"Did she...?", Kori whispered as Komi nodded, "Yes, she helped; I feel so... revitalized, like new... my power feels much... better now, like I assume how it is with you.".
Kori smiled, "It's beautiful, a brand-new start...I'm happy for you, Komi...", hugging her gently as Komi shut off her powers, and hugged Kori in return, "Yes, it's a brand-new start.", pulling back with a smile, "Come on.".
Kori nodded, and they stood up, walking across the fountain floor, and they blinked when they saw two wrapped gifts on the first step out of the fountain, and as they got closer, their eyes widened as they recognized their brother's writing on the tags, as it's for them both.
With tears, they opened up the first gift, revealing a hand-drawn set of two pictures starring their smiling brother in two different backgrounds of Kori and Komi's favorite places to hang out on Tamaran, with an expert artist hand which Kori recognized from one of her lost friends, and they sniffled, smiling bittersweetly, and then they opened the second gift, revealing a rotating globe map of Tamaran, complete with a book of Tamaran history and traditions.
"By the Gods...", Diana could be heard saying as the family approached them. "Is this your world?", she asked as Komi nodded, "It's Tamaran... it... it feels so real, like I could reach out and hold it...", as she teared up some more.
Hippolyta replied, "Oh, my daughters...No wonder why you were both familiar yet strange with Themyscira and Gaia aka Earth..", leaning down to kiss Komi's forehead, and then Kori's forehead.
Tessa replied, "It's awfully pretty...And with two moons too..", and Kori smiled a bit, "You should have seen them on an open night sky...It was gloriously beautiful...".
Carrie wrapped her arm around Kori's shoulders, "It's beautiful, Kori...Come, let's put them in your rooms where they deserve a special place.", with a smile and a tender kiss to her temple. Kori and Komi smiled with sniffles and nods, getting up, with Kori carrying the globe map and her picture of their brother while Komi carried the book and her own picture of their brother.
"Mother...I...Can we be excused after dinner later? We...we need to honor the loss of our people and home with a bonfire Tamarian ceremony to say farewell, though we might need help with the kinds of wood here on the island...We used specific Tamaran woods for those kind of ceremonies...but if there's something similar in type, if not meaning, we'd be grateful...", Komi explained deeply.
Hippolyta nodded as she had a somber look on her face, "I take it that Hera...?", realizing. "We met our younger brother.", Kori explained. "We... we probably are the last of our people now. We will begin anew, Komi obviously will decide as I wish for her to rule our people, however it may happen in the future... I choose not to lead...".
Komi replied, "You will still be princess, sister, but if someday it happens, I will make you a Lady Warrior.", with a sad smile.
Kori smiled, "I would be honored.", and glanced at Carrie's curious look, "I suppose, in your terms, Lady Warrior means a passive Amazon.". Carrie nodded, "Ah, I see...", as Diana and Hippolyta understood, while Tessa replied softly, "Are...are you really staying forever with us? I...I don't want you two to go...I mean, I know Tamaran is your home, but what kind of shape would it be after so long?".
Komi ruffled Tessa's hair, "You don't have to worry, kiddo...I...Our home is a whole another galaxy...Apparently, our captors had traveled fast and far... We are staying here forever.", with a reassuring smile.
Tessa almost wanted to clap, but knew it was a somber answer and that she needed to be respectful. "Did Hera mention children?", Hippolyta asked. "I wish for you and your species to begin again as close as they can be to Tamarians, if you are hoping...".
Kori blushed hard like Carrie, as Komi smirked amusingly at them before replying, "Not so much, though she implied that we'd be the first of a new Tamaran species...".
Hippolyta hummed, "I see. Well, we do have the time in the world, no need to rush truly.", as Carrie looked relieved at her mother's answer, knowing that Hippolyta cares for all. There's a tiny part of her that truly wants to take Kori thoroughly and impregnate her to give a start to their own family, but most of her is just wanting to wait patiently, and of course, ask Kori to marry her, but right now, she's just happy with being a lover and partner.
That night, it was a somber scene for both Tamarian princesses as they were gratefully gifted Themyscira woods that looked similarly if not in meaning from the Amazons who were watching their newfound sisters grieve and all, and so, with a Tamarian song and chant, the bonfire funeral ceremony went bittersweet for both Komi and Kori, speaking of remembered names and the ones they didn't as Tamaran was a big planet, and at the last part, Kori and Komi gave some of their energy power into the fire, creating unique ashes to fly up high and high into the sky, to the stars, where one of them is twinkling strongly, showing that Ryand'r is there.
Soon, the bonfire went out, and with lightened hearts, the sisters headed back to the city, to grieve for a week as it was tradition, telling stories to any Amazons who would come in at the personal house between the city and the palace, showing where on the rotating globe map of their home world.
After that, the girls emerged out into the city, perking up and smiling again which the Amazons were relieved to see, and so, life continued on, for a year and a half, and then it came, Carrie's 18th birthday.
