Best Friends Part 8

Her Mother's Daughter

HER MOTHER'S DAUGHTER by Hellacre13 CHAPTER 8 The funeral of Hippolyta and all the dead Amazons could not take place right away,not while the island was in shambles and so many were injured and needed attention.Superman called in the League immediately,and those that could be spared, were sent to help clean and rebuild whatever they could.Those who came were Kon-El, currently using just his Kryptonian name as his alias,Zatara,son of Zatanna,Steel aka Natasha Irons and Flash;and together with J'onn, Kara and Superman they tried to help the Amazons repair what they could. Donna had come home two days after the event.She had gone been on a long haul mission only to come back to hear the news of Hippolyta.Suffice to say she was distraught.Her husband accompanied her to the island and when they arrive the first thing she did was seek out her sister. Diana was with Phillipus walking around the island assessing the damage and with them was Timandra,the architect,who had drawn up plans for a new Senate building and additional extensions to the Palace.As they were going to have to rebuild they might as well do the renovations and additions they needed.Since the island had opened itself to men and the outside,the current accommodations for visitors were minimal.A diplomatic center was proposed to be built off the main west wing. They paused near the area where the Senate had been.Superman and Kon-el were clearing the rubble of the building,and storing the records and anything else worth salvaging and flying them back to the Palace where they would be temporarily housed.Diana nodded briefly at them as they looked up to see her. Timandra opened out her plans and showed Diana what she proposed. Whilst they were in discussion,Superman looked up."Incoming,"he said. Kon-el frowned."What?I don't see or hear any..." Then he relaxed. "Oh,I see them now.Damn,your range is incredible.I don't suppose I will get that,being only half Kryptonian...?" Superman smiled."Probably not." Kon watched as the two arrivals broke cloud cover.He said soberly, "Darn,this isn't going to be easy,is it?." Superman shook his head gravely."No." Diana looked up.Her sister and Kyle Rayner were overhead and landing.Donna looked pale and and as if she had been crying.The minute she landed she went to Diana."Tell me,it is not true!I don't believe it!She can't be gone!" Diana's expression was pained."It is,Donna.Mother is dead.At the hand of Ares." Donna covered her mouth and tears filled her eyes."I wasn't here...I'm s-sorry...If I was here...I could have helped..." Diana put her hands on her shoulders."We must be strong,Donna,for our sisters.We have lost many." Donna looked around at the island."How many?" "The death toll is roughly about three seventy five and with some critically wounded." "Oh Gods." "Now you are here,we can have the funeral.I want to lay them all to rest soon.We have so much to do.The island is a mess and I think we need to focus on rebuilding ." Donna looked at Diana's expression.It seemed distant,and she looked as if she had all her emotions under check.Donna who knew her sister better than anyone else felt her heart sink.But she nodded.This was going to be a difficult time for them all. Donna took in a deep breath."Can I see her first?" Diana nodded."Yes.Phillipus can take you there.I have to finish my tour of the island and meet with Artemis." Phillipus kept her expression schooled.She assumed Diana would be the one to take Donna to view Hippolyta's body,but Diana's business-like tone clearly indicated that she saw the task at hand as priority. The general bowed."Yes,your Majesty."and she escorted Donna towards the Healing Isle.Kyle,like everyone else,would have to wait for the funeral itself to pay his respects.Diana graciously inquired how he was and then moved on with Timandra. Kyle looked towards Kon and Clark."Need help?" "Sure,"replied Superman as he and Kon began to dig a huge foundation for the underground chamber that would keep all the records for the Senate. Kyle said,"Move out of the way,guys."He envisioned a backhoe with his ring and began to excavate.As he did he commented,"Ares did a job on this place.I saw broken temples.Burnt-out fields and woodland." Kon nodded."Sure did.But the Healing Isle was spared." "When the news came we were on Rann...Donna was really upset.How did Diana take it?" Kon said,"She seems to be mighty cool to me."He looked at Superman."But I wasn't here when Hippolyta died.Clark?" Superman replied soberly,"It wasn't easy but she's trying to be strong." Kon sighed."Death seems to be a theme we all have to get use to as we get older.It