Paradise Lost Pt 9

by Arcadia

Chapter Nine

On the beautiful island of Themyscira, as the morning sun rose over the island, a special event was taking place. At dawn, Clark stood with Diana at the entrance into Apollo's Altar. Inside the religious building were the Queen of Themyscira, Diana's sisters, Kara and Clark's parents. Clark wore his Kryptonian clothes he kept when he was captured by the Collector, never knowing he would wear it to his own wedding. Diana wore a silk white floor length Grecian gown with a red sash across her chest with gold eagle clasps. No crown decorated her loose, wavy black hair, but her silver bracelets decorated her wrist. The two walked in together to the voice of Penelope's singing. They passed all of Diana's sisters including Triana as they walked down the aisle covered with red and white rose petals, signifying unity and togetherness. Clark's parents sat in the front row smiling with pride for their son on this important day. Clark was surprised when Hippolyta extended an invitation to his parents to come to Themyscira but she explained they were family now and anyone could be extended an invitation to come to Themyscira as long as they were invited by someone from the island. Clark and Diana walked up the steps of the altar where Kara and Hippolyta stood at the top. Kara was invited not only to attend but to also perform the Kryptonian part of the ceremony. A small table also stood with Kara and the queen. On it was a bell, two gold bands and a gold goblet. Kara wore her Supergirl outfit and Hippolyta wore a white sleeveless silk gown. Hephaestus sword hung at her hip. Along with her bracelets and crown, Hippolyta was decorated with gold bands on her upper arms, her royal ring and a gold necklace. Penelope's song finished and she joined her sisters in the audience. Silenced filled the room. Kara stepped forward. "Family, friends, we are gathered this morning to witness the marriage of Kal-El of Krypton and Princess Diana of Themyscira. To everyone on Earth, they are the Man of Steel and the Amazing Amazon, to the people of Themyscira, it's their princess and her royal consort, and to the Kents it's their son and their future daughter-in-law. I see my cousin and his soul mate." "Kal-El and Diana, do you promise to forever forsake others for your union?" Kara asked. "Yes," they both answered. "Do you promise to forever love, honor and protect not only yourselves but any future heirs created from you?" "Yes." Kara looked to the audience. "Per Kryptonian customs the couple say their own vows." Clark and Diana faced each other and linked their hands together. "Diana, I was fascinated with you before I met you, but when I finally met you, I could not get you out of my mind and I knew no matter what happened, I would be forever linked to you be it friend or lover. I was immediately drawn to your beauty but it was you, Diana, your courage, compassion, your strength, your wisdom-- everything that makes you who you are-- I fell in love with." Clark picked up the gold band off the table and placed it on Diana's head. "As Kal-El of Krypton, I give you this as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your husband. With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours." "Kal, you are the strongest man I've ever known. You possess powers beyond one's dream, comparable to the Gods and yet you have the noblest of hearts. You challenge my views on men with your nobility, patience and forgiveness. You've been there at my weakest moment, even forgiven me when I betrayed you. I will never be alone as long as I have you." Diana placed the other gold band on Clark's head. "As Princess of Diana of Themyscira, I give you this as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your wife. With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours." Kara tapped the bell three times: one for love, one for honor and the final one celebrating the union of Kal-El and Diana. "Everyone, may I proudly introduce Kal and Diana of the House of El." Kara placed the bell on the table and took her seat with the Kents as her part of the ceremony was completed. Queen Hippolyta stepped forward to finish the ceremony. Clark and Diana kneeled before the queen. "Kal-El of Krypton and Princess Diana of Themyscira have undergone meditation and purification for this special union. Tests of honor and selflessness proved Kal-El is worthy of the Princess Diana. It is my honor to join the two together." Above the open roof of Apollo's Altar, the skies darkened and lighting clashed. Everyone looked upward including Clark and Diana. "What's going on?" Clark asked. Diana smiled. "Hopefully something good." The clouds parted and Zeus, Hera, Artemis, Aphrodite, Athena, Demeter and Hestia, image appeared in the sky. Hippolyta bowed. "Almighty Gods." "Rise Hippolyta," Zeus commanded. "Our intentions our honorable. Continue with the ceremony." Hippolyta rose and smiled gratefully at the Gods. "Thank you, Almighty Ones." She turned to Clark and Diana to proceed with the ceremony. "Do you Princess Diana of Themyscira enter this bond freely?" "I enter the bond of my free will," Diana answered. Hippolyta looked to Clark. "Do you Kal-El of Krypton enter this bond freely?" "I enter the bond of my free will," Clark answered. Hippolyta picked up the goblet of wine from the table. "Wine made from Dionysus himself in celebration of your union." Diana told Clark about the wine they would drink. Dionysus gave this to the Amazons years ago as thanks to Diana for saving them from Ares wrath. The wine was always used on rare occasions, particularly for unions. Diana took the goblet first and took three sips of the wine. She handed it to Clark who took three sips as well. Clark wasn't a drinker