Strangers In Paradise
Chapter 1: Shipwrecked

AN: This is the first major DC Comics story that I've ever written. I've always had an affinity for certain DC characters, but I've never been inspired to write stories about them the way I have with Marvel. Thanks to new developments like the New 52, I feel like I have a story worth telling here. It involves one of my favorite comic book pairings of all time, Superman/Wonder Woman. It's a pairing I never thought would happen in the comics because of Superman's history with Lois Lane. But thanks to the New 52, it finally did and the depth of this relationship can finally be explored. This story takes that relationship and develops it in a new way that I hope others will enjoy.

In addition, I would like to thank my good friend, Agent-G, for helping me develop this story. I couldn't have done it without him.

'This means character thoughts or psychic communication'

Disclaimer: I don't own Superman, Wonder Woman, or the Justice League. They are the property of DC Comics and Warner Brothers. Please don't sue.

As always, I encourage everyone to take the time to review the story and provide feedback. Send me your comments via email at marvelmaster616 or post a review on the fanfiction website. Thank you and enjoy the story.

Themyscira – One Year Ago

The heart of every Amazon burned with a passion for war and a love for their homeland. Blessed by the gods, granted immortality, and endowed with great strength, they stand as an embodiment of feminine strength and warrior pride. As such, they defend and do the will of the gods. For centuries, they've fought to preserve the fragile balance between the realm of the gods and the realm of men.

However, they do not interact with men, nor do they associate with man's world. They reject the corrupt, patriarchal order that men have used to subjugate women for centuries. Once, the Amazons were victims of that corrupt order. Hercules, the illegitimate son of Zeus, sought the heart of Hippolyta, queen of an obscure tribe of warrior women. For a time, there was love and passion between them. They even entertained thoughts of merging her army with his, creating a band of great warriors. But when Hippolyta refused his demands to be submissive rather than an equal, she rejected him.

In doing so, Hercules became enraged and sought revenge. He assembled his army and attacked them in broad daylight. They were victorious, taking the surviving women and binding them with ropes and shackles. Hercules then demanded that Hippolyta accept his hand in marriage and that her fellow Amazons join his army in subjugation. True to her Amazon code, she refused submission.

As punishment for her refusal, Hercules had his men rape Hippolyta's Amazon sisters. For three days and nights, they were ravaged. Hercules made her watch every moment of it, forcing Hippolyta to listen to their cries and witness their torment. He then gave her another opportunity to accept his proposal. Again, she refused to submit. Hercules then bound her with shackles and raped her. His fellow men, having ravaged her sisters, forced them all to watch their queen's humiliation. But this indignation was still not enough. They continued to refuse, preferring death over subjugation. Yet Hercules and his men denied them even that, allowing every one of them to live after their torment was complete.

While she and her sisters lay naked and defeated at the hands of Hercules, Hippolyta made a desperate prayer to Hera and the gods of Olympus. Her prayer was answered. In exchange for their pledge to serve the gods, they were granted the strength and resilience to ensure that they would never be victims of male dominance again. Hera granted them dominion of Themyscira, also known as Paradise Island. This island was blessed with eternal abundance and shrouded in a mystical cloak. The island acts as both a home and a battleground, one where the presence of mortal men is forbidden and where the will of the gods and Queen Hippolyta is law.

Over the centuries, these laws have been dutifully upheld. In that time, there have been a few Amazons that have disobeyed. Their punishment is swift yet merciful. They face exile from Themyscira and are stripped of their immortality, doomed to die of old age. At times, this has required Amazons to bear children to maintain their numbers. While this is rare, it is tightly controlled by the gods. They seek a suitable man, they choose the Amazon that will bear the child, and they allow the Amazon to seduce the man. Once they have coitus, the memory of the encounter is erased from the man and the Amazon returns to Paradise Island where the gods ensure that the child is a girl and is raised in the ways of the Amazons.

These ways represented everything the Amazons were and what they strived to be. And these were the ways and values that Diana, daughter of Hippolyta and Princess of the Amazons, had been brought up to defend. Her very birth had been considered a miracle, another answered prayer by the gods when Hippolyta begged for a chance to be a mother. She seemed destined to be the best the Amazons had to offer. Yet at times, she seemed to question that destiny.

"Tell me again, mother. Why don't we explore man's world? Why must the Amazons fight only the battles ordained by Olympus?" asked the 16-year-old princess as she stood with Hippolyta on a hill overlooking the shore.

"You already know the answers to these questions, Diana. You've been given these answers in many forms on many occasions," answered Hippolyta.

"I know every word of these answers. But every time I hear them, I find them less satisfying. I know of the crimes perpetrated by Hercules and his men on our sister. I've been told of the suffering and subjugation that millions of women endure."

"Then why do you insist on belaboring this question? Why does it bother you so?"

"Because it seems incomplete," said Diana as she gazed distantly into the setting sun. "I don't know why, but I feel it in my heart. And one of the first lessons every Amazon learns is to fight from the heart and let it power the will."

"Nobody would ever question your heart," said Hippolyta, "But do not mistake the heart and the brain. You'll only confuse yourself with flawed thoughts."

"Funny, all of my sisters say the same thing, often with those exact words. I used to think it was just because I was a young girl on an island where there are so few. But as the years pass, I get the sense that they are the ones with flawed thoughts."

The Amazonian princess, and the light of Hippolyta's life, gazed out over the shores with a glint of wonder in her eyes. It was a dangerous look because it saw the world beyond this island in such a different light. Diana had always been a curious, adventurous child in addition to being a proud warrior. Her spirit could not be contained by this island. Being the queen's daughter and somewhat of an anomaly, a child born on an island of immortal women, she often ran off to be alone. She usually found her way to this very spot, a picturesque hill that overlooked the beach on the southernmost portion of Paradise Island. It was so beautiful, especially at sunset. But its beauty only encouraged these dangerous thoughts.

As Diana tried to admire this beauty, Hippolyta mother placed her hand on her shoulder and pulled her into a light embrace. It didn't quell Diana's wonder. She kept looking out over the sea, hoping to see the world beyond. Hippolyta knew that world. She still bore the scars it left on her. She promised the day she held her infant daughter in her arms that Diana would never endure such torment. She just never imagined that keeping such a promise would be this difficult.

