Wonder Woman Beyond #11

[Glippernip]

Wonder Woman Beyond #11

Family Matters, Part Three

Written by Dean Grey
Edited by Joel Sawyer



The fire that erupted at the Gateway City Historical Museum was small but still managed to spread rapidly. Nearly a dozen visitors were trapped within the burning building but were all rescued by the new Wonder Woman.

With the help of firefighters the blaze was eventually under control. The fact that is was so early in the day meant the museum wasn’t that crowded to begin with.

Natalie Nemos-Nikolaos, clad in her Wonder Woman costume, quickly made one last sweep inside the now smoldering site. She flew and zigzagged her way through the building’s interior just in case anyone was left. When everything appeared okay, Wonder Woman gracefully floated down from the third story windows to the parking lot next to the large museum.

The entire block was taped off and local morning news crews tried to capture as much footage as possible from behind the police barricades. Wonder Woman confidently walked up to a series of parked ambulances and checked on a little girl and the child’s father that she helped rescue.

“Are you doing okay?” Natalie asked with a smile, having bent over to the nine-year-old girl who had a long towel wrapped around her.

“Thanks to you, Mrs. Wonder Woman,” the little girl chirped. Her tiny face beamed and her high voice got even higher with excitement. “You and the new Captain Marvel are my favorite new superheroes!”

Natalie adjusted the golden tiara on her forehead and was a bit taken aback. She became the new Wonder Woman specifically to stop Ares, the Greek god of war. But now, more and more people are beginning to think of her as a superhero.

“Superhero?” Natalie thought to herself. “I never imagined someone would look up to me that way. I guess by taking on the role of Wonder Woman I’ve also taken on the title of being a role model. Not just to my nephew but now apparently the entire public. I hope I can do Diana justice and live up to all that she had accomplished before me.“

The little girl’s father repeatedly thanked Wonder Woman for saving them. He enthusiastically shook Natalie’s hand and seemed a touch enamored with her stunning looks and statuesque physique. After she waved goodbye to the father and daughter Natalie walked over to the Fire Chief who stood nearby.

“I think you gentlemen can handle the rest of it from here,” Wonder Woman said with her hands on her curvy hips.

From across the way, the rest of the younger firefighters took turns hosing down the museum’s facade while they checked out the brunette superheroine in the patriotic red, white, blue, and gold costume.

“People could’ve died in there if it wasn’t for your assistance,” the Fire Chief said matter-of-factly as he tilted the tip of his helmet in her direction.

“I’m glad I could help,” Natalie said while she smiled the most perfect smile. Wonder Woman gave the gawking firefighters a wave then quickly dashed down the street. Before the news crews could even follow she was already gone from sight.

[Glippernip]

Just five blocks away in a back alley someone special patiently waited. This most beautiful blonde-haired woman was neatly wrapped in a clean, white trench coat. She was once the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Now she’s slowly becoming more and more human as each day passes.

“Aphrodite, I’m back,” Natalie said as she ran up from around the corner still dressed as Wonder Woman. “The fire wasn’t too bad. Thankfully no one got hurt.”

With her keen vision Natalie turned and read the holographic sign perched by a nearby bank a block-and-a-half away. “It’s 9:45 A.M. already,” she sighed. “I was supposed to be at work forty-five minutes ago.”

“I’ve gotta run,” Natalie added clearly in a rush. “Tell Nathan all the food for dinner is in the fridge. I want everything warmed up and ready to go when I bring his stepmother home after work.”

Natalie waved goodbye, got a running start towards the direction she came from, and hurriedly flew into the sky. When Wonder Woman was no longer in view, Aphrodite adjusted her long trench coat and started to leave the alleyway. A sharp chill raced up the love goddess’ spine so suddenly it made her stop in place.

“Mother?” a dark voice asked from behind.

Clearly startled, Aphrodite turned back towards the alley and saw her son, Phobos, standing there.

[Glippernip]

All the way across town, mere seconds later, Wonder Woman descended behind the Bellenson LLP building and graced the cool pavement. Natalie took the Magic Lasso from her hip and stood within its glowing loop which she spread on the ground. The superheroine deftly looped the golden lariat from her feet, towards her waist, and finally over her head; her shapely form bathed in glittering light. Gone was the gorgeous, powerful new Wonder Woman and in her place was the non-powered, very average looking Natalie Nemos-Nikolaos.

