Themyscira
Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, sat next to the Pool of Scrying.
She let her hands gently caress the
water, watching as the drops fell from her fingers. She was excited
-- and nervous -- for today her daughter, Diana, would be returning
home. Though they had seemingly put their problems behind them,
there was still a distance, a gulf between mother and daughter.
"What lies in my future, I wonder...After all the travails
of recent years, will we ever know peace?"
The waters swirled, forming images in the once placid surface.
Hippolyta watched solemnly as she saw her daughter in the arms
of a strange man -- one eerily familiar to her. Hippolyta pursed
her lips. Why was the oracle showing her this? Normally her daughter's
romantic affairs were hardly the stuff of prophecy...the images
changed, the water darkening.
She recognized Donna Troy -- believed created all those many
years ago to be a playmate of Diana's* -- wearing the attire given
her by the Titans of Myth. Donna was standing at Diana's side
but the two of them were surrounded by shadowy shapes, evil shapes,
that were closing in. Finally the images swirled, becoming chaotic
and uneven. A man could be seen in the center of the chaos, wearing
armor. Not a human male, though his general shape was the same.
Some sort of...other creature, full of power and fury. The male
raised his hand and in his grasp Hippolyta saw the full breadth
of reality. Then the man's hand closed, crushing all.
(* The convoluted truth behind Donna's origins was revealed in
Wonder Woman v2 # 135. Still-Shaking-My-Head-Barry)
Hippolyta stood quickly. "What is the meaning of this?!
I must be shown more...who is the man in the chaos?" But
the waters had stilled and showed no more. The woman who had served
as the original Wonder Woman during the Golden Age, who had served
with both the Justice Society and the Justice League, the woman
who had led the Amazons for centuries...suddenly felt very, very
afraid.
"This is SOOOOOOOOOO awesome!" Cassie Sandsmark smiled
broadly as Diana's alien jet* dropped in altitude, moving towards
the island home of the Amazons.
(The 'invisible plane' was a gift to Diana from the Lansinarians,
an alien race located in the Arctic.)
Beside her at the controls, Wonder Woman laughed. "I am
glad that you're enjoying yourself, Cassie, but do not forget
that we are here on important business. Your mother has entrusted
your safety to myself and my Amazon sisters."
Cassie sat back and folded her arms. "Yeah...mom's such
a wimp, sometimes. I mean, I've got powers from the Gods...least
she could do is let me be a superhero..."
Diana looked over at Cassie and said firmly, "I won't hear
you insult your mother again. She raised you, by herself, when
there was no one to help her. She has made a life for both herself
and for you. You owe her everything, Cassie. She is only concerned
for your safety."
Cassie sighed. "I know, I know. I just...I just want to
help people like you do.""You will have your chance
-- but not until you are trained. My life is not one of adventure
and romance, Cassie -- I fight only when I have to and only then
to protect innocents."
Cassie nodded, looking out the window. "Is that it? Down
there?"
Diana allowed Cassie to change the subject this time, but reminded
herself mentally to bring up the topic at a later date. "Yes,
that's Themyscira. Are you nervous?""Nervous? Who, me?
Nah. Excited is all."
"Good, because it looks like they're waiting on us..."Cassie
swallowed hard.
Interlude One
Donna Troy opened her eyes and tried to shake off the pain. Her
whole body ached, but her instincts told her that she had to shake
it off quickly -- she remembered the strange old woman who had
approached her in the Gateway City Airport, only to reveal herself
to be the sorceress Circe. The villainess had somehow teleported
Donna away -- but to where?*
(*This summary details events which were shown in WW # 331)
Donna moved slightly in the dark, feeling along the floor. It
was cold cobblestone. A chain rattled and she reached up to run
her hands along a collar that she now wore. A length of chain
ran from it to the wall. She tested its strength. Extremely solid
-- a normal person could never budge it. Donna frowned to herself
-- years ago she had lost her powers*, later using the Darkstar
uniform to remain active as a heroine. But now even the Darkstar
uniform was lost to her...
