A journey through Man's World

She makes it a habit to rise and greet the sunrise as the day begins every morning. More than one person has looked at her askance preferring no doubt to sleep in instead of be up while it is still dark outside.

But when you grow up in a society where there is no electricity and you are more dependant on the natural light it's easier to move with the rythyms of the planet.

So it is she moves carefully out from under John's arm just before sunrise and sits up in bed. It's the same bed they slept in together before...just under very different circumstances. Pausing for a moment she watches him in his sleep, the cares and worries of the day are smoothed out in slumber and there's a slight smile on his face.

Diana resists the urge to trace the smile so she doesn't wake him and slips into a chiton she brought with her before standing at the window watching the sky change from the deepest blue to hints of yellows and pinks that herald the coming of the sun.

So many things have happened, some of them sad like the disappearance of Themyscira, some of them good and her lips curve in a smile as she thinks about the night before. But it's all still a little overwhelming.

In a fiery display of golds and blues Apollo brings the sun chariot into the world, it will be a good day today.

She is helping oversee the preparations but the party is a few hours off yet. Things that need her approval keep being brought to her, although in reality she doesn't need to approve them it's more her staff's way of letting her in on things so they aren't a surprise later.

She's taking a break in the gardens before finishing getting ready, a moment of peace and serenity to carry her through the night.

I do not know what will come of the troubles that Circe has started. I do know that there are many people doing what they can to help me and my sisters to untangle this thread of lies she has woven. But I do not know, and I cannot take for granted that we will succeed in time.

So I have taken steps to make sure that those who work at the Embassy will be protected and paid should anything happen that necessitates closing down. This could be seen as something other than its true intent but I will not leave my people on the streets unprotected and unpaid should any of the things I fear happen.

Athen grant we walk this path safely.

She had read over the newspaper article this morning with a sigh of frustration. It seemed there was never any shortage of people who wanted to pin troubles on something, no matter how correct or incorrect it was and not take any responsibility for it.

It was ludicrous that she or her people had anything to do with creating the plague but the article had already started the rumor and it seemed to be spreading quickly.

This had reopened speculation in the attack on the airplane that witnesses claimed was her.

She had her assistant putting together responses to the allegations but as usual they were taking the non defensive tactic. She hoped they were going to let this all go soon but she was not counting on it.

Jonah came in just then and laid the newest paper down. No they were not forgetting.

She was glad that John was taking her somewhere, a little fun was certainly in order after this week. Casual but warm clothing...she wondered where he was taking her.

Donna let me sleep four hours and fed me as promised. I have been on the move ever since. There are things to be delivered, people still in need of aid. I stopped and brought Vanessa and Julia to the embassy to finish their recovery. I wanted them to be checked on, Vanessa came very close to dying during the plague with her lingering injuries from the operations to remove the Silver Swan devices.

Julia wished to go with me to Themyscira but Vanessa still needs her. And it would be nice for me to have Julia there for the duty that lies ahead.

Many of the visitors were ready to be shipped home when I arrived on Themyscira. Artemis has arranged for those who died to be returned to their families, if their families are alive.

I do not even know how all of my team mates are doing, now that the plague has a cure I will bring healers to the mainland to help with those with a slow recovery or those who suffered other injuries. It will give the healers who have worked non stop through this tragedy more people to take the burden off of each other.

But that is for tomorrow.

Tonight is for sorrow.

The beirs have been prepared, the oils applied, the wood is stacked and waiting. Sisters fallen will be remembered tonight. Artemis is our leader here on the island but she has deferred speaking on the matter to me. She swears she would be short and angry and I have to smile knowing that to be a true statement.

We bring the torches and Menalippe begins to speak. I do not listen to her words but watch her with a sense of awe. This woman who was so lost when Penelope left her has grown into her role of priestess as well as Oracle. She seemed so fragile for so long but it is as if the things she does not need have burned away and she stands there a blade that has been tested and not found wanting.

The biers are lit to take our sisters ashes to the sky and the the Elysian fields which they so deserve and it is my turn.

"Today is not the first day that we have lost our sisters, we are warriors and long have we stood as the defenders between the forces of the underworld and the earth as the guardians of Doom's Doorway. But today we say goodbye to the sister who perhaps most clearly illustrated what we should be. Epione was a warrior born, it was with much ferocity that she did her duty as one of Phillipus' best warriors." I pause to gather my thoughts.

"But she learned that there was more to life than the fight, and she taught us how there is more to life than war and struggle. Who here was not healed by her? Who here did not stand side by side with her? She taught us that there is more than one way to fight, more than one way to be a warrior. Death and pain were her foes and in the end she taught us that there is no shame in losing to them either as long as one does one's best and does not falter in the face of fear."

