Warrior Princess Part 5

Discovered by Hellacre13

Michael gave her a strange look."The Museum?" "Yes,where is it?" "I'll be glad to take you there on Monday if you like......." Diana said impatiently,"No,Michael Carter,tell me how to find it." He blinked at her vehemence."Ask Irons.He's the geek.I can't tell you the last time I went there." She bolted into the kitchen and saw John making himself a sandwich."Oh,hey,Diana,changed your mind?" "No.I just need to know how to get to the Museum." He smiled."You thinking of going?" "Yes.I am thinking of going."She pulled the magnetic pad and pencil down from the fridge and shoved it towards him."Draw me a map......please.'' He half laughed."You're really keen,aren't you?" Diana nodded."Yes,I plan to go very soon." He said, as he drew,"Well,you must know it's closed on Sunday.You'll have to wait until Monday.It's normally six bucks to get in.It's a favorite haunt of mine.I love the Science Museum more though.It's over two miles,but you can get there by bus or subway or even cab.Just ask Clark,he'll tell you.Here,that's a simple as I can draw it.I marked off some land marks."He passed over the hand drawn map. She took the piece of paper and studied it.She looked at him and asked casually,"Is it guarded very well this Museum?" John shrugged."Yeah,it's like all other Museums,I guess. Guards. Alarms. Lasers.Video cameras.The works." Diana frowned."So one can be discovered easily?" John gave her an amused look."Um,yeah.What?You planning a heist or something?" She half smiled."I am just curious.Did Clark say when he was returning home?" "Nah.He's pretty close mouthed at times,that cousin of yours.Why don't you have something small now?I do a mean grilled cheese." "No but thank you,John Henry.I will wait in Clark's room." Diana hurried out of the kitchen to go into the room Clark had temporarily given up to her.She went into Clark's closet and began to rifle through his clothes.She found a black turtle neck shirt and pulled it over her baby blue tee.It fell past her hips.She wound her hair,pinned it up and took up a beanie and found it covered her skull.She looked at herself in the mirror.Now all she needed was to obscure her features.She saw a gray woollen scarf and wound it about her lower face.She nodded in satisfaction.It would do.That it was dangerous or a trap did not bother her.She was determined to get that staff.The gods didn't bless her with speed,strength and flight for nothing.She had hidden the Eye beneath  Clark's bed.She checked for it and as she did her eye fell on a photo of Clark and his parents on the bedside table. "Danger did not stop Heracles from undertaking the Twelve Labors,"she said specifically to Clark's picture."So do not look at me like that." The Eye was safe.She climbed out the window;it was still raining;she took to the air. ******************** Clark flew in half an hour later,drenched.He came through the door,and dripped on the mat.Michael glanced back at him."What have you been up to,Kent?" "Nothing.I decided to walk and got caught up in the rain."He took off his pvc jacket and hung it up. "Well,go get cleaned up,dude.I'm starving because blue-eyes won't eat without you.Talk about old fashioned." Clark looked surprised."Really?" "Really." "Where is she?" "In your room." Clark knocked on the door.There was no reply.He opened it slowly and his eyes widened.His closet was open and his clothes strewn on the floor.The window was open and the rain beating in.He let out a low oath."Damn!"He scanned the rest of the house and saw no sign of her. He came out into the living room;Michael looked up."Something wrong?" "She's not there." "What?You kidding me?"Michael jumped to his feet. Clark pushed open John's door.John looked up from his laptop."Hey,what's up,Clark?" "I can't find Diana." "But I only spoke to her a short time ago."He got up and came out."You sure she isn't in the bathroom?" "No,she's not here.I think she's gone." Michael said perplexed."Gone?At this time of night?Where?" John said bewildered,"She seemed in a good mood,asking about the museum........" Clark interrupted,"Museum?" "Yeah,made me draw her a map.But she understands it doesn't open until Monday......." Michael added,"I offered to take her myself to see the staff thing ......." Clark looked at him hard."What?" "Oh yeah,she got really excited when she saw that Egyptian stick thing on the t.v.It seems it was stolen but was recovered and handed over to the museum.It will be on display from Monday and.........hey,where are you going?!" Clark ran out of the house.Michael looked at John and shrugged. ******************** Diana managed to fly towards the Museum and landed on its roof without being seen.She knelt near the portico and looked down.There were two guards in the compound.One at the gates and another patrolling the grounds.She flew to the top of the Museum's famous glass domed roof and looked down.There was a large gallery and staircase and oval shaped vestibule.A guard was slumbering behind a counter with what appeared to be a television monitors before him.Diana looked up at the rain falling still from the darkened skies,and