All Fun And Games

Chapter 4

With the upcoming winter event, Diana has been sparring her sisters more frequently and making sure to duel Astra many times a day to hone her skills. She worked on her stamina and hand to hand combat. Following in the footsteps of Astra, she listened to his advice and teachings even more so than her instructors. Diana was more than eager to prove her worth as an amazon and more importantly, to look good in front of Astra.

Unfortunately, She couldn't help but feel a little uneasy these last few months, Astra would sometimes avoid her during the day and would go off somewhere. Some nights, her curiosity would get the better of her and she would follow him, but to her surprise, she couldn't find him even after trailing him. When asked about this the later day, he would just look away and laugh avoiding her eye contact. It was very suspicious.

Hoping that it was just a male thing, Diana brushed off the uneasy feelings within her and smiled as she saw her mother and Astra talking. Waving towards them, they turned around and smiled.

"Diana, my daughter, I wish you best of luck for this upcoming tournament."

Diana nodded humming happily before turning towards Astra.

"Will you be spectating, Astra?"

Astra laughs before giving her a few pats on the head.

"I wouldn't miss it Diana. What's your request for the first place reward? I have no doubt you'll get it."

Diana just smirks.

"It's a secret."

Astra raised his eyebrow.

"Secret? From your own best friend?"

"Yes, we both have secrets now wouldn't you say Astra?" Diana points back questionably.

In response, Astra could not help but laugh awkwardly. Seeing this, Hippolyta chuckles patting her adopted son on the back.

"It's alright my daughter, I'm sure Astra has his reasons, go and get ready, the tournament is about to start in a few minutes. Astra and I will be watching from the stands."

Diana sighs before agreeing, whatever it is, she hopes it isn't anything too serious. While she still doesn't understand everything, she knows that Astra means a lot to her. Sometimes it hurts when he would avoid her. Hoping that he hasn't grown tired of her due to her incessant requests for duels and such, Diana can only hope that this tournament can show him her worth as a friend and maybe something more.

Memories of their hugs and embrace still burn in her head. She wonders if she smelled when he hugged her? Diana's cheeks reddens in thought before shaking her head and smacking herself out of thought. It's time to get ready for the tournament, the only real competitor she is a little worried about is Donna Troy.

Donna Troy is already the same age as her. Arriving on the island a few months ago, she really gathered the attention of her fellow younger sisters. While Diana wasn't really a lone person like Astra, she couldn't help but feel a little annoyed with some of her peers.

Just remembering their first encounters with Astra made her blood boil. The younger groups of girls would make fun of Astra and called him weak. They did not understand and were ignorant of the fact that Astra finished his training many years ago. In fact, he single handedly beat all of the instructors 2 years ago. Even her mother lost a few spars against him. Even when brought up with this information, they would ignore or call it just rumors.

Calming down, Diana looks toward the Greek Style stadium. She could hear the crowd gathering and getting into their seats. Diana runs towards the contestants area and ready herself. This is her moment to shine and was eyeing that first place prize.

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Seating in seats near his adopted mother, Astra smiles as he sees Diana amongst the competitors in the center of the stadium. The approaching winter solstice has made things complicated between the two. Most nights, he would go off and train in a secluded area and would fly. He hasn't really told anyone about his new abilities besides his mother Hippolyta. Astra doesn't want to look more of freak in front of his sisters. It's bad enough that he completed his training already at an early age, seeing him float in the air and shooting lasers from his eyes would probably make it worse.

Maybe in the future they would come to understand him and accept him...

Knowing Diana, she would probably just brag about him in front of others. Astra doesn't want her to isolate herself anymore than she already has by just being with him. She needed friends her age considering how she was going to take the mantle of queen in the future.

Clearing her throat, Hippolyta nudges Astra out of his thoughts.

"Boy, you shouldn't wait this long to tell my daughter about your upcoming training. While I should have advised you to do it sooner, now it's a bit too late for that. I'm a queen my son, not a messenger. Take responsibility and talk to her yourself alright?"

Astra sighed leaning back into this seat rubbing his head.

"Your right mother, I have not been honest with Diana...she deserves to know."

Looking at her boy now, Hippolyta couldn't help but shake her head. She sometimes forgets that Astra is still a teenager, be it one with tremendous power and abilities. 'Ah young love', she was once this naïve and young, hopefully by pushing the two together they can avoid the later heartaches and misunderstandings.

Down in the stadium, the competition is underway as young and older amazons battle it out. The first initial half consists of a race through obstacles that challenges them on their stamina and flexibility. They needed to maneuver through moving platforms while battling each other along the way.

Seeing her daughter knock out a fellow amazon twice her age, Hippolyta could not help let out a cheer as the crowd raged on.

This year was especially unique due to many younger recruited amazons. More specifically, a young girl the same age as her daughter, Donna Troy, proves her worth as the two are head and head.

Diana and Donna reach the end of the platform and in their hurry they both jump into the water beneath. In this section of the competition, they and others needed to reach the beach line and get on the war horses.