"We will miss you my sisters." I raise my arms over my head, bracelets crossed saluting them.

"The glory of Gaia go with you!" the echo of voices repeating the salute is almost deafening. And the pain begins to ease knowing that they are going to the afterlife on the sound of the loving voices of their sisters.

I have not rested since this began. The strength given to me by the gods has kept me going so far, although I wonder how much good it does me at times. There are precious few supplies to bring anyone now and the best I can do is bring them to places of safety while they suffer through this illness. Many are dying. The old and the weak first, but more and more every day.

We have had two deaths at the Embassy, Ferdinand is hovering on the edge and the Garabaldi brothers are as ill as any I've seen. It is hard looking at them and wondering if I saved Martin from being stone only so he could die beside his brother.

Michael and Leslie are still well enough to care for the others and I bring them supplies as I may.

They speak on the communicators of a possible way to combat this, I wish others are safe but even if they are now they may not be for long.

Anger carried me for a while. And now the panicked feeling of trying to shore up a mountain of sand as it falls around me. There were fires today, a building had an appliance left on when someone died and it short circuited and burned down half a block. I managed to get most of the people out and tear down the burning parts to block the fire's path, but it will happen again. There have been emergency calls from nuclear reactors and other industrial plants.

All I can do is pray that those I love are safe and continue until I can do no more.

She is waiting for a load of medicines to be ready for her to take to one of the hospitals when the call comes in from Themyscira. Epione and five other amazons are dead. The sickness is killing most of the visitors and there is no telling how many will die.

She thanks them quietly and promises to bring them what she can, she will be there soon barring any immediate disasters.

When the aid workers come back they find Wonder Woman crying as if her heart will break and for a moment they forget their awe and comfort her as they would any other person.

Hermes and Cassie travel far faster than Diana on the way out of the underworld to the light of day in Greece. The godly fire Ares used on her is slowly wearing off and she is catching up but she finds Cassie just outside the doorway.

The entire field is in battle. Titans, champions and everyone. Hades has betrayed them and is doing his best to take all of them to his realm.

A quick intake of breath from Cassie. "Hades just turned Jesse and Cyborg old!" and without another word she is gone in to the battle.

Diana waits to enter the battle, somehow this is something Cassie must do but she does not know why just yet.

"Kal, Arthur, J'onn." She nods her head their presence as familiar to her as her own sisters by now.

"We all know why we are here. There must be a fifth vote for the tribunal. Kal as chair I thought you may wish to start this meeting." She sits back content to wait to have her say. She is curious as to the others thoughts after what they have all learned over the last few days.

I have not been keeping my journal updated recently as there has simply been too much occuring too rapidly. And quite honestly when I have a few moments I find myself not knowing what to say.

And here I am doing it again.

Last night was the charity ball and then this morning Hal called and needed help with Arisia. They had captured her away from Sinestro and wanted to break the conditioning laid upon her. I knew I was only there because there was no other way to let her see the truth quickly, they were there banded together as one, which is how the lanterns should be.

Hal bound his hand with Arisia's in the lasso and they spoke the truth to each other, as soon as I sensed I was not needed anymore I slipped the lasso off of them and left so that they might all have time alone.

The charity ball was a worthy cause but I wish I had not gone, or rather had asked Kip to accompany me or gone alone. Ibn al-Xu'ffasc called me after we rescued Captain Marvel and asked if I would accompany him as he knew me from the mission and needed an escort. I agreed since it would be a good cause for the Embassy to be involved in. I told him I knew his name meant son of the bat and while we were there we took turns asking each other questions when I indicated I was curious about him and where he had come from.

It turns out he knows Mar'i, he has the memories of her beloved from her home. I let them dance while I visited with Barbara, I owe her a visit now, to discuss things we could not while we were in public. In happy news Mary Donna grows strong and healthy. There were many undercurrents there that I am not sure what was happening but I know a great deal more went on than looked on the surface.

He asked me to go to use me against my friends, Ibn al-Xu'ffasc spoke of the future in Mar'i's world and tried to use me to cause pain to people I care about. He repented and had me strike him but still I am not sure how much trust he will have from me when next we speak.

And the things he spoke of...my relations and choices of the future. I do not wish to speak of them but they weigh heavily on my mind. There is a reason people do not wish to know the future and I am sorry that I asked Mar'i once. She was wiser than I to not answer.

Then there was the meeting with Kal and Bruce. I cannot say I would forgive the things that happened either. I know what it is to be violated. I earned my bracelets the same way every other Amazon did. It made me strong but there is also that part that goes dark when I think back on it. I was changed forever by that, so was Bruce. Things must change and there are decisions to be made, but I will let Kal call those meetings, it is his place as chairperson to start these things.

