Part 11: Themyscira Hidden in the center of the Bermuda Triangle, concealed by both godly magic and advanced science the island was a sanctuary of green life and peace, even with the current condition of the world around them. Artificial islands floated off from the main landmass, each one a wonder of technology as they served functions of scientific research, medicine and defense. In many ways, it actually lived up to the nickname Paradise Island. The current governor of the island smiled to herself wryly, turning away from the gorgeous view outside of the congress hall, the orange haired woman feeling glad that the war scars that had once marked the island were finally gone, in no small part due to the woman whom they were all gathering here to discuss. Phillipus smiled as the dusky skinned amazon watched their leader walk over to the table they sat at, "Artemis, are you certain about this?" "Mostly," Artemis agreed gravely, "but that is why I wanted to talk to you and the others about granting the two of them full citizenship here." The white haired young woman smiled wryly, her simple robes concealing her scarred body. "There'll be trouble with Gotham city over this," Helena Kosmatos, the heroine once known as Fury, said seriously, "but I think they've earned a place here." Mnemosyne the historian agreed, "In truth I expected them to be much more trouble for us, but except for minor incidents they have settled well here." "Minor incidents," the warrior Euboea chuckled, her black hair bouncing, "I remembering you were more than a bit upset when she turned your black hair green!" Mnemosyne blushed, "Well, yes, but I certainly gave her provocation." "And you've gotten to like the little fool," Phillipus said fondly. Artemis nodded, "We all have grown to like them both." She rose, smiling slightly, "I think I'll ask the two of them about this, too." Leaving the other Amazon's farewells behind Artemis walked out of the room, down the white marble steps and down the road, moving through the roman styled architecture of the city and out into the greenery that covered the island. Not far from the city the city the little house was situated in the middle of trees and brush, a quiet sanctuary for the two women who chose to live there. Walked up to the building she saw that it was empty and smiled. There was the sound of voices and a curious glance saw figures around the back so she moved to approach them. Pamela Isley smiled as she pushed her red hair back from her face as she spoke to a figure who was standing slightly apart, "I don't think pursuing Kestrel is a good idea, Dryad." "I can't help whom I love, mother," Dryad answered, the plant woman bearing an almost eerie resemblance to Pamela herself. "She's got a point, Red," the blonde haired woman commented cheerfully, coming out of the house bearing two glasses of clear fluid and one with a murky substance. "Here," Harleen Quinzel, nicknamed Harley Quinn to friends, handed Dryad the dark fluid as she explained, "it's a mix of fertilizer and wine." "Thank you," Dryad took it and drank it down, the liquid seeming to low into the plants that helped make up her seemingly human form. "I guess I just don't want to see you getting hurt," Pamela sighed. She took her drink and smiled up at Harley, "Thanks." "You're welcome, love," Harley took the seat beside Pamela on the bench, one grown and shaped from the plants all around the house. "At least Kestrel is less of a pain than her predecessor was," Pamela smiled slightly, taking a delicate sip from her drink. Dryad paused, her pure white eyes narrowing slightly as she seemed to tilt her head back to listen. "You have a guest," she told the two of them as she smoothly turned to walk out of the little clearing, "I'd better get going." She stilled, almost as if she was concentrating, then her plant body seemed to unravel, flowing into the forest until she was gone. "That was cool," Harley said cheerfully, "I guess being friends with the Swamp Thing has paid off for her." Artemis walked forward as she said, "I'm sorry to interrupt." "It's all right," Pamela answered, her eyes just a bit irritated, "I hope that you don't object to Dryad paying us a visit." "She is always welcome," Artemis answered her seriously as she took a seat nearby, "as are any women who come here in peace." Harley grinned at her impishly as she batted her eyes cutely and asked, "Forgiven me for the whoopee cushion incident?" Artemis found herself smiling back almost unwillingly, "Yes, if only because of the looks I saw on my ministers' faces when it happened." "One of these days, love," Pamela gave Harley a fondly scolding look, "you're going to push things a bit too far and get into real trouble." She focused her attention on Artemis and said, "I'm still having some problems with the reforesting of the north of the island, Hera's strike nearly burned the surface down to bedrock." Artemis smiled slightly, "Your efforts have been remarkable, Pamela, but I'm not here to discuss business." She took a breath, "A resolution has been put before the island's congress to make you both citizens of Themyscira." Harley squealed happily as she impulsively hugged Pamela, "Did you hear that, Red! They like us, they really like us!" Pamela gently disengaged from Harley as she gave Artemis a shrewd look. "Up till now the island has been protected by the fiction that Harley and I were captives, being rehabilitated here. If you give us citizenship it could create problems," she said. Harley looked a bit disappointed, protected in the circle of Pamela's arms but she nodded her agreement. "We don't want to bring international trouble to the island," she said, "it might be better if we just stayed captives." Artemis looked at the two of them thoughtfully. "Why did you decide to come to Themyscira?" she asked gravely. "There's no extradition treaty with United States," Harley said brightly. Pamela gave her a look but reluctantly nodded. "We both wanted to make a fresh start," she said, "and get away from all the Gotham craziness." She smiled slightly, "When I read about the gods war and the damage to the island's ecosystem, it seemed like fate." "And it got us a long way away from Mr. J," Harley added grimly. Artemis nodded, a smile teasing the amazon's lips. "You've always been upfront with us, it's something I like," she said. She looked impish, "And many of our citizens were impressed when you helped fight off the troops sent by the Scion of the Demon's Head." "We were just saving our own skins," Pamela answered the governor firmly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "And they landed one of their transports on Red's rose garden," Harley said loyally, "we couldn't let them get away with that." Artemis fought back a smile, wanting to keep a straight face. "You risked your lives to save amazons, fighting to defend the island," she said firmly, "that's not something we forget." She rose, smiling, "When the resolution comes up for vote I will urge that it be passed, and look forward to you being made citizens of the island." Pamela rose, keeping a arm around Harley as she said, "If I can't talk you out of the trouble it may cause you, then we'd be honored." "Thank you," Harley beamed as Artemis smiled and walked away. 'I think we'll have to have our ambassador make a formal statement,' Artemis thought, 'as well as contact Gotham city directly as a courtesy.' A grim little smile as she mused, 'I wonder how the city's former guardian will take all this?' Pamela squeezed Harley gently, "When you stopped the Joker from killing me, did you ever expect us to end up someplace like this?" Harley put her head on Pamela's shoulder, sighing happily. "I hoped we'd be together Red," she answered, "that's good enough for me." To be continued... Authors Notes: Names of several amazons and other details were taken from the DC Comics Encyclopedia, a very good reference. The amazons abandoned a monarchy recently in the Wonder Woman comics, so they now have a democracy, if in a roman-style. The island really was attacked by the goddess Hera in the comics, though they didn't call on Poison Ivy to try and restore the place.
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