"Diana, we are warriors in service to the gods. This island, these ways, and the questions you continue to ask – they are a product of battles fought long ago," said Hippolyta, speaking as both a queen and a mother now. "For many of our sisters, myself included, the scars of those battles have not healed. Many cannot be healed, no matter how many seasons pass."

"I know all about the atrocities you and our sisters endured, mother. They were horrific. I do not doubt that for a second," said Diana, who always grew uncomfortable when this subject came up.

"Those atrocities were a direct product of the world beyond these shores…a world that is dark and corrupt, especially to women. We chose long ago to rid ourselves of such corruption and the gods granted us this gift."

"You're still telling me things I've heard many times before, mother. If this world is so dark and corrupt, why don't we do anything about it?" asked Diana intently.

"Because the world of man is too complicated," replied Hippolyta. "It is not as simple as killing a harpy or slaying a titan. There are so many corrupt men in power who seek only to propagate their corruption."

"And what of the men who aren't in power? Are they as guilty as Hercules and his army?"

"That is irrelevant."

"But why?" asked Diana, still as confused as before. "I hear other sisters talking about how the world has changed since the days of Hercules. Is it not possible that this same corrupt order, and the men within it, have also changed?"

"That is still irrelevant," said Hippolyta with growing frustration.

Diana now shared her mother's frustration, but for very different reasons. It sounded like her mother was just making excuses. She said these words with such conviction, but within her tone she could still sense the scars left upon her by men like Hercules. These scars had obscured her understanding and that of all her sisters. Her kept telling her there was a greater truth to be sought, yet her mother and her loving grasp kept dissuading her from that truth.

"I still don't understand why," said Diana, shaking her head and hugging her shoulders. "You say man's world is still corrupt. Yet here we are, warriors blessed by the gods. How can we live here on this paradise while others suffer?"

"It is not our place to fight those battles, Diana. You know this. We have enough battles to fight here at the behest of the gods."

"Battles that only succeed in preserving the way things are," retorted Diana. "Have you never even contemplated fighting for something greater?"

"Of course, I have. But that is not for us to decide," said Hippolyta.

"So says the queen of the Amazons?"

"No…so says your mother, who only happens to be Queen of the Amazons."

She spoke with a tone in her voice that silenced Diana, knowing that there was nothing left to argue. The Amazonian princess held her head low with her mother's affectionate hand still on her shoulder. She never doubted her love or her dedication as a mother. Questioning her and the ways she had been brought up to champion proved strenuous in a way that even the greatest warrior could not bear.

They remained silent, watching together as mother and daughter, admiring the sun as it set over Paradise Island once more. The beauty of this scene that should have drawn them together only widened the distance between them. Diana could only accept it in her innocent youth while her mother remained dedicated to the ways of the past. At least for now, there was no hope for change. The world of men and the world of the gods seemed doomed to remain forever separate.

Mediterranean Sea - One Year Later

"Mayday! Mayday! This is Captain Grant of the SS Cato! We are under siege by pirates! I repeat, we are under siege by pirates!"

Clark heard this desperate call from the main deck of a massive cargo ship that had been sailing the Mediterranean for nearly three days now. He might have been the only one not panicking. In fact, he was surprised that this didn't happen sooner. The whole reason he decided to take a job as a low-wage ship hand was to be on a ship when it got attacked by these pirates. Now he had his chance and neither the pirates nor the crew would know what hit them.

The captain of the ship stormed out from the deck, followed by several private security contractors that were hired at a grossly inflated price to combat these pirates. These contractors were each armed with gear similar to SWAT teams, including body armor and an M-16 assault rifle. In addition, they provided assault rifles to every sailor on the ship, even if they had never held a gun in their life. As sailors responded to the alarm that now blared all over the ship, they came pouring into the officer and crew quarters just outside the main deck. They were all so nervous and the first thing the contractors did when they arrived was shove a rifle into their hands. It did little to set their minds at ease.

"I uh…I'm not sure how to shoot one of these," said one of the sailors as he fumbled with the gun somewhat.

"It's not that hard. Just aim and shoot!" barked one of the contractors.

"And don't bother with warning shots either," said the Captain. "These aren't the kind of pirates looking to boost DVDs and smart phones. They call themselves the Red Horizon and they're much more ambitious."

"Ambitious how?" asked one of the other sailors anxiously.

"A friend of mine had his ship jacked by these bastards earlier this year. They didn't just make off with enough loot to fund their own fleet of private jets. They left half the crew dead, maimed, or worse."

Now the sailors were even more nervous. Some were practically trembling, now clinging to their assault rifles and praying to every god they could. Only the captain and the contractors seemed eager to confront these pirates. They had no idea how overmatched they were and Clark had no intention of having them find out.

"Hey greenhorn! Stop hauling boxes and grab a rifle! It's about to get ugly out there," yelled the Captain as he grabbed as many clips of ammo as he could carry.

"That's okay. I'll take my chances," said Clark, who didn't even make eye-contact with him or any of the other sailors.

"You must have a hell of a death wish kid. These ain't no Jack Sparrows we're dealing with here. They're the kind of guys that eat greenhorns like you as a light snack!"

"Quit trying to scare me, Captain. I'll fight if I have to, but on my own terms."

The Captain just shook his head, not bothering to argue with a greenhorn who he just hired a few days ago at the docks. That was just fine with Clark. He didn't need them paying more attention to him than they already had. As far as the Captain was concerned, he was just some runaway drifter who was looking for a steady job and a few square meals at a port in Baltimore a week ago. He got hired on the spot because experienced sailors were in short supply. Stories about pirates attacking ships around the coast of Africa and the Mediterranean had been all over the news in recent months, discouraging anyone from taking a job on any ship larger than a fishing boat. For Clark, it was the perfect opportunity.

He had been keeping up with these pirate attacks for a while now. They had been ransacking cargo ships, killing dozens of innocent men and preventing countless tons of goods from reaching their destination. The last ship the SS Red Horizon hit contained food and medical supplies for several impoverished nations in Africa that desperately needed it. Thousands died as a result, putting these pirates at the top of Superman's hit-list.

