Chapter 22: Ares Returns
“I hate you Kal! And you are never touching me again!” Diana says as she swings a dagger at Kal in another irrational mood swing.
“You’ve said that before.” Kal reminds her as he dodges her attack. Honestly where does she keep getting these weapons from Kal has no idea.
“Well this time Donna isn’t here to save your hide.” Diana says as they circle each other round Diana’s bed.
“Donna’s negotiating Themyscira’s re-entry to the World Assembly, remember. You won the vote in the Senate.”
“Don’t patronise me Kal. My memory is perfectly fine.”
“Diana please give me the knife. You give birth in less than a week. You shouldn’t be stressing yourself like this.”
“I am not an invalid! And besides it is all your fault and by the time I finish with you you’ll never be able to father another child ever again.” Diana warns him.
“You said that last week.” Kal reminds her.
Diana swings again and Kal catches her wrist and pries the knife loose.
“I hate you! Let go of me Kal! Let go or I swear to the gods…” her word are cut off as Kal pushes his lips on top of hers.
He suddenly jerks back “Ow! You bit me!”
Diana smirks “I told you to let go of me.”
Kal wipes a small bit of blood off his lip but is actually grinning “Still like to play rough I see. Doesn‘t change anything I still love you.” Kal moves forward to kiss Diana again.
“Stay away from me.” Diana warns him but she can’t stop him kissing her. Once the kiss ends Diana slaps him. “Bastard!”
“You’ve said that before as well. I think you’re running out of insults.”
Diana fumes. Her back aches, their child kicks with superhuman strength and he’s worried whether she’s run out of insults or not. She makes her way to the couch and lowers herself down.
“That’s a mistake since you can’t get up without help.” Kal reminds her.
“I don’t care.” Diana says childishly.
Kal sighs. Well they seem to be past the anger stage for the moment. Thank god she gives birth in a few days because even he’s not sure how much more of this he can take.
There’s a knock on the door. “Enter at your own risk.” Kal tells the person.
Phillipus enters and sees Diana sitting on the couch. Even she has been surprised at how ferocious Diana’s mood swings are. “Bad time?”
“It’s about as good as you’re going to get for the moment.” Kal tells her.
Phillipus notices the blood on Kal’s lip. She points at it.
“Don’t ask.” Kal says
“I bit him.” Diana says from the couch.
“I see.” Phillipus says. “Well I just came to tell you we have been granted re-entry to the World Assembly. Word reached us this morning.”
“That’s great news.” Kal says. “Isn’t it Diana?”
“Yes it is.” she says in a calm voice.
“Epione requests that with you so close to giving birth you should move to the healing Isle.” Phillipus tells Diana.
“I suppose that’s a good idea.” Diana responds. “Guess I should pack.” she says and then tries to stand up. Kal moves forward to help. “Don’t.” she tells him.
“Diana, please be reasonable.” Kal pleads with her.
Her face darkens but she realises that she isn't getting up without help. “Ok fine but just this once.” she relents.
Kal says nothing more hoping to avoid setting her off again and gently helps her to her feet. “Now will you need help with packing anything?” he asks.
“Well maybe. But don’t say or even think I’m helpless because I’m not.”
“Ok Diana.”
Diana smiles at him “I love you Kal.”
Kal returns the smile “I love you too.” Hopefully that’s Diana calm for a few hours.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eris stands at a great crack in the Atlas mountains. She smirks knowing this is where the Titan Atlas is imprisoned as he holds the sky aloft forever. It’s a very clever place to hide a secret door to the Underworld. She had spent weeks searching the world for ancient artefacts like her brother had told her to and had now gathered them here in one place. Combined their energies would create a crack through to the Underworld. She waits for the sun to rise and as it’s rays hit each object in turn it sends out a pulse of energy. They combine and a portal opens and then her brother walks through it.
“Brother!” Eris says with glee.
Ares was free from the pit. At last, fresh air and sunshine again. Strange how he should miss such simple things and of course standing there, waiting is his sister. Well she didn’t mess this up perhaps he should be kind just this one. “Thank you my sister. Did you gather my followers as I asked?”
“I did and they wait where you told me to bring them.”
“Excellent my sister. Do you know if the Amazon Queen has given birth yet?”
“My spies say it will be any day now.”
“Good.” Yes this is all good. Everything has worked to plan. Now he will get his revenge on the Amazon Queen and her husband. “Come my sister. Lets us leave this place.” Both Eris and Ares leave not noticing the female figure watching them from above or another figure exit through the portal that still remains open.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donna is taking a break and hiding from the media in the Tower in Metropolis. It’s better than having to negotiate with one more damn official but at least she doesn’t have to do that for a few hours.
