The Warrior
Sunlight beamed through the open balcony, accompanied by the sounds of tropical birds singing in the morning. The sun shines in the face of the young girl sleeping in the massive canopy bed. She turns away from the sun and pulls the covers over her shoulder to get just a few more minutes of sleep.
She didn't get much more sleep before her hand maid, a rather rotund, red haired woman named Chara entered her room, "Princess Donna? It's a beautiful day. You should really see it with you own eyes."
The young princess groans and pulls the covers completely over her head, "I can't. My eyes are busy seeing my dreams."
The maid just laughs softly, "Very well, princess. I will just tell your mother to cancel your birthday celebration. You just get some rest." And turned to leave the room.
Donna sat up in her bed with a wide smile, "That's right! It's my birthday!" She jumps out of bed and run out of her room passed the maid, "Come on, Chara! We have a busy day to prepare for." Chara smiles and shakes her head as she follows the young princess to the bath house.
Donna and Chara enter the bath house and are greeted by a number of maids. They strip Donna out of her nightgown and lead her into a large circular stone pool filled with steaming water and a thin layer of frothy bubbles. The maids gently scrub the young princess's deceptively delicate skin. Like her older sister, and all other Amazons, Donna had been trained since she was a child to be a warrior and as a result she was in peak physical condition for her age. However, a thorough skin care regiment kept her skin soft, and faded most of the scars she received from her training.
At the tender age of thirteen, Donna's body, however physically perfect, had yet to mature in any obvious ways. She was a bit jealous of her other sisters. They were all beautiful and developed in all the right ways. And because they were all thousands of years old, they probably didn't remember feeling the way see does now.
After washing her hair, one of the maids begin combing through Donna's long dark brown hair. Once it was determined the princess was clean enough, the maids lead Donna out of the bath and dried her off, keeping her warm with a soft white robe. Donna left the bath house and walked to her wardrobe. Chara and a few other maids dressed Donna in a beautiful toga and gold jewelry, and braided her hair into a pony tail that came down to the small of her back. They also gave her a small bit of make-up just to make her gray-blue eyes pop a bit more.
Once the princess was ready for the day, Chara escorted Donna to the dinning hall to have breakfast with her mother. On the way, Donna notice the Amazon general Philipus sitting in the palace gardens reading a book. She also noticed a tree in the garden with a branch near one of the windows in the hallway. A mischievous smile found it's way on Donna's face and jumped onto the windowsill nearest the tree.
Chara turned when she realized the princess wasn't following her anymore and gasped at the sight of the girl preparing to leap out of the window. "P-princess...I..."
Donna shushes her and jumps on to the branch. She slowly makes her way to the trunk and jumps out of the tree, silently landing in a crouch. She hides behind a line of bushes, moving with cat-like prowess to sneak behind the great general. Once she was positioned behind her, Donna jumps over the hedge, clearing it effortlessly, and soundlessly rolling to a stop. She stalks closer and closer to Philipus, until she is within striking distance. She pounces at Philipus, who grabs her without looking, and throws her to the ground; landing on her back and knocking the wind out of her.
"Happy birthday, princess. I hope you have had a pleasant morning." The Amazon general said, eyes still engrossed in her book.
Donna coughs, and with a slight rasp in her voice, asks, "How long did you know I was here?"
"Since you jumped out the window." She said, finally closing her book. The general wore polished, golden bronzed armor with red under-mail, which stood out well with her chocolate skin, and hazel colored eyes. She also wore a unadorned golden crown around her high top fade cut. She stood and helped Donna to her feet, the girl barely coming to her stomach. Philipus was easily the most physically imposing Amazon on the island. She was close to 6"5' and well built muscular frame.
The general couldn't help but notice her downcast expression. "I wouldn't be too upset that your attack failed, Donna. Against anyone else, you would have caught them completely off guard."
"But not the Great Philipus, right?"
The general just shrugs with a smug grin. She looks up to the window Donna jumped out of, and sees the red-haired hand maid looking down at them with a tired smile. Being the personal care taker of a now teen aged princess would ware on anyone's nerves. "I think you misplaced something, Chara."
The hand maid just waves the general off, "Come now, Philipus. I would genuinely like to see you keeping our incorrigible little princess in line. I honestly doubt even Zeus himself could keep her from wondering off."
"I'm standing right here!"
Both of the older Amazons laughed, then Philipus turned back to Chara, "Why don't you head to the dining hall? The queen should still be there. I will escort the princess the rest of the way."
Chara nods, "Well then, I shall see you both in a few moments." And she walks away from the window. Donna and Philipus leave the garden as well, making their way to dine with Donna's mother.
"I meant what I said earlier, Donna." Phillipus said after awhile. "Your attack would have been successful against most any other."
"Really?"
"Yes, your skills are greatly improving."
They walked in silence for a bit before Donna spoke again, "So...do you think the gods will bless me soon?"
A pensive look grew on Phillipus's face, "That is not for me to say, Donna. I cannot speak for the gods."
"But I've already spoken to Menalippe, mother, even Diana." The young girl said looking downcast. "None of them were able to tell me when or even if I will be blessed as Diana was. I have never been able to even hear their voices during prayer, like our sisters. Have...Have I done something to upset the gods?"