using her fists, punched a glass panel apart.The glass shards fell onto the floor and he jumped at the sound. He pulled out his revolver and pointed blindly only to see a dark figure come at him fast and a hand crush the weapon as if it were a toy.A hand caught him by the neck and a voice hissed,"Where is the staff?" The man choked and his eyes widened as the intruder floated off the floor,taking him to hover several feet in the air."Oh hell.What are you?"he quavered. "I want the staff of Anubis." The man's hand pointed trembling."Up the stairs and right.In the Egyptian Hall.It's in the second chamber.You can't miss it." She dropped him on his chair,ripped out a cord from a monitor and tied him with it,then gagged him with his handkerchief.She flew towards the Egyptian Hall.She kicked the door down and instantly alarms began to ring.Diana did not even flinch.She flew towards the second chamber.Her eyes glowed as she saw the staff.It was in a glass case.She smashed it with her fists and took it up.She said softly,"Athena,forgive me if this seems wrong." She heard footsteps and voices coming up the corridor.Guards were coming in from outside.She flew for the window and smashed out.She could see blue lights flashing in the distance.She flew in the opposite direction and landed in an alleyway six blocks away.She was smart enough to know that the museum and environs would be surrounded and once the authorities got wind that the intruder was flying that would be her advantage gone.The rain had abated.She pulled the scarf from about her face and looked at the staff with wondering eyes.So this was what Lex and Circe were conspiring over?It was beautiful.But why would Lex give it up? Diana did not have time to even consider the thought when two black unmarked cars pulled up at the end of the alley and four men in black clothes jumped out carrying guns.She gasped and shielded her eyes from the headlights.She gasped.She recognized them from Luthor's mansion!She backed away and ran,ready to take flight,when a helicopter whirred overhead.Diana smashed her way into a side entrance of a restaurant and dashed into the kitchen. One of the men took out his phone."Sir,we have her." "Mind you don't lose her,Stewart.Get your men on her tail and be careful,she's strong." "Yes,Mr Luthor." The Chinese chef shrieked a barage of obscenities at Diana as she grabbed plates,a cleaver and the entire contents of a pot and flung it at the chasing men.Diana knocked waiters over and jumped over tables as she avoided bullets.Customers screamed.She burst onto the main street that was the main area for nightlife;there were restaurants, clubs, theater,cinema,and small cafes.The skies had cleared and a full moon was out.People were strolling up and down the promenade,some with their umbrellas,others just happy to come out finally from under awnings and be in the open air. They were looking and pointing overhead at a helicopter circling the skies.Diana weaved in and out of them,looking back to see that the men were still on her tail.She ran into a covered part of the walkway where a crowd surrounded a street entertainer and pushed into the front of the throng,hoping they wouldn't be able to do anything before witnesses.She could see across the circle over the entertainer's shoulder two men also at the front,directly opposite her,their hands in their jackets. A hand clamped on her shoulder and pulled her inside the crowd.Diana moved swiftly,her fist curled and ready to lash out.A hand stilled her fist and a voice hissed,"Are you insane?" She saw Clark glaring at her."Clark!How?" "What do you think you are doing?" "Look,I got the staff!"she said unrepentant. He dropped her hand and stared at her in disbelief."You stole it?!" She shook her head."No.I only borrowed it.I need it to get back home.I swear I would leave it for you to give back once we could send me back.Don't you see it's the only way....." He looked up and scanned the crowd;he cut her off."You're being followed.They are directly opposite you and on your tail." "Luthor's men,"she swallowed.He took her arm and he weaved with her through the crowd. The men craned their necks.Stewart's phone rang.He answered,"She's not alone,Mr Luthor.I think someone is with her." "Who is it?"Lex's voice sounded urgent. "Difficult to say.Looks like a man.They're heading for a nightclub." "Don't lose them!"he barked. "No,sir!" Clark pulled Diana into the front of the long line of the club called Quake and a bouncer began,"Hey,no jeans and sneakers,buddy!" Clark yanked the beanie off Diana's head."She's a friend of the manager.He'll  be pissed if you don't let her in." The bouncer's eyes widened as he saw the raven tresses tumble  around  a face that was stunningly beautiful.He unhooked the cordon and let them go."Just for you,angel,"he winked.When Lex's men tried to do the same they found all four burly bouncers had come to block them. Once inside,Clark paid and they hurried into the foyer.Thumping music could be heard inside. Diana looked dismayed."I don't understand how they found me.I had flown far from the museum before......" He looked at staff that she