Misthios vs. Mercenary

"...And who are you? Another Amazon? Do you know how many of your kind I've cut down?" Slade scoffed, turning to face the newcomer.

"You are mistaken, stranger... I am no Amazon..." the naked woman replied. "I am Kassandra of Sparta, the Eagle Bearer."

Diana, Natasha, and Lara looked at Kassandra with equal looks of shock. "The Eagle Bearer..." Diana whispered softly.

"I'd heard the legends," Lara responded with awe. "The Eagle Bearer... the misthios who wielded the Spear of Leonidas centuries ago... she's alive... and I'm looking right at her."

And Lara liked what she saw. For that matter, so did Diana & Natasha. The demigoddess and agent grinned wickedly with lust as their gazes followed Kassandra's beautifully sculpted figure.

"Amazon, Spartan, Olympian... it really doesn't make a difference," Slade sneered. "You're in my way."

"...Am I? And what are your intentions here, mercenary?" Kassandra challenged Slade.

"That's none of your business. Now, step aside, or we do this the hard way," Deathstroke demanded.

"You stand on Olympus, wielding Relics you've stolen from sacred tombs. Of course I'm going doubt your motivations," Kassandra countered, tightening her grip on the Spear. "If you threaten Olympus, then I must stand in your way."

"Fine then. Have it your way," Slade answered as he assumed his fighting stance. Kassandra did the same, adopting a defensive stance. Lara, Diana, & Natasha watched as the pair traded strikes -- the fight went back and forth, with any apparent advantage their weapons were meant to provide seemingly nonexistent. The duel continued for some time as Slade and Kassandra exchanged slashes & parries with their weapons. Eventually, Kassandra pierced through the shield with the spearhead, forcing Slade to drop it.

"The shield... it shouldn't be possible..." Slade grunted in disbelief. "Who is this woman--"

Kassandra took advantage of Slade's brief distraction, delivering a solid blow across his jaw & knocking Slade back; he hit the ground and lost grip of the sword and shield, both of which went rolling to Lara, Diana, and Natasha.

"Damn... let my guard down there," Deathstroke admitted. Kassandra approached Slade, pointing her spear directed towards the mercenary.

"Easy there, Eagle Bearer. He may be our enemy, but we don't need to kill him," Diana protested calmly as she approached Kassandra. "He has lost. He only needs to be restrained."

Kassandra paused for a moment, and lowered her spear. "Very well, Amazon. But I have questions for you and your companions."

Diana nodded, signaling Lara & Natasha to restrain Deathstroke. "Of course. We're willing to answer whatever questions you may have for us."

Kassandra nodded appreciatively in response. "Thank you, Amazon."

Kassandra asked how Diana, Lara and Natasha came into possession of her spear; the trio then told Kassandra of their mission, explaining that they were attempting to prevent Olympus from falling into chaos. They told the Eagle Bearer where they found the shield & spear, and mentioned the previous fight they'd had with Deathstroke in a Spartan Temple.

"That temple... that's where I was awakened," Kassandra answered with realization in her voice. "You must have left before I awoke..."

Damn. We should have stuck around a little longer, Lara thought to herself. She looked over at Natasha and could immediately tell that she shared that sentiment. Lara turned and gave Kassandra an excited glance. "Kassandra, the legendary Eagle Bearer... a living, breathing Spartan from Ancient Greece," she marveled. "This is the most incredible find of my career..."

Kassandra looked over at Lara curiously. "'Find?' You consider me a 'find'? What do you mean by that?"

"Oh! I didn't mean to... you're not... ummm, how do I explain this?" Lara stammered apologetically. "I study historical artifacts, Kassandra. Discovering a piece of history, like you, is my passion... not that I consider you an artifact--"

Kassandra gave Lara an amused grin. "Calm yourself, Lara. I am not offended," she assured Lara with a chuckle. "So you are a historical scholar, then?"

"Yes! I mean, something like that. And I've read plenty about you, the legendary Eagle Bearer," Lara grinned excitedly. "You've always fascinated me. I can't believe I'm actually talking to you."

Kassandra smiled at Lara amusedly. "Well then, friend, I hope I don't disappoint. What about you, Amazon? What's your story?"

"I am Diana, Princess of Themyscira," Diana explained.

"Diana of Themyscira? I know of you," Kassandra remarked. "I've been to your island a number of times -- your Amazon sisters spoke highly of you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Likewise, Kassandra of Sparta," Diana replied pleasantly, shaking the hand of the Spartan. "It's hard to believe our paths never crossed before."

Kassandra nodded earnestly, then turned to Natasha. "And you, with the red hair -- who might you be?"

"Natasha Romanoff," the spy answered, shaking Kassandra's hand as well. "SHIELD Agent... I'll explain my job later."

"Probably for the best. If what you say is true, time is of the essence," Kassandra said. "We need to find Eris before she brings Olympus to chaos."

"One last question," Lara asked as the group began to move, her gaze lingering on Kassandra's naked form. "You came all the way here without any clothing... why?"

Kassandra smirked slightly, amused by the question. "I couldn't find any," She answered simply.