Warrior Princess
Written by Hellacre13
Chapter 30:
WEDDING DAY
Part Two
Summary:The wedding of Clark and Diana have been interrupted by the children of Ares and,well, it's mayhem on the farm. Here's Part Two...Enjoy.
Zatanna and John looked on in horror at the melding of the grotesque Phobos with Bruce. Phobos seemed to grow larger."I can feel his wrath. His anger. His rage at the world. It feeds me!"
He looked upon Zatanna."I do not even have to do anything to you,do I,my pretty?This is your greatest fear?To see him thus?"He laughed."This way he can strike terror into all mankind. I will never give him up and he will never give me up!We are one of a kind!"
Phobos grabbed Zatanna by the neck."Why so silent?Why not hex me,you little witch?"The voice was Bruce's and Zatanna felt her heart throb with pain. The green serpent attached to Phobos hissed and brushed against her cheek. Its forked tongue seemed to lick her skin. She shuddered in revulsion.
She swallowed."Bruce,if you can hear me. It's Zee!Don't let him take you!"
Phobos laughed."Pitiful creature!I think we need a sacrifice of old. What say you?Shall we behead her and lay her on the altar?"
John tried to grab her but was smacked way. Zatanna was staring at Phobos' jagged,razor-sharp teeth that salivated. She tried to open her mouth to hex him,but her mind was a blank.
The God of Fear was making her forget her spells. They were a jumbled mess in her mind. She gulped and whispered,"The Bruce I know fights for justice. Not vengeance .He is brave and strong and stands up to evil. He does not kill!"
Phobos leered."He will now!It will be the ultimate initiation. Once he draws blood. He will be one with me forever!"
He was about to put his teeth to her throat when Zatanna closed her eyes. A tear slipped down her cheek."Bruce..."she whispered and waited for the end.
Phobos tried to sink his teeth into her jugular but found he couldn't. Something was stopping him. He dropped Zatanna and held his head."Get out of me!Get out of me!"
Zatanna scrambled away in bewilderment and watched him scream and tear at his wild mane. He fell to the floor and writhed and it was as if another person was trying to get out. A human hand was reaching out of Phobos' chest, stretching towards her. Zatanna cried,"Bruce!"
She reached for it and pulled."I'm here!You are not alone!"
The hand gripped hers and she heaved with all her might. Phobos screamed as Bruce Wayne emerged out of his body and fell heavily against was soaked to the skin in slime and he looked down at her as if he had been embattling his way in the dark,all alone,with no sign of light,and now seeing her he could not believe he had made it out alive.
She looked up at him and flung her arms around his neck."You're back!Thank god!"
He held her tightly,kissing her soft,sweet smelling hair. It made him feel alive and the coldness of being absorbed by the God of Fear dissipated. He then rasped, "Phobos!"
Zatanna looked at the God as he rose once more. She cried,"Phobos,none here fear you!OG KCAB OT RUOY DLORW!"
Phobos roared and saw John Henry Irons rise,and stumbled to stand with her and Bruce."None here fear you!",they said together. He began to grow smaller,and smaller and soon he was shriveling like an old man.
Deimos had J'onn,John Zatara,Ferdinand and Scott Free writhing in pain as they lived through their own nightmares. John Zatara was seeing Sindella die all over again,and Zatanna was going to suffer the same fate. Ferdinand was remembering himself as a human,seeing his parents,his love, his friends scorn him and a mob chase and cast him out of his home.
Scott was seeing Darkseid take back Barda and she was once again with the cruel Furies. And J'onn was with his wife and child and then the great disaster destroying his home was happening and he was arriving to find a wasted planet, all of his race dead.
J'onn was screaming their names. No one was there. He was alone. The pain was as akin to someone ripping his heart out of its chest.
He head a voice."J'onn,it is Jor-el. It is not real..."
J'onn looked around at the silent red sands and shook his head. Who spoke?Was he dreaming?Who was Jor-el?
The he heard a voice."J'onn,you promised to watch over my son."
J'onn gasped. Jor-el!And he remembered. He stood up and looked up at the sky. He shouted,"This is not real. I am not here. It has been an age since they died. I made my peace!I made my peace!"
He opened his eyes to see Clark kneeling before him and shaking him."Kal-el...?"He sat up and shook his head."I heard Jor-el..."
Clark looked at him puzzled."What?"
J'onn looked at him and sighed. Perhaps it had been in his mind. Clark helped him up. He said urgently,"J'onn,Deimos is overpowering our friends!We need to help to them!"
