Chapter 82: Wouldn't You Like

Batman slowly got back up, seeing the Stymphalian Bird towering over him. He stood his ground, taking a small step back and waiting for the bird to make its move. Finally, the bird lunged toward Batman, prompting him to pull out a flashbang and chuck it at the bird's face. It went off, causing the bird to shriek in pain before staggering back. Batman then ran underneath the bird, pulling a rope from his belt and wrapping it around the bird's legs before moving out from under it. He attached the end of the rope to a batarang before throwing it toward a nearby pillar. It wrapped around the pillar, going tight as the bird tried to step forward. Its confined legs caused it to snag on the rope and eventually toppled over.

Donna meanwhile kept a grip on her newly acquired spear as she kept circling the bird. Her eyes kept sight on the creature, just waiting for it to make the first move. Finally, the bird lunged forward, trying to snap at her. Donna deflected the attack with the blade of her spear before spinning it around and stabbing it in the side of the bird's head. This caused the bird to cry out in pain before lunging at Donna again, prompting her to leap away before the strike could connect.

"Is that the best you can do, creature?" Donna boasted, aiming her weapon at the bird. "Come at me!"

The bird let out a shriek before charging at Donna. Meanwhile, Artemis managed to pick herself up as her bird came flying toward her. Thinking fast, she rolled out of the way just before the bird could strike. As she got back up, she saw that the massive winds had unearthed some broken off spearheads and other metal items. She picked one up, recognizing the metal due to her time in the weapons forge on Themyscira. As she looked up, she saw that the bird was about to strike again. Taking a chance, she slammed two of the metal pieces together, causing the vibrations to hit against the bird's metal beak and make it back away in pain. Artemis looked down at her makeshift weapon, smiling at the prospect.

"Donna! Batman!" she cried out. "The weapons are bronze! Their beaks are vulnerable to it!"

Donna looked down at her spear, smiling at the prospect before scanning around for another spearhead close by. She ran over and slid on the ground to grab it before turning back toward the looming bird. She struck the pieces together, causing the bird to stagger back in pain as Donna kept up the attack.

With Batman, his bird managed to snap the cable that confined it and slowly got back to its feet. Batman quickly chucked a smoke bomb in the bird's face to keep it disoriented as he made a break for it. He spotted more scattered pieces of bronze and rolled onto the ground, scooping them up and striking them together. Like the others, it cried out in pain before staggering backward.

Each of the heroes kept up the attack, driving the birds back until they were all circled in together. The constant vibrations became overwhelming for the three of them as they finally collapsed from the pain. Once they were sure their enemies were down, the three heroes let up on their attacks and regrouped.

"Brilliant plan, Artemis," Donna commended. "How did you know that would work?"

"I recalled Hercules used a similar tactic in his twelve labors," Artemis relayed. "It seemed like a sound strategy."

"Indeed."

Just then, the three of them noted something strange happening to the birds. They started to shrink and change. After a few moments, they reverted back to the human workers that had gone missing before.

"What?" Donna let out. "What kind of sorcery is this?"

Batman went to check on the workers, making sure they were alive.

"They're alright," Batman confirmed. "Just a little disoriented."

One of the workers slowly woke up, gazing up at the sight of Batman above him, causing him to gasp.

"Don't overexert yourself," Batman told him. "Do you know what happened to you?"

"Ugh…" the worker let out. "The last thing I remember was… a woman. She was standing far away. She held her hand out to us and…" he groaned in pain ."and then nothing."

"Just relax. We'll send help for you soon."

"A woman…" Artemis pondered. "Turning men into beasts…" suddenly, it all clicked into place. "Circe."

"You're familiar with her?" Batman questioned.

"Only through reputation. But this sort of trickery is just the sort of thing she would concoct."

"But why?" Donna wondered. "What would she have to gain by attacking this place?"

Batman thought for a moment, then noticed something that made everything line up.

"I don't think it was about the site, but about bringing us here."

"How can you be sure of that?" Artemis wondered.

"Simple. Where's Diana?"

…

Diana let out a groan of pain as consciousness returned to her. Her eyes cracked open, allowing her to see she was in some kind of palace interior with columns lining opposite ends of the room. At the end of which was a throne not unlike those made for the temples to the Greek Pantheon. Sitting in the throne was the woman who had attacked her, Circe. Instinctively, Diana tried to get up and charge at her, but felt something holding her back. She looked down to see she was not only bound by her own lasso, but a clamp was also placed around her neck and chained to the floor, impeding her movement.

"Welcome back," Circe greeted. "I can see your little rest has not impeded your vigor for battle."