These are dark days, and I miss my Mother and my Sister, my confidants and advisors in the heart and mind. Perhaps I should take time to visit Themyscira soon. Epione will wish to know that Barbara said that she may attend the birth so she may prepare and it will give me more than one reason to be there and speak to her.

Taking her leave of Mar'i and Ibn, unsure of the currents that are between them she heads towards the string quartet where it was indicated that Barbara and Dick were located. It takes a few moments to get there, people always like to stop and talk to her and she always has a smile and a gentle word for those who do.

She is directed by several of them until she is in the general area.

"I hope I am near you Barbara."

I have not felt so cruel a blow since I learned of my mother's actions to place another in my armor. That was a betrayal in the name of love for me.

To find that those I trusted as family have acted in similar manners has hurt me. The mindwipes were not done when I was an active member but they should have been a matter of record. We were all asked to vote on the mindwipe of Blockbuster and given our say. This...this secrecy over things in the past will come back to haunt the league.

And if it were not evil enough that we should tamper with the minds of our foes instead of giving them the defeat they deserve, to do it to one of our own is unforgiveable. I am not forgiving of Bruce for the information he has gathered and unwillingly given to someone else for their benefit either, but I can see how the attack on his mind may have deepened his paranoia.

I have to make decisions I do not like making. Information has been kept from me by people I considered family. There was obviously shame involved in the mind wipes since the information was not made accessable to other members. Those who were wiped, they will wish vengeance if they learn of the deeds done to them, and now it is possible that all of the members family information is available to them.

When I can feel past the anger in my heart I will decide.

I called Kip as he asked and received directions to his Aunt's house. I hope there will be no difficulty with Pegasus, I can always send him back to the Embassy until I need him again if there is nowhere nearby he can stay.

Lands where she was directed and slips down from Pegasus in street clothes carrying a bouquet of flowers from Themyscira for Kip's Aunt.

"I will see you later, Pegasus, I'll call when I am ready to leave."

She turns and walks to the house.

I was prepared to help find Zauriel as Kal El asked but it appears that the situation has been resolved. Instead I will dedicate my day to preparing for the Memorial Day on monday. A day to remember those fallen in war we are having a ceremony here at the Embassy to honor those lost not in those wars that many people do not know of. Those lost in another sector of space, those who give their lives to fight the darkness here and are never seen again.

I would like to honor Katar at the ceremony. I need to contact Shayera and let her know that we will be doing so. I do not know if she would like to attend or not, the pain may be too fresh for her.

There are many things to arrange. I know that we honored Martin Garabaldi at a memorial already but I would like his name read among the heroes who have fallen. And it has been far too long since I have spoken to his father and brother. That is part of the guilt of my heart I see when I test myself with Hestia's fire. I must make the slate clean between us, it is my fault that Martin died, if his family needs to blame me I must be there to let them spend their anger so they may move on to less destructive grief.

I look forward to Sunday's dinner. I enjoyed speaking with Kip, I did not realize how much it would help to speak to someone who knows. I hope he enjoys coming here to the Embassy as well. Ferdinand was amused when I told him of Kip and that he was coming here for dinner. He told me it was about time. I'm not sure exactly what he was referring to and he refused to explain just said that it was and that he would be happy to cook dinner for us. I reminded him that I like to cook and he told me to stay out of his kitchen or he would rearrange everything to make it more difficult for me. He is a gentle dictator, but a dictator of the kitchen nontheless.

Things have been so hectic since I have returned to my full duties that I have not had time to be as helpful as I would want to my comrades. It hurts to know that someone is damaging things that honor our fallen ones. I hope that the others know if they need my aid with anything that I am here for them.

Pegasus helped me to see the picture that Barbara sent out of her child. Artemis is caring for her well and she is growing strong and big. I am sure she will be a delight to her parents. Not that I know it is a girl but I find when a gender is unknown I unthinkingly assume it is female. The product of growing up with knowing nothing but women I am sure.

Mar'i was a delight to have here visiting. Although she seemed in awe of me for reasons I could not quite fathom. She is a beautiful girl and holds great power. I am proud to call her sister and would do so even without her ties to the others. It must be difficult to be all that is left of your entire world. She has handled that well.

There is much to be done for the Embassy. Things are not going well in several countries where I have been campaigning for women's rights. I am arranging meetings with several leaders to try and draw up new treaties. Bana Migdal is trying to reform only without the magic sands that kept the intruders out it will not survive in the mid east. Artemis and the others are still not comfortable on Themyscira and some wish to leave and live in their old home. I wish I could convince them to stay, how can I campaign for world peace when I cannot even keep all the Amazons together? Still I cannot force them either.

There will be time for....

