Paradise Lost Pt 7

by Arcadia

Chapter Seven

Diana went through what was left of her apartment, trying to find something salvageable. Her apartment: ground zero was destroyed. The windows were blown, her walls and furniture were scorch with black marks, the stench of smoke and debris filled the place. Not even her bedroom was spared. Black scorch marks lined the walls of her bedroom as the rest of the apartment. Diana opened her torched nightstand drawer and found Hermes sandals were intact. She was grateful she moved her other weapons at the Fortress the previous week. She placed Hermes shoes in a box along with a few other things that she managed to save. She was going to miss this place. It held so many memories. Diana was aware that while she lost her apartment, she still had the Embassy while everyone else in the building was homeless now due to the bombs. Some even died. Diana promised to make it up to the people. She already h ad the Embassy involve with providing aid to them. Wayne Enterprise was also working to help the people. With her box in hand, she flew away and went to the Embassy. So much to do Diana decided. She had to tell the others she was closing the Embassy and returning to Themyscira. That was going to be hard but not as hard as not telling Clark she couldn't marry him. At that moment, a gust of wind blew on her balcony. She turned to see Superman. Her heart ached as she remembered her promise to her mother and the dreadful reminder that she had to end her engagement to Kal. "I didn't know you were back. What did your mother say?" He noticed the case in her hands. "That was all you could save from your apartment?" "Yes, unfortunately." "Not to worry," Superman said brightly. "We can always buy new clothes and furniture. It's a good thing your wedding gown is at Ma's house." At the mention of her gown, Diana thought of the wedding that will never be. Diana placed the box on her desk. She couldn't put it off anymore. "Kal, we must talk." Superman noticed the tone in her voice. "Should I sit or stand?" "Whatever you want." He stood. "I told my mother about Triana. I told her I would stop Triana. She's so determine to be in Man's World and now she's gone against the Amazon way. If I hadn't left and return home with my adventures in this world, Triana wouldn't have been so warped. I *am* contaminating my sisters." "No, you're not," Superman argued. "This is of your sister's free will. Your other sisters aren't doing this. They know better." "I know Triana is the only one to leave but I'm Princess of Themyscira, Kal. I'm responsible for all the Amazons. They are my people." Superman looked at Diana suspicious. "What are you saying, Diana?" "Before I was banned from Themyscira, my mother asked me to choose--stay in Themyscira or leave for Man's World. I choose to leave for Man's World. I think I made a mistake." She paused and released a breath of air before staring in Clark's eyes. "After I capture Triana, I'm leaving for Themyscira….forever." Superman was stunned. He looked at Diana as if he heard her but didn't understand. "Wha…." He shook his head in disbelief. "Diana. Why?" "If I hadn't left for Man's World, Triana wouldn't be this way," Diana explained. "As Princess, it's my duty to take her back and teach her the ways of our people, teach her what she has forgotten." "Diana, you don't--" "Yes, I do," she cut him off gently. "So, you're just going to forget about us, our engagement, and our impending marriage?" Diana saw the shock on his face but she also noticed a tone of anger in his voice. Diana tried to sound strong but her voice wavered, "I'm a Princess, Kal, and a Princess knows the needs of her people outweigh her own. I can't turn my back on my people." "But you'll turn your back on me? On us?" His anger was slowly taking over his disbelief. "Please try to understand," Diana pleaded. "You don't know how hard this is for me. I don't want to leave but I must." Superman's anger immediately dissipated. He gripped Diana's shoulders gently, speaking to her in the same pleading manner. "You're misguided. I understand you want to help your sister but you must understand that sometimes people are who they are. Remember the Kryptonians I freed from the Phantom Zone? I thought they changed their ways but they didn't. I'm sorry, Diana but I think your sister always had these tendencies. It never surfaced until now." "Kal, my sister never---" "Think about it, Diana. You told your stories to all your sisters. I'm sure some of your sisters envy you but why is it that Triana was the one to leave for Themyscira? Why was she the one to disobey your rules and leave on her own? She did