Chapter Text
On the acropolis, Iris walked up to the main entrance of the archives with a burlap bag. It weighed less than five pounds but felt heavy on her shoulders as she approached the door. Likely, it was summer and the scorching sun was beating down, hopefully providing the perfect cover for the sweat that dripped down her face.
“Iris West” she said to the guard, holding up her ID.
“What’s your purpose?” the guard asked.
“Research for the press”
The guard scrutinized the reporter and frowned, “What’s in the bag?”
Iris bit her lip and she slowly opened it. The guard looked inside. It was full of paper, books, pens, and various other writing materials.
“You’re good” the guard approved, moving out of the way.
Inside, a woman with flaming red hair, the archivist, approached Iris.
“May I help you?” she offered.
“I’m looking for the blueprints of the palace and the sewer systems” Iris smiled.
The archivist nodded and led her through the maze of shelves that were filled with scrolls. There were very few other people in the archives despite the dozens of large tables that filled the area. Iris sat down at one of the smaller ones which could still fit at least twenty others comfortably. The archivist returned with several stacks of records and set them down next to her.
“These are the original layouts for the palace” she reported, unraveling the scroll to reveal a map. “And this is a map of the sewer systems.”
Iris nodded and began to look through the various records and pulled out a pen and began to trace the lines.
“Thank you, Miss Gordon,” she said in a hushed voice.
“Is there anything else you require?” the archivist asked, her eyes averted and glared cautiously at the door.
“I need the reports from our late queen’s death” Iris whispered, placing a ring into the ginger’s pocket.
The archivist gave no response or sign she heard anything and walked away. Iris finished tracing the palace blueprints and carefully pressed the original against a sheet of paper. After she peeled it up, she went over the lines and added layers. Miss Gordon, the life saver and a psychic, had slipped the schematics of the building in with the scroll as well which helped her label the various parts. She had just finished the sewer system when she heard someone approaching her.
“Greetings, citizen” said a strong voice.
Iris slowly turned around and nearly fainted.
“P-Princess” she gasped, trying not to look suspicious as she shoved her papers in her bag.
Miss Gordon quickly shuffled over and removed the scrolls and records that Iris had been using before the princess could see them.
“What are you doing this grand morning?” the princess asked, her voice nothing but friendly.
It was a bit odd for Iris to see someone of the court so kind and welcoming to a mere citizen like herself. Much of the military and nobles were aloof at best.
“Just finishing up some research,” Iris said, flashing a fake smile. “Nothing that would interest you.”
“Nonsense” the princess dismissed, “I have always appreciated the work of the press, Lois.”
“Iris”
“Oh, I apologize, Iris”
“I’m afraid that my work is far from complete. I do not wish to share it if it is wrong and misleads you.”
“Yes, I suppose you are right. The truth is best told whole as to not cause unwarranted aggression towards innocents due to a misunderstanding.”
Iris almost snorted at the irony.
“Nevermind what I am doing” Iris smiled, “What are you doing here, your highness.”
“Please, call me Diana” the princess placed one of her hands on Iris, causing her to flinch. “I come to gaze upon my mother's face.”
Iris looked up to see the marble statue of Queen Hippolyta that stood in the center of the archives. She was dressed in armor that was plated and gold and decorated with thousands of precious jewels that glimmered in the sunlight.
“It has been nearly three decades she has been gone” Diana bowed her head, “I miss her everyday.”
Iris felt sympathy build up in her chest.
“It was a fateful day” she said, “Or so I’m told, I wasn’t alive yet.”
“May I be honest with you, Iris. I do not wish the words from my mouth to escape this room out of fear of what that may incite.”
“Of course, your highness, Diana”
“I am beginning to doubt the account that has been given”
“What?” Iris’s eyes widened.
Diana grabbed Iris’s arm and dragged her into a corner.
“Princess- Diana,” Iris scrambled, “Do not say more. Aresia- Queen Aresia would see it as treason.”
“I appreciate your concern for my safety but you do not know the court like I do. While they like to say they have been working hard to maintain peace with other nations, I have seen others. For years they have been arresting ambassadors the moment they step foot on our soil and are preparing for war.”
Iris gulped.
“My failure to capture the last kryptonian has helped clear my eyes. He was younger than I and had no hand in my mother’s murder yet Aresia wants him dead.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Iris asked, slowly stepping away.
“Because I want your help in uncovering why Aresia killed my mother”