Hippolyta remained on her throne, her eyes fixed on Clark, evaluating him intensely. After a few moments, she finally broke the silence.
"Now we can talk, Clark."
Clark was visibly surprised to hear his name from the queen's lips. It was the first time Hippolyta called him by his name instead of simply "man." This small gesture indicated, in a way, a recognition of his individuality.
"You asked to be alone with me, so I think you should be the first to speak," Clark replied, maintaining his calm posture but clearly curious about what would come next.
Hippolyta kept her stern gaze, leaning slightly on her throne. "So, Clark, tell me… what do you really want?"
Clark, sensing the intensity of the question, decided to use his ability to read minds. He closed his eyes for a moment and focused on Hippolyta's thoughts. Her words reflected a mix of anger and curiosity. Clark could feel that the queen was aware of his extraordinary strength and his interest in Diana. There was genuine fear in Hippolyta that Clark could become a threat to both Themyscira and her daughter.
Clark opened his eyes, his expression softening a bit. He knew that the only way to gain Hippolyta's trust was by being honest, however risky it might be. With a slight sigh, he answered:
"I want Diana. I like your daughter and want her to be my woman."
The throne room fell silent, and Hippolyta's eyes widened slightly, unable to hide her surprise at Clark's bluntness. She hadn't expected such a direct response. However, the surprise was quickly replaced by an expression of irritation.
"Power and women… in the end, you're just like all men," Hippolyta said, her tone laden with disdain.
Clark couldn't deny Hippolyta's words, but there was more that needed to be said. He decided to speak about the ambitions of the queen's own daughter.
"I understand why you think that, Queen Hippolyta. Many men only think of power and conquest. But Diana… Diana wants more than a limited life here on Themyscira. She wants to see the world beyond the island and help others. She told me that. The island is too small for her."
Hippolyta narrowed her eyes, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. She knew Clark was right about her daughter's desires, but she was also aware of the consequences if Diana decided to leave the island. "You don't understand the implications, man. If Diana leaves Themyscira, she can never return. That's the law that preserves our safety."
Clark nodded, respectfully. "I know that. But Diana isn't afraid of the consequences. She's willing to sacrifice everything to fulfill her wish to help others."
Hippolyta seemed increasingly troubled. The love she had for her daughter was clear in her eyes, but so was her fear of losing her. Clark could see the dilemma on the queen's face and decided he needed to go a step further to make her understand that perhaps there was another way.
Clark took a deep breath before continuing. "I know Diana would be banished if she chose to leave the island. That's the consequence of her decision. But… what if she had no choice?"
Hippolyta frowned, clearly confused and irritated by the suggestion. "What do you mean by that?"
Clark chose his words carefully. "If someone strong enough, like me, were to kidnap her and take her off the island, without her 'consent,' Diana could fulfill her wish without suffering the consequences of exile. She could be freed from the responsibility of making that choice herself."
Hippolyta stared at him, her expression darkening. She finally understood what Clark was suggesting.
"You dare to propose such a devious plan? To make it appear as if my daughter was taken by force, so she doesn't suffer the consequences of her actions? Only a man could think of such a thing. A trick, a manipulation, seeking to circumvent our laws and principles."
Clark realized he had taken the worst possible approach. He thought the queen might relent to his idea, but he was completely wrong. Hippolyta rose from her throne, her expression rigid and her gaze filled with determination.
"You need to understand something, Clark," Hippolyta began, her voice resonating through the throne room. "Before being a mother, I am a queen. And my duty is to protect my people, to protect Themyscira from any threat. And you, man, represent a risk I cannot ignore."
She continued, "Doing what is right isn't easy, and being a leader means making sacrifices. Diana is not above the laws of Themyscira, and if she chooses to leave, she knows the consequences. Manipulating the circumstances, as you suggest, not only betrays our principles but also weakens us as a people."
Clark remained silent, listening to the queen's speech. Although he understood her words, he felt frustrated with the situation. He respected Hippolyta's stance, but he still believed there was a way to allow Diana to pursue her own dreams.
During Hippolyta's speech, Clark began hearing a distant sound with his super hearing. It was the noise of planes and boats approaching the island.
Clark looked toward the window, realizing something was happening. He interrupted Hippolyta, inclining his head slightly in an apologetic gesture.
"Forgive me, Queen, but it seems I have urgent business to attend to. Tell Diana I'll be right back."
Hippolyta stared at him with a suspicious and irritated look, but before she could respond, Clark had already moved at super speed.
Whoosh!
Clark leaped through the palace window, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
....
Steve Trevor was in a plane, desperately fleeing from the Turkish army. Behind him, Turkish boats and planes pursued, determined to bring him down.
Brrratatata!
The Turkish soldiers fired incessantly, their weapons spewing bullets as they tried to hit Steve's plane. He dodged as best he could, but the number of enemies made his escape increasingly difficult.
Boom!
