The Amazon Princess..... "New Birth"
Wonder Woman #9 - September, Year One	by Des Davies

“Where is Holliday?”

There was ice in the words directed at the three men in the room. Two of the men looked to the third for an answer.

“From what I just found out, it appears that Holliday's hired assassin decided to take over the mob and killed his employer.”

“Where does that leave the plan?” the tall, white haired man dressed in black slacks and deep purple sweater asked.

“The level of gang violence has decreased as the new boss consolidates his position. Mr. Morris can tell us more about the weapon distribution.”

The leader turned to face the tallest man in the room and repeated the question with a look.

“One of the weapons cache's was discovered by the police, as you expected it would be. Two of the remaining five have been raided. With the youth gangs co-operating more than they ever have thanks to Wonder Woman's interference, and Sean Leahy's disappearance, we have been left with few 'customers' to drop hints about the caches too.”

“What happened to Leahy? He proved to be one of our best pawns.”

The tall man answered, “He was last seen at a duel that Wonder Woman arranged between two of the gangs. It appears that he met with an unfortunate accident when the result did not go in his favor. All I'e been able to discover is that STAR Labs was called in to remove something.”

“I would like to know what STAR Labs found and if we can make use of it.” Turning to the final man in the room he said, “And the computer chaos?”

“Progressing as you requested.”

The leader turned away from the three men who all sat still and waited. He appeared to look out of the window to the city beyond and long moments passed as he considered his options. Finally, turning back, “Here is what we will do now…”

With painful slowness Diana opened her eyes to take in the fight going on around her. The young girl that had helped her in the museum was right in Circe's face calling her a liar. The three men that had freed her were sitting on the floor looking like they had been hit over the head several times, while the police detective was pulling himself to his feet.

“Shut up,” he said and then repeated it with more authority when neither woman paid him any attention. With an effort he walked over to Cassie and Circe and then bellowed “Shut UP!”

Diana began to laugh at the matching looks of disdain on the two women's faces but it turned into a hacking cough which drew everyone's attention. Cassie spun in place and was at the bedside quickly. She failed to notice Diana's raised eyebrow as she said, “Wonder Woman. You're back. Are you OK? Here have some water.” The torrent of words continued as she poured and then handed Diana a glass of cold water.

Diana pushed herself up in so that she was sitting up in the bed. The effort left her arms shaking and she set the glass on the bed next to her before looking at Cassie. “Thank you.” Before Cassie could do more than beam at the thanks, Diana continued, “Since when can you fly?”

Puzzlement flew onto Cassie's face, which was slowly replaced by the dawning realization that she had not walked to the bedside rather she had flown. Diana turned to regard Circe before Cassie could reply. “Thank you Circe, as I understand that you had much to do with my recovery. What is happening to the child?”

Circe inclined her head without taking her eyes from Diana's. “The girl has been possessed by an ancient spirit who is able to tap into the lines of power than surround us.”

Cassie interrupted, “Yeah, and you said that you were going to get her out of my body when we…”

Circe directed a glare at Cassie that would have frozen most people where they stood. Cassie, however, was about to continue when Diana placed a hand on her arm and said quietly, “Patience my friend.”

Turning back to Circe, Diana tried to ask “Can you do what she asks?” but the words came out as a croak. Lifting the glass to her lips she took a long swallow and then repeated her question.

As Circe began to answer Mike Schorr moved slowly around the bed to check on the other three men. “As I explained to her, when I first arrived I would remove the possessing spirit as soon as we returned you to health. At that time I would have had no trouble doing so. It appears that the spirit has now been able to tie itself more closely to the girl's body.” Turning slightly she addressed Cassie, “Talking to her and sharing with her was a foolish mistake child as she has used that information to her advantage.”

“Will she take over the girl's body?” Diana asked. Her hand remained resting on Cassie's arm.

“That is usually the way of these things. However, like most children of her age she is stubborn and remains in control. Given the power that the spirit possesses I would have already expected her to have taken control.”

“There is nothing you can do?”

Circe looked closely at Cassie before answering. “There may be one way that the two can be split but only if both agree.” She forestalled the questions that she saw rush to Cassie's lips with an upraised hand. “If you will listen I will explain,” she continued with irritation.

“The spirit desires a body, while the girl desires the powers.” Cassie blushed at the comment but kept her peace.

