JLU 2001 Fanfiction - Wonder Woman #15

Gateway High School

Things had changed...

The hallway was flooded with students as they moved on toward their next class of the day. Laughter broke the air as friends met and continued on their way. In the middle of it, however, Cassandra Sandsmark wasn't laughing. She walked, no smile on her face, her books pulled tightly to her chest as if she were protecting them from harm.

Things had changed...

Cassandra was powerful. She was gifted.

But she couldn't tell anyone. Diana had explained it to her very carefully. As was the way of the world, people feared what they didn't understand. The normal, everyday people worshipped heroes because they saw them as larger than life. The minute that extraordinary power takes on the form of the familiar, the ideals changed.

"You would become an outcast, Cassie," Wonder Woman had told her after they returned from Themyscira. "I am telling you this to protect you. Be safe, my sister."

The Gods had gifted her with unimaginable power. To Cassie, it had been a miracle. She had become a hero. She had become everything that she had ever wanted. Now, however, Cassandra couldn't fess up to it.

Cassandra continued along, caught in her haze. She didn't even notice the impending collision until she had fallen backward and landed on the floor. Her books scattered in all directions. Cassie uttered a curse as she rose to her feet and gathered her things.

"Hey, bitch!"

Flabbergasted, Cassandra looked up and found the other half of the collision in her face. The girl looked familiar though they had never actually spoken two words to each other. Cassandra straightened up.

"Maybe next time you should watch where your ass is going!"

The girl pushed her-

What happened next took place so quickly that Cassandra had no time to stop herself. Her hand flashed upward and grabbed the wrist of her attacker. The girl cried out in pain under Cassie's newfound strength. With a flick of her wrist, the girl was thrown into a set of lockers. She crumpled to the ground, barely conscious.

Cassandra, surprised by her actions, covered her mouth with her hands. She tried to move away from the scene but found that she was surrounded by students.

The crowd that had formed around the fight pointed at Cassandra. Some were afraid of her after the quick execution of the ass whooping she had given one of the toughest girls in school. Others adored Cassandra because she had finally "shut that bitch up." The rest were undecided. They separated, however, as the principal of the school arrived.

Taking the scene in, the head official turned to Cassandra-

"Ms. Sandsmark, my office. NOW!"

Things had changed...

The Amazon Princess.....

Wonder Woman

"Wonderful"

Wonder Woman #15 - March, Year Two

by Matt Hrubey

Principal Meyer took her seat. Her eyes came to rest on Cassandra and she frowned-

"I have to say, Ms. Sandsmark, I'm rather surprised. You've never struck me as one to start a fight."

"I didn't start--"

"But you sure ended it. That's almost as bad."

Cassie looked up from the floor and to the principal. "What should I have done?"

"The bigger person walks away."

"Come on, Principal Meyer, that's so cliche. If I had done that, then it would have only been the beginning of this torture. Tanya Stevens thrives on her ability to prey on the weak. She knows how to push buttons and takes pleasure in it. Maybe what I’ve done is a bit frowned upon but it sent Tanya a message."

Principal Meyer shook her head and sighed. "You are just full of surprises today. Cassandra, fighting is more than slightly frowned upon. In fact, if I am to follow protocol, you should be suspended indefinitely."

"She started it!"

"That's not for me to decide."

Cassandra rose to her feet. "This is ridiculous!"

"Ms. Sandsmark, sit down or you will be suspended."

Deflated, Cassie did as she was told. "This isn't right, Principal Meyer."

"Being right is up to personal interpretation. You broke the rules, Cassandra, now you must be punished."

"Come on-"

"Detention. The next three days. Think of it as time to think about what you did."

There were several things that she wanted to say in response but Cassie stayed her tongue. She had done nothing wrong. It was a simple matter of self-defense. To bad that apparently didn't matter anymore.

"Are we done here?"

"I'm sorry, Ms. Sandsmark. Rules are rules."

Cassie said nothing-

"You can go back to class."

Rising to her feet, Cassandra kept her eyes on the floor as she exited the office.

This kind of stuff never happened to the heroes. You didn't see Superman in detention. You didn't see Batman being talked down to. You didn't see Wonder Woman-

That was it!