Natalie hastily tucked the Magic Lasso in her purse and straightened out her brown suit jacket and skirt. She dashed as fast as her matching heeled shoes would allow around the corner and headed into her workplace.

“There has got to be an easier way,” Natalie said under her breath while she pushed past the automatic front doors of the accounting firm. “How do other superheroes hold a job and save the day at the same time?”

[Glippernip]

Many miles away in the back alleys of Gateway City.....

“You scared me,” Aphrodite said with her hand over her heart. “You appeared so suddenly, I--”

“--You could always sense my presence in the past, Mother. So....you are getting weaker.”

“What do you want, Phobos?” Aphrodite chastised.

His dark blue Grecian armor reflected the bright morning sun. From underneath his two-horned helmet, Phobos stared at his mother’s trench coat. “You are even starting to dress like mortals,” he said in a disgusted sort of way.

“What do you want, Phobos?” Aphrodite repeated this time more angrily.

“You and Father are exactly the same,” he said in a raised voice. “You both play games. You take on a mortal as your champion so Father does the same.”

“Do not meddle in our affairs, my son.”

Phobos took several steps back and his shadowed face smiled a devilish grin. “I can play at that game too.”

Before Aphrodite could even utter another word Phobos had dematerialized in a flash of light and was gone.

[Glippernip]

Late that afternoon in the home of Natalie Nemos-Nikolaos.....

The pair of them sat in Nathan Nemos’ bedroom. Aphrodite on the edge of the bed, Nathan on the uncluttered carpet.

“So what do you think he’ll do?” Nathan asked as he rummaged through one of his dresser drawers while seated indian-style on the floor.

“I don’t know,” Aphrodite answered back clearly worried. “My son is trying to prove himself to Ares and might try something foolish.”

“Aunt Lee can handle him, don’t you worry,” Nathan replied half-listening as the teenager finally found what he was looking for. “Here it is.”

“What’s this?” Aphrodite questioned at the small book placed on her lap. Nathan got up and sat next to Aphrodite on the bed. “It’s one of our family albums.”

As the goddess of love and beauty perused the photos, Nathan would stop, point out a picture here and there and comment on each one.

“That was Uncle Jason,” he said proudly pointing to a blonde man dressed in a Marine’s ceremonial uniform.

“Very handsome,” Aphrodite grinned.

Nathan pointed to the picture just underneath. “And see the two standing next to Aunt Lee, that was my dad and my mom.”

“Natalie certainly looks a lot like her older brother,” Aphrodite noted. “And your mother looks quite pretty. You have a strong resemblance to her.”

Aphrodite watched the teen’s mood become sullen. “You miss them?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Nathan replied quietly.

“I know you do,” the love goddess softly smiled as she turned her attention back to the photo album. “There are all these pictures of your family members but none of your stepmom.”

Nathan’s boyish face turned serious and he answered sharply, “Aunt Lee keeps those pictures with her stuff.”

“You really dislike your stepmother that much?”

“Don’t start to sound all “Aunt Lee” on me, Aphrodite. I used to think you were really schway but if you give a me a lecture on how I’m supposed to love my stepmom unconditionally I might just change my mind.”

“You feel she doesn’t accept you for who you are.”

A bit shocked, Nathan had a perplexed expression as he wondered, “How....do you know that?”

“I am the goddess of love,” Aphrodite said in a haughty tone with her chin held high, “I know all matters of the heart.”

Nathan’s light-blue eyes widened and he became somewhat nervous. “You....know about me? You know my secret?”

Aphrodite smiled and gently replied, “I’ve known since the first day I met you.”

“Oh my God, am I really that obvious?” Nathan sighed and hung his head which made his jet-black hair fall onto his eyebrows.

Aphrodite chuckled a bit at the teenager’s response. “No, not necessarily,” she said becoming serious again. “I just knew what was in your heart.”

Nathan appeared concerned now. Now he was aware that Aphrodite knew some intimate details about him. Would she still accept him? He looked at Aphrodite as though tears were about to fill his eyes. A long moment of silence.