J'onn nodded. He phased out and appeared over John Zatarra and rested his hands on his head. John began to sob and gasp. His breathing became shallow and he suddenly was quiet. He opened his eyes to see J'onn above him."You are safe,John was an illusion."
Meanwhile Clark hovered over Deimos and clenched his fists,"Put them down!"
The God of Terror,who still had Ferdinand and Scott entwined in his beard,laughed."Never!They are mine!And so will you be!"
Remaining tendrils pounced for Clark. Clark jumped and somersaulted in the air,and flew out of his reach. Deimos snarled."You are fast for a mortal..."
Clark shot back,"I am mortal but not the kind that you are accustomed to tormenting,Deimos."
Deimos dropped Scott and the Minotaur and went after him. Clark flew ahead,seeing the God striding after him like a giant. They were in the dead,wilted fields now. The rain still pelted down and the wind was blustering. Clark looked at him and saw a huge fist coming down. He caught it and it felt like a mountain pushing him down. Clark gritted his teeth and lifted him and threw him over his head. Deimos smashed into the ground carving out a chasm and making the earth rumble. His eyes glowed and he roared."I will kill you!How dare you touch a God?"
He looked at Clark and used his fists to clap the air. The sonic boom sent Clark hurtling backwards and smashing into a water tower.
Deimos loomed over him."I will make your bowels turn to water,you puny man!When my pets sink their teeth into your skin and their venom paralyzes you will know terror like never before. You will pray for mercy and for death!"
Clark said dryly,"I am not a man!"He focused his eyes and all his strength and energy went into it. Red heat glared,it was as the fires of Hephaestus himself and blasted Deimos. The God felt the heat surround him,and he shrieked and felt it eating into him. The snakes on his beard seemed to catch fire,and his body smouldered. Clark fell back heavily to the ground.
The ground shook beneath Diana's feet. She could hear the battle between Deimos and Clark.
Eris laughed."Listen to that. My brother will take your beloved. I promise you that. You want to help him?You must kill me first, Amazon."
Diana put her blade across her neck."Do not presume to tell me what to do..."
Eris coaxed."That's it,Princess. Feel the rage and anger. Let it consume you. Can you see his broken body?It lies bleeding on the cold earth and you are alone. He is not with you anymore."
Diana listened. She felt herself being swayed by Eris words. She saw Clark. Dead. She was alone in the apartment,having to pack his things. Martha couldn't do it. She was ill with grief. Then she was at the funeral. A casket was covered with the red cloth with the S shield and the hands of his colleagues touched it in veneration and sorrow as they passed by. Diana was in black,sitting down at the front. She looked up to see Eris across from her smiling.
Diana's hand clenched and she cried."Don't you dare laugh!You,you and your ilk...you are responsible for this!"
She flew across to Eris and took her throat in her hand. She squeezed.
A voice in her head whispered."That is right. She is. She is responsible for strife,war and destruction. The world will be better off without her. Kill her. Do it now!"
"I..."Diana felt herself hesitate. The world would be better off...wouldn't it?No strife. No war. No destruction.
"Do it..."
She opened her eyes to lift the sword and behead Eris when the gold metal of the ring on her finger flashed. She saw it and she remembered. A toke of love. Love. Clark. She saw the red blast in the distance. She remembered!She pushed Eris down onto the ground."I know what you want me to do. But I will not do it. You win if I kill you. You and your brothers feed of hate and fear. I will not be manipulated by darkness."
She took to the air,leaving the stunned and outraged Eris lying on the floor,tied up in the lasso of truth."Why you little...!How dare you leave me here!Come back!Untie me!"
She flew towards Clark and dropped on the ground. He was on his back,eyes closed,and writhing several yards away in pain was Deimos. The God was far from dead but he looked charred. The flames had been snuffed out with the rain,and he laid groaning,smoke emanating from him.
Diana gasped with real dismay and knelt down."Clark...Kal...!"
The moment she lifted him to her,his eyes fluttered open and he gave a weak smile. She let out a sigh of relief and cradled him to her bosom."Oh thank Hera!You had me so worried!"
He said huskily,"That blast took it all out of me...No sun to recharge..."
She kissed his wet brow."I think you managed to make it count though. Deimos is incapacitated. I have Eris entangled in my lasso...I..."
Before she could continue,there was a flash of thunder and the God of War,Ares himself stood in the field. The God wore armor and a helm that covered his face. His eyes glowed red. His voice thundered above the wind and rain. He hovered upon Deimos.
"You pitiful excuse for a god...Is this how you take up the battle?You let that puny mortal hurt you?"