As soon as the SS Cato left Baltimore, Clark kept as low a profile as possible. Clark spent most of his time carrying out the menial jobs of an underpaid greenhorn, which involved moving around heavy crates, doing inventories, and cleaning the bathrooms. He almost always wore a hat and a jacket, making sure he would be as forgettable as possible to the crew. But when he wasn't working, he kept to himself, waiting for another opportunity to be Superman. After biding his time for days, he finally had his chance.

"Time to test out Superman's sea legs," said Clark.

While sailors and contractors made their way to the bow of the ship, he slipped away into a nearby storage closet. Once inside, he removed his jacket and hat, revealing his blue shirt with the distinct red S. He also donned his red cape, which he kept tucked behind his shirt. The only thing he didn't change were his jeans and boots, which he modified to endure the kind of punishment that Superman often encountered. He had plans to create a more complete suit, but there was only so much style a 21-year-old like him could afford at the moment. He was still very new to being Superman, but he was learning quickly.

Shortly after he stepped out of the closet, he heard a few loud bangs with his super-hearing. He also felt the ship rock slightly. Something just hit the side of the ship and hit it hard. It was probably something the contractors hadn't equipped themselves for. With the alarm still blaring, Superman used his super-speed to ascend a few flights of stairs near the main deck. He then punched his way through a locked compartment and jumped up to the roof of the deck, which was the highest point on the ship. This gave him an unobstructed view of the incoming threat.

"Whoa…and they thought I had a death wish," said Superman.

The pirates certainly didn't look like pirates in that they didn't have bears, eye-patches, or peg legs. They were all dressed in these full black body suits with orange masks. Judging by the bulk of the suits, they were heavily armored and probably pretty resilient to the assault rifles the contractors wielded. In addition to their armor, they had some pretty powerful weapons of their own that looked much more advanced than an M-16 or any rifle a legitimate contractor would wield.

'Okay Clark, this is what you wanted. You thought you were ready to take on pirates, but are you ready to take on these guys? No pirate I've ever heard of packs a Lexcorp MI-62 assault prototype. Those things are like miniature rail-guns, capable of shooting a peanut through a brick wall. There's no way the Captain and his men can defend himself against that.'

Using his telescopic vision, he saw the Captain and his men running right into a trap. They had no idea just how overmatched they were. They all made their way to the starboard side of the ship where the pirates were approaching on what looked like modified speedboats. Then the ship was hit with another hard jolt. That's when Clark noticed something else in the distance.

'That must be the SS Red Horizon. No self-respecting ship has a paint job that bad. And if this morning fog isn't playing tricks on me, that's another rail gun mounted on the bow. Can't tell if it's another Lexcorp prototype that magically disappeared, but it's packing the kind of firepower that could sink this ship in one shot. This is going to take more muscle than I thought.'

He held onto a nearby support beam to keep until the ship stopped rocking. He then made his way closer to the starboard side of the ship so that he was in a position to strike. By then, the Captain and the contractors had reached the area. They all had their guns ready and were prepared to defend their ship, taking cover behind anything they could. The contractors stood near the front lines while the nervous sailors stayed further back, nervously waiting for the first shot to be fired.

"No matter what happens, don't let these overgrown piles of whale shit set foot on this ship!" ordered the Captain.

"According to our contract, we get a bonus for every dead pirate. I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready for a big payday!" said one of the contractors.

"Any chance we'll see any of that bonus?" said one of the sailors.

"Fat chance," scoffed another.

The next few moments were tense. It was hard to see over the edge of the ship. A light fog along with a thick overcast had blanketed this area of the Mediterranean for two days now. They were expecting the pirates to scale the ship with grappling hooks and ladders. But Superman could already see that they were in for a rude awakening.

As soon as the pirates on the ships were close enough, he saw one of the masked pirates give the thumbs up to two dozen other pirates. They all nodded and then activated something in their suits that allowed them to scale the ship without the aid of any rope.

"Jet packs…figures," said Superman.

When the two dozen pirates ascended into the foggy skies, they took everyone by surprise. They didn't even get a chance to shoot their guns. Some of the sailors even dropped their rifles upon learning how under-equipped they were.

"Attention! We have a message to deliver, courtesy of the SS Red Horizon," said one of the pirates through a speaker in his mask.

As soon as the pirates settled into a steady hover, they each aimed their weapons towards the deck. But instead of firing bullets, they fired a lone grenade from a compartment on the weapon. When they hit, they erupted in a loud burst that unleashed a thick cloud of noxious smoke over the area. This cloud of smoke quickly grew, taking up a sizable portion of the starboard side of the ship and incapacitating every sailor and contractor it encountered.

"Fall back!" yelled the Captain.

"Aagh! Shoot them!" urged one of the contractors.

But only a few shots rang out. None of them hit the pirates of the SS Red Horizon. The smoke obscured their vision and burned their lungs, forcing everyone to retreat. They were now easy prey for the pirates, who already had their rifles pointed at the fleeing sailors.

"This ship is now under our control," the pirate from before announced. "We have a rather long shopping list and our captain is rather impatient. So if you wish to see dry land again, do as we say. Or don't. We could use the target practice."

Superman had seen enough. He knew their tactics. Once they scattered the crew, they took out anyone with a gun and any ranking officer. Those foolish enough to fight back would be shot while those foolish enough to surrender would be taken captive and held hostage. They were ruthless, even by pirate standards, so Superman skipped the part where he gave them a warning.

'These guys don't mess around. I need to take care of this quickly and cleanly. That means timing this just right.'

He jumped down from the roof of the deck, landing on top of a large metal crate that overlooked the starboard side of the ship. While the sailors and contractors fled, he waited for the pirates to land. But before their feet could touch the ship deck, he took a deep breath and unleashed a blistering gust of wind with his super breath.

It hit the pirates with the force of a hurricane while blowing away the smoke, allowing the crew to breathe and get away. It caught both crews completely by surprise and it didn't take long for some to trace the source.

"Whoa. Who the hell is that?" gasped the Captain.

"Don't know, but he's not on our payroll so he's not getting the bonus," said one of the contractors.

