//------------------------------// // The Shape of Things to Come // Story: The Princess of Themyscira // by iowaforever //------------------------------// The Shape of Things to Come Even though most of Manehattan had not been exposed to Ares’ army, news of the attack spread quickly. Panic had set in initially, with dozens of ponies fearing a possible demonic incursion, but panic had been replaced by celebration when word got out about the three heroes that had saved Manehattan from the forces of Tartarus. Diana was rather confused by Equestrian celebrations. They contained many things she was familiar with, such as food and dancing, but the Equestrians seemed to get rather wild in their revelries, as if Dionysus himself had come among them. There was no ritual or tradition or their celebration; just wild flailing and swaying that they said was “dancing”. “I still do not understand what the importance of ‘wubs’ is.” she said as she walked along the street with Soarin’, dressed in a business suit enchanted with several disguise spells to avoid being noticed. “Well, it’s just the way things are around here.” Soarin’ said. “Most ponies like to have their music loud because they feel that it allows them to get into the mood of things.” “... Well, it’s still odd.” they crossed the street, passing by a newsstand with the words “Who is the Wonder Mare?” printed in prominent letters. “‘Wonder Mare’... I don’t really see what’s so wondrous about it.” “An Earth Pony with super strength that can fly, and you don’t see what’s wondrous about it?” Soarin' asked, giving Diana a playful smirk. “Well, yes. And besides, it wasn’t wholly my... err, her victory; you, Twilight, and that officer all played their roles in defeating Ares.” “True, but still; flying Earth Pony." Diana's ears drooped slightly as Soarin' continued. "I don’t want to sound like I’m devaluing my help, but we Equestrians tend to get obsessive over things that are not commonplace. I remember hearing about this mare in Cloudsdale-” “I know, you’ve told me.” and it should be interesting to meet this ‘Supermare’ someday. there was a pause, Diana allowing her eyes to wander about Manehattan. “So... Soarin’?” “Yes?” “I was thinking... would you be able to accompany me as I continue my journey?” Soarin' stopped walking, blinking in surprise for a moment. “You’re staying here?” he asked. “Yes." Diana nodded, giving Soarin' a smile. "I still have a bit to learn about the mortal realm, and no doubt other threats will emerge. I want to stay here as long as I need to, and since you are more knowledgeable about Equestria and understand my background then you’d be perfect as an escort.” “I’d love to, Diana, but...” Soarin’ fidgeted for a moment. “I can’t. I’ve got my own responsibilities to deal with right now, and I can’t face some of the things that you can.” Diana's ears dropped again. “But you stood against Ares’ forces.” “Yeah, I know that, but that doesn’t mean I want to repeat the experience.” he sighed. “Look, Diana, I’ll help you out as best I can, but actually go around Equestria with you... I just don’t have the time.” Diana frowned, but did not respond right away. After all she and Soarin’ had been through, he would just... leave? But she allowed herself to think rationally for a moment before speaking. “I... I suppose that’s fair. I must respect your desires, after all.” there was a pause. “But, if you wouldn’t mind... do you think we could spend today together, before you have to leave?” “... Sure. Where do you want to go?” ................... Ares sat at the edge of the River Styx, looking out across its dark waters. He had tried crossing them several times, but to no avail; something kept holding him back, and even his powers could not break through. So, as his frustration built, he turned his thoughts to the cause of his misfortune: the Amazon Princess, the so called "Wonder Mare". I should have made sure she was dead when I first encountered her... he thought. I should have burned Themyscira to the ground before turning my sights to Equestria. But no... I allowed my desire for revenge to cloud my judgement. Well no more; once I break free of here, I will kill that whore and all of her kind. “See what your foolishness has done, Ares.” the voice of Hades rumbles from the dark. Ares turned as the shrouded alicorn stepped forward, followed closely by Persephone. “You deliberately broke into my realm and violated the peace I have maintained, and for what? A smudge on your pride?” “What would you know of pride, Hades?” Ares spat before standing to face the Lord of the Dead. “I have had the world trembling at my hooves many more times than you have. I was merely retaking what is mine by inheritance.” “And yet you ended up here, in my domain.” Ares snorted before turning away. “So? I’ll be back in Olympus soon enough. You cannot keep me here like one of your prisoners.” “Yes, I can.” Ares blinked, his composure breaking for the briefest of instances. “... What?” “You used the Alicorn Amulet to break into Tartarus. By violating my realm in such a way, you have bound yourself to the Underworld, and thus to me.” Ares could not see very well under Hades’ hood, but he was certain that the gaunt alicorn was smiling. “I am your master until I decide otherwise. If I want you to start a war, you will; if I want you to leave the Underworld, you will.” “That’s... that’s impossible!” Ares stomped his hooves, cracks forming in the rock. “I am a god! I will not be bound like some weak spirit!” “I created the Alicorn Amulet; I decide what punishments befall those that misuse its power like you did.” Ares could barely contain his rage, shifting his glare from Hades to Persephone. “You... you did this!” he screamed, glaring at Persephone. “You knew this would happen to me if the Amulet was broken!” “Well... yes, I did.” the mare responded, giving a small shrug. “Hades has looked for a way to keep you in