Author's Note: Happy New Year. To start off this hope-fully good year, I've begun this chapter which I creatively thought of in my head: Wonder Woman in the world of the Last Airbender. I just see many Wonder Woman elements that work too well for this fic.
Any and all comments are welcome.
Water. Earth. Fire. Air.
The amazons, an immortal tribe of warrior women who reside on the island of Themyscira. The island was hidden by the most powerful of spirits and have been forgotten by the land of man. Despite being left secret, the amazons trained themselves to their peak and beyond.
Diana was the princess of Themyscira and daughter of Queen Hippolyta. Throughout her three-hundred year childhood, she always knew that her birth was the same as all the others: crafted by her mother out of clay and being given life by the spirits. But even though her birth was the same as the others, Diana always knew she was special, for she had always dreamed of exploring the world beyond their shores. But her mother always warned her that it was too dangerous to go there, especially during these days.
Man's world is in the middle of a fierce war that has gone on for a hundred years. In the beginning, the Fire Nation and its army of proud firebenders has attacked the other three nations with the intent to dominate the entire world.
It is said that the only being powerful enough to stop the Fire Nation was the Avatar. While some people have the ability to only bend one of the four elements to their will, the Avatar can bend all four at once. This made him the only person strong enough to defeat the Fire Lord and bring peace to the world. However, under mysterious circumstances, he disappeared and the Fire Nation has had a dominant hand over the world since.
But that all changes on this day.
Diana sparred against a fellow Amazon with bow staffs. This girl around Diana's age had red hair. Her name was Artemis, named after the spirit of the hunt. They traded blows to each other's weapons with competitive spirit on their faces.
"You know, Artemis," Diana said with a taunting smile, "I found myself saying a little prayer for you last night."
"Did you, Diana?" Artemis asked returning the smile. "How kind."
"Yes, I prayed that Apollo would inspire you with a strategy that might end your rather long string of defeats at my hand."
They continued their blows until Artemis managed to get Diana on one knee. She raised the bow staff under her chin.
"Praise Apollo."
Diana wasn't done yet. She still had her weapon in her hand, which she used to trip Artemis and make her fall on her back. Diana stood above her and raised her staff at her face. Artemis had lost her own weapon.
"Obviously, I'm not praying hard enough."
Artemis wasn't happy about another loss, but she had to accept it. Diana dropped her guard when her mother approached her while clapping her hands.
"Well done, Diana. But I notice that your mind seems to be elsewhere. You've been daydreaming of leaving the island again, haven't you?"
Diana didn't want to answer, but she couldn't defy her own queen mother. "It's just… I don't see the point in staying. Sure, it's a lot of fun beating Artemis…" That earned an envious look from her friend/rival. "…But what are we preparing for? There's no one beyond our shores who even know we exist. Why do we train to fight even when no one's going to attack?"
"Diana, we're amazons, and we must therefore be vigilant." Hippolyta said. "If we shirk from our training simply because of the world's ignorance, we'll perish."
"So it's either keep training for nothing or do nothing until we die?" Diana asked. "Mother, how is any of that fair?"
"It isn't, but there's nothing that can be done." Hippolyta said.
"My queen!" an amazon cried out as she approached the three.
"What is it, Clio?" Hippolyta asked.
"It's Lady Athena." Clio replied surprising everyone. "She wants to see you."
Hippolyta made her way to the Temple of Athena and rushed inside being careful not to keep her spirit patron waiting. Once she was inside, she bowed to her visitor, a tall, beautiful woman with red hair, white robe, and golden bands.
"Lady Athena, you came to us. Is something wrong?"
Athena chuckled. "Why must something be wrong for me to want to see my loyal followers?"
"So nothing's wrong?" Hippolyta asked.
"Well, I didn't say that." Athena frowned. "The spirits have received a terrible omen. My brother, Ares, will return."
Hippolyta's face dropped with anguish and fear. She lost her breath for a second before getting it back. "That is impossible! He is imprisoned!"
"Not for long, I'm afraid." Athena said. "The war going on at Man's World is taking a turn for the worse. It has been going on for a hundred years, and each day, Ares is growing stronger. If this war doesn't get any better, then sooner or later, my brother will break out of his bonds and relish in the war for eternity. And he won't stop at Man's World. He will direct the Fire Nation to Themyschira's shores."
"He has to be stopped." Hippolyta said.
"There's nothing I can do about it, I'm afraid." Athena said. "As a spirit, I have to remain impartial. I cannot directly interfere with the affairs of mortals."
"Then what can we do?" Hippolyta asked.
"There is one last hope for the world." Athena said. "A powerful hope. The Avatar."
"What? But he's gone. He's been missing for a whole century."
"Yes, and I spent that century trying to find him. And I believe I may have found him. However, I cannot get to him myself. Like I said, I cannot interfere. But there is nothing in the rules that say I cannot send a proxy to aide him. And that is where your amazons come in."
Hippolyta gazed at her patron in surprise. "You wish for us to find the Avatar?"
"Not all of you. It will be wiser to send in one. You will send a champion to find the Avatar and lead him to his destiny." Athena gestured her hand to a nearby pedestal where a set of heavenly armor appeared, such as a blue and red outfit with gold platings, a golden tiara, golden wrist cuffs, blue and red boots, a sword, a shield, and a golden rope.
"But who?" Hippolyta asked. "Who is worthy to possess this great honor? To become the Wonder Woman?"
"…I don't know."
After Athena parted from Themyscira, Queen Hippolyta called for an assembly gathering every amazon on the island to the main courtyard. She stood at the balcony above them with Diana at her right side. The amazons talked among themselves until her majesty raised her hand to quiet them.
