Chapter 2-Dramatic Realizations Part 2
Hippolyta looked up at the large Estate of Wayne Manor, as she found it to be impressive in its own way, and with her royal guard stood in front of the massive door before giving the wooden entry way several hard knocks. It had been several long painful years now since the Queen of the Amazons had last spoken with her daughter, as the two had what Man's World would have called a "falling out", and the Amazons own Princess had no intentions of returning home. At least, until Hippolyta admitted that she was wrong about Diana's choice in a male suitor known to many around the world, and the Universe as Superman.
During that time, Hippolyta had tried to be strong in regards to what she had done, and asked the Gods to help her in bringing her daughter back. However, as the weeks, the Months, and finally the years past before her, Hippolyta knew that she needed to try a different approach in understanding Diana's decision, and there was only person in Man's World that could help her.
Bruce Wayne. Also known as the Batman.
Hippolyta had known about the man's secret for some time, but had never had any need such knowledge to help her in this situation, and only now did the Queen find herself in such a situation. With her daughter using the Invisible Jet, Hippolyta had to have a spare one made in order to get to her current destination in front of Wayne Manor, and needed to speak to Bruce Wayne to get some form of insight into her daughter's decision.
"Are you sure we should be here my Queen?" said Phillipus, as she saw her Queen focus on the door in front of her, and wondered if this was a good idea.
"There is only one person aside from my daughter's lover that understands her and it is this man," said Hippolyta, as she heard the door in front of her make a noise before it opened to reveal Alfred Pennyworth, and his calm face as he had seen just about every kind of guest that had entered Wayne Manor.
"Hello. Welcome to Wayne Manor your Highness," said Alfred, as opened the door further to let the group of Amazons through, and shut the door when they all entered.
"You have been expecting us?" said Phillipus, as she kept her eyes sharp for any kind of surprise attack, and so did the other Royal Guards with the Queen.
"For some time actually. Master Bruce knows about the...incident that happened back on your island concerning Mister Kal-El and Princess Diana. He has long suspected that you your Highness would seek a way to either find your daughter or try to understand why she made her decision," said Alfred, as he walked in front of them towards the very large common room where many parties were centered.
"The man you serve is very smart and cunning warrior from what we Amazons have been told. I must admit I was surprised Diana did not fall for him," said Hippolyta before she saw Bruce Wayne waiting for them with a calm yet serious look on his face.
"Diana didn't fall for me because I am not someone she could fall for and enjoy being in a relationship with," said Bruce, as he walked up to Hippolyta, and bowed respectfully to the Queen.
"And why is that if I may ask Mr. Wayne?" said Hippolyta, as saw down in a comfortable chair, and her guards standing beside her while keeping an eye out for anything.
"Because I'm not the kind of person that had long lasting relationships with anyone. If I did, all I would accomplish is breaking your daughter's heart, and in return you would have come here to break me," said Bruce with a small smile, as he saw the Queen nod at that last part since she would have, and made sure it was a painful death.
"But Kal-El is worthy?" said Hippolyta, as she saw Bruce nod, and Alfred coming in with some tea for both parties.
"Kal-El is a good trustworthy friend your Highness. There is no other man in this world or even in the Universe who is more worthy of your daughter then him. I've been in my fair share of relationships, as it comes with my cover to disguise what it is I do at night, and I have been able to read people since I first started being the Batman. When I see those two together, I see soul mates that should not be denied their happiness, and I can only pity those that would even try to destroy what they have for whatever reason there is to try," said Bruce, as he took a sip of the tea in front of him that Alfred made while the Queen looked at the tea, and then back at him before taking a small sip of it herself.
Past memories made her cautious of accepting drinks from others and even more so from men.
"Would any of you like some tea as well?" said Alfred, as he had some more cups in case they would like some, and they shook their heads to indicated they did not.
"No thank you," said Phillipus, as she did not trust men, and the past memories of being drugged, and decided to keep their guard up while their Queen lowered hers just a small fraction.
"As you wish. Is there anything else you require Master Bruce?" said Alfred, as he turned to the said man, and Bruce shook his head no.