The answer was so simple. Cassie wanted to be a hero. She was friends with one of the most famous. It was all about who you know.

Forgetting that the school day was only half through, Cassandra walked out the front door and took to the sky.

She would be a hero if it killed her.

The Gateway Museum of Cultural Antiquities

Diana, Princess of the Amazons, moved with a grace that few had ever seen. Decked out in the royal dress of her homeland, she turned and smiled at the group that had been following her for the past hour. She opened her arms in a warm gesture.

"This, I'm afraid, is the end of the tour," she said. "I hope that your visit today was both fun and educational."

The gathering dispersed throughout the museum, looking at a few last minute antiques before departing. Diana watched them, finding that some were looking back at her. She smiled once more and they turned away happy.

She hadn't told them she was Wonder Woman. But they knew.

They always knew.

Diana felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to find a familiar face. "Cassandra, my sister. What brings you out here in the middle of the day. Don't you have school?"

"Where's my mom, Diana?"

"In her office. I can go get her if--"

Cassandra shook her head. "No, no. Let's hope she stays there." She took Diana by the arm and led her to another part of the museum where they weren't out in the open. Cassie looked around, checking to make sure there was nobody around.

"What is it, Cassandra?" Diana eyed her suspiciously-

"You can't tell my mother that I asked you this. She would throw a cow."

"Cassandra, I will not in anyway disobey what your mother--"

"I want you teach me to be a hero."

Diana was stunned by the younger woman's request. "You want to...a hero?"

"Like you and rest of the League, Wonder Woman," Cassandra responded. She looked like a young child ready to open her presents on Christmas morning. "I have this incredible power and all I can think about is using it."

"No one can be taught to be a hero, Cassandra. Your actions speak of your intentions. Do good things and you will be considered a force for good."

Dejected, Cassandra looked around once more before returning her eyes to Diana. "There has to be something you can teach me. My powers are the same as yours, albeit weaker. You’re an Amazon warrior. You could probably kill with--"

"I never kill unless forced to, Cassandra." Diana was dead serious-

"I know that. I was just saying you could."

Diana shook her head. "I will not do anything that would disobey your mother's orders. If you get permission from her then I will teach you a couple of tricks that you could use to protect yourself. Others too if you are so inclined."

Leaning back against the wall, Cassie shook her head and faked a smile. "Thanks for the offer, Diana, but my mother is dead set against me using my powers. She wasn't even happy that I got them in the first place."

"I'm sorry, Cassandra, it's the way it has to be," Diana added. "You're just a child."

Cassandra felt her blood begin to boil as Diana moved back into the museum's lobby. Running after her, Cassie was about to saying something, something she would have probably regretted. However, it was fortunate, at least for her, that at that moment, an explosion rocked the museum. The building itself remained unharmed but someone, somewhere was in pain.

Without a moment's hesitation, Diana ran for the staff room where she kept her uniform in case of emergencies. This definitely qualified as one of those.

Looking around, Cassie noticed that everyone's attention had turned to whatever was going on outside.

That's when the light bulb went on.

If Diana thought she was nothing but a child, incapable of defending herself, then she was have to do just that.

Whatever was going on outside, Cassie would put it to an end.

She would be a hero. There was no other option.

With the speed of Hermes, Diana had changed and made her way outside. Her eyes scanned her surroundings and she felt her jaw drop. The street outside the museum had become a war zone. The unofficial cease-fire that had taken place within Gateway the last couple of days had apparently ended. Two rival gangs squared off against once another, firing off bullets and ducking for cover. This situation had to be averted fast or someone would get caught in the crossfire.

And that's when Diana saw her.

Cassandra was flying toward the gang on the left, no doubt with intentions to end this battle herself. The girl was inexperienced and would more than likely end up getting herself killed. Diana wouldn't allow that. She shot forward just as Cassie delivered the first punch.

The girl broke through the forward line of the gang, laying out a pair of grown men with a single punch. Attention turned immediately to the young girl and bullets whizzed by on all sides. Swallowing a scream, Cassandra took cover before a nearby convertible.

And just was quickly the barrage of bullets ended.

