Different Worlds Part Twelve

AN: This chapter and future chapters will coincide with the events before and during War of Gods with some tweaking on my part.:) Different Worlds by Arcadia Part Twelve: Alliances and Betrayals In Circe's lair in the Amazon Rain Forest, Circe witnessed Diana's friends through her crystal ball and Diana's sadness over their isolation from her. The witch was positively happy over the turn of events. She waved a mystical hand over her ball. Diana fade away and Dr. Psycho, sinister image appeared in her crystal ball. In the room with Circe was Dr. Konrad Kaslak. He was part of Circe's plan as well but the witch didn't know he was out to betray her and was using the witch for his own plans. The witch held up her part of their alliance and cast a spell on Cheetah as she was a prisoner in Arkham Asylum. Cheetah had escaped Arkham but the spell Circe cast on the Cheetah forced her to work for her and Konrad Kaslak who was able to use the archaeological mind of Barbara Minerva to locate the artifacts Circe needed for her ultimate plan. "I've isolated Diana from her friends and family, Doctor. I assume you can carry out the plan of torturing her mind?" Circe knew he could otherwise she wouldn't have allied herself with him. Dr. Psycho smiled chillingly at Circe. "It would be a privilege and a challenge to torment the minds of Wonder Woman and Hermes." Psycho's face disappeared and the ball became clear once more. Circe rise from her seat. "Come, Konrad. We have much to do." Konrad kissed Circe's hand. "Thanks to you casting that spell on Dr. Minerva I was able to get the information I needed. I now know which museums the artifacts are." "Good." Circe smirked. "We shouldn't keep our guests waiting." In another section of Circe's lair the rest of the Bana Amazons waited for Circe. They knew the witch wanted an alliance with them. Knowing Circe had no love for Diana convinced them to agree to the meeting. Circe sashayed into the room. The Amazons looked at Konrad Kaslak in disgust as he was a man. Circe noticed the exchanged. "Don't concern yourself with him. It is I who is in control." Marita, a Bana Amazon stepped forward. "Yes. You want us to work for you and while we do take assignments, why should we?" "You Bana Amazons consider yourself the true Amazons while Diana, a Themyscirian, parades herself in this world as being from the genuine Amazon tribe." "This is true. What do you propose?" Circe smiled. "I suggest framing the Themysciran Amazons. I need artifacts from museums in Metropolis, Chicago, Boston and Gotham. If you pretend to be Diana's Amazons, the public will distrust them. They will turn their backs on them and the Amazons so call mission of peace. The world military will see the Amazons as a threat and prepare themselves with weapons that will blow Themyscira out of the water. "And once all the Themyscirans are dead, then the Bana will rise as the true Amazons." Marita and the other Bana Amazons liked this plan. Circe knew they would. "And to really strike at Diana's heart we will capture her foster and biological mothers: Julia Kapatelis and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons." Marita looked to her Amazons who were in agreement. "We agree to your alliance." ***** Diana tossed and turned in her sleep, suffering through the nightmares in her mind. It was another one just like yesterday and the day before only like the others she thought it was real. In her last dream, she was in the city Areopagus, where Ares resides. Harmonia `helped' Diana see through the darkness of Diana's dream and set her on a path to meet Pariah, a figure in a dark cloak who was harbinger of inescapable oblivion. Where he exists, everything was reduced to destruction. As Areopagus is destroyed around her, Diana fights through the dream and Diana guessed it was Circe who was causing her nightmares. Dr. Psycho continues with his torment as Diana continues to dream, thinking she is awake. In her dream, Diana was awake and fighting her Sisters, Cydippe and Myrrha who thought Diana was raving madly in her quest to confront Circe. "You're in my way!" Diana snarled and swung her ax at Cydippe. "Move or I will kill you!" Cydippe raised her sword to block Diana`s ax. "Sister, stop!" "This isn't you!" Myrrha tried to convince Diana. "How can you expect to find Circe if you do not know where she is!" Diana turned to Myrrha and kicked her with such forced she crashed into a column fell to the ground in a crumpled heap. "Silence!" Diana snarled. "No one will stop me!" Behind Diana Cydippe approached to strike. Diana swung her arm back in an attempt to knock Cydippe away. "And neither will you!" Diana felt wetness and looked at her hand. She saw blood running down her ax and dripping on her arm. Diana turned and saw Cydippe lying on the floor dead with blood oozing out of her neck and just a foot away her head was oozing blood as well. Diana looked on in horror in what she had done. She hadn't meant to actually kill her Sister even if she did threaten her. Soft footsteps approached. Diana looked up and saw Superman approaching. Superman looked at Myrrha on the floor unconscious and Cydippe beheaded surrounded in her own blood. Superman looked to Diana. "What have you done?" Diana looked at Superman puzzled. "How can you be here? You don't have access to Themyscira. Oh, no," Diana said in horror. "Am I dreaming again?" "This isn't a dream. You killed your Sister." "It wasn't my fault!" Diana argued. "It's Circe! She's giving me nightmares. I was trying to confront her but my Sisters wouldn't let me leave." "You killed them," Superman accused. "It was an accident!" Diana argued, her mind being controlled with rage. "I can't talk about this now. I must find Circe." Superman blocked Diana's exit. "No! You're not leaving." Diana looked at him incredulous. "You will stop me from facing Circe. She's the cause of this!" Superman stared down at Diana angrily. "The only person I see the cause of this is you." Diana didn't the take words kindly as she attacked Superman. Superman dodged the strike of Diana's ax. He grabbed her arm and tried to pry the ax out of her fingers but Diana kicked him, knocking him back. Diana ran towards