"No Alfred. Thank you," said Bruce, as he saw Alfred bow to both him, and the Queen before leaving with the tray into the kitchen.
"Your servant is good at obeying," said Hippolyta, as she had to admit it was good tea, and it didn't seem to be drugged at all.
"He's more then a servant your Highness. Alfred is a good friend and loyal confidant who has served the Wayne family for many years since my parents were alive," said Bruce, as he had a far off look for a second before it was gone, and it was because of Hippolyta's sharp warrior senses did she see it.
'So the scar of losing his family ways on this one. Could that be one of the reasons why Diana didn't pursue him? That darkness I saw?' thought Hippolyta, as she saw Bruce Wayne finish his tea, and put the cup down.
"We're getting off topic. You wanted to talk to me about Diana and Kal-El," said Bruce, as he saw Hippolyta also get back into that mind set, and her eyes harden a little.
"Yes. I came here to understand why my daughter chose to be with Kal-El and forsake her Amazon Sisters like she several years ago," said Hippolyta, as she saw Bruce close his eyes in thought, and then open them with an intense seriousness she had seen in a very rare few individuals.
"It's because you were wrong," said Bruce, as his voice had a darker chill to it like his alter ego that made the Royal Guards tense, and Hippolyta's eyes widen slightly at his words.
"You dare accuse our Queen of being wrong?!" said Acantha, as she was about to move forward to teach this man a lesson, but Hippolyta held out of her hands, and stopped her Amazon Sister from attacking.
"What do you mean I'm wrong Mr. Wayne?" said Hippolyta, as she saw some of her guards look at her, and then back at Bruce to hear what he had to say.
"You were wrong to consider Kal-El to be unfit of being with your daughter. You have unknowingly tried to let your past with men dictate Diana's future, as you fear she will suffer the same thing you along with your Sisters have over a millennia ago. What you need to understand your Highness, is Diana is possibly the...purest Amazon in all of Themyscira, and can look at men without hating them," said Bruce, as he saw Hippolyta digest this information, and so did the Royal Guards.
"There's more you want to say, isn't there?" said Hippolyta, as she saw Bruce's eyes, and could tell he did have more to say in regards to her raising Diana.
"In regards to Diana? Yes. I heard about how she became Wonder Woman and how she had to disguise herself to compete in the tournament to become your Champion because you wouldn't let her compete. I'm surprised you didn't figure it out that your daughter was always meant to be Wonder Woman whether you denied her or not," said Bruce seeing the shocked looks on Hippolyta, and her guards at this news.
"Explain!" said Hippolyta, as the tournament was meant to test all of her Amazon Sisters, who competed, and see which among them was worthy.
"Your daughter was blessed by the Greek Gods on Olympus. Had she stayed on the island and never become Wonder Woman, then her powers would have gone to waste. Your Gods blessed Diana because they wanted her to be Wonder Woman from the start and become your Champion in return for their blessings. They gave you a daughter, who would be pure in all aspects of life, and waited the time was right until she was ready to be what she is now. The tournament was designed to see if Diana was indeed ready, as she fought against the fiercest of Amazons, and won using all she had learned without any of her Amazon Sisters holding back on her when she disguised herself," said Bruce, as he saw Hippolyta's eyes widen at that, and her body tense at that information.
"Because if those competing in the tournament had known they were fighting Diana, they may have tried to hold back, and hinder her in the process," said Phillipus, as she saw the brilliance in Diana's plan to hide herself among the others competing in the tournament, and see just how skilled they were.
"Exactly. After the disagreement between the two of you, Diana helped Kal-El recover from his injuries before exploring deeper into their relationship, and requested the help of several magic based members of the Justice League to mask their presence from you your Highness," said Bruce, as he remembered that day, and while Diana was respectful to her Gods in terms of praying to them...she also wanted to make sure that her Mother didn't call upon them to find her.
"Have you been in contact with my daughter at all in the past few years? I have tried our Embassy, but they told me that she given the job to Magda, and past down the title of Wonder Woman to her Amazon Sister Donna Troy," said Hippolyta, as she had tried to reach Diana shortly after that incident through the Embassy, but was unsuccessful, and it made her worry about the one day future Queen of Themyscira.
