Chapter 2: Welcome to Paradise
The first thing Phantom Lady felt was the wind. She was feeling a cold, brutal wind on her face while in the water. But what she felt now was a warm, comforting breeze all over her body. The air filled her lungs, and soon the world came into her view. A blue sky appeared, without a single cloud. Phantom Lady then felt a cool wave gently engulf her body, and then retreat. Phantom Lady moved, shifting on the wet sand. Pain shot through her whole body, all of the ordeals she endured finally catching up with her. Phantom Lady yelped and rolled over on her side, the water still soaking her. Panting, she looked to see something that she could scarcely believe. Beyond the beach were incredible cliffs, lush forests, and buildings that looked like they came from Ancient Greece.
Phantom Lady stood up, her mouth still agape. The sight in front of her seemed impossible. Phantom Lady didn't claim to be an expert in the geography of Greece, but she knew there was no way such a place could exist, right? Phantom Lady tried to walk, but her legs nearly gave out. She got down to one knee, trying to compose herself. She was missing her shoes, as well as her goggles and one glove. Her bare feet dug into the sand as she tried to move. She decided to look to her side. Along the coast were pieces of debris from the plane. It was at this point that she realized she was still wearing her damaged parachute. Maybe... I'm dead? Phantom Lady thought to herself.
Phantom Lady continued looking down the coastline. A couple figures soon came into view. There were two people on horses, with a third walking beside. One of the riders had a spear, while the one walking had a sword. Phantom Lady stood still, not knowing if they were friend or foe. The group walked along the coast, then turned towards the ocean. Phantom Lady saw emerging from the wreckage another man. It was one of the men on the plane. His survival was even more of a miracle then hers. The man crawled on the beach towards the women, hoping for aid. After a brief moment, the person with the spear thrusted it into the man's body. The man collapsed, dead. Phantom Lady was taken aback. Are they going to do that to me?
Just then, one of the riders noticed Phantom Lady. She turned to the others and pointed at her. Phantom Lady saw this and realized she was next. The group began to gallop towards her. Phantom Lady spun around. Despite being hobbled, she began to move quickly. Phantom Lady soon felt the parachute drag behind her. She stopped to undo the latch on her chest. The riders continued to come closer. Phantom Lady undid the latch, but got caught up in the straps across her body. She could hear the people screaming over the hooves of the horses. Phantom Lady finally slipped the straps off of her shoulders and down her bare legs. Immediately, she began running awkwardly down the beach.
Soon, the riders came within striking distance. Phantom Lady could feel the horses' breath down her neck. Just then, one of the riders jumped off of her horse and onto her target. Phantom Lady and her assailant both crashed into the surf. Under the water, Phantom Lady tried to resist, but was utterly manhandled. Her opponent was far stronger than anyone she had every fought against. Phantom Lady's head was pushed down as she felt her arms get pulled back. She then felt her wrists get tied together and a rope wrapped around her neck. The assailant got off of Phantom Lady's back, allowing her to move. Phantom Lady lifted her head out of the water, gasping for air as her hair fell in front of her face. Before she knew it, the rope was pulled back, forcefully arching her back. A hand pulled the back of her head, spinning her around. Phantom Lady shook the wet hair out of her face to see her captors.
Phantom Lady came face to face with the point of a spear and the edge of a blade. Frightened, she slowly looked up to see who were pointing them at her. The three figures were all women: tanned, athletic, and beautiful. They wore ancient armor that went from their chests to their thighs, with matching helmets, boots, and armbands. They spoke in another tongue, neither English nor German. Despite this, Phantom Lady could tell by their voices and face that they were asking her questions they wanted answers to now!
"Please... I-I don't..." she said. Phantom Lady noticed the rope tied around her. It went in one piece from her wrists to her neck and out to the one woman without a weapon. Such a series of knots was the work of someone with experience.
"Oh, you're an English speaker?" said the lady on the horse. "Then, speak: are you with these men?"
"What? Oh, no!" Phantom Lady replied. She noticed the rope glow softly as she spoke.
"Then why have you washed up with them?" the woman asked.
"Well, I was on their plane, but that was because I was spying on them, and I was doing well, until my projectors ran out of batteries, because I went out before I had a chance to recharge them, because I was so eager to start the mission, because I always take whatever mission I get, because I am very concerned about the war, but also because I always get a thrill when I do these things, plus I'm insecure about my role in-in-in-in-" Whoa, whoa, whoa, thought Phantom Lady, trying to slow down. Why did I say all of that?