While most ran away, some lingered behind. After he finished his attack, he turned towards the captain.

"Get back to the main deck and secure every access point! Get this ship moving again and contact the nearest port," he told him. "I'll take care of these clowns."

"You sure you can take all of them?" asked one of the contractors.

"Positive," said Superman confidently.

That was good enough for the captain and everyone else that wanted to get out of this in one piece. The ship's crew couldn't get away fast enough, just as Superman had hoped. The air now clear, Superman jumped down to another stack of crates, using his powerful leg strength to get him closer to the edge of the ship.

As he looked down at the choppy waters below, he saw that most of the pirates ended up in the water. Their jet packs had either failed or they couldn't regain control. The two boats that had brought them to the ship were already pulling away. They already knew something had gone horribly wrong and attempted to retrieve the downed pirates. However, a few pirates had managed to escape his initial attack and were able to reorient themselves for another attack.

"Looks like these ships are hiring freaks now for protection," said the pirate that initially announced their presence to the crew. "We must be that good."

"After a stunt like that, you still think we can board the ship?" asked another who hovered right next to him.

"Hell no! We'll just have to do this the hard way," he replied. "If you're not swimming in saltwater, shoot the kid in the blue shirt! I'm going to radio the ship and order in the knock-out punch."

At least six remaining pirates flew in lower, using their jet packs to make themselves moving targets as they took aim at Superman. They unleashed a hail of bullets on him. As he suspected, these were the kinds of bullets that flew faster and hit harder than most. While they would have gone right through the body armor of the crew and contractors, they did little more than scratch Superman.

He put his arms up to block the initial wave of bullets, keeping his eye on what he assumed to be the field leader. He could already hear him making a call to the ship out in the distance. Preferring not to find out what he was requesting, he had to make quick work of these pirates.

"So you guys like punching people you know can't hit back?" said Superman, "Then I think you'll appreciate this!"

Using his powerful legs again, Superman jumped up into the foggy skies and struck two of the pirates as they flew by. He made sure he hit them right in the back, disabling their jet packs and sending them crashing into the choppy waters below. Two more tried to fly in and hit him as he fell back to the ship. He made sure they didn't even get a shot off, using his heat vision to disable the guns and damage their jet packs.

By the time he landed back on the ship, the two other pirates were trying to get higher. However, they didn't get high enough. Superman landed on top of another crate and with more leg power this time, he jumped up to catch them both. He ended up knocking their weapons out of their hands and grabbing them by their necks. Were they not wearing masks, they would probably be pretty horrified.

"Stick to fishing, guys. People have enough reason to get seasick without pirates like you running around," warned Superman.

He reinforced his message by slamming their head together in a way that left the moderately concussed and unable to cause any further trouble, at least for today. He then threw them back down into the water where they could be picked up by the others. However, there was still the issue of their field leader. He had to move fast before he could get his message to the other ship.

"Yes, you heard me correctly! I said fire the rail gun at full power! Sink the whole damn ship!" he barked.

"Oh no you don't!" said Superman.

Using his heat vision again, he fired at the field leader, who was still hovering a few hundred feet away from the ship. He managed to hit the communicator on his wrist, which left him fairly burned.

"Argh! My arm!" exclaimed the field leader, now clutching his wrist in pain.

"And just to be extra cautious, I think you should take a dip with your friends."

Superman then jumped up to another shipping container that was stacked higher and used his super breath again the send the now wounded pirate tumbling into the water. Now the entire crew of the SS Red Horizon, as they called themselves, were at the mercy of the choppy waters below. Most of them weren't wounded, except for their pride. He initially intended to grab some cargo nets and wheel these thugs in so that the authorities could deal with them. But when he used his super vision to check on the SS Red Horizon, he saw that the situation had become much more volatile.

'Damn! That rail gun is already loaded and charging up. I now get to put my A-plus in AP Physics to good use and crunching some numbers in my head. I don't need to finish the calculations. I already know that at those power levels, this ship doesn't stand a chance and neither does its crew. I need to disable it. That means throwing a different kind of physics into the mix.'

With only moments to act, Superman clenched his fists and prepared his legs for one more jump. He crunched more numbers in his head, calculating the amount of force he would need to get to the SS Red Horizon and the amount of force he would need to deliver in order to thwart their attack. This promised to test his strength in a major way. Ever since he donned his cape and left his life in Smallville behind, he had been testing himself. So far, he had risen to the challenge every time and he didn't intend for this to be any different.

"Here goes," said the Man of Steel intently. "It's times like this I wish I could fly."

With his knees bent and his feet planted firmly on top of the shipping container, Superman launched himself up into the foggy skies and towards the SS Red Horizon. He saw the pirates still swimming around in the water looking up at him in shock. He even saw other pirates on the deck of the SS Red Horizon watching as he descended towards their ship on a direct collision course with their rail gun. They must have some proficiency in physics as well because they began running as soon as he came into view.

"We've got incoming!" yelled one of the pirates.

"Shut down the gun! Shut it down now!" yelled another.

But it was too late. The massive rail gun, which was the size of a small building, was already glowing around the base. He could hear the hum of the immense energy building up, triggering sparks around the barrel. From the looks of it, they had overloaded it. That would only ensure that stopping this blast would be extra destructive.

'This is going to hurt me as much as it's going to hurt them…hopefully.'

As Superman closed in on the massive cannon, he led with both fists out in front of him. He then closed his eyes and braced himself. Time slowed down and everything became quiet. He no longer heard the sound of the air flying by him, the anxious cries of the pirates, or the hum of the energy. He only focused on stopping this blast, saving the cargo ship, and ensuring these pirates didn't harm another vessel.

When the rail gun fired, he delivered a single punch that struck the projectile with a force that shattered nearly the entire front half of the ship. It triggered a massive bang that echoed for miles in every direction, crippling both the weapon and the ship. It all happened within a fraction of a second. In an instant, Superman could sense the ship around him coming apart and every pirate that valued their own lives seeking refuge in the choppy waters. Then, in the instant that followed, everything went dark.

Later

"No matter how strong you think you are or how weak you think others might be, you're gonna get hit and you're gonna get knocked down. That's why you don't throw the first punch unless you have to."