"Spare me your condescension, sorceress," Diana threatened. "Why have you brought me here?"

"My, such hostility," Circe mused before rising from her throne. "Is this how you approach all your problems? It's a wonder you haven't made the world any worse than you already have."

That caught Diana off guard. "What are you-"

"I've been keeping an eye on you, Diana," she told him, beginning to circle around her. "And I have to say, you have left quite a mess in your wake. Mass desolation, lives lost or ruined, all because you thought you were making the world a better place."

Diana was taken aback by the allegations, unsure of how to respond. Circe just smirked as she saw the confusion and conflict on Diana's face.

"You don't believe me, do you? Well, let's take a stroll down memory lane…" she held up her hand, currently glowing with energy. "And unearth the truth."

She then pressed a finger to Diana's forehead, sending a surge of energy through it into her mind. It wasn't nearly as painful as the attack that rendered her unconscious, but it still caused a small degree of discomfort. Then, an ethereal orb began to form above them. Inside the orb, it showed the images of events playing out. Diana instantly recognized them as images from the past. Her past.

"Let's start at the beginning, shall we?" Circe waved a hand at the orb, showcasing the tournament to determine Themyscira's champion to Man's World. "Ah, there we are. The tournament of the Amazons. The one you were forbidden to join."

Diana winced. "I made my choice. And my mother understood that."

"Yes, but it was not without cost. Because you left, the god killer was gone when Ares escaped the island," Circe waved her hand again, showing an image of Alexa's body dead on the ground. "And your fellow Amazons paid the price."

Diana was speechless. The reminder of Alexa's death hit her harder than she expected. She hated to admit it, but she felt some truth in Circe's words.

"If only you were there… to prevent this tragedy."

"Enough…" Diana let out, turning away. "You've made your point."

"Oh, my dear Diana… We're just getting started."

…

Back with the others, they all began their search for Diana. Batman tried reaching Diana on comms, but was coming up empty.

"Nothing," he relayed to Artemis while Donna went on ahead. "Wherever she is must be blocking the signal."

"Not surprising," Artemis commented. "Circe's magic would no doubt keep her and Diana secluded from any trying to find them," Artemis then grimaced. "Which makes finding them all the more difficult."

"Over here!" Donna's voice called out.

The two quickly rushed over to a spot amidst the woods. They passed through a treeline, seeing a large crater in the middle of the ground. In the middle of it was Donna, who was standing over the unconscious worker.

"He's alive," she said, turning toward them. "But I found this," she held up Diana's sword.

The two were shocked by the revelation, electing to drop down into the crater and walk over to her.

"She was here," Donna relayed. "But there's no sign of her being dragged off or anything."

"Meaning she could have taken Diana anywhere," Batman lamented. "She may not even be on the island anymore."

"I don't care if she's been taken to the depths of Tartarus!" Artemis declared. "I won't rest until that harpy pays for what she's done!"

Just then, there was a strange chuckling that filled the air. They all looked around in search of the source.

"I must say," a voice with a thick accent, higher pitch, and an almost melodious lilt to it spoke out. "You Amazons never disappoint when it comes to promises of violence."

"Who goes there?!" Artemis let out. "Show yourself!"

The chuckle filled the air again as a strange man stepped out from behind a tree. He was wearing a white Hawaiian shirt that was only buttoned halfway, a thick fur coat, and a pair of black skinny jeans. He had boots reaching his knees and a pair of thick, golden glasses on his face. His hair was long, brown, and curly, and his smirk reeked of mischief.

"Who are you?" Batman demanded. "What are you doing here?"

"Who am I?" The man put a hand to his chest in mock offense. "Why Batman, I'm offended. I would have thought my baby sister would have told you about me."

The man lowered the glasses, revealing glowing, golden eyes that radiated power. Batman raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"You're a God."

"I am, dawling!" the man declared, clapping his hands and grinning widely. "Hermes, the God of Travelers, Trade, thieves, and anyone who travels the open road. And I have to admit, it's been eons since I've participated in a quest."

"Lord Hermes!" Artemis exclaimed, immediately dropping into a bow.

"What an honor to meet you!" Donna agreed, also dropping into a bow.

Hermes giggled, glancing over at Batman, who just seemed to be eying the God. In response, Hermes glanced down at himself, giving a cheeky grin.

"What, were you expecting a toga or a winged helmet?" Hermes summoned said winged helmet from this air, twirling it on the tip of his finger like a basketball. "Hardly discrete, and personally, I've been having a little fun with the humans. The muses told me about this YouTuber making a musical about the Odyssey and I just had to get involved. They think I'm some singer named Tom Doherty. It's been, pardon the pun, Epic!"