“If we had a suitable vessel to transfer the spirit's essence into, would she agree to moving?” Circe look closely at Cassie then answered a question that only she and Cassie had heard. “Yes, if I transfer your spirit you may end in a body that is unable to tap into the 'dragon lines'. So, you are wondering why you should not stay where you are and take this body. The answer is simply. If you make that choice I will use my enchantments to merge you both together and ensure that the girl remains dominant.”

There was a hardness around the ancient sorceresses eyes that chilled Cassie and she could feel Lin-Tse shy away from the threat.

“Why wouldn't I want to do that?” Cassie asked after a moments pause.

Diana answered before Circe could. “Because I do not believe you would want to destroy the spirit if you had another choice. What would the girl's consequence of separating be?”

Circe answered immediately. “A small spark of her essence would be required. A part of your soul or spirit if you like. Part of you that ties your spirit to your mortal body.”

“You are talking about something that is like the way the Amazons were created,” Diana said. “Can you do this?”

With a scowl to indicate her displeasure she replied, “Only with your help. Your connection to the Earth and to Gaia would power the enchantment.”

Diana looked at Cassie and said simply, “I am willing to help if you wish to do this.”

Cassie looked dumbstruck by the conversation going on around her and she looked at Circe with wide, questioning eyes. “Will I notice?” she asked in a small voice.

“It is possible,” Circe replied. “And there is no way to guarantee that you will retain powers after.”

Cassie looked at Diana who smiled at her. Her eyes regained their composure and then hardened. “I'll try it,” she said.

“And you?”

“Long moments passed as Circe looked expectantly at Cassie. Deep inside Cassie could feel turmoil bubbling through her which finally settled into a resentful agreement.

“Good,” said Circe before Cassie could say anything. “It is decided. We will meet tomorrow morning at dawn at Diana's house.” Without another word she invoked a spell and disappeared in a cloud of green smoke which dissipated quickly.

Cassie looked with worried eyes at Diana. “Wonder Woman, can I trust her? Why is she doing this?”

Diana looked back at the younger woman. Her gaze was clear and focused entirely on Cassie. “Circe is trying to come to terms with things that have happened in her life recently, and while I do not think she will ever do anything to help people without a reason, I do think she sees this as a challenge. However, she may require a favor from you in return at some point. We will see in the morning. For now,” she turned to regard everyone in the room, “I think that we all need to go home and get some rest.”

Diana continued, “Cassandra, your mother will be worried about you and will need to be told what is going to happen.”

“But…”

“Tell her,” Diana interrupted firmly. “You will need her by your side.”

Cassie nodded with obvious reluctance.

“I have few words to thank you all,” she said to the four men left in the room, “without your help I would still be trapped by my doubts and fears. I am in your debt.”

Daryn Phillips looked at Diana and grinned like a two year old. It wasn't a big, pretty speech, he thought, but she means it. “Don't know about the others Diana, but for me, it was a pleasure. Not many of us get to go back to our youth and go on adventures. I got to go on the biggest one of all. Thank you.”

He reached over and took her hand, a smile erasing the tiredness from his face for a moment. “How are you doing?”

“I feel stronger each moment. Gaia's gift is strengthening me once more.”

Jerry and Reuben looked at the woman they had traveled through a nightmare to save. They looked at each other and grinned broadly.

Mike Schorr cleared his throat loudly. “I've got to go. Looks like the city's fallen apart while I've been gone. I'd say I was glad to have helped, but this has been too strange to know what I think anymore.”

He turned and moved to the door. With his hand on the handle he paused as Diana said, “I meant what I said Detective. Thank you.”

Without turning around he answered, “You're welcome.”

As he left the room he heard her say, “I will be out to help shortly Detective.”

Diana turned to regard those left. “Go home my friends. From what I see,” she indicated the television screen, “things are not good out there. Be careful.”

Daryn climbed to his feet. “I have the car outside, does anyone need a ride?”

Reuben looked at Jerry who answered for them both, “Nah, I've got a car too. I'll drop Reuben off. What about you Cassie?”

Cassie considered the options, but before she could answer Diana said, “I will see Cassandra safely home. “Be safe my friends,” she told the two boys as they shared hugs with Daryn and Cassie before leaving.

“Well Princess, let's be getting you home,” Daryn said turning back to the bed. “We can drop Cassie here off on the way.”

