Warriors
"Come out to Play-i-ay"
Metropolis
The Alley
Diana vs. Lashina: Round Two
They stood facing each other, two warriors, one of light and the other of darkness. As they looked at each other everything else, the marching toy band, the battle, the knights who say NI, all faded into the background.
This was about them now.
Somehow they both had known this moment would come. It was inevitable. Just as Batman would always face the Joker or Superman face Lex Luthor, Wonder Woman would face Lashina. They were mortal enemies and knew it from the moment they first met.
The reasons were many and involved others, but the truth was much simpler. Like the Snake and the Mongoose, it was an elemental thing between them. One's Gods had blessed her, while the other had been tortured by her God. One had trained from the earliest age to fight and honor her people, while the other had brutally trained only to win, no matter the cost. In many ways they were mirror images of each other, strong, beautiful and deadly. That they both cared for the same man was ironic, but even without this they were destined to clash.
As they slowly moved towards each other, the only thought in either of their heads was to beat the other. Diana picked up a garbage can lid to use as a shield. Lashina began to slowly weave her twin swords back and forth in front of her. While she was known for her whips, she was equally deadly with other weapons. A cold, cruel smile came to her lips as she saw the scar on Diana's chest.
"I've left my mark on you, Princess."
"It will fade,' Diana calmly replied.
"But the memory won't, will it?"
"No."
A satisfied laugh came from Lashina's lips. The swords began to move faster and faster in front of her, becoming almost a blur. While Diana was the stronger of the two, Lashina was probably a fraction faster. They were equally matched. They circled each other, for even in their dislike for the other, they knew they were formidable foes. They knew the outcome of this was in doubt and only their best would do.
Lashina struck first, both swords slashing out at Diana. She blocked one with her sword and the other with the garbage can lid. She felt the power behind each blow. Lashina pressed forward, as she was the natural aggressor. They circled each other, steel against steel, moving at a speed no mortal could achieve. Parry, thrust, block, slash, counterattack, constantly circling, almost like a violent and deadly ballet. Neither made a mistake, for even the slightest one would turn the battle against them.
They were playing for blood.
The Bank
The scene in front of the bank was chaos. The toy soldiers seemed everywhere. The marching band refused to yield, even as the main players tried to take the field. They played at a manic pace, The Battle Hymn of the Republic on 78 instead of 45. Squads of green army men rushed the heroes trying to overwhelm them with sheer numbers. A company of toys with flamethrowers randomly fired bursts in every direction, setting everything on fire. Mohawks, Knights who say NI, ninjas and samurais battled Shayera, Wally, Plastic Man, Kara, Courtney and Mary.
At the center of it all was Superman. He was slugging it out with Grundy, dodging blasts from Live Wire, while all the time toys continued to attack him.
"Grundy smash!"
"Thanks, I got the idea."
Away from the main fight, Dinah and Cheetah were locked in their own struggle. Strength and ferocity were on Cheetah's side, but skill and cool logic was on Dinah's. They were equal in speed. They were like a high wire act, acrobatic and ferocious. Tumbling, somersaulting, spinning, kicks and punches continued to land on both.
Wally made his way through the melee to Shayera and they concentrated on breaking through to toys to get to the bank. Fighting side by side, they were starting to make headway.
"Pour it on, we're almost there,' she shouted.
"Right,' he replied, but another thought was on his mind. "By the way, were you serious about what you said after the boxing match?"
"What?"
"You know about sleeping with me,' he added. "Cause I'm totally down with that, I just wanted you to know."
"You're bringing that up now,' Shayera replied. "I was joking!"
"Wow, that's kind of a cruel joke, Shayera,' Wally lamented. "I mean to get a guy's hopes up like that. A woman says that to a guy, that's all he's going to be able to think about, you know?"
"Could we discuss this after the fight, please,' she shouted.
"Is that another joke,' he snidely offered. "String the guy along so he'll do what you want?"
"He has a point, Shayera,' Kara added. "If you're going to shoot him down, just give to him straight. I'm sure he's used to it by now."