this on her own because she wanted to. I think Triana wanted what you have. Has she ever been envious of you?" "No," Diana shook her head denying the accusation. "My sister was never like that. She might've been competitive with me but never envious. We were all competitive but it was friendly competition." "Think about it, Diana," Superman urged gently. "Are you sure? She even made a pass at me. None of your sisters did that." Diana thought about what he said but shook her head again. "No, it's just not possible." A knock came to her door. Diana stepped back from Superman. "Yes?" Her personal assistant entered the room. "Princess, I--" she stopped when she saw Superman. "Oh, excuse me. I didn't know you had company." "No, it's all right," Diana assured her. "What is it?" "It's the village in Ethiopia you visited three months ago. It's been decimated." Diana looked alarmed. "What do you mean?" "Something happened, Your Highness. They are not sure yet but they think a virus or some disease broke out because everyone within a twenty mile radius is dead. Villagers, relief workers… they're all gone." "That doesn't sound like a normal outbreak," Diana said. "When did this happen?" "They're saying within the last twenty-four hours. Relief workers arrived yesterday morning to drop off more supplies but they haven't reported back to their base. A group was sent out to investigate and found everyone dead." "I need to go there." "I'll go with you," Superman offered. Diana looked to her assistant. "Excuse us." When she left, she looked to Superman. "I don't think that is best given our current situation." "As much as I would like to continue this, we have other matters to attend. So, for the time being, let's put this aside, find out what's going on in Ethiopia and deal with your Sister." He eyed her serious. "Don't worry. We *are* gonna finish this conversation." Superman was right. The world needed them now and it was wise to put the breakup aside and deal with worldly matters. Even though Superman didn't want to admit it, Diana knew it was over between them. **** Deep in a military base in Washington, D.C., Circe watched as the last of the kryptonite be placed on the deadly warhead. In the room with her was Richard. Richard had the entire warhead laced with kryptonite as per Circe's demand. "Perfect. Just perfect," Circe said. "I'm only completing your request as part of your bargain. Triana has been a very competent ally." Circe remarked wryly, "She *did* let Diana get away." "That's because Superman saved her," Richard countered. "Triana is determined to capture and defeat Diana, kill her if necessary." He looked at the image of the warhead. "And it seems you are going to take out the Kryptonian. Tell me. How do you plan to lure Superman to the warhead?" Circe smiled flirtatious at Richard. "That's for me to know…." She raised her hands as her dark energy surrounded her and she vanished before him. "Mysterious woman," Richard said to himself. "She can't be trusted. I must prepare for her backlash." Richard went to the elevators and went up several levels back to his private office. `I should get Triana to aid me. She's so in love with me,' he thought cockily, `she'd do anything for me.' Triana was in the room watching the International News coverage over the disaster in Ethiopia. She looked back and smiled as he entered the room. "Come, darling. You must see this." Richard stood behind Triana as he watched the event on his wide screen TV. Wonder Woman and Superman were on the news as well watching the horror around them and assisting when possible. "I think our point has gotten across." Richard smiled at her. "Don't you think so, darling?" He leaned forward and kissed her. He turned his back to her as he walked to his bar. "Time to move on to Washington, D.C. The USA won't know what hit them." Triana turned in her chair slightly, watching Richard pour himself a drink. He loved his drink she noted. A wicked grin crossed her face. Too bad it would be his undoing. Triana rose from her seat and strolled to the bar. He held a drink for her but Triana shook her head. "You hardly drink, my dear. You should indulge in it more often." He drank half a glass. "It's very tantalizing." "It's poison," Triana said simply but her eyes glint with malice. Richard laughed as he finished his glass. "Coming from an island of women, I suppose it is." Richard picked up a bottle of wine and it slipped from his fingers. The bottle shattered on the floor, spilling its expensive contents. He grabbed the bar trying to steady himself and groaned in pain. He noticed Triana smiling at him. Why was she smiling…? He thought about what