“I would like that Mr.Phillips but I fear I need to be out there soon.”

“Out there can wait until you've regained your strength. For now, allow me to take care of you. I'll wait outside while you get dressed.”

With a smile he turned and left the room. Cassie turned to follow him but Diana stopped her. “Stay and talk to me as I dress.”

Seventeen stories above the streets of Gateway City, about half way up the STAR Labs building, a piece of shadow moved slowly across the wall. When the shadow had reached a spot just below a window on the sixteenth floor it paused and secured a the thin black line to the wall with a pin. The thin sliver of moon cast just enough light to reflect off the man's dark blue pupils. His mouth moved a little as he sub-vocalized a single word into the communicator built into the neck of his outfit. With care, the man let go of the rope with one hand and reached into a pocket that covered his thigh and withdrew a matt black tool.

Minutes passed slowly and the shadow made small movements to prevent his muscles from cramping. Then, on some unheard signal, he climbed up several more feet and set to cutting the glass from the window. More minutes passed before a large hole in the corner of the window was removed and he pulled himself into the room beyond.

After taking time to place the cut glass back into place and secure it with a clear adhesive tape he turned and moved towards the room's only door. A voice in his ear told him “Go”, so he opened the door and moved down the hallway beyond. His completely black outfit now served to bring notice to him rather than concealment but his face remained calm and his eyes positively danced with excitement.

As he reached the end of the hallway the voice said “Left” and he turned immediately, following the commands of his unseen navigator. The process continued, turn after turn leading the shadowed man deeper into the complex and eventually he stopped before a door marked “Restricted”. Reaching into another pocket, he pulled out another device that he placed above the locking mechanism and activated.

The red light swiftly turned green and he replaced the device in its pocket before using brute force to slide the door open. Beyond was a corridor with two doors on either side and glass walls showing the rooms beyond. Moving to the second door on the right he pushed the door open and stepped into the laboratory.

Looking around his eyes came to rest on the large chest that took up the center of the right wall. Based on the information he had been given that was the only container large enough in the room. He slid quietly over to it and examined the locking mechanism. It was crude and served mainly to keep whatever was inside in, rather than prevent someone from outside from opening it. Taking a pick from another a pocket he removed the lock with a twist and dropped it to the floor.

Slowly he pushed the lid of the chest open and looked inside. The chest was almost full with a thick black oily liquid that reflected his black clad form. As he watched, his own face vanished and he found himself looking into the angry face of a young man. The lips formed words and the shadowed man read, “Thank you. Now join...” He threw himself backwards and away from the chest just as a black, arm-thick tendril shot out of the chest. With grace that an Olympic gymnast would have envied the man rolled to his feet and began to move backwards to the room's door. His eyes never left the sight of the black material flowing out of the chest.

By the time he had reached the door the blackness had formed itself into the vague shape of a man. A snarl erupted from its newly formed lips as it made a shambling run in his direction. He whipped the door open, slid through then slammed it behind him, before taking off at a run. The sound of something wet echoed from behind him but he kept running. A voice came through his headset, “Hurry, the security devices are almost back online.”

Without panicking he made his way into the corridor and sped down it to the office he had entered through. In the distance he made out the sound of wet footfalls following him and it sounded like they were getting closer. He wrenched the door open. As he walked through the doorway something hit the door which made it slam into him. The combination of surprise and the impact sent him stumbling into the room but he quickly righted himself and made for the window he had entered by.

He was half way through the window when he glanced back at the door to see the blackness oozing underneath it. Gripping the climbing rope firmly he threw himself out and began to lever himself, arm over arm, up the rope. He had moved up three stories when he felt something cold touch his ankle. He looked down to see the black form, once again in the shape of a man, leaning out of the window with his climbing rope held in one hand. The coldness began to rise up his leg and he saw that the dark material of his outfit shone with a glossy luster. He kicked out in an effort to shake the stuff off and when it continued to ooze upwards his movements became at first more frenzied and then slowed as the blackness reached his waist.

His eyes grew blank as the blackness invaded his body. However, when his hands let go of the rope and he began to fall there was a sense of shock and panic from the creature as it was ripped from the rope and out of the window. The sound of liquid hitting the sidewalk echoed across the area after the eighteen story fall but that was drowned out as alarms began to sound from within the STAR building. By the time the STAR security team arrived all they found was a hole cut into a window and a rope leading upwards. Of the thief and the black creature he had released, there was no sign.

