
Bruce narrowed his eyes at Hal.
"Cyborg and I are trying to recover the footage from the island and-"
Diana started walking away.
"Where are you going?" Bruce asked. "You and Clark need to prepare for the Press Co-"
"I'm not preparing for any damn thing! My home is gone because I put so much first, and this is how I'm treated?! My mother was right and because I didn't listen, it cost her, her life!"
"Diana, if you walk out of here…don't come back until we can get this figured out."
Everyone gasped.
"Bruce, what the hell?!" Clark questioned.
Diana clinched her fists. "I didn't plan on coming back anyway! I have been so naive to think we were all a family. I would do anything for any of you. But when it comes to me, I see how you all truly feel."
"Diana, that's not it at all." Vixen finally got up to hug her. "It's just, walking on eggshells. Anything said or done by any of us will just make an even bigger target on our backs. Everything happened so fast. We all just need to calm down to think of the right moves to make."
"I see…"
Diana began walking closer to the door.
"If you walk, Diana…"
The door slid open.
"What did he say to you before you?" Bruce asked.
"You're the world's greatest detective, right? Figure it out yourself," Diana said sarcastically storming off.
"Dammit, Bruce! Diana, wait!" Clark flew out of the room. "Diana, stop!" He flew in front of her and grabbed her upper arms to stop her. "Don't leave, Di."
"You saw the way they were looking at me. You heard what Bruce was saying! They aren't on my side at all! They want me to apologize for doing what was right! I had no other choice!"
"I know that! Hey, look at me!" He cupped her face. "Don't let what Bruce said get to you. We will do this press conference together and you can tell what the people need to know."
Diana shook her head. "Kal, I'm tired. I've done so much for this team, so much for this world. My mother was hurt, Kal! She felt betrayed that I put man's world above her. She was murdered because of me!" Diana cried. "She's gone because of me…"
"No, Di. Stop saying that! You didn't know!"
"I need to be alone."
"No, you don't. I'm going with you or call Donna."
"No, Kal." She pushed away from him. "You handle the Press Conference. I'm done. I need to be alone, and it would be better for the League that I'm gone and out of the way."
"No, Diana. The league needs you. I need you."
"You don't. This was all a mistake."
"No, Di…"
She shook her head. "I have to go."
"No, I'm not letting you go."
"Let me go. Just let me go. It's better for this team…it's better for you."
"No, I won't let you go like this!"
"Please…Clark…I can't be here right now. I need to be alone."
Clark was on the verge of tears himself seeing how hurt Diana was.
"Diana, I can't let you do this."
"I need time, Kal. Please…"
He stared into her eyes for a moment then sighed. He kissed her forehead and pulled her into an embrace.
"Please…just…" he sighed again. "It's going to take some time but it's going to be alright."
Diana pulled back shaking her head and caressed his cheek. She couldn't tell him. He would just blame himself just as much and she couldn't let that happen.
"I failed, Kal. Max…his plan…it didn't go quite as he wanted but he still won anyway."
"What? Diana, what are you saying? What did he say to you? What was his plan?"
"The League and the world needs Superman more than ever now."
"Diana…"
She pulled away from him.
"Diana, don't do this!"
"I have to go."
"Diana, please…"
"Hey Big Blue, I think it's best for Wondy to get a breather," Billy said placing his hand on his shoulder. "She'll be back."
Clark watched her leave down the hall. "I don't know." He then clinched his fist and punched a hole in the wall. "Dammit, Bruce!"
"Wait… no, no, no. Calm down, Big Blue."
Billy tried to pull him back but Clark dragged him back into the conference room with him.
"I tried," Billy said defensively.
"What the hell was that, Bruce?!"
"I gave her a chance to tell us what happened! From the video it looked like she just took matters into her own hands!"
"Did you even stop and think that, that's exactly what Lord wanted?! Diana left saying Max won! You played right into whatever the hell he wanted! She lost her home, her family and all of you turned your backs on her! Diana has always been supportive of all of us without any hesitation but when she needs all of us the most, none of you act like you care!"
