And she dreams.

It is a troubled sleep. Even were I not privileged to her thoughts, her feelings, her desires, it is plain to see. The furrows upon her brow. The dampness on her pale skin. I feel the ache of her pain, but I’m as helpless as a newborn to ease her suffering. I have been her companion. And her mother’s before her. Once, I was a lonely thing. A simple device that could be transfigured into many things. Invisible to the eye, but no less alive. A being who knew not what I missed until I heard the sound of her voice and felt the touch of her hand. I had the chance once to join with a universal perfection. It had been my dream to find others such as myself, to finally feel complete, to be whole, to be a part of something greater than myself.

I choose instead to join her.

The struggle to bring peace to a world that tumbled always toward war. The perpetual striving to save a race that teetered on the brink of destruction. This is her mission, and now it is mine.

This is her Dream.

"Diana, my dear, are you well?" The visage of Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, gazed from the flat, oval screen suspended from seemingly nowhere within the main chamber of the Wonder Dome. She sat proud upon her throne, holding the staff that was a symbol of her office, the golden crown of the amazons upon her head. Though her features, which usually betrayed nothing, held a hint of the concern she felt for her daughter.

"As well as I can be, Mother." Even through her own best efforts, exhaustion showed through in both her appearance and her voice. The Amazonian princess leaned into the high-backed chair that stood on a dais, perfectly molded to her form for maximum comfort. The Lansinar technology that made up her Dome was sentient, tied intimately to the thoughts and emotions of those who were within it – most especially the woman who now controlled it. Diana was dressed in a simple shift, a tiara of gold upon her brow with a single crimson star at its center, though she wore nothing else of the uniform of her station, the garb that belonged to her by right and honor as Wonder Woman. Ambassador of Peace. So why did her mission seem to be failing at every turn? She was doing everything she could, but it never seemed to be enough. If she prevented a war in the Balkans, there was yet another she missed in the Middle East. If she tried to stop a rash of human rights violations in one part of South America, she would inevidably miss the massive riot that broke out in some part of North America. Diana of Themyscira was but one woman.

Though she was one gifted by the gods themselves.

"I’m sorry, Mother – what did you just say?" Diana was slow to emerge from her own reflections. She saw the slight frown that crossed the Hippolyta’s features, and there was a time when she was a child that such an statement would have quailed her. But all she could do now was wait for the Mighty Queen to repeat herself as they sat in silence.

"Your sister, Diana. How does Donna fair?"

Donna Troy. Diana’s mystical twin sister. They shared more than most siblings could ever dream. Their souls were literally parts of the same whole. And while they shared a similar appearance, their mother’s dark hair and sky blue eyes, they were still quite different. Diana was the eldest of the two. As well, she was taller by a head than her sister. And while they both shared in gods granted power, Diana was clearly the stronger of the two.

"She does well, Mother," Diana smiled for the first time since the start of the conversation. "I spoke with her but yesterday and she sends you her love. She also promised to visit soon."

"And you Diana," the Queen injected smoothly. "When might you return home to visit these shores?"

Diana frowned for a moment in thought, her gaze cast down for a moment. "I-I do not know, Mother. My duties in Patriarch’s World have been pressing. I am suppose to be addressing the UN general assembly this afternoon."

"We all have our duties, Diana," Hippolyta said as she stood, still gazing at her daughter. "But perhaps it is just as well. I plan to return to Patriarch’s World this afternoon to speak with Jay Garrick over some matters of some concern there."

Diana arched a slight eyebrow, sitting up straight upon her chair. "Mother, is this JSA business?" Her voice was low, but not quite accusatory.

"But of course, my dear. That is why I must speak with Jay."

"Then maybe it should be left up to the JSA to handle, Mother."

"Naturally. And I am JSA. I will be in touch, Diana." The screen went blank, leaving Diana to merely gaze at its slightly opaque depths, shaking her head slightly. Her mother was a grown woman, free to do as she pleased.

"Yes, Mother." The words fell upon the hallow walls of the Wonder Dome.