she said. "You bitch!" Triana laughed. "Men have grown more foolish over the centuries. Lowering your guard to the enemy of your enemy was a big mistake." Richard pulled out his gun. He aimed at her and fired. Triana deflected it easily. "That won't work on me and the more energy you use the faster the poison goes through you." Triana kicked the gun out of his hand. "Not that you have much time anyway." Richard collapsed to the floor. The poison was working fast through his system. She was right about him not having much time. "My men will never….listen to you," he croaked. At that moment, Circe appeared beside Triana. "Oh, I don't know about that," she said silkily. "With magic involved, *anything* is possible." "You!" Circe knelt before him and whispered, "Don't worry, darling. You're not the only one being used here." Those were the last words Richard heard before death overtook him. Circe rose. "Hmm. What a foolish man. Would've made a good Beastimorph though." "What did you say to him?" Triana asked. Circe turned to Triana. "Never trust a woman." Circe walked passed her, walking around as if she owned the place. "With him dead, you can put your plans in action." Circe stopped in front of the television as the report continued on what was going on in Africa. "All the people of the Aremid are under my control. They accept you as their leader." "And they won't deflect should you take over?" Triana asked suspiciously. Circe whirled around to face her. "I have no use for them. They are under your control and soon the world." Circe turned Triana around to face the television where Wonder Woman was on screen. "Then it shall be you and her in a final face off where you will rise as the Champion of the Amazons as you were meant to be. You will show Hippolyta how you can change the world just as Diana." Triana could see the battle in her mind. Diana lied at her feet in defeat. The world was going to be under her rule and not even the league would be able to stop her. "Yes. Queen Hippolyta will realize the mistake of naming Diana as her daughter and heir over me." "I must go now, darling," Circe said. "I'm sure you have a great deal to do." And just like that, she was gone again, moving on to the next phase of her plans. **** Diana knew it would be bad but it still shocked her at what she saw. She and Superman arrived in time to see mass burials of all the villagers. Diana's heart ached at what she saw from the infants to the elders being laid to rest. Men in HAZ-MAT suits walked around scanning the area. "It's terrible." "You're right, Diana," Superman said looking at the devastation. "This isn't normal. This was an attack and it I think it was for you." Diana looked at Superman. "Why?" "You brought a lot of focus to the area. Your enemies wanted to send a message to you." "The Aremid," Diana guessed. "I know Triana had something to do with this." She saw an infant wrap in cloth lowered in the ground. "How could she even after being here with these people?" A man in a HAZ-MAT suit approached them. "We've scanned the area. It's preliminary but we believe a virus of some sort was released in the area. We found this vial." He raised the broken vial in a protective bag. We're going to send it to the lab for study." "Thank you," Diana told the scientist and walked off. Her hands were clenched. "Triana, you will not get away with this." Diana flew off into the sky with Superman following her. "Diana, if this was a virus as suggested, then this area was a test and now that it has proven successful, the Triana and this Aremid group will go after its real target." Superman looked grave. "We need to find out which city before it is decimated like this one." "I must see the Oracle," Diana said. "She would know." "Oh, there's no need for that, darling," Circe's sultry voice filled the air as she materialized before them. "I know exactly what Triana is planning." "Circe," Diana snarled. "Don't look so angry at me, Diana. I'm helping you." She looked Superman over. "And your boy toy. You know, you will look so much better as a lion, Superman." Diana flew ahead in front of Superman as if to protect him from any attacks from Circe. "You never help me, Circe. You want to kill me." "That's true, but this isn't the time for you to die at my hands." She smiled wickedly. "I have plans for you, darling, and I can't have you expiring just yet." "Enough of this," Superman interrupted. "You said you know what Triana is up to. What is it?" Circe materialized a mirror in her hands. In the image was Washington, D.C. "Happy now?" "Washington." "Yes, your current home, Diana and look at who she's working with. The head of the