Chapter 8: Approval

3 Days Later

"Have you changed your mind?" Antiople asked. They were in the trial room again. Diana shook her head.

"Why?" Hippolyta asked.

"You know why," Diana responded. Artemis, Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite then appeared in the room.

"Diana, have you made your decision?" Hera asked.

"Yes, and I wish to stay in Man's World," Diana answered.

"Yes!" Aphrodite exclaimed. "I knew it!" She looked up to the sky. "You owe me Zeus!" Thunder rumbled.

"Aphrodite we've talked about this," Hera said. "We're..."

"Not suppose to interfere with mortals," Aphrodite and Hera said together.

"I know, I know," Aphrodite said. "But still..."

"Wait, you WANTED they together?" Antiople questioned.

"Yes, ever since Monkey City," Aphrodite told her.

"Gorilla City," Batman and Diana corrected.

"Same difference," Aphrodite said. "Anyway, I've waiting ever since and I'm very thankful that they got together because of my jewel."

"Did you have your son..." Hippolyta began.

"Oh, no, no," Aphrodite interrupted. "They fell in love all on their own."

"So you all approve?" Hippolyta questioned. They nodded. "Why? I thought you'd want her to stay single."

"Well I did for a while," Artemis admitted. "And so did Athena."

"And," Athena started. "I will admit I still don't entirely approve of this match, but Diana's happy. So I will not stand in her way."

"Thank you Athena," Diana responded.

"But with HIM," Antiople exclaimed pointing at Batman. "Would Superman not be a better match?"

"First of all," Batman began. "He HAS a girlfriend, who would probably maim you for suggesting that. And second of all, why?" Antiople couldn't answer. "Because I thought you hated it when the man is more powerful than the woman?"

"He's got you there sister," Hippolyta said.

"Hippolyta don't tell me you're okay with this too?" Antiople said.

"I'm not," Hippolyta responded. "But he is right. We DON'T like it when the man is more powerful than the woman. But what I don't understand is why you would court someone less than you?"

"He's not," Diana responded. "He's my equal."

"Diana..." Hippolyta began.

"Mother, this is not up for debate," Diana stated.

"Diana, let her speak," Hera said.

"All I was going to say is that I am intrigued," Hippolyta finished. "And I wish to get to know him better." She turned to the goddesses. "We'll be back in five minutes." She walked off and Batman followed her into a secluded area, where no one was. "Answer me honestly and truthfully. Do you love my daughter?"

"Yes," Batman answered.

"Why?" Hippolyta asked. "Is it because of her beauty?"

"No. Well not entirely," Batman said. "While she is beautiful that's not the only I fell for her. She's smart, strong, stubborn, VERY stubborn, compassionate, and funny. And the most beautiful woman I've ever met, both inside and out. Yes she has a pretty face AND she has a good heart to go with it."

"What I don't get is why him?" Antiople asked Diana. "You could pick any man in the world and yet you chose him. Why?"

"Because he's a good man," Diana responded. "He's sweet, when you get to know him, smart, funny, and he has a compassionate heart. Yes, he can be annoying at times, but he is a good man. He can be very sweet at times."

"Is he handsome?" Antiople asked.

"Yes, but I started falling for him before I saw his face," Diana responded. "His looks are just an added benefit."

"Ugg! How much longer till they're made up their minds?" Aphrodite whinnied. "I'm bored."

"Be patient," Athena said. "This is a serious decision."

"But I've been waiting for this for years!" Aphrodite exclaimed.

"Aphrodite," Artemis said.

"Yes?" Aphrodite responded.

"Shut-up," Artemis said.

A Few Minutes Later

Hippolyta and Batman returned to Diana and Antiople. The four goddesses reappeared. Hippolyta sighed before looking at Diana.

"It's your choice Diana," Hippolyta said. "But I'll support you either way. Whether you stay with us or leave with him."

"Or there's the third option," Hera said. "Which is..."

"Death."

"Aphrodite!" The other three goddesses exclaimed.

"What! I was kidding," she said.

"You've been hanging out with Hermes too much," Artemis responded.

"Anyways, as I was saying," Hera began again. "There is a third option. You may live in Man's World AND be able to visit Themiscyra. BUT on one condition."

"You can only visit once a month," Athena said. "AND you have to offer a sacrifice to us when come. Deal?"

"Deal," Diana responded.

"I hereby revoke your banishment," Hera stated. "And as long as you operate within the given parameters."

"And I have fixed your plane," Aphrodite said. "Okay, TECHNICALLY my husband fixed it, but you get the picture. So you're free to leave whenever you wish."

"Thank you," Diana responded. She elbowed Batman.

"Yes, thank you," Batman said. The goddesses then left in a flash of light. Batman turned to Diana. "Ready to go?" Diana nodded before turning to her mother.

"Diana, I may not entirely approve, but I think I now understand why you chose him," Hippolyta said. "He's...good." She then turned to Batman. "But if I hear that you've hurt her..."

"You'll have to get in line after her," Batman said. "And half a dozen others." Hippolyta turned back to Diana and hugged her.

"I'll miss you," Hippolyta said.

"I will too, but this isn't goodbye forever, Mother," Diana told her. "It's just goodbye till next time." They let go and Diana turned to Antiople. They hugged.

"I'll miss you Diana," Antiople said.

"I will too," Diana said. They let go. Antiople turned to Batman and sighed.

"I'm sorry for insulting your parents and calling you a demon," Antiople responded in an unfriendly tone.

"I forgive you," Batman responded. Flash and Superman then ran up to the Javelin.

"Hey! You two coming!?" Flash yelled.

"Coming!" Diana yelled back. The two of them ran to the Javelin and went inside. The Javelin then flew off into the setting sun.

"May you be blessed in the life you've chosen," Hippolyta said. "My little sun and stars."

"Oh, my daughter. You may have your mother's approval but you don't have mine. And you'll rue the day you..."

"Honey! What are you doing?"

"Nothing my dear! Just talking to myself!"

To be continued in the sequel...