As the princess rose, leaving to the face the rest of her day, the vague form of a man literally formed from the walls themselves and watched her retreating footsteps.

"Again."

Artemis stood behind Cassandra Sandsmark, hunter green eyes scrutinizing the girl’s posture as she stood rigid and straight, a longbow gripped in her hands. Across the backyard of the Sandsmark home stood a painted target with red and white stripes, a small red bullseye at its center. Two arrows were stuck in the target, one at its outer ring and the other in the ring just outside of the bullseye.

Cassie frowned slightly, looking up at her teacher, but at the stern gaze that met her own she decided instead to return her attentions back to the target before her. "We’ve been at this all afternoon, Artemis." She held the taunt string in place, not showing the least sign of strain despite the heaviness of the bow. Gifted with strength and abilities similar to Diana’s own, she could hold the pose for as long as it took Artemis to proclaim her form ‘adequate’.

"And we will likely be at it all night." Artemis’ voice held no compunction as she stood, arms folded, her own eyes on the target. She was a taskmasker, perhaps even harsh in some ways, but she cared about Cassie and her progress in being indoctrinated in not just Amazon philosophies and training, but her continuing development as Wonder Girl. And as Artemis herself once wore the mantle of Wonder Woman, it perhaps made her ideal for the task.

The blonde youth sighed softly, knowing that Artemis wasn’t kidding. She was hoping to get back to her friends of the superhero team called Young Justice, but that wasn’t going to be happening anytime soon.

*TWANG*

The arrow sang through the air, streaking toward its target leaving the barest whistle of air in its wake. The arrow hit with a resounding *thunk*, embedding itself dead center of the target and leaving one grinning Wonder Girl. Cassie turned back with that winning smile and held up the bow, "Not bad, huh? Even Arrowette would have to say that was pretty good." Or maybe not, knowing Cissie.

Artemis smiled and nodded her head, "Very good," she pronounced, moving over to the pile of arrows that were set aside and retrieved another set of three and handed them to Cassie. "Now, split the arrow in the bullseye, young Amazon."

Cassandra sighed, rolling her eyes. This was going to be a long day.

The General Assembly of the United Nations had been called together for a special session in the city of New York. They were not scheduled to meet for another eight weeks, but the nature and source of the request was one that could not be ignored. Though Themyscira was not a full member of the UN, it was honored with a special observer’s status. Princess Diana’s unique position as both the heir to her nation’s throne and their ambassador to the world earned her a certain status beyond the norm. And the fact that she was known the world over as Wonder Woman, a member of the JLA who had saved the world more times than any of them could readily count, did not hurt either.

"Distinguished Dignitaries…Ladies and Gentlemen…." Princess Diana stood behind the podium to a captive audience as she began her speech. "In these days and times, we are faced with a thousand adversities that act against us in our efforts to cement the nations of the world into the peace and brotherhood of a global community. What is most unfortunate is that the greatest of these obstacles is ourselves…."

It was no wonder that when she spoke, the room was consumed in a hushed silence. Ambassadors, presidents, and even some kings had made room in their schedules to hear the Amazon speak. It was as if the Ambassador from Themyscira had sat them down, one by one, to address them all on an individual level. The power of her words refused to be denied.

"…its not something we can hide from any longer. There is very little we can accomplish alone. Acting autonomously within our own boarders…."

Her sapphire blue eyes swept the room that was filled with hundreds upon hundreds of people. The depth of that gaze seemed to encompass the whole of them at once. Though she went on for a full hour, outlining her observations and her plans to spread the ideals and philosophies she learned on Themyscira, she never lost the attention of those she addressed.

"To this end ladies and gentlemen, we must come together and truly reinforce the ideal of human rights and equality. I hope that we can count upon each other to do what is necessary and defend the virtues of freedom."

As the Amazon finished her speech, thunderous applause filled in the silence that the audience had been in during the entirety of the oratory. The standing ovation continued even as the woman exited the main podium.