The sound of Jonathan Kent's voice roused Clark from his unconscious state. Even in death, his father found a way to lecture him whenever he did something foolish. Ever since he started being Superman, he had been proving his father right at every turn. Between his massive headache and sore muscles, he could once again say his father had been vindicated.

"Ungh…you've made your point, Pa," groaned Clark.

When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the sun. The next thing he noticed was that he had washed up on a beach. He could feel wet sand on his back and waves crashing up under him. Still dazed and disoriented, Clark managed to roll over and crawl his way up the shore, coughing up salty seawater along the way. Near as he could tell, his clothes were still intact, albeit badly stained. His boots had somehow flown off at some point and his jeans had some tears in them. The only piece still fully intact at this point was his cape, but being intact was only part of the problem.

After making it above the shoreline, he got a better view of his new surroundings. He had washed up on some sort of tropical island. Ahead of him, he saw a row of palm trees and thick bushes. Beyond the trees, he saw a line of hills and rocky cliffs. Beyond the trees he could hear the sounds of various animals and even some running water, most likely a river that flowed from beyond the cliffs. Near as he could tell, it was deserted. There were no pirates attacking him. He didn't even see any debris from the ship, meaning he probably got knocked pretty far off-course. For all he knew, there was no other island or ship for miles.

"Shipwrecked on a tropical island with nothing but beaches and trees…I suppose there are worse places to be stranded," sighed Clark.

Still sore from the blast, he rolled onto his back again and looked up at the midday sun. Just lying on a beach, soaking up the healing rays of the sun, was the first step towards getting through this ordeal. It might end up being the closest thing Superman got to a vacation. He began to close his eyes in hopes of getting some much needed rest.

That's when he heard some rustling from the bushes near the trees. Before he could even raise his head, someone jumped out and pounced on him. The next thing Clark knew, someone had a foot on his chest and an arrow pointed right at his face.

"Me and my big mouth," he groaned.

"You are trespassing! Men are not welcome on Themyscira! Explain yourself before I let my arrow do the explaining for you!" said a commanding voice.

At first, he couldn't make out the appearance of the figure in the blinding light of the midday sun. But as he shook off his daze, his vision cleared. That's when he realized that he hadn't been attacked by another ruthless pirate. Instead, he was looking up at a girl. And while it could have just been the lingering effects of being shot by a high-powered rail gun, she had to have been the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

Clark had to blink a few times to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. This woman was definitely no pirate. She had long flowing dark hair and wore what appeared to be a toga. She was also young, probably no older than 17, but she had a body that a woman of any age would envy. From her round hips to her perfectly proportional breasts to her unblemished skin, her every curve was a testament to all things feminine. In addition to those curves, she was remarkably toned. Her arms and legs bulged with the kinds of muscles that only professional athletes sought.

But this display of strength and beauty distracted him from her hostile demeanor. She still had an arrow pointed right between his eyes and she had a look on her face that reminded him of a hardened soldier. Were she any other threat, Clark would have already mitigated the situation. However, in looking up at this woman, the awkward 21-year-old in him came out.

"Um…hi," he said in what might have been the goofiest tone a man could have in this situation.

"I'm still waiting for an explanation," she said menacingly, the tip of the arrow now touching the bridge of his nose.

"This uh…is really just a big misunderstanding. You see, I was on this ship fighting pirates and there was this incident with a rail gun…"

But as Clark tried to explain, the woman pressed her foot down on his chest even harder. She pressed with more force than anyone, man or woman, should have been capable of. He actually felt his body dig into the sand, like the weight of a sumo wrestler pressing against his chest. It revealed that this woman was no ordinary woman. It also indicated that this island was no ordinary island.

"You're strong," commented Clark, his tone still awkward.

"I know," she replied proudly. "I asked you for an explanation, not an observation."

"I'll be happy to explain myself, but it would be a lot easier if I didn't have an arrow pointing at my head."

"You're a man trespassing on Themyscira, home of the Amazons. You're lucky this arrow isn't lodged in your cranium."

"The Amazons? Themyscira?" said Clark in confusion.

"Do not insult me with phony ignorance! We Amazons are proud warriors, blessed by the gods and trained to wage war against all those who challenge us. And I - Diana, Princess of Themyscira - will rise to any challenge!"

Now Clark was even more confused. It wasn't enough that this teenage girl was both beautiful and tough. She was also a princess. He shouldn't have found that attractive, especially with an arrow still pointed at his face. Yet the young man in him couldn't help but be intrigued.

"Diana…can I call you Diana? Or would Princess be more respectful?" asked Clark in as friendly a tone as possible.

"Call me what you will. It will not grant you mercy in battle," said Diana.

"I'm not here to battle you," he said in a calmer tone. "Besides, I would never battle a woman, especially a beautiful woman like you."

"Your flattery won't earn you any mercy either," she scoffed. "What do you take me for? Do you really believe I cannot best you in battle?"

"What? No, of course not! I mean I don't know you or how strong you are, but…"

Diana pressed her foot down on his chest even harder, so much so that it would have probably shattered the ribcage of an ordinary man. She didn't even break a sweat doing it, hinting that she was capable of much more. His efforts to defuse this situation were failing miserably. He forgot that charm wasn't one of his superpowers. Growing up in Smallville, Lana Lang and Pete Ross reminded him of that on a regular basis. Having never dealt with such a girl before, he needed a different approach.

"I'm strong enough to defeat any man!" she barked, her heel now dug right into the center of his chest. "I don't care if Hades himself sent you. I will not let you harm my mother, my sisters, or my home!"

"Whoa! Take it easy. I'm not here to harm anyone. I promise," assured Clark. "Why would you even think that?"

"You're a man, are you not?"

"Well yeah, I am. Granted, I'm not a typical man, but I am a man last I checked."

"Then what business could you possibly have on Themyscira other than attacking my sisters and pillaging our land?"

"I already told you, I just washed up here by accident. I have no desire to attack you, your sisters, or your home. I'm not sure what other men you've dealt with on this island, but I'm not one of them."