"No." Phillipus stops in the middle of the corridor and kneels down in front of Donna. "Donna, you are a brave and noble young woman, and have served the gods well. Even If you are never blessed with the same powers as your sister, know that you will forever be a blessing to the Amazons."
Donna tightly hugs the great general, "Thank you, Phillipus."
Phillipus returns the hug fully, "No thanks needed, princess." She kisses her on the head, stands, and continues to escort Donna to the dinning hall.
Entering the large room, they see that Chara had already made her way to Queen Hippolyta's side. The Great Amazon Queen Hippolyta was known through out the ancient world as one of the most powerful warriors to walk the Earth. Under her leadership, the Amazon nation knew defeat only once in the long centuries, when a moment of personal weakness on Hippolyta's part allowed Hercules to capture and enslave the Amazons. Her weakness, however, was only temporary. She regathered her sisters behind her and rose against their captors; defeating Hercules and leading the Amazon nation to the island that would eventually become Themyscira. Despite her failure, here she sat; beautiful and proud, with an entire island of highly trained warriors completely loyal to her.
The great queen's skill in battle could only be matched by her immaculate beauty. Hippolyta is the spitting image of Diana, only a decade or so older. She had long luscious black hair and fierce blue eyes. Like most all Amazons, Hippolyta's body is what one would imagine a Greek goddess would have. Tall and slender, but also powerful and muscular. She seemed to be the physical embodiment of feminine strength.
Donna walks over to the queen and kisses her cheek, which she returns, though barely taking her eyes off the parchments in her hands. "Good morning mother," The princess says brightly while taking a set next to her mother.
"Good morning, and happy birthday, dear."
"What are you reading?"
"Proposals." Hippolyta replies simply, "Since Diana has been living in Man's World for almost two years now and seems insistent on staying, she has decided to become an official ambassador between us and the country of America." Hippolyta places the parchments down as servants arranged plates full of food in front of the Amazon royalty. "As a fact finding mission, members of the American leadership will be visiting Themyscira to better understand our way of life. We will soon after send a small number of Amazons to Gateway City where the embassy will be built. I, of course, will join them."
"So, there will be men on Themyscira?"
The queen nodded, while taking the first few bites of her breakfast, "The first since Steve Trevor left our shores. I have been receiving proposals and recommendations on who should be allowed to visit for the last few days." She gestured to the papers lying on the table. "I will admit to wanting all the visiting delegates to be women. However Diana was adamant on at least some men being allowed on the island...And I do see her point. Only welcoming women would seem to be a counter-productive action."
Donna hummed softly while chewing on a piece of bacon, "Well...Steve Trevor was nice. Maybe it won't be so bad having more men on the island. At least for a while."
"Perhaps... Though, I am still a bit wary. Even of Diana's new allies in the Honor League-"
"Justice League, mother."
"...Ah, yes, Justice League. Thankfully only two of them will accompany her. The Super-man and the Bat-man, I believe."
"I remember Diana talking about them. She said they were both honorable warriors."
Phillipus's audible scoff caught the two royals attention, "Phillipus, Diana trusts these men;" Hippolyta admonished, "They deserves the benefit of the doubt."
"Of course, my queen." The general bowed her head. "My apologies." Hippolyta nodded, but briefly took hold of Phillipus's hand. The general's lips twitched into a sly smile; Donna just rolled her eyes.
"Now let us talk of other matters," The queen said with a warm smile, "Like your birthday celebration tonight."
Philipus clears her throat, drawing attention to her, "My queen, I was hoping to discuss something with you about Donna's birthday...In private."
Hippolyta cocked an eyebrow at the general, but acquiesced none the less. She stood, told her daughter to hold the thought, and followed her long time right hand to the other side of the
room.
Donna tried her best to focus on eating, but couldn't help but glance towards the discussion between her mother and Philipus. She had seen scenes like this throughout most of her life, so it wasn't hard for her to figure out they were talking about something delicate. Philipus will bring the issue up as gently as possible. Depending on how strong she feels about it, mother will become increasingly defensive. Arms folded, looking away...Oh; turning away completely. This must be serious.
Okay, Philipus trying to lower her guard. Mother being stubborn. Then comes Philipus turning tender. Soft words, gently touches, sweet kisses. Aaaaaand the great queen has just dropped her guard.
The queen and her general walk back towards the table. Hippolyta stops before sitting back down, "You are all dismissed," She announces to the room, "I must speak to my daughter alone."
The guards and servants look at each other quickly before filing out of the room, even Chara and Philipus depart. Once the dining hall was empty, Donna turned to Hippolyta as she re-took her seat, "Is something wrong?"
The Amazon queen was silent for a moment, "Not...Wrong, dear. However, what I am about to tell you may be distressing." Donna became visibly worried, but said nothing. Allowing her mother a moment of mental preparation. Hippolyta took a deep breath before speaking, "Donna, you should know that...Diana's departure with Steve Trevor was not the first time she left Themyscira. When she was a bit older than you, Diana decided to travel to Man's World. Like you, she had heard many stories of the cruelty of the outside world, but still insisted on seeing it with her own eyes.