“So how’s Diana?” Barda asks.
“I would go with moody but that is something of an understatement.”
“She can’t be that bad?”
Donna lifts up her sleeve and there is a scar on her right arm “This is her handy work last time I went to visit. She’s tried to castrate Superman on no less than half a dozen different occasions I know about. I’ve never seen anything like it and I’ve seen plenty of pregnant amazons. I mean their mood swings are pretty bad but compared to Diana they’re almost benign.”
“How is Kal?”
“Amazing. Don’t know how he copes or how he manages to get her to calm down. He’s the only one that can now. I cannot wait till this is over and then I’m going to tell them to remember to use protection next time because I am never enduring this again.”
Just then Terry as Batman walks in on the two of them “Hey Donna. How are you?”
“Tired.”
“So has Diana given birth yet?”
Donna laughs “No.”
“Still suffering from mood swings I take it.” Terry deduces form Donna’s tone.
“Worse than ever. Don’t visit if you value your life.”
“Right. That’s ok I’m going to be suffering from those myself soon.”
Donna focuses on him “Oh you and Dana finally succeed did you?”
“Yes. She’s pregnant.”
“Congratulations. Sorry I haven’t been keeping up lately. Hey did you ever find out who was stealing those artefacts?”
“No, not really. I bumped into her a couple of months back but she got away and I haven’t be able to find her since. Can’t figure out how or why she’s doing it. It makes no sense but I won’t burden you with it. You’re probably busy being the ambassador and all.”
“Yes and been busy fighting to survive my sister.” Donna says. In some ways she’s thankful Diana won the vote in the Senate. Ok it had been a close thing but she scraped home and Donna agreed to become ambassador and at least she is away from Themyscira a lot of the time, thank the gods. As much as she loves Diana she can only take so much. Anyway her musings are interrupted by a very familiar voice.
“I am afraid it is your sister that will need to fight to survive.” the voice says.
Donna turns round “Athena!” Donna bows in front of her “You honour us with your presence.”
“Rise child. I have grave news.”
“What has happened?”
“Ares has escaped.”
Donna’s eyes widen with fear “Diana! He’s going after her isn’t he?”
Athena nods.
“But she’s on Themyscira. He can’t get on, not this time. The other gods…”
Athena cuts Donna off. “Will do nothing as they see this as a chance to be rid of a possible threat.” she informs her.
Donna’s eyes narrow. Diana had told her about the gods’ view that her child could be a threat to them. “Not this rubbish again. If you think for one second I will stand by and do nothing…”
“I do not.” Athena says to Donna. She then materialises a sword in her hand “This sword has the power to kill a god. Ares has trespassed on to Themyscira so none of the other gods would question it if he was to die.”
Donna gulped at the realisation that she would have the power to kill one of the beings she worships. Donna takes the sword.
“You must go now if you wish to save your sister’s life.” Athena tells her.
Donna nods “Thank you Athena.”
“Go child. I will do what I can to persuade the others to intervene.” Athena says as she fades away.
“So will you actually kill him?” Terry asks Donna after witnessing that.
“If I must I will. He will not harm my sister.” Donna says emphatically.
“We will come and help.” Barda states.
Donna shakes her head “You can’t. You’ll never get past the Sentinels. Kal can because, well you know why he can, being married to Diana, he gets special permission to be allowed through them. We may have rejoined the World Assembly but that doesn’t mean we’ve lowered the defences around Themyscira . I’m sorry but none of you can help. I’ll have to do this by myself.” she explains as she quickly makes her exit from the tower.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diana is being examined by Epione. “Well?” Diana asks impatiently. She really wants this pregnancy to be over with.
“The child has dropped. It will be any time now.” Epione responds.
“Good.” Diana says
“Oh I think now is a perfect time.” a voice says and then a tower of flame appears.
Diana’s eyes widen at the tower of flame. No it can’t be. The flame transforms into a man. “Ares!” Diana hisses.
Ares smirks “Your Majesty. My, my. Haven’t we grown.” he says in reference to Diana’s large bump.
Diana tries to stand but can’t. “Don’t waste your time and don’t bother praying to the gods either. They aren’t listening I’m reliable informed.” Ares tells her.
“Kal will stop you like he did before.”
Ares chuckles “Well he probably would if he wasn’t busy.”
Just then there is a large noise like thunder and the ground shakes. “Ahh I see he’s met my children and my followers are keeping your sisters busy so it is just you and me.” Ares informs Diana.
Diana’s blood burns with fury “What do you want?”
