Wonder Woman was starting to get frustrated Each side wanted to talk but neither side wanted to listen She unhooked her lasso She knew one quick way to get the truth if the kids would agree to the test Deep inside Earth in a fiery underworld called Tartarus two Greek gods faced each other across a chessboard Hades the ruler of Tartarus reached out and moved a pawn shaped like a skeleton The pawn held a sword just like the skeleton soldiers standing at attention behind him Hades nephew Ares the God of War studied the chessboard through a small portal The magical window linked Tartarus and Olympus the realm of the gods where Ares lived While the portal allowed Ares to reach in to play the game it kept Hades from escaping his prison in Tartarus Ares reached through the portal and picked up a bishop He moved it diagonally knocking over Hades warrior pawn I’ve taken one of your pieces Uncle Ares said You’re losing your touch I have been trapped here far too long Hades sighed But I will remain here as long as Queen Hippolyta holds the key Ares looked at him sharply And yet rumors fly that you have found a crack in your realm Some say your Skeleton Army can travel through it to the mortal realm of Earth
HA-HA-HA-HA-HA Hades let out a long booming laugh So that is why you agreed to this game Nephew The Ruler of the Underworld shrugged The rumor is true I sent a test squad through to Earth And they returned with those Hades pointed to a pile of chains and broken bits of wood tossed into a corner What could be more worthless Ares studied the debris with interest He noticed a piece of wood had PROPERTY OF GATEWAY CITY stamped on it It looked like part of a large toy the mortals called a swing set Hades knew that Ares had been growing bored Life on Olympus was far too peaceful for the God of War Ares thrived on constant conflict and battle And Hades Skeleton Army fascinated him Hades pretended to study the chessboard He waited for the ideas he had slyly planted to grow in Ares mind Ares grinned Lend me your Skeleton Army Uncle he said eagerly I will bring you a greater reward than those chains and broken boards
Hades frowned I don’t know He tried to sound unsure Well then let me win the Skeleton Army from you Ares said waving a hand above the chessboard If I beat you at this game of chess you will let me command them Hades shrugged If you win then they will be yours but only for as long as you win your battles on Earth The moment you lose they will return instantly to me Agreed Ares said staring at the chessboard and rubbing his hands gleefully Hades rose Then let me bring goblets to toast our upcoming battle of wits he said Then he walked away Wonder Woman stared at the bent metal and shattered wood in the Memorial Park playground She needed to find out who or what had caused the destruction She was pretty sure it wasn’t any of the kids Enough the hero said Her voice was quiet but commanding The arguing stopped at once Wonder Woman unhooked her golden lasso and held it out for the kids to see Will gaped Emma gasped This is my Lasso of Truth Wonder Woman said I know It’s magic Will said suddenly excited Anybody who’s tied up with it has to tell the truth
