Circe was confident. Too Confident for Diana's liking. Wonder Woman had a bad feeling about this!

Wonder Woman and her allies - Avengers League members Captain America, Hawkeye, Iron Man, and Martian Manhunter; along with X-Men Wolverine, Beast, Iceman, and Jean Gray; and the woman named Storm - circled the powerful sorceress, ready for anything.

Wonder Woman was already tired and injured from her fight with Superman, who was controlled by Circe. She needed some time to recover, but there was no time for rest now. Circe was dangerous. She moved to the head of her group of allies and faced the evil mystic.

"This has gone on long enough!" Wonder Woman said. "There is no need to continue this absurdity! Cease this pointless malevolence, sister, and let me show you the ways of peace, rather than hate."

Circe laughed. "Let me show you the depths of my hate!"

Instantly, bolts of lightning and balls of fire appeared and rained down on the assembled heroes. Martian Manhunter was the most intimidated by the flaming attack, and ducked for cover. Storm countered the lightning bolts with her own. Iceman made an ice shield. A fireball hit Wolverine. He growled in pain, but the burn quickly healed. Beast evaded the attacks with great agility. Captain America used his famous shield to protect himself. Wonder Woman parried the incoming attacks with her bracelets. She shielded her teammate Hawkeye.

Iron Man rocketed toward Circe, and prepared to fire his repulser ray. She conjured a quick spell that allowed her to switch places with the Martian Manhunter. Before Iron Man knew what was happening, he was blasting his friend J'Onn J'Onzz with his weapons systems. The Martian fell to the unexpected attack.

"J'Onn!" Iron Man yelled. "I didn't mean . . . "

Circe blasted the distracted armored hero with a ball of eldritch energy. Iron Man's automated systems were disrupted by the strange energy. Out of control, he crashed into the wall.

"This ain't going too well!" Wolverine muttered. "Time to get nasty!"

Wolverine leaped at Circe, claws ready to rip her to pieces. Again, she used her magic to switch places with one of the others. This time, she chose Wonder Woman. The Amazon suddenly found herself in the path of the wild mutant's claws. With the reflexes of a trained warrior, she used her bracelets to block Wolverine's claws.

"Sorry, babe," Wolverine said. "She's sneakier than a politician!"

"We will stop her!" Wonder Woman stated.

Captain America could see that the situation was getting out of control and attempted to take charge and organize their assault. But he felt a sudden wave of dizziness. The room began to spin. He didn't know what was wrong with him. He tried to throw his shield, but he was way off the mark and the shield struck nowhere near Circe.

Captain America didn't realize that the strange weakness had afflicted every one of his allies, except for Wonder Woman. They all staggered and teetered, as if they were falling asleep on their feet. Almost simultaneously, they all fell to the floor.

Wonder Woman looked around, confused. What had happened to her friends?

Circe smiled. "I am no fool, Amazon," she said. "I anticipated the arrival of interlopers and prepared for the eventuality. A simple sleep spell. I wanted to assure that no one interferes with our business. I want you all to myself!"

Circe raised her hands and they glowed with supernatural energy. Wonder Woman braced herself for the imminent attack. She feared that, in her weakened state, she was no match for the power of Circe.

He needed to regain his full strength quickly, in order to face Circe at 100%.

I need the sun, he thought. But flying would drain more of his precious energy and absorbing solar energy in that manner was a slow process, especially on such an overcast day. There was a faster way. The island was full of life, of plants and other growing things. Things that also needed sunlight. He placed his palms on the ground.

You hold the same power. The sun's power! It fuels us both. You hold it, you store it. Please, share it with me. Mother Earth, give me your power!

Plants withered and died. A tree lost its leaves. The Earth sacrificed part of itself to give power to its adopted son. Superman rose, his strength renewed.

"Thank you," the Kryptonian said to the Earth.

Superman launched himself immediately and headed back to Circe. As he departed the island, he noticed the remains of some sort of abandon base there. He thought no further of it as he streaked toward his foe.

Faster than a speeding bullet!

Just then, Superman flew back into the marble palace. His expression said that he was fighting mad. He planned to pass Diana and attack Circe, but the Amazon saw him and assumed that he was still under Circe's control, and still seeking her death!

She kicked out with her foot, smashing Superman in the face. The Kryptonian hero was staggered. Wonder Woman prepared for a two-front attack. To her surprise, Superman sat on the ground, rubbing his chin, looking at her without hostility.

"I'm all right now," he said. "I'm free!"

Wonder Woman was cheered by this news but Circe was not. She quickly launched a magical attack. Superman was struck by powerful eldritch energy. Despite his indestructible skin, he was vulnerable to magic. He fell, momentarily senseless.

"Again, someone interrupts our private war," Circe said. "And again, I am prepared."

Waving her hands, sparks of blue energy flew from her hands and hit each of the sleeping heroes. Their eyes opened, and they rose, slowly and in unison. At the same time, Superman composed his thoughts and stood up. He saw that his allies were back on their feet.