Cassandra peeked over the car and found Wonder Woman tearing through the gang, commandeering their weapons making sure that they lost their collective will to fight. She felt her anger return at the prospect of being shown up. Her feet floated off the ground and she flew in, cracking a man in the jaw before he could attack Diana from her back.

Diana turned at the sound of the gangbanger hitting the ground. "Cassandra, get inside!"

"I just saved you!"

"You're going to get yourself hurt. I can handle this!"

"Like hell you can," Cassie muttered before jumping back into the fight. Once or twice she had almost been taken by surprise, but between the two gifted women, they never stood a chance.

BANG!

Cassie turned. The bullet drilled into her shoulder, knocking her off her feet.

The darkness began to set in immediately.

At the sound of the gunshot, Wonder Woman turned just in time to witness Cassie take the bullet and fall to the ground. She shouted the younger girl's name but Cassie couldn't hear it. Diana cracked the heads of two more gangbangers together before moving to Cassie's aid. The one that had shot her was looking to finish the job. He aimed his pistol and couldn't help but smile-

Wonder Woman grabbed the man's wrist and felt it break under the pressure. He screamed like a little girl and the gun dropped to the ground. She elbowed him in the face and all pain he felt subsided as he lost consciousness. Diana lifted Cassie into her arms and took a quick glance around. This battle needed to be ended but Cassandra was the first order of business.

In the distance, she heard the police sirens. Detective Schorr was on his way. He would be able to handle the situation.

Kicking off the ground, Wonder Woman shot off like a bullet in the hospital's direction. In her arms, Cassandra Sandsmark looked almost peaceful as she bled out.

The Next Day
County General Hospital

"I can't believe she would do something like this." Diana shrugged-

"She's a child, Helena. When she wakes up, she's going to be ashamed of her actions. She's going to need your love, not your anger."

Helena Sandsmark stopped in the middle of her pacing. The mother of the girl in the hospital bed spared a glance at her daughter before resuming her pacing. "Did the doctor say why she hasn't woken up yet?"

"Her body is recuperating from an injury. Give it time."

"What were you thinking, Diana?" Helena asked, turning her sudden rage onto a new target. "What were you thinking letting Cassie out into a war zone like that. She was shot for god's sake!"

Diana put up her hand and motioned for her friend to calm down. "Please, Helena, you need to-"

"You're supposed to be the responsible one!"

With a swiftness that Helena had never seen, Diana had risen to her feet. "Do not think that I am to blame for this. Cassandra came to me, behind your back, seeking training to become what she has always wanted to be. I blatantly explained to her that I would do nothing without your permission. When the fighting broke out, Cassandra went against my wishes and entered the battle ahead of me. There was nothing I could do. I tried to pull her out of the battle but she was shot before I could succeed."

Helena didn't look ready to accept that. She opened her mouth to respond-

"...telling...truth..."

Surprised by the weak voice, Diana and Helena gathered around the bed and found that Cassie was waking up. With newfound tears of joy, Helena wrapped her arms around her daughter. For the most part, Diana simply stood by, a smile etched on her features.

"Mom," Cassie spoke through a dried out throat. "Diana is telling the truth. It's not her fault that this happened to me."

Helena looked at Diana and looked like she was about to bust out in tears once more. "Diana, I'm sorry. I was...I sorry."

"Think nothing of it, sister," the princess responded. "We all do crazy things in times of tragedy."

Helena hugged her daughter once more.

"Helena," Diana interrupted. "I was wondering if I could speak to your daughter privately for a moment."

Meeting eyes, Cassie couldn't tell whether this would be a bad conversation or a worse one. She had directly disobeyed Diana and thrown herself into harm's way. That action could have killed not only her but Wonder Woman as well. She met the eyes of her mother and gave her a reassuring nod. She had to take responsibility for her actions. Helena left without a word.

Moving to the end of the hospital bed, Diana placed her hands on her hips-

"We have to talk."

Outside Cassandra's room, Helena paced nervously. Just because her daughter had woken up didn't mean that she was safe yet. She had been shot! The thought of that blew Helena's mind and caused her eyes to water once more.

"Mrs. Sandsmark?"