"In the dark of night, Diana took possession of a small boat and made her way to the closest harbor city. From what she told me, she found comrodery with a group of young women her age, and spent the night enjoying herself. Two guards discovered Diana had snuck out and tracked her down. However, as they returned to the boat Diana stole, she heard the cry of a small child. In the garbage of a filthy alley, she found a baby girl abandoned by her mother.
"Diana took the child in her arms and pleaded with the guards to take her with them to Themyscira. They insisted that the baby be left with the local authorities; however Diana said that she could not sleep at night, not knowing if the baby was safe and happy, 'And who better to raise a young woman than the Amazons?' As Diana put it." The queen pause slightly with a motherly smile.
"By the next dawn, Diana returned home, with a new born in her arms. To said I was confused would be putting it lightly. However, after explaining what happen in the outside city, I understood and accepted Diana's actions. I would later punish her for leaving the island, but the first concern was the well-being of the baby.
"She was taken to the Island of Healing to be treated for any injuries or illness she may have contracted before Diana managed to find her. Once the baby's good health was clear, it was decided she would remain on Themyscira to be raised as an Amazon. All that remained was to give her a name. Diana named her after the dear friend she made the night the baby was found: Donna."
Donna stared at the Amazon Queen in stunned silence, slowly processing the information she just heard. "I-I'm not an Amazon?"
"Of course you are, dear." Hippolyta tried to reach out and touch Donna's hand, but the princess jerked away and stood out of her seat.
"But I'm not! I...You said I was made from clay like Diana."
The queen stood as well, taking a few steps towards Donna, "I know what I told you, but..."
Donna backed away as Hippolyta tried to get closer, "Then why lie? Why didn't you just tell me the truth?"
The queen sigh heavily, "Because I wanted you to have someone you could relate to." She looked directly into her daughter's eyes, silently pleading her to understand, "When Diana was growing up, despite how loved she was by the other Amazons, she always felt different; alienated from her sisters. I hoped that if you believed you and Diana had the same origin of birth, you would have at least one person you could share a real kinship with. I just didn't want you to feel alone. I did not expect you to find a new pain in lue of loneliness."
"I..." Donna began, "I mean, I guess I get that. But...I'll never be blessed? I'll never be as strong or agile as our sisters? I always thought there was something wrong with me because I couldn't hear the voices of the Gods. And now I know why. I'm not an Amazon."
Hippolyta kneels in front of the young girl, "Yes you are. You may not have been born on the island; but you are as much an Amazon as myself or Diana. You are my daughter, and I love you. I am so sorry for deceiving you. Just know, I only did so out of love." Donna just nodded, but said nothing as Hippolyta pulled her into a hug. While stiff at first, Donna eventually lifted her arms around her and melted into her mother's arms.
The warmth of her mother and the smell of her perfume brought tears to Donna's eyes. In her heart, Donna knew what her mother was saying is true. She may have been born in the outside world, but that doesn't make her any less of an Amazon in the eyes of her sisters. She knew that from how she had been treated through out her entire life. She had only been shown love and encouragement from the other Amazons.
The royal family stayed in embrace for a good while, until a guard barged in. Hippolyta pulled away from Donna but continued to kneel next to her. "I believe I said I wished to be alone with my daughter."
The queen's fierce gaze caused the guard to take a step back before speaking, "M-my
apologies, my queen. However, Alyka has urgently requested an audience with both you and Princess Donna in the Mirror of Wisdom's chamber."
Hippolyta stood and took Donna's hand. "And what from the outside world could possibly warrant our attention so intensely?"
"Alyka said it concerned Princess Diana. That...It could mean her death."
Hippolyta and Donna glance at each other quickly before following the guard to the Mirror chamber. As they exited the dinning hall, they passed Phillipus diligently standing near the doors, "My queen, what has happened?"
"Diana is in danger." Hippolyta said tersely, not breaking stride. That was all Philipus needed to hear before following the queen and princess.
The Mirror of Wisdom was a gift to the Amazons from the goddess Athena. After they began re-building the Amazon nation, Athena gave the mirror to the Amazons so they may continue observing the outside world if they chose to. The sage Alyka was tasked by Hippolyta to monitor the mirror, and chronicle the events of Man's World. She bore witness to empires raise and fall, prejudice and strife, and two global wars. She also witnessed kindness and generosity in the world. Alyka is one of the few Amazons who fully supported Princess Diana's mission.
Ever since Diana left Themyscira, Hippolyta had instructed Alyka to keep a watchful eye on her. Just in case a day such as this were to come. Hippolyta, Donna, and Philipus rush into the chamber while the mirror focused on Diana battling a man with white hair and a black and green costume. And it appeared she was losing.
The royal mother stands in front of the mirror, watching her daughter being beaten within an inch of her life. "Who is this creature?" She asked, to no one in particular.
The old sage answered, "His name is Neron. Some kind of demon. I have seen him a few times in the past, and he is not to be trifled with. He has such great evil power, I fear even Princess Diana may not have the strength to defeat this monster."