"Yes. She and Kal-El are living quite the peaceful lifestyle now thanks to my help in giving them a place to live without the fear of prying eyes. They married using several Amazon and Kryptonian traditions that made for a grand wedding that Diana wished you could have been there to see it. Kal-El went so far, as to ask Diana if he should get you for the wedding, and would respect whatever decision she made. It was painful, but I believe Diana chose for you not to attend because she felt you would object, and try to end the wedding. Was Diana right to assume that?" said Bruce, as he saw Hippolyta look like she was about to deny that she would stop the wedding, but couldn't say it because deep down a part of her would have tried, and would have hurt Diana for doing so.
"I'm afraid that I can't really answer the question unless I was there to witness them being wed," said Hippolyta, as she had missed an important once in a lifetime event with her daughter, and the Queen of the Amazons felt a pain in her heart she had not felt since the original decree of Diana being banished for bringing men to the island.
"Diana suspected as much when thinking of your reaction to getting married. If I do tell you where your daughter is, what would you do?" said Bruce, as he saw Hippolyta's eyes light at that prospect, but thought about her answer, and what it could result in whether she saw Diana again or not.
"I would hug her. I would hug Diana and apologize for letting my own past with men blind me to her happiness," said Hippolyta, as she had long since lost the right to tell Diana what to do as a Mother, and the argument they had years ago had hurt the Amazon Queen on a very personal level.
"Follow me. I'll show you where you need to go, but I am giving you this one warning, and one warning only in regards to your daughter. Do NOT betray what trust I have given you to see Diana. Her happiness is Kal-El's happiness and if you destroy it...well let's just say from past experience that you don't want to anger her husband if you hurt her," said Bruce, as he had seen what happened the last super villain had taken down Diana, and saw the anger that flared in Superman at that point.
It was something Bruce never wanted to face no matter how much kryptonite there was in the world at his disposal to stop the Man of Steel.
(Somewhere in the Metropolis Suburbs-3 Days Later)
Diana smiled at her husband, as he made her breakfast this Saturday morning, and he returned it before using his eat vision on the pancakes currently spinning in midair. She never got tired of him doing that in flaunting his powers when making breakfast and doing everything in his power to make her happy. Diana felt guilty at first, as she didn't want to be spoiled by the man she loved to the point where she couldn't return it just as much devotion to him. However, Kal had assured her that he wasn't, and he just loved her so damn much that doing anything less wouldn't be loving her at all.
Oh how that sent a shiver of pleasure up her spine when he said that!
The two of them had gone into the ways of living normal lives, but never really lost their means to protect people, and helped others on occasion whenever there was trouble. Kal had left the Daily Planet to become a well respected and successful writer while under an assumed alias with the help of Bruce Wayne using his Publishing Company to get the books out there. Diana took up teaching at an all girls private school under her Diana Prince persona with the teacher and the children absolutely adoring her because of her fair yet firm attitude towards them.
Of course these days, she was known as Diana Prince Kent!
"Have I ever told you how incredible you look when you do that?" said Diana, as she smirked at Kal, and the Man of Steel smiled back at her before he finished making the intended breakfast for her.
"All the time if I remember correctly and just as much as I do when I see you being adored by all the kids at the private school," said Kal, as he had driven to pick up Diana for lunches, and visit her during her breaks from teaching.
"You're not the only one. Some of the older girls think you're pretty dashing yourself for a country bumpkin," said Diana, as she giggled at that, and saw Kal smirk at her while he sat down to eat with her.
"If the male teachers knew you were Princess of the Amazons in disguise they would be looking at you the same way," said Kal, as he saw Diana smirk, and ran her leg up his in a flirtatious manner.
"Only you get to see that and not always when we're fighting super villains," said Diana, as she saw Kal blush at that, and understood the double meaning behind her words.
"And thanks to these eyes, I can see more then anyone ever could," said Kal, as he saw Diana blush this time, and form some kind of scowl aimed at him for apparently using his X-ray vision on her.