She finally let off somewhat, allowing him to breathe a little easier. But she kept the arrow pointed at this face, not willing to let him off that easy. Her hostility gave way to conflict. He sounded sincere in every word. Clark didn't attempt to push her off, keeping his hands firmly by his sides in as non-threatening a manner as possible. He refrained from saying anything else, if only to avoid sending the wrong message again.

'She's easing up. That's a good sign. Listen to your father's advice this time, Clark. Don't throw the first punch. Just treat her like a lady…a tough, beautiful lady willing to shoot you in the face with an arrow.'

Diana maintained a firm grip on her bow, still ready to end this man in an instant should he dare challenge her. But he showed no inclination to attack her. She saw no malice in his eyes. She definitely saw some level of attraction. That was to be expected. Her sisters told her men were amorous creatures, even at the most inopportune moments. Her sisters also told her that any man who somehow ended up on their shores could only be seeking trouble. By the Amazon Code, he was to be subdued or slain on the spot.

Her hands actually trembled. Her hands never trembled when staring down a foe. Everything she sensed from this man indicated that he did not seek to harm her or her sisters. To strike him was to strike an innocent, but she had been taught to assume that no man was innocent. It felt so wrong, especially now. In the end, her adherence to the Amazon Code won out.

"You're a man. You lie!" she exclaimed.

She pulled the bow up a little farther, making sure it had plenty of force behind it. Then she let it go with enough force to penetrate the skull of an angry bull. Yet to her astonishment, and the dismay of the man, the arrow bounced right off him. It didn't even leave a scratch.

"Um…ouch?" said Clark, even though he barely felt it.

Diana was so startled that she stumbled back, releasing her foot from his chest in the process. It allowed Clark to finally rise to his feet.

"That arrow was tipped with sharpened steel! Yet you are unharmed?" she gasped.

"Yeah, maybe I should've mentioned that too. I'm pretty durable," said Clark, still trying to come off as non-threatening.

"No man is that durable," retorted Diana, who quickly took a defensive stance.

"Well like I said, I'm not a typical man."

He decided to demonstrate this. He reached down and grabbed a handful of sand. Then, using a combination of strength and heat vision, he crushed it his hands to form a solid orb of glass. He even carved an S in it to give it signature of sorts. It was a trick he learned back on the farm in Smallville. It came in handy when fixing cracked windows. It also nicely conveyed the extent of the power he wielded and his control over it.

When he finished the orb, he casually tossed it over to her. Diana instinctively caught it in both hands. It was still hot, a sign of the sheer force involved in its creation. She wasn't impressed by much, having grown up on an island of immortal women governed by gods. But seeing this man forge such a thing using power fit for the gods themselves, it struck her in a profound way.

"Such power and artistry," gasped Diana.

"It's not much. I didn't want to overdo it. I try not to use more power than I need in a given situation," said Clark.

"You mean you're capable of even more?"

"Much more," he answered. "To be honest, even I'm not even sure how far my powers go. I'm kind of still learning about them. It's been that way since I was a kid."

The humility in his tone was astounding. It shouldn't have even been possible. Diana stared for a moment at the glass orb in her hands. Then she looked back at the man standing before her. If he spoke the truth about the power he wielded, then that had some distressing implications, some of which flew in the face of everything she had been taught about men.

"So you have all this power and are capable of much more…that means you knew my arrow would not harm you," said Diana, her hostility giving way to a very different demeanor.

"Well I didn't know for sure, but I was pretty confident that I would be okay," replied Clark.

"Then that also means you could have escaped my grasp at any time. You also had the element of surprise. If you wanted, you could have subdued me. I would have been at your mercy. Yet still, you did not attack me. Why?"

"I already told you. I don't want to hurt you. I didn't come to this island to hurt anyone. I washed up here by accident. All I want to do is find a boat, get back to civilization, and get back to fighting the people who deserve it."

He said these words as though they were obvious. But to Diana, he might as well have said the most ridiculous statement ever uttered. She now looked at him with such intrigue and awe. It made him blush somewhat, which was no small feat for Superman.

Diana took a few steps closer to him, this time with no hostility whatsoever. She stood so close that if he wanted, he could have attacked her and caught her completely off-guard. But again, he didn't. He truly had no desire to harm her or her sisters. This man that wielded such extraordinary power did not seek to use it to subdue others. It defied everything she knew about men.

She had heard stories from her sisters about how men lacked compassion and would exploit anyone and anything they could if given the chance. That especially pertained to women, as Hercules and his men so viciously demonstrated. She saw no such inclinations within this man. If anything, she saw nothing but honest humility. This both astonished and intrigued her. She had to know more about this man.

"What is your name?" she asked him.

"Right, I knew I was forgetting something," said Clark in a humored tone. "My name is Clark Kent. Well, my birth name is Kal-El. My adopted parents named me Clark. You can call me whichever you want."

He didn't usually share that kind of personal information with anyone, let alone a stranger that had just attacked him. In fact, he hadn't told anyone his Kryptonian name since his adopted parents died. But for some reason, he found himself blurting it out to this woman. There was just something about her that made him feel comfortable sharing his identity.

"Clark…Kal…it's nice to meet you. And I say that having never thought I would say it in the presence of a man," said Diana, now sounding awkward for the first time.

"Nice to meet you too, Princess," said Clark with a welcoming smile.

"Actually, I would prefer it if you call me Diana," she found herself saying.

"Very well, Diana it is," said Clark politely.

"And while I'm saying things I never thought I would say to a man, I suppose I should also apologize for attacking you."

"That's okay. I'm kind of used to being attacked. And most of those attackers don't have the good sense to apologize so thank you for setting yourself apart."

"You're very forgiving, Kal-El. Yet another trait I'm not used to in men, or women for that matter."

"Well I guess we're finding all sorts of ways to surprise each other," joked Clark.

Diana laughed at his remark. She couldn't remember the last time she laughed. Between training, chores, and combat, there was very little laughter on Themyscira. She also found herself admiring his smile and his various manly features, which caught her off-guard somewhat. Amazons weren't supposed to admire men, even if they were funny and kind. It further heightened her intrigue with this man.