"Oh, aren't you funny,' Wally remarked. Kara had a big smile on her face as they looked at each other.
"Would you mind? This is a private conversation,' Shayera shouted to Supergirl.
"Just trying to help, she offered.
"Who," Wally asked.
"Premarital sex is wrong,' Mary Marvel added. "You should wait until you're married."
"What century are you living in," Wally asked incredulously.
"Yeah, like really.' Kara laughed in agreement. She looked at Wally and they both shook their heads in disbelief.
"Mary should be in black and white like a fifties TV show or something,' Wally added.
"What the hell is that suppose to mean,' Mary shouted in rage.
"Easy, it was just a joke, Mary,' Kara quickly said. Mary glared at the two of them, but then turned her attention back to ripping toys apart. Wally managed to move closer to Kara.
"What's with her, anyway,' he whispered.
'I don't know, hormones, I guess,' Kara replied.
"Maybe she's the one that needs to get laid,' Wally offered.
"Yeah, right, why don't you suggest that to her,' Kara said with a laugh.
"Are you two talking about me,' Mary shouted.
"NO!"
The Alley
Lashina's sword nicked Diana's leg cutting it open. She held up the sword in satisfaction.
"First blood, Princess,' Lashina said. She brought the sword to her lips and licked the blood. "Mmm, nothing tastes quite so sweet."
"Is there no end to your depravity?"
"What's the matter, Princess, squeamish,' Lashina taunted. "I was trained to relish victory at all costs."
"And defeat,' Diana asked.
"Unacceptable."
"And yet you want a man that goes against everything you were taught,' Diana offered. "How the lackeys back on Apokolips must be laughing at you, Lashina."
"This is not about him!" Lashina roared and lunged at Diana. She countered, blocking the sword while pivoting away. Diana smiled now. While she had many gifts, they were not all about fighting, but could aid her in a time like this. Wisdom and the truth were foremost among those.
"No, it's not about him, Lashina,' Diana said. "This is about you and I. It always has been, hasn't it?"
"Yes, Princess, we both know it, don't we?"
"Yes," Diana replied, shifting to the side, waiting for an opening. "But even if I was out of the picture, you would never have him, Lashina. Some part of you knows that, don't you, yet the desire is still there? That's your weakness it's it?"
"Shut up!"
"You've fallen for a good and decent man, Lashina,' Diana continued. She wanted to push Lashina into a rash move and the truth was the best way. "What would Darkseid or Granny think of your weakness, Lashina? They think only of how they can use him, but you just want him, don't you?"
"Yes,' Lashina admitted. It sounded like a hiss coming from her lips.
"Yet to have him you have to change or he does,' Diana said. "If he changes, he ceases being the man you want, doesn't he? The very things that draw you to him would be gone. He'd be another cruel heartless demi-God like all the rest. Is that what you really want, Lashina?"
Lashina started to reply, but stopped. Somehow the Princess had hit on the very problem that Lashina had been wrestling with this whole time. She had still not found a satisfactory answer. She wanted him, yet she would have to destroy the very thing that made her want him in the first place to have him.
"Even if you do kill me today, Lashina, you still lose,' Diana flatly stated.
"Let's put that theory to the test, Princess!"
Lashina renewed her assault, forcing Diana backwards, but none of her blows were getting through.
At the Bank
Superman was winning against Grundy, but the toys kept grabbing on to him. As soon as he flicked them away, others took their place. Live Wire had connected several times and he could still feel the sting. He was feeling claustrophobic, annoyed and worried, as he hadn't seen Diana in some time. Ripping several toys off his head and neck, Clark used his vision to scan the area. It took only a moment to spot Diana. He felt a wave of anger come over him as he saw her battling with Lashina.
"NO!"
He caught Grundy's fist, just as it was about to hit him again.
"Grundy smash!" The pale monster bellowed, but he couldn't break away from Superman's hold. Clark needed to get to Diana. He turned and found his cousin.
"Kara!"
"Yeah,' she replied, punching out more toys.
"You wanted to hit something? Here, hit Grundy,' he said, shoving the large villain out of his way. "Don't hold back, either!"
