Crimes of Passion
Disclaimer: All familiar characters belong to DC or Marvel. I own Farrah/Persiana and Lance/Diablos.
Chapter 20: A Brand New Diana!
Flashback…
Artemis, in front of the queen and the gathered Amazons, pointed angrily at Diana,
"Sisters, Diana has failed to fulfill her duty as a messenger of peace. She has fraternized with men, abandoning her duty as Themysciria's champion!"
Diana saw the stares many of the other female warriors were giving her. Donna protested,
"Diana has done nothing but good things for Man's World! I have been introduced to Man's World, and she has been working hard to bring peace."
The red-headed scowled,
"Words from an immature child will not sway the decision that has been made."
Hyppolyta said evenly,
"How do all of you feel about this?"
Many Amazons seemed to agree with Artemis. Although Diana was a skilled warrior, Artemis' argument could not be dismissed. The queen finally declared,
"Let the contest begin!"
At present…
Diana was in her bed, sighing. Since having lost the title of Wonder Woman, the Amazon warrior was lost in her thoughts. Did she truly fail in her duties? Her title has been taken, and the Amazon warrior truly felt alone. She sighed as she remembered how Artemis was introduced into the League. The red-head knew nothing of Man's World, yet, whenever Diana tried to explain something to her, Artemis dismissed it.
"Lonely?"
Diana turned suddenly and saw Batman standing in the darkness. The Amazon warrior sighed,
"Bruce, what are you doing here?"
Batman looked at her,
"I came to talk to you."
The raven-haired fighter was now even more surprised,
"Bruce, are you all right?"
Bruce sat down next to her and said,
"I can imagine you're feeling hurt. Having everything taken away from you; family, honor, hope."
Diana shook her head,
"To be honest, Batman, I am feeling…saddened. As an Amazon, I am grateful to return to Theymisciria, but, I have lost the title of Wonder Woman."
Batman took her hand,
"It still does not make you any less of a hero or person, Diana. You still have your powers and your life to do what you want to. You're also a member of this team, and… to be honest, Diana…I can't think of any other woman I would rather fall in love with."
At this, Diana looked at him, and turned away. Tears were welling up in the warrior's face as she tried to compose herself.
Bruce put his hand on her shoulder,
"Diana, is something wrong?"
Diana turned and planted a passionate kiss on Bruce's lips. The Dark Knight returned it, full on.
Just then, Persiana and Donna burst in the room. Both of them had an idea, and were giggling like school girls. Farrah said,
"I have got the best idea, Diana, and-."
She looked and saw the two kissing. She squealed, much to the displeasure of Diana and Bruce.
Batman growled,
"What do you want?"
Diana darkly added,
"We were having a moment."
Farrah shrugged,
"Sorry, Di. Anyway, Donna and I just came up with this awesome new idea. What if you wore…THIS?"
Donna pulled out several items. Diana and Bruce were in shock as to the idea. Secretly, though, the Dark Knight loved it.
Diana asked,
"You want me to wear THIS? Are you two insane?"
Wonder Girl smirked,
"Come now, sister. Farrah and I have discussed it, and I think it would look good on you."
Diana rolled her eyes,
"If I wear this, I will never be able to live it down, you know that, right?"
Persiana grinned,
"If guys won't leave you alone, kick their ass! That is what Amazons do, right?"
The former Wonder Woman groaned,
"Let me try it on…"
Meanwhile, in another part of the tower…
Artemis was wandering the Watchtower. She was eager to get to Man's World below and start her mission. As she walked by, she noticed Tigra walking by, smiling. The new Wonder Woman turned and scowled,
"Harlot."
The were-tigress' senses picked this up. She turned,
"Excuse me?"
Artemis folded her arms,
"I don't expect an animal like you to understand this, but seeing you walk around in your…attire…gives men the impression you want to be taken advantage of."
Tigra narrowed her eyes,
"Look, lady. I thought like you, until I got shot and turned into a tiger. What I wear is my business, not yours."
Artemis raised her voice,
"It's demeaning for a woman and a warrior. You obviously have no idea what it is like to be either."
Greer snarled; she really did not like where this was going.
