Thoughts
"Speech"
Disclaimer: DC and DBZ belong to their respective owners; I own nothing.
Chapter 5: The Monkey and The Eagle I
Age 749 (1999), Mount Olympus
"Do you really think it's wise to allow mortals to have access to this type of power?"
"Are you questioning my judgment, Apollo?" Zeus, the Skyfather of the Olympians, asked as he turned towards his son, who was sitting directly across from him.
"N-No, father, I was simply trying to..." The plum-skinned god began, quivering under his father's stern gaze.
"Forgive him, father; he knows not what he speaks," Athena interrupted, silencing her brother as she cut him off. "What I believe he was inquiring about is why you are so trusting of these mortals."
"Are you not the Goddess of wisdom, sister? Shouldn't you be the one telling us?" Ares snidely remarked as he folded his arms together. His comment did as expected, causing his sibling to flash him a look of absolute annoyance. Before the Goddess of reason could retort with a chide remark of her own, she was silenced by Hera's palm slamming into the table.
"Enough!" The Goddess of marriage shouted as she refocused the room's attention on her. The Olympians had initiated this meeting to discuss the assembling of the Dragonballs on Earth. So far, all that had ensued was bickering and arguing amongst them.
"You may be my husband and the father of the Olympians, but you do not speak for us all, Zeus," The slayer of Titans grumbled at this. His wife was once again attempting to subvert his authority. "What do you think these mortals will do once they've assembled all seven of them?"
"I don't know," Zeus apathetically shrugged. "But whatever it is, it's no concern of mine."
"But it will be if they decide to bring back the Titans? Or what about that prophecy concerning Athena? Or the one concerning..."
"Silence, wench!" The king of the Olympians screamed, lightning crackling at his fingertips as he pointed accusingly at his spouse. "Just what are you getting at Hera?"
"Do any of us here truly know the full capabilities of these Dragonballs?"
A string of "no's" echoed across the table as the gods shook their heads.
"We were lucky the last time they were used. The greatest aspiration some foolish mortal had was simply to be a king. But what about this time? What will they decide to do with that seemingly unlimited power? With one wish, all of this," Hera said, pointing to Mount Olympus in the backdrop. "Could be gone."
"But these mortals don't even know of us anymore. These days we're nothing but mere myths to them." Artemis contested, unwilling to believe that the dragon's power would be used in such a manner.
"Weren't the Dragonballs a myth as well, sister?" Apollo retorted, raising a brow at his twin. The moon Goddess fell silent as she made eye contact with her brother; he was indeed right.
"So what are you all suggesting then?" Zeus inquired once more, now pondering his previous decision. Placing trust in these mortals wouldn't be wise at all.
"We keep an eye on these mortals, of course." Strife spoke up as she emptied a second glass of wine down her throat. "You wouldn't dare allow these mortals to threaten your reign, father, would you?" A sly smirk settled on her face as she viewed the Skyfather's facial expression twist.
"No, I will not." The father of the Olympians responded with a frown.
"I believe our course of action is simple then, father, we send one of our own to collect the Dragonballs, never granting these mortals the opportunity to even make a wish." Ares, the god of war, spoke, and all the attention in the room shifted towards him as he rose from his chair. "Who better than us to control such power?"
"But who shall we send?" Athena asked, already suspicious of her brother's idea. Ares would never hesitate at the chance to gain more power.
"Oh, pick me! Pick me!" Strife shouted as she frantically waved her hands in the air. "I promise I'll be nice."
"Never," Hera's eyes rolled at her daughter's childish antics.
"I agree, my Queen." Zeus seconded her motion. Strife would do more harm than good for this assignment.
"Then who, father?" Ares questioned, the scheming smile on his face shrouded by his helmet.
"The Amazons."
"The Amazons?" Hera repeated incredulously. "You would leave the fate of the gods in the hands of mortals?"
"Isn't that why you created them, Hera? Is their very existence not to worship us?"
"It is," Hera began. "But this is a task far beyond them. You have that much faith in our creations?"
"Oh, I think it's much more than faith which father posses for the Amazons." Strife chuckled as she gulped down another glass of alcohol.