“Oh it’s very simple. I’m here for your child.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kal was standing on a beach while Epione examined Diana. They had both insisted that he leave which he found strange since he knows the most about their child, like the sex which Diana has decided she wants to be a surprise. That hasn’t helped in narrowing names down. Their child could be born any day and they have this list of like 20 different names still. Oh well as long as their child is healthy, that’s all that matters. Then to his hearing he notices two figures appear behind him. He spins round and see two figures he hasn’t seen in years. Phobos and Deimos, the sons of Ares.
“It has been a long time Kryptonian.” Phobos says.
To Kal’s eyes they look like simply 2 large men similar in appearance to Ares but he knows it’s an illusion especially in Phobos’ case. “What are you doing here?”
“Revenge.” Deimos says as he charges forward and throws a punch at Kal.
Kal catches the fist and grits his teeth at the strain of stopping it. He had forgotten how strong Deimos is. He takes Deimos arm and spins at superspeed before throwing Deimos into the air. He crashes down and the ground shakes. In the distance Kal can hear the sound of battle. Something bigger is going on but he doesn’t have time to work out what as Phobos attacks him.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“What do you mean my child?” Diana asks, fear now present in her voice.
“I’m going to take your child and raise it as my own. With its power not even my fellow gods will dare challenge me and since you’re not ready to give birth just yet I’ll guess I’ll just have to cut it out of you.” Ares says as he reaches for a dagger.
“You will not touch her!” Donna screams as she charges in through the door.
Ares spins to look at her. “Do you think you can stop me child?” he asks mockingly.
“Lets find out.” Donna replies as she charges forward swinging her sword at Ares who dodges until one blow nicks his cheek. He jumps back in shock at the pain and when he puts his hand to his cheek he sees blood. He stares at Donna.
“A gift from your sister.” Donna tells him.
“Athena.” Ares says menacingly. “I’ll make her pay for this later after I have dealt with you.” Ares then draws his own sword and attacks Donna.
Diana watches Ares and Donna duel. Her stress level is rising. Epione takes her hand. “You should go” Diana tells her.
“No your Majesty. You will need me especially now.”
Diana is about to query that but discovers it is unnecessary as she notices the water on the floor around her. It has started.
As passionate as Donna is Ares possess greater skill and he disarms her and knocks her to the ground. He raises his sword to finish her when his attention is caught by Diana screaming as she suffers her first contraction. “Well now. My timing is good today. I’ll be with you in a minute Diana after I kill your sister.”
Before Ares can strike he is blasted by a ball of energy and flies into the opposite wall. All in the room look to see where it came from and eyes widen at the sight. Ares picks himself up and stares at his attacker. “Hades.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For months Hades had been imprisoned in those chains by Ares. Eventually he managed to get a few of the damned souls to free him. He intended to seek Ares out and make him pay for this humiliation but he couldn’t find him. In his own underworld, the one he had ruled for centuries, he couldn’t find Ares anywhere. Then suddenly, one day he felt it, a ripple, a tear, a doorway. Ares had found another way out. Hades made his way quickly to where Ares was but Ares left just as he reached the opening. Hades stepped through the opening and back into the world. Fresh air again. Hades took a breath but quickly went on Ares trail.
Hades found him at a gathering of his followers and listened as Ares gave a speech about attacking Themyscira. Then it occurred to him. Diana. He intended to get revenge on Diana. He couldn’t allow that so he followed Ares to Themyscira and was surprised by a couple of things. One he saw the Kryptonian he had heard so much about battling Ares’ sons. He wondered how he had been allowed on Themyscira and second when he finally found Ares, he found Diana pregnant and about to give birth. Ares was about to kill Diana’s sister and he couldn’t allow that either so he intervened.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Did you think I had forgotten what you did Ares? I told you I would make you pay and by the way it is very careless to leave a door open. You never know what might escape.” Hades says to Ares.
“You’ve gone soft with some deluded idea of parenthood towards Diana. It will be your undoing Hades.” Ares states.
“Perhaps but not before yours.” Hades says as he launches himself at Ares and both go crashing through the wall to the outside.
Donna struggles to her feet, spitting out some blood from where Ares had hit her and goes over to Diana. “Diana you ok?”
“Noooo!” Diana screams as another contraction hits and Epione does her best to comfort Diana
“Ooh that looks painful. Glad I never had children.”
All 3 look at the new person that has appeared. “Eris.” Diana hisses out with as much venom as she said Ares’ name.
“Your Majesty. Of course who would want a screaming whining infant. Personally I fail to see the attraction.”
“What do you want?” Donna grinds out.
“Well personally I would kill the child and be done with it but my dearest brother wants the child alive so I’ll being taking the child and leaving while my brother and uncle settle their differences.”
Despite her injuries Donna steps between Eris and Diana.
Eris laughs at her “Look at you. You can barely stand. Do you really think you can stop me?”
“No but I will.” a new voice tells them all.
