Chapter 17: Old Friends and Old Enemies
The next couple of days passes without incident. Diana’s dress is made in time. It’s a good thing she insisted on something simple. So the night before her wedding, Kal as tradition dictates is not here so he doesn’t see her the night before. He’s going to spend the night at the tower in Metropolis. Diana is surprised at herself how calm she is. This is just so right. She wanders around the manor and eventually finds herself down in the Batcave. Even though she’s been staying here a few days she actually hasn’t got around to getting down here. Dana, Max and Donna have gone out for a celebratory drink. It’s something Diana is not in the mood or condition to go do.
She looks around. It’s changed surprisingly little. She wanders to the case where Bruce’s old suits hang.
“You ok Diana?”
She turns at the voice to find Terry suited up for his nightly patrol. He looks so like Bruce. “I’m fine. I was just thinking about when I was last here.”
“Changed much?” he asks.
“Not really. I want to thank you and Dana for doing this for me.”
“Thanks are not necessary. In fact having Dana take out her frustrations on the caterer rather than me has been a welcome break.”
Diana laughs at that. “You and her are made for each other.”
“Just like you and Clark.” Terry comments in return.
“Maybe. He did have Lois.”
Terry takes a breath “I don’t want to talk out of place but he and Lois took years to get together. You and Clark managed it in a few days. Truthfully Diana you’ve helped him. You weren’t around for the 5 years after Lois died. You didn’t see how miserable he was or the pain he was in. You make him happy and it has been a long time I think since he has been truly happy.”
Diana had seen his pain when she met him again. Of course he had 5 years to learn how to shield it from his face. So had it been worse than she had suspected. He had loved Lois. Lois. She wonders if Lois would be happy about this. She needs to do one thing before tomorrow. “Terry I have to go someplace but I’ll be back.”
“Ok where?” Terry asks as Diana turns to leave.
“I need to visit someone.”
While this seemed a good idea back in Gotham Diana isn’t so sure now that she is standing here at Lois’ grave. “Hello Lois. It’s Diana. I’m not entirely sure if this is a good idea or not but I just have to tell you that I’m marrying Kal, I mean Clark and that I’m carrying his child.” Diana places her hand on her stomach. “I just wanted to tell you that I love him and I will do everything in my power to make him happy.”
“I know you will.” a voice form behind says.
Diana spins at the voice. Standing there in a white dress is “Lois?”
“Hello Diana. I was wondering when you would come and visit.”
“Great Gaea, is it really you?”
“That’s a question. Technically I’m buried 6 feet below you so the decision is up to you. It’s me if you want it to be.”
“I guess I do. Kal said he thought you visited him in his dream and told him it was ok if he moved on. Was that you?”
Lois shrugs “Might have been. Equally it could have been Clark’s subconscious telling him to stop wallowing in self pity and grief. He still is far too stubborn for his own good.”
Diana smiles at that and at the way they tell each other how stubborn the other is.
“So what brings you to my resting pace Diana?” Lois asks.
“Like I said I just wanted you to know that I’ll take care of Kal.”
“Are you seeking my approval?” Lois asks.
Diana bites her lower lip. Is she? “I don’t know. I would like to think you would approve but even if you didn’t I love Kal and I can’t ever let him go. I did that once because my duty was more important or at least I thought it was. I won’t do that again.”
“So you’re willing to risk your status as queen so you can be with Clark? That about right.”
“Yes.” Diana says without any hesitation.
Lois smiles “Good answer. You want to know if I approve? Did you know I wrote Clark a letter just before I died?”
“Yes he mentioned it. I didn’t think it was appropriate that I read it.”
“Well in it I basically say how much I love him, how I regret we couldn’t have children…”
Diana gets a lump in her throat at that considering her current condition.
“Oh Diana don’t get upset, I never regretted any of it and I said that to him. I finished the letter by saying I didn’t want him to be alone and with you he’ll never be alone again. Just do that Diana, just make sure he is never alone and you have my approval.”
“I promise.” Diana tell Lois.
“Good now it’s your wedding tomorrow, stop hanging about cemeteries and go home and get some sleep. Most people go out and get drunk but not in your condition, even though I think Donna is drinking enough for the two of you.”
“She’s not?”
“Afraid so. I don’t think you should have let Terry introduce her to Max. Do Amazon warriors get hangovers? Because if they do, Donna’s going to have a doozy in the morning.” Lois says with amusement in her tone.
Diana rubs her head at the feeling of a headache coming on. She is going to have a few stern words with Donna later. She looks at Lois “I always thought of you as a friend.” she feels the need to say.
“Me too Diana. Now scoot. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow.”
Diana smiles “Goodbye Lois.”
“Goodbye Diana.” With that Lois fades away to nothing.
Diana stands there for a moment. She had just wanted to let Lois know she would take care of Kal, she hadn’t expected an actual conversation with her. Well she better get back. As Lois said big day and hopefully the greatest day of her life. The day she and Kal would be joined forever. She wonders if he is thinking similar things as she takes off back to Gotham.