Deimos looked up."Father...I...He is not just any mortal...He is not of this world...He has power the likes of which I have never seen. He is stronger than even Heracles... "
Ares picked up Deimos by the neck."Pathetic. A babe could do better. You and those fools could not even hold you own." Ares waved his hand and Eris appeared,still tied up in the lasso, and Phobos as a shriveled old man."Look at the three of you!You are not worthy to even be called my children. They made a mockery out of you."
He levitated all three and they begged for mercy. Ares said scornfully,"Begone all three. You sicken me. I will attend to you when I have dealt with the Amazon and her lover."
They vanished. The magic lasso dropped to the ground.
Ares turned to look upon Diana,who was holding Clark to her,and staring with bemusement at the exchange. Ares rumbled."So,you two are the ones to destroy me?I find that particularly amusing as you both look about as alarming as a pair of new-born kittens. But you managed to take down my three idiotic children. Interesting development .It makes me wonder now if there is any truth in this prophesy and perhaps I may have to take steps to prevent that."
Diana looked at Ares unwaveringly."I am Hera's champion, God of War,and it is my duty to fight all the forces of Darkness."
"So,Amazon,stand and fight. He seems to have no strength left. I could slay him with one look..."
Diana looked at Ares as he produced a fire ball and threw it from hand to hand, as if goading her to rise. She frowned."Yours was the voice urging me to kill,Eris. She is your daughter. You her sire. Have you no care for her?"
Ares shrugged."I am the God of War. War knows no loyalty nor acknowledges no ties. So get up,Princess,or do you want me to kill you both now?"
Diana looked at Clark. He gritted,"Save yourself. You have a chance..."
Diana replied obstinately,"I will not leave you. We are in this together...
"I'm spent,Diana. Stop being a martyr. Go or else..."
She put a finger to stop his words."Or else what?And don't glare at me...because that is not going to work..."
"Stubborn minx..."
She laughed with tears in her eyes and held him close."That is pot calling kettle black..."
He moved his arms so it was around her."I know."
Ares sounded aggravated."Insanity!You cosset each other and will not fight?"
Diana shook her head."No. Do your worst. I would rather die with him than give you the satisfaction of having me kill in your name!"
His voice bellowed."Your choice!I will slay you both...and it will be a slow,painful death..."
A voice appeared behind him."Not unless you wish to be chained to Mount Caucasus for an eternity."
Ares spun around,standing above him was Hera. Behind her Athena and Aphrodite. The rain and wind instantly died down and the clouds began to break,and sunlight began to slowly peep through and filter down upon the wet,wilted fields.
"Mother..."Ares looked at Hera,who was looking at him with disdainful eyes,and clenched his fists.
"Aphrodite told me you were intending to do this and I doubted her. I told her you would not be so stupid to personally slay our Champion...But it seems it was true...Lay a finger on them,Ares, and Zeus will summon his wrath upon you..."
Ares looked at her with a pitying look."Zeus is a fool. He gifts these puny beings,loves them as he would pets...gives them power...How can you stand by and let him make them feel they are our equal?You,Mother,how many times has he humiliated you?By bedding these women... Sembele, Niobe, Antiope, Danae, Alcemene; the list goes on and on and yet you stand up for them?"
Hera's eyes smouldered. "Enough out of you!One more word about my relationship with Zeus or lack thereof and I will ensure you are tied to Ixion's Wheel myself. Now depart before I change my mind..."
Ares looked at Aphrodite scathingly,"You!You went behind my back and betrayed me and your children?"
She looked indifferent."I betrayed no one. They had their chance. They failed. You saw that. But you now moving against someone I blessed and that I cannot let go unnoticed. I am bound to look out for the Princess as her patron...I owe none but Zeus loyalty,Ares."
His eyes glowed red "You and I are at an end."
Aphrodite yawned."Yes,well,so be it."
He seemed to fume through the helm and glared at her and before he turned away,he gave Diana and Clark a lingering look and vanished.
Hera turned to look upon Diana and Clark. Diana helped Clark sit up. He gave her a little nod as if to assure her he was okay and gestured for her to go to her Gods. The re-emergence of the sun would recharge him.
She rose to kneel and bow before them,"My Lady Hera, Athena,Aphrodite...your champion offers her obeisances...".
Hera said gravely,"You may rise and face us,Diana of Themyscira. I thought for a moment you would kill Eris. I feared the worse. Never have I seen such anger in you. I thought we may have to intervene. But Athena stopped me. She felt you had to chose."