**verbal entry transmission ends here**

Diana...Champion prepare yourself and your steed for battle...I have need for you.

*sees Athena through Pegasus' eyes and gathers her armor*

I am ready.

I found Bruce the other night and he helped me to realize that physically I am ready to re-enter the fight. Emotionally and mentally is up to me now. I trust Bruce, and the fact I held my own against him, even felt that I was winning helped me regain my balance and confidence. I know he of all people would not hold back on me if I asked him not too.

There is one last thing I need to test myself with. Bullets and bracelets. There is something looming on the horizon, I sense it coming like a storm and I must be prepared for it.

Dick used to work as a police man, he has used guns before, perhaps I shall ask him to help me.

Pegasus is restless, he too can sense the calling of a long journey. Pegasus has always been the companion of those fighting against great odds on behalf of the gods. Why does that worry me so?

It was nice to visit with Barbara and Dick and to hear about the child that is on the way. I am glad I was able to take some worries off of their minds by telling them that Artemis is looking out for this pregnancy. I am saddened that there has been no word of Wally since he dissapeared. I will not give up hope that he is alive and well and will return to us.

I am looking for Bruce now, I am sure that he is working as always. Pegasus will guide me to him, I have told him of Bruce and the places I have found him before. Although there is an even chance that he will spot me first, I am rather conspicuous after all with the company I keep.

With Pegasus here to help me I feel like I am moving forward again. The shadows are still inside when I test myself with the lasso but they are no longer growing as they once were. I am allowing myself hope that when I tell myself I will be a productive member of the Justice League again that I am not telling myself lies to make myself feel better.

I have been training daily with Phillipus and Atremis on Themyscira. Then I return to the Embassy and make the appointments I need to and the appearances I must. My staff, my family, tries to keep me from as many of the personal appearances as possible until I am back at full strength but there are always things that I must do in person as no one else will be able accomplish what must be done.

Now that I have my eyes for travel I will start alternating training with Themyscira and with Koriand'r in San Francisco. I heard the news that Barbara is pregnant and I am extremely happy for her. It makes me think of what Koriand'r asked me when I visited her, but I am sure such a wonderful thing is not in my fate. Only my mother of all the Amazons has had a child and I was born of clay on a beach not in the traditional manner. Ours is a different fate. Although those who lived in Bana Migdal lived as mortal women, perhaps someday so shall my sisters.

There is one more test that I must pass before I consider myself ready to face the world as a hero again. I will ask Bruce for that favor, he alone will test me as I must be tested.

Still no word of Wally, I must get back out there and look with the others, I miss him, he was always the one to make me laugh and keep me from thinking too long on dark thoughts.

A call to Barbara for congratulations and information is in order I think.

I went for a walk in the gardens tonight. We had a memorial service for Martin and I spoke along with many others about his life and how we will miss him. I had to tell his father that there was nothing that could be done for him. I told Medusa that I would die to save even one human life, but Martin was sacrificed to save billions, he did much more than I.

Circe and the other Gorgons are still out there. Medusa's sisters are immortal and cannot be killed but there has to be a way to contain their mischeif so no more are harmed.

Circe...it is hard to believe there was a time we were friends. She unwillingly trapped herself in a mortal form and tricked Ares into giving her a child. Her daughter is being raised on Themyscira now, Lyta grows and thrives with us. As Donna Milton she origanally tried to betray me, but we became friends. I listened to Lyta in her womb, I delivered her in the dark water where we were left to die and brought them both to safety. When I fight against Circe I still see Donna and hear her laughter. Remember the way she clung to me in the dark and I hold back.

I cannot do that anymore. Her spell resurrected Medusa, it would have killed over half the planet in one stroke.

When I came home I retreated to the garden. There was someone there waiting for me. I whose very life is soaked in the stories of ancient Greece and the heroes that have been had forgotten that when you kill a gorgon something wonderful and magic happens.

They had taken me away so quickly I did not know it had occured.

The soft muzzle that touched my hand and breathed it's warmth onto my fingers reminded me that out of every ugliness some beauty can be found.

Pegasus.

I don't understand what has happened to Wally. He was supposed to come and take me to Gotham but he has not returned nor contacted the embassy to let me know why he was not here.

I contacted Barbara and he has been out of communications. I do not like this. It is not like Wally to dissapear completely. I will come out of reserve status if need be to look into this with the others.

I will have to make use of the JLA transport to get where I need to be for a while. I am leaving a message for Bruce that I would like to speak with him when he has time and I need to make time to visit Koriand'r.

I need to be useful. I do not know what to do. A friend may be in trouble but I have no way to be helpful.

When I tested myself with the lasso this morning there were shadows inside. What am I to do with my life?