Trinity

Pretzels went flying through the air when Clark Kent was jostled forward by a man carrying wrestling a five year old, sending the baked goods in all directions before landing in a scattered mess across the sidewalk and the grass framing it. The man completely unaware of his crime went on along on his way trying to find a rest room, according to Clark’s super hearing, for his daughter Ellie before she unloaded the contents of her stomach on him. With a resigned sigh, Clark decided that no rebuke could compare to the hell the man already faced and bent down to pick up the ruined pretzels for appropriate discard.

Gathering up the mess, he fought his way through the bodies moving back and forth across Hayes Park, before finding a trashcan. Once he was done, he turned to the crowd moving over the manicured lawns, across the walkways and along the cobblestone path that meandered around the lake. Clark considered briefly whether or not he ought to be keeping an eye on things from above the ground as Superman instead of being one of the thousands fighting for park space as they waited for the ceremony to start.

Unfortunately, his dalliance with that thought was fleeting because he remembered that Perry had assigned him the job of covering the story welcoming the Amazon Queen Hippolyta to Metropolis. With her entourage, the queen would be attending a ceremony at Hayes Park, followed by an open day of sorts of as the public would be able to interact with the Amazons. Lois who had been one of the few journalists allowed on Themiscyra would be conducting a personal one on one interview with Hippolyta after the ceremony.

Clark had been exceedingly proud of Lois, almost as proud as Lois was of herself, at being one of the reporters asked by name to accompany UN delegation to the island of Themiscyra for an invitation only visit. The journey, which Clark, had secretly watched from a distance as Superman, was almost as mysterious as the Amazons themselves. To the disbelieving eye of thousands, the waters of New York harbour had parted like the Red Sea had been opened for Moses. As waters were held back, Clark watched with a knotting stomach as Lois and a number of important dignitaries walked into to the watery corridor and then vanished.

They appeared seven days later in absolutely the same way as they had arrived, on the shores of New York Harbour. Armed with evidence that had since been authenticated by every means known to modern science, Lois’ story about the Amazon nation had become headlines across the globe and sure to land his girl her next Pulitzer. Clark had spent those seven days trying not to panic that Lois was lost somewhere he’d never find her while at the same time, reminding himself that it was her wish to go in the first place. Once Lois decided that, not even a Kryptonian with the planet to juggle planets (okay that was an exaggeration) was going to stop her.

With their claims authenticated and the UN General Assembly forced to accept that the Amazon nation did indeed exist, the Amazons, led by Queen Hippolyta had embarked upon their tour of the Patriarch’s world. Metropolis, like New York before it, was polarized by the visit and the city began its preparations as if the next Olympic Games were coming to town. The ceremony was set to be held at the Gazebo in the heart of the park, with lights and sound equipment set up as if a rock concert was being held. People gathered around it, some having arrived hours before to find the best seat. The Amazons had required that no money be made by the event, so that meant crowds in great numbers. Clark saw policeman on bicycles, on horse back and simple beat cops keeping an eye on things to ensure no one got to rowdy.

Thankfully, his press pass got him through the barrier keeping the crowds from the large gazebo sitting atop a slight hill. Used on previous occasions for other similar celebrations, the Gazebo was the closest thing that Hayes Park had to a stage and was elevated enough to ensure the enthusiastic crowds were able to get a good look of Amazons. Clark intended to sequester himself somewhere discreet when the women arrived (in case something like this did happen) and wanted to catch up with Lois while he could. He had written off spending any time with her today since the Daily Planet’s ace reporter would be accompanying the Queen to her hotel when they were done here to conduct her interview.

Moving past the small army of security men, Clark brandished his press pass like a badge of honour before being subjected to their scrutiny as they tried to determine whether or not he was any kind of threat. Fortunately, for him, his persona as the mild mannered reporter from the Daily Planet seemed to do the trick. Must be the glasses, Clark decided, although to this day, he still could not believe how some people were fooled by them.

With glasses and floppy hair, no one had thought to equate him with Superman.

The security was not merely for the Amazons, however. Even though they were the draw for the crowds, there were many other luminaries attending this ceremony as well. Some local celebrities, municipal leaders like the Mayor and the Chief of Police and of course, the social elite, those who had paid for this welcome celebration as sponsors. Luthor Corp, Wayne Enterprises and McDonalds logo were almost as visible as the banners emblazoned with Queen Hippolyta’s image. Undoubtedly, Lex Luthor would be here today with Lana, proudly displaying his return to grace.