Diana looked pained."I wanted to kill her and I was going to..."
Athena asked curiously,"Yet you stayed your hand...Why?"
"Killing Eris would not have brought back what I thought I had lost,and the more I raged the more I forgot...it was this that made me remember..."She looked at the ring on her finger."This simple band of gold...it made me remember where I was and who I was."
Aphrodite looked smug."My gift. Not really yours,Athena..."
Athena assented."Perhaps."
Hera looked at Clark. He was standing on his feet now,looking stronger but rather wary. He was not too sure how to take Diana's Gods who seem to operate rather capriciously. He maintained a respectful distance."So he is the one you have chosen to bond yourself. A Kryptonian. One not of this world .No wonder they were worried about your union..."
Diana looked puzzled. Hera did not enlighten her
"You were ready to lay down your life for him...and he for you. It is admirable...It is not the first time either .Not too long ago,he fought a God for you. Impressive. You have made us proud thus far, Princess. This day was a true test of your mettle and your judgment. Losing ones happiness is a nightmare and yet you managed to resist all temptation to become a destroyer. You have our blessing, Diana. I hope you and your chosen love live in harmony until the end of your days. May you also be given the strength to carry on as our champion,spreading the ideals of peace,love,hope and justice,and inspiring humankind ."
"Thanks you,my Lady Hera. I will always try to fulfill my duty to the best of my ability."
Hera smiled and she vanished with the other two goddess. The sun began to shine down brightly and clouds dispersed to show clear,blue skies.
Diana felt strong,muscular arms come around her from behind and draw her back. She let out a sigh of relief and dropped her head back on his shoulder. He kissed her temples."Are you alright?'
She turned within his arms and studied him."Are you?"
"I am feeling stronger with every moment..."
Diana suddenly stiffened."The others..."
Clark smiled. He looked over her shoulder and seemed to look at the house in the distance and listen."Everyone is all accounted for. I can hear Carter groaning and cursing John for punching him. Mom is bringing ice-packs and handing them around. Lois isn't happy cause Chloe gave her a black eye. The marquee is all ruined,along with the food and Dinah is moaning about being covered in slime. J'onn and Ferdinand have begun to start cleaning. I can hear your mother saying this would not have happened if we had the wedding on Themyscira. .Julia hopes it's not because I saw you in your dress. Your embassy staff are all being revived. They seemed to have all been concussed when the marquee fell."
Diana laughed wearily."Gaea,we will never hear the end of it. Thank the Gods all are okay. What a day...and we aren't even married..."
He said wryly,"I know...Seems as if we'll have to wait a bit longer to be Mr and Mrs Kent..."
"Time for us to go help clean up,"she sighed.
He nodded."Yes,let's go."
They took to the skies and flew back to the house.
Some hours later the Kent backyard was quiet and bare. There was nothing to even suggest that there had been a wedding ceremony nor a battle. The broken gazebo,fallen debris,destroyed marquee,broken tables and chairs,the scattered food, had all been cleared away. The extra staff had been sent home. The hole in the barn had been patch up. The tree that had come alive was standing harmlessly in its old place. The stark fields were the only give away,along with the destroyed water tower;but the latter had been salvaged and repaired by Clark and J'onn.
Most people could not remain back later even if they wanted to. Barda, Scott, Vic, Lois, Lana, Michael, Bart,Julia,Ferdinand,John,Chloe and Jimmy had to leave. They all had jobs or duties to get back to in the morning and regretfully had to say farewell to the bride and groom and Mrs Kent. Clark wasn't sure at first what he and Diana would do in terms of another ceremony but promised to inform them all when they did decide.
Left back were Hippolyta,and Phillipus(Mnemosyne and Cleo having left with Juila,Ferdinand and the Embassy staff)J'onn, Zatanna,Bruce,Mr Zatara,Oliver,Dinah and the old pastor. Martha had them all come inside whilst she made tea and sandwiches. Zatanna and Dinah helped her,whilst the others sat in the living room and relaxed. Hippolyta,Phillipus and J'onn watched television. Oliver and Bruce played chess whilst John Zatara listened to the pastor tell him about his days as a soldier during the war. Only the bride and groom were absent.
They sat outside in the twilight on the steps and watched the streaks of scarlet,gold and purple hazing the horizon,taking five minutes alone to themselves after such an eventful afternoon.
Clark was still in his shirt sleeves ,and Diana in her ruined white silk. Her head was on his shoulder."It's the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen..."
"It's like an artist's pallet."
"Clark..."
"Hmm?'
"So what are we going to do?''
