Different Worlds Part Thirteen

AN: This chapter and future chapters will coincide with the events during War of Gods. Different Worlds by Arcadia Part Thirteen Death For two days, Diana knelt at the Temple of Athena on Themyscira, asking for answer to her questions. What had she done wrong that Hellene had to pay for it? What was Phillipus fate? Where was her mother's? Julia's? For two days, Diana prayed asking for answers and for two days Diana was denied answers. Even Hermes wasn't contacting her. After they dealt with Dr. Psycho together, Hermes disappeared without an explanation. With Hermes not answering her, a grim reality was setting in the princess. *It seems I'm truly alone.* Two days have passed since Diana and her Sisters returned to Themyscira. Diana knew Pythia and Euboea were telling the Amazons what happened in Patriarch's World. She knew her Sisters would want war to retaliate against men for harming and kidnapping their Sisters. And they would want Diana to lead them. For two days, Diana sought answers from her Gods. For two days she isolated herself from her Sisters to think through this overwhelming situation. The Bana Amazons, Circe, Cheetah and now Dr. Psycho are all involved in the conspiracy to destroy her and the Themysciran Amazons. It was time to retaliate. Diana rose to her feet and walked down the halls of Athena's Temple, her head high, her mind sharp. As princess--no temporary queen--it was up to Diana to fight back and lead her people to victory. It was time to stop hiding. It was time to step up and be a leader. As Diana exit the temple, she saw a group of her Sisters waiting for her. Some were sympathetic, others were angry but all were ready to follow her. "The Gods have not answered my questions. My mother, our queen is missing. Our Captain of the Guard is fighting for her life. Our Sister, Hellene is dead. Our Sisters, Timandra, Epione and Mnemosyne have been captured. Until Queen Hippolyta is found, it is with a heavy heart that I take the throne as Queen of Themyscira." "As queen your first duty is to strike back at Patriarch's World," Iphthime spoke with anger. "Hellene's death should be avenged!" "There are other mystical forces besides men that are involve in this conspiracy, Iphthime," Diana told her Sister calmly. "My enemies: the Bana Amazons, Circe, Cheetah and Dr. Psycho are all involve. One is the puppet master to them and I'm certain Circe is pulling the strings." "They are all from that world," Iphthime argued. "The very same world you said we should open our shores to and look where that has gotten us. Hellene is dead. Phillipus may die from the vicious attacks from men. Our dear Queen Hippolyta is probably dead as well, our Oracle was wounded and three of our Sisters are in man's custody." "I maybe temporary queen but I have not given up on my mother being alive. I am not so quick to cast her upon the River Styx as you are, Sister." Euboea came to Diana's defense. "Iphthime, even if Diana decreed it, we cannot launch an attack on an entire world. Mankind's weaponry is too much for us to take on. And though the world has turned it back on us, we do have allies. Diana's friend, Superman is on our side." "Superman," Iphthime said the name with disgust. "Where was your so call friend when Hellene was murdered?" "He was looking for me," Diana said. "But if he knew our Sisters were going to be attacked in Gotham, he would've stayed to protect them." Iphthime wasn't convinced. "He didn't save Hellene but he did save Euboea and myself from being hunted like animals. It was also he who warned us that someone was out to sabotage us," Pythia said. "He kept us safe. He came to Diana's defense at the risk of forsaking his own name for us. As Diana said, had he known about the imminent attacks against us in Gotham, he would've aided us." "And it's thanks to Superman we have more insight into who's attacking and framing us: the Bana Amazons," Euboea added. "And we know they are following Circe's orders." "Yes," Diana said. "Circe made a bargain with them. She promised them something in return for their help. What it is I'm not sure. I'm sure Kal thinks so as well." "We don't need Superman's help," Iphthime said. "Diana's strength is enough to protect us. She is the only one to aid us since the Gods have turned their back on us as well." "No, they have not!" Menalippe ran up the steps to her Sisters. Nearly recovered from her injuries, she rushed to tell the others at the vision she saw. As she opened her mouth to speak, a loud boom of thunder followed by a flash of light struck the bottom of the temple's steps. When the light fade, Hermes and Heracles stood. Diana stepped to them. "Hermes. Why did you disappear after we dealt with Dr. Psycho?" "There's no time to discuss this, Princess. You must go with Hermes to New Olympus immediately," Heracles ordered and before Diana could protest, Hermes whisked her away, leaving Heracles with the Amazons. "Why are you still here?" Menalippe asked. "Aren't you going with Diana?" "The Gods felt I would be better use here." Menalippe looked relieved. "I'm glad the Gods have finally returned." Iphthime wasn't so pleased. "Why did the Gods take so long to respond to our calls? Was Hellene's death a sacrifice to garner the Gods' attention?" "Iphthime, do not insult the Gods," Pythia warned her sister. "We should be grateful They have returned. Perhaps now we will learn the fate of our queen and Julia Kapatelis." At the mention of Hippolyta, Heracles was stunned by the revelation. "Hippolyta is missing?" "You didn't know?" Menalippe asked. "If you don't know where Queen Hippolyta is, then that means the Gods do not." Pythia suddenly rose to her feet. She wasn't going to sit idly by any longer while Julia was in danger and the Gods not know where she or her queen was. "Where are you going?" Euboea asked. "I'm going to find Julia." "But you can't cross into Patriarch's world without Diana or a God." "There is one way," Pythia said and raced to the palace. Pythia went to her room and donned her battle armor before going to Diana's room. A worried Myrrha watch Pythia in Diana's chambers as she searched for the Winged Sandals of Hermes. "I know you care for Julia. We all do, but Pythia this is madness! Only Diana can wear the sandals and you cannot fly." Pythia walked onto Diana's balcony. "The sandals will carry me and Julia's my soul child. I have to try." Pythia stared at her sister. "Please don't try to stop me." Myrrha wanted to but she knew how much this meant to Pythia. She gave Pythia the Amazon salute. "May the Glory of Gaea be with you." Pythia returned the salute. Pythia rose in the sky and disappeared into the clouds. Pythia gritted her teeth as she navigated her way through Chaos Portal. Diana traveled through the portal every time she traveled to Patriarch's world and while it may not be anything for her, the black storm clouds and lighting was difficult for Pythia. *Gods of New Olympus, aide your faithful servant. Guide me safely to my soul child.