She was greeted off stage by a crowd of well-wishers, not just dignitaries, but the press began to crowd in on the ambassador. Diana took time to greet them as she could, giving brief statements to the press and referencing them to her speech for anything further.

Just as it would seem the crowd was finally thinning, she felt a touch at her elbow. "Nice speech. I give it a perfect 10."

Diana couldn’t help but smile at the familiar face, the answering grin only broadened her own. "Are you sure you’re not a biased opinion?"

"Nope, not at all. See, I was taught that you should always tell the truth by someone I really admire." Donna Troy smiled at her sister as she glanced around as the remaining people were beginning to drift even further, "I was thinking since you were in town, maybe I could take you out to coffee or something? We can chit-chat, catch up a bit, and I can tell you about an idea I had for a new project."

Donna’s exuberance was infectious, lifting even Diana’s mood as she looked to the younger woman. "Actually, that sounds perfect. Let me just – " She paused, frowning for a moment. There was a soft beep that sounded to her ears only, originating from the star-shaped earrings that were her normal fare.

~Diana, its Green Lantern….~

Diana glanced at her sister, who only met her look with a questioning one, not able to hear the pinpointed communications. A look of apology crossed her features as she spoke softly, "Go ahead."

~We’ve got a situation. We just had an incident near the Throgs Neck Bridge. And since you’re in the area -- ~

"Understood, Green Lantern. Let the others know I’m on it. Diana, out."

Donna frowned slightly, her eyes watching Diana’s statement carefully. "Is something wrong?"

"More than likely." Diana glanced around the room once more, making sure there were no remaining dignitaries she might need to make polite excuses to and then looked to her sister once more, turning and already moving toward the doors. "I don’t suppose you have time to lend a hand?"

Donna didn’t hesitate for even a heartbeat. "Always."

The two women sped across the city skies toward the Throgs Neck Bridge, placed near Queens and the Bronx. The scene that met them was one of aquatic chaos. Even before the women were within sight, they could hear the cries of the creatures on the wind.

Three of them thrashed about on the surface of the waters, tentacles causing waves and disturbances that had already capsized two vessels and threatened another. "Gorgomaids…." Wonder Woman had not had personal encounters with the beastial creatures, but she knew them by reputation. They served the archenemy of the King of the Seas. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that they were there at the Black Manta’s orders. Though the villain himself was nowhere to be seen, she was not surprised.

The two women exchanged a single glance and a nod, more than enough to communicate who would be handling what in the situation. Troia swooped toward the capsized ships where those who had not made it to the safety of shore still clung to the sides, beckoning to their rescuer.

Wonder Woman took quick and careful assessment of the situation. The gorgomaids screeched even more loudly as they saw their gathering was being interrupted. The one closest to Diana flailed tentacles wildly, thrashing about the water in effort to ensnare her. Two of the four limbs lashed out, suctioning themselves around the Amazon’s body.

The gorgomaid squeezed tightly, attempting to crack the woman’s ribs as she robbed her of the ability to breathe. Wonder Woman was unable to reach for her lasso, the golden lariat that was never far from her side, but her limbs were trapped in such a manner that mere inches from her fingers hardly made a difference.

"Diana!" Troia’s cry was swallowed in the screeches of the gorgomaids as she raced back from depositing one of the ruined ships, and its passengers, onto the nearby shores. As she neared Wonder Woman’s side, she drew back a fist as she headed for the creature that held the other Amazon captive.

A whip-cord tentacle, thicker than the arms of two grown men, lashed out and struck Troia squarely in the side of the head, knocking her back several yards.

Wonder Woman watched with wide, horrified eyes as her sister was thrown and sunk beneath the churning waters of the river.

"No offense, Artemis – but at what point do I get to do something other than be laid out flat on my butt?" Cassie looked up at her teacher, having been deposited onto the ground for what felt like the hundredth time. To her credit, it had taken a few additional seconds this time before she gathered another bruise, but that one was going to hurt for a good several days. She could just feel it.