The slick comment didn't go unnoticed by her father. "Silence Strife...know who you speak to!" The god of thunder was particularly incensed by what his daughter was implying. She was one of the few who knew his secret. "As king of the gods, my decision is final!"
The throne room shuddered as thunder boomed down from the heavens, streaking across the skies.
"This meeting is adjourned." [1]
Age 749 (1999), Themyscira
Themyscira.
Paradise Island.
Home of the Amazons.
Ruled by Queen Hippolyta, the hidden nation was as titled, a virtual paradise. Created and blessed by the gods themselves, Themyscira was like no other place on Earth. Concealed far away from man's scornful world, the homeland of the Amazons was a heaven on Earth. But to create that heaven, the island's inhabitants had gone through hell to get there. It was their first contact with man's world that had brought about it all.
Thousands of years ago, on Olympus, worry had seeped into the hearts of the gods. Their worshipers had dwindled, prayers had slowed, and their temples had been desecrated. In short terms, the gods were losing their dominion over the Earth. The Olympian's powers were directly tied to the belief and faith of their followers. If all forms of worship completely ceased, it spelled the end of their reign and their existence. They would be as powerless as the old gods were now.
The gods decided to create a new race to once again inspire worship amongst the mortals to combat this. This new race, the Amazons, would lead the future of the gods, shining as a hopeful beacon to mankind. The only two gods who stood against this idea were Ares and Strife. Their powers were directly based on discord and violence. In a peaceful world, what would become of them? Adamant against the idea, the sister and brother duo did their best to subvert it, but to no avail.
The Amazons were created anyways.
Pooling the slain souls of women from across centuries, the Amazons were formed and given life. Blessed by the gods, the Amazons were to lead humanity by their virtuous example. For a time, things were great. Ruled by their Queen Hippolyta, the Amazons prospered, sheltered away from the vices and evils of man. But Ares, ever spiteful, would not allow them peace. With the help of his sister, Ares managed to sway the heart of the Earth's greatest champion at the time, Hercules.
Swaying his already prideful mind with delusions of grandeur, the sister and brother duo convinced Hercules to conquer the Amazons. What greater conquest could there be than a race of women who had been unsoiled by any man? Doing as suggested, the Demigod led his armies to the location of the Amazons, as given by Strife. Meeting Queen Hippolyta in a contest of arms, the Demigod lost. Much to his army and the Amazon's surprise, Hercules simply laughed it off and accepted the Amazons as equals.
Later that night, a bountiful feast was prepared as the Amazons and Hercules' army mingled with one another. Newfound camaraderie was the reason for the celebration, but Hercules had other plans in mind. Catching Hippolyta alone in her chamber, he managed to drug her. Her trusting acceptance was met with backstabbing betrayal. The rest of Hercules' men followed suit and drugged the rest of the Amazons.
When the Amazons awoke, they found themselves bound and shackled— several of them being taken advantage of while unconscious. Hercules, in particular, was especially cruel. The son of Zeus forced her fellow Amazons to watch as he took Hippolyta's body over and over again. Her pleas and cries only serving to further his perverted madness. Tormented and totally humiliated, Hippolyta desperately cried out to the gods in her time of need. They answered.
Providing Hippolyta with the strength she needed, the Queen freed herself and helped lead the charge against Hercules and his men. Without their deceiving methods, the armies of Hercules were easily defeated. Never again, the Amazons vowed. Never again would the Amazons be held captive at the hands of men. Granted the solitude they craved, Paradise Island was created for the Amazon's pleasure. Never again would the filth of man's world seep into their lives. Even though Ares had failed in his attempt to destroy the Amazons, he had still managed to create the bloodshed he so greatly craved. [2]
Age 749 (1999), Themyscira, Paradise City
"You'll have to do better than that, Aleka!" Diana shouted as she narrowly evaded a sword slash from the fiery redhead.
Watching the sword clang against the ground, Diana took that split second to strike. Dashing forward at incredible speeds, Diana charged towards Aleka with her sword outstretched. Raising her blade as quickly as she could, Aleka attempted to block the incoming assault. The redhead was greatly surprised as Diana's right foot swatted her arm away. Stumbling, slightly disoriented, Aleka tried to balance herself. She was never properly given the opportunity as Diana's other foot swept below her, promptly knocking her to the ground. The large Amazon slowly opened her eyes with a loud groan and was greeted with a blade's tip dangling in her face.