him to strike him. Superman fired his heat vision on her. Diana blocked it with her bracelets and once she gotten close to Superman, she kicked him. He grabbed her left leg and pushed her back. Diana fell back on the floor. Before she could move, Superman pounced on her. He grabbed her wrists in his hands squeezing them hard. "You're quite the tease, aren't you? I'm gonna have fun with you. I'm gonna have my way with you just as Heracles men had with your Sisters," Superman sinisterly said. "You'll finally know the humiliation your Sisters have suffered." Fear and rage built in Diana. No she vowed. She would not let him do this to her dream or not. "NO!!!" Diana screamed. She used her legs and kicked Superman's stomach with all her might, knocking him off her. With him off her, Diana grabbed Cydippe's sword and sliced at Superman as he approached her again. Diana looked on in horror as Superman's head rolled off his head and fell to the floor. Her hands shook and her sword dropped from her hand at what she had done. "No!" She screamed. "NOOOOO!!!" Diana bolted awake. "Kal, no!" She was breathing hard, a light sheen of sweat covered her body. She looked at her hands. No blood on them at all. She looked down at herself. She was naked. Was it possible she was finally awake? "Princess." Diana turned and saw Cydippe and Myrrha by her bedside. She hugged them both. "Sisters, you're alive!" The nightmare was over. "If you're alive, then it means Kal is alive!" "Are you all right?" Cydippe asked. "Perhaps you should go to the Isle of Healing," Myrrha suggested, recalling witnessing Diana moving in her bed in torment earlier. Diana shook her head as she got out of bed and put on her uniform. "No. I have much to do in Patriarch's World." "Is there anything we can do?" Cydippe asked. Diana smiled assuring at her sister. "No. This is my battle and mine alone." She bid her Sisters' farewell and flew to the portal that would take her to Patriarch's World. *How foolish of me. This wasn't Circe's doing or a spell. It was a nightmare of my own fears and insecurities manifesting themselves into such awful images. I will not let it happen again.* Just as she enter the clouds, she gasped seeing Pariah hovering next to Hermes stuck in a crucifix position. She cried in horror as she realized her nightmares were becoming a reality. In his home in Boston, Dr. Psycho continued his torturous torment of Diana and Hermes minds. **** Lois Lane sat in Clark Kent's office waiting. Superman had finished dealing with a hostage situation at the courthouse. Superman had disappeared afterwards but Lois knew Clark Kent was on his way back to the Daily Planet. When Perry White wanted a reporter to cover the story, Lois volunteered Clark. She thought it would be a good excuse for Clark to suddenly disappear when Superman arrived at the courthouse. Besides, she was working on something big. Lois looked at the manila folder in her hand and sighed. "I must be in love with him to do this," Lois told herself. What she had in her folder could be misconstrued as damning evidence against Wonder Woman and the Amazons. Any good reporter would report this, get a front page headline and maybe a Pulitzer but Lois was going to forgo the story for Clark's sake because of his relationship with Wonder Woman. The doorknob turned and Clark Kent entered his office. He was puzzled to see Lois in his office. "Lois, what are you doing here?" He dropped his jacket on the back of his chair before he sat down. "Did you change your mind on covering the hostage situation?" "No, Clark. I have something that could get your girlfriend and her Amazons in trouble." Clark was once again, confused. "What?" Lois opened her manila folder saying, "Remember the other night you went to have dinner with your parents and I stayed here?" Lois asked and Clark nodded. "On my police scanner, I got news of a murder at Metropolis Museum of Archaeology. The museum security guard was hacked to pieces by an unknown attacker. His head was cut off and his mouth was stuffed with strange scrawls with the guy's blood." "I remember," Clark said recalling the article Lois wrote. "You wrote it was a burglary for a ceremonial Aztec head and according the museum's curator, it had no value." "Yep. At first I thought it was a random museum robbery." Lois pulled out a cut out newspaper article and handed it to Clark, "But then this story showed up." Clark read the article. It was a double murder of two security guards at the Natural History Museum in Chicago. They were beheaded as well and the only thing stolen was a bronze bowl from the Indian exhibit used to invoke the God called Sira. "All right. Two double beheadings and the culprit stole another supposed invaluable object." Clark looked up at Lois questioningly. "The murders are obviously related but I don't see how this connects to Diana." Lois handed him the other article in her folder. There was a murder in Boston at the Peabody Museum. The security guard was beheaded and an ancient coin was stolen from the Babylonian Exhibit and once again the coin had no value. Clark looked at Lois for further explanation. "I called the curator and he said the coin is from some violent God called Apsu. So I did a little more digging on the other stolen artifacts and the ones in Chicago and Metropolis are related to some destructive God." "Someone is planning something destructive with the stolen items," Clark guessed. "But what does that have to do with Diana and the Amazons?" He didn`t get Lois realized. She shouldn't be surprise but she was. "The Amazon Hellene was in Chicago when the Natural History Museum was struck. Phillipus was in Metropolis when the crime occurred and we all know Wonder Woman lives in Bos--" "No!" Clark said vehemently. He rose from his seat in anger. "Diana nor her Sisters would commit such crimes! I can't believe you would think that!" His anger surprised Lois. She made a note to not get him on her bad side. Lois calmly responded. "I know but the police looking at these crimes will think so." "You would think the police would think Diana and her Sisters are involved?" Clark asked calmly. Lois shrugged. "It is possible. I mean, even the government had some