JLU 2001 Fanfiction - Wonder Woman #18

"Olympus..."

Diana couldn't remember how long it had been since she had walked the hallowed halls of the very Gods that she worshipped. At one point, she had been counted among their number, but that time was long past. Diana had returned to the plane of existence and retook her role as Wonder Woman, protector of Man's World and Ambassador of Themyscira. It was a decision that she questioned at times, but in the end Diana always agreed with the decision that she had made. The Earth needed protecting. The Earth needed her. But at that moment, Diana didn't realize just how accurate that statement was.

"Welcome back, Diana," Hestia said. It had been her idea that led Diana to Mount Olympus. In exchange for the repair of her Lasso of Truth, Diana was expected to conquer the gods in a set of competitions that had yet to be revealed. The battleground had been chosen. The rest was still a mystery. "You're return has been expected."

"I would prefer that we get on with things immediately, Hestia," Wonder Woman implored. "I don't like being away from Earth for too long, especially after recent events. I have a bad feeling."

"Patience, child. You've only just arrived."

Diana turned at the voice and found a man that easily dwarfed her in size. He was dressed in a toga that barely concealed his musculature. It was a style of the ancient gods, but one few continued to engage in. However, Zeus had always been one for paying respect to tradition. And, as Lord of Olympus and King of the Gods, no one was in a place to tell him any different. Zeus was smiling-

"Diana, it is good to see you again. I just wished that your visit was under better circumstances. Can I see it?"

She reached to her side and extracted the pouch. It was in Zeus' hands a moment later.

The King of the Gods opened the bag and peered in. The shock was evident. "What could have the power to rip apart this lasso? It was a godsend."

"The forces of the Time Stream are responsible," Wonder Woman responded. "It frayed before anything could be done."

"Wonder Woman," yet another voice interrupted. "Fancy meeting you here."

Diana didn't need to see to know who had spoken. Her teeth gritted involuntarily as she glanced up to see Ares making his way down a long flight of stairs. When the God of War had finished, he stood beside his father, a condescending smirk on his face. The princess didn't try to hide the disdain she held for Ares. The God had caused her more than her fair share of grief since she had earned the title of Wonder Woman in another contest that seemed like a lifetime ago. It was not something she was going to forget easily, if at all.

Ares peered into the pouch and made a hissing sound. "Wow, nice, warrior princess. You sure did a bang up job with that one."

"Ares, do us all a favor and go get lost in Tartarus," Diana responded just as vehemently.

"Ouch," the War God recoiled. "The cat has claws."

Hestia intervened, stepping between them. "Ares, your time is coming. Leave Diana be for now. She has much to think on and no time to waste throwing childless gauntlets."

Ares shrugged. "Whatever. This will be continued, Diana. Count on it.”

As he moved away, Diana shook her head. "That man is...incorrigible." She looked to Hestia. "What did you mean when you said his time was coming?"

"Now that you're here, Diana," Hestia replied, as if she had never heard the question, "it's time that you learned the contests that you will be taking part in. After all, it's only fair seeing as your opponents have already had time to prepare. I believe you should also have that option."

Wonder Woman sighed. "I don't think I'm going to like this."

The Amazon Princess.....

Wonder Woman

'REGAINING GLORY'

Part One:

BULLSEYE!

Wonder Woman #18 - February, Year Four

by Matt Hrubey

Athena knew it all. She was the Goddess of Wisdom.

As Hestia outlined the competition that Wonder Woman was to take part in to fix her Lasso of Truth, Athena could see the attack going on in Themyscira. The forces of Darkseid had attacked out of nowhere, surprising all of the Amazons. Amazons and Para Demons were dying everywhere, shattering the innocence of Paradise Island. Blood was spilled in gallons. Athena wanted to inform Diana and send her back to defend her home, but she said nothing. She ignored the pleas of Themyscira and returned her attention to Hestia.

"As per our agreement, Diana, I am obliged to make the rules of this contest. And that is what this is, let me assure you. I am not trying to...what is the mortal word for it? Oh, yes...screw you over. By participating and succeeding in the challenges set forth by me, you will once again prove you are worthy enough to possess the lasso. It is a potent instrument as you well know and cannot be handed out to just anybody."

"I understand," Wonder Woman replied. She was becoming very curious as to what the actual challenges would require and wished that Hestia would get to the point. Diana couldn't stop her leg from thumping up and down against the hallowed ground of Mount Olympus. "I am anxious to begin."

"In true mortal fashion, this competition will be best two out of three. If you succeed in two or more of the challenges, then I will use my power to reconstruct the Lasso of Truth and you will be returned to Themyscira as a champion. If you fail, you will be sent home empty handed. I hope for your sake, Diana, that that does not come to pass."

"I hope so too."

"The first challenge will be a battle of skill. You will face one of those you see around you in a test of the basic skills that an Amazon warrior should know."

Diana studied the faces of the Gods at Hestia's back. Besides the condescending smirk on Ares' features, the rest seemed almost saddened that such a contest was taking place. Diana had become a favorite among the Gods that she prayed to. Gods that were very overprotective of those that they cared for. Wonder Woman wondered how Hestia even got allowance for this lunacy to take place.