Aremid." Richard's face filled the mirror. Circe laughed at the surprise on Diana's face. "Yes, your boss, or ex-boss, but he's no concern now. He's dead." "Dead?" Diana looked at Triana and Richard in the mirror. "She killed him?" Circe grinned. "He was in the way. Now he's not. Triana is the new head of the Aremid and they are following her orders. Triana is planning to have the virus that wiped out that village below strike Washington, D.C. It all goes down in one hour." "That's the middle of rush hour!" Superman stated. "Yes." she winked at Superman. "You're smart. Yes, the virus is hidden in the city. All the branches of government, the people in the government buildings and all those people stuck in rush hour will be dead in a matter of minutes." "Where is the virus?" Diana demanded. The mirror before Circe vanished. She wagged her finger at Diana. "Sorry, darling. I did my good deed for the millennia. The rest is up to you." With that, Circe vanished before them. "It's not right for Circe to aid us," Diana said. "She could be lying or telling us this so we fall in with some hidden agenda of hers." "But we can't chance it," Superman said. "No, we can't." With that, Superman and Wonder Woman took off for Washington, D.C. Superman touched his com link. "Superman to Watchtower. Priority one emergency." **** Flash zoomed around Washington, D.C. He passed the Lincoln and Washington Memorial searching the virus. "Not here, John. How the hell are we supposed to find a virus that will wipe out D.C. if we don't know what it looks like?" Green Lantern flew in the air scouring the city with his ring. He passed the White House. After scanning the home of the President of the United States, he kept flying. "Keep looking! Half the city will be wiped out in thirty minutes unless we find it." "Hey, J'onn, you find it yet." From the Watchtower, J'onn scanned the city the JL satellite. "No, Flash. You're on the ground. You have a better chance at finding it." Flash frowned. "Yeah. I hear you feel nothing at Ground Zero. Why not get Superman with his special eyes?" "Negative," J'onn said. "He and Diana are searching the city for Triana. If they find her, they may have a chance in stopping the virus from setting off." "Hold on, guys," John interrupted. "I think I got something." "Where are you?" Flash asked. "The Pentagon." "I'm on my way." Flash said and was gone in a red blur. **** On the outskirts of Washington, D.C., Superman and Wonder Woman scanned the city. Superman looked through buildings searching for Triana. They searched the homes Richard own that Diana knew of. The only other place near Washington, had to be Richard's private office. "She has to be at here, Kal. It`s the only place around Washington we haven't checked." "She could be out of the city." "No, she would be nearby in a safe place," Diana said. "She would want to witness it as close as possible." They hovered over a military base not far from Washington. Superman scanned a military base. It looked abandoned. As he searched through the levels, he spotted Triana inside Richard's office. "I think I found her and she's not alone." Inside Richard's office, Triana was in full battle armor as watched a split screen. Half of it was on Washington, D.C. and the other half was in the office of the Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon. In less than ten minutes, half the people in the city will be gone, including the President of the United States, all branches of government, and in the disaster she would rise and take over. Circe was in the room as well, watching the screen. `Any second now,' the witch thought. `They are cutting it close.' Triana watched anxiously to see the virus spread through the city but it wasn't to be. She jumped from her seat when she saw Flash and Green Lantern rushing in the Pentagon. "What? What are they doing there?" She couldn't help but watch as Green Lantern and Flash searched the room of the Secretary of Defense. Flash found the virus attached to a timer. Green Lantern took the virus and deactivated the timer. The two let out a sigh of relief. "They stopped the virus!" She turned to Circe. "How did they know where to find it?" Circe shrugged. "How should I know?" Triana clenched her fist. "Sister is on to me. I underestimated her." The door to the room burst open. Triana jumped to defensive mode. Triana wasn't surprised to see Wonder Woman and Superman standing at the door. "So, you found me." She looked at Superman. "With help of course. I see you got the league to stop the virus." "Triana, how can you shame the Amazons by going rogue and joining Circe?" Diana asked her sister. "I'm not one for touchy family