Aphrodite leaned towards Nathan, tenderly placed her hand on his cheek, and whispered, “In my countless years of existence I have seen love in all its many forms between all types of mortals. Nathan, with me you never need to be ashamed of what’s in your heart.”

Nathan Nemos smiled his pretty face from ear to ear and his eyes squeezed tight forcing stray tears to race down his cheeks. He hugged Aphrodite and all could manage to say was a quiet thank you.

The teen dried his eyes with the end of his t-shirt and once she saw Nathan compose himself, Aphrodite asked, “So, what does your stepmother look like?”

“She’s so gross,” Nathan replied as he snarled his face like he smelled something rotten. “She looks like a troll. All crooked and misshapen. Just gross.”

“Oh....I see,” Aphrodite said with a raised eyebrow.

[Glippernip]

At that moment, at 5:35 P.M. the front door could be heard unlocking while two pairs of feet shuffled about outside.

“I think that’s Natalie and your stepmother now,” Aphrodite said somewhat excitedly. As the goddess of love and beauty exited the bedroom and went to greet the others, Nathan crossed his thin arms and in an annoyed tone muttered to himself, “Wonderful.”

[Glippernip]

Tel Aviv, Israel.....

About a month ago something tragic happened here. In a bustling cafe located in the city’s center, a suicide bomber attempted to blow herself up and the mostly Israeli patrons inside it.

Her name was Leila Altair and her plans didn’t turn out as she intended. Not only did the Palestinian teen survive her own homemade explosives but so did almost everyone else in the cafe with her that late summer day.

Little did Leila Altair know that after receiving lifesaving procedures from S.T.A.R. Labs that her prayers would be answered by Ares himself and she would be turned into his champion, The Black Swan. [Read Wonder Woman Beyond #4-7 for details].

Of the nearly 50 people that crowded into the cafe that fateful day most were severely injured though lived. There was only one casualty from the incident, an Israeli woman who stood closest to Leila Altair at the time of the explosion.

And now, on the outskirts of Tel Aviv in Yarkon Cemetery a young woman mourned her death. She placed a small bouquet of yellow roses on a simple gravestone. At just 23-years-old Maveth Ruah lost her mother in that cafe.

It will be a day the young Israeli will never forget. She still had nightmares of Leila Altair shouting and detonating herself. The screams of panic....the flying glass....the smoke. She can still hear her mother’s last cries mixed with her own. Some days Maveth Ruah wished she died with her mother too.

She let her short, wavy brown hair cover her face and hiked up her light jacket so no one could see her cry. But today, like most days, the cemetery is quiet and unattended. Maybe others no longer wish to pay their respects to their own deceased family members or perhaps it’s just too painful.

Maveth Ruah kneeled on the short grass at her mother’s resting place. Under the shade of a large tree she closed her eyes and with a big inhale swore this time she would not cry. Her petite body began to quiver and her lips could not keep from trembling. Guttural sounds came from her clenched mouth. As hard as she tried the young Israeli woman finally broke down and sobbed and sobbed.

So many emotions stirred within her. Anger at the young woman responsible, guilt for surviving even though her mother did not, and fear for how she’s going to go on in life without her mom.

“I know how it feels to be afraid,” a dark voice said from behind.

Maveth Ruah gasped, stood up, and turned around in one frantic motion. She stumbled back several feet at the sight of him and almost fell over.

He was dressed in dark blue armor from head to toe. He looked like something you’d see in a horror movie mixed with a Greek play.

From underneath his two-horned helmet he calmly said, “I can help you.”

“Wh-who are you?” the young woman stammered in a heavy Israeli accent still not believing what she saw.

The armor-clad man could be seen smiling about his shadowed face. “My name is Phobos. I can give you the power you need to get revenge. Revenge upon the whore that killed your mother.”

[Glippernip]

The Nikolaos household, Gateway City, CA.....

Literally days ago, Natalie Nemos-Nikolaos and her 15-year-old nephew, Nathan, were ambushed and attacked by the Cheetah. The fight was short-lived but Nathan almost died in the process. The teenager miraculously pulled through and survived a major trauma to his neck. Now, having heard the news, Nathan’s stepmother had asked to spend a week at Natalie’s house to see how her stepson was doing.