suspicions on you when you first arrived. Given the Amazons history with our world and men, some would think this Amazon tour is a ruse to steal these artifacts." Clark took Lois' words into consideration. "You have a point but I know the Amazons are not involved." Lois didn't want to give any indication she thought it was possible the Amazons would do this. So, she said, "Perhaps but someone is framing them and if I were you, I would get in contact with Wonder Woman to find out what's going on before it all blows up." Clark wanted to do just that but he had a story to finish. Perry White was waiting on Clark's story about the hostage situation so it could be put in the evening addition. As soon as Lois left his office, he typed of the story fast by human standards and gave the story to Perry to approve. Once the story was approved by Perry White, Clark returned to his office and called Diana at Julia's home. In the Lois' latest article about the Amazon tour, Diana was reported not seen with her family which left Clark to guess she was in Boston. Julia picked up the phone on the second ring. "Hello?" "Hello, Mrs. Kapatelis, it's Superman. Is Diana with you?" If this was a first occurrence, Julia would've been shocked to hear Superman's voice on the other line but she has grown accustomed to expect a call from the Man of Steel. "No, she isn't. I haven't seen her for a few days." She explained to him about the events over Vanessa's birthday. "I assume she was with her family." Clark looked over at the article about the museum robbery in Chicago. No. He refused to believe Diana or her Sisters had any part in it. "No, I don't think she is with them." "Perhaps she went to her island home. Diana is so busy sometimes it`s hard to keep up with her schedule." Julia suggested but then said worriedly. "Is Diana missing?" "Oh, no," Clark assured her. Then he lied. "Diana did say something about going home but I thought she meant Boston." He didn't want Diana's friend to worry about what he hoped to be nothing. "She is probably home." Julia laughed, thinking Superman's concern was an example of young love. "I understand. If she returns here, I'll be sure to tell her you called." "Thank you, Julia and good evening." Clark hung up the phone. Diana wasn't in Boston. He had to find her and let her know what was going on. Clark pulled out an article on the dates of the Amazon tour. If Julia didn't know Diana's whereabouts perhaps her family did and if not, he could at least warn them what was going on. The article stated the Amazons were in Gotham. Along with speaking with the Amazons, Clark decided he will see Batman as well. **** It was evening before Clark could get away from Metropolis and see Batman in Gotham. In the Batcave, Superman relayed to Batman about the museum robberies, the connection to the Amazons and the fact they were being framed. Batman listened to the facts objectively. He read the rumors about a romance between Superman and Wonder Woman but he wasn't convinced it was true until now as Superman explained the situation. Superman was clearly defending the Amazons and convinced of their innocence and he was very concerned Wonder Woman was missing. "With the Amazons in Gotham, it's likely Gotham is the thieves next target," Batman said. Superman nodded in agreement. "That's what I was thinking, too, but the Amazons are being framed." Batman didn't comment. Robin suspect what Batman was thinking and didn't say anything to add or negate to the Amazon innocence. "Gotham Modern Museum and Museum of African American History are our best bet." "We should get over there now. I'll go to Gotham Modern Museum and your go to the Museum of African American History," Batman ordered Robin and walked to his Batmobile. "Bruce, you don't really think the Amazons are behind this are you?" Superman asked. The top of the Batmobile opened and Batman jumped in. "I don't know what to think. Someone could be framing the Amazons or they are showing their true colors. You can't be objective because of your involvement with Wonder Woman." The Batmobile's top closed and the sleek vehicle sped out of the batcave followed by Robin in his motorcycle. With them gone, Superman flew out of the batcave and into the skies to the Gotham Grand Hotel to explain the situation to Hippolyta. **** At the Gotham Grand Hotel, Superman spotted Hippolyta in the sitting room of her lavish hotel room talking to Phillipus. He tapped on the window lightly and both women turned to see him floating outside the window. Hippolyta went to the window and opened it allowing Superman entry. "Superman, what a surprise," Hippolyta said. Superman bowed before Hippolyta and spoke to them in Greek as he wasn`t sure how well their English was. "Your Highness." He gave a respectful nod to Phillipus. "Captain Phillipus." "Superman, to what do we owe of your presence?" Hippolyta asked. "I wanted to know if you have seen Diana." Hippolyta shook her head. "The last time I saw my daughter we were in New York. She had wanted to accompany us on this tour but I told her she could not." "Why not?" Superman asked. "It was time we Amazons showed this world we more than what my daughter represent," Hippolyta explained. "But that was days ago." She looked at Superman suspicious. "Is something wrong?" "I'm not sure," Superman admitted. "Something must be wrong otherwise you wouldn't be here," Phillipus said. "Is the princess missing?" "No, at least I hope not. I called Julia earlier to see if Diana was in Boston but Julia has not seen Diana either. It seems in her own way she also pushed Diana away." Now he was looking directly at the queen and her captain accusingly. Hippolyta took offense to Superman`s expression. "We might have pushed Diana away as you are suggesting but my daughter is a strong woman. She wouldn't become emotional hurt if we or her friends didn't want her company. My daughter is stronger than that." She then looked at Superman accusingly. "Have you hurt my daughter?" "No," Superman answered. "I haven't seen Diana since your arrival. I thought while this tour was going on Diana was spending quality time with her mother and her Sisters. Diana rarely gets to go home and I wasn't going to interfere