Hippolyta continued to stare at the mirror, unable to look away from the horror it showed. Tears stung at her eyes as her oldest daughter struggles simply to stay alive.
Donna looks in disbelief at the demon choke slamming Diana repeatedly into the ground. "Isn't someone going to do something?" She looks around the room, some Amazons unable to look away from their princess dying, others unable to stand seeing it; leaving the room completely, or looking to a sister for comfort.
"Mother, we have to do something!"
"What would we do, Donna?" Hippolyta said, deceptively calm. With only a slight quiver in her voice, the great queen continued, "They is no way for us to mobilize an army and sail to
Diana's side before the inevitable happens. This is merely what all warriors risk when entering combat." Hippolyta takes a deep breath, "All we can do, is wait and pray Diana finds peace in the Elsyium Fields."
Donna turns back to the mirror for all of two seconds before running full speed out of the room. "Donna!" Hippolyta calls for her daughter, but is held back by Philipus.
"Let her go, Hippolyta. She just needs time to grieve."
The great queen watched Donna run out of the room before continuing to watch the battle in the mirror. "Stay by my side, will you?"
Philipus hold Hippolyta close, "Of course, my queen."
As soon as Donna left the mirror chamber, she ran full speed, non-stop, to the Parthenon. She bursts into the ancient temple and storms towards Melanippe, the temple oracle adorned in a green hooded robe, who greets her with some concern, "Hello, your highness. What troubles you today?"
"I need to speak to the gods." Donna pushes past the oracle into the Hall of the Gods. The Hall of the Gods is the main public area of the Parthenon. It holds statutes of the twelve Olympians, each at least twenty feet tall, as well as a number of smaller shrines to other gods so an Amazon can give praise to the god she wished to receive a blessing from or thank for some good fortune she had encountered. Donna, however, didn't intend to do either.
The young princess stomped into the large room surprising the temple maidens taking care of the place. Melanippe ran to catch up with the princess, "Your highness, please calm down. What is this all about?"
"The gods have forsaken my sister! And I want to know why!"
"Princess Diana? What-"
"She's going to die!" Donna interrupted, shocking both the oracle, and the temple maidens. "Diana is going to die and the gods are doing nothing to help her!"
"Well, that's not exactly...I mean, the gods take care not to interfere with mortals, highness."
"But they gave Diana her powers, they her made her their champion! It is their mission she's dying to fulfill!" She turns to the statutes, "It's your fault My sister is dying! Your fault she's never around anymore! You chose her to protect the world, but when she needs to be protected, you do nothing! You have to help her! Please! It's you fault she's in this mess!" Donna falls to her knees as tears of frustration, unbridled sadness and impotent rage cascade down her face, "Please...Save my sister...Please..."
Melanippe ushered the temple maidens into the antechamber while Donna raged against the gods. She was about to try and calm the girl down, out of fear the gods may try to harm her.
However, as she broke down into tears, the oracle decided to let her mourn. She just needed to vent her frustrations. She just hoped the gods wouldn't take the princess's words to seriously. Melamippe left the room and closed the door, leaving the princess sobbing on the ground, surrounded by the patrons of the island. "What's the point? The gods can't hear me..."
Donna wasn't sure how long she'd been crying before she heard the voice of another woman in the room, "Oh, poor sweet child." Donna looked up and around the room quickly to find the source of the voice. "Such pain and anguish. Only true love can come from such agony." Donna turned to the statutes, eventually her eyes landed on the statute of Aphrodite. Unlike the other goddesses who all wore long, beautiful robes or dresses, Aphrodite was completely naked save for a ribbon wrapped around her arms and shoulders. Her hair was tied into three thick braids coming down to her knees tied off with ribbons and flowers.
Donna stares at the statute for nearly a minute before it's stone face turns towards the princess with a warm smile, "Hello, Donna of Themyscira."
Donna stared at the statute in stunned silence, "Lady Aphrodite..." She finally said reverently, kneeling down before the goddess. "I-I'm sorry for yelling. I was j-just-"
The goddess giggling seductively caused Donna to pause and look up to her. "Now that was something. I don't think I've ever seen Zeus so red faced before." Donna looked down trying to look apologetic, even though she really wasn't. She wanted to talk to the gods, and here she was talking to a god. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about him." Donna looks up at the goddess again, "Hera is particularly fond of you Amazons, and after all the shit Zeus has pulled through out the eons he's not about to smite any of you. Now stand up, let me have a proper look at you."
Donna hesitantly stood as Aphrodite commanded, "Spin for me?" She did so as well. Aphrodite smiled and hummed to herself, "So young, and already so beautiful. You are going to be a knock out when you get older."
"Uh...Thank you?" Donna wasn't sure what to say. On one hand, she was always told to show respect to the gods; on the other she didn't think Aphrodite could be much help in this situation. She was hoping for Athena, Artemis, or Nike. A warrior who could help Diana fight the demon. But how useful could a love goddess be against such a powerful enemy?
"My Lady I...I'm a little surprised to see you here. I've never heard the god's voices before and for a long time I thought it was because something was wrong with me. It was only today that I found out it was because I'm not an Amazon." Donna looked down, still trying to wrap her mind around that fact.