It was after five-thirty in the evening when the two of them finally arrived. Aphrodite seemed anxious and excited. The love goddess was dressed entirely in borrowed garments from Natalie; a white blouse and pink skirt. Since Aphrodite recently lost the ability to remain unseen by mortals, Natalie wanted her “friend from college” to look as normal as possible.

She stood in the living room and heard two voices from around the opened front door. With a smile on Aphrodite’s flawless face, she recognized one voice instantly. From the outside porch in walked Natalie still in her work clothes. She had a small suitcase in one hand and pulled another piece of wheeled luggage behind her.

“We’re here,” Natalie grinned at Aphrodite.

Aphrodite’s dazzling blue eyes peered over Natalie’s shoulders at the woman that entered next. She was about six years older than Natalie, several inches taller, and rather pretty. Her long auburn hair was neatly styled and her blue dress and top were quite fashionable.

“Judith,” Natalie said having placed the luggage next to the living room couch, “this is my friend I was telling you about over the phone. The one staying with us for a little while.”

“How nice to meet you,” Judith kindly said with an extended hand. “I’m Nathan’s stepmom.”

“Your stepson has told me much about you,” Aphrodite smiled as she shook the woman’s hand.

“Good things I hope,” Judith winked back.

Aphrodite broke eye contact and replied, “Oh....his words don’t do you justice.”

Just then, Nathan walked into the living room with his arms crossed and his skinny frame leaned against the doorway. Having seen him, Judith Nemos put down her designer bag and walked up to her stepson. She saw the small bandage on his neck. Concerned, she instantly said, “Oh Nathan, does it hurt?”

“I’m fine.”

“How do you feel?”

“Good.”

No matter how positive Judith tried to be, Nathan shot her down every time. Annoyance in all of his replies.

“Are you getting to sleep okay?”

“Yep.”

“How’s school?”

“Alright.”

Natalie could feel the tension building and attempted to stop it before things got ugly. “Judith, we actually have supper all ready for you. Why don’t we put your bags in my room and then we can all eat?”

Judith had disappointment all over her face. She looked somberly at Nathan, then turned and faked a smile to Natalie. “That sounds nice,” she quietly said.

[Glippernip]

At that moment in the Star City State Penitentiary, Star City.....

It had only been close to seven weeks since Baqir Al Asad had been placed in this maximum security prison, but to this arms dealer and drug trafficker it seemed like a lifetime.

He had gone from a fat, round man to a husky build during his stay here. Working out in the jail’s gym almost every day will do that to a person. But now Asad’s wait is finally over. His last remaining, deep-rooted resources had given their decision to Asad’s request for freedom.

They go by many names. The Society of Assassins. The League of Shadows. Whatever monicker they use they shall always be known as the League of Assassins. During his criminal lifetime, Baqir Al Asad had secretly supported this clandestine organization with various firearms and finances and now he expected them to return the favor.

Within the Star City State Penitentiary, Asad’s only inside contact walked up to the fellow Arab and spoke in their native tongue.

<“They’ve agreed, Mr. Asad,”> the slender inmate said in a hushed tone. <“They’re sending someone to break you out of here....tonight.”>

Baqir Al Asad spat on the cold prison floor, smirked his scarred face, and angrily replied in an Arabic accent, “It’s about fucking time.” [To be continued in Black Arrow #7].

[Glippernip]

Just five minutes later in the small but cozy dining room of Natalie Nemos-Nikolaos were Natalie, Nathan, Aphrodite, and Judith. The roast chicken, whipped potatoes, and side dishes were store bought. Only the salad was homemade. As everyone got situated and passed around each dish, Judith Nemos made another attempt at small talk with her only stepson.

“So how do you like your new school this year?”

“I like it a lot,” Nathan answered slyly hiding the start of a devilish grin. “All the students there are super creative but really unique. Thankfully,” he added with emphasis in his voice, “we all accept each other’s differences instead of trying to be what others want us to be.”

Natalie coughed a bit as she was sipping her water.

“Oh,” his stepmother replied slowly. “What classes do you like best?”

“Classical dance,” the teenager said matter-of-factly.