Artemis smiled slightly, offering a hand to the young woman to help her up once more. "You are doing well, Cassandra. You were able to master the lunge we practiced earlier, but now you must learn how it is countered, and then how to counter that counter."

Cassie tried to keep the exhaustion out of her features, and the frustration from her voice. She enjoyed her training sessions with Artemis as much as the next masochistic teenager. She was learning everything she had always dreamed of – now if it would only come together faster and she could just walk out of there as a battle-hardened Amazon, her life would be complete. "Right. Counter the counter of the counter."

The red-head frowned slightly, "Cassandra." Just the way she said the name made Cassie stand a little straighter and wince. It was the same tone her mother used when she was ‘applying’ herself enough. "I have been charged with teaching you how to defend yourself and with learning the ways of the Amazon. I will not fail my sister Amazon by taking half measures in your education. Now…take your stance."

"Yes, Artemis." Cassie took up the loose-legged stance as she had been shown. She looked up at the woman and took a deep breath. Then, she lunged for her, taking a step to the side, hoping that maybe the slight sidestep she added to it would allow her to properly execute the counter to the move she knew was coming.

She was wrong.

Cassie found herself tossed over Artemis’ hip like a sack of flour and thrown hard into the ground. She blinked, trying to clear her vision and rubbed the back of her head. She wasn’t exactly eager to get up and at them again. "Ow…."

Artemis shook her head, looking down at the girl once more. "Perhaps a break would be in order?"

"Perhaps, yeah." Cassie again accepted the hand up and sighed inwardly. She would managed to get this down eventually. Even if she was going to become one big walking bruise trying to get there. She looked up at the front of her house and then back to the taller woman, "I’m going to grab some lemonade, did you want some water or anything?"

"No, I will wait here for you."

Cassie nodded, not surprised that the Amazon declined her offer. "All right. I’ll be right back."

Artemis watched as the teenager walked in measured steps to the backdoor. She took a great deal of pride in Cassie’s progress. She knew that the teenager was getting better, her full potential yet to be realized. She took the task that Diana had charged her with seriously, being trusted with Cassie’s development in the ways of the Amazons.

There had been a time when the women did not exactly see eye to eye. The Themysciran Amazons and those of Bana-Mighdall had been at odds almost from the very moment the latter appeared. Even when they had managed to fight side by side to defend their island home, they remained apart. Then came the day when Queen Hippolyta had called for another Contest.

Her reasons for doing so had been to try and keep Diana out of harm’s way. And when Artemis had won the Contest that the Queen had rigged against her daughter in every subtle way she could think of, the Bana-Mighdall Amazon had won the honor of being Wonder Woman – and died for it. Then she fought back from the very depths of hell to reclaim her life. Diana had been there for Artemis at her death. She had defied her mother and fought by Artemis’ side.

It was something that she would never forget.

"Hmm…" Artemis felt the breeze pick up just slightly in the late afternoon air. She turned, arching an eyebrow as she felt a presence. "Cassandra, are you – " The words caught in her throat.

The figure that stood before her was not that of Cassandra Sandsmark. It was tall, taller than she by far. Clad completely in dark armor, the man was heavily muscled and radiated a power and energy that would be overwhelming for most mortals to behold.

Ares. God of War. "I have use for you, Amazon." The voice rang out in multi-tones that filled the air with waves of power.

Artemis grabbed the longbow that was laid against the tree near the practice target, nocking an arrow faster than most could dare hope to follow. "Never."

Cassie came walking out of the backdoor, balancing two glasses of lemonade, "Okay, I know you said you didn’t want any. But I figured if you wouldn’t drink it, then – " She paused, coming up short at the sight before her. "By Zeus…."

"Cassandra, get out of –" Before Artemis could finish, there was a brief flash and the pulse of tangible power.

As Cassie blinked against the brilliant display, it took several moments before her vision cleared. When at last she had her sight back, the pair that had stood before her had vanished.

Ares and Artemis were gone without a trace.

NEXT ISSUE: Battle with the gorgomaids. The return of Ares. Plus, trouble in paradise.