"Glad you're back with us," he said. "We can use -- "

He was caught by an unexpected blow from the Martian Manhunter. He was knocked into the wall.

"What the . . . " he muttered.

"For Circe!" the Martian yelled, as the assembled heroes started to surround him.

Superman realized what was going on. They were under Circe's thrall, just as he had recently been. They served Circe. Even Jean! Clark was faced with the horrible prospect of having to fight his beloved Jean.

Circe laughed. "And now, Amazon, let us continue our 'discussion'!"

Wonder Woman considered her options. If she and Circe continued their battle here in the palace, the advantage would be to Circe. She and her new army of super powered slaves had a numerical advantage that might be insurmountable in this closed in space. She needed to take her battle with Circe outside. She had to hope that Superman could handle the others while she dealt with Circe personally.

Wonder Woman leaped for the opening in the wall. "Come, you bitter old harlot! Follow me! Face me in the open air, I dare you, if you're not too much of a coward!"

Wonder Woman escaped the palace and was loose on the Island. Circe bellowed with rage and transported herself outside to pursue the Amazon Princess.

Meanwhile, Superman was surrounded by his former allies. "Jean, please. Don't make me fight you!"

His plea failed. Jean and J'Onn combine their mental powers in a psychic assault on the powerful Kryptonian. Superman was stunned, yet his will was strong and he refused to be brought down.

Suddenly, Jean hesitated. When her mind touched Clark's something happened to her. She was hit by a wave of familiarity, of sentiment. J'Onn looked at her. "Why do you hesitate? We must destroy him, for Circe!"

While J'Onn was distracted, Superman blasted him with his heat vision. Martian's were heat sensitive, and J'Onn staggered away. Jean just stood there, confused.

Wolverine launched himself in an attack. Superman evaded it with amazing speed. Iceman created a block of ice around Superman's head, but Superman's heat vision blasted him free, just in time to slap the Beast away when he tried a sneak attack.

Hawkeye shot an arrow at Superman but the Kryptonian caught it in the air and crushed the shaft. Captain America connected with his shield. It couldn't do any serious harm to Superman, but it knocked the wind out of him for the moment. Storm followed this up with a lightning attack. Iron Man blasted him with repulser rays. Wolverine got his claws on his prey. He couldn't pierce Superman's skin. There was a spark, like metal against metal. Superman winced.

The Martian Manhunter rejoined the attack and the group of enslaved warriors swarmed upon Superman.

But Wonder Woman had no intention of revealing herself. She needed time to recover her strength and the jungle supplied her a golden opportunity.

"Is this your strategy?" Circe asked. "To hide, like a craven coward? I am not surprised. All Amazons are cowards. Especially your whore of a mother!"

Wonder Woman didn't rise to the bait. She knew that Circe was merely trying to goad her. Princess Diana was much too smart for that. She continued to conceal herself.

Circe glowed. "I have the power to find you, Amazon!" she shouted. "My power will seek you out, no matter where you hide!"

Balls of energy drifted from Circe's body and floated toward Wonder Woman, like bloodhounds. The Amazon Princess ran deeper into the woods. She had to evade Circe until her strength was sufficiently recovered.

"Ah, a hunt, is it?" Circe said. "Excellent! Run for your life, little Amazon! Death is coming five steps behind you!"

This is pointless! Superman thought, wishing he could find a way to end this useless fight. He considered his position. The others had the advantage in such close quarters. Their numbers were hard to overcome. He needed to expand the battleground. But to where? Then, came up with an idea. He thought of the nearby island and of the abandon base there.

Superman took to the air and sailed out of the opening in the palace. "This way! Come and get me!"

Forced to obey Circe, they had to follow. J'Onn carried Captain America and Hawkeye. Iron Man carried The Beast and Wolverine. Storm carried Jean. Iceman furnished his own icy transportation. They followed Superman out.

Just then, she got an idea. It was a risk and would be hard to accomplish, but if it worked, she could end the threat of Circe!

Superman flew to the tower, which was topped with a large egg-like metal sphere above it. Superman didn't know what purpose it once served and didn't care. Now, it would serve another purpose. He began rubbing the sphere with amazing speed. By rubbing any piece of iron in the same direction for long enough, the magnetic poles will align, turning it into a magnet. The large sphere became a giant magnet. Pieces of metal from all over the old base were pulled to the sphere.

The nine entranced followers arrived on the little island. They immediately got caught in the pull of the magnet. Hawkeye's bow and arrow were yanked away, as was Cap's shield. Wolverine and Iron Man were drawn inexorably to the big magnet and pinned there.

While the remainder of the enslaved heroes hesitated, surprised at this unusual attack, Superman lunged at them with al his amazing speed. He struck Cap and Hawkeye before they could react, knocking them unconscious.

Storm, Iceman, Jean, Beast, and the Martian Manhunter faced Superman. Jean again hesitated, letting the other four strike first. Beast fell quickly against the Kryptonian's power. Iceman tried to encase Superman in a block of ice, but the powerful alien hero easily broke free. He used his heat vision to against the icy mutant. Iceman was hurt by the attack. Superman finished him of with a final blow.