(*back in the pages of Team Titans, anybody else remember them?)
Footsteps sounded from nearby and she blinked as a strong light
filled the room. She looked about her, able to see for the first
time. She was in a cell, roughly carved from stone, with a straw
mattress for a bed.
Circe stood in the doorway, hands on her hips.
"Well, well. Sleeping beauty awakes..."
Donna stood, the chain drawing tight against her. "What's
your game, Circe?"
Circe laughed softly. "No games this time, Donna Troy. Actually,
you should thank me -- I'm about to do you a favor."
Donna look unconvinced. "I doubt that very seriously. If
you're planning on using me as some sort of pawn to strike at
Diana with, you're barking up the wrong tree. I've had enough
of playing the victim lately."
Circe took one step into the room, keeping one hand behind her
back. Donna tensed, fearing that whatever Circe was hiding would
not be pleasant. "Looks like the pussycat has some fangs,
after all. Well, my feisty little captive, I'm here to help you.
Remember these?" Circe drew her hand forward, clutching several
of Donna's belongings -- the starry tunic, bracers, and sash that
she had worn as Troia."Where did you get those?"
Circe smiled. "I went to a lot of trouble, believe me. But
you'll find that they will grant you all the powers that they
used to*."
(*The mystic net which is woven into Donna's bracelets and boots
provides enhanced protection. The armored metal given by Thia
and Hyperion reinforces Donna's strength. Finally, the starry
cloth which was made into her tunic is ever changing and always
shows the location of the Greek Titans.)
Donna watched as Circe laid the items in front of her. Circe
took a step back. "Now, why don't you put them on? You and
I have a date with destiny and I want you dressed properly for
the occasion."
Donna frowned. "I'm not going anywhere with you, Circe,
and I'm not putting on anything until you've let me loose."
"Of course." Circe waved her hand, transforming the
chains into thin air. Donna gaped at her for a moment. "See,
Donna, I'm not here to harm you. We need each other you and I."
Donna reached for the starry tunic and brought it close. "How
so?"
Circe smiled. "Let me explain..."
Meanwhile, back on Themyscira
Diana opened her wides wide in amazement. They had arrived just
moments before, having been led to the Royal Palace of Hippolyta.
Now, Cassie knelt before Hippolyta on her throne, her head down.
"I greet you, my Queen, with an open heart and with humility."
Cassie's voice carried through the crowded chamber and many Amazons
nodded their heads in acknowledgement. Diana wondered if Artemis
had 'coached' Cassie on how to greet Hippolyta.
Hippolyta smiled and stood up. "Rise, Cassandra Sandsmark.
You warm my heart with your words." The Queen moved down
the steps, stopping in front of Cassie. "It is good to see
you again, young one. Your courage and bravery are indelibly burned
into my memory.*"
(Hippolyta and Cassie last met in Wonder Woman v2 # 136)
Cassie beamed. "Thanks."
The Queen turned her eyes to Diana and her smile wilted only
a little. Diana could feel the tension that still existed between
them -- her mother's plan to sacrifice Artemis' life against the
White Magician* had deeply troubled Diana. But that was the past...
(see Wonder Woman vol 2 # 100)
"Hello, mother.""It is good to see you again,
daughter. Are you well?"
Diana nodded. "Yes. It is still taking some time to reestablish
my life, but I am happy."
"That is all I could ever wish for, Diana."
Cassie stared about her. Themyscira was wonderful...but she also
felt a twinge of self-consciousness. All of these women were GORGEOUS.
It was like being surrounded by a bunch of supermodels. She cast
an eye down over her own skinny frame. At least there weren't
any guys around...
A shadow fell across Cassie and she looked up to see an imposing
woman staring down at her with tough, but not unkind eyes. "Um...hello?
I'm Cassie."
The woman nodded. "I know. My name is Phillipus. I was Diana's
trainer when she was your age and I am to be yours, as well. Our
time together will be painful and hard, but not without its rewards."
Cassie glanced to Diana for support, but the Amazon princess
was talking with her mother. "Um, okay. I'll do my best."
