A Sun's Shield And A Moon's Blade.
The night had fallen over a quiet city. This was no ordinary city. This city was called Targon, a large an impressive city built on a mountain. While the city had been around for thousands of years, it has been rebuild and improved many times, in order to keep up with the ever advancing technology of the rest of the world. The city was very powerful, and even had it's own privet military force. This force were called the Solari, tough some simply call them sun warriors, as whenever they show up, it feels like the sun itself shines through them. Their duty was to protect the peace and make sure no trouble makers sets a foot inside the city. However, not everyone are content with living as model citizens. And this leads us to a woman who is not very fond of sunlight.
Her name is Diana, and not only is someone who avoids the sun, she even avoids technology. Her life is very mysterious, and few knows anything about her. All that is known about her, are rumors and her reputation. She is known as the Blood Moon Woman. Her outfit looks very similar to ancient Japanese cultures, she is even wearing a mask similar to that of a Oni. One would think she would be easy to catch, given her lack of any technological advancements... but what she lacked in advanced weaponry, she made up for with something else. Something no technology could ever hope to explain.
Right now, She was wearing her mask as she watched some guards walking around. She smiled, not much of a security to guard what she was after. Another sign how little these fools understood. Moving as silently as the night itself, Diana made her way around the guards, who had no clue what was happening... until each of them were slowly taken down, one by one by their unseen intruder. Diana smiled at her work before making her way inside the building where her price was waiting. She walked through the large room inside, sensing where her price was hiding. She opened a metal container and found what she was looking for. A blood red gem, which she picked up and admired for a moment.
But she sensed someone behind her, but she only smiled behind her mask, knowing exactly who it was "You showed up sooner than I expected... Leona".
Standing behind her was the most famous woman in all of Targon, Leona. A heavy armored combatant, Leona stands as the true light of the sun warriors. She carries a mounted ion charge shield, capable of blocking and stunning targets with its variable energy yield output, and to handle such weapons, she wears the most advanced armor in the whole city. She is known as The Champion Of The Sun, as whenever she show up, she shines like a star of pure hope.
"When an entire team of guards suddenly go silent, it's easy to figure out who is behind it" Leona said.
"And you hurried over here just for me. You are so sweet" Diana said as she turned to Leona and removed her mask, revealing her beautiful face, which easily matched the beauty of the moon "But you know, if you wanted to spend some time together, you could've just called".
"You know that's not why I am here. And even if I was, you don't have a phone, since you reject technology" Leona said, though a faint blush could barely be seen under her helmet "Put back what you've stolen and surrender. Do that and I will bring you in unharmed".
"You really are sweet. Such a shame you insist on serving those blind fools who don't understand anything beyond their own greed" Diana said.
"I am serving the people. They need the light of hope to make them feel safe" Leona argued.
"Stare to long at the sun, and you will go blind. In their case, they become blind to the very danger they are living in. Hasn't the Omnic Crisis taught us what happens when technology goes to far? Don't missunderstand me, I am not blaming the poor Omnics, they were victims, just like everyone else. But it does not change the fact that the crisis should've been a wake up call" Diana said while moving the gem around with her fingers.
"It's because of the Omnic Crisis that I'm doing this. People need to know if anything like that happens again, me and my fellow Solari will be there to protect them. They need hope" Leona argued.
"Blind hope never helped anyone. If one always rely on others to save them in their time of need, they will be unable to do anything on their own. People need to learn to fend for themselves. With no warriors or armors to shield them form reality" Diana said.
Leona was gritting her teeth now, growing more and more frustrated by Diana's refusal to understand just how important Leona's duty is "You are going to wish you had someone to protect you if you don't surrender right now".
Diana chuckled "Oh, did I touch a nerve? You always look cute when you're mad. Makes teasing you all the more enjoyable. Regardless, I learned years ago that the only one who can protect me is myself. So sorry honey, I'm afraid I won't let you catch me tonight".
"Then I have no choice but to bring you in by force" Leona declared as she got ready.
Diana smiled and put her mask on "There is the sun lady I know and love. Bring it on".
Diana dashed forward, her red blade thrusting forward. Leona parried Diana's stab with her shield and struck back with a swift slash with her own blade. The Blood Moon Woman jumps back, dodging the attack, before striking back with a quick slash, which was also parried. The two continued to clash blades for a while before engaging in a blade lock. Diana was clearly the stronger of the two and began to slowly overpower Diana. Unfortunately for the sun champion, Diana was very aware of the differences in their strength. So she ducked and swung her right leg into Leona's legs, knocking her off her feet and on to her back. Diana then leaps up and went for a stab, which was blocked by Leona's shield. Leona then took the chance to kick Diana in the stomach, sending her into a wall. Diana bounced off the wall, but leaped back into action quickly, jumping into the air and striking down with a downwards swing, which Leona once again parried.
