Paradise Lost Pt 2

by Arcadia

Chapter Two

Triana stared out of her balcony two evenings later, determined. She was going to leave Themyscira. If Diana could do it, then so can she. Triana looked down at her white Grecian dress and gold sandals. It wasn't a star spangled swimsuit: the chosen outfit of the champion of Amazons but it would do. All was quiet on Themyscira as she jumped off her balcony. Triana walked towards a forest on the island and pulled out her boat she had hidden. She pushed the boat in the waters, got in and rowed away from Themyscira. How unfair she had to use a boat to leave home whereas Diana could fly. Triana didn't have a map of Man's World so she let the wind take her to wherever the Gods deem fit for her to be. Triana rowed for hours before she saw lights of a city in the distance. Gone were the clear dark skies of her home. Now she saw gloomy red skies. The water was dirty, not pure as her homeland. Other boats were in harbor as well as strange buildings. It all looked dirty and gloomy. The Gods sent her here? Triana didn't know it but she was in Gotham Harbor. Triana got out of her boat and walked around the strange city. Triana saw people drive by in strange vehicles Diana explained were cars and buses. It all look primitive and too noisy to her. "Hey, Baby. Where you goin'?" A man approached her. Triana looked at the man. He was shorter than her, had piercing on his nose and ears and tattoos on his arms in strange clothes and breath fouler than a dead fish. "I'm looking for my sister." "What's your sister's name?" He winked at her. "I can find her for you." "You will know her as Wonder Woman." "Wonder Woman?" The man smiled. The woman was obviously on drugs to think she`s related to Wonder Woman. He could really take advantage of her. "Oh, I know her. Nice chick." Triana frowned. "My sister never mentioned you." The man smirked. "Of course she did. I'm Superman. I work with her on the Justice League." "You're lying. I've met Superman and you're not him." Triana grabbed the man by the collar of his shirt and lift him off his feet. "Who are you?" she demanded. The man put his hand up in defeat. "Hey, it's cool. I was kiddin`. I don't know her. I thought I could get you into bed." "Repulsive man," Triana snarled and tossed the man, throwing him into a lamppost. Triana left the man unconscious and continued walking until she heard the sound of sirens. Triana ran towards the sounds. Something called a bank was the caused of the irritating noise. Triana observed two people running out of the bank. Triana didn't know them but they were the Joker and Harley Quinn and they had large bags of money in their hands. They tossed it in the car and sped off. Joker laughed maniacally as Harley drove. "Other than you settin' off that alarm, I call that robbery a success! No cops or Bats in sight!" "Uh-oh," Harley said seeing Triana standing in the middle of the street with her hands on her hips. "Run her over!" Joker ordered. Harley hit the gas, driving faster. Once the car approached Triana, she put her hands down on the hood, slowing the car down. It only pushed her back two feet before coming to a complete stop. "What are we gonna do, Mr. J? She's as strong as Superman!" Harley complained. "I think it would be wise if you return what your stole to that building," Triana ordered. Joker stepped out of the car with his gun and fired at her. Triana bounced the bullets off with her bracelets. Joker pulled back. "Looks like we got another Wonder Woman flying around. What, are you her sister?" Joker asked. "Yes," Triana answered. Joker heard the sirens of police cars. He didn`t have time for this. "Sister. Well, maybe she would visit you in the hospital." Joker pressed his flower and acid spilled out. Triana jumped out of the way and the acid spilled on the street. "Oh, you got a little more brains than your sister." "Yes, I do. This is your last warning. Return what you stole or I'll make you." Joker scoffed. He wasn't impressed. "Harley." Harley jumped out and attacked Triana. Harley attempted to kick Triana but she caught Harley's legs and tossed her to the car, slamming her against the window, shattering it and knocking her out. Joker, who was grabbing the money out of the car as Triana and Harley fight, saw what happened to Harley and ran. Triana jumped high and landed in front of Triana. "I warned you," Triana said seriously. "Now you will pay." The Batmobile arrived on the scene a minute later. Batman jumped out and saw Harley lying on the damaged car unconscious and Joker with a bruised face, lying on the ground clutching his left arm in pain. From the looks of it, the arm was broken and the gun he had was ripped in half. Triana stood over Joker eyes glaring at him. Hearing footsteps she turned and saw Batman approaching. Her stern expression