Hello reader! Welcome to my first DC/BMWW story!
This story is inspired by Geeky BMWW Fan's Stranger in Paradise, an amazing story that was unfortunately left unfinished. I want to make sure that the proper credit is given because there will be some aspects in this story that will be very similar between the two.
I'm also a pretty open-minded author so if you ever feel like critiquing my writing, feel free to do so. I also check my PM box frequently so shoot me a message if you wish to discuss anything.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy Athena's Prodigy.
Prologue
In a realm long forgotten and far above the eyes of man, where pillars rose to unbelievable heights and walls were made of shimmering gold, a group of powerful beings gathered together in a large temple. Each of them beautiful and majestic in their own right and dressed in clothes fitting of their stature, yet, despite their collective glory, the tension and unnerving feeling in the room told that this was not a joyous gathering.
"The omens don't bode well for mankind," the regal one, Hera, stated, her beautiful brows frowning into a troubled state.
"Yes, even my animals are becoming restless," the huntress, Artemis, added, gripping her bow as she flexed the string.
"All of Olympus is on edge," Aphrodite, the lovely one, nodded in agreement, her voice full of worry.
"Well is there anything we can do?" the swift one, Hermes, asked. "We keep having these weekly meetings but we can never come up with anything."
It was true. For months now they've been meeting together to discuss the coming problem, yet despite their group commitment, no one has been able to think of a solution. As the coming conflict draws closer and closer, the situation only looks more dire. It was beginning to become quite worrisome, even for immortal gods.
"I believe I may have something."
Five heads turned to the man who walked over to join the group, his very presence emitting a soft, melodic feeling that slightly eased the tension in the air. Apollo: the god of the Sun, music, and healing.
"Has the oracle shown you anything brother?" Artemis questioned her twin.
Apollo shook his head. "No, the oracle will not help us with this affair. I fear even it cannot see clearly what is to come. The future is filled with so much darkness… but I believe I may have found a solution."
"Do please tell," Hera insisted.
At his queen's request, the radiant one summoned a large circular mirror that lay horizontal and suspended in mid-air. The mirror showed nothing but pitch black darkness, but if one were to look closer, they would discover that not all of what the mirror projected was dark.
"A single light. A single speck of hope."
The projection zoomed to a single dot of light on the dark plain, enlarging it thousands and thousands of times until an image of a child appeared.
"It's a boy," Aphrodite said, a small smile appearing on her beautiful face as she looked at the child. Piercing blue eyes, dark black hair, a strong, powerful jaw. She would keep an eye on this one.
"Yes it is," Apollo responded. "It was difficult, but I was able to glimpse at the light this boy is capable of bringing. He is a special one; one that I have not seen for millenniums. His very existence will inspire others to join him. He may be our only hope for the conflict ahead…"
A pause.
"I sense a 'but' here…" Hermes noted.
Only a nod was returned. "But… this is only true if he is brought up properly. This boy will grow up on the very edge of darkness and light, his entire life balancing the good and the evil of the world. I have foreseen that if he chooses the wrong path, not only will the mortal world fall but Olympus will fall with it. Rest assured that this boy holds the key to the outcome of this conflict."
"And if we are to leave him alone?" Artemis asked, recognizing the possible alternative.
"Even I do not have the answer to that," the Sun god answered truthfully. "Perhaps he will find the light on his own or perhaps his light will disappear and another will come forth instead. All I can determine is that without our interference, only fate knows what the outcome of the boy will be."
"Then we must come to an agreement as to whether we interfere with the boy's life or not," Hera spoke.
The gods and goddesses around her fell into silence as they each pondered their thoughts on the situation at hand. The regal one looked around, sensing great hesitation from the others.
"Well?"
Hermes was the first to speak, naturally. "I don't know… it seems like such a risk. Maybe it would be better if we waited for another light to show itself-"
"Which might not even happen," Aphrodite countered, cutting him off. "This one took so long to appear. We may not have another opportunity."
"Apollo, you brought up this topic but you've yet to share your personal thoughts," Hera indulged the male god.
"I too am uncertain as to which course of action is the right one...although," he pondered, "…the sheer potential the boy can achieve cannot be ignored."
"But what of the repercussions, brother?" Artemis opposed. "Surely the consequences outweigh the benefits in the situation."
"So you are on the side of opposing to interfere?"
Artemis hesitated. "No, well…not necessarily…"
"I will guide the boy."
All gods and goddesses fell silent and turned surprisingly towards the owner of the voice—the only one who has yet to speak. The goddess of wisdom and war: Athena. Not one to speak out often, on the rare occasions that she does, she is always met with immediate attention and respect. Being known as the wise one certainly helps solidify her reputation as well.
"Are you saying you are willing to take the boy under your wing?" Hermes asked, slightly caught off guard, as was everyone else.
"Yes, I am willing to guide him towards the right path."
"Are you sure Athena? You know the risk…" Hera began.
"Yes, I do. But this boy…" Athena turned to the mirror image of the dark-haired child, "there's something about him…"
The wise one stared at the image before her, staring at the eyes that drew her in ever since Apollo brought up the mirror. They were the purest shade of blue, keen, determined, and unlike other boys his age they hinted at an intelligence beyond which others could see with the naked eye. The only way to describe it was… extraordinary.
"Well, I'm not about to disagree with the goddess of wisdom," the swift one commented.
"Yes, she does tend to be right most of the time," Artemis begrudgingly agreed. "Annoyingly so."
Athena shot her a quick, small grin before turning to the others. "If everyone is in agreement, I shall place the child under my protection and I will personally watch over him as he develops."
"Does anyone have an objection?" Hera asked, looking around. After a few moments of silence, the queen of the gods turned her head to Athena. "Very well, the boy is now under your care, Athena. Do as you must, and feel free to come to us for aid of our gifts as well. In the meantime, the rest of us will attempt to come up with a backup plan, but even so, this boy may very well be the only one who can stop the coming conflict."
"Yes my queen, I thank you for your blessing," Athena said with a bow.
With a nod, Hera disappeared in a flash of light. Following her, the other gods and goddesses said their quick goodbyes before leaving in their own fashion. Hermes with a gust of wind, Apollo in a flash of light, Aphrodite with a blown kiss, and Artemis with a simple shrug before casually strolling out of the temple, leaving Athena alone along with the mirror image of the boy.
The goddess of wisdom turned towards the image and slowly walked closer to the mirror, her eyes trained once again on the boy's eyes. Yes, this boy certainly is special, with eyes that held so much hidden, untouched potential. If she and this boy are to become close in the coming years, discovering this hidden potential and bringing it out of the boy would be her personal goal.
A thought crossed her mind as she turned away from the mirror, a look of curiosity and wonderment on her face as she headed out of the temple.
Had she finally found her prodigy?