"I don't know. What would you like to do?
"I don't feel I want another wedding ceremony. Mother is trying to get me to consider one at Themyscira,but it feels excessive after what we went through today."
"I know...Dressing up and going through the motions twice feels sort of anti-climactic to me..."
She sighed and looked at the ring on her finger."How I wish we could have gotten married today..."
He nodded."Me too."
She turned the ring on her finger and said ruefully,"We'll need to put these away. We can't afford for anyone to see them or to lose them."
He stilled her hand before she could pull it off."There is no reason why we still can't."
Diana straightened up and looked at him."But half the guests are gone and we ...Look at us!It's as if we have been dragged under a hedge and back..."
Clark smiled."You still look as beautiful to me...even more so with a few streaks on your cheek...Come on..."
He stood up and held out his hand to her. She gave him her hand and he led her into the house."Kal,I don't know how..."
Martha had just come out with a tray of sandwiches and turned."There you are. Come and grab a bite. Everyone must be starving. I have egg,ham,tuna,and turkey..."
Clark looked at her and smiled."Later."His eyes fell on the pastor who was chatting with John Zatara, and he went up to him."Pastor,can you finish what you started?"
Hippolyta turned."What?"
Martha looked bemused."What?"
Everyone looked up. Oliver made a careless move and Bruce smiled at him and said,"Checkmate."
Oliver glared "You caught me off guard..."
"You were eavesdropping,"he retorted.
Diana looked at Clark bemused."Kal...How?"
Clark looked at the pastor and persisted."Can you?'
The man stood up."Yes,my boy...I was almost finished...It was just to tie up the formal announcement...You two have already said your vows in my sight and I know in the sight of the Lord...I just thought you would all want to have another ceremony again...and to be able to feel the part..."He gestured to their soiled and torn clothing.
Clark looked around."I don't think we need another ceremony. Our friends who left would understand and of those who are here...well,with all due respect...the two most important people to Diana and myself are here to bear witness..."He looked at Martha and Hippolyta."I don't think it matters what we wear."
"Well certainly I can do that,if that's what you want,"smiled the old man.
Clark turned to Diana."You want to do this?"
Diana's eyes sparkled and she said without hesitation,"Yes."
"Right. Pastor?"
The pastor stood up. Martha looked bemused."Clark?Here?Look ate the state of the living room,at everyone...We are all a mess...and Jimmy's gone...How will you even take a photo...?"
"Mom,it's fine. In fact..."His eyes glanced at a picture of Jonathan Kent smiling down at them on the mantle piece,"it's perfect."
Hippolyta began dubiously,"Diana,this is ...well,this is so unseemly..."
Diana looked ready to do battle with anyone to dare suggest otherwise."How is it unseemly?"
"There is no formality...and Martha is right the room is so cramped ...And look at you...a mess...".Hippolyta began to smooth her hair and dust her torn dress. Diana rolled her eyes."Mother...stop fussing..."
Dinah came up with a napkin and wiped Diana's cheek."I think she looks lovely. It's a wonderful idea,and I'm so glad I could be here."
Martha at Hippolyta."I don't know what to say..."
Bruce commented,"Seems to me they are going to do it anyway so why don't we just get on with it?"
Zatanna gave him a warm smile from across the room.
The pastor said with a light tone,"Well,there isn't much to do. Stand before me,you two."
Martha began fretfully,"At least change into something fresh. You have a clean shirt upstairs,Clark. And Diana,I think the dress you decided to wear for the after-party..."
Clark shook his head,kissed his mother's head and said firmly,"No,Mom. Now. As we are."
"But..."she floundered,torn between wanting the best wedding for her son and overwhelmed by his calm but determined look.
Hippolyta sighed,"They are both very stubborn,Martha. They are determined not to heed our advice...and to be honest, after today,the sooner they do this the better...because who knows what tomorrow brings?"
Clark smiled."Thank you..."He took Diana's hand and they looked at the Pastor who was taking up his bible and putting on his glasses.
The Pastor gestured for the pair to stand before him whilst everyone looked to take a seat.
Dinah sat near Oliver and beamed."I can't believe this...They are going to do it!"
Oliver looked at her face as it glowed with pleasure and he mused,"You ,um,think you'd like to do what they are doing?"
"What?"
"You heard me."
"You asking me to marry you?"She looked stunned."What brought this on...?"
He put his finger to her lips."Sssh. The pastor is going to start. Think about it...and give me an answer when you can."
Dinah crossed her arms and glared. He pretended not to see her.