"How do you feel?", Hippolyta asked Carrie as the young woman was getting dressed. Her adoptive mother wanted to visit her because of something special she had been told by the Oracle; something that Hippolyta suspected in terms of Carrie's purpose.
Carrie exhaled, "Excited and nervous...I mean, it isn't every day I get mentioned by the Oracle herself!", looking at Hippolyta, running a hand through her hair as a quirky thing she does when she's nervous.
"I have my thoughts...", Hippolyta admitted. "I think there's still a purpose that you have to fulfill...". Hippolyta placed her hands on her daughter, now standing an inch taller than her, "Whatever it is... I give you my blessings, Carrie... I love you so much.".
"I love you too, Mother." Carrie smiled as she took her into a hug. A few moments later, Diana peeked in, "Mother, Carrie, let's not be late for the Oracle! Tessa, Kori, and Komi are waiting outside!", and Hippolyta smiled, letting go of Carrie, "By the way, you look wonderful.".
"Thank you, Mother...", Carrie smiled, and so they followed Diana, heading outside to take up their horses, even Komi and Kori, heading to the Oracle's home/temple, which is on the outside borders of the city, seeing every Amazon lining up the streets, smiling encouragingly at Carrie.
"What do you think?", Kori asked. "It must be something special that she wants to see you on your eighteen-birth cycle...", with a hum.
"Who knows?", Carrie admitted. "I think we've almost all long gave up on trying to think of what news she would bring any of us...".
Kori nodded, "I see. So, it's expected yet unknowing...", and Carrie replied, "Yeah. I think it's like not too rare, but not too often that it happens.".
"Makes sense.", Kori hummed, and Carrie reached to grasp her hand as they slowed down their horses for a moment, "Hey, no matter what happens, I'm stuck with ya, remember?", with a smile and a blush.
Kori blushed with a smile, "Because we're each other's true loves.", and Carrie nodded, "That's right, Kori. Always.", leaning in to kiss her on the cheek, and Kori looked better now as they resumed their riding again, and under 10 minutes, they made it to the Oracle's home/temple, getting off their horses, with Carrie relieved for once that it was a rule that the Amazons cannot crowd the Oracle's home/temple at the stairs until it was an extreme emergency which had almost never happened.
Carrie took a deep breath as she turned to look at her family, "Well, if I recall, I must go in alone if she calls me...". Hippolyta nodded. "Yes, be strong, and listen... every word she might say could be important.", her mother advised.
Carrie nodded, "Yes, Mother.", before Diana replied, "Be patient, sister. Do not interrupt her until you are able to speak with her at her permission.".
"Of course, Diana.", Carrie replied, and Tessa hugged her gently, smiling, "Good luck, Carrie!", and Carrie ruffled her hair with a chuckle, "Thank you, Tessa.".
Komi replied, "We will wait here as long as we could, Carrie. You're family, and I'm lucky to be your family, sister.", and Carrie smiled, "Appreciate it, Komi.", before looking at Kori, "Even if it's awfully long in waiting, don't fly up because you're worried. I will be fine, Kori, okay?".
"I know.", Kori nodded as Carrie took a deep breath and made her way up further before she finally entered onto the grounds of the building. "Okay, Oracle... what do you have for me...?", Carrie whispered under her breath as she walked in.
She felt trepidation and anxiety and excitement and awe as she respectfully walked through the hall, admiring the architecture, as she only has seen the outside of the temple, glimpse of the hall and such for the last few times she had been here when either her mother or Diana is called.
Suddenly, she heard the echo of a voice yet it sounded like a whisper, "Come further, Carrie Natalie Kelley.", and Carrie took another deep breath, realizing that the Oracle is calling her, as her full name was only used in stern tones, sometimes at the end of a prank in a shocked tone, and occasionally, in royal classes in a practice speech in case if standing for her mother or Diana, as it was far more normal for her to be called Princess Carrie, and such.
Carrie took a few steps before she walked into the inner chambers where she saw Menalippe quietly resting in a chair. "Hi.", Carrie said in a quiet tone. "I'm sorry, did I come in too soon for you?", she asked as the future seer didn't look the readiest it would seem though not like Carrie had any true idea what it was like.
Menalippe replied softly yet it was somehow heard easily in the inner chambers, "No, you are not too soon nor too late. Sit.", and Carrie obeyed instantly, taking a seat on one of the floor pillows, looking up at Menalippe, the Oracle of Themyscira, the one who is the bridge between the world of the gods and the world of the mortals.
"So...", Carrie decided to speak to break the ice a bit. "I understand that you wanted me to come?", she asked as Menalippe nodded. "Yes... why you are here today... I have seen it for many years but only know do I deem it important that you should be told considering that time is a bit of the essence.", she explained.
Carrie blinked as she listened to her, "There's an urgency for me? May I know why?", and Menalippe replied, "You must take care to know with an open mind. Do not blame me or the gods, do you understand?".