with Diana spending as much time with her family as possible," Superman explained and for once Hippolyta felt guilty for her accusation. Superman continued, "Diana is strong, confident, and wise. She is amazing and can do amazing things but she is also a young, vulnerable woman with the same emotions as everyone else. Even someone like Diana can be lonely." Hippolyta was taken back. How dare Superman suggest he knew his daughter better than her? "Something strange is going on, Your Highness. I think the Amazons are being set up for something big and I wanted to discuss this with Diana but since no one seems to know where she is I am concerned she's in the thick of it somehow. She might've been captured." "What exactly is going on?" Phillipus asked. Superman told the Amazons about the robbery and murders at the museum and the connection that the Amazons were in each city and his suspicions they were being framed. "I knew we should've brought weapons," Phillipus said. "This world hasn't changed at all from when we left it. Men will never trust us or opened their minds to peace." Hippolyta raised a hand silencing Phillipus. "You and I both knew there would be obstacles and mortals to challenge us on spreading our word of peace. This is one of them. The first thing we should do is search for Diana." "I'm working that on now. After I leave here, I will contact a friend in this city who might know something and I will search all over the planet if I have to. I will find Diana," Superman promised. Hippolyta was impressed how far Superman would go for Diana. *Perhaps he does care.* "I thank you for your help, Superman. I will have my Amazons search for her as well." Superman nodded and flew out the window and start his search for Diana. Hippolyta turned to Phillipus. "Gather the rest of the Amazons. We have to search for Diana and prepare ourselves for an imminent attack." Phillipus nodded. "Of course." Once Phillipus was out of the room, Hippolyta heard a tapping on her window. She expected it was Superman again but it was a bird. Hippolyta opened the window and the bird landed on her finger. The bird stared at the queen with his red eyes. As Hippolyta become mesmerize by the bird's red eyes, Hippolyta felt an unknown power take over her and tried to turn away from the bird's hypnotic red eyes but it was useless. "Diana," Hippolyta murmured weakly. It didn't take long for Phillipus, Hellene, Pythia and Euboea to return to Hippolyta's room. "That's strange," Phillipus commented noticing Hippolyta`s door ajar. "I was certain I closed it." Her blood turned cold as she heard the sound of a gun's safety catch. She heard that thunderous sound before on Themyscira by Diana Trevor's gun and when she herself tested Diana before she officially donned the costume worn by the Champion of Amazons. "Get down!" Phillipus tackled Hellene to the floor as the thunderous sound of gunfire roared from Hippolyta's room. As the Amazons shield themselves from an attack, a group of masked Bana Amazons rush out, one of them holding the Goblet of Hercules. Downstairs in the security room, the security guard watch the gunfire on their cameras and rush to the scene. As one guard rush to the scene, he was promptly cut down with an axe. "The men of this world are so weak," said the cold voice of a Bana Amazon. The sound of police sirens was heard outside follow a group of Gotham Police rushing in. "Good. More victims," a Bana said as she and her Sisters pulled out their daggers. Upstairs with Phillipus, Pythia, Hellene and Euboea fought their attackers. Only two masked Bana Amazons remained to finish the Amazons off but Phillipus and Pythia took them down while Hellene and Euboea searched for Hippolyta in her room. "The queen is gone," Euboea told Phillipus and Hellene once they entered Hippolyta's room. Phillipus took the gun Pythia held after defeating her assailant. "I'm the only one familiar with these flashing thunders the men carry. I'll go after them. You three keep searching for the queen." Phillipus rush out of the room as Hellene speaks. "Men. I had hoped Diana was right about Man's World but it hasn't changed and neither has its men. Nothing has changed. It is a never ending war with men and Amazons." "Come, Sister," Pythia said. "We must continue in our search for the queen." "Give me a moment," Hellene requested. Pythia and Euboea left Hellene in the hallway as they continued to look for Hippolyta. Hellene calmed down and went to join her Sisters in search for their queen when she heard movement behind her. The two Banas were rising and making their retreat. Hellene called after them and chased them. Down a stair level, the Cheetah waited. She had only arrived moments ago. She was out for revenge against Circe and the Bana. Circe had cast a spell on her, using her to track down the artifacts for the witch and witnessing Queen Hippolyta take a drink for the Goblet of Heracles, goblet she knew to be a fake. Cheetah could smell the scent of two Bana Amazons and another woman coming closer. It was an Amazon and that was enough for the Cheetah to kill her as well. Pythia and Euboea heard a blood curdling scream. The two realized it was their Sister, Hellene. They rushed to the sounds and when the reach the lower stair level, they found Hellene dead in a pool of her own blood. Her body was scratched up severely. Alongside her was another dead woman, marked up viciously. She had Phillipus skin color but it wasn't Phillipus. The sounds of gunfire was heard on the level below them startled the Amazons. "Phillipus is down there," Euboea said worriedly. "We should help her." "No," Pythia said wisely. "We haven't any weapons. We will die with Phillipus if we go down there. We have to run, find Diana and regroup. It's the only way." Reluctantly Euboea agreed and the two gathered coats to disguise themselves and escape the massacre going on at the Gotham Grand Hotel. Phillipus was in the lobby of the hotel facing what she thought was her own battle as she was surrounded by Gotham Police. They were shouting orders in English. Though Phillipus studied some English before coming to this world, she still had trouble understanding. Phillipus tried to talk to them in her broken