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In the tower in Metropolis Kal is doing monitor duty and things are quite peaceful really. Gives him time to think about his impending nuptials which leaves him with a permanent smile on his face.
“Quiet tonight.”
Kal turns at the voice “Evening Marina and yes it is quiet.”
Marina had watched Kal a lot these last few weeks since he had resumed full League status and couldn’t help but wonder at what had happened to help him alleviate his grief. She decides to gently probe “My father told me about Wonder Woman. Has she changed much?”
“Not really. At her core I’m not sure she has ever really changed. She’s still the same woman I knew when I first met her.”
Marina nods “How’s your new identity going?”
“Fine. It was easier than I thought to start it up again.” Kal answers but can’t help but think Marina is wanting to know something. “Is there something in particular you want to know Marina?”
“I know I shouldn’t intrude in your personal life…”
“But?”
“But well when Barda called you the other day she swore she heard a woman’s voice in the background.”
Kal sighs “I was afraid she had heard that.”
“So you are seeing someone?”
Kal nods “I am.”
Marina smiles for him “I’m happy for you . I’ve noticed how much happier you have been lately.”
“I suppose I have.”
“Seeing her tomorrow? I ask because you’re still down for emergencies only on the roster.”
“Can you keep a secret?” Kal asks.
Marina nods.
“I’m marrying her tomorrow.”
Marina studies his face to see if he is joking. He’s not. “Congratulations but why the secrecy?”
“It’s necessary. Diana isn’t meant to be here.”
Diana? Marina knows that name “Wonder Woman? You’re marrying Wonder Woman?”
“Yes and please keep it secret.”
“I will but if you want it secret why tell me at all.”
“Superman doesn’t lie and you asked if I was seeing her tomorrow. My policy in this the whole way through is that if someone asked me directly I would answer truthfully. You asked and I answered.”
“I suppose I did.” Marina admits. “If it’s the night before your wedding why are you here?”
“You mean why aren’t I out celebrating?”
Marina nods.
“It’s just not the same when you can’t get drunk and I can’t get drunk. My biology won’t allow it and truthfully Marina I’m virtually a hundred years old. I prefer quiet contemplation to drunken nights of debauchery.”
Marina chuckles then walks over and kisses him on the cheek “Congratulations Kal. I mean it. You deserve to be happy.”
“Thank you Marina.”
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Donna wakes up under her bed covers. Oh great Gaea, her head is pounding.
“Morning!” It sounds like Diana’s voice.
Donna crawls out from under the covers. It is Diana. “Diana. Please. Not so loud.”
“Well someone shouldn’t drink so much and you need to get up because it’s my wedding day and we have a lot to do.” Diana tells her sister. She had been aching to come in shouting morning. Donna deserved it after the state she was in when she got back last night.
Donna finally finds the strength to sit up and then feel nauseous “I am never drinking again. Are Dana and Max up yet?”
At that point Dana walks in looking as bad as Donna does “Yes. Oh god I am never listening to Max ever again.” Dana says as she holds her head in pain.
“Where is Max?” Donna asks.
“In the bathroom throwing up which is where I was until 10 minutes ago. Amazons must have strong constitutions.” Dana remarks at Donna not being there.
“Not that strong!” Donna says as she shoots out of bed and out of the room with her hand over her mouth.
Diana laughs “I know I shouldn’t laugh but I can’t help it. So good night?”
Dana shakes her head “Probably. I can’t remember a lot of it. Well we should get some breakfast before Mrs Genaro brings our dresses over. What’s the time?”
“About 9.” Diana says.
“Right that gives us an hour. So 5 hours to go Diana. Nervous?”
“No.” Diana says truthfully. “Nothing is going to ruin this and if anyone tries they’ll have to deal with me.”
Dana took the seriousness in Diana’s tone to mean no-one would even dare to cross her.
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Meanwhile Kal and Terry were at Matt’s as this was where they agreed they would start their day.
“I still can’t believe you didn’t want to go out last night.” Matt complains.
“I did that before my first wedding and seriously Matt don’t you think I’m a little old for all that now. I was never much for that sort of thing to start with.” Kal explains.
“Clark has a point Matt.” Terry says to his brother.
“Of course you would agree. You’re no better.” Matt takes a breath “So who’s picking up Bruce and Barbara from mom’s?”
“No-one. Mom‘s dropping them off at the manor this morning.” Terry says. They had left the children with his mother last night.
“So 5 hours left as a single man. How does that make you feel Clark?” Terry asks.
“Couldn’t be happier. This day is going to go perfectly and heaven help anyone who tries to ruin it.”
Terry knew that tone. Clark may seem nice on the surface but make no mistake, push him and there was a hard edge there that would make anyone rue the day they crossed him.
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Eris, Ares’ sister, watched as her fellow gods tried to reconcile Zeus and Hera with little interest. She sat there brimming with rage at what had happened to her brother. He had been banished to the Underworld by the Amazon Queen and the Kryptonian yet she could do nothing. The other gods had forbidden retribution. Few were sorry to see the fate that had befallen her brother. Athena had been almost giddy with delight at it. Eris loathes most of her relatives. She and Ares were a pair like good siblings should be. He brought war and she brought strife. Now it felt like part of her was missing. There must be something she could do. She couldn’t act directly. She would need to find someone else to inflict her revenge.