* Pythia prayed. A bolt of lightening struck Pythia knocking the Amazon unconscious. When she came to, she found herself on the stone floors of an Aztec temple. As she took in her surroundings, she felt the presence of Julia. She also heard a new voice. A woman chanting in modern Greek. "By the power invested in you by Hectate most high, I bid you go and set forth upon creating a new Genesis!" "Hectate." Pythia drew her sword and followed the voice. "Diana was right. Circe *is* involved." Konrad Kaslak stood in the shadows of Circe's altar chamber. He watch as Circe sat before the altar of Hectate in worship, calling on the witch's power to aid her in creating the Hellfire Web. Each of the objects the Bana stole from the museum: the ceremonial Aztec head, the bronze bowl, the coin from the God Apsu and the forge spearhead of the War God Oggun hung over altar to complete the spell. Along with other totems that would make Circe's spell a success. Konrad was pleased Circe continued on with her plans never knowing his was going perfectly. Once her incantations of her spell were complete, gold beams flew out of the temple traveling all over the world, creating destruction, natural disasters from earthquakes to tornado and hurricanes that appeared out of nowhere. Ancient mythical creatures appeared all over and were attacking the planet. With her spell brewing, Circe rose to her feet. "It's going to be a while before my spell reach full power. I will take this time to rest and prepare for the end of this world and the beginning of mine." "I will keep an eye on things for you," Konrad lied. Circe smiled and went to her private chambers to rest. Konrad thought now was the perfect time to make his move. With Circe resting--and from the spell she weaved it was going to be a long rest--she wouldn't be the wiser and by the time she wakes up, he would be long gone. He took a step towards the altar to swipe the coin from the God Apsu, when Pythia appeared and shoved her sword at Konrad's neck. "Where is Julia Kapatelis?" **** Earth's superheroes were called out in full force to deal with the disasters all over the planet. Superman was the busiest as he was flying all over the globe, dealing with disaster after disaster. Superman busy day started in Metropolis with earthquakes and aftershocks. He flew to Smallville to deal with a F5 tornado that was tearing up his hometown. Once he stopped the tornado, he checked on his parents who were okay in the cellar. Next, he flew to Florida to deal with two category five tornadoes on both sides of the state. Superman crossed over to London to deal a winged serpent. It was magical and took Superman longer than the others disasters to deal with. Superman returned to his apartment nearly three in the morning. Clark collapsed on his chair. He was going to fall asleep when his ears picked up the sound of footsteps. He opened his eyes and rose to his feet. "I know someone's here. Come out." Diana stepped out of the shadows, "Kal." "Diana." Clark took two long strides to her and gathered her in his arms. "I've been so worried about you. What's been happening on Themyscira?" "A holy war has broken out, Kal. A War of the Gods. I was summoned to New Olympus where the Roman Gods challenged the Greek Gods. Circe has gotten to the Roman Gods somehow. I was forced to fight Captain Marvel. I tried reasoning with him but there was no use. It was as if he was under some control. We were sent from New Olympus to the Chaos Portal where Hermes and Mercury were fighting. We got caught in the fight and I don't know what happened to Captain Marvel but the blast that hit us sent me to Boston and I've no way to get back to Themyscira." A worried and overwhelm Diana sat on the sofa and buried her head in her hands. "I didn't know where else to go." Clark sat beside her and pulled her close. "You can always come to me, Diana. You're safe here, and you know I'll do everything in my power to help. While you were on Themyscira, I tried to find Epione, Timandra and Mnemosyne but they were ambushed and captured on their way to a military facility. I think the Bana have them." Diana looked at him lost. "Why?" "Probably on Circe's orders. From the battle on New Olympus to your Sisters being captured and the disasters on the planet today, Circe has been busy." "Disasters?" Diana questioned. "What's been going on?" Clark told Diana about the natural disasters and mystical creatures all over the planet. "It's Circe's doing. All of it. Have you heard about Phillipus?" "After you left, the news reported she died from her injuries. I went to Gotham to see for myself where I found out the truth. Phillipus is alive but she was taken into custody under the military. It's probably better this way for now. Now the hospital doesn't have to worry about any crazy people coming into the hospital to kill Phillipus." Diana rubbed her temples. It was just one problem after another. "I feel like my world is coming apart, Kal, but I can't spend time thinking about it. I have to act. I have to fight." Clark agreed so he didn't press the matter. They would talk later. "Where should we start?" Clark asked. "The goblet that was stolen from my mother's hotel room. It's key to finding my mother and clearing the Amazons of any crimes." Clark smiled. "There's some light in all this. I talked to Inspector Indelicato as Clark Kent two days ago. I told him I was a personal friend to Superman and Wonder Woman and as a favor to you, he did some investigating on the goblet. He thinks it's still in Gotham. I gave the information to Batman. He's working on it." "That's one matter dealt with." Diana stood. "The spell Circe cast on Earth separates Mother Earth's body with her soul. It's causing all these natural disasters. Gaea is crying. The Earth is on the brink of destruction. Her body and soul must be reconnected." "How can you do that?" "I must see Dr. Fate. We must gather all the mystics and magicians and replenish the Earth. It's the only way to permanently stop the disasters occurring on the planet," "Dr. Fate is in Salem. Diana, you're a wanted fugitive. If you're spotted, the police and military will be forced to take action against you." "I can't let them stop me from helping Gaea," Diana argued. "I