Grunting, Diana swimming across the water is the first to reach the horses. Donna trails her back only seconds behind.

"Let's go." Diana jumps on the horse and trots around the island. Right by her is Donna and many others behind her. The race was still very close as the competitors reached and circled back into the stadium.

At the center were sets of javelin spears, Diana and Donna both got out of their horses and jumped towards them.

They both eyed each other. Dirt and sand all along their faces and hair. But both care very little about that. Acknowledging each other, they both got up at the same time before each reaching for the javelin.

Diana grips the spear with all her strength and looks at the target. It was a circular ring standing high in the air. Taking a deep breath she lunges that weapon across as the crowd roars in anticipation.

Seeing the javelin cross through, Diana jumps in joy. Looking to her right, she sees Donna also make her throw. Turning towards her, she nods. Diana just smiles before turning towards Astra in the stands. Looking at his smile towards her, Diana's heart beats rapidly. Maybe even more so than the competition before now.

Donna looking at Diana's line of sight couldn't help but scowl. She heard many bad things about that boy. How he pollutes the very island her and her sisters live on. Astra leeches on this island like a worm and she will be the one to cut him down.

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The second and final portion of the competition now consists of 1 on 1 duels. Amazons are pitted against each other on a small circular platform. Anyone pushed out or submits forfeits.

In terms of score, Diana leads by 3 points ahead of Dona, everyone else after. Winning this portion will cement the winner between the two assuming they make it to the finals.

"My boy, what do you think about that girl down there?" Hippolyta says pointing to a black haired girl, the one neck and neck behind Diana. She was an uncanny resemblance to Diana, they looked like sisters in fact. Looking over to Hippolyta in question.

"Don't give me that look, she's not one of my own if that's what you're asking." Hippolyta chuckles. But still she too does resemble her Diana.

Astra leans down and spectates her a little longer before answering.

"She is strong, strong enough to put Diana on her toes. The way she moves and fights is almost identical to Diana. I'm intrigued by her origins."

"Donna Troy, arrived on the island 2 months ago. There is no information on her background besides washing up shore and having no memories. Despite this, she has climbed the ranks of amazons and even gained followers amongst the younger girls."

Astra can only hum in response before looking back into the competition.

Reaching the climax of the competition, all but two contestants now remained. Diana and Donna Troy. Both of them stand facing each other in the center of the stadium. The crowd shouts in excitement. Two of the strongest amazons were now facing her each, it didn't matter their age, both have demonstrated their skills.

Both of them chose to fight with a shield and sword. Diana wore her red and white attire mixed with amazon styled armor, her bracers ready and equipped. It was freeform and easy to move. Donna had similar gear but contrasting colors of black. Both of their shields were ready and swords in position. Their stance in similar fashion, as they both waited for the signal to start.

'This was it, just this fight and I win. Hopefully Astra is watching closely.' Diana thinks to herself smiling a little.

Donna on the other hand couldn't help but scowl underneath her shield armor facing Diana. Even now, she can see that Diana wasn't taking this seriously. She only had her eyes on that boy. Making up her mind, she will make Diana see the errors of her ways and cut out the leech from her sister.

With the green flag waving down, the fight starts.

Immediately off the bat, Donna lunges with strong ferocity towards Diana. Seeing this however, Diana dodges to her right narrowing avoiding the sword.

'That was very close' Diana thinks. Gathering her bearing, Diana makes her offensive and swings towards Donna.

Almost having the same thought, Donna meets her sword in a clash. Swords locked both of them used their strengths in hopes to overpower the other.

Neither side giving up, Donna with her shield bashes forward meeting Diana's. Now both are once again at opposite sides of the ring. Donna eyes narrow as she throws her shield at a blinding speed.

Diana in her surprise raises her own in anticipation to block when she can hear Donna running towards her. Understanding the situation Diana throws her own shield towards the one flying and rushes forward also both swords going at each other.

Clank Clank!

The sword clashed as neither side gave up their own. It was frustrating since every move seems to be against each other.

Donna in her frustration lets out a yell and swings her sword with all of her strength meeting Diana's. Unfortunately, when the sword was met, Donna broke.

Diana, seeing this, looks at her sister before throwing her sword away from the circle. Donna looking at this was furious.

"What are you doing! You could have won! My sword broke!"

Diana shook her head.

"Astra taught me to win in an equal manner, winning when your opponent's sword broke is hardly fair."

"Astra again, that male is a leech and I'll show you how wrong you are. Winning is the only option and no male should tell you otherwise Diana!"

Donna once again lunged at her and both fought hand to hand. Each punch was met with one another until Donna in her fury picked up a few sand on the ground and threw them at Diana's eyes.

Effectively blinding her in a moment Diana uses her arms to block her head in a normal reaction. Donna sees this goes down and kicks Diana's legs, putting her down on the ground.

Astra seeing this stands up.

Still Donna did not stop, she continued to punch Diana on the ground going after her chest and ankle. In her fury, Donna smashes down with her leg taking out Diana's leg in order to immobile her.

