Naruto sat at the head of the long, sleek table in the Justice League's meeting room, his expression serious and composed despite the turmoil brewing inside him. Around him sat some of the greatest heroes of their time—Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, and Hawkwoman—alongside members of his own team, Dawn. They had gathered to discuss the latest crisis: Nyx's interference, Shiva's kidnapping, and the looming trial set by Gaea.
"So, this is the situation," Naruto began, folding his hands on the table. "Got any advice?"
The room was silent for a moment before Shayera let out an annoyed sigh, crossing her arms.
"Is this another repeat of the Superman situation?" she muttered, her wings twitching in irritation. "We really need to do something about this kind of problem. How many times will we be treated as toys?"
Naruto understood her frustration. This wasn't the first time an immensely powerful being had manipulated them as if they were mere entertainment. It had happened to Superman before, and now, it was happening to him.
Hal Jordan, leaning back in his chair, exhaled. "Relax, Shayera. We'll find a solution to it. For now, just focus on the issue at hand."
"Easy for you to say," she shot back. "These immortals don't listen to reason. They see us as ants. How do we fight something that doesn't even acknowledge our right to fight back?"
Naruto glanced at her but remained silent. She had a point. Immortals and cosmic beings operated on a different scale entirely. They listened only to each other. To them, the struggles of mortals were like fleeting moments in an endless existence.
Clark Kent—Superman—spoke up, his voice steady and reassuring. "Just focus on meeting Gaea first. We'll look into Nyx for you. Right now, we don't have any other pressing threats, so we can dedicate our efforts to this."
Naruto appreciated the support, but he could see the hidden tension in Clark's posture. The Man of Steel had dealt with reality warpers before—he knew firsthand how dangerous they could be.
The mention of Shiva, however, changed the tone of the room.
Her kidnapping was already a serious issue, but the fact that she was carrying his child made it infinitely worse.
A heavy silence followed.
"Don't worry about any fight," Barry—The Flash—said, standing next to Naruto and placing a reassuring hand on his back. "We won't back down against anyone."
Naruto turned to look at him. Barry wasn't just saying that for morale. He understood the pain of losing a child. Zoom had taken his own son from him, leading to his death in one of the most tragic moments of his life.
But Naruto wasn't worried about a fight. No, his concerns lay elsewhere.
"I'm not afraid of battle," he admitted, his voice calm yet firm. "I'm more worried about the consequences of all this. This whole situation proves that we're vulnerable to outside forces. Now that we've handled the domestic threats, I think it's time we put countermeasures in place against external entities. Bruce, do you have anything?"
All eyes turned to Batman, who had been listening intently without saying much. The Dark Knight sat back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he processed Naruto's words. Then, he nodded.
"I have some ideas," Bruce replied. "But they'll take time to develop. I'll need Aresia's sword and armor, along with some artifacts from Diana. I'll also work with Zatanna and Dr. Fate to create countermeasures against beings like Nyx."
A low hum of approval passed through the room. Batman, as always, had a plan.
"But that's for future use," Bruce continued. "For now, your priority should be meeting Gaea. She has the counsel of Nabu, and that puts her in the same league as Nyx. If anyone can help, it's her."
Diana nodded in agreement. "Meeting Fate is a good idea, but after that, I'll assist you personally. If this leads to any trials, I'll be there. Trust me, I know how dangerous they can be."
Naruto appreciated the offer. Diana had firsthand experience with the trials of the immortals. The last time she attempted one, it had nearly killed her. These tests weren't just difficult—they were meant to entertain the Olympians, pushing mortals to their very limits.
"Thanks, everyone," Naruto said sincerely. He was grateful for the support, for the people willing to stand beside him through this madness. "But where is Fate right now? I haven't seen him in a while."
Bruce frowned. Everyone exchanged glances, and for the first time in a long while, a sense of unease settled in. None of them had seen or heard from Dr. Fate in over a month.
"I see," Naruto murmured, rubbing his chin. "I thought maybe I'd lost some mental functions because of what happened, but no—it's just that nobody knows where he is."
Bruce exhaled through his nose, his voice dry yet sharp. "That means you have no other choice but to go forward with Diana. We'll provide backup when needed."
The mood in the room lightened slightly as a few chuckles escaped. Lately, Bruce had been mixing humor into his responses—something nobody had expected from the Dark Knight.
"So we're back to step one," Naruto sighed. "Fine. I'll go check things out, and you guys see what you can find. Keep me informed so we don't make any mistakes."
He stood up, glancing at each of them in turn. He was their ally, their friend, but above all, he was someone they trusted. That meant everything in a situation like this.
"Take the girls with you," Clark said as he approached him. "And don't forget to call if you need help."
Naruto smirked. "Of course. My life is way too valuable to throw away. But you guys should be careful, too. Nyx might try to target you to get a reaction from me."
"No need to worry," Clark replied, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "We're always ready for an attack. Just go and take care of things."
Naruto nodded before turning to his companions—Kara, Raven, Donna, and Diana. With a final glance at his allies, he gave them a small smirk before vanishing with his team in a flash of golden light.
As the room emptied, the remaining heroes exchanged glances.
"We really need a way to stop reality warpers," Hal muttered, rubbing his temples.
"We will," Bruce said. His voice was steady. Resolute.
Because if they didn't, this wouldn't be the last time the immortals played with their lives.
The soft ocean breeze carried the scent of salt and flowers as Naruto and his companions arrived on Themyscira. The sun hung high above, casting its golden glow upon the island's pristine beaches and ancient architecture.
The air was calm, but the storm in Naruto's heart had yet to settle.
As they entered the grand halls of the Queen's castle, Hippolyta was already waiting for them. She stood with regal grace, her golden tiara gleaming under the torchlight, her Amazonian armor a testament to her strength and wisdom.