He began to laugh like he had just said the funniest joke in the world.

…

Diana struggled against her confines as more memories cycled through the orb. These were of Diana's time in World War One, serving alongside Steve Trevor and his allies. She saw her past self as she stormed through No Man's Land, clearing the way for her fellow soldiers.

"My, my, my," Circe mused. "You've made yourself out to be quite the hero, haven't you. You really are good at maintaining this illusion of heroism. It's no wonder you've kept it up this long."

"It was no act. All I've ever wanted was to help people. To serve mankind."

"When it suited you. Other times, however…" Circe mused, giving a coy look. "Well, let's take a look."

She manipulated the orb once more, causing it to fast forward to her fight against Lutendorf. It was a sight she was all too familiar with. She watched as she was pinned down, Lutendorf standing over her about to strike the finishing blow. Just then, a massive explosion appeared above them, causing them to look and see a massive ball of fire in the sky. As the Diana of the past cried out in agony and loss, the Diana of the present turned away in remembrance and grief. The scene wasn't done though, as the Diana of the past lashed out in her grief, unleashing her latent power to strike down not only Lutendorf, but Dr. Poison as well. Circe smirked in response.

"Well, there's an interesting sight. The so-called noble hero lashing out in bitter anger to strike down her enemies without hesitation or remorse… all because her boyfriend got himself killed," she looked back at her, seeing her emotions starting to boil over. "How does this serve mankind again?"

"I… I was angry… blinded by loss…"

"And in your anger and loss, you decided to snuff out their lives without a second thought. Like an unfeeling, all knowing, god."

At that, Diana snapped and lunged forward at Circe. She didn't get far as her chain snagged, holding her back inches from Circe. The witch just smirked as she watched Diana struggle against her restraints to try and get to her. In response, Circe just raised her hand and flicked her finger, sending a surge of magic that sent her flying back before hitting the ground. Diana winced in pain as Circe walked over, taking a sick amount of delight in Diana's pain.

"My, such a temper for one who values peace. Makes one wonder what else is hiding behind that pristine armor," she gave Diana a sly smile, signaling she was far from done with this.

…

Hermes spun his signature helmet a bit before tucking it under his arm. He was still smiling, though there was a seriousness to his gaze.

"I think that's enough pleasantries. After all, my little sister isn't going to save herself. I mean, normally she could, but Circe's not exactly playing fair."

"What do you know about it?" Batman asked, walking up to him.

"Quite a lot," Hermes remarked. "You don't seem the Musical type, but I'd bet my sandals you've at least read the Odyssey. Tell me, what was Circe's Modus Operandi?"

"She turned men into pigs," he answered bluntly, which got him a boop on the nose from the grinning God.

"Correct!"

"But I get the feeling the real Circe has bigger ambitions."

"Oh far greater." Hermes nodded gravely. "It is within everyone's best interest if Circe doesn't get what she wants. However, in this day and age, interference from the Gods is... not recommended. Especially after what happened with Ares."

At the mention of the God of War, the God of Travelers shuddered.

"That's what put Diana on Circe's radar," Batman reasoned. "Anyone who took him down would have to be of some interest."

"Oh you have no idea. Our father has big plans for our little God Killer and letting Circe get what she wants would throw the entire wrench set into the works."

"And what exactly does she want?" Donna asked, stepping forward. "Why is Circe going after Diana?"

"Why, to become the God Killer herself, dawling. I thought that much was obvious." Hermes shook his head in disappointment. "Honestly, you're supposed to be the level-headed one."

"You may be one of the gods," Artemis spoke up. "But insulting my sister is not-"

All of a sudden, Hermes was right in her face. His golden eyes met hers and he was no longer smiling. The air around them felt heavy and electric.

"Watch it, dawling," he said in a low, threatening voice. "You don't want me as an enemy."

"I… apologize, Lord Hermes" Artemis replied, backing down.

Immediately, the oppressive air vanished and Hermes was grinning again.

"Forgiven."

"If you know Diana is in trouble, why don't you rescue her yourself?" Batman asked, approaching him.

"I just told you, I'm not allowed to." Hermes rolled his eyes. "However, I can offer you some assistance, much like I did for Ody back in the day."

"Moly root, I assume?"

Hermes grinned, immediately thrusting a dark green herb with a thick black bulb and a milk white flower into the Dark Knight's face.

"Holy Moly, Batman!"