"It's true, you lack the natural connection your sisters have to us." The goddess said, placing her hand on her hips, "So I had to take more drastic measures to talk with you." She gestured to the stone body she was now speaking through.
"Well, thank you, my Lady." Donna bowed her head respectively. "So...Does this mean you will
help Diana?" She said with cautious optimism in her voice.
The Statute goddess cocked her hips to the side and place a hand under her chin, humming quietly to her self. "Well...Yes and no." The princess gave the goddess a confused look, "I've always liked Diana. She has a very special place in my heart...And bed."
Donna grimaced, "Didn't need to hear that."
"Seeing her dying at the hands of this demon is difficult. But we gods have agreed to no longer directly interfere with the lives of mortals." Aphrodite then smiles brightly at Donna. "And then you come along, your heart so full of love for your sister. While it is true, many on Olympus were angered by your words; I understood the true power behind them. We both want Diana safe; but I can do nothing to help her...So you must act in my stead."
"Me!?" The princess said, shocked by the love god's words.
"You prayed to be blessed as Diana was. And now you will be. Unfortunately, you will not have the strength Diana possesses. After all, Diana's strength comes from the Earth itself. But you will have the power to save your sister." Aphrodite opened her arms towards Donna.
A light seemingly with out a source shone down on the young girl. She closed her eyes as she felt her body becoming lighter, as if she were floating. She felt every nerve ending in her body tingle. It wasn't painful or uncomfortable, in fact it felt incredibly good. It felt like her whole body were being touched and caressed by soft, tender, passionate hands. It's what she imagined sex was like.
When the sensation ended, Donna looked down at her body and notice her feet weren't touching the ground anymore. Panicking slightly, she began flailing her arms around while twisting and turning in mid-air, trying her best to find some sense of balance. Aphrodite's melodic laugh brought Donna's attention back to the statute. "Learning to fly isn't exactly easy is it?"
"Uh, no. I'm surprised Diana is able make it look so simple." The princess said, barely able to stay up right.
The goddess shrugged, "She's had years to learn this. You, unfortunately, do not have that luxury. You must make hast to your sister's side."
Donna finally managed to get her feet back on the ground, "Okay, fine. But I don't know where she is."
Aphrodite just smirked, "Don't you? Just close your eyes, and concentrate on Diana."
Donna cocked an eyebrow, but did as the goddess instructed. After a moment, she saw Diana in her mind fighting for her life, then the city the battle took place in, then the exact path she could take from this temple to the battle.
She opened her eyes with a gasp, "I know where she is!" Donna lifted herself off the ground, but before she could fly out of the room Aphrodite stopped her.
"Before you go, Donna. I have one more gift for you." The goddess tore off a piece of the stone ribbon around her body. As she did, the ribbon changed from stone into a glowing blue rope. Once the piece of ribbon was torn off completely, it bore an obvious resemblance to Diana's Lasso of Truth.
Aphrodite held the new lariat out for Donna to take. "This is the Lasso of Persuasion. As unbreakable as the golden lariat of Truth, it instead has the power to force anyone in it's embrace to do as you command. So long as your will is stronger."
Donna took the lasso and bowed her head, "Thank you, my Lady."
Aphrodite smiled at the girl one more time, "Remember, Donna of Themyscira: Demons like Nuron hate truth and love, more than anything else." And with those last words of wisdom, the goddess returned to lifeless stone.
Donna takes a deep breath then turns to leave the Hall of Gods. While a bit wobbly, she managed to make it out of the room. Amidst surprised and confused looks from the others in the temple, Donna steadily gained more stability and speed in her flight. Soaring over Themyscira, many Amazons mistook the young princess for her older sister as she pushed against the sound barrier; shattering it, and creating a massive sonic boom after clearing the island's shores.
Had this been any other situation, Donna would have been absolutely over the moon at this moment. It was what she wanted for as long as she could remember. To have the same powers as her sister: To have strength surpassing Hercules; speed rivaling Hermes. To fly though the air like a bird. And she was sure that later she'd have time to enjoy the pure freedom of flight. Now, however, she had a mission and there was nothing that could stop her from completing it.
With the new found mental connection between her and Diana, Donna knew exactly where to find her sister. However she also knew that Diana was hanging on by a thread. She pushed herself even further, rocketing over oceans, fields, and cities until she could finally see the battle, Neron standing over Diana about to deliver the final blow. Not slowing down she flew right into the demon, sending both her fists into his face.
Donna drove Neron into the ground then backed off. She whipped her lasso around his neck, "Stay away..." pulled him into the air and slammed him into the ground again. "...From my sister!"
Neron, finally getting his bearings, tries to blast Donna out of the sky with green demonic energy. She deftly dodges the attack and punches him right in the face. She sends him back flying the length of the lasso, then pulls him back directly into her fist. The attack send Neron flying out of the lasso and he crashes into a nearby building.
Donna flies to Diana's side to check on her. "Diana! Are you alright? Say something!"
Diana groans and struggles to open her eyes. She focuses on her sister and a confused look crosses her bruised face. "Donna?" The younger princess nods with a relieved smile. "How...? Where did you come from?"