Upon seeing her daughters, she stepped forward and embraced Diana and Donna warmly, a mother's love evident in her touch.
Then, she turned to Naruto, her expression shifting into one of curiosity and mild concern.
"Welcome back, Naruto. I wasn't expecting you today," she said, her voice measured yet warm. "Did something happen?"
Naruto sighed. He appreciated the welcome, but there was no time for pleasantries.
"Yes, something happened." He met her gaze with unwavering determination. "Nyx has kidnapped someone close to me, and I need to meet Gaea—not just to deal with this problem but also for my original goal."
The Queen's expression barely shifted, but Naruto saw the flicker of shock in her eyes.
Nyx.
That name was not spoken lightly.
The primordial immortal of night was beyond the Olympians, beyond even Gaea in some ways. She was not a being that could be confronted casually, nor was she one to meddle without reason.
Hippolyta's heart clenched in a way she hadn't felt in centuries.
For the first time in a long time, she felt worried for someone outside of her daughters.
This was not a fight to be taken lightly.
She took a controlled breath and composed herself, concealing her emotions as only a queen could. She had to maintain her poise—for her people, for her daughters, and for Naruto, who now looked at her with an expectation she feared she could not meet.
"How did it happen?" she asked in a calm voice, though she could already guess the answer.
Naruto's expression hardened. "Probably because I was chosen by Gaea. That might have caught Nyx's attention."
That made sense.
Divine beings often played their own games, and someone like Nyx didn't act without reason. The fact that Naruto was chosen by Gaea meant something. It gave him value in the eyes of the primordial forces.
Now, she understood.
"And now," Naruto continued, "I need your help to reach Olympus. I need the Olympians to help me contact Gaea."
Hippolyta closed her eyes for a brief moment.
She wished she could summon Gaea directly, but she could not. Even as Queen of the Amazons, even as a chosen daughter of the immortals, she was bound by the same limitations as any mortal when it came to dealing with the Primordials.
"I see," she finally said, opening her eyes. "I will do what I can. The path to Olympus is not always open, but I will seek an audience with the immortals on your behalf."
Naruto nodded. He had expected that much.
Diana and Donna both stepped forward.
"We will stand with him, Mother," Diana said firmly. "No matter the trial, we will face it together."
Hippolyta looked at her daughters, pride swelling in her chest.
"Then prepare yourselves," she said, turning back to Naruto. "This will not be easy, but I will help you reach Olympus."
Because despite the danger…
She believed in him.
Around the year 1200 B.C., a small group of female Olympians desired to create a nation of warrior women that would help to spread their ideals to the world. Met with disinterest or opposition by most of their male counterparts, Hestia, Aphrodite, Demeter, Athena and Artemis convened in the land of the Underworld. There, in the Cavern of Souls, were kept the spirits of all women who had unjustly died at the hands of a man. The five immortaldesses combined their powers to grant life to all of the souls - with the exception of one, whom they decided would have a special future purpose.
Through their magic, the Olympians formed thousands of super-humanly strong, adult female bodies from the clay bed of a lake in Greece, and imbued them with the spirits from the Well of Souls. The first such creature to emerge from the lake was dubbed Hippolyta, and she was crowned queen of these women, to be henceforth known as Amazons. The second woman to emerge from the lake was called Antiope, and she was to rule as second in command.
The Amazons were to serve the Olympians in proselytical manner, spreading their principles and devotion to a largely barbarian world. They were given a city-state in Greece (the land adjacent to the lake of their birth), and they called it Themyscira. There they thrived for many years before they were attacked by the forces of Hercules, and were saved only through the intervention of the Olympians.
Their home destroyed and prospects for success in their worldly mission dashed; Antiope led a portion of the Amazons away from her sister and the influence of the immortals, to travel the world in search of a new purpose. They eventually settled in Egypt, becoming known as the Amazons of Bana Migdhall.
Most Amazons, however, stayed with Hippolyta. To repay the Olympians for their rescue, the remaining Amazons were sent far away from their home in Greece to a mystical, paradise island in uncharted oceans. There the Amazons took up a new given purpose - to guard the Earth from a terrible evil.
Hippolyta stood tall, her regal presence unwavering as she met Naruto's gaze. Despite the gravity of the situation, she offered him a reassuring smile.
"I will contact Lady Hestia and see if she can do anything," she said, her tone carrying both hope and determination. "She has a good impression of you, so I am sure she wouldn't mind helping."
Naruto nodded, grateful for her assistance. "I owe you one," he said sincerely.
But Hippolyta shook her head, her golden tiara gleaming under the dim torchlight. "No," she replied firmly. "This is nothing compared to what you have done for us."
She gestured for him to follow, her flowing robes swaying with every step. "I will show you the way. You girls can rest and wait for us."
Kara, Raven, Donna, and Diana exchanged glances before nodding. They understood that this was something Naruto had to handle personally.
"Be careful," Kara said softly, her concern evident.
Naruto gave them a small, reassuring nod before following Hippolyta. They passed through the grand halls of the palace, the walls adorned with ancient murals depicting the glorious history of the Amazons. The flickering torches cast long shadows, adding to the solemnity of their journey.
Finally, they reached a chamber adjacent to the throne room—a sacred space reserved for communion with the Olympians. The room was circular, with an ornate altar at its center, surrounded by burning braziers that emitted a golden glow. Carvings of divine figures adorned the marble pillars, their presence an eternal reminder of the immortals' influence.
Hippolyta stepped forward, placing her hands together as she prepared to summon the immortal of the Hearth.
Naruto exhaled slowly. This was it—the next step in his journey to retrieve Shiva and confront Nyx. And to do that, he would need the wisdom of a immortal.