She had done nothing wrong!

"The second challenge will be to battle an enemy. And the third will be to battle yourself.

"I know this seems overly vague but all will be made clear as the competition proceeds. This will be demanding mentally, emotionally, and, most of all, physically. If you succeed, you will have proven yourself worthy once more of holding the lasso and the title of Wonder Woman. You will return to Earth with my blessing and gift. If you fail..."

The words died in the throat of a goddess. She looked down at the ground, almost as if in shame. However, when she looked back up, an unfamiliar fire was in her gaze. Diana cocked her head to the side, studying Hestia, who turned away from the gaze. She moved toward the exit.

"Good luck, Diana," Hestia called back over her shoulder. "The contest begins within the hour."

And then she was gone. And Diana was left alone with those she didn't know if she could trust at that moment. Ares slid out of the room in his sister's wake, the smile ever present. Athena and Artemis followed suit, though their heads were down toward the ground. Slowly but surely, all of the Gods of Olympus began to file out until Wonder Woman was left alone with Zeus, the king of the realm.

"Diana," Zeus said, moving to her side. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't need to say anything."

"Hestia is upset. She is simply trying to get a sense of...the word is...payback. It's really rather mortal and trivial for a goddess, but she-"

Diana turned to the King of the Gods. "Zeus, you really don't need to explain Hestia's actions."

"Diana, you-"

"I will win these competitions, I will get my lasso, and I will return to earth with a good story and a sense of accomplishment. What happens here does not matter for what happens is already written in fate and destiny is in my favor!"

"Diana."

"I must prepare, Zeus."

Wonder Woman walked out, following the path that the Gods had taken. Her back remained to Zeus the entire time, but she managed to catch his reflection in the clear paleness of one of the several pillars adorning the room. If she didn't know any better, Diana could have sworn that she saw...

A tear?

“I’m sorry,” he muttered under his breath. “I hope you will forgive us one day, princess.”

"Shouldn't we tell her what's going on?"

"I know you mean well, Artemis, but the news would only serve to distract her. Hestia has made it perfectly clear that this was Diana's one shot to get that lasso repaired. If she backs out now..."

"Earth is going to hell and she doesn't even know it. They need Wonder Woman. She plays a pivotal role in the protection of Man's World."

Athena threw her hands up and began pacing. "You think I don't know that? I see what you see and even more than that. Of course, Diana is important, but the Amazons and Man's World are just going to have to wait a little longer. Wonder Woman is not dead! She will return."

"But will there be a world when that time comes?"

Stopping in mid-pace, Athena looked to her sister goddess and shrugged. "That is not a matter of our involvement. We protect Themyscira-"

"Which is burning as we speak!"

"What would you have me do? Our father forbids direct involvement with the mortals!"

Artemis rose to her feet. "There are always exceptions."

"But it's not our place."

The fire blazed in Artemis' eyes. "The Amazons are dying in our name! And you want to do nothing?"

"It's not our place," Athena repeated, sternly.

"Fine," Artemis replied, grabbing her bow. "You stand by and do nothing, but I will not follow your lead. I have to prepare for this contest. If I am going to make Diana's life hell, then I might as well practice."

The bow was pulled taunt and released a moment later, resulting in a resounding PING! She smiled, confident the weapon she had been given had not been tampered with in any manner. Diana resented the thought that Hestia would somehow influence the contests in the Gods’ favor, but there had been many occasions when the immortals of Olympus had tampered in the lives of mortals. After all, Diana herself had fallen victim to the Gods more times than she cared to admit. Usually, it had been Ares that was responsible, but the other gods and goddesses were not without faults of their own. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. It doesn’t matter if you were immortal or not.

Along with the bow, a quiver of arrows had been provided for the first contest. Extracting one, Diana ran her finger along the tip, sucking in a soft breath when she nicked herself. The blood ran freely, dripping onto the spotless marble floors of the home of the ancient Gods. Putting the injured finger into her mouth, Diana sucked in, tasting the coppery tinge of blood in the back of her throat.

“Are you prepared, Diana?”

The princess turned, greeting another of the matriarchs of Themyscira. Artemis stepped forward, her very own bow and quiver in hand. They looked natural; like extensions of her body. She was radiant, but then again, all the goddesses were. Olympus was a beautiful place and it was reflected in its inhabitants. The Goddess of the Hunt put down her quiver and tested her own bow.

“I am…ready, Artemis,” Wonder Woman responded. “This just all seems like it is happening very quickly.”

“I believe it was you that requested we begin immediately. Hestia is but granting your wish. We’ll get underway when the others arrive. We have a few moments more.”

They spent the next few minutes in silence, continuing to prepare for the battle of skills that impacted Diana’s reclamation of the lasso. It was a pivotal part of her being, an important tool in her work. She had no choice than to succeed. However, it almost seemed like a lost cost. There was a reason that Artemis was the Goddess of the Hunt. She could kill things with a style that Diana could barely comprehend. Her only saving grace was that Artemis was but one of the Gods that had had their powers imbued into Diana upon her creation so many years ago. Wonder Woman was effectively a humble combination of the best parts of the Olympian immortals.