"We care, Clark," Dinah said.
"If that's so, Dinah, why didn't any of you speak up more?" he snapped.
"Hey, don't talk to her like that," Ollie warned. "We have been put in a very bad position."
"And you are all blaming, Diana?!"
"Clark! Listen dammit! The only way we will know why Diana killed Lord is that we need the audio! Other than that, it doesn't look good!" Batman reiterated. "She had him subdued. That should've been it!"
Clark hit his fist on the table cracking it in half.
"Clark!"
"Shut up, Bruce! Get the damn audio. I'll do this press conference, but I'm done after that! Without Diana, this isn't a team…this isn't a family. You all should be ashamed!"
Clark left leaving everyone distraught.
"Nice going pissing off not one but two Demi-Gods, Bat." Hal shook his head.
Everyone else then left out leaving Batman alone.
The WonderDome
The Wonderdome was a mobile fortress belonging to Wonder Woman. Originally the invisible jet, attacked Wonder Woman and destroyed a portion of Gateway City after falling under the influence of the Greecian Titan, Oblivion. Wishing to make up for its transgression, the jet reconfigured itself into a flying fortress to be used by Diana as a new base of operations in her bid to become more mobile and tend to various war hotspots around the world. Possessing various rooms constructed with the purpose of serving Wonder Woman's various needs.
Clark was on his way to the dome worried with Diana not answering any of his calls.
"Come on, Di, answer the phone."
While calling her, he saw Donna and Cassie outside the dome entrance.
"Donna? Cassie?"
"Clark! Oh thank the Gods you're here!"
"What's going on?"
"Diana won't open the doors," Cassie informed him. "It seems she's locked herself in."
"What?!"
They heard a loud crash and banging sound.
Using his x ray vision, Clark saw Diana in a simulation fighting androids that looked like Lord Havok.
"Oh, no! Diana! Diana, open the door!"
"What is it?! What is she doing?!"
"She's created a simulation. She's fighting android copies of Lord."
"What do we do?" Cassie asked. "We can't break down the doors. It was cause a breach in the dome system."
Clark sighed. "I'm monitoring her heartbeat. She's fine physically but emotionally…she needs us. But I think it's best for her to fight it out. As much as I don't like this, Diana is stubborn as hell. If this is what it takes, we have to let her do it. But I'll keep monitoring and calling her until she answers. If something happens, I'll let you know."
"Okay. Thank you, Clark," Donna hugged him.
"Thanks, Clark. If there's anybody that can get through to Diana, it's you," Cassie smiled.
Though, 3 days had passed. Diana was still locked inside the dome. She did stop briefly with the simulation, however she soon started back up with a fury rage, still ignoring everyone's calls.
Washington, D.C.
Superman took a deep breath as he looked out at the crowd of officials, press and civilians.
He didn't have Diana with him, and her absence was clearly felt. She knew he would get a bit nervous with these press conferences but her support being by his side gave him the confidence he needed. Now, without her, he was even more nervous, but he had to do this for her.
"Superman!"
"Yes?"
"Lois Lane from the Daily Planet as you know."
"Yes."
"Where is Wonder Woman? Shouldn't she be here as well to speak?"
"She is grieving the loss of her home. I know the toll it takes as I lost my home on such a level of devastating magnitude. I am speaking on her behalf."
"So, you can provide the answer to the burning question we all have. Why did she kill Maxwell Lord in cold blood? Was it a message to others? Will the Justice League now be taking lethal measures?"
"Ms. Lane, I'm sure you and everyone else all heard Max Lord's message prior to his death. He taunted Wonder Woman. He proclaimed himself to be Lord Havok and confessed to wanting to start an all-out war. He murdered her people and wouldn't have stopped if lethal measures weren't taken. The Justice League is recovering the footage as well as the audio of what Max Lord's last actions and words."
"Will this be released to the public?"