know. Wait here," Clark suggested. "I'll go to Julia's home and bring you a change of clothes. There are cops around Julia's home but I should be able to sneak in and out without any attention." "Thank you. Have you seen Nessie?" Diana asked. "Yeah. I flew in to see her. She's worried about her mother and you but she's holding up pretty well." Superman flew out his window, leaving Diana to mull over the new details and think of what Circe's true intentions were. At first, Diana thought this was a plan to frame the Amazons but now she saw there was more to it. With the Roman and Greek Gods fighting each other, Diana thought of the artifacts stolen from the museums and it's tie to the situation. The artifacts represented Gods as well: Egyptian, Africa, Norse and Babylonian. If Circe was setting up the Roman and Greek Gods to fight each other, was it possible she was setting up the other Gods as well? ***** Konrad Kaslak cursed Pythia for her sudden arrival. The Amazon was to blind with concern in rescuing Julia to see there were more important problems that needed to be dealt with. Circe was resting from the spell she cast and he needed all the time available to steal an artifact and make his escape. If he didn't, Circe would send her beastiamorphs and the Bana Amazons on him. Then again Kaslak thought slyly as he remembered leading Pythia where Julia was being held before sneaking away. This might be a good thing. If Pythia should happen to get into a fight with the Bana in her rescue of Julia Kapatelis, then that would be a good diversion for him to make his escape. He returned to Circe's alter chamber. He pocket the coin from the God Apsu and replaced it with a fake coin. He quickly left the room. After rescuing Julia, Pythia decided it was best to make their escape. Voices from a chamber nearby stopped her. She recognized the tongue as Themysciran. She and Julia went to the chamber and stared through a small window. There, she saw Epione, Timandra and Mnemosyne in chains and from the looks on their faces and tear of their clothes, they were being tortured by the Bana Amazons. Images of her and her Sisters being tortured, killed and raped by Heracles and his men surfaced to Pythia's mind. First they were violated by men and now they were suffering again by women this time. Pythia's anger surfaced. The Themysciran Amazons suffered enough. It was time to fight back. "Stay here, Julia," Pythia warned. Julia stayed back and watched as Pythia knocked the door open. Three Bana Amazons turned to face Pythia surprised. Pythia used it to her advantage and viciously attacked the Bana. Pythia struck the Banas with her sword fast and hard taking out all three Bana's quickly. Once the last Bana fell unconscious, the Themyscirans looked relieved. "Pythia, how did you find us?" Epione asked. Pythia freed her Sisters with her sword. "It's a long story. We don't have much time. We must leave before we are spotted." Timandra picked up a gun the Bana had. "These Amazons have weapons men use. We should take some in case we have to fight our way out of here." **** Not long after the Amazons and Julia escaped, Circe awaken her from sleep. Recharged, Circe left her private chambers and entered her alter chamber to check on her progress of her spell. So far it was working perfectly. She went to her large crystal ball and viewed Diana with Dr. Fate, Zatanna and all the mystics on Earth gathered together. Circe smiled. Perfect. Everything was going as planned. She knew Diana would want to repair Gaea's soul and body and for that she would need all the mystical forces on Earth. When they summoned their powers together, Circe would take it using the artifacts she had stolen. She went to the altar where all the artifacts were on totems. As she begin the process of summoning Diana's and all the mystics' powers, she spotted an error with one of her totems. The coin from the God Apsu was stolen! "The coin!" Circe plucked the fake coin from its stand. "This isn't the coin. I know I used the real coin to invoke the Hellfire curse. Where could it have gone? Who stole it!" A face came to mind as Circe realized who betrayed her. He was the only one to watch her invoke Hellfire's curse. He was the one to help her find which artifacts she needed. "Konrad!" Circe stormed into his quarters ready to kill him for his betrayal only to find him gone. "He's escaped!" "Circe." Circe turned to see a wounded Bana approached her. "Circe, the Themysciran Amazons have been rescued by one of their own." "Diana?" Circe guessed. But that wasn't possible. Diana didn't know where she was and she just saw the princess in her crystal ball. "No. Someone else." "How could any Themysciran breach the walls of Chaos Portal or my fortress for that matter without being spotted?" "I don't know but I did see Konrad Kaslak in the shadows while we battled her. The Amazon came out of nowhere and attacked like a lion." The Bana lowered her head ashamed. "We were unprepared for her." Circe smacked the Bana so hard across her face she started to bleed. "Unprepared?! You're Amazons! You're always supposed to be prepared." Circe looked ready to kill and the Bana feared for her life but she knew she had to tell Circe the other bad news. "The Amazon rescued Julia Kapatelis as well." Circe's face darkened. "How long ago has this happen?" "While you were sleeping. I wanted to tell you but Mikos, your servant, said you were not to be disturbed." "Damn it! Damn those Amazons and damn Konrad! They will not get away with this! Mikos!" Circe bellowed. "Mikos!" Mikos rushed in hearing his Mistress call for him. Circe looked to the Bana. "Round all my beastiamorphs. Search through all the surrounding jungles and do not return until you found my prisoners!" She blast Mikos to ashes with a fireball of her energy. "That will be your fate if you don't capture my prisoners." **** After meeting with Dr. Fate and the other mystics, Superman and Wonder Woman waited patiently for Batman on a high rooftop in Gotham. Batman had contacted Superman with news on the Themysciran Goblet. Just as he did earlier, Superman carried Wonder Woman in civilian clothes to Gotham. Anyone looking in the sky would see Superman carrying a civilian and no one would think it was Wonder Woman. "Does Batman believe I'm innocent?" Diana asked. "He didn't say but he will give you a fair hearing," Clark said. "So, it's safe to assume he's doing this because you two are friends?" "No. Because I want to get to the truth." Diana and Clark turned to see Batman stepping out of the shadows. "How long have you been hiding there?" Clark asked, perplexed he didn't detect