'He's hardly the boy scout people make him out to be, but that's one of the things I love about him, and the part of him only I can see,' thought Diana, as she remembered their honeymoon, and had to triple reinforce the bed at the Fortress of Solitude to ensure that the planet didn't quake under their lovemaking.
They had also taken additional measures in their current home to ensure they didn't wake the neighbors along with other certain individuals.
A knock at the front door unfortunately ended the flirting and Diana got up to get the door before Kal could do it since it was only far after making her breakfast. When she opened it however, Diana was shocked to find her Mother along with the Royal Guard standing there, and the stern gaze of the Queen.
"Diana," said Hippolyta, as she saw her daughter freeze up in shock at the sight of her, and then the flash of anger at the betrayal of one of her close confidants who knew where she lived.
"Hello Mother. Would you please come in? The walls are high, but I would prefer to speak with you away from potential prying eyes, and make people suspicious of us" said Diana, as she knew the Invisible Jet would not be seen because it was invisible, but the sight of her Mother, and the Royal Guards could not be hidden so easily.
Without saying a word, Hippolyta entered along with her Royal Guard, but Diana saw Phillipus was more happy then serious in seeing her alive, and in good health.
"I see you are living well," said Hippolyta, as she looked around her daughter's home she shared with Kal-El, and found it to be a mixture of Greek along with some other designs she was not familiar with that she could only assume were secretly kryptonian in nature.
"Of course. Why wouldn't we be?" said Diana, as she saw her Mother looking around the house, and knew that Kal knew who was here.
And like her, Kal was concerned, and did not like the Queen of the Amazons in their home.
"Old fears my daughter. Old fears," said Hippolyta, as she saw Diana's eyes harden at that, and the Amazon Queen had to steel herself against her own daughter's gaze.
"You still think Kal would act like Hercules, don't you? That he would one day break my heart and prove that you were right in the belief that all men are untrustworthy? You are still wrong Mother!" said Diana, as she tried to keep her voice civil, but was finding it very difficult to do, and wondered how she was keeping the volume as low as it was now?
"You must understand Princess, we are only concerned for your safety, and after we had learned your marriage to the Kryptonian...," said Phillipus, as she was silenced by Diana's scowl aimed at her, and the anger that seemed to grow within the Amazonian Princess at the seemingly disrespect of her lover only grew.
"His name is Kal-El! And your concern for my safety is unnecessary, as I am more then capable of taking care of myself, and have more then enough support from Kal should I ever have to ask him for it," said Diana, as she turned to see Kal entering the room, and saw the eyes of the other Amazons looking at him too.
"I take it a certain Dark Knight told you where we were. I'll need to pay him a visit after today," said Kal, as he knew only one person among the original founding members that knew exactly where to locate them, and speak with them should the need ever arise.
"You miss understand my reason for being here Kal-El. As do you Diana. I did not come here to insult the man you love, nor do I wish to command you to return my daughter, but rather I came here to apologize, and do what I should have done the moment I saw you open the door," said Hippolyta, as she walked up to her daughter, and her once hard eyes softened before she wrapped her arms around a now shocked Diana into a loving hug.
"Mother?" said Diana, as she was surprised by this, and so was Kal from the shocked look on his face was any indication.
"I have prayed to the Gods since you left to show me the path to bringing you back to me, but they would not, and I realized that I was wrong to insult the man you love. Forgive me my child," said Hippolyta, as she held onto her daughter with all the strength her tired body seemed to have in it.
"All I ever wanted was for you to accept me as a grown mature woman, who could make her own decisions in life, and deal with the consequences of them whether they were bad or good. Being with Kal had made me happy Mother and Kal does everything in his power to make me happy just as I do him," said Diana, as she was happy that her Mother had finally accepted her decision to be with Kal, and continue enjoying their happiness.
Of course, there was another matter that was going to be bit more difficult to tell, and Diana was once more afraid of what her Mother's reaction would be.
"Mommy! Daddy!" said two excited sounding children, as they entered the room, and each one tackled one of the two Superheroes in the room.