English but it fell on death ears as they fired their guns on her. Phillipus was left with no choice but to fire her Uzi, taking more gunfire from the police than she was shooting. ***** "Batman, it looks like I got here too late." Batman stood on the roof Gotham Modern Museum. For the past hour nothing was going on. When Robin chimed in his earpiece, he knew the museum he was at wasn't going to be attacked tonight. Using his cape, he glided off the building and smoothly landed on the ground. "What happened?" Batman asked as he jumped in the Batmobile and drove to the scene. Robin stood on the rooftop of the Museum of African American History looking in through his enhanced goggles. "Another grisly murder. Two cops were killed. One of them looks familiar," Robin said as he stared at the dead body of Detective Mike Shands. "I`ve seen this guy before in the papers. I`m gonna sneak in and get some evidence and see if it connects to the Amazons." Robin remembered where he spotted the dead guy. "I know who he is, Bruce. It's Detective Mike Shands. He and some other detective helped Wonder Woman with the death of Myndi Mayer case." "If I didn't think the Amazons were involved before, I do now," Batman said and to add more to his theory, his police scanner reported an attack at the Gotham Grand Hotel where the Amazons were staying. "Get your evidence at the museum. I'm going to Gotham Grand Hotel. Something is going on." Batman turned his Batmobile around and sped towards the hotel. Superman was flying over Washington, D.C. when Batman contacted him about the events in Gotham. Superman changed course and flew towards Gotham. He and Batman arrived at Gotham Grand Hotel to see police cars and ambulances surrounding the hotel. Injured officers were getting treated outside the hotel while body bags and the serious injured were being carried into ambulances. Commissioner Gordon was on the scene with his officers. As Superman and Batman walk to meet him, a stretcher with a severely wounded Phillipus passed them. "That was Phillipus," Superman said as she was loaded in the ambulance. "She's the Captain of the Guard." His worry for Hippolyta and the other Amazons grew as they continued to Commissioner Gordon. The Commissioner spotted Superman and Batman approach him. "If only you two were here half an hour ago." "What happened?" Batman asked. "World War III is what happened," Gordon said. "My men said that dark skinned Amazon--" "Phillipus," Superman corrected Gordon. Gordon eyed Superman then said, "Phillipus. She came at the cops with an Uzi. They had no choice but to fire." "Those wounds on her were excessive," Superman said calmly though inside he was angry Gotham Police would fire on Phillipus like that. "Didn't she speak to explain herself?" Superman asked. "Phillipus doesn't know English well. Her words might've gotten lost in translation." Gordon looked at Superman tersely. "I don't mean any disrespect, Superman but these aren't your average females. They are Amazons and she was carrying an Uzi. One does nothing but use excessive force. We have thirty people dead so far: cops and civilians and the numbers are rising. Not only do we have to deal with gun toting Amazons but we have to deal with a wild animal that has killed two Amazons." "Wild animal?" Batman said perplexed. "Yeah. Two of the deceased Amazons were killed by a wild animal. The other Amazons have escaped and are loose in the city. So Phillipus is our lead to finding out what the hell happened here." "Are the deceased Amazons still here?" Superman asked. "Yes." Gordon pointed to an ambulance loading another black bag. "They are in that one. They are going to be taken to the morgue soon." Superman went to the ambulance and asked to see the bodies. He had to see who was killed and wondered how he was going to tell Diana the news. One bag was opened and it was Hellene. Superman knew Hellene. He knew how she distrusted men and wasn't for the opening Themyscira gates to the world of men. Her death was going to crush Diana. The other body was revealed to him and he didn't recognize this Amazon and he met all of them when he was on Themyscira. Suspicions filled his mind Superman filled his thoughts as he joined Batman. He saw Commissioner Gordon getting in his squad car and following the ambulance carrying Phillipus to the hospital. "I told you the Amazons were innocent." "They are?" Batman said doubtfully. "I recognize one of the Amazons but I have never seen the other one before." Before Batman could challenge him, Superman said. "I know because I went to Themyscira and I met all of Diana's Sisters." Batman had no choice but to believe Superman but he still had doubts if the Amazons were completely innocent. "If the other woman isn't one of the Amazons, who is she?" "My guess she is a Bana-Mighdall Amazon and the animal that killed her and Hellene was the Cheetah. The Bana Amazons and Cheetah are enemies of Diana but the Bana Amazons hate the Cheetah more," Superman explained. "It's complicated." "They're not working together," Batman said the obvious. "Either Cheetah and the Bana Amazons came on their own accord to attack the Amazons or something else is going on." Superman agreed with that assumption. "Did you get any information on the other Amazons that fled the hotel?" "Better." Batman produced two pictures of Pythia and Euboea. "Euboea and Pythia. They are somewhere in this city: lost and scared. I have to find them before the police find them." "You do realize you are possibly aiding criminals," Batman told Superman. "I believe they are criminals as much as you are one," Superman retorted as he walked with Batman to the Batmobile. "Call me if you have any information on Diana," Superman said and flew in the sky, scouring the city in search of Euboea and Pythia. It took Superman a half hour to find them. Pythia and Euboea were in wearing dark cloaks and Superman could see they were carrying weapons on them. Superman hoped they weren't responsible for any violence and only carrying the weapons for defense. The Amazons were walking as casually as possible and doing their best in being inconspicuous. The other citizens of Gotham hadn't noticed them but Superman knew he would