"Assuming that there is confidential information, no. However, I will say right now, Wonder Woman has been justified for her actions against Lord Havok. Although, thousands of innocent lives were still lost, she still saved billions."
"So, you agree with her decision?"
"Wonder Woman is the embodiment of absolute truth. She wouldn't have done so if Lord Havok hadn't given her a reason to and she had no other choice. Yes, I stand by every decision she makes."
Mumbles amongst the crowd.
Hours later…
Floating in the sky with his arms crossed, Clark used his x-ray vision watching Diana still fighting androids.
He closed his eyes listening to her heartbeat pounding. Normally, it was quite a thrill and adrenaline rush in the heat of a battle. But right now, he felt her anger and sadness only rising and was worried she would soon be too caught up and completely engulfed in it.
"Hey, Di. I know your voicemail is going to be full soon with all my messages, but I won't give up until you talk to me. You don't have to deal with this alone. You have me, Diana. Through any and everything I'm with you." He paused for a moment. "Diana, I lo-"
Voice mailbox is full. This mailbox is no longer able to receive messages.
Clark hung up and sighed. "Damn!"
2 more days passed…
Clark was busy with yet another deadline that kept him at the office after hours. With Lois, Perry, Cat and Jimmy over his shoulder for whatever their reasons he couldn't get away.
"Oh my God! Another date I have to cancel!" Cat whined.
"Well at least whoever it is doesn't have to worry about their credit card charged to the limit," Lois retorted.
"Pot calling the kettle black lane? Still salty about how Superman took up for his wonderful girlfriend?"
"What?!"
"Come on, Lane! You are jealous!"
"Look, I'm not jealous of anyone who is basically a walking Nerium Oleander."
"Lois, that's enough! Don't talk about her like that!" Clark snapped.
"Woah! Calm down you big oaf!" Lois snapped back. "You think defending her is going to finally get her to give you that star spangled thong?"
"She lost everything that mattered to her. Have some kind of respect and sympathy."
"I know what it's like to lose a mother, mind you! But I'm not going around chopping off heads whether deserved or not!"
Clark shook his head.
"I'm surprise Ambassador Ms. Perfect hasn't said anything. Where is she, Kent?"
"She's…she's on a trip in London."
"Hmph…typical. I knew you would know."
"What does that supposed to mean?"
"You are like a lovesick golden retriever in heat for her."
"Leave him alone, Lois! Clark and Diana are cute!" Cat said.
"We aren't together, Cat."
"Not yet! I know for sure she totally digs CK," Jimmy said.
"Don't give him false hope, Olsen." Lois rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry, Lane, we will find you a date. Maybe Lex Luther is available again. You know he has been holding out hope for you. But definitely wouldn't want you being First Lady if he actually won the Presidential election," Cat shivered.
"Oh, shut up, Grant!"
Meanwhile….
Pure rage…that was all Diana felt as she smashed one Max drone after another. All she felt was despair and rage. She tore drone after drone apart like they were made of paper. As she fought, she flashed back to one image, one horrific image that will stay with her as long as she lived. It was the image of her mother's head, eyes blank, staring at her as Lord insulted her honor and her family. She tackled one of the drones to the ground and straddled the metal shell and rained blows down upon its face, the face of man who had taken everything from her, the man who would have turned Kal into an instrument of destruction. When the drone was ground to a fine paste, Diana let out a single, long, pained cry, not that of a warrior, but that of a wounded girl. Finally, Diana collapsed from exhaustion and curled herself into a shaking ball.
Suddenly, a faint red light surrounded her. It was the color of blood, almost like the blood of her sisters that had caked the marble floors of the palace she had called home as a girl. The glow grew brighter and brighter before it was nearly blinding. Then Diana heard a voice, the voice of a monster, the stuff of nightmares.
"Diana Prince of Sector 2814…" It began, reverberating in her head, "You have great rage in your heart."