"My fellow amazons, my sisters, I call before you all today to discuss a once-in-a-lifetime chance! Our patron, Athena, has granted us with a quest into Man's World! Only one amazon can have the honor to leave the island and become our Wonder Woman!"
That declaration created a burst of surprise from the amazons. They chatted among themselves making sure they heard their queen right. Diana, however, was the most surprised before becoming confident. Her confidence however lowered when her mother continued.
"Settle down, everyone! Now, I know this is a high honor, but it has to be bestowed upon the mightiest of amazons! Therefore, we shall hold a tournament, a series of contests! Anyone who wishes to embark may enter and whoever wins will go on this quest for the spirits! We shall reconvene tomorrow at midday at the arena! For honor!"
All the amazons saluted to their queen before heading off to train. Hippolyta was about to head to her temple when Diana interrupted.
"Mother, I hardly think a tournament is necessary. We all know I am going to win."
"…You will not be entering the tournament, Diana."
Diana was taken aback by her mother's words. "What? What are you talking about?"
"Diana, as I have explained before, you are not ready."
"I'm more than ready, Mother. What sense is there for you not to send your strongest amazon?"
"You do not understand. There are obstacles out there that aren't covered in amazon training, and I'm afraid you might not be disciplined enough to handle it. Good day, Diana." She walked off leaving her daughter mad.
Later that day, during sword-fighting lessons, Diana fought with so much ferocity. So much so that her sparring partner and aunt, Antiope, noticed. Diana roared giving out one last strike before Antiope knocked it out of her niece's hand.
"You seem upset, Diana." Antiope said putting down her own sword. "Care to talk about it?"
"It's my mother." Diana confessed. "She refuses to let me into the tournament. This was supposed to be my chance to go out into Man's World, and she's holding me back. I'm only 317, but she treats me like I'm 108."
"Yes, my sister can be protective sometimes." Antiope said. "For what it's worth, I'm on your side. You at least deserve a chance to prove yourself."
"And how do I do that?" Diana asked. "My mother won't let me leave the island."
"Well, if you win the tournament, she'll have to. After all, she did swear to Athena that she would send the winner off the island. And believe it or not…" Antiope grabbed a helmet with a facecover and tossed it to Diana. "…She can be easily fooled."
Diana held the helmet in her hand and smiled getting the idea that her aunt was insinuating.
The next day, about twenty amazons gathered at the arena. Diana was among them, but no one could tell it was her because of the helmet she was wearing. Several more of her fellow amazons were recognized in the crowd, including Artemis, who had a confident look on her face.
With a wave of her hand from above, Queen Hippolyta motioned for the games to begin. The first contest was a fencing battle between the amazons on the back of horses. They clashed swords with each other in an attempt to knock each other onto the ground. Artemis won with ease as did Diana, who still had her helmet on.
The next contest was a wrestling competition where the remaining amazons would test their strength against each other. Both Artemis and Diana had huge opponents who were tough, but they managed to get them to submit. When Artemis saw how the mysterious amazon was faring, she began keeping her guard up.
The next competition was about to begin, which was a high jump roping contest. The amazons who remained had to use their high agility skills to avoid the amazons who threw ropes at them. Surprisingly, only Artemis and Diana managed to pass leaping to unrecorded heights to elude the lassoes.
It all came down to Artemis and Diana in the final contest: a competition on defense. They were given unbreakable wristbands with archers at the ready. It started off with two, who fired their arrows at Artemis and Diana. The two competitors raised their metal bands and broke the arrows with ease. Once that happened, the number of archers doubled and they fired four arrows, which the competitors still defended against. What was once four then became eight. This was the round that would settle it. They fired their arrows at the two. Diana held her ground, but Artemis was knocked off her feet landing on her back.
The contest was over and the winner was decided. The crowd of amazons cheered at the remaining amazon. Even Queen Hippolyta gave a soft clap. Artemis, however, became silently resentful and suspicious.
Once the applause was over, Diana walked on up to her mother's throne still wearing her helmet. She bowed before her queen who had the uniform and tools of the Wonder Woman by her side.
"You have won our contest, sister." Hippolyta praised. "Our patrons, Athena and Aphrodite, would be proud. As such, you have earned the right to take on this quest. But first, remove your helmet so I may give you my fullest congratulations."
Diana knew there was no point in hiding any longer. She removed her helmet and revealed her face, much to her mother's surprise. Most of the amazon civilization was surprised too, especially Artemis.
"Hello, Mother." Diana greeted.
"Diana! What is the meaning of this?" Hippolyta asked.
"Just proving myself that I am not a child anymore."
"This isn't a time for pride, Diana." Hippolyta said. "I told you not to enter this tournament…"
"But I did, and it's over." Diana said. "And as queen of the amazons, you have to uphold your honor and name me as your champion."
Hippolyta was caught in a box. She knew her daughter was right, so she gave in with great reluctance.
"Are you sure about this?" Hippolyta asked. "Remember, the outside world has benders, an ability that no amazon has. They have their own mighty warriors as well. Are you certain you wish to leave for Man's World?"
"It's all I've ever wanted." Diana answered.
Hippolyta sighed before handing the uniform and gear to her daughter. "Fine. Then take these. The uniform was designed by Aphrodite as a sign of respect to the outside world. The bands were forged by Hephaestus to be stronger than any other metal. And the Lasso of Truth is a blessing given to us by Hestia herself. You will also be given a traditional sword and shield of the amazons."
"I will fight with honor and strength, Mother." Diana swore.
"May the spirits be on your side, Diana."
After Hippolyta gave her daughter her mission, she sent Diana on a boat off of the island. She was also given a map which would lead her to the South Pole. It was there that she was going to find the Avatar.