The woman with the sword slapped Phantom Lady as she rambled on. "Enough!" She pointed to Phantom Lady's body. "Whose colors are those?"
"Colors?" Phantom Lady asked. She looked down at her damaged outfit.
"Yes, those," the woman said.
"I guess those are my own colors," Phantom Lady said, a rather unintelligent reply.
"And who are you?" asked the woman on the horse.
"My name is Phantommmm-ah!" The rope began to glow more, delivering an unusual pain. Phantom Lady felt a cross between burning, stinging, and suffocation all throughout her body.
"Tell us!" yelled the woman holding the rope.
"My name is Sandra Knight," she said. The pain soon gave way to a relaxing sensation. "I work with a group called the Freedom Fighters. We fight for the freedom of occupied America and her allies against Nazi Germany".
The eyes on all three women went wide. "Did you say America?" asked one.
"Yes, I am from there, and we need your help. I can see you aren't allies with Germany, given what you did over there. But I beg you not to do the same to me!"
"Tell me," asked the woman on the horse, in a sly voice, "do you happen to know a Steve Trevor?"
Phantom Lady was silent. It seemed like she should say yes, but she honestly had never heard of him. She could try lying again, but she may get another shock - was that what it was? she thought - from the rope. "No, I don't".
"Oh, then how can you say you work for America?" the woman replied.
"It's a big country! I don't know everyone there! How could I?"
The woman with the sword turned to speak to the woman on the horse. It was in their native language, but Phantom Lady could tell they were having an argument. Eventually, the woman on the horse relented. She then turned to her captive.
"You will be taken to the dungeon until we know what to do with you," she said. The woman with the rope got on her horse, while the other standing woman helped Phantom Lady to her feet. The group started their trek up the beach.
Phantom Lady trudged along between the horses. The group made their way into what looked like a town square. Phantom Lady observed the mysterious island. The scene seemed to come straight out of a swords-and-sandals movie. The streets were cobblestones, while the buildings were beautiful halls with columns made out of pristine marble and jewels. The buildings were modeled after ancient society, yet there was an aura to them that made them seem modern- or even, futuristic. And then there were the people. They were all dressed in the clothes you would expect in such a land: mostly togas and the like. But soon Phantom Lady realized something: everyone there was a woman. In fact, in Phantom Lady's view, it seemed like everyone on this entire island was a woman. Phantom Lady had heard about such societies: that there were lost tribes in the Amazon or the like that were solely comprised of the female gender. She had always dismissed those idea, considering them the fantasies of bored men looking for an excuse to go adventuring. And yet, all she could see were women talking, singing, and enjoying the company of each other, without a single man in sight. Maybe this isn't real at all? she thought. Maybe I am dead and this is where I go.
As Phantom Lady was guided along, some of the women stopped and stared at her. "And here I thought I would blend right in," Phantom Lady quipped to the guard next to her. The guard remained silent. The group continued along, as Phantom Lady heard several of the women gasp and whisper to each other. "Gosh, I'm not that hideous, am I?" said Phantom Lady. Sure, she had a few bruises on her, but she has had far worse. "Or maybe it's my costume? Don't tell me you're all prudes here".
The group came to a door on the side of a massive building. In front of it were two more guards. The leader on the horse got off and spoke with the guards. The guards opened the doors and Phantom Lady was led in. She continued down hallways and stairs until she came to a row of cells. The women went to the farthest one and opened it. Phantom Lady was led in and was made to kneel in the center of the cell. She saw that she was positioned over a metal ring embedded in the ground. The guards took some extra rope and tied it around her feet. Then, they took all the ropes and tied them down through the ring. When they were done, Phantom Lady had her hands tied behind her back, her feet pinned down, and her neck still constrained. Her body was prevented from moving in any meaningful fashion, aside from some minor raising and lowering of her midsection.
The guards closed the door and walked away. Phantom Lady kneeled there, waiting for any change. I usually have some break between my times getting tied up, thought Phantom Lady, reflecting on her plane ride. Still, despite it being a dungeon, it was far better than being tied up in that plane. In fact, thanks to the warm climate, Phantom Lady felt an odd sense of calm. She looked at the ropes, which were glowing again. Is there something to these things? she thought.