'Children?!' thought Hippolyta, as she looked at the two kids that now held onto each parents leg, and each one looking like their parent.
The little girl had Diana's hair, facial structure, and if what Hippolyta saw was any kind of indication...could actually fly a little. As for the boy, he had his Father's hair with the eyes being an impressive shade of sky blue that seemed to hold an intense light in them, and wondered if the boy had the power of flight too.
Though if what Hippolyta remembered from her talks with Diana were correct about the Man of Steel, he had achieved the power of flight after entering his teen years, and the boy would no doubt achieve it the same way.
"Mother, I want you to meet your two twin Grandchildren. Helena. Jonathan. This is your Grandmother Hippolyta and Queen of the Amazons," said Diana, as she along with Kal introduced their children to their currently speechless Grandmother, and her Amazon Royal Guards.
"Hello!" said Jonathan, as he waved at them all, and Helena just gave a joy filled smile that could light up a room.
Hippolyta was speechless when she saw the two, as she had no idea not that long ago that the two had married much less had two children. Twins even! Two potential Heirs to the Amazonian throne after Diana became the Queen of Themyscira and filled with the same love for life as their parents.
"I think your Mother is speechless Diana," said Kal, as he got a look from Diana, and elbow to his ribs that he rubbed while not letting it stop him from chuckling.
The Man of Steel had nothing against his Mother-in-Law, but at least he could enjoy seeing the woman feel awkward if only for today, and call it even between them.
"How old are you two little ones?" said Hippolyta, as she got on one knee, and put a hand on each child's' shoulder.
"4 years and 2 Months old," said Helena, as she saw Hippolyta's eyes widen slightly, and wondered why that was.
'Diana became pregnant shortly after her wedding to Kal-El,' thought Hippolyta, as she looked up at Diana, then Kal-El, and then back again at Diana.
"Mommy has been teaching us all about our heritage and so is daddy about his too," said Jonathan, as they had each been taught about their parents respective legacies, and to love their heritage.
"You've been teaching them both about Amazonian way of life? About the Gods?" said Hippolyta, as she was slightly surprised the boy would learn such a thing considering how the Amazons became what they are, and was surprised that the little girl wasn't so horrified by it.
"Of course I would Mother. I told them about the history of the Amazons, but never in specific detail, and explained how the Amazons were hurt by those they once trusted. When they are both old enough to understand, I will tell them what that is, and not a day sooner," said Diana, as she wasn't about to scar her children with such details, and wait until they understood what happened to her Sisters many millennia ago.
"I don't suppose you would ever consider coming back to Themyscira to take your place on the throne?" said Hippolyta, as she had wanted her daughter to sit on the throne as the Queen of the Amazons, and recognize the two twins before her as the Heirs to the throne.
"Maybe. I will not deny I have missed my home, but I won't go back until my Amazon Sisters recognize that I love Kal, and they will treat him with the respect he deserves," said Diana, as she felt uneasy about having this discussion with the children hearing this conversation.
"Many have changed their views of him Princess and would gladly accept you both with open arms along with your children," said Phillipus, as he saw great potential in each of the twins, and would love to be the one that trains them personally.
"And the Bana?" said Diana almost heatedly, as she knew that Kal would never be truly accepted by them unless he gave them a Heir to their side, and even then it would have to be a girl.
"Come on kids, your Mother needs to have a serious discussion with your Grandmother that is not meant for your ears, and quite honestly mine too," said Kal, as he picked up the twins, and they left the room with the Amazons hearing the twins giggle at that last part since it was partially a joke in their eyes.
"The Bana will have no say in this decision," said Hippolyta, as she saw Diana shake her head in disagreement, and wondered if her daughter understood the Bana then she did.
"They will try. They will bring the case before the Senate. They will want Kal to sire them a child to ensure balance is kept between the Amazons and you know how Artemis has felt about me being with Kal since I first brought him medicine from the island when he was injured," said Diana, as she had to bite back the memory of Kal being consumed by the kryptonite laced nuclear warhead, and him nearly dying because of it.
