Wonder Woman: The Return of the Sorceress (Part 4)

Investigation

Diana, Hippolyta and Becca enter the military base to meet Steve and Etta to discuss the attack. Trevor Barnes is also present. In the meeting room, a big TV shows news footage of Diana destroying the city captioned "Wonder Woman gone mad?"

Barnes "That wack news company did not even bother taking in the eye witness accounts. Its all over the Internet '3 headed dog assumed to attack city, turns out it was fake'"

Steve "The company has always been biased against Diana. Best we turn the TV off" Steve then coughs and hits his chest.

Diana "I just cannot comprehend it. Mother, are you sure it was Circe"

Hippolyta "Positive. If what you and Becca described to me was accurate, it is a copy of how Circe used to taunt us all those years ago. She likened Hades' hound Cerberus as her comfort animal given Hades' nephew was her close ally.i And since I could not see the illusion, it is clear it was Circe"

Etta "You couldn't see it? How come?"

Hippolyta "I fought Circe centuries ago and built up resistance to her magic. The foreign metal Doris Zuel found? That held a power of Hecate, the evil goddess of magic. Circe inherited this magic with Ares as her witness. The metal itself was forged by an old enemy but like aforementioned, it used Hecate's power. The metal was designed to harm us Amazons so I trained myself to defend against it to lead protection missions for the betterment of my people. Since I developed resistance to that, my defence against Circe's power improved. I saw through Circe's illusion one time and fought her. I banished her to an island where no one could find asides from me, my beloved wife who passed away and my most trusted general who lives with me at home. It seems as if Circe has somehow returned, Diana describes a hidden enemy that you theorize to be pulling strings?"

Steve "Yes. We are certain there is an enemy in the shadows. This particular one surely helped Ares in his dictatorship goal, allowed Minerva to be cursed, worked with Doris to create Giganta. Perhaps he or she saved Circe from that island?"

Hippolyta "It is possible. Circe has illusionary power, but every time she uses it, it stings her body. The illusion that happened an hour ago must have nearly broke her. She must be out for at least a few days. I shall stay here and assist you in this"

Diana nods and looks at Steve who hits his chest again

Etta "Need some water Steve?"

Steve "Good idea, let me go get some"

Steve then stands up but immediately collapses and holds his chest

Becca "Steve!"

Steve appears to be having a heart attack. Becca then tries to initiate CPR whilst Etta runs to get a defibrillator and Trevor phones help. Steve is in pain

Becca "Stay with me Steve"

Diana bends down and calms Steve down. Etta then runs with the defibrillator and hands it to Becca

Becca "Whilst I get this started, do chest compressions. Now"

Etta does and Becca starts the machine. Hippolyta then looks closely and pulls them both away. 

Diana "Mother? What are you doing?"

Hippolyta "This is another illusion. Steven's heart is functioning fine"

Etta "Fine? With all due respect queen, look at him. He has gone pale and in pain"

Hippolyta "Trust me. Diana tell them. Trust me daughter"

Diana then hesitates but speaks "Listen to my mother, do not interfere"

Becca "Diana..."

Diana "Angel, please. Trust my mother"

Becca and Etta walk back as Barnes walks in

Barnes "What the hell are you doing, y'all just gonna leave him?"

Steve then coughs and gets up

Hippolyta "Breathe Steven. Let your true heart beat"

Steve then breathes again and gets some water. Paramedics run in 

Steve "Holy cow. I'm fine. I'm fine?"

Hippolyta "It seems Circe's illusions extended to you Steven. I assume you were working with the metal a lot?"

Steve "Yes, like 14 hours a day. Y'know trying to put it to good use and then worked overtime to ensure it all went to your home"

Hippolyta "The dust from the metal must have latched onto you and Circe detected this"

Steve "Circe can see me?"

Hippolyta "Not quite. The magic of the Hecate can sense and travel. The metal that was forged gave it sensing points. Since Circe attacked the nearby city, she sensed people close and did an attack. She did this before. After sending an illusion to make one of my camp kill each other, she deceived nearby locals to think they're either dying, poisoned or seeing their family commit suicide. I advise all of you to go home in a safe space, if you feel something is wrong trust your true feelings. Do not give into anything peculiar. Wash yourselves and stay healthy"

Steve then goes with the paramedics for a health check. Barnes and Etta walk home

Diana "What now mother?"

Hippolyta "We wait and once we know Circe's location, we attack. It seems Mothers Day will be extended"

Diana "Stay at our place"

Becca nods