Batman. "It doesn't matter," Batman said eyeing Diana. "You have a lot to answer for. Unlike Superman, I'm not entirely convinced you and your Sisters are innocent of the charges against you. Amazon attacks are worldwide. Some even blame you for the natural disasters and supernatural occurrences on the planet. I should turn you in now." Clark narrowed his eyes at Bruce. "The only way you'll turn Diana in is through me." Diana placed a hand on Clark's right arm. "It's all right, Kal." Diana faced Batman. "I can only give you my word that my motives are just and that you trust your instincts. You know what it's like to be feared and mistrusted but I can tell by your eyes that you are a good, honest man. You use fear and apprehension as your mantle while I use trust and faith. It's what has guided me. To not do so would mean I and all that I stand for mean nothing. If you don't believe me, you can use Hestia lasso of truth on me." "That won't be necessary, Princess." Batman didn't want to admit it but in that speech, Diana impressed him to the point that he actually believed her. "Thank you and thank you for meeting us again," Diana said gratefully. "Have you found any information on the Themysciran Goblet?" "Better. I got it." Batman revealed the goblet to Diana and Superman. "Turns out the Bana Amazons stole it and sold it to gangster Maxie Zeus." "Why would they sell such a valuable object?" Superman asked as Diana inspect the goblet. "It's not valuable and I think the Bana Amazons knew that. It's not the real goblet." Shock registered on both Diana and Clark's faces. "What?" Batman handed Diana his paperwork. As she and Clark looked through it, Batman explained, "I took the liberty into running some tests. I matched the data gathered by a deceased friend of Blue Beetle who happened to be an Egyptologist and Archaeologist with the data of your friend Professor Kapatelis when she found the goblet in Turkey." Batman pointed to the goblet. "That is a forge goblet made in Egypt less than a year ago. I also found traces of an outer casing on the goblet. It was on around the same time your mother disappeared. I'm not an expert in archaeology but it wasn't hard to find out this goblet is a fake. What I don't understand is how Professor Kapatelis and the other scientists who specialize in archaeology were so wrong about the goblet's authenticity." Batman stared at a stunned Diana and Clark. "Do you know what this means?" "The answer to finding my mother lies in Egypt." Diana gave Batman back his paperwork. "Thank you, Batman." Diana removed her civilian clothes revealing her uniform. "It's all starting to make sense." "I should go with you," Clark said. "No," Diana said. "This is something I must do alone." Clark started to speak but Diana put two fingers on his lips. "You've done enough. Thank you, but it will be best you stay here. The world needs you more than I do now." Clark reluctantly agreed. The planet was still unstable and though he wanted to be with Diana to help, even protect her, he knew the people of Earth needed him more. Still, he couldn't let go of this nagging premonition he had for Diana. Not caring Batman was watching, he gave Diana a long passionate kiss. When they parted Diana looked at him quizzical, "I thought you wanted to keep this private." "He's the world's greatest detective. He already knew." Clark seriously added, "Be careful." "I'll try but there are no guarantees." Diana said and flew into the skies. Clark watched Diana fly off until she was far from Gotham. He turned to see Batman staring at him. "I just have a bad feeling about Diana." "She's naïve just like you are. You're perfect for each other." Clark smiled. "Does that mean you believe her?" Batman remained impassive. "What I believe is irrelevant." "Fair enough. Have you found anything on the Bana Amazons? If we find them, there's a chance I can find Epione, Timandra, and Mnemosyne." "I must admit I'm surprise you want to keep this from your girlfriend." "I didn't want to get Diana's hopes up in case this turns out to be a dead end. Diana has enough on her plate already." "And Clark Kent doesn't?" Batman questioned. "Lois is covering for me." "So, she knows." Batman actually smiled. "And she's okay with your relationship with the princess?" "Could we get off my love life?" Superman requested well aware of what Batman was getting at. "Sometimes it's so odd to think you're actually human sometimes." Batman smirked. "Do you have anything on the Bana?" Batman became serious again. "Three months ago, five men went missing from villages near the Amazon Rain Forest in South America. There were reports of tall, warrior women capturing them but the locals never followed it up." "It's a good chance the Bana are there." "They're not in Egypt," Batman stated the obvious. "All the research we've done attest to that. Also, if Circe is controlling the Bana, she might be there as well and you're vulnerable to magic." "I'll just bring some reinforcements. I was thinking of enlisting Black Adam and the Suicide Squad's: Nightshade, Javelin and Boomerang." "Suicide Squad?" Even Batman was surprised Superman would recruit them. "This is Circe we are dealing with and what Diana has told me, she's very dangerous." "And you rather risk the Suicide Squad than members of the Justice League?" Batman guessed. "Don't look to add me on your team," Batman said. "I've done more than enough." Superman knew Batman wasn't pleased being pulled into this but he was grateful his friend did help him instead of turning his back on him. "Thanks, Bruce for everything. I have one more favor. Could you keep your eye out and feel your sources in the government? I know this government can get trigger happy and jump the gun. I think they are planning something with the Amazons." "I'll see what I can do," Batman said and jumped off the rooftop. Superman flew from Gotham to Metropolis. There was some business he had to take care of before he went to South America. He went to his apartment and quickly typed a story and saved it on his disc. Next he flew to Lois Lane's apartment. It was late and he knew Lois was sleeping so Superman flew to her bedroom and tapped on her window. It took a few light taps before Lois woke up. Lois groggily looked around wondering what the incessant noise was. She spotted Superman floating out her window. Fully awake, Lois pulled back the covers, tossed on her robe and let Superman in. "Clark? I tried calling you a few hours ago. There's so much that's been going on. Perry's still upset you haven't been to the Planet after the quake." "He's gonna be upset when I don't show up tomorrow." Lois