Not For Long...

The next person to free was Diana, but J'onn was concerned about leaving Harley's mind exposed. 'Harley, I must free Diana to fight Grodd,' he projected telepathically. 'Get somewhere safe.'

'I gotcha, Johnny,' she replied. Then Harleen ad-libbed something then and there. "Master? I think you deserve a victory feast. May I take Wonder Woman with me to hunt?" For some reason, that suggestion was amusing to Grodd, toothily grinning.

"Why not? She can even teach you how to catch your own food." He dismissively waved his hand, sending Harleen and Wonder Woman out to find food.

'It's working,' she told the Martian. 'Once we're out in the wilderness, you can work on freeing Diana next.' Harleen kept up the ruse as long as she could, listening to Diana giving pointers on hunting large and small prey and waited as J'onn invaded Wonder Woman's mind next.

The domain that is her mind was very much based on the island where she lived, and she was fighting in a gladiator's arena for the amusement of Grodd. He was sitting in his 'royal' throne, wearing only the same armor around his arms and legs as to when you first encountered him. His golden wreath, a crown around his head. "That's it, Diana. Keep fighting for your Emperor," he grinned.

J'onn continued watching her battles, one right after the other as she took down her opponents. But the consecutive fights were taking their toll on her: her skin was coated with sweat, her hair was frizzy, and she breathed so heavily. "Victory for the Emperor!" she bellowed. J'onn looked to Grodd, who apparently hadn't seen him yet, and understood that to get close to Diana, he'll have to play along a little. So he disappeared behind a wall near the entrance into the ring.

Meanwhile, Diana was exhausted with her dukes up and legs spread out for balance, yet she felt ready as ever. "Bring out the next challenger!" Grodd bellowed. And from a corner of the entrance, a figure walked through the shadows. As it came out of hiding, Diana's eyes couldn't widen any further with shock...