moments. I'll leave it to you, Triana to take care of Diana." Circe aimed her hands at the floor. Sparks of purple energy fired from her fingers onto the floor. Once an adequate hole was created, she floated down. Superman went after her. "Kal, wait!" Diana called out. Triana punched Diana, knocking the princess back. "Your fight is with me, Sister," Triana snarled. "Triana, I don't want to do this." Diana blocked a punch. "Why, Sister?" Triana jumped behind Diana and quickly grabbed her in a headlock. "Afraid you will lose?" Diana broke out of the move and kicked Triana. "You lost to me in the tournament. This battle will be no different." Triana unsheathed her sword. She charged on Diana. Diana grabbed her arm and tossed her. Triana bounced herself off the wall and jumped back at Diana. "You cheated! You were gifted from the Gods." Triana's sword came down on Diana. She crossed her bracelets as the sword clashed against them. "Strength does not win all battles." Diana punched Triana's stomach causing Triana to drop her sword. Diana caught Triana's arms and put them behind her back. "It's strategy, skills and a calm head, something you don't have." Triana head butt Diana, forcing Diana to release her. She grabbed Diana and rammed her through the wall into the halls of the base. "I'm all that and more!" she roared. Diana delivered an uppercut to Triana. The force was so strong, Triana was knocked off her feet, through another wall back into the office. "Wake up! You joined Circe! She's only using you for her own plans! Can't you see that!" "She only hates you!" Triana spat. Triana felt behind her and touched her sword. She pulled it close to her and waited for the right moment. "She hates all Amazons!" Diana yelled back. Once Diana was close enough, Triana slashed her sword at Diana, cutting her across her chest. Diana cried out as she grabbed her right breast. Triana attacked. She rammed into Diana, knocking them both through the window. The two plummet towards the ground with Diana crashing on the ground first. Diana started to rise and was met with a sharp kick to her face by Triana and knocked to her knees. "You don't deserve the title princess! It should've been mine! It *was* mine until you were born!" Diana clutched her wounded breast, speaking calmly over the rage in her sister. "How can you say something is yours when it wasn't yours to begin with?" "Oh no?" Triana asked. Diana rose only to be belted in her stomach. "You think you were the first child on Themyscira? Wrong! I was. I was the first child. I was closest to our queen! I should've been the first princess!" Triana swung her sword but Diana caught it. The Princess of Themyscira rose. "It doesn't matter if you were the first child or if you were close to her." Diana pulled the sword out of Triana's hand and tossed it aside. "You're not our queen's daughter. You want something that was never yours." Triana threw a punch at Diana but the Princess blocked it. "It's all clear now. You wanted to be gifted from the Gods." Diana delivered a right hook to Triana's face. "You wanted to be princess." Diana blocked a kick from Triana and delivered another powerful punch of hers. "You wanted to be Hippolyta's daughter." She grabbed Triana's right arm and tossed her on the ground. "You wanted Kal." Triana rose screaming in frustration. Diana grabbed her and tossed her into a tree. Triana broke it with her back. Triana tried to stand but she slumped to the ground. "You wanted to be me!" Diana strolled confidently to Triana. "Well, you can't be me, Triana. There's only one Diana, one Princess of Themyscira and you're looking at her." Diana loosened her lasso and wrapped it around Triana. "It's time, Sister, for you see the error of your ways and enlightened me on why you hate me so much." Through the lasso, Diana saw Triana's soul, her past, her pain. As Triana witness the horrors of her past, she cried and begged Diana to stop the visions of the past. Diana now saw why Triana hated her so much and all Diana could feel for her Sister now was pity. "Oh, Sister," Diana said empathy. "You are greatly misguided." **** Superman followed Circe down the hole the witch created. Circe shot blast of her magic at Superman hurting the Man of Steel, slowing him down. To delay him even further, turned the hole she was creating into a wall of snakes. The magical snakes encircled the Man of Steel, biting him and squeezing him. While Superman was busy using his strength and heat vision to get the snakes off him, Circe continued to fly down. Circe arrived at the bottom of the heavily armored base with only minutes to spare. Her snakes were magical but she knew it