Phillipus nodded. "I know you will -- I'll expect nothing
less."
Interlude Two
The Anti-Monitor floated in the void that existed in the nethersphere.
He no longer possessed a true body but the fire in his soul made
him tremble. Hatred of all that had been denied him filled him.
Neron, King Prince of Hell, watched him. He had found the Anti-Monitor
in the after-realms, dead after his defeat in the event known
as the Crisis -- had nursed him back to spiritual health and encouraged
the Qwardian's made plans. But all to his own advantage, of course.
"Anti-Monitor? I believe I have found a solution to our
problem..."
The Monitor opened his eyes immediately. He glared at Neron.
"What problem is that, Prince of Lies?" The Monitor
had never met an incarnation of Neron before -- not in all the
dead multiverse. Or had there ever been such a thing? He remembered
it all...but he also possessed a second set of memories, ones
in which there had always been but one reality...
Neron smiled, his handsome face leering. "I know how to
return you to life...real life. Once we do that, you'll be ready
to start your great campaign."
The Monitor's eyes lit up. To live again...to conquer...to erase
all the memories. "Yes. Yes...I must live again!"
Neron nodded. "Oh, my friend, you will...believe me, you
will."
Hippolyta smiled at her daughter, reaching out to touch Diana's
face. "It is very good to see you again. I feared I had lost
you forever..."
Diana closed her eyes and inhaled. "It feels good to be
home, mother. No matter where I go, my heart will always be here."
Hippolyta drew her hand away. "Daughter, there is something
I must tell you. Earlier today...in the scrying pool, I saw you
in a man's arms. A man...familiar to me. But I could not place
his face or his name. His appearance was hazy. I also saw...chaos,
destruction."
"You saw nothing else?"
"No...but I wish you to remain vigilant, Diana.""I
shall, mother. I promise."
NEXT ISSUE : "Titan Quest, Part
One" Troia takes center stage as she and Circe go in search
of the Titans of Myth! Plus, Diana's romantic life takes a bizarre
turn...
LETTERS, LETTERS, WE GOT LETTERS!
Well, Barry, you've got Wonder Woman off to a great start
so far. The first storyline was a good introduction - a classic
WW villain, plenty of subplots to hold our interests, and the
Anti-Monitor! This is interestingterritory you're wading into,
and I look forward to seeing how it plays out. My only complaint
is there was no advancement of the Donna Troy or Wonder Girl subplots
in 332, as I'm really interested to see where thoseare going.
But that's just a minor thing. Good job.
Cheers,
Matt
Thanks, Matt! Sorry you missed Donna and Cassie in issue 332,
but this issue should have (hopefully) satisfied you. And next
issue kicks off a storyline that features Donna in the spotlight.
For those who don't know, Matt is going to be co-writing Green
Lantern with TJ Burns here in the faux dc lineup, so be sure to
check it out!
Barry,
I am sure you have heard this already, but WOW!!!
The Anti-Monitor!! You amaze me!! I mean after receiving
not 1, not 2, but 3 issues in the past two days, I was floored.
In fact, the last two issues made for good reading while I was
proctoring an exam tonight!! In fact, I sat there, while the student
struggled with graphing some mathproblems, and just about shouted
my excitement when I finally realized who was in "the metallic
shell" with "his worm-white skin" protruding.
Ever think of working for Hallmark? Seriously, you have a
wonderful mastery of words and you continue to amaze me with your
range from "The Seekers" in MV1 to WW in the FDC.
I look forward to your plans for Donna, especially after
her recent Byrning. Keep up the excellent work!! You are definitely
setting a standard for the rest of the writers in the FDC to follow.
Michael
Wow. Such praise. :) I appreciate your kind words, Michael. I
seem to have caught a LOT of people off-guard with the return
of the Anti-Monitor. Hopefully, I can maintain everyone's interest.
Michael is going to be writing Aquaman for Faux-DC, so be sure
to check it out.
Barry Reese
07.10.98