softened. "I know you. Batman, right?" Batman remained silent. Triana smiled again. "Ah, the silent treatment. My sister told me you were the brooding type. You don't know me but I'm Wonder Woman's sister, Triana." Batman suspected as much from her clothes, not to mention her strength. The car, Harley and Joker conditions were results from Triana. "I thought Amazons weren't allowed to leave Themyscira." "We're not, but I was allowed to see my sister. I'm sure you know where she is." As far as he knew, Diana was at the U.N. in an important meeting over the crisis in Africa and her plans to donate food and medicine to the poorer countries. Diana didn't mention anything about her sister visiting. Still, Batman knew he couldn't leave Triana to roam the planet on her own. Due to Triana's recent work with Joker and Harley, it would be best to get her off the streets as soon as possible. **** Diana let out an annoyed sigh when she left the U.N. Sometimes dealing with mortals was frustrating but she got her point across. Diana put a finger to her ear. "Wonder Woman to Watchtower. J'onn, I'm ready for transport." A light glow beamed over her and she disappeared. Moments later she was in the Watchtower. J'onn and Flash were in the room. "Hey, Wondy, how'd it go at the U.N.?" Flash asked. "Difficult but progressive." Diana pulled the pin out of her hair freeing it from it confined bun. "More food and medicine will be sent to African countries freed from militias that are raiding villages." "I bet it hurt their pride to be defeated by a woman in a swimsuit leading the rebels," Flash joked. "They're lucky to be living after what they did to those people." Diana looked around as if she was searching for someone. "How was your mission to Antion?" "A success of course. Big Blue led the attack against the invaders and freed the people. Darkon got a few good hits to Big Blue but our boy took him down." Diana nodded casually. "That's good. Where is Superman?" "Last I saw he was going to his room. He had to change out of his uniform." At Diana's questioning gazed, Flash continued. "The battle with Darkon ripped it." Diana made small talk with Flash and J`onn for a few minutes before leaving for Superman's room. Each league member had codes to their room they kept to themselves. Diana knew Superman's as he knew hers. When she entered his room, she found him asleep in bed. He looked so peaceful as he slept, not a care in the world, no worry for people weaker than him. Diana wasn't going to disturb his nap so she turned to leave but a hand grabbed hers. She looked back at Clark who appeared to have woken up. "Were you gonna leave without saying anything?" Clark asked sleepily. "I didn't want to disturb you, Kal." Clark grinned at her. "Forget it." He pulled Diana on the bed. She shrieked playfully at the sudden move before kicking off her shoes and settling besides him. "You could never disturb me," Clark said and kissed her. He caressed her face. "I missed you." "Not as much I miss you," Diana whispered huskily. "How was the U.N.?" "Food and supplies are being sent to the Africa regions as early as next week. I will supervise it and make sure it reaches the poor people." "That`s good." "It is. I've heard good things in the region. The children from the orphanage I visited from six months ago are much healthier now. The men, women and children of the village are being educated. I'm looking forward to personally seeing how much more they have progressed." Diana pushed back a lock of hair that fallen across her face. "I'm not looking forward to marriage proposals by some of the villagers." "Can't blame the men for trying," Clark said running his fingers up and down Diana's back through her dark business suit. "You are a great catch." "Some just want to bed me. You wouldn't believe the things men would say to me. Married and single." Diana shook her head. "It's disgusting. As Diana Prince, I don't have to worry about such things. Men are too busy trying to kill me." "I rather have them proposing to you than trying to kill you." Even though he knew Diana can take care of herself, Clark wasn't fond of her being a CIA agent. It was too risky even for her. He thought when Diana became a Themyscirian ambassador for peace and opened the Embassy, she would give up her Diana Prince persona or at least her job at the CIA but Diana refused. She was determined to do it all. Diana smiled at Clark. "Such the life of a superhero, Kal. The people love and hate you at the same time." She ran her fingers across his strong chest. "Enough about that. Flash told me about your mission on Antion. Did Darkon hurt you bad?" Clark grinned. "You should see him. He caught me off guard. I was a little tired that`s all. I was just catching some sleep before heading home." Diana sat up on bed. "I'll leave you to