A smile lit up Kara's face as she heard this.
"He does care,' she happily said. As Grundy stumbled towards her, Kara hauled off and hit him with all her strength, sending him flying into the ruined bank wall.
"Can I hit him too, Mr. Superman,' Mary asked.
"Yes, but don't kill him,' Clark replied. He turned his attention to the others. "Wally, take care of Live Wire. Plastic Man neutralize those flamethrowers and Shayera find Grodd and Killer Frost! Jonn, I know you can hear me, help Shayera, please."
This was a part of Clark that only came out in a battle. He was a natural leader and the others acknowledged it without even thinking.
"What do you want me to do, Superman,' Courtney asked.
"Help clear the way for Shayera and Jonn, Star Girl. I'm counting on all of you."
Toys still clinging to him, he rose up from the street like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Spinning at impossible speeds, he dislodged he toys and streaked towards Diana and Lashina. The others jumped into action with a purpose.
The Alley
The battle went back and forth, steel continually meeting steel yet no one had the upper hand. Suddenly the ground under their feet shook and twin beams of red flashed out of the sky. Lashina managed to get her swords up in time, but was knocked backwards.
Diana turned to see Kal hovering over them. There was a look on his face she had never seen before. His whole being was different. This wasn't mild mannered Clark Kent or even friendly, cautious Superman. This was an adult male Kryptonian angry. This was Kal-El, the last of his kind.
"Kal, No!" She shouted at him.
"I won't let her hurt you again, Diana,' he said, his eyes still flashing red as he looked at Lashina.
"This isn't about you,' Lashina rasped, as she got back to her feet.
"Kal, look at me,' Diana said to him. "Look at me, Kal."
There was a softness in her tone that reached him and slowly he looked away from Lashina.
"Diana…"
He started, but she cut him off.
"This is between Lashina and me, Kal, no one else," Diana firmly stated. "I want you to stay out of this."
Diana…" he started to protest again, but she shook her head no.
"It's between us, Kal."
"The Princess is right for once, Kal-El, this is between her and me,' Lashina added.
"It always has been," Diana stated.
"Yes,' Lashina agreed.
He didn't know what to do. Every part of him wanted to strike Lashina down, to end this and not run the risk of Diana being hurt again. He was still dealing with the guilt from the last attack and wanted to protect her from any harm. Yet when he looked in Diana's eyes, he knew she didn't want that. She wanted his trust, not his protection.
For a man that had struggled with loneliness all his life, this was agony. He was still dealing with it as far as Kara went, trying to know when to step back and went to rush in. This was different, though. This was the woman he was in love with. He'd just found her after all this time and already had almost lost her once. He wasn't sure he could recover if he lost her again.
He knew he had to trust her, though. They would have no future if he didn't.
"All right, Diana, we'll do it your way,' he finally said.
"Thank you, Kal,' she replied, giving him a quick smile before turning back to Lashina. His gaze turned towards Lashina as well. The anger came rushing back.
"Lashina, just so you know, anything happens to her, you die,' he said. His voice was so cold; it was brittle in its intensity.
"You would never kill me, Kal-El, not me,' she replied.
"Don't test that theory."
His words shook her, as she suddenly believed he would kill her. The revelation that he cared so much for the Princess that he would do the one thing he swore never to do hit Lashina hard. It was as if the fantasy world she had created in her mind suddenly shattered into a million pieces. A tear rolled down her cheek as the one bright moment in her entire life suddenly turned to ashes before her eyes. There was nothing left for her except to kill Wonder Woman.
This was her mortal enemy from the start and now she had taken the one thing Lashina had ever wanted. Death was almost too good for her, but death it was going to be. Lashina glanced up at him for a moment, as if to say goodbye to what might have been and then she attacked.
Diana was ready for her, slipping under her first blade and blocking her second. They were nose to nose and could feel either other's breath on their faces.
"One thing matters now, Princess, your death,' Lashina hissed at her.