A ruckus ensued as Hestia entered the chamber, followed by her father and siblings. A giant smile once again came to Zeus’ face when he spotted Diana. She had always been one of his favorite Amazons. Wonder Woman was, in his eyes, perfection. Ares came in after his father, showing his obvious disdain for the Amazon. It was ironic that this father and son pair was as polar opposite as they were.

Hestia gave a slight nod to the combatants before speaking. “We are about to get underway. Artemis, you are prepared?”

The goddess nodded. “I am.”

“And Diana?”

“I am prepared,” Wonder Woman replied, feeling her grip tighten on the bow.

“Fabulous. This contest will be played similar to the rules of the mortal game ‘darts.’ You will each get three shots. Whoever’s composite distance is closest to the center wins this competition. Diana, remember that you need but accomplish two of the three tasks to be victorious.”

“I won’t forget.” But then again, how could she? It was all Diana could think about. Hestia was trying to portray the princess as the fool. This goddess held a grudge for the destruction of the lasso. The problem was that, contrary to Hestia’s belief, Diana played no part in the fraying of the magic lasso. It had been a freak accident.

“Artemis, you will go first.”

Diana took a deep breath; this was the beginning. She had to succeed.

Taking a step forward, Artemis gracefully plucked an arrow from her quiver and mounted it on the bow. She pulled back gently and let the projectile fly. It split through the air and struck the target dead center. With a satisfied smile, Artemis lowered her bow. “You’re turn, Diana.”

The Wonder Woman stepped forward and repeated the process, pulling an arrow and mounting it. She took a deep breath and let the string and arrow go it. It sliced through the air and through Artemis’ arrow, imbedding itself in a bullseye.

“The game is even. Artemis, your second arrow.”

Artemis gave a slight nod in Hestia’s direction before stepping forward again. Her next arrow was a bullseye.

Diana’s second arrow was a bullseye.

Artemis’ third arrow was yet another bullseye.

By this point, Diana was feeling the pressure. If her last arrow wasn’t a bullseye, then she will have lost and would have to successfully complete the next two contests. It was preferable to be one up on the competition. The arrow felt hot in her hand. She had confidence in her skills, but Artemis was another kind of opponent entirely.

Wonder Woman mounted her arrow and took aim. The silence in the room was unbreakable. She took aim and hoped that it was true. Her eyes slipped shut as the arrow slipped from her grasp. Her eyes still closed, Diana heard the arrow hit the target. Intakes of breathe from the crowd made Diana’s adrenaline output increase. She opened her eyes, one at a time, and broke into a smile.

A bullseye.

”Well,” Hestia said, “that sure was…riveting. It seems that we have ourselves a problem. As per the rules set forth by me, we cannot have a tie, so you will both have to continue to shoot until someone misses. Artemis, go ahead.”

Artemis. Bullseye.

Wonder Woman. Bullseye.

Artemis. Bullseye

Wonder Woman. Bullseye.

And so it went.

Her forehead damp with sweat, Diana prayed that this would be over soon. And then she realized that those that she prayed to were surrounding her on all sides. It seemed wasted, but the praying had always been second nature. She shot off yet another arrow and hit her mark yet again.

Artemis, arrow in hand, looked over to Diana, exhaustion evident on her features. She was trying so hard but this had been a losing battle. Artemis pulled the bow taunt. And then, she did the strangest thing.

She smiled.

The arrow flew away from the goddess and struck the target. Diana’s eyes widened.

It had been close but the arrow had just missed the center.

Diana looked to her opponent and saw the wink. She smiled and mouthed a ‘thank you’ to Artemis. The goddess offered back a barely noticeable nod as Hestia approached.

“I must say, Diana,” Hestia said, “I am impressed. You are victorious. But this is only the beginning. We will give you a little while to recuperate but the next contest will be upon you soon enough. Rest.” Hestia led the inhabitants of Olympus out, leaving Diana alone with Artemis.

“Why did you do it?” Wonder Woman asked. “You had me beat. It was only a matter of time before I missed.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Diana. You bested me.”

“I’m not stupid. Please don’t act like I am, Artemis.”

“I stood to gain nothing from this. Hestia is a sister, but this whole competition is absolutely ridiculous. You showed me that you are worthy of that lasso. It’s as simple as that.”

Artemis moved after her fellow Gods, her bow in hand. She stopped and peered over her shoulder. “Good luck, Diana,” she said, “and remember, the others will not be as…hospitable as me. You won’t get the same benefits that I gave you. I know what my sister has in stored and it’s going to take a lot of effort for you to succeed. Good luck.”

The words sinking in, Diana turned over her shoulder. “Yeah, thanks for that.”

Alone, Diana was left with a singular thought:

One down, one to go.

To be continued...

Next Issue- Check out DARK GENESIS #2 as the World of Darkseid unfolds. Just how will Man's World cope without Wonder Woman? It might not, but return here next month to learn the fate of Wonder Woman and her Quest for the Golden Lasso as 'Regaining Glory' continues, by Matt Hrubey!