Nathan’s stepmother almost winced at his response. “You’re not playing football or basketball or anything like that?” Judith wondered sounding slightly worried.

Nathan plopped the mashed potatoes on his plate while he heatedly replied in a raised tone, “It’s a performing arts school. They don’t have sports there.”

“Nathan,” Natalie corrected.

“Well, they don’t,” Nathan said under his breath.

“Nathan,” Natalie calmly repeated giving her nephew a stern look. Trying to turn the conversation around she asked, “So Judith, you’re still working at the law firm?”

“Yes,” Judith said as she accepted a plate of carved chicken from Aphrodite. “How about you? You still work for Mr. Bellenson?”

“It’ll be five years next month,” Natalie said proudly as she passed the salad.

“Wow,” Judith commented. Nathan’s stepmom then suddenly shot up a bit from her chair as she looked at Aphrodite. “Oh for heaven’s sake, where are my manners?” Judith commented out loud as she tapped her forehead. “Natalie told me an old college friend was visiting but she never did tell me your name.”

“Oh!” Natalie said a bit surprised. “This is umm...umm...umm.”

When Nathan’s aunt looked at him for help he appeared speechless too and just as caught off guard with the same reply. “Umm...umm...umm.”

Aphrodite leaned forward, extended her hand and said, “I’m Aph--”

“--Alberta!” Natalie frantically blurted out. “This is my friend, Alberta, and she’ll be staying with us for a bit.”

Judith, startled by Natalie’s sudden outburst, shook Aphrodite’s hand and said, “Oh....well it’s nice to meet you, Alberta.”

Aphrodite leaned back into her seat and looked completely stupefied, like someone just hit her in the head with a baseball bat. Nathan’s eyes were open wide and his mouth dropped so low that some of his food almost fell out. Natalie awkwardly added some chicken to her plate and nervously laughed, “Let’s eat.”

Roughly thirty minutes later, after dinner was all said and done, Judith Nemos began unpacking her things in Natalie’s room, while in the kitchen Natalie, Nathan, and Aphrodite cleaned the dishes.

“Alberta?” Aphrodite asked quietly in disbelief.

Natalie looked over her shoulder from the full sink. “I’m sorry, Dear. It may have worked in Ancient Greece but no one and I do mean no one would ever name their child Aphrodite in this day and age. It just sounds too weird.”

Nathan nodded his head while he dried the silverware. “Yeah, I kind of agree with her. But you could’ve called her something else like Ashley, Angie, Amanda....”

“Alberta?” Aphrodite asked quietly in disbelief.

As Natalie started becoming a tad frustrated she moved the clean dishes to the kitchen table and let them land slightly loud. “Look, that’s the first thing that popped into my head. When Aphrodite started saying her name it was the only one I could think of that started with an “A”.”

“Amy, Alexandria, Anna,” Nathan added.

“Alberta?” Aphrodite asked quietly in disbelief.

Natalie deeply sighed and put her hand to her temples. She calmly yet sternly replied, “I’m afraid Aphrodite will just have to be “Alberta” until your stepmom leaves. Ughh, you two are giving me a headache!”

[Glippernip]

Yarkon Cemetery, Tel Aviv.....

“I can feel the fear inside you,” Phobos slowly said in a deep voice. “It is so beautiful. Afraid you won’t meet other’s expectations, afraid you won’t succeed in life, afraid you won’t be able to go on without your mother. So very beautiful.”

When Maveth Ruah first laid eyes upon Phobos, terror ran through her body. But being with the very personification of fear itself had made all those fright-filled emotions change into something else. There was a bond between these two now. One, a parasite feeding off that fear, and the other whose deep-rooted fears were being manipulated into pure hatred.

“You....know how to find the girl that killed my mother?” Maveth Ruah hesitated with tears forming in her light-brown eyes.

“Yes,” Phobos smiled. “Help me destroy my father’s champion and we both get what we desire.” Ares’ son walked up to the young Israeli woman and softly whispered in her ear. “I can help you strike the same fear into her that she placed into you.”

Maveth Ruah was silent for several long moments. She angrily looked down at her mother’s gravestone then turned and stared Phobos directly in the eyes. “I would love that,” she said.

To Be Continued....