"Yield."
Scowling in absolute disgust at the situation, Aleka begrudgingly conceded. "I yield."
"Good." With a cocky smirk still plastered on her face, Diana sheathed her sword as she stooped down to assist her fellow sister to her feet.
"That was an excellent job, Diana. I'm very proud of you." Both combatant's eyes shifted towards the familiar voice of the newcomer, who turned out to be Diana's mother. Clapping as she descended down the empty stadium's front steps, the Queen of the Amazons strode towards her child.
"My Queen." Dropping to their knees, both adolescents took a bow as their liege approached them.
Hippolyta sighed as she advanced towards them and waved the children off."How many times have I told you that's unnecessary, Diana?"
"Several times, mother," Diana's mother hated being greeted in such a manner. Hippolyta was the queen, but she didn't feel the need to be addressed royally at all times. "But regardless, you're still our ruler, and as such, it is required of me."
"Well then, rise, my daughter," Hippolyta said with a smile as she tapped her daughter's shoulder, ushering her to stand. "Aleka, you may do the same."
Standing to her feet, the still disgruntled redhead frowned as she watched mother and daughter embrace one another. Favoritism as usual.
"What brings you here, though, mother? Didn't you and Phillipus have work to attend to?" Diana inquired as she broke the embrace. She was always happy to see her mother, but this was particularly curious.
"Oh...of course," Hippolyta remarked as she lightly palmed her forehead. "We were delegating over preparations for your birthday. I can't believe my little one is turning twelve already."
"Mooooooom," Diana groaned as her mother began pinching her cheeks. "Not in front of Aleka. We're on the battlefield." The raven-haired girl pouted, silently fuming as she crossed her arms together.
"But even mighty warriors must show respect to their mothers...no?"
"No," Diana began as her mother's bottom lip drooped. "Well, yes, but...argh...never mind, mother."
Hippolyta couldn't help but chuckle at her daughter's frustrated antics.
"But you were saying about my birthday, mother?" Diana asked, attempting to suppress the redness growing on her face.
"What would you like?" Every year Hippolyta struggled to find gifts to give her daughter. Diana was...eccentric, to say the least. For her fifth birthday, Hippolyta had given her daughter a stuffed animal made from a griffin's hide. Diana promptly speared it and spent the rest of the year using it as target practice for her arrows.
"I-I...I don't know, mother." Diana answered genuinely, confused as to what she wanted. As a princess, she could have practically whatever she desired; and usually did. What was there to give to a child that basically had everything?
Furrowing her brow, Hippolyta placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Well, I'm sure you'll think of something."
"Maybe you can get her some tools to sculpt the rest of her clay body." Aleka sneered as she frowned at Diana. It was utterly ridiculous for a being made out of clay to celebrate a birthday. She wasn't even born...she was molded!
"Shut up!" Diana shouted in rage, her hands trembling as she pointed at Aleka. She despised being referred to by that name.
"But why? Isn't it true? You are clay, are you not?" Aleka continued, a cruel grin appearing on her face. "It isn't much of a birthday, is it? It should be called a clayday, or better yet a sculptday." Breaking into laughter, Aleka held her sides as her voice grew louder.
"Aleka, that's enough." Hippolyta chided, watching Diana grow more visibly angered. In truth, none of Aleka's insults were true, but Diana could never be allowed to discover that.
"I'm not even sure you can be considered human."
"I said...shut up!"
"Is clay even capable of having emotions?"
"I said...shut up!"
That was the final straw. Diana was unable to bear any more of Aleka's cruel remarks. The redhead knew just how much Diana despised that nickname. It was the name her former bullies tormented her with during her younger years. She'd reached her boiling point. In a microsecond, Diana's fist was buried in Aleka's face. Before Queen Hippolyta could even blink, the redhead's skull was against the ground.
"No...Diana, stop!"