cause a stir if he swoop down and grabbed them. Superman waited until Pythia and Euboea were walking towards a bar. Not many cars were around and the people outside the bar were drunk so Superman took the chance, swoop down, grabbed them by the arms of their coats and flew in the sky over the city. The Amazons struggled as they were flying in the air. "It's okay," Superman told the Amazons. "It's me. Superman. I don't want to hurt you." Pythia and Euboea looked at Superman. Though they were relieved to see him, they were also suspicious. "How do we know you won't turn us in or hold us against our will?" "Because I know you are innocent," Superman said. "I want to take you somewhere safe. Please, trust me." The Amazons had no choice but to trust Superman. He flew them to his apartment in Metropolis. Luckily it was nighttime and no one saw him coming in through his window. Pythia and Euboea explained what happened at the hotel where they were attacked, the queen disappearing and having no choice but to run for their lives. The stress of the night's events was taking its toll on the Amazons so Superman gave them his bedroom where they could rest after a harrowing experience. As Pythia and Euboea rest, Clark took the couch and decided to call it a night as it was already two in the morning. He waited for them to recover while he catch a few hours rest and think over everything that has happened. He wanted to continue his search for Diana but he knew he couldn't leave Pythia and Euboea alone. His search for Diana would have to wait. His only assurance was knowing Diana could take care of herself. **** Around seven the next morning, Clark was awakened by his phone ringing. Not wanting the rings to disturb Pythia and Euboea, Clark quickly picked up the phone. "Hello?" "Turn on the TV." It was Batman. Clark turned on the television to see what was going on. The news was already reporting the disaster at Gotham Grand Hotel. They also reported the remaining Amazons on tours across the country: Menalippe, wounded and taken to a hospital after a violent breakout at Columbia University, and the others: Timandra, Mnemosyne and Epione have been taken into custody. "This is horrible," Clark said. How were the Amazons going to recover from this he wondered. "Robin said the thieves that broke into the museum last night stole a forged spear head dedicated to the War God Oggun. Nothing of value but compared to the other items stolen, it's for something big." Clark heard soft footsteps behind him. He glanced back and saw Pythia and Euboea. They were horrified at the images of their Sisters in cuffs on screen and an image of Menalippe taken to a New York hospital. Clark could only imagine what they are thinking. They listened as a news anchor report Phillipus was in surgery still in serious condition. The anchor suddenly cut into breaking news that Wonder Woman was in the custody of the Boston Police and will soon be brought into the station. Clark immediately stood and quickly donned his uniform. "I'll check on Diana," Clark told the Amazons. "Stay here. You should be safe." Superman flew out his window flying to Boston. Superman arrived at the Boston Police station just moments after Diana entered on the arms of Inspector Indelicato. News cameras flashed once Superman landed. He ignored the questions reporters shouted at him. The only thing on his mind was Diana. Officers stared and murmured to themselves as Superman walked in. When Superman explained why he was there, he was immediately escorted to the interrogation room where Diana was. Diana sat in the interrogation room, trying to get some understanding over the events of the last twenty-four hours. Because of the nefarious Dr. Psycho twisting her and Hermes minds with deception, making them fight each other almost to the death, she was unaware of the dangers her mother and Sisters were in. When Dr. Psycho used his twisted powers on Vanessa, Diana was able to track Dr. Psycho to Boston and subdue him. She also stumbled upon another victim of Dr. Psycho: Helen Stanton. It was when Diana took the injured pregnant woman to hospital, she was surrounded by cops and told of the events in Gotham. Now she sat in the interrogation room waiting for the Boston Police to interrogate her. Inspector Indelicato waited in the room with Diana. Right now he was her only ally as it was obvious the cops wanted to crucify her for something she knew her Sisters had no part of. Diana looked up at the opening door, expecting another cop but was surprised and relieved to see Superman walk in. She wanted to hug and kiss him but knowing the state of their relationship in their public eye she had to be neutral. "Superman!" Inspector Indelicato looked at Superman with mild jealously. Though both heroes denied any rumors of a romance, the detective could see something was going on just by the look in Diana's eyes. Superman said nothing as he stepped in the room followed by Captain Ablamsky. "Out, Inspector. I'm giving Superman ten minutes alone with Wonder Woman." He looked at Superman. "I trust with your reputation you won't do anything shady." "I promise not to," Superman gave the Captain his word. The Inspector reluctantly left and as soon as the door closed on them, Diana went into Superman's arms for a hug. "It's so good to see you." Superman stroke Diana's soft hair. "Diana, I've been so worried about you. Where were you?" "It's a long story," Diana said. "I'll tell you later. Tell me what has been going on." Superman told Diana what happened at the museums, the attack at the Gotham Hotel. He also told her about Menalippe and the other Amazons who were captured. When he finished, Diana asked. "Where are my Sisters and mother now?" "I found Pythia and Euboea. They are safe at my apartment in Metropolis. Phillipus was severely wounded by the Gotham PD. She's in surgery. I'm sure she will pull through." "And my mother? Helene?" Diana asked nervously. "Are they at your apartment as well?" "No. Pythia and Euboea went to check on her after the first attack at the hotel. She was gone. It was as if she vanished. No one knows where she is. And as for Helene." Clark sighed. He didn't want to tell her but he had no choice. "She was