sucks.Hey,Clark,how do these ladies feel about you being the current suitor for their Queen?" "I beg your pardon?" "Don't tell me these Amazon's don't know...that you and Diana ...you know...?" "No,I don't know,"he replied feigning that innocent look he often liked to use to make people think he hadn't a clue about what they meant. But Kon was having none of it."Hey,Dude,come on, she didn't go through with the wedding.It's only a matter of time, isn't it?Before you two hook up?" Superman said wryly,"Now is not the time for this,Conner." Kyle looked at him curiously."Hmm,I wondered about that.I asked Donna,and even she wasn't too sure what was going on between you and Diana.So,what's the story?' Superman raised an ironic brow."Do Diana and I look as if we have remotely hooked up?" Kon interjected,"Well,I guess her becoming Queen will put a spanner in the works...but surely you are not going to let that stop you,Clark?" Superman said gravely,"Diana becoming Queen is nothing to be taken lightly.It's a great responsibility.It takes priority over all else." Kyle nodded."That's true.Always a case of wrong place,wrong time for you two according to Donna." Superman crossed his arms over chest."Just out of curiosity,why do people seem to think it inevitable that Diana and I will hook up?" Kon retorted,"You kidding me?The world have been waiting for the last twenty years to hear what we all think is meant to be.You have to be either blind,deaf or stupid not to notice how much you two care for each other.And over the years the lengths you two have gone to protect and defend each other...to the point where you pissed off Lois many a time and Diana nearly went to prison for killing for you.I know you were the ideal husband and so on but you and this woman share a kinship that no one,not even Lois could ever understand.She knows you like no other and what she wants for the world is what you want too.What are you smiling about?This isn't funny,Clark." "I know.By the way what is the pool now?" Kon looked at him taken aback."You know about that?" Superman pointed to his ears."Super-hearing.And I know you guys have persisted with it for years." "I would say close to twenty thousand dollars,"replied Kyle. Superman looked more amused than irritable."You people are crazy." "Oh yeah,you know Bruce and Ollie how they love to show off with their big bucks.Everytime someone loses...we have Bruce of all people starting it up again,"replied Kon "Bruce?I should have guessed,"Superman murmured. Kon shrugged,"Well,that's the acute business man in him,and the detective. But come on,Clark,even when I was a kid you two had that unresolved sexual tension that was obvious to everyone.I use to think the only way you could deal with it was try to beat the crap out of each other.Remember the time you two destroyed the Fortress of Solitude?" Superman said dryly,"I remember but the reasoning as to why it was destroyed is somewhat different to what I recall." Kon answered,"Sure.Whatever you say.But it would be pretty pathetic to be in denial at this stage in your life.Why can't you just come out and admit how much you love her?" Superman replied quietly,"I will." Kon who had expected him to protest,as he had always done,looked taken aback."Oh!!.So,you...I see.I thought...and you let me go on and on?" "It was interesting to see you wax eloquent for a change." "Oh,haha, funny." "So what you going to do?"asked Kyle. Superman replied,"Respect Diana's right to do her duty...for now." ************************************************************************** The funeral of Hippolyta took place the next day.Everyone attending rose an hour before sunrise and assembled on the concourse outside the Palace. Everyone wore white including the visitors.Hippolyta's body had been brought out on a golden litter decorated with green vines and flowers.Her body was shrouded in white gauze and red rose petals scattered all over it.Phillipus,Superman,Artemis and Pallas had been given the honor of shouldering the four corners.Diana and Donna stood behind them,leading the procession of hundreds of Amazons,and friends from the outside.Many bore torches to light the darkness,and several of the priestess sung a mournful lament. They walked slowly towards the Necropolis where she would be laid to rest in a tomb along side the many Amazons who had fallen in the past. They reached the Necropolis as the sun began to rise.There was a temple pavilion at the entrance where she was rested on a stone altar and Diana stood and delivered the epitaphios logos,incorporating not only her tribute to Hippolyta, her Queen,but all her sisters who had already been laid in their