"Not today, Lashina, not today,' Diana whispered back. Grunting with effort, Diana threw Lashina off her. Lashina stumbled for just a moment, then flipped in the air and landed on her feet ready for an attack.
"Kal,' Diana called out, while never taking her eyes off Lashina.
"Yes,' he replied, ready to strike if she asked him.
"Go away."
"I'm sorry, what,' he asked.
"Go away, you make me nervous hovering up there,' Diana said. "Go help the others."
"Diana."
"Do it, Kal!"
"You are so bossy sometimes,' he teased, as he started to move away.
"Wife's prerogative,' she teased him back.
"We'll talk about that later,' he said and then headed back to help the others. He glanced back to see Lashina attack again, but Diana countered. That woman is going to be the death of me, he thought.
At the Bank
Their coordinated efforts were starting to pay off. It wasn't so much the toys were a major threat, there were just so many of them. They were like an extension of their creature, annoying in the extreme. They also had the bad luck of grabbing Mary Marvel in the wrong places.
"Son of a Bitch, I'm going to kill you all,' she raged.
"What is with you, Mary,' Kara asked, as she slugged Grundy again. "Are you hitting a late puberty or something?"
"Maybe she's like Sybil or something," Wally offered. "You know, multiple personalities.
"Bi-polar, I guess that would explain some thing,' Kara admitted.
"Go to hell, both of you!" Mary shouted. ""I don't like to be pawed at, okay? I mean I'm not even on a date and they're getting inappropriate! It's that little pervert that created them that's responsible!"
"Grundy smash!"
"Oh, shut up, can't you see we're talking," Kara replied, punching him again.
"You know, Mary, Billy doesn't act like this,' Courtney offered.
"I'm not fucking Billy, okay,' Mary screamed in reply.
"Language, Mary,' Shayera shouted. "Watch what shit is coming out of your mouth, please, young lady!"
"Really kind of undercutting your message there, Shayera,' Wally said with a smirk.
She smashed several toys, as she got closer to the bank. She turned and glared at Wally.
"You know, I was considering it," she said to him.
"Really,' Wally said in excitement.
"Was."
"I have no luck with women,' he lamented. As if to drive this point home, Live Wire sent several burst of electricity his way.
"Miss me! Missed me again!"
"A ring-a-ding-ding-ding, flamethrowers neutralized," Plastic Man shouted in triumph. Suddenly Jonn phased back up through the pavement.
"Thank you, my friend,' he offered to Plastic Man.
"Don't mention it,' Plastic Man replied. "Hey, have you heard the one about the tourist that had lost his way on a back road and stopped at the farmhouse to ask if he could be put up for the night. 'Well, we're a mite crowded, since there's already someone in the spare room,' replied the farmer. 'But I guess you can stay if you don't mind sharing the bed with a red haired schoolteacher.'
'Look,' said the tourist, 'I want you to know I'm a gentleman.'
'Well,' mused the farmer, 'as far as I can tell, so is the red haired schoolteacher.' Oh, that slays me that really does! A-ring-a-ding-ding-Ding!"
'A gentlemen,' Jonn replied and then started to chuckle.
"Rubber band man, crazy,' Grundy commented, even as Kara hit him again.
"Thank you,' Dinah shouted as she struggled with Cheetah. "You see even Grundy gets it!"
"Shut up,' Cheetah growled and launched herself at Dinah. Dinah was ready for her, shifting to the side and using Cheetah' momentum to drive her face first into the pavement. Cheetah rolled, but was dizzy from the impact. She slashed out at Dinah, but missed. Dinah grabbed her wrist and twisted it until a sickening snap filled the air.
"AAAA!" Cheetah screamed.
'You lost again,' Dinah said and then followed it with two devastating karate chops that rendered Cheetah unconscious.
In the Alley
Diana was holding her own, but as the fight continued she could feel it taking a toll on her. She knew she was not completely recovered from Lashina's first attack. She was sweating and breathing hard, but she gave no quarter. The rage that she felt towards this woman pumped adrenaline into her system, helping to compensate.
"It's only a matter of time, Princess,' Lashina whispered. "You're weaker and a step slow. Perhaps if you surrender now, I will give you a quick death."