Blue Beetle came around the corner and saw the two arguing. He decided to wait until it cleared up, or step in if it got ugly.
Artemis smugly remarked,
"Tell me; if I talk to every man on this station, will they say they slept with you?"
The cerulean insect hero had heard enough. He stormed up to Artemis,
"Hey, that's not very nice."
Tigra was surprised,
"Ted?"
Artemis spun around and stared down over the scientist,
"And what are you supposed to be, little man?"
Ted took his goggles off and said,
"I don't know what your problem is, but Greer is a nice lady and is willing to fight for what she believes in. She's also a bright, happy young woman, and I couldn't care less what she's wearing."
At this, Artemis scoffed,
"Liar. All men look at her and see an easy mark. If she were more decent, maybe."
Blue Beetle growled under his breath; even though he did not want to hit a lady, the red-headed bow wielder was very close to being the exception to the rule.
Tigra was amazed that Ted was standing up to the Amazon warrior, especially when he had no powers at all.
Blue Beetle shook his head,
"Artemis, leave her alone."
Artemis let her temper get the better of her at this point. She roared with fury and batted Ted away with a powerful blow. Beetle went sailing.
Tigra pounced on Artemis,
"DIE!"
A brawl broke out.
Inside the cafeteria…
Blue Beetle's closest friends Fire, Ice, Booster Gold, and Guy Gardner were having a bite to eat before leaving on separate assignments. Bea sighed,
"Where's Ted? I really want to take him to Brazil."
Ice comforted her friend,
"It's all right. I'm sure he's on his way."
Michael snickered,
"On his way to sleepin' with Tigra."
Fire scowled and slapped the hero from the future upside the head,
"Quiet, you!"
Guy shook his head,
"How does a guy like Ted end up with a woman like Tigra? I have to ask him when he gets here."
No sooner did he finish, than Blue Beetle came crashing through the cafeteria door way, landing right at the table of the other Super-buddies. Tora was horrified,
"Ted!"
Beetle was bleeding from his lips, and he held his chest. Something was broken, and he laid down in pain. He feebly said,
"Ar…tem…is…"
Fire turned into her fiery form,
"SHE'S DEAD!"
She raced out in a streak of green flame, the others following behind.
Tigra had wrapped herself around Artemis' body and was trying to eviscerate her. However, the Amazon was far stronger and tried to break the hold. Tigra roared with aggression and, suddenly, found herself thrown across the hall. She landed on her feet and braced for another pounce.
Just then, a raging green flame streak shot down the hall. It was Bea and she was furious. She roared,
"HOW DARE YOU HURT MY TED, WITCH!"
She unleashed a furious fire attack, enough to make Tigra jump in the air vents.
Artemis shielded herself with her arms, but that did little to quell the situation. Bea pounced and shouted,
"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, HURTING TED?! YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE HERE!"
The new Wonder Woman slammed her fist hard into Fire's stomach, causing the supermodel to collapse in pain, de-powering her.
Just then, the bow slinger found herself encased in ice. Tora sighed with relief.
Flash came by and heard the commotion,
"What happened?"
He noticed Artemis' imprisonment and whistled,
"Who brought the ice queen?"
Tigra emerged from the vents,
"Artemis the bitch queen insulted me and attacked Ted when he stood up for me!"
The Scarlet Speedster was surprised,
"Oh, man. I knew this was a bad idea letting her on."
Greer looked at them,
"Well, I should go check on Ted."
Booster picked up Fire,
"Let's get Bea to the infirmary."
As they were leaving, the ice started to shake, and, in a moment, Artemis was free. She was upset and enraged. She roared,
"NONE OF YOU WILL LEAVE HERE ALIVE!"
She charged in, but found something leveling her flat.
The Super-buddies, Tigra, and Flash all turned and were slack-jawed.
Diana was dressed up in a costume similar to her role as Wonder Woman, only instead of red, it was green. She also had a leather jacket on and had ditched the tiara. Her hands were now gloved, but she did have her bracelets exposed. She narrowed her eyes,
"What is going on here?"
Next Chapter:
More Wackiness from Artemis.