The Duel

"Diana of Themyscira. I have been expecting you," Charon said, standing on the shore of the river Styx. His boat stood on shore nearby.

"Hello Charon," Diana said cordially. "If you've been expecting me, than I assume you know why I'm here?"

Charon nodded slightly and said, "I do. And I know that it is not my task to ferry you across the river Styx... assuming you survive your duel."

"I can assure you, I will," Diana assured him. "I have no desire to leave my world."

Charon answered, "Good. Because your rival, Zarda of Utopia will show you no mercy."

It wasn't long until Zarda showed up with a bound Kori in tow. "MJ!" Kori cried out upon seeing the woman she loved.

MJ's eyes teared up upon seeing her girlfriend. "Kori! We're here, babe... don't worry, everything's gonna be OK..."

"Diana, princess of Themyscira. I've waited a long time for this," Zarda said coldly.

"Zarda of Utopia... let Koriand'r go," Diana said firmly.

"Only if you agree to my terms," Zarda replied, glaring intently at Diana. "I wish to explain the details of our duel."

Diana nodded slowly, glaring back at Zarda. "Fine. What do you want?"

"I've been watching you, Diana of Themyscira. In many ways, I see you as my equal," Zarda began. "But you are soft. You are blinded by your compassion and your ideals... you are not fit to protect the innocent. I, on the other hand, am willing to resort to any means necessary. But I see potential in you, Diana. If you weren't so soft, you'd be as formidable as I am. Can you imagine what we could accomplish together?"

"Yes, I can," Diana answered. "And the thought horrifies me. You claim you want to protect humanity from the monsters of this world, yet you're perfectly willing to become one yourself."

Zarda shot an evil smirk at Diana. "I thought you'd say that -- I'll never get you to see things my way. But I can make you do things my way. And that's why I arranged this duel. Whoever loses the duel will be bound as the winner's **** for whatever purposes she sees fit. Do you accept these terms? Remember, if you don't, the girl dies..."

"Kori... no..." MJ whimpered, terrified.

With no hesitation whatsoever, Diana acquiesced to Zarda's request. "I accept your terms, Zarda of Utopia. Now, release Koriand'r at once!" she demanded.

"Very well. We have a deal," Zarda agreed, releasing Kori from her restraints.

"Kori!" MJ immediately ran over to Kori and hugged her tightly.

"MJ..." Kori whimpered weakly, hugging MJ back.

"Kori... I'm here, babe... we're together... everything'll be OK," MJ sobbed, simply relieved to have the woman she loved in her arms again.

Meanwhile, Diana drew her sword and shield as Zarda did the same. "All right, Zarda. You wanted my attention, you got it. Now you're going to find out what happens when you mess with the women I love..."

Diana and Zarda charged at one another, immediately becoming locked in combat. Neither of them was interested in holding back, and their strikes were fast and hard. However, they were very evenly matched, and seemingly able to block and parry whatever the other threw their way. The two continued exchanging blows, sword striking sword, shield striking shield, and sword striking shield, over and over again. MJ and Kori watched helplessly from the sidelines, only able to shout words of encouragement to their lover. Terrified for their lover's fate, neither woman wanted to watch the melee taking place, but they couldn't turn away either.

Eventually, Diana got the advantage, catching Zarda off-guard and striking her with the hilt of her sword. She then knocked Zarda back with a stiff kick, leaving the Power Princess on the ground, shocked.

"It's... not... possible..." Zarda hissed, unable to accept the fact that she was losing.

"Your methods aren't nearly as effective as you think they are," Diana said confidently, looking down at Zarda as she prepared to strike once more.

"Oh... I beg to differ," Zarda growled defiantly, reaching into a pouch she'd concealed in her outfit and throwing some kind of dust into Diana's face. Shocked, Diana stumbled back and Zarda managed a quick kick of her own, leaving Diana on her knees. "Your so-called 'honor' makes you weak."

"Diana! No!" Kori screamed. "What did you do?!" She then yelled at Zarda, rage and fear in her voice.

"Just a little powder I picked up. A little product of Olympian alchemy," Zarda explained. "I've used it to incapacitate Amazons before. It's extremely effective." she then approached Diana, ready to deliver her coup de grace.

MJ and Kori could only watch in horror, desperately wanting to believe what they were seeing was not real. "Diana... get up... please... get up!" MJ begged.

Diana grinned defiantly as Zarda approached her. "I know the alchemists who made that powder," she said. "And yes, it is effective on Amazons. But I'm not just an Amazon." She raised her shield and struck Zarda with it, knocking the Power Princess out cold with one hit. "I'm also a daughter of Olympus!"

"Diana!" MJ and Kori cried out simultaneously, running over to their lover's side. The three embraced tightly as tears streamed from their eyes -- they'd come so close to losing their beloved Mistress.

Diana smiled warmly at both MJ and Kori, and one after the other, she kissed them passionately on the lips and then whispered softly, "It's over now. You're safe, Kori."

"Thank you, Diana..." Kori said, gratitude in her voice. She then looked over at MJ and kissed her warmly. "I knew you'd come for me."

"Of course, Kori," MJ replied. "You're everything to me..."

"You have been victorious, Diana of Themyscira. Since you were both bound by the Oath of the River Styx, according to the terms of your duel, Zarda of Utopia is bound by the chains of Hades as your indentured servant," Charon proclaimed. "Now I must take my leave."

"Always a pleasure, Charon," Diana said half jokingly as Charon pushed his ferry off the shore, and it disappeared down the river.

Zarda regained consciousness and attempted to stumble to her feet in a daze. She fumbled to her knees, trying to keep her balance. She then looked up to see Diana glaring at her, and MJ & Kori, who both had smug grins on their faces.

MJ's grin widened as it dawned on Zarda what had just happened. "I believe you work for Diana now..."