Batman remained unimpressed. Hermes sighed, lowering the root.

"If I were Burt Ward, you would have laughed. But yes, moly root. One for each of you. Eat the root and you'll be immune to her magic for as long as it remains in your system. But, as the song goes, she has many other ways of persuasion."

"I think we'll manage."

Hermes tossed the herb at Batman, who caught it easily. Two more then joined it as Hermes gave a small, flourishing bow.

"Now then, you'll find Circe on her island. Head for the seas where none dare tread. Avoid the sirens, take a left at Polyphemus' isle, if you reach Scylla, you've gone too far. Keep an eye out for the ornate temple surrounded by pigs and beautiful women."

"We are grateful for your aid, Lord Hermes," Donna replied.

"Don't thank me yet. You very well may die by Circe's hands." The God then flipped his helmet into the air, where it landed on his head and caused his body to glow. He grew several feet taller as he hovered in the air, his clothing transforming into a traditional toga with a bright red cloak and golden, winged sandals. He giggled one last time, then gave a two-fingered salute. "Good luck!"

With that, he disappeared, his laughter echoing as he vanished from sight. Batman just stood there, slightly annoyed by the aid he had received. He then placed his moly root into his belt before heading back to the jets.

"Let's go."

Both Artemis and Donna turned to each other and nodded before running to catch up with Batman as they rushed to catch up with him and save their friend before it was too late.

…

Meanwhile, Circe stopped walking as she reached Diana, looking over her with smug satisfaction.

"What's the matter? Nothing to say?"

"If you think doing this to me proves your superiority…" Diana replied, doing her best to maintain confidence. "You are greatly mistaken."

"Oh, I have nothing to prove. Unlike you. You present yourself as this paragon of virtue, but it's little more than a front. A pretty picture you paint to fool the world into thinking you actually care, almost as shiny and pristine as your armor," she raised her hand, causing it to surge with energy. "But let's see how confident you are without that visage."

She then flicked her hand again, causing a wave of purple energy to wash over Diana. When it had passed, her armor and boots had vanished, much to surprise. All she had left on were her bracers and circlet. Circe then knelt over Diana, who kept a strong face amidst this humiliation. She said nothing however, merely grabbing Diana's circlet and pulling it off her head, much to her surprise. She then placed the circlet on her head before summoning a mirror in order to admire herself with the new accessory.

"Quite fetching, if I do say so myself," Circe mused.

Diana just scoffed in response. This caused Circe to perk up, turning toward her with confidence and condescension.

"Something you wish to say, princess? Do speak up, now."

Circe used her magic to raise the chain, pulling on the clamp around Diana so she could be brought to eye level with Circe. Diana grunted in pain as she looked up to her captor.

"These… indignities… will not be enough.. To dissuade me.

"Maybe not, but it gives you less to hide behind," Circe mused, releasing her magic so Diana would drop to the ground in an indignant fashion. "And less protection from your glaring failures… like Barbara Ann Minerva."

That caught Diana's attention, causing her to freeze up.

"Oh yes, you remember her," Circe recalled, manipulating the memory orb to show Diana talking with Barbara the day they met. "Barbara Ann Minerva, a humble archeologist looking to unlock the mysteries of your world. But you… you turned her away."

"I couldn't do anything…" Diana insisted. "It… it was forbidden."

"Oh, like participating in a tournament against your mother's wishes?" Circe mocked, causing Diana to freeze. "You could've done so much more to help her. Even checked in on her to make sure she was safe… instead, you forgot about her. And let her suffer the wrath of the gods because you couldn't be bothered to care. And for your negligence," she manipulated her memories again, showing Barbara now as the Cheetah. "A monster was unleashed on this world."

Diana managed to get on her knees, watching as her fight against Cheetah played out. All the feelings of regret and remorse came flooding back to her.

…

Meanwhile, Batman, Artemis, and Donna piled into the Javelin and took off toward Circe's island.

"So, where in Man's World are the seas that none would dare tread?" Donna wondered.

"The Bermuda Triangle," Batman quickly replied. "It's a hotspot for lost ships and planes. Legends say that those that enter never come out alive."

"That is no doubt Circe's handiwork," Artemis reasoned. "Using her magic to destroy those who would trespass too close to her domain."

"So how can we get through?" Donna wondered.

"The Javelin was designed to withstand all kinds of environments," Batman reassured.

The Javelin then began flying into the area of the Bermuda Triangle, its occupants ready for whatever would come their way. As they kept flying though, something happened to the Javelin. Controls all shut down, causing the jet to start plummeting toward the waters below. Both Artemis and Donna braced themselves as the Jet continued its descent.