The two clashed blades, causing sparks and flashes of light to light up parts of the room for only quick fractions of seconds. But neither were able to overcome the other, as Leona's superior strength and equipment was countered by Diana's superior speed and agility. They were evenly matched. That was until Leona parried one of Diana's strikes and knocked her blade to the side, then followed up with an shield strike to Diana's chest, the force of the blow forced her back. Temporarily off balance, Diana staggered back and Leona took advantage of the opening, striking at her opponent several times with her blade, forcing Diana back as she was barely able to hold of the powerful strikes. Leona then delivered an upwards swing that caused Diana to tumble backwards. Diana charged in again, delivering another powerful shield strike that sent Diana in to a wall.
Leona took a few moments to catch her breath before she began walking towards Diana "Stay down, Diana... I don't want to hurt you refuse to surrender, I will have no choice".
Diana chuckled "You are funny, Leona. One of the many reasons I like you. But I dare say you have forgotten who you're dealing with".
Suddenly some kind of dark aura began appearing around Dina. Then with blinding speed, Diana dashed forward and Diana staggered from a blow which left a slash mask across the chest area of her armor. Before she could even react, she was struck across the back, causing more damage to her armor. She silently cursed. She had forgotten the strange power Diana has. A power she rarely used, so Leona was never ready for it. Diana chuckled as she continued to slash at Leona from every direction, not giving Leona a single second to react.
"That armor is a crutch that's weighing you down. How about we get rid of it so your true strength can have a chance to shine!" Diana declared as she glowed with her aura before swinging her blade at Leona, causing a small blast which sent Leona back.
Leona's armor had become useless, so she had no other choice but to remove it. Now the real beauty behind the armor was revealed, as her beautiful long hair and beautiful face was no longer hidden. And under her armor she was wearing simple clothing. A black tank top and black spandex pants. They looked tight but they were made so Leona could move around a little more freely and not make her feel stuffed under her armor.
Diana smiled, enjoying the sight "Just as beautiful as ever. Your armor really is a stupid thing to wear".
Leona picks her sword up "Don't think I am beaten just because my armor is gone. I am more than capable of defeating you without it".
"Then by all means, come and get me" Diana said with a calm smile.
Leona charged her again. Once again they began clashing blades. Even without her armor, Leona was still far from helpless. In fact, without the bulky armor, she had become more agile and quicker, which helped her keep up with Diana, even though Diana wasn't using her stranger power anymore. Leona wasn't even using her shield anymore, as she knew it would only get in the way now. Allowing her to hold her sword with both hands and deliver stronger blows. Diana was enjoying this more and more, blocking and deflecting Leona's blows, while the sun warrior did the same to Diana's blows. They were once again evenly matched, but a winner was drawing near.
Leona wen't to punch Diana, who just caught her fist before sweeping Leona's legs out from under her, making her fall on her back again. Only this time, before Leona could get back up, Diana sat on top of her and held her blade to Leona's neck. The battle was over, and Diana had won. Both were breathing hard, as their battle had taken a lot out of them.
"Nothing beats a fight with you, Leona. Every time we fight, I'm always having a fun time" Diana said.
Leona glares at her "You think this is some kind of game? You are stealing from us, constantly undermining our efforts to keep people safe... you even enjoy making me look bad, with no care of what that does to the people. If you keep this up, people will lose faith in me, and they will lose hope".
Diana looks at her, she removed her mask again, her teasing smile having been replaced with a frown "Are they that incapable of looking after themselves that they put everything on you? Who are they to force such a burden on you?".
"No one forced me to do anything. I chose this life out of my own free will. I am not some mindless drone, I know exactly what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. I am proud in the hope and safety I can give to the people. You may not see it, but this is the best life for them. And a life I am willing to provide them, even at the cost of my own" Leona said, clear belief in her voice.
Diana sighed before removing her blade from Leona's neck, but did not get of her. Instead, she stroke Leona's cheek with her finger "You are delusional, but you soul is strong. I hope one day you will see the truth, and hopefully we can go back to the good times we had when we were younger. Bu until then...".
Diana leans down and kissed Leona on the lips. It wasn't forceful, and Leona could easily break it anytime she wanted... but she didn't... for some reason she did not want it to end... she knew the reason... deep down she knew her true feelings for Diana... feelings that had been burning strong, ever since their teenage years. The same feelings existed in Diana's heart, and she was more open with them. After a few moments, Diana pulled back and stood up.
"Farewell, beloved" Diana said before she vanished.
Leona sat up, but remained on the floor... a tear ran down her face... why where they forced down on different paths? Why couldn't things be what they used to be? That was questions she already knew the answer to... yet she couldn't stop herself from asking them.
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A chapter to introduce two more characters.
PROJECT Leona was obvious, but Diana was a little tricky as she doesn't have any tech based skins at the time this chapter was made. So I decided to try something different, and went with her blood moon skin. It fits well with it's inspirations from Japanese super natural tales, and gave this chapter a cool clash between mystical powers and technology.
And making Leona and Diana have feelings for each other is an reference to their lore. Not long ago, it was revealed they used to be lovers (And maybe still are), and we got a really beautiful story of that. So, yeah, Leona X Diana is canon now.
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Tell me what you think, and no homophobic comments.