fought off a yawn. "Why? The planet is quiet now." "It's not over, Lois." He handed her a disc. "Here's a story I wrote. Clark Kent got a hold of Superman to give his take on the disasters going on. Turn it in for me. It should keep Perry from firing me." "Is it another story pro Wonder Woman?" Lois asked. After the story of the Amazons attack in Gotham and Wonder Woman breaking out of a hospital when the Gotham Police tried to capture her, Clark wrote a piece on the Amazons, giving benefit of doubt to the Amazons of the crimes they are accused of. "Perry wasn't too happy with that piece. It was subtle but your support for them was there." "It was also one of the few articles that gave support to the Amazons and it sold papers which Perry cares about more," Clark added. "That reminds me. While you were flying around dealing with the craziness all over the planet earlier a General Yedziniak came by. He wanted to talk to you. He didn't say why just that it was a matter of national security. I asked my Dad about him. He's a real nut case. He will go to the extreme to protect this country. He's known for using excessive force and going against orders." "That doesn't sound good." "It's not. Before I left today, I got a call from Phyllis Haller secretary. She didn't show up at her office this morning." "You think the military has her?" "Well yeah. She wrote a positive story on the Amazons after the Feast of Five. This general probably thinks she's a sleeper. They may think the same thing about you." "Looks like Clark Kent will have to keep a low profile until this is over." "Yeah, but you were planning on making yourself scarce before I told you this." She waved the disc in front of him. "Where are you going, Smallville?" "South America. There's a chance Epione, Timandra and Mnemosyne are there." "You're really going all out to help Wonder Woman's Sisters," Lois quipped. "You must really love her." Clark knew how Lois felt for him so it was unsettling talking to her about his feelings for Diana. "Um, maybe we shouldn't talk about this." Lois only smiled. "And that just sums it up. I'll cover for you and give Perry the story. Be careful and good luck." "Thanks." Clark flew out the window as Lois mournfully watch him fly away. **** Diana flew over the skies of Egypt with the false goblet tied around her lasso. The strange energy from the goblet was drawing her closer to its point of origin. The chalice jerk and spiral down towards a temple. Diana breaks through the roof of the temple, hoping she still had the element of surprise but also expecting an attack. "Diana!" There goes the element of surprise. Diana turned around to face a woman clad in armor with a mask covering her face and a tiara similar to hers. Shim'Tar. She had battled Shim'Tar in Egypt after her last battle with Cheetah. She was a savage, cold unfeeling warrior that was to be the new queen. She had unimaginable strength that almost defeated her and overwhelmed Hermes, a God. Diana defeated her so she was surprise to see she has returned. "I did not come to fight. I want to know where my mother is." "I do not care why you are here," Shim'Tar responded coldly. "It only matters to me you will die here." So close to finding her mother and not getting anywhere Diana was growing frustrated. "What has happened to Hippolyta?" Shim'Tar didn't answer. She only moved to strike Diana. Diana blocked her punch but it was only a false attack as Shim'Tar kicked Diana savagely in her stomach, knocking Diana on her knees. "My power was greater than you before and it still remains." Diana rose to her feet and punch the Shim'Tar with her mighty strength. "I am not the same Amazon you caught by surprise last time." Shim'Tar move to punch Diana again only to have Diana quickly unhook her lasso and wrap it around Shim'Tar, remembering how it was able to defeat her last time. To her shock, nothing happened. Shim'Tar laughed as she uses the lasso and throws Diana into the stone ceiling above head first. "I'm much stronger than I was before!" Still holding the lasso, Shim'Tar throws Diana into another wall. "And you were to be Queen Hippolyta's hope for salvation! Wait until she sees what a pathetic child she trained. Like mother, like daughter." Diana caught herself before she is slammed into another wall. Rage filled her as the Shim'Tar all but admitted she knew where her mother was. "Tell me where my mother is before I bring this temple down on your head!" Shim'Tar laughs cruelly. "You don't have the guts to pull that off. Your misguided morality and lack of spine stops you from becoming a true champion." Shim'Tar released the lasso and pulls out her own weapon. It was a revolver but from the look of it, it wasn't the ones that sent out bullets. Shim'Tar fired on Diana and she used her bracelets to block the energy coming from the gun. The energy deflects off Diana's bracelets and hits the Shim'Tar dead on. Shim'Tar screams in pain as the energy rips through her body, tearing her uniform apart. To Diana's horror, the Shim'Tar's scream of pain changes into a voice she recognized. The Shim'Tar smoky body collapsed on the ground and Diana hesitantly approaches the body hoping she was wrong but as she removes the mask, she was horrified to see her mother lying on the ground. "Mother! I'm so sorry," the princess cried. "I didn't know." Diana picked up her mother. "I'll get you help. I promise." At that moment, Diana's mother began to glow and then herself. Someone was calling for her. She felt herself being pulled to voice and disappearing in a flash of light. **** In Circe's fortress, Circe and two Bana Amazons view Superman, Black Adam and the Suicide Squad flying towards them. Circe could care less but the Bana looked panicked. "They found us," Marita, a Bana Amazon said. She glared at Circe. "What do you intend to do about it?" Circe was busy staring at Superman and Black Adam's image in the crystal ball. "Mmm, Superman is handsome and Black Adam is not bad to look at either. I could use him." She laughed as a plan formed in her mind. "I can certainly use Black Adam." "This is your fault!" Marita shouted at Circe. "You come in with your promises of granting us a queen so we Bana can rise to power, you move yourself in on *our* fortress, the superheroes of this planet have come to attack, and all you can do is lust over them." Circe glared at Marita. "It's not what I should do but what *you* should do. I have as much stake here as you. You're Amazons are you not? Mount a defense and take them out. Take my beastiamorphs as well. I must prepare the next phase of Hectate's revenge and these distractions are