Diana sat up in bed, breathing heavily. Her body was coated in a thin sheen of sweat, and her heart pounded in her chest like a drum. Her mind replayed the nightmare that she had seen in her sleep and immediately tried to push it out.
She dreamt about her sister, Donna. For ten years, she was dead, yet Diana could recall that day vividly as if it'd happened only the day before. She missed Donna's laugh, happiness, joy…everything. But Diana knew she wasn't going to get it back.
The nightmare was eerily similar to the day Donna died, yet it was much more horrifying. Donna died because of Diana's foolishness and neglect, and she had passed with a heavy heart, thinking her older sister hated her for some reason. Diana had found Donna moments before she was gone and tried unsuccessfully to convince her that it wasn't true. Just when the realization kicked in, Diana woke up.
I still can't believe it's already been ten years, Diana thought. It still seems like yesterday when I heard your voice for the last time. I miss you, baby sister.
A snore reminded Diana that she wasn't alone in the room. Craning her neck, she saw her newest Wonder Girl, Katie, or Kat, lying on the floor of the bedroom. She lived with Diana in Diana's apartment, living there for over a year now. They were close as friends, or as Kat saw it, as sisters.
Kat reminded Diana painfully of Donna in personality. She was playful, brash, stubborn, joyful, and innocent. It was everything Donna was before she died.
Personalities weren't the only thing they shared. Kat had a small but eerie appearance similar to Donna's. Although it wasn't much, they both had the same silky hair, same deep blue eyes, and young face. Kat was only sixteen, after all. The only difference was that Kat's hair was a deep red, and the features on her face were slightly different from Donna's, but she was similar nonetheless.
Diana smiled at the sleeping redhead, reaching down and pulling the sheets Kat had kicked off of her back onto her body. Even though she wouldn't admit it, she'd come to love the young teen as a sister, one that steadily filled the void in Diana's heart. Whenever Diana was depressed, which happened too often these days, just one look at Kat made her mood lift.
She'd found the girl by accident. She was visiting a city in Illinois and was stopping a bank robbery, which was large, but nothing for Diana. Just as she was about to end it, the redhead plowed her way through the men like a bull, punching them in every which way. Diana was so impressed by the girl's strength that she introduced herself to Kat, and they started off from there.
Diana was going to take her to meet her mother, Hippolyta, that morning. She hadn't seen her mother in a long while and thought it would be good for the both of them, Diana returning to her homeland and Kat meeting the other women. Kat did admire the Amazon's strength and always wanted to test herself out against Diana, but Diana was always fearful of hurting Kat. Nearly every time they went into battle, Diana held back on her strength.
As she watched Kat sleep, Diana noticed that the sun was slowly rising. She wanted to go as soon as the sun rose for an early start and nudged Kat with her hand. The redhead stirred and fluttered her eyes open, staring wearily at Diana.
"Good morning," Diana said, getting ready for the day. "Start getting dressed. We're leaving soon."
"For where?" Kat asked, yawning.
"Themyscira."
That woke Kat up. She jumped to her feet, rushing to the bathroom and brushing her teeth while combing her hair at the same time. She finished in minutes and ran back out to the bedroom, throwing on her costume: Dark blue pants and a red shirt with Diana's trademark emblem on the front, as well as an eagle-shaped eye mask. The costume was form-fitting, showing off her curves. Kat often found it helpful when fighting men.
"That was fast." Kat turned her head to see Diana standing in the doorway in her famous bustier and star-spangled underpants. "Are you that excited to go?"
"Your family's there," Kat said, smiling. "I want to meet them. Besides, I want to try myself out against some of those Amazons. Aren't they a warrior race?"
Diana nodded. "You may try whatever you wish, but I warn you, my sisters aren't exactly the type to show mercy against an opponent. That means no holding back, so start off with something easy, alright?"
Kat agreed, eager to go to Diana's home. The pair packed a suitcase for both of them and went outside, launching themselves into the air. Diana had learned that Kat knew how to fly as well, which was surprising. She thought that flying would be something foreign to the teen, but Diana was proven wrong when Kat nearly threw herself into the air.
"So," Kat said, gaining Diana's attention, "are all of those Amazons your actual sisters?"
Diana chuckled. "Not really," she said. "We call ourselves sisters because of our closeness. Yes, some of us have sisters, but not all of us are related."
