First off, I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who's been sticking with this story and waited patiently through inconsistent chapter postings. You all are the reason the story continues. Here is Chapter 10, I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 10: Games to the End, the End of Games

*Flashback to Themyscira 1000 years ago*

Amazons. Amazons everywhere. Diana could barely get by all of them. Everywhere she looked were swords, shields, helmets, armor-and their eyes, Diana saw an expression on some of her sisters' faces that she had never seen before on the island of paradise.

Eventually though, she left the crowd behind, feeling swifter than even Hermes. She was the first through the doors of the temple of Zeus, the first to see a dead amazon on the ground, her throat slit as if from behind.

Diana could barely think about it though as she ran through the temple, it felt like she was moving through water, and even though it took her only a second to traverse the entire temple, it felt like years. What she saw made her blood turn to ice though.

William had her mother. Hippolyta was bound in the lasso of Hestia, and a dagger was clearly to her throat.

"...Where is the key!"

"I told you already, it's split up, and far away from here."

"Liar! He came to me in a dream, he promised power and riches for myself and family, for all time."

Diana found her voice, "Will! What are you doing! Please stop."

William turned to the princess, but there was no sense of warmth in the eyes now, they were clouded, with a mad ambition that Diana had never seen before.

"Stay back! I know the story of Hercules, you won't do anything that'll threaten the safety of the queen, now give me what I came for so I can leave this island."

Diana had her hands out, trying to calm and reason with the man, "William, what are you doing? Please d..don't hurt my mother."

Other Amazon's were filling into the room, with each new face, Williams anxiety seemed to grow. The wild look in his eyes was like nothing Diana had ever seen. Desperation.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

*CRACK!*

The shield Bruce was using had worked, his opponent's hammer had destroyed the solid wood, rather than his much needed arm.

Currently, the arena was flooded, a mock naval battle was in progress, with Bruce's "fleet" representing the decimation of the northern Viking peoples. A few scattered battles that had been waged for dominion over the northeastern lands of the continent.

It was currently day five. The last day of the games.

It had been the same for the last few days. Bruce would wake, don his armor, and fight.

The 2nd day, he was forced to defend a siege, the legendary Amazonian capture of Avalon, or more commonly known, the capital castle of Camelot. No Merlin to help him though, Bruce was forced to use the very own structure, employing his own methods within the confined spaces to systematically take out Amazon after Amazon until he was the last one. One of the more suspenseful events. The Amazon's had marveled at his stealth and agility to disappear.

The 3rd day, Bruce had been forced into a no rules chariot race. The movie Ben Hur from his childhood had flashed in his brain as he expertly controlled the four stallions around the track. Successfully fighting off archery attacks and boarding attempts, winning the race by a hair.

On day 4, he was made to fight lions and tigers and bears, Amazon's on elephants of war, hunting dogs that chased him down through the arena. A menagerie of animals that left his armor dented, and cut, and basically falling off him by the end of the day.

Queen Diana hadn't been back to visit him since that first night of the games. Every day though he felt her stare burrowing into him. A gaze that he would return only to have her glance away. She watched him like a hawk, but he could tell her enthusiasm for the games themselves had dwindled steadily after the first day.

The stadium still had plenty of booing for him, but the cheers and support had gone up considerably since day one. Not that the crowds respected him more as a person, but he could tell that more rooted for him as an underdog in the competition.

Not much time for thought now though. He had already lost two ships and had consolidated his last remaining forces on his own vessel, meanwhile there were still three Amazon Trireme ships to take care of.

John Stewart had become a regular ally to Bruce the last few days. Despite a new universe, Bruce and John seemed to work just as effectively as Batman and Green Lantern used to.

John was currently keeping the boat steady as he avoided collision with one of the sunken vessels, "It was a nice run these last couple days, but I think our luck's run out here!"

Bruce meanwhile was in the middle of tossing a poor Amazon over the side who had managed to board them, "Not an option John."

The slave man rolled his eyes, "Well, any bright ideas then before we die?"

Bruce was racking his brain, there must be a solution, his men were barely able to hold a sword and men were dying left and right everyday if Bruce wasn't close enough, he had to think of something they could do. He refused to admit defeat, it wasn't something he knew. As he blocked an arrow fired at him, he saw it.

The switch for controlling the main mechanisms of the arena floor— a tiny open window which showed him a bunch of levers, levers that might change things around. .

The three Amazon ships had all converged together and started their final approach to ram Bruce's vessel. Bruce had no idea which levers did what, and no time to consider it, he pulled out some newly made batarangs and threw three, hoping they'd find their targets.

One of them missed, clanging off the rock wall, but the other two found their mark. The first one opened the latch to drain the water, and the drain happened to be right where the Amazon ships were. As the water began to empty, Bruce felt his boat start to lurch forward towards the drain. Then the second Batarang hit though, and solid walls raised up from the floor, sectioning off the arena into smaller sections. Bruce's ship stayed afloat as they watched the three other Amazonian Triremes crush and crack together as they were deposited onto the arena floor.

Another win.

