An Injust Sentence

Chapter Eight

The Present: Themyscira

The Captain of the Themysciran army had known what the answer had been before it had been spoken"I figured as much," Artemis murmured. There was silence as they walked through the jungle towards the home of the Amazons. After 20 minutes of walking Artemis decided to break the ice. "How is Diana?" she asked. Without hesitating, Bruce replied. "She's fine. Although she isn't taking her imprisonment well."
"So she shouldn't. Diana deserves Amazon justice, not the judgment of Man's World."
Bruce's eyes narrowed slightly. "She is suffering the consequences of all the world. Your time will come to punish Diana."

Artemis turned her head to face Batman. "She could at least be imprisoned here," she said.

"And what? So you can still treat her like a princess despite locking her away?" Batman retorted.

"She would face the same justice any traitor or man would face here, besides you of course," Artemis snapped.

Batman had helped save Themyscira from the fury of Poseidon when Ares, the god of War manipulated the Amazons and the Gods of Olympus to wage war against Superman's Regime. Added to the fact that he was Diana's former lover, Bruce had been granted immunity to Themyscira's harsh laws against males and had even gained the friendship of most of the island's inhabitants due to his fearlessness in battle and outstanding leadership.

"That's not your call, Artemis. It's the queen's," said Batman.

"I know. But I can't help but feel betrayed whenever I think of Diana," Artemis quietly replied. "I can only imagine the heartache you went through." Bruce stiffened at that. But he wasn't in the mood to dwell on his heart.
"I didn't know you were one to wear their emotions on their sleeve," Bruce mockingly remarked with the barest hint of a smile.

"I don't. But I'm still a woman am I not? I have to let it out sometimes," Artemis cockily replied. She thought for a moment. "You're not here to talk to the Queen about Diana, you've made that clear. Why are you here, Bruce?"

"To see my child." The Dark Knight said in as even a tone as he could, keeping the pace they had set. Of all the things the Amazon had expected from the man beside her, this wasn't one of them. Only slowing half a step, Artemis resumed her pace with Bruce and said in a polite tone. "Of course, we will go at once.

Bruce and Artemis walked through the massive entrance to Queen Hippolyta's palace. Around the edges of the great hall were statues of the various Greek Gods and Goddesses. Bruce could recognize some of them easily because he had met them a few years ago. He stopped at a statue of an armored God, whose face was completely invisible due to the helmet he was wearing.

"Ares," muttered Artemis from behind Bruce.
"He was manipulating everyone from the start," Bruce quietly replied. Artemis placed a hand on his shoulder. "You mustn't blame yourself for things that were out of your control. It will only serve to destroy you," she comforted.

Bruce straightened himself, then looked at Artemis. "You're right," he said. "Now, let's talk to the queen."

Artemis nodded, then gestured for Bruce to follow her. "This way," she said.

Stopping at the entrance to the throne room, Artemis turned to face Bruce. "This is as far as I can go," Artemis told him. "I will wait for you outside." Bruce nodded in affirmation, then proceeded inside the throne room. Once inside, he couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the room. The white marble had been carved in intricate detail, almost as if gods themselves built the palace for the queen. Bruce acknowledged the beautiful queen seated on her throne. As a token of reverence to her presence, Bruce removed his cowl and bowed before Hippolyta.