Bruce:

Bruce and Apollo touched down in the center of the courtyard that Jupiter had spoken about. It was huge, with vine-covered pillars around the edges. The family of Gods stood in a cluster, their backs facing the mount that rose high into the clouds.

"Welcome, all, to this test of character," Jupiter said grandly. "I call forth my champion. Hercules! Step forward!"

A tall man stepped forward through the group of Gods. He was broad-shouldered and his skin was leathered and sunbaked. His dark eyes were cold, holding no emotion in them. He bowed first to his father, then to Bruce.

Bruce bowed back ever so slightly. "My Lords and Ladies," he started. "I would like to say something before we begin."

Jupiter sighed. "Very well, mortal. Speak."

"I would like to say that the Lady Diana does not need me to fight for her. Her honor and favor are hers to decide what to do with. I only fight to prove myself to the rest of you." Bruce finished this speech with a look at Diana. A corner of her mouth was turned up, and she nodded once to him. He smiled and nodded back.

"Is that all?" Jupiter asked.

"Yes."

"Good. Let the match begin!"

Hercules drew his sword, and Bruce followed his lead. They started to circle around and around, sizing each other up. Hercules was bigger than Bruce, so Bruce decided that he'd have to be quicker.

The demigod drew back his sword and charged. Bruce brought his sword up, and their opposing metals struck each other, emitting a loud clang!

They fought, Bruce relying on every bit of Mars' training to keep himself alive. Hercules was certainly skilled with a sword, and Bruce was grateful for the teachings he had received from Mars and previous instructors.

Hercules was as tall as Bruce, but, thanks to his godly blood, was stronger. Bruce tried to keep some distance between them. Hercules tried to close the gap, and Bruce saw several openings to pierce his opponent's skin. He jabbed, but Hercules parried, quickly taking the offensive again.

This cycle repeated. Bruce would try to gain the upper hand, but always wound up defending himself. However, he did so very well, and Hercules was not able to even tear his toga. At last Hercules stopped, and cast his sword aside. "Let us fight with no weapons. Let us test our true selves!"

Bruce sheathed his sword and removed the sheath from his belt. He set it on the ground, then charged at Hercules. Hercules braced himself and at the last moment, twisted aside and caught Bruce by the shoulders, slamming him to the ground. Bruce grunted, and swung his hand up, slamming his palm against the demigod's ear. Hercules bit back a howl, and Bruce struggled to his feet.

They wrestled, growing more and more barbaric in their moves. They were both growing tired, but Bruce knew that he could not outlast a demigod. He lunged at Hercules once again, but this time, he spun to the side before Hercules could catch him. He caught his opponent in a headlock and slowly began to squeeze. However, he stopped before cutting off his air completely.

Looking up to the group of Gods, Bruce called out, "I have won!"

"You have not!" Jupiter boomed back. "He still breathes! If you truly want to show me you are a worthy mortal, you will not succumb to such cowardice. Kill him."

Bruce furrowed his eyebrows. In his arms, Hercules struggled more, despite his lack of air. "I do not need to kill to win," said Bruce. He looked at Diana, then at Apollo, and finally at Juno. If anyone could convince Jupiter to change his mind, she could.

"Kill him!" Jupiter repeated. Juno gazed back at Bruce for a few long moments, then turned her head and whispered something in Jupiter's ear. He frowned, then lowered his head. After a moment of silence, he called out, "The mortal Bruce has won!"

Murmurs broke out among the Gods, some relieved, some angry. Bruce released his hold on Hercules. The demigod dropped to all fours, gasping for breath. Bruce turned towards Diana, who was smiling widely. Bruce started towards her, his feelings crashing together inside him. Relief, happiness, love, and uncertainty all ran through his mind, but all were cut off by Diana shouting, "Look out!"

Diana:

Diana had been so caught up in Bruce's victory that she had not noticed Hercules lunging at Bruce until it was too late. Now she called to the hero, "Look out!" Bruce turned, but Hercules landed a grip on his cape. His momentum carried the demigod forward, and he tore the cape from Bruce's shoulders, causing a large rip to appear in the material.

Several gasps came from the group of Gods, and Diana sprinted forward, grabbing the cape from Hercules' hands and throwing it around Bruce. But it was no use. A golden glow was beginning to emanate from him, even as he pulled the cape tighter around himself. Diana covered her mouth, her eyes wide.

"My lady," Bruce said, his face showing his dismay. "It would seem- that my time has come." Then he muttered, "I feel… too hot." He started to breathe heavily.

"No no, hold on Bruce. Father!" Diana called over her shoulder to Jupiter. "Do something!"

"I'm sorry Diana," said Jupiter, not sounding sorry at all. "But I cannot change the fact that mortals cannot survive on Mount Olympus."

"Diana," said Bruce, calling her attention back to him. He was growing brighter, and his tears evaporated before they could fall down his cheeks. "I wish for you to know, before I can no longer tell you, that I love you."

Diana removed an armband and forced it onto his wrist, hoping it could save him, but he only grew brighter. The glory of the mount had had its way. Diana let her tears fall. "I love you, as well." Then she leaned closer, unaffected by the glow and the heat, and kissed him for the first time.

The kiss lasted a few seconds, and then Bruce was gone. Diana's armband clattered to the ground, and the torn cape floated down, covering a pile of ashes. Diana dropped to her knees, silent.

~One century later~

Diana floated down, touching the earth for the first time in one-hundred years. Although Jupiter had released her from her punishment, she had vowed not to set foot on earth for that length of time. Now she was ready to reconnect with her domain.

It was nighttime, naturally. She took a deep breath, and listened. There was a deer in the glade half a mile from where she stood. An owl hooted up on a hill. A flutter wings caught her attention. Turning her head to the right, she saw a bat fly out of a tree, and across the night sky. She smiled. It was good to know that the creature of the night still flew.