becoming a nuisance." Circe turned on her heels and stormed out. Superman flew over the Amazon forest as Black Adam lead the Suicide Squad on foot. "We're getting closer," Superman told Black Adam. "Be on your guard." "Just keep looking for the Amazons. They'll trust you more than me and the Suicide Squad. I can handle anything this Circe witch and her followers throw at me." Superman spotted the fortress in the distance and as he flew closer, used his x-ray vision to scan the place. "Black Adam, I'm looking through Circe's fortress and I don't see the Amazons I'm looking for. I do see the Bana Amazons, Circe and her bestiamorphs. I'm going to venture more into the forest. Keep going to the fortress." Black Adam kept on toward the fortress. He didn't tell Superman Circe was luring him to her with her powers. Superman may be worried and want to help him instead of looking for Wonder Woman's Sisters. Black Adam was also confident, he could handle Circe. As they neared the waterfall near the fortress, a pack of beastiamorphs jumped from the waterfall and attacked Black Adam and the Suicide Squad. A lion beastiamorph tackled Black Adam. Black Adam rose and knock the creature off him. "You didn't say we would be fighting freakish creatures!" Boomerang said as he battled a panther beastiamorph. "Circe is a witch. You can't put anything past her." Black Adam knocked the lion beastiamorphs out. He looked to the Suicide Squad. They were holding their own against the beastiamorphs. It gave him the confidence to leave them and run ahead towards the waterfall where the beastiamorphs came from. It would lead him to Circe. Black Adam fought other beastiamorphs standing in his way. Circe was closer now. He went up two levels in the fortress fighting off every beastiamorph who got in his way. After dealing with the last beastiamorph, Black Adam punch through a stone wall that lead to Circe's chamber. Circe smiled at him. "Welcome." "What strange magic are you using to draw me here, witch?" Circe gestured above her to the totems on her altar dedicated to an Egyptian God. She waved her hand and Black Adam crumpled to his knees screaming in agony. "The kind of magic that will give me your powers." Circe turned her back on him and continued with Hectate's spell. Dark clouds and streaks of lighting surround the temple. The rest of the Suicide Squad entered the room after dealing with the beastiamorphs. They found Black Adam on the ground groaning in agony at the draining of his powers. Black Adam could let Circe take his power. There was only one way to escape this. Using his what strength he had, Black Adam flies through the roof at a burst of speed, getting as far from the temple as possible. Circe looked up at the mess Black Adam created and then the Suicide Squad. "More interlopers? Those damn Bana can't seem to do anything." Javelin struck first throwing a spear at Circe. Circe waved her hand and sent it back at Javelin. Javelin tried to run and escape his weapon but wasn't fast enough as it went through his chest. "Now to deal with the rest of you." Circe raised her hands to unleash her power when she felt a strange force summoning her. "No! Dammit! NO!" The Suicide Squad shield themselves as a bright flash of light covered the room and Circe vanished. **** Julia, Pythia, Timandra, Epione and Mnemosyne ran through the deep forests running from the beastiamorphs on their tail. For the past half mile, they seem to be free of the monsters. The women used the spare a moment to catch their breath. "Those creatures seem to be everywhere, Pythia," Timandra said. "You have the power of flight. Take Julia and Epione back to Themyscira. Mnemosyne and I will cover you." "No, I should stay while Pythia and Julia escape," Epione argued. "You are the chief healer, Epione," Mnemosyne told her. "At this time of great suffering, your abilities are needed." "I'll take them," Pythia said. "But I'll hurry back for you two." She hugged Timandra and Mnemosyne. Pythia put an arm around Epione and Julia and flew into the sky. Flying beastiamorphs appear out of nowhere and tried to intercept them but Timandra and Mnemosyne fired on them with the guns they had on them. Once they shot the beastiamorphs down, the Amazons kept running. They ran a mile before the spotting Konrad Kaslak running for his life as a beastiamorph chased him. "We should help him," Mnemosyne said. "I'm out bullets," Timandra said. "Do you have any left?" Mnemosyne shook her head. "Neither do I, but these guns should be enough." The Amazons chased after the beastiamorphs and Kaslak. They saw Kaslak running to a cliff. Seeing he had no other choice, Kaslak jumped off the cliff with the beastiamorph going after him. Kaslak knew he was going to die but as long he stopped Circe's plan, he accepted it. The Amazons reached the cliff and saw their bodies disappear in the river below. "We're too late," Timandra said. A growled snarled behind them. Timandra and Mnemosyne turned around to see three beastiamorphs coming for them. "We've no choice but to jump." Mnemosyne nodded. Timandra and Mnemosyne threw their guns at the beastiamorphs and jumped over the cliff. They were facing death but they rather faced it in the waters than from the beastiamorphs. To their horror, the beastiamorphs jumped after them. With a double dilemma, the Amazons only hoped they reached the waters first. But it was not to be. Superman arrived in a blur of red and blue. He grabbed both Amazons and flew them to safety while the beastiamorphs fell to the waters. "Are you all right?" "We are now," Timandra said. "Clark! Come in!" Batman yelled in Superman's ear piece. Superman landed on a safe spot free of any beastiamorphs. He touched his ear while Timandra and Mnemosyne looked at him puzzled. "What is it, Batman?" "The military's launching an air assault on Themyscira." "No!" "Starman, Hawkman and Hawkwoman are on their way. I have the coordinates in case you need it." "I already know it." Superman put an arm around Timandra and Mnemosyne waist. "Your home's in danger. Hang on tight. I'm going to go as fast as I can." Timandra and Mnemosyne held onto Superman's uniform tightly as he flew fast across the skies, creating sonic booms along the way. ***** In a flash of light Diana holding her mother appeared in a dark limbo, she looked around wondering where she was. She spot Hermes and Harmonia. Diana went to Hermes. "Hermes, my mother is dying and it's all my fault." She looked to him pleading, tears in her eyes. "Please help her." "I don't have the power, Diana," Hermes said. "We're in limbo and the Gods have little power here." "Why are we here then?" Diana