crypts underground.Diana's voice was unwavering and clear and neither she nor any of her sisters shed a tear.It was accepted they would all do their mourning in private.It was their belief to see death as a next step in the circle of life and they believed they would see each other in the afterlife.Tears traditionally were also seen as weakness and ungracious to those who fell. "Hippolyta,Queen of the Amazons,is now dead.Along with many of our fallen sisters,she is ready to join a legion of heroes who have come and gone in the fight for peace and freedom. Hippolyta was strong,wise,just and courageous.She led our people for over three thousand years and she kept the promise to the Gods to bring glory to Gaea once more.Themyscira has had its share of difficult times but we were still able to be held up as a beacon of truth,hope and light under her reign.She cared for every sister here;she treated us all equally and honoured the principles of freedom of speech,thought and action.She honoured the Gods,our patrons,who gave our people a second chance at life.Hippolyta was not perfect by any means but she was able to see that even a Utopia must not remain stagnant and we had to allow ourselves to evolve.She opened up the island against the wishes of many,understanding that if we were to search for that inner perfection, reach that higher consciousness,we cannot assume we know it all nor be isolated from the world.The greatest gift a person can give to this universe is to share all that she knows and serve humanity.My sisters,by extension,gave their lives to protect Themyscira and its way of life." Diana proceeded to call out the names of all her dead sisters and with every name a bell was rung in remembrance. As the last name was called,Diana said,"May they reign in peace and may we meet again in the afterlife." She stepped back as the priestess Penelope stepped forward and said a prayer.Then the moment came to take Hippolyta into her underground tomb. She was laid to rest in a beautiful marble chamber,and Superman easily closed the tomb and sealed the jamb with his heat vision. Diana thanked the audience for attending and the ceremony came to an end. The Amazons dispersed quietly.The day would be spent in quiet mourning and prayer or meditation.The visitors included many friends of Diana and Donna who stayed back to pay their condolences to the sisters.Not all the of the Leaguers could make it,but J'onn,Clark,Kon,Kyle,Cassie, Steve Trevor,a widower now, Bruce, Kara,Wally,Arthur,Roy Harper,the current Green Arrow and Julia Kapatelis were amongst the visitors,which also included government officials and diplomats. Themyscira was respected by the U.S government and had allies around the world.Many has sent representatives as a sign of respect and additionally wanted to officially acknowledge Diana as Queen. *************************************************************************** The visitors all walked back to the Palace where refreshment awaited them.Many assembled in the great dining Hall.Sitting at one table,was Cassie,Kon,Kara and Roy. Cassie looked at Kon and Kara."So,I understand you guys are going to help them rebuild." Kon nodded."Yeah,Clark feels we can get the job done in a quarter of the time." "I would do anything to help Diana.She has always been like a big sister to me.Themyscira was like my home at one point.I just hope nothing crazy happens this week."said Superwoman. Roy said,"Well the rest of us will take up the slack and with the Super Family here I think Themyscira will be in good hands." "If only Diana believed that.She isn't too keen on us remaining here,"said Kon. "What?Really?" "Yes.I can hear her and Clark arguing about it from here." They all turned to see Diana standing out in the balcony with Superman. ************************************************************************** "I don't see the need for you all to do this." "What?"He looked perplexed. "It's not that I am ungrateful but we...I need to do this on my own, Kal. You have all been so very good by helping us clear up and put down foundations but it's time for the Amazons to do this for themselves.For us to start afresh and stand on our own...without my moth...without Hippoylta....Show the world we are capable." "Diana,what has accepting help got to do with being capable?You just suffered grave losses,and many sisters are still injured,too unwell to labour on construction and fields.Or are you proposing to yank them out of their beds?" She frowned."I never implied that...I just...feel it is superfluous and unfair to have not only you but Kon and Kara here as well.Not when you could be helping the League." "J'onn