"I would never surrender to you, Lashina,' Diana growled, pressing the attack forward.
"I know,' Lashina replied. "Just as you know I would never give you a easy, painless death."
She laughed cruelly as she countered Diana and moved in for the kill. At the last possible moment, Diana used the garbage can lid to blunt Lashina's sword and the slashed down across her wrist. Lashina scream as her blood spilled and she dropped one of her swords. Diana moved inside her defeat and delivered an elbow to her nose. It crushed under the force of her strike and blood began to run down Lashina's face. She jumped back, wiping the blood away and growling in frustration.
"How does your own blood taste for a change, Lashina,' Diana asked.
This was answered by another attack.
At the Bank
Grodd and Killer Frost had just finished loading up all they could carry. He turned and gave her a smile.
"One hundred million dollars, not bad for a day's work, wouldn't you say?"
"We haven't gotten away yet,' she countered. "How do you expect to get through all those heroes out there?"
"I don't," he replied, pulling a small device from his belt. "I thought we'd just transport away, instead."
He started to laugh and she was just about to join him, when a blur went across both of their fields of vision. Grodd looked down and howled in frustration. The transporter device was gone.
"Mine!"
They both looked up in shock to see Wally leaning against the bank vault wall. He had a smile on his face as he waved the transporter device in front of them. Killer Frost screamed in rage and fired an ice blast at him. He sidestepped it easily.
"Missed me, missed me again,' he joked.
"Son of a bitch,' Frost said with a scowl.
"Boy, everyone's got the potty mouth today,' Wally observed. He shouted over his shoulder. "Hey, Kara, I know you can hear me. I think whatever Mary's got is catching!"
In the distance he could just make out a young woman's laugh.
Mary's scream soon followed. "Stop talking about me!"
Frost fired another blast.
"Missed me again, aaagghhhaa,' Wally screamed as he accidently moved right into the line of fire from Live Wire.
"Gotcha,' she shouted in satisfaction. Grodd moved to grab the small device as it fell from Wally's hand, but before he could grasp it, another hand materialized and snatched it from the air.
"Martian,' Grodd growled. He ran towards Jonn, but he just dematerialized and Grodd went plunging out into the street.
"Burn Martian,' Live Wire shouted, but then she slumped to the ground, as Shayera's mace connected to the back of her head.
"Now that felt good,' Shayera mused.
Killer Frost targeted Shayera, but Wally had recovered enough to see this. He was up before Frost even realized it and grabbed both of her wrists. Her volley hit the ceiling of the bank vault and it began a sheet of ice.
"Usually I don't hit a woman,' Wally offered.
"Go to hell,' Frost shouted at him, as she struggled to break free.
"Well, there's always a first time,' he replied and then head-butted her. Frost went down and out.
"Oh, my God that hurt,' Wally winced, bringing his hands up to his forehead. "You see it in the moves and it seems so cool, but damn that hurts like hell!"
"Maybe you should put some ice on it,' Shayera teased as she came into the vault.
"Oh, ha-ha, aren't you funny,' Wally grumbled.
"Here, let me kiss it and make it better,' she replied, pulling his hands away and kissing his forehead. Wally was stunned of a moment.
"You know that wasn't the only part that was sore,' he finally offered.
"You just don't know when to shut up, do you,' Shayera replied, shaking her head and then flying back outside.
"I blew it again,' Wally lamented. "She was totaling going to do me! Idiot!"
Jonn turned and looked at him.
"Why don't we help are fellow teammates, Wally,' Jonn offered. "Perhaps you'll get another chance to change her mind."
"Brilliant! You are using your head the right way, Jonn,' Wally said, smiling as he disappeared out of the vault.
The Alley
The battle had continued. The ferocity of the two was only matched by the intensity of the fight. Both were battered and bloody now, gasping for breath, yet neither yielding an inch.
Off to the side, Toyman was just coming around.