but the wine was very sweet, potent and extremely delicious. He wanted more than three sips but resisted. Hippolyta took the goblet from Clark and placed it on the table. "Now come the most serious part of the ceremony: the joining of souls for all eternity with the bonding of blood." Hippolyta pulled out Hephaestus sword from her side. Diana held out her right hand and Hippolyta cut a line across her hand. Blood seeped out. Clark held his left hand to Hippolyta. Clark winced slightly at the feel of the sword cutting through his tough skin. He did not like magic but for this he was willing to make the sacrifice. Blood oozed from his hand. Clark and Diana linked their bloodied hands together. The pair faced each other. Diana smiled brightly at Clark as she said. "I pledge my heart and soul to you, Kal-El for all eternity." Clark repeated the words. "I pledge my heart and soul to you, Diana for all eternity." Hipployta raised her hands upward to the Gods. "Gods of Mount Olympus, bless the union of Kal-El of Krypton and Princess Diana of Themyscira and their souls for all eternity." Clark and Diana closed their eyes and lowered their heads in silent prayer to the Gods. Suddenly the pair felt a strong surge of power flowing through them. It felt like lighting and the raw energy of the sun flowing through their veins. Once the feeling pass, Clark and Diana opened their eyes. They looked at their hands to miraculous see the wound was closed as if it had never been cut. They looked up to see the Gods looking down on them. "You are bound before family, friends and the Gods." Zeus announced. "Your souls are united for all eternity." The Gods images fade away from the skies to be replaced by the morning blue sky once more. "Rise." Hippolyta commanded. Clark and Diana stood together. "Sisters," Hippolyta looked to Kara, Martha and Jonathon Kent, extended family, "I proclaim this union ceremony over!" The Amazons cheered. Red and white roses were tossed in the air many hitting the new couple. Penelope began another joyful song. Hippolyta grinned at the two as they enjoyed the moment. "Aren't you going to kiss her?" Clark looked to Hippolyta, grinning mischievously. "With great pleasure, Your Majesty." Clark pulled Diana in his arms and gave her a long passion filled kiss. ***** Queen Hippolyta sat in the front row with Martha Kent and Kara Kent in a church in Metropolis. The room was packed with people. While some were Diana and Clark's friends from their jobs, Diana explained most were friends from the Justice League in their human personas. As music filled the room, Hippolyta watched her daughter walk down the aisle in a silk Grecian gown made by Martha Kent. The dress itself was quite beautiful but the Queen didn't like her daughter hiding her beauty behind glasses. At least she took her hair out of that unsightly bun Hippolyta thought. Hippolyta herself wore a purple silk gown that she brought from Themyscira. The shoes Diana purchased for her matched the dress though the queen herself preferred her laced up Grecian shoes compared to the heeled shoes she was wearing. Hippolyta removed her crown for her daughter's sake but she refused to wear glasses. Diana joined Clark at the altar and everyone listened as the priest performed the ceremony. Hippolyta had never seen Clark outside his Superman uniform so it was a surprise to see how different he looked with his glasses, his hair swept back and wearing civilian clothes. Vows were exchanged as well as the passing of rings. Unlike the gold bands that were placed on her daughter and Clark's head at yesterday's ceremony, these fit on their fingers. Clark's father was the best man and much to Hippolyta's surprise, Diana asked Triana to be her Matron of Honor. Her fallen Sister had been very apologetic to Diana and Clark for her behavior and promise to atone for her sins. Triana had a long way to go but Hippolyta had to admit Triana was on the right track. Her attitude has been a complete 180 with Diana, she has been spending more time with the priestess on Themyscira and in deep meditation. She was determined to change her ways and be a better Themyscirian with Diana no longer as a rival but an inspiration. A kiss was shared between Clark and Diana and they were introduced to the world as Mr. and Mrs. Kent. Hippolyta noticed Martha shedding tears. Hippolyta didn't understand the need for tears but she was proud of her daughter. Claps and cheers from family and friends filled the room. Diana looked to her mother to see her reaction. Hippolyta sat as prim and proper as a queen, giving Diana a slight nod—her blessing. Everyone left the church for the wedding reception at a swanky hotel ballroom in Metropolis. It was a gift to the newlyweds by Bruce Wayne. Hippolyta observed the human traditions of a wedding: Clark and Diana sharing the cutting of the cake, drinking champagne with their arms wrapped around each other, their first dance as a couple and taking of many photos. She had been out of the human world for centuries and realized in the day she was there, some things changed and some have not. Hippolyta longed for the return to her palace, the quietness of her island. Supergirl was to return her to the Embassy after the ceremony. As Hippolyta watched Diana danced with Clark, she thought over her decision. She gave her daughter her blessing and though she approved of Clark, Hippolyta was still quite sad. Hippolyta knew with her daughter's marriage, her daughter's trips to home would be even fewer now. Her daughter's home will now be in Man's World with Clark and it would be that way for several years. "I know how you feel." Hippolyta turned to see Martha Kent taking the empty seat beside her. "Excuse me?" "Letting go. It's hard to accept