The following story is a spinoff of my other story, Riverdale's Supergirl.
If you are confused I would highly recommend reading it first.
Chapter 3
Cheryl was in the hut with Velasca and Meslena who were tending to her wounds before she had her first attempt to defeat Queen Hippolyta in combat. Cheryl was incredibly nervous, Hippolyta was an intimidating opponent.
Velasca and Meslena helped dress Cheryl in traditional Amazon leather armour. It covered her torso but left her arms and legs free to move with ease. Once she was dressed they went to the palace courtyard.
Cheryl saw that every Amazon was gathered to watch and a circle of rope had been marked in the middle of the courtyard. All of the Amazons were gathered around it save for Hippolyta herself who stood inside the circle waiting with her hands and her hips. Cheryl nervously entered the circle and stood across from Hippolyta.
"The rules are simple," Hippolyta explained to Cheryl. "We fight each other until one of us yields."
Cheryl nodded but didn't feel any more confident.
"Begin!" Hippolyta shouted.
At once Hippolyta lashed out at Cheryl with a vicious side kick aimed at Cheryl's head. Cheryl got her arms up and ducked but the kick knocked her over onto her back as the crowd of Amazons cheered. Hippolyta sprang towards Cheryl, but Cheryl rolled backwards out of the way and to her feet and lashed out with a kick of her own that Hippolyta stepped back to avoid as the Amazons applauded.
"Not bad," Hippolyta commented.
Cheryl didn't reply, instead she was busy studying Hippolyta's stance. She noticed that while Hippolyta had the height and weight advantage she still kept a fairly neutral stance that would allow her to defend. However one spot that was open were Hippolyta's legs, because she was so tall it would be difficult for her to defend if Cheryl were to go low. Cheryl realized if she was to have any chance that was what she needed to do, the problem was how.
Hippolyta advanced on Cheryl once again this time looking to punch Cheryl. Cheryl kept her arms up and ducked under a right hook from Hippolyta and ran behind. As she did Cheryl kicked back at Hippolyta's right knee dropping Hippolyta to one knee. Hippolyta got to her feet with a growl as the crowd booed.
"You'll have to do better than that," Hippolyta said.
Hippolyta charged at Cheryl looking to tackle her. Cheryl brought her knee up with perfect timing catching Hippolyta on the bridge of nose causing her nose to bleed, however Hippolyta still took Cheryl violently down to the ground as the Amazons cheered wildly.
Desperate Cheryl began throwing fists and elbows at Hippolyta's face. Hippolyta was forced to back off and Cheryl was able to scramble back to her feet as the crowd continued to cheer.
As Hippolyta was checking her bloody nose Cheryl dove low and grabbed Hippolyta's right ankle with her left arm and drove her right forearm into the back of Hippolyta's knee causing Hippolyta to drop to one knee yet again. Cheryl stood up and threw her weight into Hippolyta's back, knocking the warrior queen to the ground face first. Cheryl continued holding onto Hippolyta's right ankle as she rolled onto Hippolyta's back pulling violently on Hippolyta's leg. The crowd gasp in astonishment that Cheryl had taken Hippolyta down.
Hippolyta tried to power her way up using just one leg, but Cheryl was able to kick out with her own legs and prevent her from doing so. Cheryl pulled with all her might against Hippolyta's leg and began twisting Hippolyta's ankle as the crowd of Amazons looked on amazed.
"Yield!" Hippolyta shouted in pain.
Breathing heavily Cheryl let go and climbed to her feet. She then held out a hand to help Hippolyta up, but Hippolyta ignored it and got to her feet herself. She was visibly hobbling from the damage Cheryl had managed to do to her right leg and ankle.
"You show great tactics, Cheryl of Riverdale," Hippolyta said. "Few are those who can claim to have ever bested me in combat."
"Thanks," Cheryl said still breathing heavily from the exhaustive effort.