The light receded to reveal a small ring, similar to the green ring of willpower wielded by the Green Lanterns and the pink ones of the Star Sapphires. This ring, however, was blood red, just like the blood that stained Diana's hands and armor when she held her mother's head. It floated to her finger and slid onto the digit.
"You belong to the Red lantern Corps."
Suddenly, Diana felt like her blood was on fire, her eyes became sickly red, as did her armor. She then vomited up burning plasma that melted part of her arena.
"KILL….DESTROY…RAVAGE…..VENEGANCE," the voice echoed in her head as she was consumed by the fire that coursed within her very veins.
But suddenly, one thought cut through the fog of evil that littered her mind, a single, beautiful light in her darkness.
"Kal."
"WARNING…RAGE COMPROMISED….LOVE DETECTED."
The ring's voice began to die down, and it slipped from her finger, clanging to the ground. Diana collapsed to the ground, unable to breath as her heart had stopped. There lay Diana of Themyscira, Wonder Woman, hero of the Justice League, dead. Lifeless eyes fixed on the red ring that lay on the ground, powerless.
Little did Diana know, she was not alone, floating incorporeal above her form was a man who could have been mistaken for a superhero himself. He was covered in Grecian robes befitting a God. His dread hair and beard were white as snow, and his arms flickered with the power of lightning similar to that of Shazam. He raised his hand toward Diana's body, and the lightning shot out toward the unconscious body.
"Arise, my daughter! This is not your time to fall!" he said before he vanished back to Olympus.
Diana's eyes shot open, and she sat up with a deep breath. She looked around startled before her eyes landed on the red ring of rage, which brought disgust to her heart. She had heard stories from the Green Lanterns and Carol about how the ring only appears when someone feels intense rage in their heart. She looked away from the ring in disgust and flew immediately out of the Wonder Dome in no particular direction.
30 minutes later…
Back at the Daily Planet, Clark was leaving out and when he tried concentrating on Diana's heartbeat, he could no longer hear it.
"Diana?! No!"
He quickly flew off.
Clark soon arrived at the Wonder Dome to find the Lanterns had beaten him there, scanning the area with their rings. He found Hal and Carol conversing in the corner of the room and approached the couple.
"What's going on? Where's Diana?" he asked frantically.
Carol sighed, "We don't know. We detected Red Lantern energy and rushed over. When we got here, we found a Red Lantern Ring on the floor, and Diana was gone."
Clark sighed and shook his head as he imagined different scenarios. Diana could have been captured by Red Lanterns, she could have been tortured, or worse. No…freaking out is not going to solve anything.
Clark walked to the hole in the Wonder Dome wall, sealing itself.
He took a deep breath, "Diana, where are you?" he thought to himself trying desperately to get a lock on her heartbeat. Clark turned to the Lanterns. "I'll try to track her trajectory from the Watchower. If you find any sense about where she may have gone, you let me know first."
Hal patted Clark's on the shoulder. "Will do, Big Blue."
With that, Clark shot up into the sky and out of the atmosphere.
Other leaguers were immediately notified to help search for Wonder Woman.
But as the hours passed there was still no such luck. It was like she just vanished.
WatchTower
"Did you find her?!" Vixen asked as Clark walked into the conference room.
Clark shook his head. "No. She isn't in London nor Boston. I can't get a sense of her at all."
"Maybe she's chilling with the Olympians," Billy said trying to sound optimistic.
"No, she wouldn't do that. Not after the whole battle I had with Apollo."
Bruce took in a deep breath placing his hand on Clark's shoulder.
Clark quickly turned around with a frown. "This is your fault!" he scolded. "If you hadn't been so damn uncaring and pushed her out putting a guilt trip on her! I swear if anything happened to her, Bruce, it will be on your hands, and I'll be quitting the League!"
Bruce narrowed his eyes. "We will find her."
Crete, Greece
Chania Town is the best-preserved city in Crete, maintaining Venetian and Turkish structures from eras gone, visible while strolling within narrow, labyrinth alleyways, many of which have been converted to small hotels, guest houses, restaurants, shops, or homes. The city's old town offers a feel of the past, whereas the new town offers a more cosmopolitan edge.