"Before we face any more surprises, I sure could use some help getting off this island," said Clark. "You mentioned there were more like you on this island. They wouldn't happen to have a boat they could lend me, would they?"

"We do have boats, but I don't think my sisters would lend it to you," said Diana in a more serious tone. "By the letter of the law, you are a trespasser on Themyscira. That means any Amazon that sees you is required to either subdue you or slay you."

"Then I'll just explain myself to them like I did with you. It doesn't have to get ugly."

"No, you don't understand. My sisters will not heed the words of any man. To them, the sound of a man's voice contains only lies and deceit. They would sooner attack you where you stood. And unlike me, they would not hesitate."

"Even if I don't fight back?" asked Clark.

"It doesn't matter what you do. You might be durable enough to endure an attack by one Amazon, but an attack from an army of warriors that are older and more experienced than me…that might be too much."

She almost sounded worried about him. Clark wasn't used to anyone worrying about his well-being. This woman kept looking at him as if he were something rare and unique. Being the last of his kind, this was very true. However, she saw in him a different kind of uniqueness, as though he had something that she wanted to protect. And since he shipwrecked on this island, which was apparently full of hostile female warriors, he needed that protection. He wasn't used to that either, but he certainly didn't mind it.

"For the moment, I see only one recourse. I will gather materials from my village and help you construct a ship," said Diana.

"Sounds like a tedious plan. But if that's the best option to avoid hurting anyone, I'll take it," said Clark.

"I can't promise I'll be a master shipbuilder, but I can promise to make your stay here as comfortable as possible. I will bring you food, tools, and supplies. I'll even show you around this part of the island. It has a few streams and caves that should provide suitable shelter."

"Guess I'll have to treat it like a camping trip in the woods, except hungry bears won't be my biggest concern."

"Which is why I must also insist that you stay on this part of the island," said Diana. "You're actually quite fortunate. My sisters rarely venture to this area. It's remote and lacks good fishing. I'll have to make sure they don't drop by unexpectedly."

"Sounds like you'd be putting yourself at risk," commented Clark.

"I'm the Princess. I can handle it," she said boldly.

"I didn't mean to suggest that you couldn't. It's just…you're really going out of your way for me. Don't get me wrong. I really appreciate it, but I'm not sure I understand why."

That was a question Diana didn't feel ready to answer. Looking at this man, she wasn't even sure she was ready to ask it either. This man's presence was an affront to Amazonian bylaws, but these were the same bylaws that had led to numerous arguments between her and her mother. An Amazon was supposed to fight with honor and follow her heart. Right now, her heart told her that this man was not a threat. He in no way embodied the qualities that she had been taught about men. He had a good spirit and a generous heart. Even if she couldn't answer his question, she understood what she had to do.

"That doesn't matter. All that matters now is that you are in need of help and I am in a position to give it to you," Diana told him. "So long as you are here, I will make it my duty to protect you and ensure your safe departure from Themyscira."

"And I appreciate that," said Clark, who couldn't help but smile at how she spoke with such strength, "I just hope that my presence here doesn't cause too much conflict."

"Don't consider yourself a burden, Kal-El. Some conflicts are worth fighting for and from what you've shown me, you're one of them."

With that, her decision was final. Their fates were now entwined. Clark needed Diana to get off this island and Diana needed Clark to answer these burning uncertainties that had plagued her. Such needs would make them vulnerable in a way they weren't used to, but that didn't bother either of them. They just smiled at each other, ready to face whatever conflicts lay before them.

Olympus – Throne Room

"Father, I must speak with you. It's about the Princess Diana of the Amazons," said Ares in his usual stern tone.

Few things could distract the Father of Olympus from his never-ending duties to maintain the balance between the realm of the gods and the realm of men. While mankind no longer worshipped him, his purpose did not change. He was still the King of the Gods. He was tasked with maintaining order in the face of constant chaos. But even a god wasn't immune to certain complications and this was one issue that forced his attention.

"Ares, if you wish to discuss certain topics with me, you would be wise to find a more tactful way of bringing them up," replied Zeus with a harsh scold.

"You expect tact from the God of War?" scoffed Ares.

"I expect it from my son when he addresses his father," he retorted.

"Well I'm not going to apologize because I know certain topics will always make you react in a certain manner. This is one of them."

"There's a good reason for that," the Father of Olympus pointed out.

"There's an even better reason why your policy of ignoring this matter is a concern," said Ares, "Not just for me, but all of Olympus."

Zeus kept scolding his son, but chose not to argue. He understood better than anyone the frustration that came with debating the God of War. He also understood that this was an issue that was bound to arise at some point. He only wished he could put it off a little longer.

The Father of Olympus had enough concerns at the moment. Most of his time had been spent observing the various vision portals, as the oracles called them, which allowed him to monitor the activities of both the mortal world and the domain of Olympus. He had noticed a steady growth in activity throughout the realms of Tartarus. As the world of mortals grew larger and more complex, it affected the various forces that governed the world of the gods. Managing it had become a challenge. Hades and Poseidon had both expressed their concerns about this growing chaos. With more and more of their power dedicated to managing such chaos, he had precious little energy to deal with this situation.

But Ares wouldn't accept that as an excuse. He continued to forego any sense of tact and walked up to one of the vision portals. With a simple gesture of his hand, he brought up a scene he had observed several weeks ago on Themyscira. It showed Diana battling a succession of older, battle hardened Amazons. Despite being a teenager, she held her own against them, blocking and countering every blow. And every time she appeared subdued, she broke free and kept fighting. As the God of War, there was much to admire about such proficiency in combat. However, in more logistical terms, it was cause for concern.

"I've been monitoring her training since she could walk," said Ares as more scenes played out. "Young Diana's progress in the art of combat is astounding. Even her more experienced peers now have difficulty holding their own against her."

"That's to be expected. She is the Princess after all," said Zeus.

"Whereas most Princesses would be content to live a life of sloth and luxury, Diana is defying expectations as often as she exceeds them. I feel it's worth reminding you, father, that she is but a teenager. Given her current progress, she promises to become quite formidable in adulthood."

"She'll have to be if she is to lead the Amazons one day. I've spoken to Hippolyta on this matter. She has expressed interest in laying out a succession plan. She believes that if Diana can exceed her in spirit and skill, then she should lead."