"I do understand.", Carrie responded firmly, realizing that this is something big, and she cannot blame Menalippe or the gods, especially Hera, as she already has an open mind, considering that she's literally in love with an alien princess.
Menalippe sighed before she decided to say it. "Carrie... what you believe hasn't been fully the truth.", she started as Carrie gave her a look. "Your parents, the ones you had before the tragedy... they were not fully your real ones.".
"Wait, what?", Carrie asked, "I was adopted?", her eyes widening. Menalippe shook her head slightly, explaining, "Partially. It's a bit more... complicated than that. They were still your parents, your mother that you called one for the first few years of your life did indeed birth you... but... you originally before had a different set of parents beforehand.".
Carrie blinked, trying to make sense of her words before she widened her eyes, "Wait, I was reincarnated?", and Menalippe nodded, "Correct. It was a pure accident, Carrie, as your original mother didn't know that she was pregnant until she was in both miscarriage and birth...She indeed loved you and still does, yet she blames herself, feeling guilty...She wished for you and your siblings to choose between being reincarnated or staying in the heavens.".
"W-What happened?", Carrie asked in shock, and Menalippe replied, "To explain first, I must tell you that your original mother and father is much different, having powers, but not alien like Kori and Komi, nor not entirely Amazon like your community sisters.".
Carrie blinked, exhaling deeply, "How different?", and Menalippe looked at her, getting off her chair, "Come with me.", and Carrie got up carefully, following Menalippe deeper into the inner chambers, where, in the back of the inner chambers is a glowing small pool that is fed from the inner canals of the city, full of bright crystals.
Menalippe kneeled before the pool, and Carrie did the same, wondering as Menalippe chanted almost hauntingly for a few moments before she touched the edge of the crystals, and then the pool became alive, showing Poppy and Waylon from a recent day of their lives.
"That... that's them...", Carrie whispered. She instantly knew because she knew her own face... and could see the matching features between those two and her. There were others like her other parents, but essentially, she showed off four people's traits rather than two.
Menalippe nodded, "Indeed. The man is called Waylon Jones-Wayne, and the woman is called Penelope Jones-Wayne, preferred to be called Poppy for short. They met by meaning of a flood that nearly took Poppy's life, and Waylon had saved her from the river, and over time, they grew up and fell in love with each other, discovering that they are each other's true loves and mates...Now, why they call themselves mates to each other is because of their other appearances and all that comes with those appearances.", touching the crystals again as Carrie saw the smiling and cuddling couple slowly change into a giant green Amazonian woman and a giant Croc-man of sorts, looking ready for battle yet standing back-to-back like equals.
"By Hera...", Carrie whispered. "It's quite a string of events, I will admit...", Menalippe nodded. "All of it starts back to your grandmother, Poppy's mother, Martha.". The image changed to another green Amazonian at another touch of the crystals. "The creature you are seeing is known mostly as the She-Hulk, to Gotham City where your original family lives...".
Carrie blinked as she remembered one time of her other set of parents, Rachel and Daniel talking about the popularity of Wayne Entreprises, with a branch called Wayne Tech since their phones were one of the best brands to be international next to Samsung and Apple, and that it was originated in Gotham City.
"America, isn't it?", Carrie replied softly, and Menalippe nodded, "Yes. New Jersey, I believe. Now, your grandmother and your original parents, along with a few others are the guardians of Gotham City, eliminating all evil they could. When they aren't, they are living in this place.", as the image changed to Wayne Manor.
Carrie blinked, "Whoa...So, they're like royalty...", and Menalippe hummed, "In a way, yes, considering the success of their company and their branches of it, along with some investments and such your original family did with their extended family. Your grandmother was ill and your grandfather strived to find a cure no matter what as he is forever in love with her and vice versa, and near the end of what they thought to be the final weeks of her life, a cure was found, but not a cure like the medicinal herbs or the healing rays here in the healing halls, it was much different, and it brought the She-Hulk to life with a name, eventually becoming the other mother of Poppy with Martha's involvement. She is different now, but well, her name is Kel Emerald Wayne.", touching the crystals again, and the image changed to a double mirror of two women, one looking eerily different from Martha in her She-Hulk form, having a green amazonian appearance, and next door is a human woman, looking similar to her twin except different.
"They look so happy...", Carrie admitted as she felt almost a small longing as she looked at more images. "I don't understand then... how did I end up with my other parents?".
Menalippe replied, "As I said earlier, Poppy wished for you and your siblings a better life as it was a pure accident of miscarriage, causing her to lose you and your siblings unknowingly in public where she couldn't afford to expose her other self, barely cheating slightly to save herself, and your other siblings. You have three brothers who was born on the same day, elsewhere after Poppy went through the pain of losing you all, with one younger brother who chose Poppy's brother, your uncle, Bruce Wayne as keeping to the Wayne lineage as closely to heal Poppy from all the grief and guilt she has been having.".