[Morning]
John stood at the head of the table, arms folded, eyes moving over a three-dimensional image of Themyscira suspended above the surface. It was Hippolyta's tech. Layers of magic, patrol routes, and ancient structures overlapped in shifting light.
Harley sat sideways in a chair, boots on the table despite Maureen glaring at her. She munched on something wrapped in paper and hummed to herself. Maureen stood beside John. Hippolyta stood across from them. She has taken off her armor and is now in simple Amazonian attire.
Hippolyta broke the silence.
"Ares is no longer hiding in weakness," she said. "When he attacked me on my way here, I felt it clearly... He has regained his power. It's only a matter of time before he starts another world war."
Maureen looked up. "That explains your wounds."
"Yes," Hippolyta answered. "I fought him long enough to know that facing him head-on without preparation would be suicide for most gods. He has learned from his last defeat. He is cautious now."
John did not look concerned.
"Don't worry about Ares," he said calmly. "I can deal with him."
Hippolyta studied him closely. "You say that with confidence. Even if you have the power of multiple gods, Ares owns the title of the God of War. That title gives him the unique ability to derive power from conflict and grow stronger with more fighting, and often instigates wars to increase his strength. Centuries ago, he orchestrated the 'War of the Gods,' killing nearly all other Olympian gods, including Zeus, before he was banished. He managed to hurt Zeus, the King of the Gods. So, I hope you can understand how powerful he is and take caution while facing him."
John met her eyes with a confident gaze. "We'll just see about that."
Harley snorted. "Yeah. War god versus Thunder hubby. My money's on my hubby."
Hippolyta inclined her head slightly, accepting it for now. "Then the greater threat remains Hypnota."
At the mention of the name, Maureen's expression hardened.
"She is the real problem," Hippolyta continued. "Her power has evolved far beyond illusion or suggestion. She controlled hundreds of Amazons at once, including Diana."
Harley stopped chewing.
"Okay," she said slowly. "That part I don't like."
John tapped the projection, zooming in on the palace grounds. "That kind of mass control means fighting her directly is risky. One mistake and she could hypnotize us."
Harley cracked her knuckles. "Sounds like my kind of problem. I'll punch that mind-controlling bitch to the space."
Maureen turned to her at once. "No."
Harley blinked. "Excuse you?"
"I'm pretty sure you'll try to play around with her just for fun and you are too easy to trick," Maureen said evenly. "And too easy to ragebait. Hypnota would have you dancing for her in seconds."
Harley opened her mouth, then paused.
"…Okay, rude," she said. "But also fair."
Maureen continued. "I want to blitz her to a pulp, but considering Wonder Woman, who has super speed and diving power, failed, it's better to be safe than sorry. And we don't even know how she enhanced her power, if she's using some kind of artifacts or the extent of her abilities at the moment. I'll bombard her from a safe distance."
Harley's grin slowly returned, wider than before. "So that means…"
"You handle Diana and the controlled Amazons," Maureen said. "Keep them busy. And no killing."
Harley slapped the table and laughed. "This is why I love you, Bluebell. I can finally punch D in the face and say I saved you without her punching me back."
Hippolyta winced. "Please do not enjoy that too much."
"No promises," Harley replied cheerfully.
John raised a hand, bringing the focus back. "That settles Hypnota and Diana. Now to draw Ares out of hiding."
The projection shifted, showing underground chambers beneath Themyscira, ancient and sealed.
"He won't reveal himself that easily," Hippolyta said with a concerned expression. "But if I'm not wrong, he should be near or on the island."
"Then we bait him," John said.
Hippolyta looked at him. "How?"
"We use his hate for Zeus against him. A simple thunderbolt will be enough to draw him out. And once I engage him, you will guard the Doom's Doorway," John explained.
Harley leaned back in her chair. "So let me get this straight. Bluebell freezes the brain witch. I play Whack an Amazon. Thunder Hubby body slams War Gramps. And Queen Mom stands guard at the spooky hell door."