killed Diana." Diana gasped and tears spilled from her eyes. "I'm sorry, Diana." He took Diana in her arms again. "Poor Hellene," Diana cried in Superman's chest. "She didn't want to come but she did it because of me and now she is dead. It's my fault." "No, it's not," Clark soothe Diana as he continued to hold her. "None of this was your fault." "Did the Gotham police kill her, too?" Diana asked. "No, it was an animal. I think it was the Cheetah." "Cheetah?" Diana looked at Clark stunned by the revelation. "How could she have known?" Diana's question was left unanswered as Inspector Indelicato and the Captain Ablamsky returned. Captain Ablamsky said to Superman, "I gave you ten minutes to talk to Wonder Woman, you can now--" he was going to say leave but the stern look Superman gave the Captain told him Superman wasn't going anywhere. Though the Captain knew Superman's reputation was the oldest boy scout, he was also aware this was a man who could make a mountain into a molehill. "You can stay but I don't want you interrupting the investigation." "I understand, but before you begin your questioning, could you allow Wonder Woman to see her Sisters at Gotham General Hospital?" Captain Ablamsky frowned. "She's not in any position to ask for any favors." "I know that," Diana stepped forward, "but please, I will like to see my Sisters. I don't know what has been going on and I want to find out the truth as much as you. I just want to see my Sisters and I will answer any question you ask me." "I'll personally escort Wonder Woman," Superman said. "You have my word nothing will happen." The Captain was considering it when noises were heard outside. The door burst open by Vanessa, being held back by an officer who was trying to get a hold on the teen. When Vanessa saw Diana, she broke free using a move Diana had taught her and ran to her, tears running down her face. Vanessa sobbed in Diana's arms. "Mommy's gone, Diana. She disappeared!" Diana looked at Superman worriedly. First her mother disappears and now Vanessa's. What was going on? Somehow she knew it had something to do with her Sisters and the framing of the Amazons. "I'll find out what's going on. I promise," Diana told Vanessa. She looked at Captain Ablamsky imploringly. "Please, Captain." "If you allow Wonder Woman to go, she can help the police identify the other unknown Amazon that was murdered," Superman offered as a bargaining chip. Diana looked at Superman, wondering what he meant by unknown Amazon. The Captain accepted. "I'll allow you to go to Gotham under the supervision of Superman, but you both will go by a squad car. That way, we can keep an eye on you." Captain Ablamsky warned, "If she tries anything funny, I will make sure the public knows it's your fault." "That won't happen." Superman promised. Captain Ablamsky smirked, "She must really be good in bed to risk your reputation." It was only the calmness of Superman that allowed him not to do any physical harm to the Captain. He only sent him a death glare with burning eyes that caused the Captain to regret his words. Superman turned to Diana with calmer eyes. "Come on, Diana." "Just a second," she told Superman and faced the Inspector. "Could you escort Vanessa home?" "Yeah. You sure you're gonna be all right?" Indelicato asked. Diana nodded. "I'll be fine. Take care of my friend." Diana gave Vanessa another hug. "It'll be all right. I'll find your mother. I promise." ***** "Lane, have you seen Kent?" Perry White yelled from his office. "Oh, um, yeah. He called me this morning. He's been following the Amazon affair. He called me this morning from Boston," Lois lied. In reality, Lois hadn't seen Clark since she told him about the museum robberies and the connection to the Amazons. "He better have a story as soon as he gets in!" Perry said and disappeared back into his office. Lois sighed. Covering for Clark was becoming more difficult than she thought it would be. Lois turned her attention back to the large television screens in the office. Everyone was watching the breaking news of Wonder Woman being escorted into Gotham General Hospital with Superman at her side. People were yelling insults at Wonder Woman. Some jeering Superman, questioning his motives for coming with her, calling him a traitor. Someone came out of the crowd and fired a gun on Wonder Woman. She put up a bracelet to deflect the bullet but Superman caught the bullet in his hand so it wouldn't ricochet off Diana's bracelet and veer into the crowd, killing an innocent and adding more fuel to the Amazon hatred. Several policemen charged after the assailant and Superman continued to lead Wonder Woman inside. They were immediately taken to the morgue to see the bodies of Hellene and the unknown Amazon. Commissioner Gordon was in the room with Superman and Wonder Woman as they viewed the dead bodies. Diana was in tears as she stared at the dead body of her sister, Hellene. "Dear, Sister. I'm so sorry," Diana sobbed. "Please forgive me." Commissioner Gordon cleared his throat. "You were mainly brought here to identify the other body." Diana wiped her tears away and nodded. She would have to mourn for her Sister properly later. She covered Hellene with a sheet and went to the other body. She pulled back the sheet. Like Clark, she didn't recognize this person either. "I have never seen this woman before. She is not Themyscirian." She study the claw marks, recognizing them immediately. She looked at Superman. "You were right." "Right about what?" Gordon asked. Diana turned to the Commissioner. "Is Arkham Asylum in this city?" "Yes." "The Cheetah killed this Bana Amazon and my Sister, Hellene." The Commissioner was confused. "Bana Amazon? Cheetah? Are you talking about that big cat at the zoo?" "No," Diana said. Before she could explained an officer rushed into the room. "Commissioner, the gunman that tried to kill Wonder Woman has vanished into thin air." Commissioner Gordon sighed. Things was getting worse. The media would have a heyday for sure. "Have they found the other Amazons?" "No." "The people are gonna take matter into their own hands and more innocents will get killed because of those Amazons." Gordon looked to Wonder Woman for answers. "Do you know