The city of Chania is divided into two parts: the old town and the modern city which is larger. The old town is situated next to the old harbor while the modern city surrounds the entire old town.
Walking the alleyway home, was a woman in her early 40s with her two children.
"Caitlin."
She heard a man call stepping from out a corner.
"Matheus…I told you to stay away."
"Stay away from my wife and kids?! No! We need to work this out! You need to respect me as your husband!"
"I'm done with this, Matheus! You've hurt me so many times! It's so much I can take!"
"Caitlin! You are my wife! I am not staying locked out of my house another night!"
"You are out the house already at all hours of the night so stay! Do not follow me or I will contact the authorities!"
"You will call the authorities on me?! Me!"
"Matheus just leave me and the children alone! You've scared them!"
"I'm not scarring them! What you are telling them is making them turn against me! Milo, come here!"
"No!" He yelled at his father."
"What?!"
"I said no! Leave us alone!"
Matheus frowned. "Don't you dare disrespect me! I am your father!"
"I don't care!"
Milo tried to push him away from getting closer to Caitlin and his younger sister, Lydia, who was gripping her mother's dress and crying but Matheus grabbed him by his arm and threw him aside.
"Ow!" Milo cried out in pain falling in his arm.
"You hurt him! This is exactly why you need to stay away! You have a temper you can't control!"
"Temper?!"
Caitlin gasped as Matheus raised his hand.
"You think I have a temper, I'll show you temp-"
Suddenly Matheus was stopped by someone behind him grabbing his wrist.
"What the he-"
"You dare hurt a child and then try to lay your hand on a woman with child?"
"Listen I don't know who the hell you are, lady, but this is none of your business."
As the woman let his wrist go, Matheus quickly turned swinging his fist. But the woman caught his hand squeezing it.
"I have made this my business."
Matheus looked surprised to see the cloaked woman so statuesque. "Who the hell are you?!"
The woman took the hood of her cloak off revealing her angelic face, piercing silver eyes that shined as bright as the moonlight.
Matheus smirked. "Well, well…We can easily settle this in a much better way in the hotel I'm staying in."
The woman frowned. "You pig." She slapped him down to the ground.
Matheus quickly stood back up. "You made a big mistake, Lady!"
"If you dare come anywhere near this woman or her children again, you will have to answer to me."
Matheus frowned and glanced at Caitlin.
"Fine."
Matheus walked off not even acknowledging his son sitting on the ground crying.
"There, there. It's okay, little one."
The woman picked up Milo and walked over to Caitlin.
"Thank you for helping us," Caitlin said.
"No need to thank me. I'm just doing my…what is right. Would it be alright if I walk with you the rest of the way home? You shouldn't be alone in your condition."
"Yes, thank you. And to repay you, would you like some tea?"
"That would be lovely," the woman smiled.
As they were walking, Milo smiled at the woman. The woman noticed this and smiled back at him.
"Are you alright?" she asked him.
Milo nodded.
"You are a very brave young man protecting your mother and sister."
"You are strong and cool!"
"Thank you."
"How did you get so strong?" Lydia asked.
"Lots of training when I was about your age."
"Mama, I want to train!"
"Yeah, me too!" Milo agreed.
Caitlin laughed. "You two will only be training with your schoolbooks and chores."
"Awww…" they whined.
"I would gladly teach them some defenses."
"Oh, no…no. They don't need to learn how to fight. It's been enough fighting."
"Be assured. They will only use the tactics for defense never to attack."
Caitlin thought for a moment. "I will think about it."
"Yay!" The children cheered.
"I'm sorry…but what is your name?"
"My name…oh..my name is Di-…" she paused. "My name is…Ophelia."
Caitlin glanced at the mysterious woman taking note of the sadness in her eyes behind her beautiful warm smile. She knew right then, although Ophelia seemed very nice and protected her and her children, she was running away from something or someone herself.
To Be Continued….