"Did anyone get the license plate of that truck that hit me,' he groaned. He slowly sat up and immediately saw the two fighting. His first instinct was to crawl away as fast as possible, but something stopped him. For most of his adult life, Toyman had been in the super villain game. He'd had a few successes along with many defeats. He'd been in his fair share of battles, but this, this was different.
He sat in awe as he watched the two of them go back and forth. For the most part they moved so fast, his eyes couldn't follow everything that was happening. He had seen the Flash and Superman move at incredible speeds before, but again, this was different. This was combat at its highest level, beyond what he thought he knew of it before.
Also, he realized this was good versus evil. For all his pervy talk and criminal behavior, Toyman knew the difference. As he watched Wonder Woman and Lashina battle he had a visceral reaction to it. Lashina was evil; he felt it in his bones. The fact that she had attacked him earlier also helped with this view.
Watching her battle against Diana, something he hadn't felt in a long time surfaced inside his small body. He wanted good to win. Slowly he got to his feet and stood there just watching them.
Diana was gasping for air now, but she continued on. She had suffered damage from Lashina, but had inflicted her share on the New God as well. The steel blade in her hand felt heavy, as exhaustion began to take its toll on her. Sweat was streaming down both their faces, as once more they lunged at each other. Lashina's thrust was off the mark. She had finally made a mistake and Diana took advantage of it. Pushing herself to the limit, Diana executed a series of blindingly fast counter moves. In the next moment, Lashina's sword was knocked from her hand she was on the ground looking up at Diana. A sword was poised at her throat.
"It's over, Lashina, you lost,' Diana said between gasps for air.
Lashina knew this was the moment of either defeat or victory. She only needed a moment to turn the odds in her favor. She would use anything to achieve her goal.
"Kill me then, Princess, but know you will be killing the mother of his child,' she said.
Diana gasped in shock at this revelation and her swords inadvertently dipped a fraction of an inch. This was all Lashina needed.
"NO!"
The cry came from away from them. Toyman suddenly lunged at Lashina and grabbed her arm. He had been watching the whole time, and saw the whip ready to strike. Why he did what he did, he would later wonder if he was crazy or not. Somewhere in the moment the small part of him that knew right from wrong and good from bad reacted. He was on his feet and rushing towards them. He launched himself at Lashina just as she was about to strike with her whip. She flung him off her as if he was a bug, but it delayed her just enough.
Diana was in motion instantly, her sword coming down hard on Lashina's wrist. It nearly severed her hand from the arm. The whip fell uselessly to the ground. Diana raised her sword in both hands to deliver the killing blow and then stopped.
"I won't kill you, Lashina, you will stand trial for your crimes,' Diana said.
"You're a fool,' Lashina replied. She clutched her wrist, trying to stop the blood.
"You've lost everything,' Diana flatly stated. They held each other's eyes for a moment and then a cruel smile came to Lashina's lips.
"Perhaps,' she whispered and then activated her Mother-Box. The portal opened and Diana could feel it's gravitational pull. Lashina reached and grabbed Diana, pulling her close.
"Why don't you come home with me, Princess and see how you fair there,' she rasped in Diana's face. The meaning of her words was plain to Diana. She was trying to take her to Apokolips. They struggled, Lashina's grip with her one good hand like a vice around Diana's arm. The gravity continued to increase, pulling them both towards the portal. It was now or never, Diana frantically thought, knowing the horrors that awaited her on Apokolips. With the last ounce of her strength, she pulled her arm away from Lashina and kicked her into the portal.
"NOOOOOOO!" Lashina screamed and then disappeared. The portal closed behind her. Diana collapsed to her knees, spent and exhausted. Her mouth was open as she gasped for air, knowing the battle was over for now.
Several moments passed and then she heard a small groan further down the alley. Rising on shaky legs, Diana went to check on Toyman. His little body had impacted against the wall and he lay motionless on the ground. Diana knelt next to him and checked to see how he was.
"Did you win,' he asked in a small voice.
"Yes,' she replied with a smile. "Thank you for your help."
"If you really want to thank me, you could show me your boobs,' he said with a leering smile.
"You just had to go and ruin it, didn't you,' she grumbled and stood up.
"What?"