With a slight jump, Helena turned toward the man who had spoken her name.

"My name is Mike Schorr." The detective stood before her. It was obvious that he had been through a battle of his own. His face was bruised and there was a nasty looking head wound that had been covered in dried blood. Mike offered his hand and Helena took it.

"I know who you are," Helena responded. "What can I do for you?"

"Have you seen Wonder Woman by any chance?"

"She's in with my daughter at the moment."

"Cassandra," Mike said as his mind recalled the last time he had been in the hospital. He had met Cassandra Sandsmark that day when Diana had apparently died. That was one girl who left an impression. "I saw Diana leave with her as I arrived. I hope all is well."

"It's getting better."

"I just wanted to tell Diana that the situation has been wrapped up and the fighting is over. Would you tell her that for me?"

"Of course, detective."

"It was good to meet you, Mrs. Sandsmark. I hope that Cassie's recovery goes smoothly."

"Thank you."

Schorr turned to move away but stopped and looked back at the door to Cassandra's room. "do you know what they're talking about in there?"

"I don't know for sure," Helena answered, "but I think they're working out some issues."

"What could you have possibly been thinking?"

Diana, Princess of Themyscira, spoke in an even voice. She didn't yell but her tone conveyed her disappointment. She stared unblinkingly at Cassandra and shook her head. Cassie shrugged-

"I thought that I could do some good."

"You barely know how to use these powers."

"But at least I tried!"

Diana took a step back and waited for both of their tempers to calm before speaking again. "What makes you want to be a hero so badly?"

"I have these powers. I feel as though I have a responsibility to use them. However, everytime I bring up the issue, I'm shot down. Whether it's you, my mother, or some Joe Schmo that I've never met, no one wants me to do my part."

"You're a child, Cassandra."

"I'm almost sixteen. If I can drive a car, I'm sure I can figure out how to fly. Besides, weren't the original Teen Titans my age when they started crime fighting? And look at them now. They are some of the fiercest heroes that I've ever seen. Nobody said anything about their age."

"Actually," Diana responded. "I remember the creation of the Titans very well and several people had issues. Those kids just never listened."

"Then why should I?"

"Because the world is not the same anymore, Cassandra. Things aren't as black and white as they were. Super-villains don't do random, meaningless crimes anymore. When someone, say Doctor Light, attacks, they do it with the intention of hurting people. Being a hero is no longer stopping the bad guy and getting the fame. Being a hero, nowadays, is a daily risk. I've seen some of my best friends hurt and killed. I don't want the same for you, Cassandra."

"It's a risk I'm willing to take."

The girl had spirit. She had set her mind to her goal and was not going to let anyone stop her. It was a fire that Wonder Woman admired.

In a voice Cassie could barely hear, Diana said, "Alright."

"What was that?"

"You want to be a hero, Cassandra, I will teach you the skills you need."

Cassie sat up straight, her back becoming rigid. Was Wonder Woman saying what she thought she was saying? Had she actually cracked the Amazon Princess? Then, reality came pouring back in, and Cassandra sat back, deflated. "There's still one more problem: my mother."

"If you are as serious about this as I presume, are you going to let that one obstacle stand in your way?"

Cassie's eyes widened. "Wow, Wonder Woman, that's not something I would expect you to say."

"Call me Diana."

"What?"

The princess sat down on the bed and placed a hand on Cassie's knee. "It's what my friends call me."

Cassie smiled-

"There's still one more thing," Diana said. "All superheroes need a codename in the field. It's a way of protecting and separating one life from another."

"What do you suggest?"

"How about-" Diana couldn't hide her smirk. "-Wonder Girl?"

Only the beginning...

Next Issue- WONDER WOMAN moves forward in time, to just after the events of JLA/ AVENGERS! Beaten and broken after her many scrapes throughout this universe and the next, Princess Diana doesn't have time to rest for the impossible has happened: her golden lasso has been destroyed! In the beginning of a story called "Reclaiming Glory," watch as Wonder Woman goes about restoring her most valued possession! Plus, for the first time in this series since the very beginning...THEMYSCIRA! Diana goes home in WONDER WOMAN #16!