Amazon Arrow's Power Quest | Part 6 - Preparing for Battle

Oh, My! My power has a purpose, but I seem to have forgotten it. Talking to yourself? That’s not good.

This is definitely not the library. I have seen the future, but my recollection of it fades like the memory of a dream. Sucks to be you.

Where are my clothes? I remember that my quest was important, but I know not why. Yeah, that’s my fault. That’s about all I can do from in here.

Please. This isn't funny. I can no longer see into the future, or rather I can, but there is nothing there to see. You’re not missing much. It’s mostly horrible. Who is that? It is as if I am approaching an event horizon. You’re approaching an ass whoopin’.

I can hear you. I can see that “something” is about to occur, and beyond it nothing will ever be the same again. Got that right, sister.

Can anybody here me? Some of the changes that follow will be good, and some of them will not. Ain’t life a bitch.

Am I dead? A game of prophecy is played like chess. Chess only has two players. You're completely outnumbered.

This has to be a dream. Plans are made and options become limited as the field of battle takes shape. I love it when a plan comes together.

Just a terrible, terrible dream. An offensive formation is countered with an appropriate defense. I’m your huckleberry.

I will wake up now, snuggled safely in my bed. Battlefronts converge. Why AM I naked?

No more popcorn before bedtime. Both sides conserve their resources for the conflict that will inevitably arise. Tuning you out now.

I could never imagine such a thing. Traps are deployed. Sacrifices are made. In space, no one can hear your monologue.I'm only a librarian. A pawn dies. A bishop emerges. The one-eyed bishop?I just want to go home.They are the first of many pieces to fall. If we spin it the other way do you think time will move backwards?I don't know what you're talking about. Ultimately… a crisis point is reached. I think I can see my house from here. Who are you people? There are no more “safe” moves. There are gonna be moves that you’ll never see coming, psychobitch! Please. Let me go! Retreat is not possible. You’re going down if I have to go down with you. I don't understand any of this! The only option that remains is war. Bring it.

 

How are you feeling today, Curia?

…

Would you like me to tell you how you are feeling today?

Yessss…

You are feeling simply wonderful.

Yesss… ssssimply… wonderful…

Today is a very SPECIAL day…. You’re a VERY lucky girl.

Lucky… girl…?

Oh,yes, Wonder Woman. Today is the day I’m letting you go!

But… but... I…

Yes, dear?

I don’t… don’t want… to go…

Oh, I know sweetie... I know… but don’t worry... Someday soon I’ll use my magic beacon to call for you, and you’ll come running right back to me... Does that sound nice?

Ohhhh… yessss…

How would that make you feel, Wonder Woman… to come back here to me?

Soooo... sssspecial…

That’s right, Curia… You WOULD feel very special. When I call for you, no matter where you are or what you are doing, you will follow my magic beacon all the way back home to me.

Home… Yesss…

And you will feel VERY special… Just as special as you feel right now.

Lucky… girl…

But until then... you won't remember where you've been all this time... You won't remember anything that has happened to you since you were attacked by the Amazon Arrow...

Chryssseisssss...

Oh, is that her name? Why thank you dear. I'm sure that information will be very helpful. Now... your friends will ask you what happened to you, but you won't remember. That nasty Soul Arrow must have knocked you out, and that's the last thing you'll remember... no one needs to know where you've been... It will be our little secret.

Sssssecret...

Very good, Wonder Woman. That’s very good. You’ll be my lucky girl. And together… we shall do WONDROUS things! Hahahahahaha!!!


Curia is the OC of


Here's how she ended up this way:
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I tell them about the Light Rings, the Lord of Lycans, the Elf Witch, the Red Behemoth… everything that I witnessed as a result of my powers in concert with getting stabbed with one of Chryseis’s Soul Arrows, but I’m not convinced that any of them listen… ‘cept maybe the blonde they call Aella. She’s apparently the new Amazon Arrow and I could tell she was paying attention. This whole mess might have gone down another way if I could have approached her one-on-one, but she’s clearly not in charge of this little party. She’s had me in her sights from the moment I parked in the alley just outside the Amazon Embassy. The tip of that silver arrow has been pointing at my throat ever since. A chill runs up my spine every time her metal heels squeal against Betty’s trunk lid. I understand her need for caution, but it would be nice if she’d get off of my car.

The ring leader is obviously the big gal they call Melousa, a.k.a. the Amazon Lance. She doesn’t say much, but she’s a smart one… and she is all kinds of scary. If I can make her listen I’m pretty sure her troops will back her play. I give the giantess my full attention and try to ignore the others, but it’s kind of hard to ignore the glowing sword at my throat. These ladies don’t know me from Adam, and they clearly aren’t taking any chances.