Maureen nodded. "That's the plan."
Harley grinned. "Man. Mornings used to be boring."
Hippolyta looked at the three of them, this strange alliance of chaos, calm, and overwhelming power. For the first time since Themyscira fell, she felt something close to certainty.
"Then we move today," she said.
John nodded once. "We move today... But after breakfast."
...
[30 minutes later]
The smell of food filled the house.
John stood at the stove like this was the most normal morning in the world. A pan sizzled softly as he turned eggs and bacon strips. Bread toasted nearby. Plates were already laid out on the table, simple but neat. The calm routine felt almost unreal, considering they were about to invade a god-ruled island.
Maureen sat at the counter, watching him work while stirring her tea. Harley leaned against the fridge, stealing bits of food whenever John turned his back.
Hippolyta stood near the doorway at first, observing. She had seen war councils, rituals, and divine feasts. This felt different.
John placed the last plate down and nodded toward the table. "Breakfast is ready."
Harley pushed herself on her toes before kissing John once and then she grabbed a plate. "Bless you, thunder chef."
Maureen smiled and took a seat. Hippolyta hesitated, then walked closer, eyes fixed on the food with faint curiosity.
She looked at John. "May I ask you something?"
"Sure."
She gestured toward the table. "Why do you need to eat?"
John replied. "Because I am hungry."
Harley snorted and shoved a forkful of eggs into her mouth. "Classic answer."
Hippolyta tilted her head slightly. "You wield the power of gods. Your enhanced forms should sustain you without mortal needs. Divine energy alone is enough to maintain the body."
John pulled out a chair and sat. "It is. But that does not mean I should stop being human."
Hippolyta considered that, then looked at Harley, who was already halfway through her plate.
"And you?" Hippolyta asked. "Surely your power allows the same self-sustenance."
Harley froze mid-chew.
Slowly, she swallowed, wiped her mouth, and placed her fork down with exaggerated seriousness.
"Oh honey," she said. "We need to talk."
Maureen sighed quietly. She knew what was coming.
Harley pointed at the food. "This is not about survival. This is about living."
She stood up and began pacing like she was giving a lecture.
"Yeah, sure, our shiny god juice can keep us runnin' forever without food or water. But what kind of sad, flavorless nightmare life is that?"
She grabbed a soda from the fridge and cracked it open. "First of all, soda. What's life without a little fizz and bubbles?"
She took a loud sip, then continued. "Second, ice cream. It's emotional comfort and a little slice of world peace, in a cone or bar. And third, food. It smells amazing, tastes incredible, and turns a bad day into something bearable."
She leaned toward Hippolyta, lowering her voice like she was sharing sacred knowledge.
"And fourth. Eating together. That is the important part."
Hippolyta blinked.
Harley gestured around the table. "This right here is bonding. This is normal. This is how you remind yourself you are not just a weapon or a queen or a god-shaped problem solver."
John watched her quietly, then nodded once.
Maureen added softly, "It helps us stay grounded."
Hippolyta looked at the plates again. Then, at the steam rising from the food. Then, the way John sat relaxed, the way Maureen leaned slightly toward him, and the way Harley was already reaching for seconds.
A small laugh escaped her before she could stop it.
"You are all very strange," she said.
Harley grinned. "Yeah, but we are fun strange. Besides, you are about to join our family soon. So, you are also gonna be strange soon enough."
Hippolyta finally took a seat.
She picked up a fork, hesitated, then tasted the food.
Her eyes widened just a fraction.
"This is… good," she admitted.
John smiled faintly. "Thanks."
Harley slapped the table. "Boom. Conversion successful. Next lesson after we save your island. Ice cream diplomacy."
---
..[POWERSTONES AND REVIEWS]...
If you want to read early advance chapters and support me, you can join>: www.patr eon.com/XcaliburXc
[I have > 14 advance chapters] + [Early access to Modern Family x Hollywood: 21 Chs]