asked. "Let's go to Themyscira." Hermes shook his head. "With my power being limited so will Circe's. This is where she was banished. It is here I will summon her and you will kill her." "How dare you?" Diana screamed in frustration. "I am begging you to save my mother's life and you want me to be murderer for you! Circe is too powerful for me to defeat and there's Hectate's curse. If I kill Circe then I would be curse just like her." "Diana-" But Diana didn't let Hermes finish. "If this realm is so debilitating to the Circe then how did she escape?" "Eris made a pact with Circe and freed her." "So once again it's left up to humanity to clean up the God's mess," Diana bitterly retorted. "Return Diana to Themyscira as she request," Harmonia said. She walked to Diana and cup the princess' face in her hands. She saw the Amazon was at her wits end as the events was taking its toll on her. If Diana wasn't ready to face Circe, then now wasn't the time to defeat her. "Diana is right. Her duty is to her mother now. Circe will be dealt with when the time is right." Hermes looked at Harmonia suspicious. After all, it was her who said Fate demanded Diana be Circe's executioner here. He didn't argue and he did as Harmonia suggested and returned Diana to Themyscira. A flash of light surrounds Diana and she and her mother disappear. "Are you going to leave his realm, too?" Harmonia asked. "No. Olympus is closed to me and Earth doesn't want me. I will stay here. One way or another my battle with Circe ends here." "Farewell then," Harmonia said and disappeared, leaving Hermes alone in the darkness waiting. A flash of light filled the darkness and Circe stood looking pissed. "So, it was you who summoned me." "Remember this place, Circe?" Hermes asked as he stood with his Caduceus. "This time you won't leave here and Eris won't help you." Circe laughed, "What, you think you can stop me? You're not the God you once were and I don't need Eris when dealing with you." She prepared herself for this was the final battle of Hermes. Circe was going to see to it. **** In Chaos Portal, Diana carries her mother as she ignore the lighting and thunder around her. As she neared the opening to her home, she heard the roar of engines behind her. She looked back and saw fighter jets. "Fighter jets! How did they breach the portal? If I go through to Themyscira and they try to follow me, they will be destroyed before they can turn back." With her keen eyes, she spot Starman, Hawkman and Hawkwoman. Starman fire blasts on two fighter jets. She smiled grateful to her friends as they buy her time and continue on to Themyscira. As Diana fly over Themyscira, she spot Epione, Julia, Pythia, Iphthime, Euboea and other healers on the beach. Diana lands and let the healers take Hippolyta out of Diana's hands. While they examined the queen, Diana embraced her Sisters and Julia. "You're alive!" Diana said overjoyed at seeing Julia. "I only wish I could've saved Timandra and Mnemosyne," Pythia stated sadly. "Diana, the queen's wounds are beyond the flesh," Epione told her. "Circe has laid a curse that only she can remove. If she is killed, the spell may break." "Is there another way?" Diana asked. Epione shook her head. "No." As another dilemma sink in, Diana looked to the skies and saw someone was getting through Chaos Portal. Diana thought it was the fighter pilot but was Superman with Timandra and Mnemosyne. He landed on the beach with Diana and everyone else. Diana hugged her Sisters. "You're alive! I was so worried." Diana looked to Superman. "How did you find them?" "I'll tell you another time, but we have bigger problems." He was concern as he said, "The portal is breaking apart." Diana and the others on the beach looked up at Chaos Portal and saw it was indeed breaking away. Now only clear skies surrounded the island as the fighter jets, Starman, Hawkman and Hawkwoman fly through. The fighter pilot circle the island waiting for the orders to attack. "I'm going to stop those fighter pilots!" Superman flew ahead before Diana could stop him. "The attack on the Amazons have gone far enough," Diana said. "This must end now." A large spurt of water rose from the ocean and crashes on the beach. Diana looked on wondering what was going on now until the water retracted and Circe stood. Circe. Diana clenched her fists. It was all her doing, the warring of the Gods on Olympus, the framing of the Amazons, the death of Hellene, the condition of Phillipus and her mother; the fighter jets circling her island ready to destroy it. It was all the witch's doing and now she was finally showing herself to do battle. "It ends here, Circe. This will be the final battleground." Circe laughed wickedly. "Does killing me sound less repugnant now, Diana? Have you forgotten Hectate's words, `Upon the death of witch and birth of witch, Hectate by name and choice shall posses her soul.'" "Either of our deaths could strip you of Hectate's influence. You soulless body will be reduced to ashes," Diana told the witch. "Ah, but if you kill me, you are doomed to inherit Hectate's legacy," Circe cleverly shot back. "But if you kill me...and I'll give you little choice in the matter...then the curse is broken as well. Even Hectate cannot bequeath her power to the dead." Circle smirked. "You think you are so clever just like this deluded fool." From behind her, Circe revealed the smoking bones of Hermes. "This pathetic God thought he could do away with me as he did last time. As you can see, he was wrong." She tossed Hermes remains aside like it was trash. Diana looked at the remains of Hermes with quiet rage. He was there for when she first arrived to this world, guided her. He was on her side more than the other Gods were. He even loved her and though Diana never reciprocated the feelings, she did love him as a God, a mentor and friend. She thought of their last moments where she spoke angrily at him. If only she could take it back. She couldn't she knew. She could only avenge his death and the others Circe was responsible for. Enrage, Diana unhooked her lasso and screamed as she charged on her, "I'll kill you!" Circe rolled her eyes amused. "So naïve, so fickle and so stupid even to your dying day!" Circe spoke an incantation and the clay beneath Diana grabs her feet. Circe throws another blast of energy at Diana knocking her back. She spoke another spell as the magic waft itself around Diana. "How do you like this one? It's my reversion spell. It will return your true form!" Diana screams in agony and the Amazons, Julia and superheroes try to race to her aid only to find themselves blocked by an invincible force