Since his release from prison, Lex had used the sympathy engendered by his five years of wrongful conviction to put him back at the top of the social ladder. He took control of Luthor Corp, restored the mansion in Smallville and played up to the press, to great effect, the image of a man reunited with his wife and daughter. Clark couldn’t begrudge him any of his of course but it still stung when Clark remembered what Lex’s release had cost them both. Clark had lost all connection to his father Jor-El and Lex’s memories had been raped by the Construct, removing all traces of their friendship.

Sweeping his gaze across the area cordoned off by the barriers for guests only, Clark took a look to see if Lex and Lana had arrived yet. While he had no desire to see Lex, he did want to catch up with Lana. As anticipated, once Lana had calmed down and in better mood to listen, she had understood why Clark had vanished for five years although she readily admitted that his silence on Lex’s innocence would be a sore point for some time. Still, they had managed to maintain some kind of a friendship and Clark made sure she knew that in times of crisis, she would always have friends to turn to.

His enhanced vision was still shifting through the faces in the crowd when suddenly; he sighted someone he hadn’t expected to see.

Bruce.

What was Bruce doing here?

Even though the Wayne Foundation had co-sponsored this event to ease the spending on the City’s coffers, Clark hadn’t expected to see the billionaire playboy making an appearance today. Bruce attached his Foundation to many notable charity events over the years but that did not guarantee his attendance. For most part, Bruce preferred to remain close to Gotham City where the Batman ruled the night.

Superman had made headlines first but in truth, Batman had been in operation far longer. According to Lois, Bruce had been careful to ensure that there was very little evidence to prove that Batman actually existed and to many in Gotham, he was just an urban legend, cooked up by the Gotham City Police Department to scare the hell out of the criminal element. Whether or not they believed he existed, there was no doubt about the effectiveness of the Bat in Gotham, a city where crime had been rampaging so badly it was almost anarchy.

For the moment however, Superman and Batman was the furthest thing in Clark Kent’s mind because right now, he was trying to decide if he would approach his best friend after a five year absence. Clark had managed to avoid making the decision prior to this, largely because he had no idea what to say to Bruce. If Lois had been hit hard by Chloe’s death then Clark couldn’t even begin to imagine what Bruce would have gone through. Clark watched Bruce in the company of the mayor, from the other side of the designated area, appearing as always, the charming, affable aristocrat without a relevant thought in his head.

Making his way through the phalanx of media people, back stage technicians, bodyguards and other crew, Clark drifted into the reception area blocked to the public off by white canvas. Hands in his pockets, he approached Bruce somewhat casually, certain that Bruce would see him without difficulty. Even without x-ray vision, Bruce missed nothing that transpired around him. Five years to hone his already impressive skills made Bruce’s reaction time a good deal faster as his eyes subtlety shifted to Clark’s face and then back to the Mayor.

“Excuse me, Mr. Mayor,” Bruce Wayne told Mayor Keogh, “I see an old….acquaintance.”

Acquaintance.

Ouch, Clark thought to himself, certain that Bruce’s use of the word was intentional because he would know Clark could hear him.

Bruce walked over to him as casually as Clark had done a moment earlier, his eyes still depicting that superbly vacant stare that revealed nothing, the one behind which Bruce Wayne hid his true self. In all his life, Clark had never created a mask that perfect. He simply could not disconnect himself the way that Bruce seemed to. Perhaps, it required the tragedy of Bruce childhood to accomplish, in which case Clark was thankful he was spared the experience.

“Bruce,” Clark opened the dialogue first.

“Clark.” Bruce spoke simply.

“It’s good to see you,” Clark said sincerely.

Bruce didn’t speak for a moment. “Hard to believe since you’d been back for nearly two months now.”

“I’ve been busy,” he returned, unable to offer any other excuse than that.

“I noticed,” Bruce Wayne nodded, “I suppose Superman makes good copy.”

Clark’s eyes locked onto his and returned in kind. “As good a copy as Batman makes.”

A faint smile crossed Bruce’s features, a crack in the armour almost. “Don’t believe everything that you read Clark,” he remarked smoothly. “The Batman’s just an urban legend.”

“My reporter’s gut says otherwise,” the Kryptonian served and suddenly it felt as if nothing had changed, it was back to their old game of verbal fencing. Of course, in any battle of wits, Clark knew that Bruce outmatched him every time and this détente was temporary.

“So I’ve read,” Bruce commented. “I especially liked the story about Milton Fine.”

Very temporary.