has made provision.The reserves will be on call.Plus there is no major upheaval requiring all of us on red alert,"he returned."Why not take advantage?We can cut down the time it takes to complete the repairs." She clenched her fists.He was perfectly right of course but somehow the thought of having him so near and for an entire week did not seem to comfort her.She felt extremely vulnerable right now and the last thing she needed was Clark distracting her.In the coolest tone she could manage she said,"I am Queen now and it would be nice if my wishes could be honoured.I don't really see the need for outside help." His brow rose."Pulling rank already are we?" "I'm not pulling rank.I just think we would be better off doing this on our own..."she began nettled. "Fine.I will tell J'onn to put back Kara and Kon on the League roster..." She looked taken aback at his swift concession."Oh.Okay.That's very understanding of you." He continued,"And I help with the rebuilding." "What?But..."she protested. He interrupted."You are not going to do this on your own." "Have you no respect for my wishes?" "Yes,but I have my orders..." "What do you mean?I never ordered you to do all this..." "No but your mother did." Diana stiffened."What?!" They did not get a chance to continue as the U.S Ambassador came up to speak to her.Superman excused himself and left her.She had no choice but to focus her attention on listening to what the man had to say. ************************************************************************** Kara looked at Kon."Wow." Cassie began,"What?" Kon shook his head."We are not going to be needed it seems." Kara tapped her cheek."I think the penny has finally dropped with Kal." Roy frowned."What?You guys know we can't hear." Kon said,"Let's just say,Roy,I think I will be adding to that pool of ours." Understanding dawned on the faces of the former Titans."Really?" "I predict come Christmas if this isn't resolved,I will eat Cassie's turkey and not say a word." Cassie knocked him on the ribs with her elbow and ended up going."Ow!!I must remember not to do that!" ************************************************************************** Donna entered her sister's chambers later that evening.All the guests had gone,including Kyle and Superman.Kyle understood Donna would need to remain with her sisters for a while and Clark did not have to actually stay on the island,much to Diana's secret relief,to help with reconstruction.His ability to fly around the world in a minute made it no problem to come to the island daily. Diana was standing on the balcony,staring out at the darkness.She turned when she heard footsteps. "Hey Sis." Diana turned."Hello Donna.Has Kyle gone?" Donna came to stand beside her."Yes."They both stared up at the star studded sky.Donna said,"Feels weird.It seems so quiet as if nothing had ever happened." "Yes." "So what now?" "We rebuild." "Are you going to resign from the JLA?" Diana nodded."I will have to.At least for now.Themyscira needs me.If there is any dire threat I can of course help if they require reinforcements. There is much to do." "I am here for as long as you need me,Diana." "That is very kind of you,but you have your life.I cannot expect you to stay away indefinitely from Kyle." "Hey,Kyle knows whom he married and where my loyalties lie.You just tell me what you need." Diana turned and slowly walked back into the rooms."Thank you,Donna.I suppose you could be the liaison between Themyscira and the Bana.Artemis is not happy at the moment.I think she prefers the Bana keep to themselves after this last foray with Ares.I can't blame her.The Bana's Gods are not as chaotic as our own." Donna nodded."I know.She is under pressure from her own sisters and they lost many good warriors this time." Diana sat down on a chair.There was a pile of documents and scrolls on her desk.She mused."Petitions.plaints.Plans.Tournaments.Rituals.Festivals.Many things to look at." Donna gulped as her eyes fell upon a miniature of Hippolyta on Diana's mantle.."It's overwhelming.How did she do it with so little effort?" "I guess three thousand years made her an expert." "I can't believe she is gone,"she said painfully."It's like a bad dream. The last time she came back.But this time it feels real and permanent.Like when I lost Terry and my little baby.You can feel it in your gut." "I am sorry,Donna.But we have our duty to uphold."Diana looked at the clock on the wall."It is very late and we have an early start.I would like to retire..." Donna looked at her in dismay."Why are you being like this?" "Like what?" "You refuse to talk about her..." "What?Don't be silly,Donna.I gave an entire speech