Steve's plane was hit, and flames began spreading across the wings. He looked at the control panel, his expression showing a mix of fear and determination.
"Damn… I'm going to need a miracle to get out of this," Steve muttered as he tried to keep control of the burning plane.
Vroooom...
Clark, flying at high speed, spotted the scene of Steve's plane being pursued. He immediately recognized that this was the legendary pilot connected to Diana in another life—and knew he had to act fast.
Clark accelerated even more, leaving a trail of air behind him.
Whoosh!
Clark reached Steve's plane before he lost complete control. Using his super strength, he grabbed the aircraft's fuselage and stabilized it, steering it out of the path of enemy bullets. Steve looked outside the cockpit, his eyes widening in shock and disbelief upon seeing a man literally holding his plane.
"Who… who are you?!" Steve shouted, trying to comprehend what was happening.
Clark didn't respond immediately. With a quick motion, he opened the cockpit and pulled Steve out of the plane. "Hold tight; I'm getting you out of here," Clark said, his voice calm as he carried Steve above the clouds, ignoring the Turkish boats and planes that continued firing.
Steve held onto Clark, his face pale with fear as they rose higher and higher. The air thinned, and the cold wind blew fiercely. "What's happening? Who are you?" Steve asked, his voice trembling with fright.
Clark simply looked into his eyes and, in an instant, used his mind-reading ability. He saw flashes of Steve's memories—he had stolen important notes from Dr. Maru and was attempting to deliver them to British intelligence. These notes were crucial to ending the war.
Clark took the notes from Steve's bag, his hands steady while the pilot looked on, perplexed.
"Hey! Give those back! I need them to end the war!" Steve protested, trying to reach for the notes, but it was futile as he was held in Clark's grip.
Clark looked at Steve, his expression becoming cold and determined. "Thank you for the information, Steve. But I can't allow you to interfere with my plan."
Before Steve could respond or even comprehend what was happening, Clark snapped his neck in one quick, silent movement.
Crack!
Steve's body went limp, and Clark let him fall, disappearing among the clouds below. He then pocketed Dr. Maru's notes, determined to use them for his own benefit.
With Steve out of the way, Clark turned to face the Turkish planes and boats still approaching the island. He knew he couldn't allow them to get close to Themyscira and put the Amazons in danger.
Whoosh!
Clark took off once again, heading toward the enemies. His expression was serious and determined as he activated his heat vision.
Fwoooosh!
The red beams of his heat vision cut through the sky, striking the enemy planes and setting them ablaze. Boats were destroyed as Clark used his strength to bring them down, one by one, without hesitation.
Boom! Boom!
The explosions echoed across the ocean, and the soldiers stood no chance against Clark's overwhelming power. He felt no remorse as he eliminated each of the enemies—he was determined to protect the island and to assume Steve Trevor's role, both in the war and in Diana's heart.
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Diana's POV
My mother had asked to be alone with Clark to speak with him. Antiope and I waited outside the throne room. Every second felt like an eternity. I was tense, my heart racing as I wondered what might happen between my mother and that man who had invaded our island and, in some way, my mind over the past few hours.
What if he provoked her? What if something got out of control? These thoughts crossed my mind, making me want to go in and interrupt everything. But I knew my mother wouldn't approve.
As we waited, Antiope was by my side, her gaze serious and attentive, yet she said nothing. She knew it was not the time to speak, only to watch and be prepared to act if necessary.
Then I heard my mother's firm voice calling me. "Diana, come in."
I entered the throne room quickly. My mother was alone, seated on her throne, her expression as serious as ever. My eyes quickly scanned the room, looking for Clark, but he wasn't there.
A deep concern filled me. "Mother, what happened to Clark? Did you send him away?"
Hippolyta looked at me, her expression firm but with a hint of weariness. "Clark mentioned he had somewhere to go. He flew out through the window."
I felt a tightening in my chest, a mix of relief and worry. Without thinking much, I turned and ran out of the palace. I needed to find him. I needed to know where he was and what he was doing.
My mother still had something to say, but she chose to let me go. Perhaps she knew I wouldn't listen, not at that moment.
I ran through the palace and down Themyscira's stairways until I reached a cliff that offered a broad view of the sea surrounding the island. The wind whipped against my face as I looked toward the horizon.
That's when I saw him—Clark, flying above the enemy boats and planes approaching the island. He was destroying them one by one, without hesitation.
Boom!
Boom!
The explosions echoed over the ocean, and the sky was tinged with smoke and flames. I stood there, watching, my heart tight as I tried to understand what was happening. Clark was defending the island, but the way he did it was brutal, relentless.
All I could think about was Ares and how he must be influencing men.
This kind of destruction and brutality didn't seem like something Clark would do out of simple necessity. I knew he was protecting us, but something about the scene made me uneasy.
After Clark finished destroying the planes and boats, he came toward me.
End of Diana's POV
....
Clark approached Diana, his expression still carrying traces of the tension he had shown moments before. He looked into her eyes and smiled slightly, trying to ease the heavy atmosphere between them.