held and suddenly stiffened.He grabbed it off her.He used his super vision and to her astonishment snapped it into two. Diana gasped,"Are you insane?What have you....?" Clark looked up,making sure no one was looking, and used his laser vision to slice the head of the jackal into two.Inside the cavity where the eyes would be was a small flashing device.He flung the broken staff to the ground."It's a fake and that was a tracer.You were led into an ambush,Diana." She paled."Ambush?" Clark looked up."Lex is no fool.We have to get out of here." Diana cried,"Let's fly." "We can't fly.Helicopters are circling.I can hear them.We can't afford a confrontation with the law.We just need to lose them and get out.Come on." They entered the night club.Diana's eyes widened as multicolored strobes flashed in her eyes,and music vibrated the floor beneath her feet.People knocked into them as they navigated their way across the floor.Eyes seemed to appraise Diana.A couple of men stepped in front of her."Wow!Want to dance,gorgeous?" Clark's hand grabbed their collars and he shoved them aside."Take a hike." He took Diana's hand and they reached the area where there were tables and the bar.He glanced behind his back,and saw with his vision,Luthor's men wading into the dance floor.He dragged Diana up some stairs,where there was a gallery and the glass paneled v.i.p lounge.This area too was full and there were many people coupled off in dimly lit corners.Clark saw a fire exit from the lounge,leading down the side of the building.He dragged Diana in a corner,and yanked off his damp blue checked shirt.He had on a white t-shirt beneath. "What are you doing?"she asked bewildered. He flung it aside and to her greater bemusement urged her to take off his  turtle neck shirt .This left her in the  blue tee."Buying us sometime.Come on.They're coming up." Clark pushed the glass door to the v.i.p lounge."Smile,"he ordered.She obeyed.One look at her and the doorman waved them in.Clark dragged her to a table that was in a recess with other couples.He sat down and pulled her onto his lap.Diana froze.She began aghast."What are you doing?" Clark muttered,"Blending in.They're at the door." Diana felt her skin goose pimple as his breath caressed her hair.She said uneasily,not liking the strange feeling she was getting being so close to him,"Are they coming in?" He peered over her shoulder."They look a bit confused.I'm betting they found their tracer must have gone offline.Damn,he's letting one of them in!" Diana looked anxious."What do we do?" He said urgently,"You need to kiss me." Diana looked scandalized and glanced at the couples around them."You mean like them?This is absurd.They will never believe......" "No,they won't if you keep arguing."He pulled her face down and his lips brushed hers.Her eyes widened and her heart fluttered.His lips were like a butterfly's wing,delicate,and teasing.Diana's hands,which had rested on his shoulders rigidly,curled and clutched the fabric of his t-shirt.Her own lips which seemed stiff and unyielding,suddenly softened.Clark was initially keeping one eye on Luthor's men,but after several seconds was pulling her closer,hardly aware that he was holding her tighter than he ever dared to hold Lana or anyone else. Stewart scanned the room.He cursed to himself.It was full of rich snobs,dancing,drinking and making out.He could hardly go and yank every couple out of the dark.He squinted.He could not see them.Cursing he realized that they had lost them.Somehow they must have found the tracer.Lex would have his head on a platter.He turned and left the lounge. Clark broke the kiss and said unsteadily,"I...um...he's gone." Blushing a fiery red,Diana jerked up from his lap as if she had been scalded.She looked self conscious."Shall...shall..we go?" They headed for the fire exit.As they climbed out,and down the stairs,Clark began awkwardly,"Er,I hope you didn't take offense.I would never kiss you....." She stiffened at that but said woodenly,"There is little need to apologize,Clark." He winced at his lack of finesse,and dug himself into a deeper hole."No,I mean,I wouldn't have chosen to kiss you if it could have been avoided.I don't want you to misunderstand......." Diana looked at him warily."But I understand.It was to......blend in." Clark replied slowly ,"Good.......I'm glad we cleared that up." They were at the bottom of the fire escape in the alley.She said regretfully,"Lex still has the staff.I underestimated him." "Big mistake." "You are not going to reprimand me?" "What's the point?You clearly have a mind of your own.And it listens to no one." "You are angry."She stopped,and said quietly,"I do not blame you.I wonder you do not wash your hands off me." He looked at her expression.Her blue eyes seemed large and luminous in the dim light of the moon and instead of thinking ways to reproach her,he found himself thinking that she looked like a forlorn kitten.He said wryly,"Don't give me ideas.It may interest you to know that I investigated Starlabs earlier and saw no sign of what your Eye predicted." "Oh.It seems today is a day for failure." He walked on ahead."It's all relative