about her!" "Yes, you spoke about a Queen.Not our mother." Diana tightened her lips."She is dead.What more do you want me to say?To do?Ought I beat my breast and tear my hair out?" Donna gasped,"You could show some emotion.You are like a god damn marble statue.So perfect...and so cold!It's me here,Diana,not some stranger." Diana said patiently,"Our mother died a hero's death.A death of which we should be proud and aspire to.Let her rest in peace.We all mourn in our own ways.Can we at least respect that in each other?" Donna said sadly,"When you put it like that then what can I say?Goodnight Diana." Donna left her and the moment Diana knew she was alone she sank upon the chair and took a deep breath."Hera,give me strength." ************************************************************************** Superman came to the island the next day to help with the construction of the New Senate and the Palace.Diana was tied up with matters of state and did not see him much other than when she took the time to check on the progress of the architects and when she flew over head to go to other parts of the island.She found it all overwhelming from having to make decisions to clear Hippolyta's chambers with Donna,to visiting the sick and hearing the unwanted news that another sister did not survive her injuries,to hearing the woes of the centaurs whose habitat had been destroyed by fire. The night was made worse for she found she could not sleep.Morpheus kept giving her bad dreams and when she wakened she found it impossible to go back to sleep.Normally whenever she was troubled she had her mother to talk to.Donna was sweet but could never really understand the burden on Diana's shoulder and heart.Diana thought of Kal.He would be perfect to talk to but she did not feel she could without breaking down and that was the last thing she needed.To lose control. He left the island every evening to go back to the farm.He was sensitive enough to know that staying on would only make her more uncomfortable.In any case he was glad himself.If he had to lie under the same roof as she he would be tempted to seek her out and it was not the time to do that.So he maintained a respectful distance,yet stayed close enough to ensure he was around should she need him. *************************************************************************** Phillipus came into the makeshift audience chamber that was being used as a temporary place for the Senate to sit.She stood at the entrance and looked at Diana as she sat on at the head of a table and listened to complaints from various sisters and other beings on the island.There were too many pressing matters at hand.Diana also seemed to be impatient of red tape;of sisters having to argue over a point before allowing something as simple as where to hang Hippolyta's shield.Some wanted the new Senate. Others the Palace.Some in the Hall of History. Phillipus looked at Diana's stony expression when she interrupted,"Can we just vote please?We have spent enough time on this point." The Amazons looked at each other and obeyed.The shield would go to the Hall of History.Phillipus took the opportunity to walk up the aisle and whisper in Diana's ear. Diana's colour fluctuated."What?!How?" "He was supposed to be taking a break from the Senate building but somehow ended up helping the botanists forage seedlings near the mystic groves and was attacked by Empusae..." The Empusae were female demons,the offspring of Hecate, the Greek equivalent of a vampire.They often were disguised as helpless maidens and when they lured their victim,which usually was male, they transformed into a kind of succubi and would try to drain the life of their prey.They also had a kind of poison in their talons, if it seeped into their victim's blood it would kill them if the bite had not. Diana got up at once."Sisters,Empusae has attacked Superman.I am adjourning this meeting to see what has happened." The Amazons looked concerned.Superman had been with them for five days and his help had been invaluable.The idea of him being hurt was bad but anything hostile on the island after Ares was enough to make them worry as well. "Is there anything we can do?"asked Phythia. Phillipus shook her head."They were taken out with silver tipped arrows.I think there were only three of them.And the groves were scoured.We found no more." Diana walked towards the door,the general behind her."What were Empusae doing on the island?" "My guess?They came in with Ares but stuck around.Seeing he is currently the only male on the island I suspect it sought him out." Diana's voice sounded anxious."Did they get to bite him?" "I do not know,Majesty.He was