when a child doesn't need his parents anymore. It doesn't get any clearer when the child marries." Martha and Hippolyta looked back at their children dancing. Clark whispered something in Diana's ear. She laughed and leaned against him. "The hardest part of having children is letting them go," Martha said wisely. "But not to worry, they are in good hands." Hippolyta smiled wistfully as she watched Diana in Clark's arms. "I think you are right." She sighed heavily. "But I am going to miss her." **** "Is this really necessary?" Diana asked Clark as he carried her while flying to the Fortress of Solitude. "A groom's supposed to carry his bride to their honeymoon suite." "Yes," Diana laughed, "but I can fly." "I know but I can get us there faster." That was true and Diana detected eagerness on Clark's part. Though he enjoyed the reception with his friends and family, Clark was quite eager to leave. Their honeymoon was only for a week at the Fortress, with no contact with anyone at all. Clark and Diana were going to make the best of their time. Krypto was there to greet them at the Fortress but Clark was quick to send Krypto off to his room while he carried Diana to theirs. Diana slipped into the bathroom to change while Clark changed into a terry cloth black robe. It didn't take long before Diana entered the room wearing a silk red robe. From the way Diana was moving, Clark could easily tell Diana wasn't wearing anything underneath and he didn't need his x-ray vision to tell him that. Diana went about the room lighting the candles she placed in the bedroom days before the wedding. It was special scented candles from Themyscira. Diana knelt and made a prayer to Aphrodite to bring pleasure and harmony to the bedroom. "Does that really work?" Clark asked curiously. Diana rose. "Some of my sisters seem to think so." She eyed Clark sultrily. She opened Clark's robe and let it fall off his strong shoulders. "We won't know unless we try." **** Diana awakened later that night. Clark slept soundly besides her. Diana smiled thoughtfully as she looked at her husband. They were finally a couple in *every* sense of the word. Diana smiled at the thought. Though she was happy at the moment, something tugged in the back of her mind. Something troubling. It had been on her mind but Diana hadn't given it much thought until now. Diana slipped out of bed. She walked out of the room and stepped out of the Fortress. Diana looked upwards towards the sky. It was a beautiful clear night. The moon shined brightly. A perfect night to clear one's thoughts. The day was wonderful, the night was even better but Diana's thoughts were still clouded. Diana held her outreach hands upward and talked to the Gods in her ancient Greek language to gain guidance and answers to her questions. "I would say get back in bed before you catch a cold but I know that won't happen." Diana turned around to see Clark standing in his robe. He held hers in his hands as he strolled to her. "What are you doing out here?" He put Diana's robe on her. "I was thinking of Circe," Diana answered as she tied the belt on her robe. "Circe?" Clark wasn't expecting that. "It's the night of our wedding and you're thinking about Circe?" "I was thinking about when she sent the warhead to Themyscira. I was too concern with you and afterwards with the wedding…." she paused. "It didn't occur to me until right now that Circe had another agenda." Clark frowned. "What do you mean?" "Circe never helps me with anything and yet she told us about Triana, which lead us to Triana's plans for Washington and Circe sending the kryptonite warhead to Themyscira." Diana shook her head puzzled. "Why? I don't know but it seems as if she set everything up so you would go to Themyscira." "Yes," Clark agreed. "She wanted to destroy Themyscira and me at the same time. She knows how important we are to you, but she failed. Either she didn't think I would get to Themyscira in time or she thought I would and die but I didn't. She lost." "Yes," Diana said. "That would make sense but I still can't shake this feeling that Circe had no intention of destroying Themyscira or killing you." Diana shrugged. "I don't know why. It's like it was planned. " "I think you're looking for something that isn't there. Circe told us about Triana but it was all in her attempt to destroy your home. Even Triana admitted how Circe persuaded her to come to our world. Her plan was to destroy your home and me. She failed." Diana smiled at him. "I guess you're right. I *am* thinking too much." "Exactly. This is our honeymoon," he picked up Diana and carried her back inside, "and the only thing you should think about is us." "You know what I want to do now?" Diana asked huskily. "Hopefully, it doesn't have anything to do with Circe," Clark said and Diana answered by nibbling his ear and stroking his chest. "I take that as a no." There was no more talking about Circe for the rest of the night. **** On Apokolips, Circe stood before Darkseid as he sat on his throne and through the mirror Circe created, watched the wedding of Clark and Diana on Themyscira. "As you can see, everything went as you planned. Superman and Wonder Woman are married." The mirror dissipated in her hands. She looked at the Dark Lord of Apokolips puzzled. "As smart as I am, I don't see why you want this union. If I had delayed Diana as I wanted, she wouldn't have gotten to Superman in time and did whatever the hell she did to save him. Superman would've died." "Yes, but I didn't want Superman to die." Darkseid eyes burned. "He *will* die just not yet. Wonder Woman will die as you wished but not yet." Circe crossed her arms over her chest. "Whatever you're planning, it better work." Darkseid smiled wickedly. "Oh, it will. It will." The End