field. "Ah. Ah." Circe told them. "No one gets by." In the eyes above the island, Superman floated in front of the pilots. If they were going to attack Themyscira, they were going through him. "Pull back now and return to your bases, you have all been deceived." The pilots held their ground as the leader of the group radio in to General Yedziniak that Superman was blocking them. "If Superman is aiding the Amazons, then he is an enemy to the world, too! Shoot him down!" The Captain squirmed in his seat. "Um, this is Superman, sir. I don't think our missiles will stop him." "This is all a dreadful mistake," Superman tried to reason with them. "I know you don't want to do anything you will seriously regret." Seeing the seriousness on Superman's face, the Captain felt like he was going to wet his pants. "I really think it would be a serious mistake if I fire on him." A trigger happy pilot beside the Captain fired a missile on Superman. Superman caught it and crushed it in his hands. "There is no need for violence but if I have to stop you from attacking Themyscira, I will." Five of the pilots heard Superman's threat loud and clear and pulled back retreating leaving only two pilots. The Captain and his trigger happy assailant either too scared or too foolish did not to retreat. Superman was going to continue reasoning with them when a scream from the island below alerted his sensitive ears. He knew that voice anywhere. Diana. Superman left the pilots and flew towards the island at incredible speed. He saw Diana crying in pain as sand grasped her feet. He saw the Amazons and superheroes trapped beyond a barrier they couldn't break and in the center of it all was Circe cackling at her victory. Superman flew to Circe and knocked her off her feet. The witch flew several feet off the ground landing in the ocean. Superman went to Diana's side. Diana fell against him. "Diana. Diana. Talk to me." "My body…." Diana gasped in pain. "I can't….I'm losing myself. I'm returning to clay." "No, Diana!" Superman gripped her tightly. "Hang on, Just hang on." He didn't know anything about magic. He didn't know what to do to help her. Circe rose from the oceans dripping wet and angry. The blow from Superman had her feeling pains all over her body. Enrage, she fired beams of her energy on Superman. Superman screamed in pain as cords of Circe's magical energy travel through his body. "I killed a God! Do you think someone like you will stop me?!" Superman released Diana and fell to his knees. Despite the burst of energy Circe was firing on him, Superman managed to fire his heat vision on Circe. Circe put up a barrier to block herself but she was still being pushed back by Superman's heat vision. Circe wasn't going to allow this mortal to defeat her. Diana was so close to death. She could taste victory on her lips. She wasn't going to let Superman stop her. Summoning more power, she was able to knock Superman back throwing his heat vision back at him. Superman fell against the beach hard. Still, he wasn't going to stop. He charged to her again and Circe created a force field, stronger than the one that were still trapping the Amazons and superheroes. Superman began pounding on the field. "Dammit! Magic!" Superman fired his heat vision but that only sent it ricocheting around him. Superman slammed into the force field like a wild bull but it had no affect. That didn't stop him from trying. Circe laughed victorious. "That's right, darling and I hear you are vulnerable to magic." With Superman trapped, Circe returned her attention to Diana. "Now where was I?." Circe continued her spell and Diana continued to cry in agony. "Ah, yes, destroying you once and for all!" The magic surround Diana once more. "Struggle all you want! This time Circe will have her revenge! Once your flesh returns to clay, your spirit will die forever!" Superman continued to pound on the magical force field, using all his strength to break through. He could see Diana weakening as her body was returning to its clay form. She was going to die and he couldn't stop it. "DIANA!!" Diana could faintly hear Superman calling for her. She tried to fight the spell but couldn't as her flesh was returning to the ground that gave her life. She thought of her mother, Phillipus, Hellene, Hermes, Superman and the Gods she tried to protect. She thought of Gaea and how the Goddess of Earth helped her when she needed it and now with Circe planning to destroy all the Gods, she couldn't help her. She could help no one. "Dear Gaea… I failed you… forgive me." Diana's body was engulfed in a burst of explosive light, so bright that even the pilots could high in the sky could see it. When the light fade away only Diana's torn uniform remained on the beach. Circe looked stunned. She couldn't move, couldn't believe she had actually did it. "I did it," she whispered. "I did it!" She said it louder as reality finally sank in. "Diana is dead!" Proudly, Circe looked to shock and angry Superman, the Amazons and superheroes. "Your beacon of hope is dead!" She laughs thrillingly. "Dead! Yes, I finally did it! Oh, and it feels so good! I would love to stay here and gloat but I have much to do. Bye!" In a flash of light, Circe vanish as does the force field around everyone. The Amazons went to the tattered remains of Diana's clothes. The Amazons fell to their knees, in shock and sobbing softly. Iphthime picked up a piece of Diana's uniform. "Diana….Diana's gone." She looked up seeing a grief stricken Superman approaching with Starman, Hawkman, Hawkwoman and Julia. "Why didn't you save her?!" Iphthime screamed at Superman. "You're suppose to have all these great powers! Why didn't you use them to kill Circe?!" "Iphthime, I tried to stop her. I…I underestimated her," Superman apologized. "Your underestimation cost Diana her life! She cared for you and you let her die! Get off this island!" Iphthime said to him and everyone else. "Leave! You and your kind have caused enough sorrow for a lifetime." Angry tears fell from her eyes. "Our princess is dead, our Queen is dying along with other Amazons we've lost because of you and your kind! You people will never be ready to listen to peace!" "Iphthime—" Superman pleaded but Julia laid a hand on Superman's shoulders. "I know you mean well, Superman, but we should go," Julia told him. "All of us." Superman nodded somberly and picked up Julia. He lead the way as they along with Starman, Hawkman and Hawkwoman, left Themyscira. The two pilots recorded the events on the island and were pulling back as well when the skies above them opened to reveal a new set of problems. New Olympus was hovering over Themyscira.