"What's happening?!" Donna cried out.

"Something's shut down the Javelin's controls!" Batman replied, trying to re engage the systems. "Trying to restart, but nothings responding!"

"Circe!" Artemis deduced. "This must be how she's kept her lair hidden for so long!"

"So what do we do now?!" Donna asked.

Seeing there was no point in trying to get systems operational, Batman got out of his seat and made his way to the back. He opened up a compartment containing some parachutes and threw two to the Amazons.

"Put these on and get the bay door open! Once we're clear, count to three and pull the cord!"

The two nodded, heading down to the ramp and using their combined strength to push the door open. Once the door was open, the three managed to leap out and dive toward the water below. After a few moments, all three of them pulled their cords, allowing their parachutes to deploy. Their descent began carrying them down toward the ground as they watched it crash down into the water below. Artemis sneered at their near fate while Donna's face was that of concern. Batman meanwhile looked ahead, pulling out a pair of binoculars from his belt to search for any sign of Circe's island. While he didn't find the island Hermes mentioned, he did note a smaller island just a few miles away.

"Down there!" he directed. "Follow me!"

He maneuvered his parachute so that he'd glide toward the island, prompting Artemis and Donna to do the same. A few minutes later, they touched down on the ground, unhooking their parachutes as they looked around. The island was really small, only a patch of sand and a few trees. Batman took out his binoculars again, scouting around the area. Eventually, Batman caught sight of a shoreline far off in the distance.

"I can see the island," he reported. "It's too far out to swim. I doubt even an Amazon would be able to swim that far."

"Not without wearing themselves out," Donna admitted, looking around the island.

"And I am intent on saving my energy to tear Circe apart," Artemis swore, pounding her fist into her hand.

Donna kept scoping around the island, spotting something that caught her eye.

"Over here!" Donna called out.

Both Batman and Artemis quickly made their way over to her, seeing what she had found. It was a rowboat. Small, but bit enough to hold the three of them. Attached to the rowboat was a note of some kind. Donna pulled it off and proceeded to read it.

" 'You'll need this. H'. Hermes."

"For someone who says he can't get involved, he doesn't have a problem leaving these little gifts."

"The gods operate in strange ways," Artemis commented. "Ours is not to question why."

"Not my style. Come on, Diana's running out of time."

The three then climbed into the boat, hoping to get to Diana before it was too late. As they began to disembark however, a pair of eyes slowly rose out from the water, watching the heroes depart and having a single desire to destroy on its mind.

…

Diana's head was lowered, not wanting to witness anymore of Cheeta's actions. Circe kept walking around Diana, a look of smug contentment gracing her face.

"Not wanting to look?" she asked, sound equal parts concerned and mocking. "Can't say I blame you. If I was responsible for ruining someone's life like that, I wouldn't want to reflect on it either. I can only imagine the toll it takes to know how thoroughly I could ruin someone's life."

Diana turned away, still feeling overwhelmed by the shame of what she felt she had done.

"And of course, that's not even taking into account this most recent incident."

Diana winced, not wanting to relive the moment Circe was talking about. Circe took note of this as she messed with the orb once more.

"Now, now," Circe chastised. "No backing out now. Not while there's still one more."

"No… please…"

Circe then stopped behind Diana, placing a hand on her hand and forcing her to look up at the orb. She then bore witness to her recent self using the lasso to humiliate Caitlin while possessed. Dredging up personal issues and desires in a bit to make herself feel superior. Diana hated what she was seeing. She tried to look away, but Circe kept her face glued to the image.

"Hard to find a way to justify that," Circe remarked. "I mean, one could say that the demon controlling you made you do all that," then used her magic on the lasso, pulling an end into her hand so she could grip it and cause it to glow. "But we know better than that, don't we."

Diana tried to struggle against it, but knew it was inevitable. She had to admit the truth.

"The actions I took… were impulses within me. Under different circumstances… I would do the same thing."

Circe released Diana's head, allowing her to lower it in shame as Circe walked around so she was in front of her.

"Maybe it's time to admit the truth, child. That those demons were right to expose your faults. That all this time, you aren't what people perceive you to be. That at the end of the day… you know you don't deserve this power. That no one does."

Diana tried to find a comeback, but all her failings she was forced to remember, all her mistakes, and the people who suffered from them, made it impossible. In the end she finally looked up to Circe in defeat.

"... yes."

Circe smiled. She knelt down and placed a hand under her chin, raising her head a bit.

"Then please… let me help."