wouldn't hold Superman off for long. Circe walked to a small panel on the wall. She opened it and typed in the specific codes. She turned her attention to the screen as she watch the warhead she saw hours earlier blast off. "Goodbye Themyscira," the evil witch cackled. Circe only had a few minutes to celebrate before Superman crashed into the room. He destroyed the last of the snakes with his heat vision. "Those snakes were hardly a challenged, Circe. You--" He saw the screen of the missile in the sky. "What have you done?" Superman demanded. "Oh nothing," Circe smiled wickedly. "Except send a nuclear warhead to Themyscira. It's long gone now. Not even *you* can catch it." Superman looked at the screen again. The missile was well on it's way to Themyscira. He didn't waste another moment as he raced out of the facility and took to the sky, flying at full speed. The warhead had a good lead on Superman. He only hoped to be there in time to stop it. Circe grinned. "I wonder if I should've told him, the warhead is laced with enough Kryptonite to kill him." Circe turned back to the screen watching the warhead. "Oh, well, he'll find out on his own." Outside the base, Diana looked upwards and saw Superman flying away at incredible speed. She could hear the sonic booms he was creating. "Kal." Distracted, Diana loosened the lasso and Triana was able to free herself. Not satisfied with her defeat, Triana charged on Diana. Diana grabbed her sister's neck, lifts her off the ground and slammed down so hard the earth rocked slightly. "Enough is enough!" Triana laid on the ground barely moving. "I pity you but you are defeated, Sister. Accept it." Diana attached her lasso to her belt and flew in the building. Her sister was the least of her concern now. She had to find out what happened with Circe and why Superman took off like he did. Diana flew down the hole Circe created. She arrived at the bottom of the base where Circe continued to watch the screen. "Where did Superman go?" Diana demanded. She looked at the screen and saw the warhead on the screen. "Where is that warhead going?" Circe turned to face the princess. "Just set a nuclear warhead towards Themyscira. Superman's gone to stop it. Too bad he doesn't know it's covered with Kryptonite." "Stop the missile!" Diana ordered. "There has to be a deactivation switch on it." "Hmm," Circe thought about it. "No. You can argue, even fight me, Diana, but I won't stop the missile and you'd have wasted time catching up with Superman before the missile destroys Themyscira and him. The choice is yours." Triana arrived in the room, badly injured. As she was coming down, she heard part of the conversation. She only watched the screen in horror as she witnessed the warhead going towards home. Diana looked at the screen worried, "Kal." She didn't waste another moment. She flew out of the base, hoping to catch Superman before he reach the missile. Triana stepped forward, weakened and defeated. "Themyscira?" She looked at Circe hatefully. "You are going after my home. You traitor." Circe laughed. "I never said I *wasn't* going after Themyscira. I didn`t betray anyone." Circe pointed a finger at Triana. "You on the other hand betrayed your honor, your people and now your home all because of your jealously towards Diana." "You witch!" Triana snarled and tossed her sword. Circe avoided the sword and it hit the screen scrambling the image. She laughed. "Better luck next time," she cackled evilly. A large burst of energy surrounded her and she disappeared. Triana collapsed to her knees, weakened physically and emotionally. Circe was right. Diana was right. Even Hippolyta was right. She warned her of what her anger and jealously of Diana would do and it was far worse than she ever thought. Her anger and jealous not only drove her to betray her queen and her people but now it would cost her home and the lives of her Sisters. Alone, Triana wept. **** With his enhanced vision, Superman could see Themyscira in the distance. Worse of all, he could see the nuclear warhead still had some distance over him. Summoning more of his strength, he went faster. As he got closer to the missile Superman realized he was getting weaker. "Kryptonite," he groaned and pulled back. Turned out, Circe had more plans than to just destroy Themyscira. "Destroy Diana's home and me at the same time. I won't let that happen." Superman flew fast again, trying to catch the missile. He wasn't going to let Circe win. He wasn't going to let her destroy Diana's home, even at the cost of his life. Far behind Superman, Diana was flying at her limits. She had to reach Kal in time. She knew him and she couldn't let him