The pastor cleared his throat."I am not going to get into any long winded speech. Neither am I going to ask you to repeat vows which you have taken before me and your friends and family. All I will ask is if no one has any objections?And this time I hope no chairs grow feet or none of those sandwiches grow teeth as I'm very hungry and just want to sit down and eat and have some of Martha's fine home made wine. "He looked around the living room. Everyone was laughing.
He nodded."None?Good. Before I seal the covenant this pair have taken,let me remind this gathering..."Love is patient,love is kind. It does not envy,it does not boast,it is not proud. It is not rude,it is not self seeking,it keeps no records of wrongs, Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts,always hopes always perseveres. Love never fails..And now these three remain: faith,hope and love. But the greatest of these is love"...And love is what we have witnessed today. It took on the will of gods and triumphed. Clark and Diana,with the power vested in me,I now pronounce you man and wife."
He closed the bible and looked at Clark."You may kiss your bride."
Clark took her face between his hands and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Diana let out a sigh and returned the kiss in kind. Everyone rose and clapped. Martha wiped her eyes and groped for a handkerchief but couldn't find one. Hippolyta smiled and gave her a napkin.
Clark raised his head and grinned."Finally."
Diana flung her arms around him and he nearly lifted her clear off her feet as he embraced her tightly.
The pastor said loudly above the surge of people coming to hug and congratulate them." I give you Mr and Mrs Kent."
Dinah pulled Oliver's sleeve before they went up to the newly weds."I thought about it."
He paused."And?"
"Yes."
"Yes?Really?"
She rolled her eyes."Ollie..."
He gave a grin of delight and relief."Let's congratulate them and later when we go home we'll finish this conversation..."
"But..."
He kissed her swiftly and firmly,"Later..."And he took her hand and they went up to wish their friends joy and success.
Martha sighed after hugging and kissing the pair,"What a pity we have no Jimmy here..."
Oliver fished out his cell phone."No,but I have this. Clark and Diana,smile..."
Clark circled his arms around Diana's waist and they posed for what would turn out to be,even after having Jimmy take them professionally,the best and happiest photograph of them together.
Clark had come back home after having flown the old pastor to his house across town. The old man had never in all his life expected to be flown by Superman himself and he had been like an excited kid to be soaring in the skies. He even got Clark to fly him up as far as he could so he could look down upon the earth and experience what it felt like to be close to the heavens and his god.
Clark hovered high above the farmhouse and was about to land on the pathway,when he saw Bruce and Zatanna standing together on the porch. He could hear them and for a moment he stopped,careful not to let them see him and for the moment to break.
Bruce was saying,"We were younger and things were so much simpler then,Zatanna..."
Zatanna looked at him. Her brow rose."Simpler?You used every chance you could get to run away...and even after today you still want to...I know you,Bruce...you can't...no,you won't let anyone in."
He looked at her a bit dubiously,"Zee,I...That's unfair...I'm not doing this to hurt you ...I have so many enemies...If they knew I cared for anyone in that way..."
She waved impatiently."Oh spare me. You think you're the only one with enemies?You think I don't know what I got into when I joined the League?I lost my mother too,you know...But I get it. You have one focus. And that is the mission. You will never let yourself be swayed from it or give something like love the chance to distract you. Well,you needed worry, Bruce,I won't pine away for you. I have long gotten use to the idea that you see me more as an annoyance than as a potential girlfriend. ..."
She turned to go inside. His hand shot out and caught her wrist."Zatanna,don't go..."
"What?"
"I don't know what...I mean,I'm not good at this...at least not when it's for real..."
She looked at him strangely."You expect me to believe Bruce Wayne,playboy extraordinaire, does not know how to court a woman?Come on,I'm not some beautiful journalist or model type...I'm just little annoying Zee...the one you can say anything to..."
He drew her to face him."That's the trouble. I can't hide anything from annoying little Zee."
Zatanna tried to warn him playfully."Don't say anything you will regret,Bruce."
"I think I may already be regretting this,you little witch...Why is it that for all that I have tried,you will not get out of my head?"
She felt her pulses flutter,and she muttered ."For the world's greatest detective,you are thick at times aren't you,Sherlock Holmes?I really pity poor Alfred. You have to be the most stubborn, obtuse, unyielding man I have ever had the misfortune to care for. I wish I..."
Bruce Wayne bent and kissed Zatanna Zatara into silence.
