High above Earth, inside the command chamber of the Justice League Watchtower, a meeting was underway.
In the conference room stood a circular table. Seated around it were several members of the Justice League.
Only Batman was standing.
"Two days ago," Batman began, "the individual known as Pain raided Arkham Asylum and killed at least twenty-seven people before we could arrive at the scene."
"Criminals, Batman. Criminals. Address it as it is," said Hal Jordan.
"Yeah, but still people," Flash replied.
"I'm being generous by calling them criminals," said John Stewart before Barry could argue any further. "Because some of them aren't. However, the fact stands that what he did wasn't right."
"We have now confirmed that it was him who attacked the White House and threatened the President," Superman said.
"We have enough proof to bring this guy in now," Hal said. "And since you know where he lives, let's go get him."
"We did go there a few hours after the incident," said Cyborg. "It's abandoned. He knew we would come for him."
"There's more," Batman said.
The room grew quiet.
"He may be aware of our civilian identities," Batman continued. "Which in turn includes our weaknesses."
"Wait… all of them?" Flash asked incredulously.
"Possibly," Batman replied.
"When we confronted him in Nanda Parbat, he proved he was aware of our identities by mentioning the names of our loved ones," Superman added. "He also said,and I quote'I have many ways of taking down individuals such as yourselves.'"
Superman crossed his arms.
"That, and the fact that he used kryptonite against me during our confrontation, implies a lot."
"Come on, guys," Hal said with a shrug. "The big guy's weakness isn't exactly a secret anymore. Even purse snatchers carry kryptonite these days. He may have been bluffing."
"May have," said Martian Manhunter calmly. "But can you take that chance?"
Hal turned toward him.
"Why aren't you including yourself in this? Because it may be as much of a problem for you as it is for us."
"My civilian identity being exposed is inconsequential," Martian Manhunter replied calmly. "I can change my appearance."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"What concerns me is this individual possibly being aware of my strengths and weaknesses."
The room fell silent again.
Batman spoke.
"We cannot take any chances."
He looked around the table at the assembled League members.
"Which brings us to the current engagement protocol."
A holographic warning symbol appeared above the table.
DO NOT ENGAGE ALONE
"Pain has demonstrated strategic preparation and combat capability against multiple League members," Batman continued.
"From this point forward, no League member is to engage him alone."
Batman shut of the holographic projections before speaking.
"Dismissed "
The last stretch of ocean glowed like molten gold beneath the setting sun.
Meanwhile
Far above the waves, Nina and Diana cut through the air at sharp speeds, the wind rushing past them in powerful streams. Thena clung to her back, arms wrapped around Nina's shoulders while her hair whipped wildly behind her.
Below them, the endless blue sea stretched toward the horizon.
"How much longer?" Thena called out.
Nina tilted her head forward slightly.
"Look ahead."
Thena squinted toward the horizon.
At first she saw nothing but open ocean.
Then the air ahead shimmered.
It looked as though the sky itself had begun to ripple like disturbed water. A faint distortion spread outward, bending the sunlight and blurring the space ahead of them.
Then suddenly,the distortion parted to reveal the breathtaking scenery of the island.
Thena's eyes widened.
Massive cliffs rose sharply from the sea like the walls of a fortress carved by nature itself. White marble structures crowned the highest ridges of the island, their surfaces glowing softly beneath the golden sunset.
Ancient temples stood proudly among thick forests that stretched for miles across the land. Waterfalls cascaded down rocky cliffs, pouring into the sea below in sparkling ribbons.
Towering statues lined parts of the coastline,figures of warriors and gods standing watch over the island like silent guardians.
And spread across the open fields and courtyards were warriors,dozens of them.
Amazon warriors trained in groups, their bronze armor gleaming beneath the fading sunlight. Some practiced with spears, others with bows or swords.
The entire island looked like something pulled straight from myth.
"This…" Thena whispered.
"…is Paradise Island?"
Diana floated beside them, the wind brushing gently through her dark hair as she looked down at the homeland she had not seen in some time.
"Yes," she said softly.
"This is Themyscira."
Nina angled downward as they began descending toward a large open courtyard near the center of the island.
Several Amazons were already training there, their weapons clashing in controlled sparring matches.
But one by one, they began to notice the figures descending from the sky.
Their training slowed,then stopped entirely as a murmur spread across the courtyard.
"Someone's arriving."
"From the sky?"
The warriors shaded their eyes, staring upward.