A mixture of cheers and boos as always. The boos for the almost cheating nature of how victory was achieved, the cheers celebrating Bruce's ingenuity in the face of no other options.

Bruce was panting, the weight of the last few hours finally coming off. He slumped against one of the rails of the ship, waiting for the next call, the next fight, the next whatever.

As the cheering died down Bruce saw Diana stand up to address the crowd once more.

Diana spread her arms out in a flourish as she began to speak, "My Amazons! For the first time in history, a man has survived all five days of the games."

She gave a long pause as the stands voiced their combined celebrations or displeasures.

Diana continued, "However, I know that my council and many others are not completely satisfied with the last battle ending, a truly inventive strategy, but not honorably enough for the end of the games!"

Cheers of agreement rang out, Bruce could only roll his eyes and think, "What now?"

The queen had an almost mischievous look as she resumed speaking, "My council is trying to think of an appropriate last challenge, but I have already decided. When was the last time your queen took up her blade?"

The stands fell to hushed tones as the implications were immediately clear.

Diana couldn't help but smirk, "I thought so, what better challenge for the only man to defeat the traditional games? One last fight, a duel, between Bruce Wayne, the so-called Dark Knight of Gotham, and your Queen Diana, ruler of all Amazon's and lands!"

Of all the fights Bruce couldn't help but be the most excited for this one, but also the most terrified. This one would be different. Things just got interesting.

XXXXXX

The arena was back to its usual flat and sandy composition. The sun was at its zenith, and it was already a hot day.

It had taken a while to get everything ready, Bruce was allowed a small meal and nap. He felt rejuvenated for the most part, a large portion of his energy coming in anticipation for the next fight.

His armor was barely functional now, he had been forced to abandon most of his upper armor. Currently only having his arm bracer blades, and a shoulder armor piece that included one chest piece, protecting his leading side arm and chest. His left side was most exposed, no armor on his legs either except for his greaves protecting his shins and calves.

They had let him choose his own sword and shield.

For his sword, he had picked a long leaf-bladed sword that was well balanced both in weight and for cutting/stabbing. As for the shield, he had opted for the traditional Spartan shield, one of the largest and heaviest ever used in the ancient world, warriors who returned without it were said to have been cowards who threw it away to run faster. For Bruce, it was sturdy, strong, and easy to manipulate how he wanted. He knew Diana could beat him in almost every category. He was not going to win this fight by tiring her out. He had to protect himself and focus on ending things relatively quickly.

As he waited in the arena, trumpets sounded and drums started to beat. At the opposite end, one of the gates had opened, bannermen walked out first with different colored flags, drummers followed, and finally there she was.

Queen Diana was outfitted in gleaming golden armor, her helmet sporting a white horsehair plume. The eagle on her chest made from a black obsidian piece.

She carried another shield, similar to Bruce's, a shorter sword, and a long golden spear. At her waist was the lasso of Hestia.

As she approached, the bannermen and drummers formed two concentric circles around them, creating another smaller, more intense stage for their fight to be waged in.

When she was close enough to him she began to talk, low enough so the rest of the arena wouldn't hear. "The other night we spoke as individuals. Today, we fight as warriors. I believe I know the kind of man you are from watching the last few days. But this is the only way to really know myself."

Before Bruce could respond, Diana raised her arm and a horn could be heard reverberating through the entire stands.

The fight had begun.

One second, two seconds. That's all it took before Diana accelerated towards the man. The inhuman speed would have taken anyone else by surprise, but Bruce had sparred with Diana before, just not this Diana. As Diana's spear thrust towards him, Bruce sidestepped, and countered, his sword speeding towards Diana's head. It never made it. Diana dipped down to her side, her head under the blade as she punched out with her shield instead. Bruce braced his own shield.

*CLANGGG*

The metal on metal was a horrible sound and Bruce was forced back a step. Diana had thrown the move from an awkward position. Anything stronger and Bruce would have been sent flying on his back. As it was though, Diana and Bruce were momentarily locked.

Diana couldn't help grinning, her excitement rising, "I'm impressed."

Bruce could only grit his teeth, he knew he was already using up way more energy than her.

The crowd was silent, everyone blown away by the speed of the opening attacks.

Bruce pushed his shield out at an angle, freeing his arm, immediately though a golden spear was moving towards his chest. Raising his knee in defense, the spear glanced off his greave. Changing the angle, Bruce forced the weapon down into the sand. Wasting no time, he followed up by bringing his shield edge straight down on the spear with a yell.

The stands gasped as they saw Diana's spear break in two. Bruce heard Diana grunt in frustration and then saw the kick coming towards him, a half second before it hit his shield.

Bruce was knocked straight across the ground, his arm was on fire from the vibrations and his left side was cut up from the rocks. He felt a bit like roadkill from that hit. He couldn't focus on it though because he could see an Amazon falling out of the sky towards him. Diana had jumped twenty feet up and was bringing her shield down right where Bruce's neck was.

Bruce rolled back and pushed off with a handspring, feeling the shield go by his skin inches apart.