"Don't worry about it. I'm here to help you, that's all that matters." Neron climbs out of the rubble and walks slowly towards them. "Just watch." Donna says to her sister with a cocky grin.
She flies towards the demon despite Diana's protests. Donna hovers unevenly in front of Neron while he chuckles darkly, "So Wonder Woman has a sister? I guess I get to kill two princesses today." He smiles sadistically. "Fun."
"Sorry that's not going to happen." Donna rocket forward to punch Neron, but the demon side-steps her and grabs her dress. He smashed her into a crumbling wall and throws her to the ground. Neron attempts to stomp Donna into the ground, but she blocks it with her bracelets.
However, in doing so she immediately realizes the substantial gap in their strength. "Oh right...Not as strong as Diana." Neron raises his foot and brings it down on Donna once again, pushing her further into the ground.
Diana came rushing in, seemingly with new found strength, slicing Neron with her sword. The demon stumbles back, setting the younger princess free as Diana continues to press her attack. Despite getting a few good cut in on him, Diana's fatigue came crashing back on her; slowing her movements and weighting down her swings. Neron knocked the blade out of her hands and punches her down.
The glowing blue lasso wraps around Neron's neck and the demon looked behind him to see the younger Amazon holding onto the rope tightly, teeth bared and harsh glower on her face. "You will leave this place, and never return!"
Neron cocked an eyebrow before grabbing the lasso, pulling it hard, sending Donna flying toward him, and punching her in the face. He pulls the lasso off and carelessly tosses it to the side before turning his attention back to the downed Wonder Woman.
Donna sits up again and pulls her lasso back, "I guess that would have just been too easy." She supposed it made sense a demon this powerful would have a stronger will than a thirteen year old girl. She still had to at least try.
Donna looks around to find anything that could help her sister, and spotted Diana's sword laying discarded on the ground. She grabs the sword and hacks Neron's hand off. He screams in pain, grabbing the stump of his right hand as green smoke streams from it, then slams his fist into Donna's face before she could attack again. Through dazed, Donna holds on to the sword and flies toward Neron again. She barely avoids another punch and stabs him in the
ribs; then drags the blade across his chest leaving a gaping wound. More green smoke bellows from the gash, but before Donna could move to attack again, Neron grabs her by the leg with a newly re-grown right hand and throws her to the ground. Not taking any chances this time, he immediately stomps Donna into the dirt repeatedly.
Diana pulls Neron into a choke hold and tosses him over her shoulder. She flies after him, punching him a few times to knock him higher into the air before using whatever strength she has left to smash him back to Earth hard enough to leave a crater.
She flies back to check on Donna, who hadn't moved since Neron curb-stomped her. "Donna? Donna, please wake up!"
The younger princess groans softly and pulls herself out of the ditch Neron pounded her into. She looks up to her sister, "Diana...Being a superhero isn't as much fun as I thought it would be."
The older Amazon just smiled, relived her sister was alright, "To be fair, most of us don't start off fighting an arch-demon."
The sisterly moment is pretty much murdered by Neron roaring in blind rage and his body erupting in green fire. The Amazon princesses look to see much of Neron's human like appearance starting to melt away, revealing the demon he truly is. He's hurting and getting desperate. But with Diana on her last leg, and Donna still too inexperienced at this level of combat, the chances of them surviving this battle seemed unlikely.
Donna didn't understand. Aphrodite said that she could save Diana with her new powers. And maybe if she had been with Diana at the beginning of the battle she could have. But with how much Neron had worn her down, it was too much of a handicap for them to win at this point. They would need a miracle to defeat this demon.
Then, like a bolt of lightning, something Aphrodite said popped into her head: "Demons like Neron hate truth and love more than anything else."
Truth and Love. That was the answer! "Diana, we have to use our lassos."
"What do you mean?"
"Demons hate truth and love. Your lariat was forged in the fires of truth, and mine was created by a love goddess..."
"Wait...Aphrodite gave you these powers?"
Neron, roaring like feral beast, flew towards the two engulfed in flames ready to tear them to pieces. Diana and Donna fly out of the way as he slammed in to the ground, spearing green fire in his wake. Donna thew her lasso at Neron, ensnaring the demon, "Diana, just trust me!" With only a second's hesitation, Diana trapped Neron in her lasso as well.
And to Donna's credit, the two glowing ropes did seem to be causing the demon a fair mount of pain. The princesses flew around Neron to wrap the lariats around him completely, hurting him even more. Neron tried to struggle out of his bondage, but either through some divine intervention or sheer force of their combined wills, the two Amazons held strong against his relentless thrashing.
The longer he remain ensnared, the more the glowing lassos burn into his skin. Green smoke hiss off of his body as he screams in rage and defiance of the two godly lariats. Neron's form gradually lost solidity until the two lassos fell to the ground amidst wafting green smoke. Whether the demon was dead or not, at the moment all the exhausted princesses cared about was that he was gone.
Giving a relieved sigh, Diana barely noticed Donna flying towards her to give her a bone crushing hug. "Diana! We did it! We won!"
"Yes, Donna, we did." She said, wincing from her sister's newly developed strength, "Now could you let go? I'm still a bit tender."