The white elephant in the room that had to be addressed before they went any further made its inevitable appearance. Clark had left five years ago after Chloe’s death, without a word to anyone to begin his training at the Fortress. In the wake of his disappearance, Lex Luthor had been convicted of the crime and for the next half a decade, the world believe the killer of Chloe Sullivan had been brought to justice. When Clark returned two months ago, he had set some of those wrongs, right. However, he had left one thing undone because he couldn’t bring himself to face his best friend and tell him the truth.

That Bruce had spent five years hating the wrong man.

“Bruce,” Clark swallowed thickly, “I’m sorr…”

“Forget it,” Bruce cut him off before Clark could get the words out. “Everything is in back in order now. The guilty have been punished and the innocent have been freed.”

Clark wanted to explain himself but this was hardly the time or the place for it. Clark made a resolution to go see Bruce in Gotham at first opportunity. He had been putting this task off for two months when it was one of the first, he should have seen to. Bruce deserved the truth as much as Lois and Lana..

Knowing that Bruce would not discuss the subject in any shape or form at this time, Clark decided to change the subject. Instead, he looked to the banners and the fanfare surrounding the arrival of the Amazons for assistance. “So, what do you make of these Amazons?”

Bruce seemed to relax, apparently grateful for the change in subject matter as well, “it’s a new world out there Clark. Two months ago, people didn’t know that life beyond the Earth existed. Thanks to Superman, they do now. Is it so strange that some of our home grown myths aren’t just stories but a truth as tangible as a Krypton?”

Bruce had a point.

“I suppose,” Clark shrugged.

“Hey Smallville!” Clark suddenly heard Lois’ exuberant voice carrying across the crowded area and looked up to see her approaching. Despite wearing an impeccably cut black Chanel suit, with silk crème blouse beneath, Lois bounded over as if she was still wearing jeans and her favourite (his as well) orange t-shirt. Clark had the strongest suspicion that she would always look that way to him, even when she was fifty.

It was only when Lois Lane closed in on Clark, did she realise that he wasn’t alone. While Clark had stayed away from Bruce since his return home, Lois had kept in contact with the playboy billionaire who had been her partner in misery during the five years of Clark’s absence. Even though their relationship was platonic, there was an intimacy in their shared pain that had help Lois to cope with the loss of both Chloe and Clark from her life. Together, they had nursed each other through their sorrows and reached the mutual decision of picking up the threads of their lives once that mourning period was done. Lois had thrown herself into her work and Bruce had given the criminals of Gotham a reason to fear.

“Bruce,” she burst into a wide smile which surprised Clark when he noted a corresponding response from the til now stoic billionaire. Lois didn’t waste time giving the man a hug, not giving a damn about how many cameras were here because the world knew that Bruce was almost apart of her family

“Still scooping everyone I see,” Bruce smiled, returning the hug.

“Can’t be the best without doing that can I?” She winked, pulling back and shifting her gaze to Clark, knowing that this had to be awkward for both men. As far as Lois knew, Clark and Bruce had not spoken since prior to Chloe’s passing.

“Congratulations on your forthcoming interview with the Queen,” he commended.

Clark cleared his throat, feeling a slight constriction that could have been jealousy. Just how close had these two been while he was gone? As soon as the thought entered his head, a small voice reminded Clark that he had given Lois no reason to wait for him when he left her. She had every right to pursue a relationship elsewhere. Still it was not a thought he liked to entertain and Clark forced himself to look away, to not let his imagination run away with him. Choosing to survey the area, upon doing so, he saw the arrival of several dark cars, flanked by motor cycle escorts.

That had to be them, he decided.

The motorcade travelled down the access road through Hayes Park, flanked on either side by well-tended grounds and tall, thick-canopied trees. Once they cleared the tree line and emerged between the manicured gardens, they were spotted by the public whose reaction to their arrival was just as abrupt. Chaos erupted across the park, the air became charged with the excited vocalizations of onlookers, expressions of excitement and awe, followed by the inevitable jockeying for position as everyone tried to get the best vantage point to view the spectacle.

The cacophony of noise seemed to reach crescendo as the cars came to a gradual halt, the second vehicle pausing strategically at the pebble stone path leading to the Gazebo. The anticipation of the crowd diminished as people waited with held breaths for the car door to open. The first car opened to unleash men in dark suits, clearly security guards who were treating the Amazon Queen like any Head of State. They stood by vigilantly with their stern features, close cropped hair and earpieces, watching for any sign of trouble.

When Queen Hippolyta emerged, there was no need for Lois to tell Clark who she was. Indeed, there was no need to tell anyone because it was obvious.

