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Chapter Twelve Age of Heroes
★★★★
The Second World War had ended on the second of September in the year 1945. The day had become known as V-E Day across the Allied nations. Diana remained in London to clean up what was left of the base of operations for the S.S.R.
Diana remained stoic, despite her losses. Everyone knew how hard the loss of Steve had hit the Amazon. He was the love of her life. Yet, she didn't allow for others to see her weakness.
Despite everything, she was grateful for everything and everyone she had gained during the war. Peggy and Howard had become her most trusted friends. As for the Howling Commandos, they promised to always be there for Diana in a time of need. They remained loyal to their leader. All of them had been a major part in Diana's life after the passing of Steve and Bucky.
Diana stepped foot into the S.S.R.'s former base of operations to see Peggy and Colonel Phillips already inside. She gave them a forced smile and proceeded to do her duty. When Diana was almost finished collecting her belongings, Peggy stepped in front of her and handed her a large file.
"What is this?" Diana asked her friend.
Peggy motioned for her to open it. Diana sighed and did so. Her hands stopped moving when she realized what she held in her hands. Slowly, she pulled the photo out and breathed out deeply. The file in her hands belonged to none other than Steve, and the photo was taken before he was injected with the Super Soldier Serum. Diana glanced up at Peggy and smiled at her genuinely, "Thank you."
Peggy nodded and placed a hand to her shoulder, before she left. Diana placed the file in her box of belongings and turned to look around the tent. The place where she had made so memories with Steve, with Bucky, with the Commandos, with Peggy, with Howard. It had been her home for so long. Now, she had to return to reality. To a life outside of war.
With a sigh, Diana left. She had some trouble deciding where to live. Eventually, she knew exactly where she wanted to settle down in. Diana chose to live in New York- Brooklyn, to be specific. It had been Steve's home. And she needed whatever piece of him she could find.
The world was not a stranger to the name Diana Prince. From the First World War, to the second, she was a legend, a living hero. There had been much controversy to a name for her, seeing as Steve Rogers had been named Captain America, it was only fitting Diana was given a name as well.
And so, the New York Times gave her one. Diana became known as Wonder Woman to the world- the brave heroine from a foreign land, who fought for hope and freedom.
At first, Diana was confused as to why they would give her such a name, but after Howard and Peggy told her that it was genuine and true, she accepted the name.
Life after the war wasn't everything Diana thought it would be.
Every day seemed just the same. She would work at the Senator's office, aiding in political affairs, she would return home, eat, sleep, and wake up the next day to do it all over again. There were times when her schedule drifted. These times usually had to do with visitations from Peggy and Howard or missions for the S.S.R.
After the war, Peggy continued to work in the S.S.R. with Howard. Eventually, the two, alongside a few others, founded a new organization that would do more for the good of man and the protection of the world. S.H.I.E.L.D. had offered Diana a co-leadership extension as well, but the Amazon had refused stating she didn't think she was fit for the position. Although, Diana still kept in contact with Howard and Peggy every day.
Peggy eventually met a war veteran, who she ended up marrying and had two kids, one to which Diana became the godmother of. Howard also met a woman, named Maria, and ended up marrying her as well. The two later had a son named Anthony, and named Diana his godmother as well. It seemed they had all found everything they once desired. As their lives grew and as they aged, Diana noticed she remained the same. Nothing changed.
Years came and went, and Diana had retired the name of Wonder Woman. However, this didn't mean the world had forgotten her. Museums were created for her, statues were built, and children were named for her. Wonder Woman and Diana Prince inspired the world- it gave them a sense of safety, security. They knew they had a guardian watching over them.
At least, they used to. As the years changed, so did Diana. She refused to enter any affairs of men, she refused to help them.
Over the years, Peggy attempted to get her best friend to see the error of her ways, yet it seemed there was no changing her mind. Peggy understood that this world had taken so much for Diana. And she understood why Diana wasn't going to allow it to take anymore.
For years, Diana stayed hidden from the world- a world she used to wish to save. To end war and bring peace to mankind. At least, that was before she glimpsed at the darkness that lives within their light. Diana learned that inside every man, there would always be both light and darkness. However, she continued to believe that it was a choice that each must make for themselves. Diana still believed in man- she simply didn't believe she was the one strong enough to save them.
Diana had touched the darkness that lives in between the light. She's seen the worst of this world, and the best; she's seen the terrible things men do to each other in the name of hatred, and the lengths they'll go to for love.
Diana had lost hope in herself, yet she believed man would be able to overcome the tragedies inflicted upon them on their own. Steve Grant Rogers had been proof of this theory. And he was something Diana would remember every day, for the rest of her life.