Clark grinned and did not wait to see more. He flew over the house and landed lightly at the back. He used his super vision and looked for Diana and saw her chatting with her mother and Phillipus in the living room. An hour had passed since they had been married and family and friends were all in a bouyant mood and celebrating in as much as they could in the simple Kent farmhouse. He smiled. God knows what he'd done to deserve to have a woman like Diana;who was not at all bothered by the trappings of wealth despite being from such a privileged background herself.
She was such a paradox at times. He recalled seeing her for the first time. She had pounded him,and never in all his life had he expected he would end up marrying her. What a merry dance she had led him too in the early days. He shook his head ruefully. He hadn't been too happy then with having his existence turned up sided down...but that was when he didn't understand nor knew what having power meant and what a responsibility it was. Diana called it her duty. She saw it as her right and an honor to serve, never an obligation. She never saw it as a burden. It was from her and Oliver,J'onn, his parents and even Lex he learned that being Superman was a gift. Albeit a difficult one,but he never resented it now. He wanted it.
He could not imagine himself any other way nor life without Diana.
He entered via the back door and found Martha in the kitchen."Well,I dropped him off."
"Oh,Clark. You're back. Thank you,sweetie. He reckoned he could walk but I think it's too late and he's not strong as he use to be."
"He more than makes it up with his stories..."smiled Clark recalling the pastor regaling him with tales of bygone days.
"I know. He has quite a sharp memory. He forgets nothing..." Martha was about to carry out a simple sponge she had baked earlier that week. After the chaos of the afternoon,all the catered food had ended up on the ground under the weight of the collapsed marquee.
She said,"Honey,you think this will be okay?I have ice cream in the fridge too...I know it's not the lovely berry mousse we had planned for the dinner but it will do,don't you think?Let's see,I think this should feed eleven..."
Clark said,"You don't have to count Diana nor myself."
"You don't want any?"
"No,we're not going stick around for too much longer..."
Martha suddenly smiled."I see. Keen to get going?"
Clark smiled."You could say that."
She sighed."Well,I guess it has been a long day and you must be eager to go on your honeymoon. I know distance isn't an issue but where exactly are you two going to go by the way?"
"The Fortress."
"Oh. In that vast icy wasteland?When you could go to some tropical desert island?Or some luxurious five star hotel or villa in some romantic location?"
Clark shrugged."That would have been a waste when we have a perfectly secluded spot in the north...where no one will question seeing Clark or Diana and besides,I don't think we'd be coming out much anyway..."
Martha looked at him with an amused air."Well,you certainly aren't mincing words these days are you?"
Clark grinned."No point,is there?"He took the cake off her."I'll take this in."
The bride and groom alighted outside the freezing,icy shelf that was home to the Fortress of Solitude. The wind was up and howling at this time of night and Diana followed him up the winding path to the entrance of the lair,which was now fenced in by large metal doors and only could be accessed by a code. Clark punched the code in and the doors slid open. He turned to her.
"Welcome,Mrs Kent..."And to her bemusement he swept her off her feet.
Diana let out a laugh."What are you doing?"
"It's tradition to carry one's wife over the threshold."
She put her arms about his neck."Is it really?"
"Yes..."He gave her a lingering kiss on the mouth.
He stepped over the doorway and then elbowed the panel and it slid shut behind them. He walked in with her and she looked around with awe. It had been several months since she had visited and he had done so much to it. Greeting them was the sculpture of his biological parents,Jor-el and Lara; and they stopped before it. Clark gently put Diana down and they both reverentially looked up. Diana's culture understood paying homage to the ancestors and she watched him bow and say something in Kryptonese.
She closed her eyes too and whispered her own gratitude to the heads of the house of El who had birthed the man before her and sent him to the Earth. If it weren't for their actions,the world would not have their savior and she her love.
Clark looked at her."I have to secure the Fortress and call in to let Mom know we're okay. You want to go clean up?"
Diana looked down at herself. She had been in her torn gown for hours."Hera,yes..."
She left him and went towards the area he had converted into a habitat area with bedroom and bath. She knew her way around as she had frequently during their courtship come and spent time with him,and she had clothing and personal effects littered around the place. When she entered the vast bedroom,the first thing one saw was a small altar in a corner where she often prayed to her own gods. She sighed and unhitched her lasso and gently rested it on a table top,kicked off her shoes and drew the gown over her head and took it off along with her undergarments and headed for the adjoining bathroom.
She was sitting on the bed ten minutes later,wearing only a towel,minus her silver bracelets,and combing her wet hair when Clark walked in.
She looked up."Everything okay?"