Donna lets go and backs away, looking apologetic, "Oh, right. Sorry." She lowers herself to the ground and hugs Diana again, although more gently this time, and Diana hugs her back.
The sisters hold each other until a cheering crowd begins to surround them. While Diana takes the gathered masses in stride, Donna is not quite sure how to react to being around so many new people at once. Diana puts a comforting arm around her as more people thank them for stopping Neron.
A woman suddenly pushes through the crowd followed by a man holding a machine Donna had never seen before. The woman stands in front of them as the man points the machine at her and she begins talking to it. "Willow Cartwright, Action 5 News! We're here in Gateway City where the harrowing battle between Wonder Woman and an unknown meta-human has just come to a decisive end. All with the help of a young girl who seemed to appear literally out of now where." She turned to Diana, "Wonder Woman, who is this girl? Is she another Amazon?"
Diana looks down at Donna and runs a hand through her disheveled and matted hair. "Yes, She's my baby sister."
The girl smiles up to her and can't help but say in a small voice, "Well, I am thirteen today. Not really a baby anymore."
The collected crowd laughed, Diana just smiled wider. "Well I think we're all wondering the same thing: is your sister your new sidekick?"
"I think that's something we're going to have to discuss between just the two of us. Come on Donna." Diana flies away and Donna follows close behind.
Diana leads Donna to the top of a large metal bridge with massive arches set up at set intervals probably to support the bridges weight. She lands on one of arches and sits on the edge, motioning for Donna to join her, "I like to come up here to think. It helps me remember all the people in this city under my protection."
"I didn't know there could be so many people in one place." Donna said looking at the city.
Diana smiled, "I said the same thing when I first saw the outside world."
Donna sighed heavily, "Yeah, mother told me about that..." She glances at her sister, "And about what you found that day."
Diana sharply looks at Donna. She can actually see the painful truth in the young girl's eyes. She looks down at the cars passing below, "Donna...I'm sorry we lied to you for so long."
Donna just places her hand on Diana's, "It's alright, Diana. I won't lie, part of me is really angry with you and mother...But part of me understands why you lied. And I'm grateful." The older Amazon looks up to her sister again. "The truth is I probably would have been lonely if I knew where I really came from. I already felt different enough from our sisters; but feeling like I had something in common with you helped."
Diana pulls Donna into a tight hug, "Still, I am sorry." They separate and sit in silence while overlooking the city, Donna idly kicking her feet over the edge.
"So..." Donna started, "...What is a side-kick, exactly?"
Diana chuckled slightly. "It's a partner. Someone who helps a superhero do their job. Many of my allies in the Justice League have side-kicks. They're all about your age as well."
"Okay...So, do you think I could be your side-kick?" The younger princess asks with a hopeful smile on her face.
Diana opened her mouth, then snapped it shut and knitted her brows together. "I think we should speak to mother about this first."
Donna's eyed nearly bugged out of her head and her hand flew up to her mouth, "Great, Hera! I just left Themyscira without telling mother! And she was watching your battle through the Mirror of Wisdom so she knows what happened to me! She's probably watching us right now!"
"That's assuming she didn't faint when you started fighting Neron." Diana said offhandedly.
Donna started rubbing her eyes with the heels of her hands, "Ugh...Mother is going to be so mad. She'll never let me leave Themyscira! She'll probably never let me leave the palace again."
Diana just laughed again, "I don't think it will be as bad as all that. You did save my life, Donna. I'm sure mother will be more proud than angry."
"Really?"
"Yes..." Then she paused for a second, "Although she will almost certainly be upset."
Donna just groaned and laid on her back, "What are the chances that we could just stay here for a while and let mother calm down?"
"Slim." Diana said with smirk, "I'm tired, filthy, everything hurts, and I can already hear one of Epione's healing baths calling to me like a siren." Donna had to admit that did sound fantastic. The Amazon healer Epione's herbal baths not only cleaned your body, but also restored your energy, soothed your pain, and even healed minor wounds. Diana sustained considerably more damage than Donna, so even after her bath she'd still sport more than a few bruised for the next couple of days. They were just lucky neither of them broke anything during the battle.
Donna sighs heavily, "I could really use a bath."
Diana lays down next to her, "And there is your birthday party tonight."
"Yeah, there's that too." Diana smiled at her and cocked an eyebrow. The thing Donna hated about her sister more than anything else, is how smug she can be when she knows she's right. "Fine. Let's go."
The two princesses pushed themselves off the arch, stopping in mid-air, "If it makes you feel any better, we can take our time in returning home. We still have time before we need to get ready for you party, after all."
"Thank you, Diana." The younger Amazon said, a relieved smile on her bruised face. The Amazon sisters fly towards their home, when a sly smile finds itself on Donna's face as a thought pops into her head, "Diana, I've been meaning to ask you about Aphrodite..."
Donna was suddenly roused from her sleep by a passing taxi horn blaring. She looks around for a second, not totally sure where she was. Once her brain started functioning at a normal level again, she remembered that she was working late in her office and must have fallen asleep at her computer again.