taken to Epione." *************************************************************************** Diana arrived at the Healing Isle and found Epione with Superman.He was lying on a bed with his shirt off and claw marks down his chest and forearms.He looked pale but seemed to be in good spirits.Epione had just cleaned his wounds and had given him something foul smelling to drink. "Oh come on.This smells like old leather.Do I have to?" Diana's voice sounded."Yes you do." Clark looked up,and smiled."I see news travels fast." Diana looked at Epione."How bad is it?" "They did not get to bite him though I seriously think if they did they would have been very surprised at his blood-type.But they did maul him well enough to get some of that poison into his blood stream.The poison would kill any normal human but his alien physiology is clearly coping with it.I am guessing he will feel a bit out of sorts for a while but hopefully it will pass out his system.That potion is a blood purifier." Diana looked at him."How do you feel?" "Just a blow to my pride really.I never expected their teeth and claws to sting so much."He took a sip of the potion and screwed his face."Uggh." Diana said,"Well they are mystical beings.What happened?Weren't you supposed to be helping Timandra?" "Yes,but I wandered over to see what the botanists were doing and thought I could help.I had no idea half crazed female demons were waiting to drain a guy of his blood.They were very sly as well.One was guised as one of your sisters who seemed to be injured and when I went to help the other two jumped out and they ambushed me.I can't say I was over powered but they were not going down easy,even after being tossed about.It took some silver tipped arrows to put them out of commission in the end." Diana folded her arms."Kal,there is a cogent reason why outsiders are also not allowed to roam this island alone.And you are not immune entirely to magic even as powerful as you are.Granted this will just be a mild inconvenience to you,but it probably could have been avoided.We are fortunate this was only Empusae.You said you were here to do aid in construction, well I suggest you stick to that.Let the others do their work.I won't have you flitting all over and interfering.And stop holding the potion and drink it." Clark drained the whole goblet in one go and grimaced.He put the empty vessel on the bedside table and said dryly,"Becoming queen has definitely made you more bossy.You are beginning to sound like my mother.Which is ironic since you yourself look as if you need someone to remind you that you need to slow down." Diana's frowned."I am not..." He looked at her keenly."When was the last time you slept,Diana?Or ate properly" She looked up startled."What?" "You have dark circles under your eyes and you have lost weight." She said defensively,"This last fortnight has been stressful.Shouldering the welfare of ones people twenty four hours a day,seven days a week takes some getting use to." Epione looked around awkwardly.She felt the need to leave them alone. Superman sat up.He picked up his shirt.It was torn in places and blood stained.He threw it aside.He said,"Yes but you need not try to shoulder it all.To act so tough." She looked slightly impatient."I do not know how you expect me to be.All of you.From Donna,to Phillipus to Julia." "That's the point,Diana.You seem to think we expect something.We don't."He stood up,and faced her."It's okay to miss her.To mourn her.To take your time.No one expects you to be perfect every moment of everyday." She swallowed.She really did not want to talk about this."I...should go.I have things to do." Clark reached out and took her by the shoulders."No.Stop running away from it.Confront it.Like you always have.The truth is painful but Wonder Woman never avoided it." "I am not Wonder Woman anymore.I am Queen of Themyscira!"she replied gravely and she pulled away and stepped back."I am glad you are okay.I suggest you rest before you go back to work." Epione volunteered tentatively,"I think it would be wise if he stayed on Themyscira,Your Majesty.I would prefer that we could observe him,just to ensure we know the poison has had no after-effects." "Oh.I see."Diana looked at him dubiously."Will you stay?" He returned ironically,"That depends on you,doesn't it?" Diana flushed at his tone."I will have them prepare chambers for you at the Palace.Excuse me."She nodded to him and Epione and left the room. The healer gave the Man of Steel a rueful shake of the head."She is her mother's daughter." Superman nodded."Yes,I know.Stubborn as hell." Epione looked at him curiously."That does not worry you though?" "No.Not all."