"That sounds like such a logical plan on paper, but I've reason to believe it is now prone to complications," said Ares.

"What kind of complications?" asked Zeus curiously.

"The kind that could undermine the future of the Amazons. And at a time when chaos between our world and that of mortals is growing, we cannot have that."

Now he had his father's full attention. Ares then instructed the vision portals to display another series of scenes depicting the events that transpired after Diana's training sessions with her sisters. They respected her as a princess and her skills, but they did not hide their discontent. Diana also did not seem to get along with them either. One scene in particular showed her shoving back a couple of Amazons that criticized her, forcing Hippolyta to come in and separate them. This was not an isolated incident either.

"As skilled as she might be, she is somewhat an outcast among her fellow Amazons," said Ares. "They often call her names like Clay and often belittle her opinions. They still see her as a child and one who has not experienced the same hardships as them."

"Such is a common conflict among the Amazons since we granted them their island," said Zeus. "That's the reason why we've limited their birthrate over the centuries."

"But Diana's birth had special circumstances. You of all should know this," said the God of War with a suggestive undertone.

"Be very careful with your next words, my son. Even if your concerns are valid, I will not tolerate your mockery," said Zeus strongly.

"Then I won't belabor the details. I'll just point out that such circumstances, and the poor way in which the Amazons are handling it, can only lead to bigger problems."

"These appear to be problems associated with a teenage girl struggling to get along with her peers. Such circumstances are hardly the domain of the gods," said Zeus.

"You sound remarkably certain of their ability to deal with a teenage girl on an island that has limited experience dealing with them," scoffed Ares.

"The Amazons are bound by a strict code of sisterhood. They have been since they swore their oath to us. They may bicker with one another. They may even annoy one another. But they all understand the importance of adhering to this code."

"I too once took comfort in that knowledge. But lately, Diana has been spending more time alone and less time with her sisters. She is also arguing with her mother more frequently. Now some might attribute this to typical teenage rebellion. I, however, worry that Diana's brand of rebellion might lead her to question her Amazonian upbringing. And unlike her sisters, she has the skill and clout to get away with it."

"Hippolyta won't let that happen," said Zeus strongly.

"And you trust her to deal with Diana appropriately should she undermine that code?" questioned Ares.

"I trust Hippolyta more than I would ever trust you."

Zeus turned his attention away from the vision portals. He even used his power to override Ares, stopping any other scenes from playing out. He had seen enough and had already made his decision. He now looked at the God of War as the King of the Gods and not his father. When dealing with Ares, Zeus understood the importance of leaving no room for ambiguity.

"I know what you're trying to do Ares. You may not be tactful, but you are cunning. That might work on every army of every war throughout history, but it won't work on the Father of Olympus," he said sternly.

"Dear father, you speak as though I have an agenda," scoffed Ares, pretending it was the most absurd notion imaginable.

"You always have an agenda, Ares. That's why you can dispense with whatever rhetoric you planned to use because it's not going to happen. You will not take Diana under your tutelage."

The God of War's expression quickly changed. He should've expected his father to make such a sweeping judgment. That didn't make it any less frustrating.

"I suppose I was deluding myself when I hoped my father would at least let me state my case," said Ares bitterly.

"You've never had to state your intentions. You're a god of habit. You see a chance to stir up more conflict and you take it. I thought I made it clear to everyone on Olympus that Themyscira is off limits to such tampering."

"This situation could escalate, regardless of our tampering," retorted Ares.

"Even if it does, I would not allow you to make it worse."

"And you would be making a mistake by shutting me out!" said Ares in a harsher tone. "Diana's skill, spirit, and heritage make her more than just a great warrior. Someone of her power whose loyalty to the Amazon Code is in question could pose a direct threat to Olympus. I could make sure that doesn't happen. I could turn her into the ultimate warrior, capable of defeating any foe and thereby preserve the foundations of Olympus!"

"You would only turn her into your puppet," said Zeus, utterly unconvinced by such pleading. "You care only about adding another weapon to your arsenal. That's all you've ever cared about."

"Better a weapon in my arsenal than another agent of chaos."

"That's debatable, but my decision is not."

Zeus made sure he got his point across. His eyes glowed with the distinct glow of his lightning bolts, radiating the vast power that allowed him to rule Olympus as he saw fit. It made the whole throne room shake, putting the God of War in a position to which he was not accustomed. In the realm of man, he readily provoked conflict. In the realm of his father, however, he wasn't so ready. This was one war he knew he couldn't win.

"Heed my words, Ares, because I will only say this once. You are forbidden from interacting with Diana or her mother," said Zeus with the full authority of Olympus. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes father. You always do," said Ares begrudgingly.

"Good. Then let me make something else clear," the King of the Gods continued in the same authoritative tone. "Olympus is in an increasingly precarious state. I know at this very moment you're conjuring a plan in your head, seeking a way to subvert my decision. I've been willing to overlook some of past exploits to prevent the gods from waging war on one another, but I can no longer afford such leniency. It doesn't matter if you are my son. Oppose me and I will show no mercy. Do you understand?"

"As much as I'm allowed to, I suppose," sighed Ares.

His disrespectful undertone annoyed Zeus, prompting him to radiate more power. Ares remained firm in his conviction, but he also acknowledged his father's authority. He didn't have to like it. He could despise it for all Zeus cared. So long as he understood, this issue was effectively resolved.

"Now then…see to it we never have this conversation again."

"As you wish," said the God of War, hiding his bitterness

Ares left the throne room, allowing the King of the Gods to fume in peace. However, he didn't leave completely discouraged. He expected his father approached this issue with his usual stubbornness. Obtaining his blessing to reach out to Diana had been a long shot at best, but it did not change the conflict before him.

Whether Zeus liked it or not, Diana's fate would lead to conflict. The King of the Gods might be too stubborn to see it, but the God of War knew it was coming. This conflict would find its way to Olympus and beyond. He just had to make sure he was in a position to have it work to his advantage. All he needed was the right opportunity. Based on what he had seen with Diana, it was only a matter of time.

Up next: Secrets and Deception