Hours passed, and even that pleasant feeling receded. Phantom Lady was tired and impatient. The bondage had started to take its toll on her. But as she drifted to sleep, Phantom Lady heard noises outside. It seemed like an argument had broken out. Soon, it stopped, and Phantom Lady heard steps down the hallway. The steps grew louder and louder, until she could see, through the bars, what was making the noises. Two women stopped in front of the door: one a guard, and another who looked like a servant. The guard unlocked the door and let the servant in. The servant was carrying a tray with a pitcher, some bread, and some garments. She stopped in front of the prisoner, taking in the sight with wonder and excitement. Phantom Lady looked back at her. Like most everyone else here, she was beautiful. Yet, even in this rarified environment, she was a wonder. She was strikingly tall, with toned muscles and an alluring figure, which you could see even under her plain dress. Her long black hair was wavy, yet didn't seem unkempt or unmanaged. And her face was as if it was sculpted by a great Renaissance artist. Out of everyone on the island, it seemed like she was the most exemplary of them.
The servant broke the silence. "You... are to have an audience with the queen. I am here to assist you in making you look presentable. First, would you like some food?"
"Please," Phantom Lady said, only just realizing how famished she was. The servant put the tray down and went to the ropes. In a flash, she untied the ropes around Phantom Lady's feet and arms. The servant then freed the rope around Phantom Lady's neck from the floor, but kept it on the prisoner and grabbed the other end like a leash. Phantom Lady stood up, eager to stretch after being in that unusual position.
The servant tied the rope to her belt. She then bent down and grabbed a goblet. "Take this," she said. Phantom Lady looked at it skeptically. "It's just water," the servant said. With a bit of trepidation, Phantom Lady grabbed it. She took a small sip, realized it was just water, then drank the rest of it. She didn't intend to drink so much, but thanks to getting into several fights and nearly drowning, she was far thirstier than she had realized. Phantom Lady drank the rest of the water in one gulp. Sheepishly, she handed the goblet back to the servant, who took it with a slightly bemused look on her face. The servant pointed to a bench on the side of the cell. "Here, sit down".
The pair sat on the bench. The servant pour some more water from the pitcher and handed it to the superheroine. "Thanks," Phantom Lady said, as she drank from more. "So, was there a reason you had to tie me in the middle of the floor over there, instead of just letting me sit?"
"It's just standard procedure," the servant said. "It's more secure for prisoners to be tied up like that".
"It's more painful too. Do you treat all your guests like this?"
The servant looked down. "We don't actually get many visitors. We try to keep to ourselves. If people do come here, then..."
Phantom Lady was going to ask what happened, then she remembered the beach. "Oh yeah. I see. Well, thank you for not doing that to me".
The servant giggled. "You're welcome. Here," the servant picked up some bread. "Eat".
Phantom Lady grabbed the loaf that was handed to her and took a bite. Upon tasting it, her eyes went wide. "Oh my God!" she said with mouth full. "This is amazing!"
"You seem to be quite spell-bound by the bread," the servant said. "Do they not have that where you're from?"
"Well, yes, but not like this. This is the best bread I've ever tasted!"
"Well, I'm glad you like it," the servant replied. Phantom Lady continued to eat, ignoring the servant until she spoke up.
"So, are you from America?"
Phantom Lady swallowed her bite. "Yes, I am".
The servant's eyes lit up. "Really? What's it like?"
Phantom Lady paused. How would she answer this question? Right now, her home was being torn apart by the Nazis. Nearly every beautiful country side and bustling city had experienced the brutalities of war. A few strongholds remain, and pockets of resistance pop up everywhere, but who could say how long they would hold out? Phantom Lady sighed. "It's... not great. Everywhere there are people dying. Homes are being destroyed. And yet, if we don't keep fighting, I fear what would happen would be far worse".
"Is this because of those... Nazis?" the servant asked.
"Yes. They and their puppets have taken over most of the world. And I'm trying my best, along with the rest of the Freedom Fighters, to stop them".
The servant grabbed Phantom Lady's hand. "I am sorry for what is happening to you. I know how awful war can be for a woman. And I know how dangerous the Nazis are. But I am sure you will triumph. I know Hera will protect you, Aphrodite will comfort you, and Athena will guide you to victory".