if you ask me.You think you failed.I say you are darn lucky to be walking out of this alive." Diana halted abruptly.She saw  a red beam settling upon Clark's back. She began perplexed,"What?" Clark heard the drawing back of a trigger,turned and saw one of Luthor's men on the roof of the building.He had a sniper's rifle.It was aimed directly at him.He fired. Diana cried,"No!!!!!!" She rushed in front of him;Clark shoved her aside,but not before a bullet hit her in the shoulder.The remaining ones bounced off him.When he looked up,he saw that the shooter was gone.Clark caught Diana as she winced in pain.He put pressure on the wound now staining her top and muttered in tender exasperation,"Bullets bounce off me,Diana!" She gasped,"I didn't know." He scanned her shoulder."It's lodged just beneath your collar bone......We have to get you out of here...."He was about to lift her up and take to the air no matter the consequences,when they heard a hiss behind them.They saw a half man half reptile emerge from the shadows. The creature lunged at them.It's powerful tail whipped around and hit Diana so hard she went flying into some crates.It spat some venom at Clark;he moved quickly,the substance ate into the wall like acid.Clark grabbed it around the neck but it flipped him over its head.He landed heavily into a puddle.Diana rose and gave it a  kick that sent it to the ground. It moved swiftly,and ripped a long pipe from the wall and smacked her with it.As she fell into the wall and slithered unconscious.Clark went for it.They hit the large square trash bin.Clark gritted his teeth as it tried to sink it's fangs into his neck.He butted its head and it fell backwards.He grabbed it and  knocked it's head on the lid of the bin,and it slithered dazed to the floor.He rose to his feet,he was going towards Diana,when saw four men emerging from either ends of the alleys way.The men were in black and wore masks.Gas cannisters were fired and rolling at his feet,hissing kind of nerve gas,overwhelming him before he could get to Diana. ******************** Clark woke up in a room,that had metal walls and flooring and bars.He rose only to find he was chained and bolted to the wall.The chains were attached to some sort of thick metal  bands around his wrists and ankles.He was about to yank himself free when a voice said,"You can't break free,Clark,unless you want to die." He looked up to see Diana opposite him.She was chained too and was sitting on the floor,holding her shoulder.He looked up to see Lex Luthor with a blond woman standing outside  the bars,watching them with interest. Lex said,"It's been programmed to blow if you override it by physically forcing your way out.Do you really want to do that,Clark?Risk killing you both?"He folded his arms."You know what?When my men brought you two in,and I saw you,I wasn't surprised at all.It suddenly made sense.You were harboring her in Smallville.You have always been a thorn in my side haven't you,Clark.With Lana,my father,even my reputation.You and those nosey friends of yours,always digging,always poking your nose where it isn't wanted.Tell me,Clark,it was you that saved her back in the jail,wasn't it?" Clark looked at him coldly."I don't know what you mean." "Don't you?Every time something bizarre happens Clark Kent is around.Isn't that just convenient?Is there something you aren't telling the world?You should know,Clark,that such power makes you the ultimate creature of privilege.Think what you could do with it." "You're imaging things,Lex.What do you want?" "Keeping those cards close to your chest, huh?Okay,l'll play your game for now.Tell the Amazon.......she still won't let me know her name...... to hand over the Eye of Ra.She has been remarkably stubborn so far." Diana said fiercely,"You will never get it.You may kill me or torture me,I will never reveal it to you." Clark said,"You heard her." Luthor said,"I thought she'd say that.But we'll have to do something to change her stubborn stance,won't we,Ron?" Veronica commented,"Certainly,Lex.We could always use another test subject.We'll use her cute boyfriend.Imagine the result with his strength." Diana glared."You wouldn't dare." Luthor said coldly,"Don't be a fool,Amazon.You want to remain in this world?This world of men?You don't belong here,don't you see that?We can get you sent you home.Think about that." "You are mad.You will not get away with it.You can do nothing with out Circe!"Diana gritted. He laughed."Who needs Circe?I have my own little ace to play.Bring her in,Veronica." Veronica smiled and half walking,half dragging a petite brunette.She looked no older than Diana.Lex introduced her to the pair. "Meet Zatanna Zatara.Born to master magician John Zatara and Sindella,a Romany witch.Her parents' abilities made them a target for dark forces;and her mother was killed when she was only two.Her father brought her up alone.They have been living  on the road for most of her young life.She's grown up doing the magical circuit and  variety shows for eight  years now.The last year,they joined a circus tent,but her  father had to ban her from performing with him because her magic is