rest then." Diana started to leave when Clark held her hand. "No. Just stay here." "With you?" "Do you see anyone else here?" Clark asked. Diana laid beside him. "No, I don't. I needed a nap anyway. Being Wonder Woman, Ambassador of Peace and CIA agent can be tiresome." Diana snuggled closer to Clark. Within minutes, she was fast asleep. Clark knew Diana was very busy, more than him and because of that the two didn't spend as much time together as they wanted. These moments alone were precious and few. If he was lucky enough, he could wake up with Diana by his side always. He loved her and wanted to marry her, but considering Diana's upbringing, he wasn't sure Diana wanted marriage. She grew up on an island with women. Her mother hated men. She barely approved of him dating Diana. If Diana was to marry him, she would be giving herself to him. A man. It should be his and Diana's decision alone but Clark couldn't help but wonder how Diana's mother would react to the news. Clark rolled on his side and pulled out a velvet box from his nightstand. He opened the box revealing a diamond ring. It was a nice round cut. Not too small to be criticize and not too large to draw attention. It would be perfect for Diana. He wanted to propose to her for over a year now but there was never the right time. Some crisis would come up; Diana would have to go out in the field for the CIA, some emergency at the Embassy, or some crisis the Justice League had to take care of. Then there were Clark's nerves. How the hell do you propose to a princess? A light knock at the door caused Clark to close up the box and put it away just as Diana stirred. The knock came again. Clark looked through the steel doors and saw Batman standing on the outside. Diana sat up and stretched. Clark told her who it was and she relaxed. Clark opened his door and Batman stepped inside. "Is Diana here?" He saw Diana on Clark's bed. "Never mind." Diana put on her shoes and smooth out her clothes as she stood to greet her friend. "What is it, Bruce?" Batman frowned. He wasn't entirely fond of Diana knowing his secret identity. He wanted to keep that to himself from as many people as possible. It was impossible to keep it from Superman and had suspected he told Diana but he swore over and over it wasn't him. Diana figured it out on her own and partly Batman's fault. Diana appeared as Wonder Woman in Gotham at a fund raiser not long after the Justice League was formed. Bruce Wayne attended the fund raiser donating a million dollars. Clark Kent appeared as well, covering the story but Bruce knew it was to see Diana. Bruce, playing up to his playboy image, coax Diana into a dance, where he playfully grilled her on questions about her and Superman. He had to admit there was some ego involved. He secretly like the idea of being Bruce Wayne and no one knew he was Batman. Diana made Bruce's blood run cold when she said, "Do you really think Kal would appreciate you holding me like this and giving me the third degree on our relationship, Bruce or should I say, Batman?" When she saw the look on his face, she laughed and said. "He's watching us, you know." Bruce turned and saw Clark was indeed watching him. He wasn't jealous more like humored. He turned to Diana. "He told," Bruce snarled. Diana laughed. "No. As much as I wanted Kal to tell me, he said I would have to find out on my own and so I did. You know how honest Kal is, Bruce. He would never betray a friend." Bruce hated the idea that he let his guard down and Diana found out. He knew the nature of Diana and Clark's relationship, which left Batman on the occasional duty of rebuffing questions from other league members about their relationship with only saying they were friends. Diana approached Batman and Clark. "Is something wrong?" "Maybe. Your sister, Triana is here. I found her in Gotham foiling a bank robbery by the Joker and Harley Quinn. Quinn has a concussion from being thrown through the car window and Joker has a broken arm and busted face." "Triana's here?" Diana said, ignoring Batman's report on Joker and Harley. "Something must be wrong on Themyscira. Where is she?" "In your room," Batman said and Diana rushed out of the room. Batman turned back to Clark. "She didn't hear what I said." "About Joker and Harley? What about them?" Clark asked, lost as well. "Triana was too rough on them." "Maybe she didn't know her strength." Batman frowned. "You think Triana did that on purpose? That's a strong accusation to make, Bruce. She's a good person." "We'll see." Batman turned and left the room. Diana entered her room and found Triana sitting at Diana's desk. They went to each other and embraced. "Triana, what are doing here? Is something wrong on Themyscira?" Triana shook her head, smiling. "No. I came to see you." "Mother allowed you to leave Themyscira?" Diana