Hippolyta held out her hand to Cheryl in congratulations and Cheryl shook it as the crowd cheered loudly. Meslena and Velasca quickly ran into the ring to celebrate with Cheryl.
[Tonight we feast!] Hippolyta said loudly to the crowd drawing another loud cheer.
Cheryl was swarmed and led into the palace. Her injuries were once more tended to and then she was given a great feast. There were all sorts of meats and vegetables and fruits it was quite the meal. Cheryl ate until she was full.
After the feast Hippolyta took Cheryl aside the two of them going for a walk to the temple.
"Today you proved that you have what it takes to be a hero," Hippolyta said. "But neither myself nor any of the other Amazons are able to give you what it is you are looking for."
Cheryl was disappointed; she had done all of this for nothing.
"But that's not say we can't help you find what it is you are looking for," Hippolyta continued.
"What do you mean?" Cheryl asked.
They were now standing in the temple, a large round building. There were four massive marble statues of the various goddesses of the Greek pantheon. Cheryl recognized them as Hera, Athena, Aphrodite and Artemis. Hippolyta slowly looked around at the four statues.
"I have asked the goddesses to grant you a favour," Hippolyta said.
Before Cheryl could ask what Hippolyta meant, Hippolyta turned and walked off.
"Stay here," Hippolyta called behind her. "The goddesses will speak to you."
Cheryl stood there in the temple confused.
"This is crazy," Cheryl muttered to herself. "My best friend is apparently an alien, I'm on an island that apparently doesn't exist and now I'm supposed to be speaking with the goddesses of the Greek Pantheon."
"Actually just one of us," a voice said behind her.
Cheryl turned around in complete surprise to see that the statue of Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, had come to life. The fifteen foot tall marble statue had changed into a towering being of flesh and blood that stepped down off the pedestal. The now living statue wore golden armour over her powerful frame and carried a golden spear and shield. She had a golden helmet on her head and her dark brown hair fell down from beneath it to her shoulders.
"Athena?" Cheryl asked in awe.
Athena nodded.
"Uh, I, uh…" Cheryl stammered.
"I know why you are here," Athena said. "And I must say that you've done well to reach this point. You are the first person to find the Amazons since Hera brought them here and you proved your guile in defeating Hippolyta in combat."
"But I came here for power," Cheryl said. "The power to help my friend, the power to help others."
"I know," Athena replied. "But what you must know is that having power is one thing, knowing how to properly use it is another."
Athena slowly walked towards the statue of Hera her footsteps so heavy that Cheryl could feel the ground shake.
"Your friends, Betty and Barry, they have good hearts," Athena said. "You haven't always been this way though. Before they saved your life I don't believe you were the kind of person who should have power like you are asking for."
Cheryl nodded in agreement, "I was pretty selfish, but it's not just seeing how Betty handles herself, or how Barry handles himself, they both risked death to save the town. It's also seeing how my former friend Midge abused her power. I saw what she did, what she became, all the people she hurt and it frightens me; because I realize that just as easily could have been me."
Athena looked down at Cheryl and smiled.
"It's good that you admit this," Athena said. "But you have one last test to prove that you are worthy of the power you seek."
"Whatever it is I'm ready," Cheryl said.
Athena stood silently considering Cheryl for a long moment. Athena then pointed her spear at the ground and suddenly a puddle of golden metallic-looking liquid appeared.
"This is the Silent Armor," Athena said. "It was made by my brothers Apollo and Hephaestus with materials from a sun. It can grant you powers similar to your friend Betty, but there is a catch."
"What?" Cheryl asked looking down at the golden puddle near her feet.
"You must prove that you are worthy of the armor," Athena said. "If you put it on the armor will test you, should you fail the test then you will die."
Cheryl didn't care. What was one more test after everything she had done to reach this point?
"If you are willing to accept the risk then reach down and touch the armor," Athena said. "And remember with this power comes the responsibility to wield it with wisdom and compassion."