This was the fifth time this month. Starting up her own photo studio was a lot more work than she had originally thought. "If I can slay gods and demons, I think I can handle running a business." Donna often thought about those, in hindsight, rather foolish words she said to Diana and Bruce when she told them she wanted to open her own studio over a year ago. It wasn't like you could take a sword to a stack of invoices and tax statements. Well, you could, but it wouldn't actually help in anyway.
It was a long, exhausting, and tedious journey, but Paradise Island Studios had been open for a good three months and she was doing pretty well for herself. Thanks in no small part to her apparently being Bruce Wayne's official New York photographer. He insisted in wasn't charity
because of her high level of skill, but she was sure that if Bruce wasn't one of her sister's best friends, he'd never even look at her.
Photography had started out as a silly hobby when she first started living in Man's World, and just kinda spiraled into a passion in a few short years. Donna had always been a rather visual person growing up. She was an excellent artist, and could paint, sketch, and sculpt with the best of 'em. But some how, photography just spoke to her in a special way. She just loved instantly capturing a brief glimpse into another persons life.
Donna rubbed her eyes and turned away from the editing program on her desktop to look at the wall behind her desk. The whole thing covered in numerous photos she'd taken in her, admittedly short professional career. Some were exotic landscapes, some were portraits of superheroes and celebrities, and some were abstract pieces no one other than Donna really understood what they were supposed to mean.
The only one she didn't take was the one she was currently staring at. She stood up and took the framed news clipping off the wall, looking longingly at the headline: "Wonder Woman rescued by new sidekick, Wonder Girl!" It was the first time she was photographed and the first time she was ever called Wonder Girl. The name stuck surprisingly well, even Hippolyta like it.
What really surprised Donna, was Hippolyta agreeing to let her join Diana in protecting Man's World. The way Hippolyta explained it; if the love goddess deemed Donna worthy of her power, she had a responsibility to use it for the good of humanity. As long as they stayed on Themyscira until they fully recovered. Plus a week. Plus a three day tournament to celebrate their departure. And had there been some major holiday around that time, Donna didn't doubt her mother would have insisted they stay for that as well. As much as she understood her mother's desire to keep her children around, Donna was just excited to see more of the outside world.
She spent five happy, and not so happy years as Wonder Girl. She even formed the superhero team called the Teen Titans with some of the other sidekicks she met. Unfortunately the Titans ended up going their separate ways for different personal reasons.
Wally decided he wanted to focus on getting a college education. It made sense, being a superhero didn't pay anything, and having a diploma could only help in getting a job. Jackson returned to Atlantis to help Queen Mera run the city while Arthur worked with The League. Roy spent most of his time working at half-way houses and drug clinics after his personal battle with heroin. That and being a single father to Lian. Donna didn't even want to know how Roy ended up having a daughter with one of the League of Shadows' deadliest assassins.
And then there was Dick. The only one of her old teammates to continue the good fight. Albeit with a different name. She had to admit the Nightwing costume looked good on him. She wasn't even a little surprised to hear that Dick kept going without Batman backing him. Hearing that his secret identity was a police trainee was a little bit.
Feeling understandably nostalgic, Donna returned to her desk, pick up the phone, and dialed in a long distance number. After a few rings, the other end picked up, "Hey Dick. Why am I not surprised you're still up?" ... "Nothing really. Just thinking about the past. I just had a REALLY vivid dream about the day I got my powers."
The two friends talked for hours, well into the morning. And for a while, the Amazon ex-patriot was watched closely by the same hooded girl who has been traveling across the country to find the seven people she needed to save the world.
The Bat, the Star, the Machine, the Cloak, the Lightning Bolt, and finally the Warrior. Donna Troy was the last person she needed to find. For some reason she couldn't find the Spirit, but she sensed that it was coming to her instead.
Raven teleported away from Paradise Island and reappeared on a roof top in downtown Manhattan, floating in mid-air in the lotus position. It had been nearly half a year since she first received the vision of the seven totems that would aid her in battling her father. And now, the stage had been set and all she had to do is wait for her totems to converge. Already she could see the threads of fate leading the totems to this city.
The world had been denied a great force of good for too long. She felt honored to be the one to bring a new generation of Teen Titans into existence.
Okay, so a few things before I really get into this one: 1) I know that Aphrodite is the goddess of romantic and sexual love and not familial love. I wanted to use Aphrodite mostly as a reference to Wonder Woman's original origin when her powers came solely from her. 2) I have no knowledge of Neron. I know he killed Wonder Woman once, and Artemis was there. But I don't really know anything about his powers. So if I got anything about him wrong (Which I'm absolutely sure I did) I'm sorry.
Okay, so I wanted to do this one for a good while. Donna isn't my favorite Titan, but I always feel like she doesn't get much love from DC. I wanted there to be at least one member of the original five Titans on this new team, and at first I wanted it to be Nightwing. But once I decided to make Cass the Bat, I figured Donna was just as good. And for anyone who read Sensational Comics, yes, the event that lead to Diana finding Donna in the garbage is basically from that one issue drawn by Noelle Stevenson.
Unfortunately this is not the last backstory before we get to the big team up. I don't think it's all that surprising that Raven's story will be the last one.
So, yea. The Key is next.