Phantom Lady had never heard anyone speak like that. Still, she could feel the warmth and support coming from the servant. "Thank you," she replied. "I will say, it was a beautiful country before the war".
"I'd have loved to see it," the servant said. "Frankly, I would love to see anywhere. I've never left this island".
"Really?" Phantom Lady asked. "I mean, it's not that surprising, I guess. Your whole style is a little... dated. Is there anything here that was invented within the past 2000 years? Cars? Radios? Baseball? Clark Gable movies?".
"Well, sort of. Some of our foremothers did venture out there, but most of us have never left. And, given what has happened..." Phantom Lady looked on quizzically. "Oh Hera, what am I doing? You need to get ready to see the queen".
Phantom Lady sighed. So, this mysterious island is stuck in the past, nobody ever leaves, and the servant girl knows about some unpleasant history? Looks like my chances of leaving here alive have shrunk dramatically.
The servant picked up a plain toga and a pair of sandals. "Here," she said. "Change into this".
Phantom Lady grabbed the clothes. "Wait, now?" she said.
"Yes. We should hurry," the servant said.
"Ok, but... You're not going to watch, are you?"
"Oh, no. I can turn around if you'd want me to".
"Would you?" Phantom Lady said. The servant turned around. "Hey, wait," Phantom Lady said. "This isn't going to work with the rope around my neck. Can you do anything about this?" The servant turned back to look at her. After a few moments of looking, she decided to remove the rope. Phantom Lady massaged her neck.
"I will only allow this as you change. Do not try to escape while you are untethered," the servant said. There was nothing servant-like about her as she said it.
"You're pretty bossy when you want to be," Phantom Lady said. "I've subdued dozens of guards when I was given an opportunity like this one".
"But I doubt any of those guards were Amazons," the servant replied. "I assure you, if you try to attack me, you will not like what happens to you".
Phantom Lady raised her eyebrows. A challenge such as that would usually not go unanswered. But at this point in time, Phantom Lady thought it'd be better just to remain compliant. The servant turned back around so that Phantom Lady could change. As she opened the clasp on her costume, Phantom Lady heard the servant say, "If you wish, I could take your uniform and have it repaired. It seems to have suffered some damage on your odyssey here". The servant waited for a few moments, and then felt something on her shoulder. Phantom Lady had slung her costume over the servant's shoulder. The servant grabbed it and examined it. "That's an odd uniform," she said.
"Uniform?" said Phantom Lady.
"Yes," the servant said, "aren't you some kind of warrior, fighting for America?"
"Well, I guess you can say that," Phantom Lady replied.
"Then shouldn't you have something that represents America on it?"
"Sure, but I made this before the war started," Phantom Lady paused for a moment. "I guess you can say it represents me".
"I see," said the servant as she ran her hands across the buckle of the costume's belt. Engraved on the green metal was a stylized "PL". "Also, this has no armor on it?
"Honey, from where I'm from, you can't just pick armor from the general store".
"But how can you go into battle without it?"
"I just have to stay one step ahead of my opponents," Phantom Lady shot back. "Ok, I'm ready now".
The servant turned around. Phantom Lady stood there in a white dress, looking far better than she did in her damaged suit, though her hair was still messy from drying after her trip in the sea. The servant took the rope and began tying it around her body.
"You're really into this sort of thing, huh?" Phantom Lady said as the servant crossed her body up and down.
"It's just a part of what we do," the servant replied. She stepped back, holding on to the other end of the rope. Phantom Lady had the rope tied across her body in intricate patterns, pinning her hands to her sides. The servant signaled to the guard to come in.
"It's time to go now," the servant said, handing the rope to the guard.
Phantom Lady stepped forward. "Well, let me just say that, having considerable experience as a captive, this has been one of my more enjoyable experiences, Miss..."
"Diana," the servant replied. "And I am glad I was able to make you feel comfortable, even under such inhospitable conditions".
"Maybe one day we can get together without the whole 'prisoner' dynamic, huh?" Phantom Lady said, right before the guard began pulling her out the door to join her partner.
As the group traveled down the hallway, Diana stayed behind, watching the alluring captive be led to her meeting. "Yes, I think we should. Maybe soon..." she muttered.