Hippolyta's cry for mercy went unheard as Diana continued her brutal assault. Fist after fist rained down upon Aleka's face. The redhead attempted to protect herself but was unable to due to the blistering pace of the punches. Jab after hellacious jab impacted her face hitting her nose, cheeks, eyes, lips, and mouth. Blood began to seep from Aleka's pores, but Diana continued, not batting an eye, as her fists became soaked in it, seemingly not even noticing the red liquid.
"Diana, that's enough!" Snatching her daughter's hand before the next blow could land, Hippolyta attempted to pull her off Aleka. "Stop, or you'll kill her!"
Hippolyta's words seemed to do the trick as Diana's other fist quickly retracted, her head shaking as she awoke from her enraged trance. "D-d-did I...oh Hera!" Gasping as she viewed the blood on her trembling hands, Diana let out a horrified shriek. I-I did this? Is Aleka right? What's wrong with me?
Nearly breaking into tears, the adolescent picked herself up as she examined the full results of her actions. "I-I'm so sorry I didn't mean for any of this to happen," Glancing up at her Mother, Diana broke into a fit of tears as she viewed the ashamed look on her face. "I-It's all my fault...Aleka was right about me!"
"No, Diana, don't!" Hippolyta pleaded as her daughter jetted out of the coliseum, but by then, Diana was long gone; her silhouette had already disappeared into the nearby forest. Rubbing her temples as she sighed, the queen stooped next to Aleka, who lay unconscious on the floor. She was breathing, just barely, but she was breathing. Aleka had a keen knack for enraging her daughter. She knew just how much Diana despised her association with clay. Inadvertently this was all Hippolyta's fault. This incident could've been prevented if her daughter simply knew her true origin.
Maybe it's time I tell her the truth...the whole truth. She deserves to know.
The Aegean Sea
"Are you sure this is the right place, Bulma?"
"Well, it's what the radar says." Scrunching her brows in confusion as she lifted her gaze from the scouter to the misty seas, Bulma frowned. Could the calibration system be broken? It was a possibility, but thus far, her device had yet to fail them during their adventures. So what exactly was the problem then? With a prolonged sigh, the genius heiress halted the boat's engine. She needed to figure this out before they moved any further.
It had been two months since Dr. Brief's daughter began her mission to locate the Dragonballs. So far, everything had gone smoothly. During that time span, the Capsule Corps heiress had managed to find three Dragonballs. She had also met some interesting characters along the way, particularly Master Roshi. Everything had been figuratively and literally smooth sailing up until this point. But for some reason, the Dragon radar appeared to be malfunctioning now.
"Maybe it's in the Ocean?" Goku offered as his eyes darted around the seemingly endless stretch of water. There was nothing as far as his gaze could see.
"No," Bulma replied, shaking her head. If that were the case, the radar's arrow would have been pointing downward. "It keeps pointing eastward, but there's nothing there." The teen's frustration was beginning to mount. She and Goku had spent the last hour drifting at sea in search of this particular Dragonball, to no avail. "Stupid radar!"
Goku could sense the agitation growing from Bulma. Nothing good ever happened when she got angry. The Saiyan had witnessed it, first hand, when she'd discovered he'd accidentally stolen her panties. Her response had been quick and violent, firing several rounds of shells from her MAC-11. At least on land, there was somewhere he could escape to, but at sea, if she decided to become volatile, there wouldn't be much he could do.
"How bout I go take a look around?" The Saiyan asked, his tail wagging ceaselessly in nervousness.
"I'm not sure what good that would do considering there's nothing around," Bulma snarkily replied, her hands outstretching towards the water that surrounded them at all ends. "But sure, why not? It probably wouldn't hurt anyway." It would at least give her some to analyze the radar and see if anything truly was wrong with it.
Nodding at her words, the spiky-haired adolescent whistled as and beckoned for his golden chariot Nimbus. Perking up as she watched the golden cloud approach the boat, Bulma frowned. She was still annoyed that she'd been unable to ride it. She had the purest heart of anyone she knew, or so she thought. But Goku had obviously proven her wrong.
"I promise I won't take too long." With a parting wave, the Saiyan hopped upon his trusty steed and took off into the sky, leaving Bulma to watch the golden streak as it finally faded into obscurity.