That left the Martian Manhunter. J'Onn didn't hesitate to attack. Using his shape-shifting powers, the Martian turned into an oozing blob, and covered Superman, constricting and trying to penetrate his blood vessels and his brain.

Superman began to spin, and drilled his way down, still wrapped up by the Martian glob. Superman continued to drill down, further and further, until he reached the Earth's molten core.

Martian Manhunter screamed. "No! The heat!" he cried, as he unwillingly regained his man-like form.

"I'm sorry to do this to you," Superman said, "but it's necessary!"

Superman unleashed a blow of incredible power. It drove the Martian upwards, through miles of rock. J'Onn popped out of the ground and sailed helplessly up into the sky. Eventually his momentum stopped and the unconscious Martian fell. Superman caught him and placed him gently down near the military base.

That left only Jean. She stared at Superman.

"Please, Jean, don't make me fight you," he said. "I love you."

"C . . . Clark?" she whispered.

"Yes, it's me."

"I . . . won't . . . fight . . . you," she said, and then passed out. Clark caught her.

"I'll always be around to catch you if you fall," he said.

As Circe floated, she didn't notice that she was passing over the legendary Golden Lasso, discarded by Diana and hidden in the dirt. Wonder Woman, still darting around the brush, avoiding the spheres, focused her concentration. It was extremely hard, but she managed to take mental control of her lasso from many yards away. The lasso rose up, like a Cobra seeking prey. Diana commanded it to grab Circe around the ankles and yank her. Circe was distracted by the unexpected tactic. While she looked down, Wonder Woman, watching from in hiding, threw her tiara at the sorceress. The tiara struck Circe with intense force. Circe was stunned, as blood poured from a cut on her head.

Suddenly, Wonder Woman popped out of hiding. She ran toward Circe with the speed of Hermes, barely giving her a chance to react. She left herself open to an attack by the villainess, but she calculated that she had a half-second window of opportunity before Circe recovered. More than enough time, even in her weak state.

Wonder Woman plowed fist-first into Circe, rocking the evil mystic. Meanwhile, Circe's energy Spheres were bearing down of Diana from behind. Wonder Woman ducked at the last moment and the energy orbs hit Circe instead. Circe screamed as her received a sort of supernatural sort-circuit from her own power. Wonder Woman didn't let up on her. The Amazon began pummeling her with awesome blows. Adrenaline pumping, she hit at nearly her full power. Not even Circe's spell of protection could ward off such an assault.

Circe fell!

Wonder Woman got her breath back. "Merciful Minerva, I need a rest!"

"Hey!" What the bloody hell is going on!" Wolverine said, still stuck to the magnetized sphere.

"I remember fighting someone," Iron Man said, also stuck to the sphere. "I think it was your pal Superman. How'd we end up like this? I can't get loose!"

"Me either, tin man."

Not far away, Superman's super-hearing picked up the conversation. "They're back to normal. Wonder Woman must have won!"

Jean moaned and opened her eyes. She realized that Clark was holding her in his arms.

"Welcome back," Clark said.

"This would be a nice way to wake up if I didn't have the feeling that I messed up, big time."

"No, not you," Clark said. "Never you."

"What's happened to them?" she wondered.

Moments later, her answer arrived. Superman flew in, carrying Jean. She, in turn was using her telekinesis to carry the unconscious members of the two teams, and Wolverine. Iron Man flew in under his own power.

"Thank Hera," Diana said. "Is everyone all right?"

"We'll live," Jean said. "But this has not been a good day."

Superman looked at the defeated Circe. "I see you've got her. Congratulations. Excellent work."

"What should we do with her now?" Iron Man asked.

"I'll pray to my gods and goddesses that one of them will take her to Olympus and let the gods sort out her punishment."

After some praying, Circe was taken away by the gods of Olympus. Wonder Woman went back into the marble palace, where all the other heroes had recovered from their beating at Superman's hands.

"Is it done?" Superman asked.

Wonder Woman nodded. "Circe will bother us no more."

"You're a formidable Woman," Superman said. "I can't remember when I've been hit so hard. You have my respect."

"And you mine, Superman," she said. "You are a noble and powerful man."

"So what was Circe's problem?" Hawkeye asked. "What was up her butt?"

"Hatred!" Wonder Woman said. "Too many years of useless, self-destructive hatred. It consumed her."

"Hate's a powerful thing, honey," Wolverine said. "It's hungry and cold and it takes no prisoners. It's probably all she ever had."

"I do not know about that," Diana said. "But I know that it is all she has left. I pity her. If she had let me teach her the Amazon ways of love and peace, her life could have been different, at long last. She could have discovered a new way to live. Unfortunately, it was not to be. She must live in her self-made purgatory alone, with no company other than her hate. It's very sad. She could have done so much good with her powers. Every woman can be a Wonder Woman if she just recognizes the true power of women."