Then one of them gasped.
"Princess Diana!"
The reaction was immediate.
Amazons across the courtyard straightened in surprise as the realization spread.
"Princess Diana has returned!"
Within seconds, warriors began gathering near the courtyard's center.
Nina landed first, touching down lightly on the stone surface. Thena slid off her back, her legs wobbling slightly after the long flight.
"Okay," Thena muttered.
"That flight was way longer than I expected."
Diana landed gracefully beside them.
Several Amazons approached quickly, their expressions bright with recognition and excitement.
"Princess Diana!" one of them called, smiling warmly.
"It has been too long!"
Diana greeted them with equal warmth.
"It is good to see you all again."
More Amazons gathered around, their curiosity slowly shifting toward the two unfamiliar figures standing beside their princess.
One warrior tilted her head slightly as she studied Thena.
"And who might this be?"
Diana placed a gentle hand on Thena's shoulder.
Her voice carried clearly across the courtyard.
"This," she said proudly,
"is my daughter."
Silence fell over the courtyard.
Every Amazon froze.
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.
Dozens of warriors stared at Thena with widened eyes.
"Her… daughter?"
"When did this happen?"
"I don't remember Diana leaving long enough-"
Thena suddenly became very aware that a large crowd of legendary warriors was staring directly at her.
She lifted a hand awkwardly.
"…Hi."
The tension broke slightly as a few Amazons exchanged surprised glances.
But before anyone could responda horn sounded in the distance,silencing the courtyard.
The Amazons immediately stepped aside, forming a clear path.
Footsteps echoed across the stone as Queen Hippolyta entered the courtyard.
She moved with calm authority, her regal armor reflecting the warm light of the setting sun. A golden crown rested upon her head as her sharp eyes surveyed the gathering before settling on the three newcomers.
Diana bowed her head respectfully.
"Mother."
Hippolyta's gaze moved slowly across her daughter's face before shifting toward Thena.
She studied the young girl carefully she bore an odly striking resemblance to Diana.
But something about the situation clearly puzzled her.
"Diana," Hippolyta said evenly.
"You have much to explain."
Her eyes shifted to Thena again.
"Child," she said.
"What is your name?"
Thena swallowed slightly.
"Thena."
Hippolyta nodded slowly.Then her gaze drifted toward Nina,studyingher as well.
"And this one?"
Diana answered.
"This is Nina."
"She has accompanied Thena as family… her aunt."
Hippolyta's eyes lingered on Nina for a moment longer, as if sensing something unusual about her.
But she ignored it and gave a small nod.
"You are welcome here."
Then she turned back to Diana.
"Walk with me."
Diana understood immediately.
The two stepped away from the courtyard, leaving the others behind.
Once they were far enough away to speak privately, Hippolyta stopped as her voice softened.
"You have a daughter," she said.
Diana nodded.
"Yes."
Hippolyta studied her carefully.
"Explain."
Diana took a breath before speaking.
"Thena was not born in the traditional way."
She proceeded to explain everything.
How Thena had been created using her DNA and Max's.
How a government organization had been responsible for her creation.
How the child had eventually come into their lives.
And how Thena was now, in every way that mattered,her daughter.
Hippolyta listened quietly.
When Diana finished, the Queen remained silent for a moment.
Then she spoke.
"The Amazons themselves were created by the gods."
She looked toward the courtyard where Thena stood surrounded by curious warriors.
"Life shaped by divine hands… or mortal ones… remains life all the same."
She turned back to Diana.
"If she carries your blood…"
"…then she carries Amazon blood."
Relief washed across Diana's face.
The two returned to the courtyard.
Thena stood nervously among the gathered Amazons, shifting her weight as they whispered quietly around her.
When Hippolyta approached, the crowd fell silent again.
She stopped before Thena.For a long moment, she simply studied her then she spoke.
"Welcome to Themyscira, Thena."
A small smile touched her lips.
"If you are Diana's daughter… then you are Amazon."
The surrounding warriors nodded in approval.
Hippolyta then raised her voice so the courtyard could hear.
"You have arrived at an interesting time, child."
Thena blinked.
"In a few days, the Amazon Games will begin."
A ripple of excitement moved through the gathered warriors.
Hippolyta's eyes gleamed with quiet interest.
"If you truly wish to understand what it means to be Amazon…"
"…then you will compete."
The Amazons erupted into cheers.
And right then thena knew that she was in for hell of a ride.
End of Chapter .