make that sacrifice. With her keen eyes, she faintly made out the image of a flapping red cape in the distance. He was still so far away for her to reach him and the missile was getting closer to Themyscira. On Themyscira, the island was at its usual tranquil peace unaware of the imminent doom coming towards Themyscira. Hippolyta, Phillipus and Magda rode on horseback across the shores of the island. Hippolyta was discussing with Phillipus and Magda of Diana's return to Themyscira. "I understand you want the princess to return," Magda said, "but I feel it shouldn't be under these circumstances. Triana is at fault, not Diana." "It is Diana's wish to return, Magda," Hippolyta stated. "Yes, but Diana doesn't know Triana's story." Hippolyta looked at Magda surprised. "You know?" "I have eyes, My Queen," Magda simply stated. The conversation was suddenly interrupted by Phillipus noticing something in the sky. "Your Majesty, look." Everyone look upwards and saw the warhead descending towards them. "By the Gods," Magda gasped. "What is that?" Hippolyta knew exactly what it was. She knew the missile could wipe Themyscira off the planet forever. Hippolyta prayed to the Gods for help, but feared her prayers weren't being heard. "Amazons, we must fall back," Hippolyta said but as the words escaped her mouth, a sonic boom was heard in the sky then Superman flying towards them. "Great Hera!" Hippolyta eyes widen as the missile descended and Superman manage to fly ahead if it then flying towards the warhead with great speed. A giant explosion lit the sky turning the peaceful blue sky to a violent blood red. The trees on the beach blew widely and the Amazons themselves were knocked off their horses and crashed into the sand. The explosion spread shockwaves in the sky. Not far away, the explosion pushed Diana pack. She fought the mad turbulence before getting some control of her flight. Diana saw the blood sky and a horrible feeling stabbed her heart, "KAL!!!!!" Diana screamed. Pieces of the warhead fell into the ocean and Superman pummeled to the island like a fallen star that rocked the island. Hippolyta and the Amazons ran to him. Hippolyta was the first to jumped in the crater and knelt besides Superman. His skin was a dark shade of green. His cape and top of his uniform burned off, revealing open wound on his chest and blood oozing out. "Superman…." she was at a lost for words. She wouldn't believed it if she had not seen it with her own eyes. Superman weakly opened his eyes. "Your… Highness. You're… all right." "Superman you saved us." Hippolyta was stunned beyond words at his actions. Superman coughed and blood spat out of his mouth. He smiled at the queen. "Diana… won't be…alone." Hippolyta was speechless. Superman crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes. When he didn't move anymore, Hippolyta called out. "Superman. Superman!" She checked for a pulse but couldn't find it. Phillipus and Magda looked on silently. While Hippolyta tried to waken Superman, she couldn't only think he died before her and he did it for Diana. "By the Gods," Hippolyta looked horrified at Phillipus and Magda. "I'm afraid I made a terrible mistake." "KAL!!" Diana's scream echoed over the ocean as she flew to him. Diana landed with force and cradled Superman in her arms. "No, Kal. No!" Hippolyta was stunned at the tears gushing from her daughter's eyes and all for Superman. She, Phillipus and Magda looked on in mild shock as Diana cried over Superman. Amazons rarely cried and it was never over a man but before them, their princess was crying over a man. Phillipus who didn't trust men at all, even having some grudges at Superman, had her heart soften over what she was witnessing. "Daughter," Hippolyta said gently. "I am sorry for you lost." Diana snapped her angry eyes at her mother. "How can you be? You wanted me to leave him for Themyscira. I even told him it was over between us and despite that he continued to work with me to stop Triana and now…" She cried harder as she looked at Superman. She gently caressed his green face with her hand. It was darker than when they experimented at the Fortress. As she looked the rest of his battered body over, it was then Diana looked at the rest of him. Diana's tears slowed as she noticed his crossed arms. "By the Gods," she gasped. "The Kryptonian Trance." "Kryptonian trance?" Hippolyta murmured unfamiliar with the term. "What's that?" Diana was already picking Superman as her mother asked. "I can't explain now. I must get to the Fortress." Hippolyta looked on as Diana flew away faster then Mercury. Whatever Diana was going to do, Hippolyta prayed to the Gods that it would work.