When the Princess is away Part I
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PIn the heart of Themyscira, the sacred temple of Athena stood tall, its marble pillars gleaming under the soft light of the sun. Inside, the air was cool and filled with the faint scent of incense. At the center of the temple, a large, ornate scrying pool shimmered with mystical energy, allowing the Amazons to glimpse the world beyond their island paradise.
Queen Hippolyta stood at the edge of the pool, her regal posture betraying no emotion, though her eyes remained fixed on the images unfolding before her. Flanked by several other Amazons, including her youngest daughter Donna Troy, the queen watched in stunned silence as the reflection in the water showed Diana—her eldest—engaged in a very peculiar race.
Beside her, Princess Audrey of Kasnia, Diana's longtime friend and occasional partner in mischief, was leaning forward with barely suppressed laughter, her hands gripping the edges of the pool for support. She had been invited to Themyscira for the Winter Feast, and now, they were witnessing something she could not have anticipated.
Through the scrying pool, Diana was behind the wheel of Bruce Wayne's Aston Martin, speeding through the rain-soaked streets of Paris, with half the city's police force in pursuit.
The roaring engines, flashing lights, and unmistakable thrill in Diana's expression were clearly visible. As the chase unfolded, Bruce Wayne—Hollywood's golden boy and the current James Bond—sat in the passenger seat, his face a mix of resignation and disbelief. He was gripping the door handle tightly as Diana laughed, completely at ease with the chaos she had sparked.
The stereo blared the iconic Dr. No theme, the familiar sounds echoing faintly even within the temple, as if the magic of the scrying pool had carried the music from Paris to Themyscira itself.
Audrey broke the silence first, her laughter finally spilling over.
"She's driving his car—his Aston Martin—and leading the police on a chase through Paris?! Oh, this is priceless!" She wiped a tear from her eye, her shoulders shaking with amusement.
Donna Troy, watching beside her mother, grinned widely.
"I always knew Diana had a wild side, but this... this is legendary. She's living out an action movie scene, and Bruce—James Bond himself—looks like he's barely holding it together!"
Queen Hippolyta's expression, however, remained serious. Her eyes were narrowed in thought, though a faint flicker of amusement tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"This... this is the daughter I raised?" she murmured under her breath, half to herself and half to the gods who might have been watching alongside them.
"Diana, who speaks of honor and duty, is now leading Paris's police force on a high-speed chase with an actor in tow?"
A soft, feminine voice joined the conversation, resonating from behind them. "You have to admit, Queen Mother, it's quite entertaining."
Hippolyta turned to see Athena, goddess of wisdom, standing beside the other goddesses who had gathered for the Winter Feast. Athena's lips curled into a knowing smile. Beside her, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, watched with an amused glint in her eye, clearly enjoying the spectacle Diana had created. Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, observed with a nod of approval. It wasn't often that she was impressed by anyone outside the her ranks, but even she had to give Diana credit for such boldness.
Audrey, still watching with delight, nudged Donna.
"You realize this is a story we'll be telling for ages, right? Diana, Wonder Woman, not only races through Paris but does it in James Bond's car, with James Bond himself clinging for dear life!"
Donna chuckled, crossing her arms.
"I think the Parisian police are just as amused as we are. They don't seem to be in any real rush to catch her. Can you blame them? How often do you get to be part of a James Bond car chase?"
Athena tilted her head, her sharp eyes analyzing the scene as Diana expertly maneuvered the car around tight corners, effortlessly evading her pursuers. "Diana has always been a quick learner. Her instincts serve her well in all situations, it seems—even in one as... unconventional as this."
Artemis crossed her arms, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "She certainly doesn't lack for bravery. Or recklessness."
Hippolyta finally let out a sigh, shaking her head. "Reckless, indeed. Diana has always had a penchant for finding adventure where others would not. I just never imagined it would be alongside some mere mortal."
Audrey grinned. "Well, If anyone can keep up with her, it's him. Though, from the looks of it, she's the one driving circles around him."
Aphrodite, her golden hair gleaming like the sun, stepped forward, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Ah, but love, or perhaps the thrill of it, can bring out the wildest parts of ourselves. Bruce Wayne—this mortal man with so many secrets—and Diana, who keeps her own, are an interesting pair, don't you think?"
Hippolyta raised an eyebrow at the goddess's remark.
"Love? I don't see how this... situation speaks of love."
Aphrodite smiled knowingly.
"It's not always about love, dear Hippolyta. Sometimes, it's about the excitement, the challenge. He challenges her, and she, in turn, challenges him. Look at them. They dance around each other, even now. He pretends to be exasperated, but there's admiration in his eyes. He enjoys it more than he'll ever admit."
Hippolyta frowned slightly, her gaze returning to the scrying pool, where Bruce now had a firm grip on his seatbelt as Diana floored the gas, speeding through the streets at breakneck speed. Despite the tension in his posture, there was no mistaking the glimmer of a smile on his lips.
Audrey leaned closer to Donna, whispering with a teasing grin. "Think he'll survive the night?"
Donna laughed.
"I'm more worried about the police force. Diana looks like she's just getting started."
Athena watched quietly as Diana continued her playful chase.
"Your daughter is remarkable, Hippolyta. She has faced gods, monsters, and mortals alike, and yet she remains grounded. Bruce Wayne, whether he knows it or not, has found someone who can match his every step."
Hippolyta sighed again, though this time, it was softer, her worry easing just a bit.
"She's always been strong, but this... this is something else entirely."
Aphrodite's smile widened, her voice like honey.
"Perhaps Bruce Wayne is more than just a mere mortal, Hippolyta. Perhaps he is a man with as many masks as Diana herself."
Hippolyta's gaze sharpened, but before she could respond, a burst of laughter came from Audrey as Diana spun the car in a perfect drift, narrowly avoiding a barricade.
"Now that's how you drive!" Audrey exclaimed, clapping her hands.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say Diana's the real James Bond here!"
The goddesses and Amazons laughed together, the tension lifting for a moment as they shared in the spectacle. Hippolyta's lips quirked into a reluctant smile. Diana might be unpredictable, but there was no denying the joy she brought to those around her—no matter how unconventional her methods.
As the scene in the scrying pool continued to unfold, the queen of the Amazons crossed her arms and murmured:
"Diana, what am I going to do with you?"
Donna smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Maybe let her drive the chariot at the next festival?"
Hippolyta shook her head, though the hint of a smile remained. "I don't think I could handle that."