"What about you? Do you have any sisters on the island?"
The moment Diana heard that, her mind instantly flashed back to the day she lost her sister, the person she confided all of her troubles in. Diana could feel her emotions starting to act up and cleared her throat, saying, "I did."
"Did? What happened to her?"
With a deadpanned tone, Diana told Kat, "She died ten years ago from illness."
"Oh." Kat was intrigued. "What type of sickness did she get?"
"I am not sure, but it was something that I myself could have fought off easily at that age. But, because she was five years younger than me and weaker, it took her." Diana could feel the tears creep into her eyes and blinked them back, turning away from Kat.
Kat noticed Diana's actions and stopped asking questions about it, changing the subject, "So, are you excited to see your mother again?"
"Yes, I am. It has been a long while since I've seen her. I used to think about her every day. But, since I've met you, I don't think about her as much."
Hearing that made Kat smile. "That's good. At least you have your mother to see. I don't have anybody." It was true. Kat had lost her family in a fire when she was young. She was too young to remember them, but it hurt her nonetheless. So many times she saw children out with their parents and felt a pang of sadness at it.
Diana flashed a smile at Kat. "I know it's hard to live without a family, but you can always find a second family in friends. I've come to see you as…" She stopped herself from revealing too much. "…a very close friend. You're something precious to me, and I want to see you happy."
Happiness swelled inside of Kat. She knew what Diana wanted to say, and knew it would be a matter of time before she admitted it. "If it helps, I see you as a sister. You're much more experienced than me, yes, but you're the only person who's showed so much care to me. Even the first time you met me, you treated me with kindness. Just about everyone else turned a blind eye to me."
"Nobody deserves to be shunned, especially one as innocent as you. I saw that you had potential to become something great someday and took you in. I didn't think we'd become this close in such little time." It's almost as if the gods gave me Donna in another form, Diana thought. She's nearly a spitting image of my sister.
They said nothing else, nearing the island. Once Diana saw it in sight, she flew faster, hearing Kat squeal with glee behind her. Moments later, they landed on Themyscira, Diana smiling and Kat looking around like an eager child. "It's beautiful," Kat sighed.
"I know. Just wait until you see the Amazons. They make you feel welcome home all over again." Diana's smile grew at the thought of seeing her sisters again.
"Diana!"
The pair spun around to see Hippolyta charging at them, crying Diana's name the entire time. Kat froze in fear, squeezing her eyes shut while waiting for the pain to hit her. Surprisingly, it never came, and instead she heard a thump and opened her eyes, seeing Hippolyta lying on the ground with Diana on top of her. Both of them were crying and hugging each other tightly.
After a few moments, Diana pulled her mother to her feet. "Mother, this is Kat, my partner," Diana said. "Kat, this is my mother, Queen Hippolyta."
"Wait, you're a princess?" Kat asked, wide-eyed.
Diana nodded. "Yes, I am. I am Princess Diana of Themyscira."
Hippolyta extended a hand to Kat. "Hello, child. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Diana noticed that Kat was staring at Hippolyta strangely, as if she was trying to remember something. Slowly, she shook Hippolyta's hand. "…A pleasure to meet you, too," she said.
When they stepped away from each other, Diana told her mother, "We plan to stay for a few days, if that is alright with you. I want Kat to experience our Amazon ways and test herself against a few of our warriors."
Hippolyta nodded. "Of course. Might I suggest Atermis? She is, after all, one of the strongest Amazons the island has to offer."
"Maybe towards the end of our stay. I want Kat to take it slow and not throw herself at the first thing she sees."
"Ah, that is understandable. But before you do so, how about relaxing a little? Your old room is still open to you, Diana. Your friend here can share it with you, or we can give her a spare room."
"She can share it with me," Diana said, walking past Hippolyta. Kat made something like a grumble and followed behind Diana.
"Why do I have to share a room with you? We've done this for a year now," Kat muttered under her breath.
Diana caught it and said sternly, "Because I need to watch you. Even though you are nearly a young adult, you sometimes make bad decisions. Remember the time I left you at my apartment for the week while I helped out people in Japan following an earthquake?"
Kat's cheeks colored. "There were some really cute boys living nearby! I couldn't help it!"