The Hillsides of Themyscira
This was Diana's escape. Anytime she felt burdened, overwhelmed, or crushed by the weight of the world, she escaped here to be alone and think. And now more than ever did she thank the gods that she had never disclosed this location to her mother. Located on the far side of the island, overlooking one of the nearby beaches, the hillside directly faced the Aegean sea. It was a breathtaking view, and, as always, it displayed the grandeur of the very gods Diana worshiped.
But Diana was in no mood to worship or pray. She was still reeling over her actions against Aleka. How could she have done that to one of her sisters? Sure, Aleka knew how to push her buttons and enrage her but never once had she gone this far. She had finally snapped. All she could think of at that very moment was inflicting as much pain as possible upon the redhead.
I hope that Aleka forgives me for what I have done.
Fighting and violence were norms of Themysciran society. Training and battle were always going on. Since Hercules' invasion, Queen Hippolyta had vowed never to be caught by surprise again. It was improbable that any man would ever walk across Themysciran lands; it was forbidden, but the Amazons would be ready in the unlikely scenario that it happened. But never during these battles had one of Diana's sisters been brought to the brink of death. That's what made her actions so baffling.
What was even more confusing was how easily she had pummeled Aleka. After their encounter with Hercules, the Amazons were blessed by the gods. They possessed strength far beyond any male, Athena herself had ensured it. Defeating an Amazon was possible, albeit hard to do. But flat out beating one to a pulp was something that had never happened in Diana's lifetime. Diana had always been strong, but the strength that had coursed through her veins during her skirmish was otherworldly, dare she say, godly even.
Glancing at her still trembling hands Diana pondered what she was becoming. What if Aleka was right? No Amazon would've done what she did to her fellow sister. Could she even be considered mortal after being carved out of clay? She was forever grateful that the gods had created her, but the dilemma of her humanity forever plagued her mind. Truly, what was she? No other Amazon or mortal shared her origin, so how could she claim to be either one? She was formed of clay and blessed by the gods, but not born of one; she couldn't claim godhood either. As usual, she was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Sobbing into her knees, the princess pondered what course of action to take next. She couldn't stay here forever. Eventually, she would have to return to the palace, or the royal guards would search for her. What a truly awful way to begin her birthday week. Her mother would surely be disappointed with her, and rightfully so. All she wanted to do now was to run, get away, and be alone.
Oh Hera, why must I always be the freak? Look at what I've done to Aleka! If only I could...
Diana's reverie was shattered as she heard a loud whizzing sound slice through the air. Lifting her head from between her knees, the princess's ears perked up as the noise grew louder and louder. What is that? Rising to her feet, Diana squinted as the sound drew near. Her eyes expanded to the length of a saucer as she saw a golden cloud approaching the hillside from a distance. What was most jarring was the thing, or rather the person riding upon it. A male! From stories her mother had told her, Diana quickly put two and two together.
It has been centuries since a man dared approach our lands. Who would even have the gall? Frowning, Diana watched as the cloud streaked closer. What were his intentions? How did he find their island? Did he wish to attack? At the thought of another possible attack, Diana's body tensed. She would take no such chance. Uprooting a nearby tree, the princess heaved it over her shoulder, positioning herself to throw it. Thrusting forward with the posture of an archer, Diana launched it at the unsuspecting male.
May Phillipus training not fail me now.
A big thank you to everyone who reviewed chapter 4!
A/N: I have a new poll on my profile; please vote on it and tell me what you think.
[1]: I went with a mix of the New 52 and Post Crisis versions of the Olympian gods. Gods like Ares have retained their Post Crisis appearance and disposition.
[2]: I went with a slightly altered version of the George Perez Amazon origin.
Q/A:
Aztec 13: I can't say what I will or will not include in this story since I'll be pulling from multiple Universes. No spoilers on fusion. I actually mentioned Tights in the previous chapter. Whether or not she'll be appearing in this story? You'll just have to read and find out.
Itheone: None of your guesses are right, lol, but good try, though.
Guest: I'll update it eventually.
tarrangar: I will neither confirm nor deny whether Tights is dead or alive; you'll just have to read and find out. Akira Toriyama never explained what happened to her, so I came up with my own idea. Not sure where you're getting this body double thing from when I made no mention of it.