where your Sisters are?" "Why do you need to know that?" Diana asked. "You do know," Gordon said, noting Wonder Woman wasn't answering his question. "I need to know so they can be taken into custody." "They haven't done anything," Diana argued. "They are not involved in this. They are innocent!" "Innocent or not, we have people out there hunting for them. Innocent civilians will be killed because of them. There will be mobs and crazy people taking matter into their own hands, hunting down big, tall women." "Where my Sisters are, they are safe." "They will be safer in police custody," Gordon countered. Diana shook her head in disbelief. "I don't believe you! I won`t tell you where they are!" Commissioner Gordon had enough. "Because you refuse to cooperate, you leave me no choice but to place you under arrest, Wonder Woman." "Commissioner Gordon, this is unnecessary," Superman argued. "The hell it's not!" Gordon shouted back. "I've been very generous. It's Wonder Woman who is not cooperative." Wonder Woman took a step back as the policemen came to her with their handcuffs. She immediately thought of her late Sister, Hellene's words: *The world outside weakened and violated us. You weren't there. You could never understand.* Diana thought of the first time she experienced bondage. It was during her first encounter with Circe. The evil witch told her, `It was about time you experienced firsthand the humiliation of bondage just as your Sisters did centuries ago.' Diana shook her head at the officers as she truly got an understanding of what her Sisters went through; their feelings as they were bonded by men and later humiliated by them. The Gotham Police were going to do the same to her but she wasn't going to let that happen. "No! Stay back!" Diana told the officers but they kept approaching her. Superman who was trying to make his case to Commissioner Gordon saw Diana stepping back from the officers. He could see the fear in her eyes. He wondered why until he saw the cops' handcuffs. "Don't do it!" Superman warned. "You're scaring her!" One cop looked at Superman mockingly. "Scare? Her? She's the one that's scary. Her and her murderous Sisters." The two cops tried to advance Diana but she pushed them back with her strength. "No!" She cried. Superman rushed to her. "Calm down, Diana!" He told her gripping her shoulders gently. "They won't hurt you!" "Yes, they will!" Diana screamed and punched Superman, knocking him through the morgue wall. Diana flew through the roof of the hospital before the cops could shoot at her. The camera crew outside caught the footage of Diana fleeing and was reporting her escape across the country. Superman flew out of the hospital after her, grabbing her arms again. "Diana, stop!" He pointed to the camera crew taping them below. "The people are seeing this across the country. If they see you continue to run, they are going to think you are guilty." "They already do!" Diana said and broke out of his group. "Let me go!" Superman reached for her. "Don't fight me, Diana. I'm on your side." "I have no choice but to fight you!" Diana said and threw a punch at him so hard that Superman fell from the sky, crashing into the concrete ground. Reporters surrounded him, shocking their mikes in his face, asking questions. "Superman, is Wonder Woman a fugitive?" a reporter asked. "Did her people kill officers and the civilians in Gotham?" "Does this mean the romance is over between you two?" Superman ignored the questions as he took the skies again. He wondered where Diana was going. From her direction it wasn't to Metropolis as he thought. She was going somewhere else. Superman knew Diana would soon come to Metropolis for her Sisters, so he flew their instead and planned to wait for her arrival. When Superman returned to his apartment, he found Euboea and Pythia on their guard with the only weapons they could find in Clark's apartment: a coat rack and a pair of knives. "Stay where you are, Superman," Euboea warned. "We saw you on the television," Pythia said. "What did you do to Diana to cause her to attack you? Were you pretending to be her ally only to turn her in?" Superman knew he could easily disarm the Amazons but he let them think they had the advantage. He didn't want to cause a commotion here in his apartment. "No. I am on Diana's side. The police wanted to arrest her when she wouldn't tell them where you were. She panicked and flew out of the building. I tried to calm her down but she attacked me and left. I've no idea where she went to but I know she's coming here." "And you would be right." Superman turned and saw Diana holding Menalippe in her arms. Now he knew where Diana went: to New York to rescue her Sister. "Diana, why did you fight me? The cameras caught it and are spreading it all across the country. This won't do any good for your case." "I had no choice. You heard the people as you escorted me to the hospital. I saw the looks the police were giving you. They were questioning your motives to help me. They were beginning to distrust you. I had to make them believe you were my enemy. The people of Earth love you, Kal. They respect you. They trust you. I will not let you sacrifice that for me." "But Diana, you are tarnishing your name, what you represent." "It must be done to prove my innocence." Diana joined her Sisters. "I must return to Themyscira with my Sisters. I must get Menalippe to the Isle of Healing. If I am to rescue my other Sisters, my Sisters and I must regroup and plan our next move. We can't do it here where only slaughter would be achieved. Themyscira is the safest spot." What she said made sense but Superman didn't want her doing this alone. "Diana, let me come with you. I can help." Diana stepped forward to Superman. "I have to do this on my own. I don't know when I will see you again but until that moment…goodbye, Kal." Diana kissed Superman, conveying all her deep feelings for him. Superman returned all his feelings for her in his kiss, too. Diana reluctantly pulled away from him. She unhooked her lasso and wrapped it around her and her Sisters. Superman could only watch Diana and her Sisters disappear before him in a flash of light, knowing there was nothing he could do to stop it.