The sorceress Circe sat on a beach in the Caribbean working in her tan. She had been allowed to stay free after her last exploit on the condition she stays out of trouble and does not seek revenge on those that stopped her. Fine. Whatever. Then out of the corner of her eye she sees Eris. “No.”
“I have not spoken yet.” Eris says.
“I know what you want. Revenge for Ares. Forget it. I’m not getting sent back to the underworld so I can join him.”
“The great Circe reduced to a snivelling coward.” Eris mocks.
“What do you propose I do? The gods made quite clear I can’t lay a hand on Diana.”
“Things are changing and not for the better for either of us.” Eris tells Circe.
“What do you mean?”
“Diana is with child.”
“Impossible.” Circe knew of Diana’s inability to have a child.
“No it’s a fact actually. She carries the child as we speak.”
“Who is the father?” Circe asks.
“The Kryptonian.”
Circe arched an eyebrow. She always did like that scrumptious hunk of a man. “I thought he would be a little old by now.”
Eris snorts “It seems he has been blessed with longevity. He has changed little from when you last met him.”
“Interesting. I can only imagine the power the child will possess.” Circe comments.
“Yes and so do my fellow gods. It has them worried, yet they will not act. Too preoccupied.”
“Yes Zeus and Hera. I heard. Still I don’t see what you want me to do about it.”
“I’m sure you can think of something or are you going to live with the humiliation Diana inflicted on you forever? Do you know that Diana and the Kryptonian are getting married this very day?”
Circe contemplated this news “I still cannot act directly against Diana myself.”
“Like I said I’m sure you’ll think of something.” Eris says as she disappears.
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Diana is looking at herself in the mirror in her wedding dress. She thinks she should be nervous but she isn’t. She can’t wait to be joined to Kal.
“Bit plain if you ask me.”
Diana turns to the source of the voice “Circe?”
Circe is sitting in the edge of the bed “Hello Your Majesty. It’s been a while.”
Diana narrows her eyes “What are you doing here?”
“Me? I’m just seeing if the rumours were true. So you’re really getting married.”
“Yes I am.” Diana says in an angry tone “and I would appreciate it if you would leave.”
“Touchy! Relax Diana. You shouldn’t work yourself up. Especially in your condition.”
“What do you mean?” Diana asks with some concern.
“Eris paid me a visit and mentioned your impending motherhood.”
“What did she want?”
“Revenge against you and the Kryptonian for what you did to her brother but she’s forbidden from doing anything herself.”
“So she came to you.”
“Indeed and I told her how I can’t lay a hand on you either.”
Of course she can’t. The gods forbade it. So why is she here? Oh Hera. “What have you done to Kal?”
Circe smiled in a way that sent shivers up Diana’s spine. “Well you know I was just passing through when I saw him and those other 2 gorgeous specimens of manhood. I have to say ‘Kal’ is looking pretty good for a man his age. If I had known he would live this long I would have snapped him up while you were away.”
Diana tries to keep her temper in check. Obviously Circe had Matt and Terry as well as Kal. “Where are they?”
“Well you know how I am a fan of the classics, I thought I would give them a personal tour of the Minotaur’s maze. Of course I’ve made a few minor improvements to the maze. After all we have to keep things fresh.”
Diana grabs Circe by the throat “Where is the maze?” It had been lost for centuries.
“Look outside.” Circe choked out.
Diana releases her and looks out the window. Oh great Hera. Circe had transformed the entire city into the maze. How would she ever find Kal is this?
“Diana!” Donna shouts as she enters the bedroom but stops when she sees Circe “What are you doing here?”
“Oh yes of course the half-pint Amazon.” Circe mocks.
“Ignore her Donna.” Diana tells her sister. “We have bigger problems.”
Donna moves to the window and looks out as well “Oh Hera. What have you done witch?”
“To you. Nothing. I can’t but if you enter the maze of your own free will I can’t be held responsible for your safety or lack of. You are only safe as long as you stay in here but of course I can’t say the same of your betrothed Diana. Now remind me what does magic do to him again?”
Donna is about to snap Circe’s neck when Diana holds her arm and restrains her. “Don’t waste your time. Besides we need her to tell us how to end this?”
Circe smirks “Very good Diana. I’m glad to see you’ve mellowed and as for how to end this it’s easy. Escape the maze. That’s all your men have to do assuming you can find them of course. Have fun!” Circe then teleports away.
Diana can’t believe this is happening on her wedding day of all days. Just then Dana runs in “Have you seen Gotham?” she asks having looked out a window.
“We have.” Donna replies.
“What is going on?” Dana asks.
“Long story.” Donna says. “For now we have to worry about finding Kal, Matt and Terry/”
Diana who is back to staring out of the window speaks “We’re going to need some help.”