*BOOM*

As Diana's shield hit, Bruce was struck by a small cloud as sand and dirt was flung up from Diana's shockwave.

Bruce had been forced to abandon his shield on the ground. Now adopting a two handed sword style. As the dust settled, he faced the queen once more. This time going on the offensive himself, Bruce moved in with multiple slashes in a myriad of different spots and directions.

Diana just had enough time to pull her sword from its sheath. Quickly recognizing Bruce's skill with a blade as his attack had caught her slightly unprepared. She thought he would be incapacitated from her kick but he was up just as quick. Every attack was so precise and thought out. Diana needed her shield and sword together to block everything.

People were on the edge of their seats, they had never seen their queen on the defensive before.

Like a single breeze though, the moment passed. Bruce felt it as Diana recovered her bearings and began to match his strikes blow for blow, before starting to press her own attacks, both of them feeling knicks from the other against their armor. Bruce was forced into more defense, his less armored body requiring greater caution.

He had to fight smarter. He looked at how she held her sword, and an old technique from his training days resurfaced. Diana thrust out her sword and Bruce avoided the blade, dipping below. From there, he expertly aimed his own tip right at the base of Diana's grip. The point found its mark and as the blade cut between Diana's sword and her palm, she was forced to drop her blade.

"Ow." Diana yelped slightly, the very small cut on her hand stinging a bit.

Bruce smirked himself now, "Weren't expecting that huh?"

Dians looked up at him with an angry face. Bruce immediately regretted his words as he saw her wind up and throw her shield at him. Bruce's reflexes saved him by a hair, ducking as fast as he could, landing on his back as the shield spun over his head and continued until it stuck itself into the wall of the arena itself.

Diana was on him in a second, Bruce's bracers on the receiving end of multiple punches and strikes, Bruce used his timing to catch one, throwing on an arm bar as fast as he could. It didn't matter with Diana's strength though as she picked him up entirely by one hand and threw him across the arena.

Bruce could barely think, it was all he could do to redirect her punches as she was back on the offensive with no pauses between. As she punched and hit the ground around him, another dust cloud was kicked up.

With a bump and roll in the blindness, Diana lost control as Bruce was back on his feet.

He had a cut above his eye from one of Diana's glancing hits, as well as one of his bracers being completely broken. Diana heard gasps from the crowd. She didn't know from what until she looked and saw that, in his hands, Bruce had taken the lasso of Hestia off her.

"How dare you.." she began,

Bruce didn't let her finish though as he delivered a solid kick to the dirt, sending another cloud up that momentarily blinded her. As she moved forward she couldn't see the loop of the lasso on the ground until her foot stepped in it and felt it go tight. With a yank she was pulled to the ground as the rope went tight, she felt it. The helplessness as her powers were stolen. The lasso was one of her only weaknesses. The lasso would judge all as equals, not a man, an Amazon, or even a God could force their way out of the golden instrument of Truth.

As she looked up, more loops fell around her and tightened, "Not as powerful without the godly gifts huh?"

Diana looked up to see Bruce without any expression on his face, "How...how did you know…?"

Bruce only responded with, "You told me, well the other you, during a training session."

Diana couldn't believe it. She was helpless, vulnerable, she had lost. Tied up and helpless. Just like her. She knew what came next.

She gave Bruce a hateful look, "Well, go on then, finish it!"

Bruce looked confused.

"Do it! Kill me!"

A look of shock ran over Bruce's face and he looked away, unable to face the wrath directed towards him, "...No. I buried you once….I won't do it again."

The shock changed to sadness as Bruce dropped the lasso. The light faded and Diana could feel her adrenaline still spiking as her powers returned. Before Bruce could react, Diana had shed the rope and had smashed him to the ground, her hand tight against his throat.

Diana was grating her teeth, "If you won't do what's necessary to win, then I will!"

Bruce was choking, he could barely speak, but he looked at her with a mix of concern, sadness, and pity, "Th...en doit. I gu...ess y..y..you really are g…gone Princess. I w...won't fight y..you anymore. I still c..care about you t..too much…"

Diana didn't know why, but she could feel tears in her eyes. Anger. Confusion. She didn't know what to do. Her past was replaying in her head. It had happened just the same as before. But he changed the script. She thought she knew what he would do. Just like she thought she knew what HE would do then. But then Bruce stopped. He couldn't continue and when faced with one alternative or the other, he would choose death for himself first.

"AHGHG!" With a yell Diana released her hold and fell back. Both her and Bruce panting, him to get air back in his lungs after being choked, Diana to calm down the emotional storm inside her.

The entire stadium was silent. Nobody knew what to do.

That second of silence seemed like eternity. But then the next sound that came was like a blade through the air.

"You see, SHE IS WEAK!"

The arena ground began to crack.

The temperature began to plummet

And the sky began to darken.

"NOW. NOW! NOW IS THE TIME FOR US!

—-

End of chapter 10, remember to read and review, big things happening next in the story. Stay tuned! Thank you to all the fans who keep reviewing and telling me to continue, definitely helps me force my way out of writer's block!