questioned. "Yes," Triana lied. "Batman found you in Gotham. Why didn`t you come through the Embassy?" Triana knew if she went though the Embassy, the other Amazons would know she left and she didn't want that. "I wanted to surprise you. The Queen has allowed me to accompany you in Man's World for a while. I'm to observe the work you do and report back to her." Diana hugged her sister. "That's wonderful. I've so much to show you. When you go back home to tell my mother all the good I'm doing, I know she will finally understand and it`ll be good to spend time with my sister." "Why do you do it if it troubles our queen?" Triana asked puzzled. "This may sound strange," Diana said, "but I have to follow my heart. I love my home and I love you all, but right now I feel my place is here in Man's World with Kal." "You're doing this for Superman," Triana cut through Diana's words. "You want to be with him." Diana smiled. "I do, but there's more to it than that. I know it sounds strange to you since you've never been in Man's World." "But I'm here now and I want to learn." "I'll show you but be careful. This world can be dangerous. There are things that can be tempting, women who can't be trusted." "If you can handle yourself, then so can I," Triana said confidently. Diana smiled. "I know you can. You're an Amazon Warrior like me." Diana hugged Triana again. "It's so good to have you here, Sister. Tomorrow, I have a charity event to attend. You can come as my guest. Monday, is a national holiday in America so we can spend time together. I'll have to report to work for the CIA the rest of the week. Since it's a high security area, you won't be able to accompany me. You can stay in the Watchtower or I can get one of the league members show you around Man's World." "CIA. That's the place you work as Diana Prince?" Triana asked. Diana nodded. "And you report to a man?" Triana said the word man with disgust. "Yes. It's an integral part of my plan to live in Man's World and see where I'm needed most outside Justice League business," Diana explained. Diana went to her desk and turned on her laptop. "Amazing," Triana was awe by the computer. "Yes, there are a lot of amazing things in this world." After the laptop booted up, Diana opened a file. "As part of my ambassador work, I will be going to Africa next week. I'll show you the suffering in Africa while we visit villages on the road to repair. We might have to deal with an evil militia threatening to steal supplies going to the area." Triana watched several images pop on the screen of suffering and progressing in the village. She quickly read the reports of money, medicine and food needed for each area. "You are involved in good work, Sister." "Thank you." The alarms went off. Triana asked, "What's going on?" "Trouble," Diana said turning off her laptop. "Come on." Diana and Triana join Superman, Batman, Flash and J'onn in the control room. "What's going on?" Diana asked. "Captain Cold, Solomon Grundy, Live Wire and Giganta broke out of prison. They're attacking Metropolis," J'onn reported. Through the league's satellite, they saw the destruction the evil group was creating. "Wonder Woman, J'onn, Flash and I will go," Superman declared. "I'm coming, too," Triana said. "I want to help." Superman looked to Diana who agreed but Batman shook his head in a no gesture. "All right. We'll all go. Be careful," Superman said to Triana. "Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself," Triana said confidently. Police fired on the group as they stood outside Metropolis Gold Exchange. Giganta used her enormous size and stumped on the ground, creating a tiny quake. Captain Cold froze each of the cops with his freezing gun. Inside the building, Live Wire discharged the electrical wiring and security alarms in the facility. Solomon Grundy ripped a steel door off its hinges, revealing bars of gold. The JLA and Triana teleported outside the building. Wonder Woman and Flash stayed outside to deal with Giganta and Captain Cold while the others ran inside. "Perhaps you should stay with your sister," Superman told Triana. "I don't need her looking after me," Triana said haughtily. Live Wire noticed the others arriving. "Looky looky. Little Boy Blue and his band of merry followers." "Careful of Live Wire," Superman warned Triana. "I can handle her." Triana said confidently and charge on Live Wire. She managed to avoid the electric bolts of power the blue haired villainess were shooting at her. Triana dodged another blast and grabbed Live Wire's wrists. She squeezed them with her strength. "Not too powerful without using your hands." "I can do more than use my hands." Live Wire grinned maliciously. Her body turned into a bolt of energy and shocked Triana. The last thing she remembered was Superman calling for her and everything going black.