There were gasps in the audience but Donna did not stop and continued punching Diana who on the ground could groan in pain as she continued to use her arms to cover her head and face.

Astra on his feet standing up was furious seeing Diana in pain. His fist balled in such anger that he began to bleed a little.

Hippolyta also was not very happy and signaled to the referee and stopped the fight. While it wasn't against the rules to use such a method to fight, it wasn't exactly honorable to do so. But amazon's Cree was to survive and win at any cost. Just look at their history, enslaved by men and subjected to humiliation had toughen their resolve to win. Most amazons remembered the night in which they poisoned their captors and took revenge on them.

The referee went over and stopped the fight.

Donna looked over to the badly hurt Diana and muttered.

"Your weak Diana, you don't have the will and resolve to be our Queen's daughter."

A stretcher was called over to rush Diana into the infirmary. Astra pushes past the crowd and goes over to her.

Seeing her state, Astra couldn't speak, his heart shattered when he looked at Diana.

Diana, still covering her face, had silent tears running down her face. In her head, Donna's words continue to echo and she could only imagine the disappointment in Astra's face. She felt like her moment has slipped away. The distance between the two has grown larger and he will see how weak she really is.

Unable to mutter a word, Astra stood there like an idiot as Diana was rushed away. He in fury turns over to Donna. Madness and anger was starting to seep through.

Donna seeing this, couldn't help but chuckle. While it hurt her to see her sister in pain, it was to prove a valuable point for the future. Victory at any cost is what keeps the amazons alive and well. Donne viciously smiles and announces a declaration.

"I, for my request as victor wish to duel Astra, adopted son of Hippolyta to duel. If I win, he will be expelled from this island." Not even mentioning if she would lose, Donna's wicked smile was seen by many and looked over to Hippolyta, her queen.

Before the queen can say anything, Astra without any care starts to float over to the arena towards the center. His action garnering whispers among the crowd.

"I agree to this duel."

Coming over to start another fight, the flag bearer looks over to queen Hippolyta who nodded her head. Seeing as how their queen agreed, the flagger waved down and started the fight.

Unfortunately, before Donna could even move however, a wisp of air was heard and in matters of milliseconds Astra stood floating in front of Donna. Donna's eyes widen in surprise and fear. She couldn't even see his movements despite being one of the strongest amazons on this island.

Pushing down the initial fear that Donna has, she swings Diana's sword towards Astra. Seeing as how the blade made contact Donna grins. But that smile turns into complete horror as the sword shatters.

Looking down on her, Donna's face was full of fear. While she shared a similar look to Diana, her actions spoke otherwise. She was the complete opposite of Diana.

Remembering the pain inflicted and how she humiliated Diana, Kal-El's fist balled and he swings at Donna with a fraction his strength sending her crashing into the stadium wall.

With how little rationale he still has and how he still pulled his punch, the impact still created a huge crater. People stared at Astra in disbelief. The younger girls in particular looked at him in fear now understood the gravity of the words from their older sisters. They thought it was just rumors. How could just a kid their age be this powerful, it didn't make sense!

The stories in how he completed his training years ago are now sinking in. The instructors on the other hand had cold sweat down their backs. They know for sure he held back. Astra made sure to not kill Donna, maybe out of mercy or something else. They shuddered in thought as they continued watching.

Kal-El floating slowly over to Donna looked like an Olympian god. Maybe this was what a god looked like?

He looked down at Donna, using his vision to ascertain her injuries. There lies Donna with broken bones, fractured rib cage, and barely conscious.

She needs to be taught a lesson. What she did to his beloved Diana will not go unpunished. Kal-El wasn't done, his fist still balled in fury when he remembered how Diana suffered in a slow and agonizing manner. For 17 seconds, she was beat into submission, forced to watch, Kal-El wanted to rip Donna in half in those moments.

Kal-El's eyes begin to shine red in anger. His vision was completely red as he ready to do what's needed. His mind clouded with thoughts of anger.

Donna half conscious looks up at Kal-El.

"M-monster..." She mutters weakly.

"Son...that's enough. Y-you have done enough." A soft spoken voice says.

Kal-El turns around and looks at his adopted mother, her eyes full of tears.

'Wha-What have I done? I was about to kill...oh gods!' Astra thinks to himself. In his moment of anger, Astra was about to kill Donna. He was about to kill his sister. Looking towards the audiences, they too had fear written in their eyes.

Seeing this, Astra breaks out of his anger filled thoughts. Looking at his blooded fist and back towards his mother, he can hear her rapid heartbeat. One word resounds in his mind, 'monster.'

All his life growing up here, Astra thought that maybe these people can accept him. Maybe they will see him as one of their own. Unfortunately, he was still a freak or anomaly. He's just the sole survivor of a dead planet forced to live amongst a planet filled with people who that are just too different from him. With no one to accept him now, Kal-El makes a choice.

Realizing this, Hippolyta eye's widen and she tries to reach out and hold him.

Unfortunately, it was too late, Kal-El bolts into the sky at supersonic speed loud enough to break the sound barrier.

In seconds Astra, adopted son of Hippolyta, was gone.