"Hey, princess. I guess I just showed you a violent side of me," said Clark, his voice a bit softer than Diana expected after all that had happened.
Diana remained silent for a moment, observing Clark. She wasn't as concerned with the brutality he had shown; she knew it wasn't personal. She felt there was something greater behind it all, perhaps even the influence of Ares, the god of war. She took a step forward, trying not to seem hesitant.
"This is Ares's doing. He's influencing men, causing destruction and chaos," Diana said, her voice filled with conviction. "You're not responsible for this, Clark. The violence you showed was necessary to protect us."
"Even without Ares's influence, men and women can be violent," Clark replied, his voice calm. "But that doesn't matter now. There's a war going on, and I have to be part of it."
Diana noticed the determined look in Clark's eyes, as if he was about to leave. She felt a tightening in her chest, realizing he planned to leave her behind. But that wasn't right. She had trained her whole life to protect the innocent, and she couldn't simply stay while the world was at war. Diana knew this was her fight too.
She stepped forward, holding Clark's arm.
"Wait," she said, her voice firm and determined. "I'm going with you. I can't stay here while the world outside is at war. This is my responsibility too."
Clark looked at Diana, surprised. He saw the conviction in her eyes and knew she wouldn't change her mind. He nodded slowly but added a caution.
"Diana, do you understand what this means? We should speak to your mother and let her know, but as far as I know, if you come with me, you'll be banished. Are you ready for that?" Clark asked, his voice filled with concern.
Diana took a deep breath, thinking of the consequences. Being banished from Themyscira meant never being able to return home, never seeing her mother or sisters again. But the world needed her, and she couldn't hide while innocents suffered. This was the right decision, even if it was painful.
"I'm ready," Diana said, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "My place is now beside those who need me, beside you if necessary."
Clark nodded, respecting her decision. He knew how hard it was for Diana to make this choice, but he also knew there was no other way.
Clark looked at Diana with a slight smile and then lifted her into his arms. Diana didn't resist, letting herself be wrapped in Clark's strong arms. In an instant, he took off, carrying her toward the palace. The wind beat against them as Clark flew over the trees and the imposing structures of Themyscira, moving with precision and care.
When they reached the palace, Clark chose one of the open windows and, with gentleness, passed through it, landing with Diana in his arms. He set her down carefully, and Diana took a step forward, preparing to speak with her mother.
Hippolyta watched as Diana approached, with Clark standing behind, keeping a respectful distance.
"Mother, I need to speak with you," Diana began, her voice firm but filled with emotion. "I need to leave the island. The world of men is at war, and Ares is behind it. It's my duty to fight him and protect the innocent."
Hippolyta narrowed her eyes, shifting her gaze from Diana to Clark. She looked at him with clear distrust and disapproval. "So that's it… he's influenced you? This man who invaded our land and planted these ideas in your mind?"
Clark raised his hand in an apologetic gesture, trying to ease the tension. "With all due respect, Queen Hippolyta, I'm not here to divide. Diana made this decision on her own."
Hippolyta rose from her throne, her posture rigid and authoritative. "Diana, you know what it means to leave Themyscira. If you go, you cannot return. You'll be banished forever. I forbid you from following this path. Our duty is to protect this island, not get involved in men's wars."
Diana felt a tightness in her chest but refused to yield. "Mother, I've trained my whole life to protect the innocent. I can't ignore the suffering outside. I can't hide while the world needs me."
Hippolyta remained firm, her expression resolute. "I will not change my mind, Diana. Themyscira is your home, and your responsibility is to your people. There's no place for you in the world of men."
Diana looked at her mother, her eyes teary but unwavering. "I love you, Mother. And I love my home. But my duty now is greater than this island. I need to do what's right."
Hippolyta was silent for a moment, her expression as hard as stone. Then, she looked away, suppressing the pain on her face. "If that's your choice, then go. But know that you're leaving everything behind."
Hippolyta turned her attention to Clark, her gaze filled with determination. "And as for you, man? You're not welcome here. You'll be expelled from the island immediately."
Clark didn't seem surprised but only smiled slightly, almost amused. "I understand, Queen Hippolyta. I know my presence here is an affront to many of you. I'm ready to leave."
Hippolyta narrowed her eyes. "If necessary, we will use all the Amazons to ensure you leave. We're prepared to fight if needed."
Clark chuckled softly, shaking his head. "With all respect, I could defeat all of you, but that's not why I'm here. I don't want to fight you. I only want to do what's right." He looked at Diana, his smile softening. "And that means taking Diana with me, if she wants to come."
Diana approached Clark, holding his hand and looking at her mother one last time. "Goodbye, Mother. I promise I will use everything I've learned here to protect the innocent."
Hippolyta did not respond, only turning her face away, avoiding Diana's gaze. Clark then held her firmly, and in the blink of an eye, he lifted her, and the two left the palace, flying out through the window.
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