"You trashed my place. I found you sleeping in the bathtub with the showerhead running. Either those boys were really attractive, or you drunk yourself silly, and I strongly believe it was the latter."
Kat huffed. "It was a really good party."
"That you weren't allowed to have. I specifically told you not to do anything reckless."
"I didn't!"
Hippolyta smiled at the pair as they went to the palace, listening to them bicker like sisters. It reminded her dearly of Diana and Donna when they were younger. However, her smile faltered when her eyes landed on the redhead…
Hippolyta walked down the hall to her daughter's bedroom, hearing Diana and Kat talking to each other. It amused her how innocent and naïve Diana really was:
"You've never been with a man?"
"There is no time for it."
"Pfft, you've had enough time. You have time now. You're not doing anything. Why don't you find yourself a man to settle down with?"
"I am not interested in finding a relationship with a man."
Kat gasped. "You mean you're…bent?"
Hippolyta grinned. She could practically picture Diana's confused face. "What does that mean?"
"You know, rooting for the home team? Checking out the ladies?"
"Uh…"
Kat giggled. "Wow, you need to get out more. Are you a lesbian?"
"NO, I AM NOT!"
Hippolyta nearly burst out laughing at her daughter's sudden scream, but Kat made no attempt to hide it. She made a small thump as she fell to the floor, rolling while laughing.
It was at this moment that Hippolyta opened Diana's door. The sight she was welcomed to was a red-cheeked Diana sitting on the bed and a red-faced Kat rolling around on the ground as she laughed. Hippolyta shook her head in mirth as she sat next to Diana.
"What is going on in here?" she asked.
Diana colored even more. "Ah, it is nothing, Mother. We were just talking."
Kat added innocently, "Your daughter may be cheering for the home team. I would keep an eye on your Amazons before you find one of them missing."
"Kat!" Diana screamed, flushing even more. "Don't speak that way to my mother!"
Hippolyta smiled. "It is alright, Diana. To be honest, I am surprised your answer was no. After all, you were surrounded by the beautiful Amazons all your life. A man does not need to pleasure you, as a woman can fill the void."
Diana's jaw dropped in pure shock while Kat went back to rolling along the ground, laughing even harder. "Oh, God! I can't believe your mother just said that!" she exclaimed.
Diana leant toward Hippolyta. "Mother, don't you think you're sharing a little too much information?"
"I can say whatever I please. I am the Queen, you know."
Diana's face turned redder. "I know, but you are embarrassing me in front of Kat. She's had more experience than me when it comes to these things, and you are only encouraging her to cut up."
She motioned to the redhead, who was now lying on her back, still chuckling. "She will be fine," Hippolyta said. "It appears that she is very strong."
"She is," Diana agreed. "The first time I met her, she surprised me with her strength. She may be a natural Amazon for all we know. Maybe she..."
Hippolyta's expression hardened. "Do not joke about the Amazons, daughter. We are not the type to just ship our kind out to anywhere for any reason."
Diana sighed. "Alright, Mother."
Kat saw that there was tension present and decided to change the subject, "So, Queen Hippolyta, when was Diana born?"
"She was born twenty-three years ago from clay," Hippolyta explained tersely. "And please, call me by my name. There is no need to be formal around me."
"How about her sister?" Kat asked.
The air around the three suddenly grew cold. Kat sucked in a breath, knowing she'd crossed a line. Both mother and daughter looked at each other, their faces pained. "Tell her," Diana whispered.
Hippolyta nodded, turning to Kat. "She was created as a younger sister for Diana. Her name was Donna. She appeared as her reflection in the mirror when Diana was young, but given a mind of her own. They were five years apart, and were great together…"
Diana squeezed Hippolyta's hand, hearing her mother's voice crack. "Mother, that is enough. Kat knows enough, right?"
Kat nodded. "I'm sorry to hear about your daughter, though. It's a shame. I have a feeling the two of us would have been great friends."
You don't have a clue, Hippolyta and Diana thought in unison.
So, how did I do? This is the second chapter to my story. If there is any confusion, I'll clear it up now as best as I can. Donna is not in the New 52, she was just mentioned, but I love her so much that I just had to give her an appearance. I mean, wouldn't be awesome to have two superpowered women running around? For those who don't know Diana's new roots, you'll see within the next few chapters.
That's all for now! Bye!