(IC: Wonder Woman)
"All right, I'm ready when you are."
The sand grits beneath my feet as I deepen my stance, already anticipating the coming attack. I had always been adept with the axe in my right hand, but today it feels ungainly, even crude. Ever since my return from America, I have had....difficulty resuming my duties here on Themyscira.
The sunlight glints off the blade of Artemis' sword, drawn and poised to strike. She smirks.
"You know, Diana, I've been going easy on you all day, and you still haven't managed to land a single blow," she taunts, twirling the blade in a showy fashion. "This time, I think I'll just end it quickly."
As arrogant as she usually is, I know that this is a ploy. She's hoping her taunting will make me angry, my fury blinding my better senses so that she may humiliate me. Before leaving for Man's world, it would have worked. However, since then, I've been trying to adopt a different perspective...
...not that such thinking will stop her from attacking.
Artemis lunges forward, bringing the sword up for an overhead slash. It's an obvious move, and I easily avoid it. As I dodge the attack, I feint to her left, swinging the axe at her vulnerable ribs. She wheels around behind me, and slams the sword's hilt into the back of my head.
The world goes black for a second and I stumble forward, dazed from the impact. At my full power, she would never have been fast enough to evade me, nor strong enough to inflict such damage. However, for the purposes of training, I had been treated with a serum that dulled my abilities, handicapping me considerably. If there was anything I had learned from my battle with the creature Lobo, it was that I must be able to fight beings who would be stronger than I.
I find myself cursing the handicap soon enough, as a sharp sting courses across the back of my right leg; Artemis' sword had struck true. The sudden pain brings me out of my daze, and I turn quickly to find my opponent winding back for another attack.
This time, I'm ready for her. I bring up my axe, and sparks fly as steel clashes against steel. She ducks down, effortlessly avoiding another swipe from my weapon, and she comes back with an upward slash. I stagger back, barely evading it, but the pain in my leg is too great, and I fall to one knee.
Artemis closes in for the finishing blow.
Get up, Diana. Get up!
I cannot stand. The sand beneath me is turning crimson, stained by my blood. With no mobility left, I can only choose to meet force with force. She swings her sword, and my axe is there to meet it.
Our weapons lock, the blades grinding together as we shove against each other. Even with my powers dulled, I am still a match for her in terms of sheer strength. It is only a matter of wearing her down....
...and then she uses my axe as a fulcrum, bringing the sword's hilt at full force into my face. I hear a crunch and feel the warm spray of blood from my broken nose as I fall to the ground.
Artemis stand over me, triumphant, bringing the point of her sword to my throat.
"You never could beat me, Diana."
"Artemis! That is quite enough!"
I hear the voice, but cannot recognize it as I lay panting and bloodied on the ground. A figure approaches us, but I cannot make it out with my sight so blurred. However, I am thankful for it, as my opponent removes the blade and backs away.
The figure bends down to me, her voice filled with compassion.
"Rest, my daughter. Your wounds will heal, and when you are ready, I have a lesson for you. For now....rest."
I finally recognize my mother's voice as I slip into unconsciousness....