In truth, Artemis like many Bana Amazons, had always felt bitter regarding their Greek Amazon Sisters being blessed with their Immortality, and wanted something close to such a blessing. In Diana's mind, only Kal fit their requirements, and it concerned her that they might try something with him or with Jonathan when he became of age.
"Then what do you suggest then Diana? The Senate wishes your return, but I can only do so if you come home willingly, and I have no intention of forcing my own daughter back when I know fully well that she is perfectly capable of making her own decisions," said Hippolyta, as she saw Diana look at her with surprise at being acknowledge as a woman, and saw the Princess of Themyscira look away in thought.
"As I said before Mother, I do want to return home, but I have certain responsibilities here that I can't ignore, and one of them happens to be that of a loving Mother. When the twins are 7 years old, we will come to Themyscira to visit, and speak before the Senate about taking my place as the Queen of the Amazons. However, I want to let you know that I will be the Queen under the condition that they acknowledge Kal as their King, and the twins as our children," said Diana, as she was not about to have Kal just be marked down as some breeder for her to sire Heirs, and just be cast aside like he was nothing.
"Agreed. I have waited what feels like an eternity to see you again Diana, I think I can wait a few more years to see you home again, and with the man you love. I'm proud of you on so many level, as you have not forgotten your heritage, your Amazon Sister, and have even past it on to your children. You have proven me wrong that not all men are cruel and I thank the Gods everyday I breathe for granting my wish to bring you to life," said Hippolyta, as she hugged her daughter again, and began to cry tears of joy she never thought she would ever cry again since Diana was turned from clay into flesh by the Gods.
"Thank you Mother. I have waited for this day as well and I can wait a few more years before returning home with Kal," said Diana, as she cried with tears just like her Mother, and smiled at feeling of the bond between them had finally mended.
"I would like to stay longer, but my mission was to find you before returning home to tell the Senate what I had discovered, and must head back before they send a search party for me," said Hippolyta, as she reluctantly ended the hug, and saw her daughter nod her head in understanding.
"I imagine they will be quite surprised when they learned that their Heir to Themyscira has a few Heirs of her own with the man she loves," said Diana, as she wished she could somehow see the looks on her Amazon Sisters faces that were in the Senate when they learn of this news, and what was to happen in the next few years.
"Yes. Just as it was for me. Take care Diana and may the Gods that helped give you life protect you," said Hippolyta, as she saw Diana nod, and hug her again before the Queen left for the Invisible Jet outside.
"I see you mended the bridge between you and your Mother," said Kal, as he hugged Diana from behind, as they watched the Invisible Jet take off with the Queen of the Amazons, and Diana leaning back against his muscled body.
"Yes. Oh Hera, it feels a weight I didn't know existed has been lifted, and I can finally breathe again. Where are the twins?" said Diana, as she saw it was just Kal with her, and the twins we're no where in sight.
"They are upstairs reading up on they Amazon and Kryptonian studies. I felt I needed to keep them occupied just in case you and your Mother decided to do duke it out with swords drawn at 10 feet from the other," said Kal, as he got a slap on the shoulder for that, but the man heard her laugh at the joke, and he laughed with her too since it was a bad joke.
But it was his bad joke and she loved him for it.
"Do you think I should have told them about the third member of our family growing inside of me right now?" said Diana, as she put Kal's hands on her stomach, and he felt the life inside of her growing too.
"I think it should wait until we head to Themyscira when the twins turn 7 years old, as I would love to see your Mother being shocked again, and possibly make her faint at the news," said Kal, as he got another shoulder slap on the shoulder, and a semi-angry scowl from Diana.
"Kal! Be nice. That is my Mother you are talking about," said Diana, as she melted under his touch when he kissed her cheek, and then nibbled on her earlobe.
"True, but you forget she is my Mother-in-Law, and its the duty as your husband to enjoy all the shocking moment your Mother goes through. It's an unwritten rule in marriages," said Kal, as he heard Diana sigh, but with a smile on her face still, and hearing her sweet yet mumbled voice saying something about "crazy Man World's traditions".
Oh how the two couldn't wait for the next few years to fly by.