check, and I thought that giving you the Amulet might bring you under his control.” she smiled and nuzzled Hades’ neck. “And I would do anything for my Wubby-Dubby Shmoopie Do!” Ares felt like vomiting, and from Hades’ apparent blush the Lord of the Dead was embarrassed as well. “As I was saying, you will serve me and Persephone until such a time that I do not need you, after which you will be allowed to return to Olympus.” Hades turned to leave, Persephone following close behind. “You may start by finding Charon; he is still very upset that you have not paid him yet.” Ares ground his teeth together. He wanted to blast Hades with as much of his power as he could, but Hades had disappeared into the shadows once again. With a roar he stomped again, the River Styx rippling slightly from his power. “I will not stand for this.” he growled. “I will not be Hades’ slave.” “That makes two of us.” a different voice said from further down the river. Ares turned as he was approached by a purple unicorn mare clad in a green and gold cape. “I thought Hades would have kept his prisoners contained.” Ares muttered. “I’ve been a good girl, so I get a little breathing space.” the mare said. “But I couldn’t help but overhearing your conversation with Hades, and how you broke something of his and that got you stuck here.” “Why would you care? You’re more of a prisoner than I am. And I did not break it; it was that Amazon twat that dared to defy my power.” “Wait...” the mare took a step forward. “An Amazon sent you here?” “Again, what does it matter to you?” “Please, my lord Ares.” the mare smiled. “Would you be so kind as to call me Circe? I think we might have a common enemy on our hooves and I don’t think we should be too standoffish.” ................. Hippolyta stood on the beach of Themyscira, looking to the west. The sun was setting, painting the sky with a mixture of reds and oranges, and a cool breeze was coming in from the south. She closed her eyes and opened her senses to the world, taking a few deep breaths to calm her spirit and release her tension. “My lady?” she opened her eyes as Phillipus approached, a scroll resting in the other mare’s grasp. “I did not mean to disturb you, but this letter arrived a few minutes ago.” “A letter?” Hippolyta turned, eyebrow raised. “Yes, my lady. It just appeared at your throne in a flash of green fire, and after checking for enchantments I came looking for you.” Hippolyta took the scroll from Phillipus and opened it. A small piece of paper tumbled out of it, but Hippolyta was able to catch it before it fell to the ground. The piece of paper was a picture, a picture of Diana and the colt from before. The two were standing in front of a large green statue, smiling. Hippolyta studied the picture for a long time, as if searching for some signs that not all was right. Maybe it will be explained in the letter. Hippolyta redirected her attention and began to read. “Dearest Mother, I am writing this to you to inform you that Ares has been defeated and sealed away in Tartarus. I doubt that he will stay there for long, but he will not threaten the world for some time. You have most likely found the picture I have included in this letter. Well... I have thought about it, and you were wrong about the mortal realm. Understand that I mean no disrespect to you, mother, but so much has changed since your time. The mortal realm has its problems, no doubt, but I have seen so much potential in Equestria, and just cutting ourselves off from the world has hurt both our kind. Imagine what we could teach the Equestrians, and what they could teach us, if we just get over our past grudges and begin talking with them. As such, I wanted to inform you that I shall be staying in Equestria, to act as its guardian and as an ambassador between them and Themyscira. With your blessing, I am sure we can bring about an era of peace and understanding between us and mortals. Your loving daughter, Diana.” Hippolyta lowered the letter and looked out to the west. She wanted to respond to Diana’s letter and order her to come back, but deep down she knew she could not. Diana was her daughter, but what kind of mother would she be if she stopped her daughter from doing what she felt was right? Just like when she prevented me and Phillipus from killing each other, she thought. “My lady?” Hippolyta turned back to Phillipus. “What did the letter say, if you don’t mind me asking?” “Diana is staying in the mortal realm and will act as our ambassador.” Hippolyta replied, noticing Phillipus’ shocked expression. “She can’t be serious, can she?" the other mare started. "After all that the mortal realm has done to us, she would disregard her sisters-” “Phillipus, I trust Diana’s judgement, and if she is wrong she is strong enough to return to us.” Hippolyta looked back out across the ocean. “Diana has given the mortal realm a chance... it seems only fitting that we give her one as well.” “And not a moment too sooner.” a third voice said before a grey-eyed alicorn materialized next to Hippolyta and Phillipus. The two Amazons quickly bowed, averting their eyes from Athena’s presence. “My lady,” Hippolyta said. “We were not informed of your coming.” “That is my fault, dear Hippolyta." Athena replied. "But I cannot waste time on pleasantries. We have a problem.” “What is it, my lady?” Hippolyta asked, rising. “Does it have something to do with Ares?” “In a way.” Athena fluffed her wings before speaking. “My daughters informed me that Ares’ attack has exposed a crack in the barrier between our world and Apokolips. They have tried to seal it as best they can, and your daughter’s actions have helped, but the crack is too large for any of us to fully seal.” “You mean...” “Yes.” Athena looked out at the sunset. “The War in Heaven will start again, and I believe that your daughter shall be in the center of it all.” The End Wonder Mare will return in Justice League of Equestria