Anthony Richards turned away from the refrigerator and closed the door with a crash. “No beer. What good's an ice box that's got no beer in it?” he complained aloud to the room. Moving to the counter he hit the brew button on the coffee maker and grabbed the recently delivered newspaper.

He scanned over the front page of the Gateway Guardian and shook his head at the reports of accidents and new computer malfunctions that covered it. “Cities gone nuts,” he declared as he put the paper down and reached for a mug.

“That's what happens when people turn on each other.”

Anthony spun at the unexpected interruption to his morning. The voice had sent ice up his spine and the feeling of cold intensified even more when he could find no one else in the kitchen. With anger masking the sudden fear he felt he shouted, “Who's there?”

He spun around again as the voice came once more, “What's wrong Anthony? Afraid of something?”

“I'll show you who's afraid when I put my hands on you,” he replied. The anger was no longer hiding the fear. It had replaced it. He pulled open a drawer and grabbed the first knife he could find. “Seems to me that you are the one who's afraid to show his face as you know I'm going to bust it up.”

He was shouting by the time he had finished and had set his back against the kitchen counter. He looked around the room with anger flashing in his eyes. For long moments silence filled the kitchen. When the voice spoke again he could have sworn it came from no more than three feet in front of him but there was no one there.

“Ummmmm, your anger feels good Anthony. So red and hot. You want to see me do you? Want to make me pay for making you so angry? Then let's see what you can do.”

Slowly, the figure of a man faded into view. The hair was wild and the suit he wore was filthy with dirt and grime. The face seemed to be covered in dark shadows with only the eyes being completely visible and they shone with the light of madness.

Anthony's mouth dropped open at the sight. He waved the knife wildly at the figure that looked like a negative except for the tinge of red that edged it. “Get out of here,” he screamed, emphasizing the order with a jab of the knife.

“Now Anthony, is that any way to treat your old boss? After all what did I ever do to you?” A pause, then “Oh, that's right I was going to have you killed.”

The final word cut into Anthony Richards like a knife and sent his fear driven anger spiraling upwards. With an animal-like roar he ran forward and drove the blade into the figure's chest. It seemed to pass harmlessly through and he stumbled after it. The anger gave way to confusion as he turned to look at the figure that was now behind him.

A knife was held in it's hand that was identical to the one he held except that it glowed a dull red. The shade of Stefan Holliday looked down at it then back up at Anthony. A savage smile sat on his lips and he gilded forward and drove the red blade into Anthony's chest in the same spot that he had been stabbed moments earlier.

Numb fingers dropped the knife from Anthony's hand and they reached up to try to hold the one sticking from his own chest. As the body fell to the floor the figure stepped back and regarded it with satisfaction. As he looked from the body to the now bloody knife that Anthony had dropped he whispered “Vengeance is mine,” before fading from sight.

As the pale light of the morning sun colored the ocean, three women stood on the beach unaware of the beauty occurring around them. The tallest was clad in a white toga pulled tight around her waist with a simple braided, white rope. The second was dressed in a robe of emerald green that seemed to flow around her curves and was cinched in the middle with a wide belt of gold. Both women's raven black hair was held back from their faces by plain gold circlets.

The final woman was trying to hide the fact that she was standing on a public beach naked. A bright red blush covered her face and her arms covered her body as best they could. “You said nothing about being naked,” she muttered as she kept glancing around to make sure there was no-one else around.

Circe's lips quirked in amusement at the child's embarrassment. Diana answered with a reassuring smile, “Do not be embarrassed to be naked in front of your sisters Cassandra. Circe is correct when she says this is necessary.”

Cassie glanced around the beach once more before looking down at the strange symbols that Circe had etched into the sand. “Child you will kneel in that circle,” Circe said with quiet authority indicating one of the two circles she had drawn. “Be careful not to touch the lines,” she added commandingly.

Cassie moved to comply and Circe turned to Diana. “Diana, you will need to be standing with one foot in each of those squares.” She indicated two small squares between the two circles. A large pile of sand occupied the other circle. Without hesitation Diana moved to take her place.