Cheryl paused with her fingers just millimeters away from the puddle thinking about what Athena meant by that. Was it a hint as to how to pass the test? Cheryl then stuck her hand into the puddle and was surprised as it began crawling up her arm and covering her body. Soon it reached her face and she could no longer see.
Then all of a sudden Cheryl could see again. She looked around and saw that Athena was nowhere to be found, not even her statue. Cheryl then looked down at herself. She was now wearing a form fitting red body suit that completely covered her from her ankles all the way up to her breasts. She had golden armoured boots and golden bracers on her arms and a pauldrons on her right shoulder. A red loop of some kind of rope was wrapped around her waist.
"Well, well look who thinks she can play at being a hero," a voice said behind Cheryl.
Cheryl spun around and was shocked to see Midge standing there.
"Smart of you to come here," Midge said. "An island full of women that I can't control. Of course that just means I'll have to kill you myself."
Cheryl felt herself fill with rage almost immediately. With a yell she ran over to Midge and grabbed her around the throat and lifted her into the air with ease. Cheryl was surprised at how light Midge felt, holding her was like holding a balloon.
"Go ahead, kill me," Midge taunted her as she tried to pry Cheryl's fingers off of her throat.
Cheryl desperately wanted to. Here was the person that was responsible for Jason's death. But not just Jason, she had been responsible for dozens of other deaths. To kill her would be to do the world a favour.
Cheryl then remembered what Athena had said to her. Here on the island, Midge couldn't use her ability; on the island she wasn't a threat to anybody. As much as Cheryl wanted to kill Midge doing it in cold blood like this, that wasn't a responsible use of her power.
"No," Cheryl said releasing Midge who dropped to her feet coughing.
"Coward," Midge spat at Cheryl.
Cheryl closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she tried to get her emotions under control.
"Just leave," Cheryl said her eyes still closed.
Cheryl opened her eyes to see that Midge was gone.
"Congratulations," Cheryl heard Athena say.
Cheryl spun around to see the massive goddess standing behind her.
"You passed the test," Athena stated. "You saw your most bitter enemy and you refused to kill her in cold blood. With that you demonstrated that you are worthy of wielding the Silent Armor, and that you are capable of acting with wisdom and compassion."
"I wouldn't say I have compassion for Midge," Cheryl said.
"Not choosing to kill someone in cold blood no matter how much you hate them is compassion," Athena stated.
Cheryl considered for a moment and then nodded.
"Thank you," Cheryl said.
"As long as you continue to act with wisdom and compassion the Silent Armor shall be yours," Athena said. "But fail…"
Athena didn't finish her sentence. All at once there was a blinding flash and when Cheryl could see again Athena was gone and the marble statue of her was once again on its pedestal. Cheryl looked down at herself; she saw that she was still in the same outfit as before. She turned and walked out of the temple and was surprised to see Hippolyta and the rest of the Amazons gathered just outside the entrance.
"Congratulations on passing the final test," Hippolyta said.
"Thank you," Cheryl responded.
"When you return to the world of men, remember that while you may be Cheryl from Riverdale, you are also Cheryl the Amazon," Hippolyta said.
"I… yes your majesty," Cheryl said a little surprised bowing her head.
"Know that you are welcome to return here whenever you wish," Hippolyta said. "And perhaps one day we shall return to the world of men with you."
"I could help you could do that now," Cheryl said. "There is a nation due west of here called New Zealand, men and women there are equals perhaps you could establish relationships with them."
"Perhaps," Hippolyta said. "My people are very mistrustful of men and they have good reason."
Cheryl nodded.
"It's only a suggestion," Cheryl said. "They are your people."
"Farewell Cheryl of Riverdale," Hippolyta said. "Go forth and do us proud."
Cheryl and Hippolyta shook hands and then embraced. Cheryl then leapt up into the air and flew off heading back towards home, eager to see her friends.
To Be Continued in Riverdale's Supergirl
Thanks for reading this spinoff story. Cheryl's adventures will continue in Riverdale's Supergirl, although she may get another spin-off in the future. Please review.