The Knights of Justice
Chapter 1
King Kal-El, son of Jor-El, sat upon the kryptonian throne as the King of Action. In front of him danced a jester dressed in purple and gold. Kal-El's throne room glistened from the beating sun outside. The sun shined over all of Kal-El's kingdom. The kingdom of Action stretched north to the Land of the Light and south to the Southern Mountains. His Fortress of Solitude sat in the heart of Action, the capital city of Metropoland. It was along the bay that spilled into the Great Ocean. The kingdom ended in the west at the edge of the Marz Desert.
"Sir," said Jimmy Olsen, the informant of King Kal-El. "We have an issue you must attend to." Kal-El looked down at the jester, fumbling along like a crazed ape. The Gods have saved me today, thought Kal-El. He stood from his throne and the busy room quieted and bowed. He walked with Jimmy through the lavish hall.
"What is it?" asked the King.
"A woman from the village," Jimmy said. "Last night a man raped her." King Kal-El continued with a brisk walk. He noticed that Jimmy had a bead of sweat glistening on his brow.
"What else is there?" asked the King.
"She was saved," Jimmy said nervously. King Kal-El stopped abruptly.
"Saved by who?" He was answered by Jimmy's silent response.
*****
Princess Diana looked out west across the Great Ocean. The water, sparkling blue, crashed against the sand of Olympus. Diana, a mere 17 years old, dreamed of the world across the ocean. From birth she had felt the desire to leave. Her father, King Zeus, ruled Olympus with an iron fist. She knew nothing of her mother; after Diana's birth, Queen Hera banished her mother. Diana joined the many bastards of the King.
"Come on then," said Hercules, another bastard of Zeus. Diana was born one month after Hercules. They grew up together, learned together, and fought together. Today, like everyday they practiced their swordsmanship in front of Ares. He stood above the two as they battled for hours.
"If I cut off your arm will we be finished?" she asked.
"You ask that all the time and yet I still carry two women, not one, to my bed every night." She swung her blade at his shoulder. His shield blocked the swing but knocked him off balance. She went to strike again but the two blades clashed. Hercules regained his footing and slammed his shield into her side. She tried to replicate the move but he through her momentum the opposite direction.
"Perhaps a bow would work better for you," he said in between strikes at her head. "Or an axe," he said blocking Diana's jabs. He kicked at her forward leg and dislodged her sword in one swift motion. Hercules rested the blade on her shoulder as she kneeled defeated. "Maybe a lasso would do you better." He stretched his hand out and she took it rising to her feet. "Care for another round? I believe both arms are still fully attached."
"Not today I'm afraid," said Ares as he came down the steps attached to the platform. "Leave us Hercules." Hercules nodded and made his way to the stairs.
"One day I will beat you," Diana exclaimed.
"We've fought everyday for twelve years. I will believe it when Dad stops making bastards," he shouted back. Diana laughed as he disappeared up the stairs. Diana had never met a stronger woman than herself, yet Hercules could say the same of the men he had met. She stood as tall as most men, but next him she looked small.
"Knock that smile off your face," Ares uttered. "He was your enemy. Do you understand me?"
"Yes," Diana responded. For years Ares had treated the two like his own children but recently he grew stern with her. "I know who Zeus plans to marry you to." Diana's heart skipped. She had known since she was a young girl that she would be married off at the age of 18 but as the day grew closer her nerves grew greater.
"Is it the King in the west?" Diana asked. Ares had discussed with her all the potential candidates. Zeus had hoped she would be married to another King, at least that is what she thought.
"I am afraid he has chosen not to marry you to a King or Lord."
"Why would he do that?" Diana asked.
"Well, King Kal-El refused. Sinestro of the Light also denied the offer." Ares said.
"So who?" Diana questioned. "Who has my father chosen?" Ares sighed.
"Hercules..."
*****
King Kal-El looked down at the kneeling woman. She had dark skin and wired hair. She bowed at his feet.
"Rise," Kal said calmly. It was said that his voice could ease the tensest rooms. "Tell me what happened." She slowly stood.
"He...he grabbed my arm and bagged my head. I was only milking my cow, and he... he grabbed my arm and-"
"How were you saved?" Jimmy abruptly said.
"Enough Jimmy. Let the poor woman talk," Kal-El said. "Please continue."
"He had me undressed," she croaked. "Then he appeared."
"What did he look like?" asked Kal-El. "The man that rescued you, that is?" She looked at him.
"It was dark in the room, but his shadow seemed to make the night feel bright. He would make the monsters of your nightmares tremble." Jimmy looked at Kal-El nervously. She finally croaked," It was as if he had the wings and head of a devil." Jimmy exhaled a small squeak of fear. King Kal-El finally spoke.
"The Dark Knight has returned."
*****
"Diana are you sure?" Ares asked helplessly.
"I will not marry my brother," said Diana. Diana continued to pack her belongings in the sack she was forced to sew many years before. "I am not like you Olympians. I never was."
"And you think leaving Olympus is your best option?" Ares asked.
Princess Diana stopped, looked at him, and said," I will do whatever I deem necessary."
"Then let's sail the Great Ocean," Ares said. Diana opened her mouth to deny him of joining her, but years with Ares taught her that he never looses a battle. She nodded, grabbed her sword, and opened the door.
*****
"What will we do sir?" Jimmy asked King Kal-El. Kal did not respond as he marched to his war room. "Do you think he is here in peace?" Kal-El stopped as he turned the corner. The door to the war room was cracked open.
"I think we are about to find out," said Kal-El entering the room.
"Your majesty."
"Bruce..."