Circe turned to face Cassie and quickly completed a minor spell that once more made the ghostly shape of Lin-Tse visible. “Are you both prepared to go through with this?”

Lin-Tse nodded vigorously while Cassie muttered, “Just get on with it.”

“You remember that you will both owe me a service at some point?”

Both figures nodded in understanding. In response to Diana's disappointed look Circe turned to her and said, “Do not think that I am what you want me to be Diana. I may not be what I once was, but neither am I what you wish me to be. Accept that.”

Diana nodded her head slowly. “For now,” she answered with a smile.

With a shake of her head and a puff of irritation Circe stepped to the place she had assigned herself and said, “We begin.”

As the minutes rolled on Circe focused her magic on the incantation she had developed. To Cassie it seemed very low key. I've seen better looking magic on the TV, she thought. Diana, however, could feel the charge building in the air around them as Circe mouthed ancient words of power. “Was this how my mother felt when I was created?” she wondered.

Diana looked over at Cassandra and had to restrain herself when a low moan issued from the girl's mouth and she doubled over clutching her stomach. She watched as the girl began to shake but then realized that it was the other presence inside her body that she could see shaking. Long minutes passed and Diana looked from the sorceress back to the girls. Circe was sweating openly at the strain the magic was causing. Where Cassie Sandsmark had knelt, it was now like seeing double as a second image of another girl, this one slighter in height and build than Cassie, was now clearly visible.

With a shout to complete the first part of the incantation the two girls became distinct individuals. The shout was accompanied by a low moan from both of them. Without waiting Circe began the next part of the ritual and the spirit of Lin-Tse felt as though two huge hands had grasped her and were pulling. Instinct made her fight against the pull, but when it did not abate her experience told her to allow the process to occur.

The spirit was pulled from the circle and rushed down the line that connected it to one of the squares Diana was standing in. It felt like ice and fire were running through her body chasing one another and Diana's face screwed up tight as she fought to remain standing. Then another force entered her body and she felt strength flow back through her. She recognized the strength as coming from her mother Gaia. With another wrench, she felt the spirit form of Lin-Tse leave her body via the other square. She watched as the spirit entered the other large circle and was thrown into the pile of sand lying there.

With amazed eyes she watched as the sand began to move and writhe. Circe's voice began to rise with each word and the sand seemed to jump and take more shape with each one. It now stood almost five and a half feet high and the lower trunk began to split into two separate parts, while two arms grew outwards from the upper half. Features became visible on the face with a very Oriental cast to them and the color of the sand began to change to a soft skin tone.

Only centuries of experience kept Circe reciting the spell as a scream sounded nearby on the beach. She ignored it and continued to watch the spectacle unfold before her. Words poured out of her mouth pushing the pace of the transformation faster and faster. Diana glanced away for the source of the scream and found a middle aged woman some twenty yards away looking on with horror in her eyes.

Diana tried to call to her but as she watched the look of horror give way to disgust she felt worry gnaw at her. The woman began to run towards the group and Diana looked to Circe and asked urgently, “I need to leave the squares.”

Circe shook her head and increased her speed once more to the point that Diana could no longer understand the words. She looked around and found the woman was almost on top of the group. Diana now recognized her as one of her neighbors but before she could say anything she crashed into the circle containing the almost completely formed Lin-Tse. At the same moment Circe completed the spell with another shout.

Diana recognized the completion and raced over to intercept the woman. With calm words she tried to get through to her but was scratched and clawed with an intense hatred. Suddenly the light went out of her eyes and she collapsed to the beach. As Diana knelt beside her she looked over to see the effect the disturbance had had on Lin-Tse.

A young Oriental girl stood where the pile of sand had been. She looked to be about the same age as Cassie. The two girls were probably close to the same height but Lin-Tse was much slimmer. Her face formed a perfect oval and dark hazel eyes graced it. With wonder she looked down at her hands and turned them over and over. She looked up at Circe with a smile stretching her small mouth wide. She traced the contours of her body with excited hands but the look of joy turned to one of horror when she ran them over her head. “My hair? Where is my hair?” she screeched.

“The spell was not complete when we were interrupted. You are lucky that your hair is the only thing that appears to be missing.” Circe stopped her as she turned to fling words at the woman who was lying on the sand. “It was not her fault. She was being controlled by some force. I would suspect that someone did not want us to complete the birth.”