"Yes...I did a quick patrol,locked down and turned the sentries on alert and spoke to Mom. Your mother and Phillipus are still there. Everyone else have gone..."He flung his shirt on a nearby chair,kicked off his shoes and grabbed a towel and headed for the bathroom. He spoke loudly via the opened door,"Guess what...I think we may have a wedding to go to soon."
Diana looked up."Really?Whose?'
"Ollie popped Dinah the question today...and she said yes."
Diana dropped her brush and jumped to her feet."Really?How do you know?Did he tell you?"
"No. I couldn't help but overhear...I'll have to pretend I'm surprised when he tells me and it'd be nice if you tried to be too..."
Diana tutted."That super-hearing...Remind me not to tell any secrets with you around..."She walked over to the built-in closet and opened the doors.
He chuckled,and added,"Oh and I think Bruce may not be as indifferent to Zee anymore..."
Diana twirled around."Now you tell me!Did they sort things out?"
"You could say so..."
She smiled wryly,"Super-hearing again?"
"And super-vision..."
Diana sighed."I am so glad. She will do him the world of good, and he her...Why he fought against it so long I will never understand..."
Clark returned,"Well,both of us did that dance for a while...So don't be too hard on him..."
Diana went to her side of the closet and picked up a gift bag with a short silk red negligee and matching short night gown. The girls had given it to her as a gift at her bridal shower and they had been insistent that no man would be able to resist it. Diana studied the lace and ribbons and frowned."So much fuss...just to take it off in the end...What strange creatures are men..."
She felt a arm come around her waist and warm breath tingle her nape."That's quite a piece..."
Diana jumped."Hera...You are fast ..."She turned to see him with a towel about his hips,damp and glowing from his shower. She lifted the lingerie."You like it?I will wear it if you want...The girls said it is ...sexy...Is it sexy?"
Clark laughed. Years on and she still had that refreshing pragmatic innocence that he loved. He took it off her and flung it back in the closet."Yes,it is and maybe you can wear it another time...To me there is nothing sexier than you without a stitch of clothing on,Mrs Kent..."He tweaked her towel and it fell to the floor at her feet.
Diana laughed."Allow me to return the compliment and the favor,Mr Kent."
He grinned and they kissed each other passionately. Clark hoisted her up into his arms."Time to get this honeymoon on the way,Princess...I told the League we were not to be disturbed for anything..."
"Not even Darkseid or Circe?" she teased.
"Especially not them...Darkseid had ideas about you I don't like...Not that I blame him,mind you. You're too darn irresistible for your own good..."
Diana shifted and turned to see a pair of blue eyes looking at her in the faint light coming from the low burning lamp from the adjoining room
She whispered drowsily."I though you were asleep."
He smiled."I was...but you know every little thing wakes me..."
"I'm sorry..."
"No,don't be...I need only a couple of hours at a time..."
"What time is it?"She could hear the wind still howling outside. It was the last thing she remembered after falling asleep exhausted in his arms after hours of lovemaking.
"I think it's about five am..."
"Oh,still early..."She turned so she was cuddled against his shoulder.
He murmured in her hair."How are you doing?"
She yawned."I feel a little tired...but wonderful...Last night was...well...words can't describe it..."
He grinned."A satisfied customer then?"
Diana stroked his chest."Oh very satisfied..."She suddenly turned to look at him."Clark,Ares and Hera mentioned something...about a prophesy when I bonded with you...What do you think they meant?"
He shrugged."You and I fight for the forces of good. Everything Ares is against. It's not surprising he hates anything that stands against war and destruction..."
"But we did that anyway when were were with the League. What is it that had him so irked about us marrying?"
"Maybe he just hates anything to do with love...He and Aphrodite have an adulterous relationship after all..."
Diana looked thoughtful."You might be right...but I feel it's not that simple...Do you think he will ever forgive Aphrodite for her betrayal?
Clark turned her so she was lying under him."I don't know...and to be honest,right now I don't much care..."
Diana felt his desire and looked at him mockingly."You are insatiable tonight,Superman..."
"Well, why else do you think I married Wonder Woman?"
Diana laughed and gasped as she felt him tangle his fingers in her hair and his lips kiss her jaw and the column of her throat."I take it you don't want to talk right now?"
"No. Do you?"
There was only one answer to that and it did not involve words.
Author's Note: I hope you all have enjoyed Clark and Diana's wedding, which was very challenging to write but enjoyable for me. Both are so unique and the wedding in my mind would never be a cliched affair. I hope this lived up to expectations. Their story is nearly over. I have the last chapter to put up and it will be an Epilogue. I feel we need to see what happens next to them and our other characters. So until then.