Even the crowd was affected as they fell silent with awe, watching this woman step out of myth as a flesh and blood being they could see and touch. Clad in a purple toga gown, with a gold necklace hanging from her lightly bronzed neck and a royal tiara glimmering through the locks of jet coloured hair, Queen Hippolyta surveyed the scene with a hunter’s blue eyes. Appearing to be in her late thirties, she was a striking woman. Her looks were matched by her formidable physique. The Amazons were a warrior race and if the Queen was anything to judge, then they had the physical prowess to match any army of men.

She was elegant and regal in a way that very few monarchs could match. Her was the kind of face painters put to the canvas, the reason sculptors tried so hard to put form to shapeless clay. There was also a sense of patrician dignity about her. One could not look at the woman without feeling some sense of awe and reverence.

Following her were two others, a serene looking creature whose features could barely be seen beneath the hood of her cloak. Lowering the hood revealed a face framed with red curls and green eyes that matched the fabric of the cloak. She surveyed the crowd with interest as well as some anxiety. She was nervous to be here even if her queen projected nothing but supreme confidence.

The second woman to follow the queen was not concealed a cloak. A magnificent looking Negress with high cheekbones, she stood more than six feet tall, Clark estimated. Her body was well muscled under her toga. He spied well-defined biceps and had no doubt that she could take any man in combat and then some. Projecting the same authority and dignity as her queen, the woman was imposing, as she was elegant.

“That’s Menalippe and Philipus,” Lois explained, having met both women during her trip to Themiscyra. “Menallppe is the Amazon high priestess. She is the spiritual connection to their gods.” Lois knew she sounded like she was reading one of her articles but she had become so used to describing the Amazons in such detail that it was habit now. “Philipus is their military commander.”

“I can believe that,” Bruce remarked, watching the hawkish way the woman was studying the crowd. He didn’t have to read her mind to know that she was watching everything and everyone closely. The Amazons had been protected in their island for almost 3000 years; he couldn’t imagine that it would be an easy thing to venture out among men again.

They can’t be happy with all this protection,” Clark added, sharing the same unspoken thought, “especially by men.”

“They weren’t,” Lois confirmed, recalling how distasteful Philipus found the subject of the Secret Service, particularly when she had described to Lois what her last experience with a man had been like. “However, Hippolyta feels that it is necessary to establish the trust so she let the UN have its way. Still…” her voice faded into nothingness and for a moment, she was silent in thought.

“Lois I know that look,” Clark Kent stared at her.

“What look?” Lois glanced back at him with doe eyed innocence.

“The one you have just before you get into trouble,” he accused since this was a pattern well developed for as long as he had known Lois Lane. How she hadn’t gotten herself killed during the five years he was away was enough to make Clark believe in the divine.

“Is there something we should know?” Bruce’s questions were more pointed.

“No,” Lois replied, not ready to voice her suspicions since this was more of a feeling than any concrete evidence of mischief. In truth, she sensed a secret but whether or not the secret constituted a threat to anyone, she couldn’t say. Frankly, Lois couldn’t bring herself to believe that Queen Hippolyta intended any harm to the Patriarch’s World. Even the most guarded Amazons she had encountered during the visit to Themiscyra, had no ill will towards the male societies beyond their island, just understandable caution.

“Not really,” she added after a moment, “just a feeling I get that whatever they’re hiding, it’s something they’re not ready to share with us just yet.”

**************

The girl watched from a suitable distance, perfectly aware that she shouldn’t be here.

Blending into the crowds of people (there were so many!), she watched everything with fascination as she walked through Hayes Park, with only mild interest in the arrival of the motorcade. There were other things of far greater interest happening around her and though she had been asked to stay out of sight (more specifically, back at the hotel), she couldn’t resist. She wanted to see everything. Such was the impetuousness of youth that she was unafraid to surrender to its temptation.

Children amazed her most of all. She had never seen one other than herself. Watching mothers trying to control unruly children, be they male or female, infants or adolescent, made her laugh because she remembered how much of a handful she had been. She saw the men who shared these women’s lives, marvelling at the unity of their familial existence. Fathers who carried their daughters on their shoulders, who’s large, hands held with delicate care, tiny fingers in their own. It was beautiful in a way she hadn’t anticipated.

She had never known that kind of influence in her life.

A dog ran up to her, sniffing and the girl laughed in delight as she patted its russet forehead, watching its tail wag in pleasure at the attention. She had always had an affinity with animals but this was the first one of this type she had encountered. Perhaps, some could be brought home when this visit was done. The child to whom this animal belong, came to claim it soon after and she watched them bounding off to join the family they belonged to.

The girl continued her observations, far more interested in the world before her than the events taking place at the Gazebo. Amazons she knew intimately.

The Patriarch’s World, now that was the mystery.