Diana looked up sharply at that but before she could say anything Circe said, “Let us get everyone to your house and we can talk further there. I am exhausted by this and need rest as I'm sure these children do.”

Diana nodded and picked the still unconscious woman up and began herding everyone back to her house. Lin-Tse helped Cassie to her feet and Circe led the way but they all stopped as Lin-Tse exclaimed, “She's so light.”

Diana and Circe turned to see Lin-Tse holding Cassie under her arms and spinning her around and around as though she were a child. Diana turned to look questioningly at Circe.

Circe shrugged. “It seems that she has gained strength. Perhaps from passing through you. I wonder which of your other gifts she has gained? Do you feel any different?”

Diana thought for a moment before replying, “No. I believe I am well.”

Cassie was getting no response to her requests to be put down and her anger was rising. Without knowing what she was doing she lashed out at Lin-Tse and the action sent the young Oriental girl flying backwards to land heavily on the sand some ten feet away. For a moment Cassie hung in the air before dropping heavily back to the sand with shock at what she was doing.

Lin-Tse looked up with a huge grin on her face. “You used the Dragon Lines!” she exclaimed. Her face grew serious as she focused on her body but eventually the lines softened and she pushed herself back to her feet. “It seems,” she said quietly, “that you have some of the abilities with the Dragon Lines that I possessed, while I have ones similar to those possessed by Wonder Woman.”

An excited smile broke over Cassie's face. “Could what she said be true?” she asked Circe.

“The evidence would seem to support her claim,” Circe replied absently as her mind pondered the events occurring before her.

Diana broke in and forestalled any further questions. “Let us go into the house to discuss this further. Day is quickly approaching and we do not need to have to explain to others why you are two are naked and this woman is unconscious.” With that she turned and moved and led them into her house.

In an older part of the shanty town that made up the poorest white district in the city a tall figure walked up to a group of young men sitting on the steps outside a house. His face was obscured by a silver helm that extended down past his nose. It seem molded to his face. Loose black pants and a deep purple silk shirt completed his outfit.

As he approached he quietly voiced commands to the Artificial Intelligence built into the helm. It responded immediately by launching a fine spray of chemicals into the air that were Invisible to the naked eye.

“Why do you sit here and allow your livelihoods to be taken away?” the man asked in a voice filled with honey. “Are you not men?”

Two of the men jumped to their feet and moved to stand face to face with the stranger. “Who are you,” the first asked in heavily accented English, “to question whether we are men. Perhaps we should show you the type of men we are.”

The stranger stood and smiled at the man and his companions. “Why show me? I'm a stranger here, but even to me it appears that you are allowing yourselves to be pushed around. Hasn't this foreigner thrown you out of jobs to be replaced by his own? Do not the police come and harass you every day?”

There was a general murmuring in response to the questions before their spokesman said, “What can we do? We have no voice in this city. The police would just chase us away.”

“A strong man makes his own choices, but I would be willing to help you out.” He pulled a small white card from his pocket and handed it to the leader. “At this address you will find items that will make sure you are able to express your point. Do with them as you will.”

With that he turned and walked away. A satisfied smile crept onto his face as he heard one of the men say, “So what are we going to do Emil?”

In the next four hours, ten more groups had heard the same speech and been subjected to the chemical spray that pushed their restraint to one side and allowed their frustration full rein.

The five woman were sitting in Diana's kitchen when the phone shrilly sounded. Diana rose and picked it up. “Hello?”

The other women watched as her face darkened. “I will be there in moments. You should leave the place and stop others from coming in,” she said.

After another comment from the other end of the call Diana ended the call by saying, “Do not take risks Rueben. Wait for me and we will look at this together.”

She hung up the phone and said, “I am needed elsewhere. You two should get some rest,” she indicated the two girls who were grinning and giggling together.

"You are welcome to remain until are feeling well enough to leave Margaret,” she said gently to the shell shocked woman who had interrupted the ritual.

Finally she turned to Circe. “You are welcome to remain as long as you wish.”

Circe nodded politely. “Thank you. I will regain my strength and then I have things I must think upon.”

With that Diana turned to her bedroom to change into the outfit she wore as Wonder Woman. She had a strong sense that this was going to be a very long day.

Next Issue:

Wonder Woman is faced with multiple opponents as she tries to unravel the chaos that has taken over the city.