growing a bit unpredictable.She nearly set the big top  ablaze a few months ago.Is that about accurate,Miss Zatara?" Zatanna looked pale but nodded.Diana cried,"Sister,you cannot help him!He's crazy!" Lex said roughly,"She'll do exactly what I say.Let's give them half an hour to think it over,Ron.When the time comes,kids,you will play ball,one way or the other." He and Veronica left them,taking the girl with them. Diana held her head."Hera,this gets from bad to worse.Has he always been this......?" Clark supplied cynically,"Resourceful?Yes." Clark looked around them.With his vision he could see they were in the basement of a warehouse.There were two main wings;a cell block,where one of the rooms held the creature they fought and then a laboratory.He looked at Diana.He tried to get up to reach her but the chains just stopped short of her by several feet."You okay?How's your shoulder?" She winced."It aches.Is there no way to get out?" He looked at the bands on his limbs."I can see the wires and circuitry.I'm no electronic whiz nor bomb expert .I don't even know if I short circuited it here with my heat vision what would happen.It's too risky." "What are we going to do?" "Right now?Your guess is as good as mine." She began remorsefully,"It is my fault......If I had listened to you.Now I  have caused your secret to be found out and that poor girl to be captured....." He cut her off."It's too late for that now.What's done is done." They were silent.She asked hesitantly,"Who is Lana?" He leaned his head back and looked up at the ceiling,scanning the floor above."Lana Lang was the love of my life." She blinked."I see.And Luthor loved her too?" "Yes.He blames me for coming between them." "Where is she?'' "She left last year.Too much had happened.She's in Paris.Finding herself you could say." "She must have been very special for two men as different as you and Luthor to love her." He smiled ruefully."She was......I mean,she is.And Lex wasn't always as you see him.I use to I consider him my friend.But time showed me that there was a vicious streak to him.We left off being friends when he and Lana began to date." Diana looked confused."She left you for him?Why would she do that?" "She said she felt left out of our relationship.That I kept too many secrets.That I didn't trust her.Then when she found out my secret last year,she nearly paid for it with the ultimate price.Her life." Diana asked uneasily,"You still love her?" Clark shrugged."Love is a funny thing,Diana.I think after last year I've learned one can still care deeply for someone and wish the best for them without necessarily needing to possess  them." She did not know why but somehow the sinking feeling in her heart was eased at those words. ***************** The half hour was up.Lex went to face his two captives.Diana was lying on her side;Clark was looking at her solicitously;she was looking paler than before and her face was furrowed with pain. "Well,have we come to a decision?Or do I have Miss Cale come in and do the honors with Clark?" Clark began,"Lex she needs medical attention.There is a bullet lodged in her shoulder......" Lex looked at her."Well,we can ease you discomfort but you know what we want." Clark gritted,"You are a bastard,you know that?Have you lost all sense of human feeling?" "Oh come,Clark,don't be a hypocrite.I'd have human feeling for both of you if you were human.She's some all powerful immortal amazon.She's hardly likely to die from one bullet wound.......and you,well,whatever you are remains to be seen.Do you know what the Penatgon would would do to you two if they knew about you?What I am offering is merciful compared to what government scientists would do.If they didn't  keep you like  a lab rat in a cage,they'd probably brainwash you and use you to do their dirty work.The C.I.A always need intelligence and assassins.Who knows maybe if you are compatible,you both might be able to breed the next generation of supersoldier.Do you want be used for your womb, Amazon?" Clark shook his head in disgust."Save your breath,Lex,she won't........." Diana sat up and cut him off,"If I get it for you." Clark gasped at her."What?!Are you insane?" She said tensely,"I will not be used .You will send me home,Mr Luthor?" "If that's what you wish." "It is." Clark gasped,"You are agreeing to this?But you said you'd rather die......" She said rigidly,"I would but it seems that choice is unavailable to me." Lex smiled."Atta girl." Clark cried,"You can't trust him!" Lex tutted."Clark,Clark,such paranoia.This is her decision."Lex went to a panel and tapped in some codes.The bands on Diana's limbs snapped open.She got up painfully.Clark tried  to grab at her."Don't!" She looked at him regretfully,"I don't belong here,don't you see?" Lex opened the door of the cell and she stepped out. He took her chin."Don't go back on your word." She shook her head."I won't.I'll bring the Eye." "Very smart......what is your name?" "Diana." Lex smiled."Diana.Goddess of the moon and hunt.Suits her,Clark."He turned to lock the door,as Clark shouted,"Diana!Stop!It's not worth it!" But they were already walking out of the cell block.