The little one with the katana is Lykopis, the Amazon Blade. She’s feisty and talks tough, but she still just barks at the end of Melousa’s leash. The armored one, they call her the Amazon Fist. She doesn’t say a word and she rarely moves. She’s like an ominous statue, a very creepy statue that I clearly don’t want to tangle with if I can avoid it.

I can tell from Melousa’s expression that this isn’t going to end well. She is committed to a plan already, and it doesn’t include anything that I have to say.

“You may go, Detective Reed.” The giantess says as she turns her back on me.

Not just yet lady... I’ll need to take a bit of intel with me before I walk: “I’m telling you, Chryseis is not your biggest problem. She’s being manipulated as part of a much larger play against your people. None of this is her fault. Taking it out on her now won’t solve the problem. Let me help you take this fight to the source. Together we…”

“There is no ‘we’.” Melousa says as she turns and glares down at me. I thought her stone-cold poker face was scary, seeing her becoming irritated is much worse: “Chryseis is our immediate problem, Detective Reed, and her fate need not concern you.”

That doesn’t sound good: “Her fate? Seems an awful lot of people want to write off your friend these days. Is that what you ladies intend to do? Put her in the ground?”

“No one wants to help Chryseis more than we do, Mr. Reed!” That’s Aella finally speaking up. The others turn and glare daggers at her; clearly Aella isn’t speaking for the entire group.

Melousa sighs: “This is an Amazon affair. Your interference here is undesirable.”

I turn to Aella. Maybe she can carry on the good fight after I’m gone: “Not here to cause trouble. Just wanted to pass along what I’ve learned, that’s all. Thought you might want to have a better understanding of what it is you’re dealing with.”

Melousa just shakes her head and waves me off: “We appreciate your desire to bring your… visions… to our attention, but what you experienced is a momentary connection with the mind of a mad woman. Forgive us if we do not abandon our strategies in favor of a wild goose chase.”

That’s it then. I can tell she believes me, but she’s not going to do anything about it. I need to get in touch with someone willing to work a little outside the box: “Actually, I didn’t expect to run into the four of you at all. I came here looking for White Owl. I heard that she was in town.”

“The White Owl was no longer needed. She has been dismissed, as are you Detective Reed.”

Not the result I was looking for, but this hasn’t been a complete waste of time. I’m now fairly certain that they intended to kill Chryeis and, despite all that she’s done, that won’t go over well with most of the capes.

Next stop… Queen City.


Detective Peyton Reed is the OC of

Aella! What are you doing up on the roof? I’ve been looking all over for you!

I’m sorry, Lykopis. I’ve been... thinking...

About what? Hey, be careful with that thing! The Black Arrow is a Godslayer. Prick your finger and you’ll be wiped from existence.

You think I don’t know that? I just… I can’t believe this is the only way.

Believe it, babe. Your ex-girlfriend has gone WAY off the reservation. I know this is hard for you to accept, but the Chryseis that we know is gone.

I’m not sure I believe that.

That’s why the First Ones gave the Black Arrow to you instead of to someone like me. They need your heart and your wisdom behind the bow. Once you see what Chryseis has become, you’ll know exactly what you need to do… and you’ll do it.

You make it sound so easy. I’m an artist, Lykopis, a sculptor. I may be a good archer, but I’m not a warrior like you. I’ve never killed anyone… and now they want me to… to kill… her… of all people.

You’re an Amazon… and now you’re The Amazon Arrow! The First Ones have given you this mission! It is not our place to question it… unless you intend to break from the tribes like Pyrrah. Don’t tell me we need to find a FOURTH Amazon Arrow.

Don’t be ridiculous! It’s just that… Chryseis is…

Aella, I know you still love her… You’ve always loved her…

Let’s not fight, Lykopis. I am betrothed to you and…

I know you’re betrothed to me. You’ve been betrothed to me for three hundred and seventy-two years. This has literally been the longest engagement in all of recorded history and we both know that Chryseis is the reason we haven’t actually gotten married yet. Look… my point is… your love for her is the reason you can AND WILL do this.

How… how do you mean?

Think about it, Aella. She needs you. Chryseis wouldn’t want to live like this! She’s become a danger to herself and to others. You heard what she did to The Sentinels… and now she’s on her way here. If she was in control, that would be one thing… but she’s gone mad. She’s psychotic and she wields the might of the Gods themselves. Only the Gods can save what’s left of her soul now… and that Black Arrow will send her straight to them.

You mean “kill her”. Let’s call it what it is.

Fine. Then you’ll kill her, slay her, end her. And when it’s done the world will be safe… and Chryseis will finally be at peace.

Chryseis hasn’t killed anyone yet…

She will. She’s not in control. And when she does… if we could have prevented it… will you be able to live with that?

I don’t… I just don’t know…

You will know… when the time is right. Look, please come inside… come to bed. Let me help you to forget about tomorrow, if only for a little awhile, so that maybe you can finally get some rest; the battle will be here soon enough.

I know exactly what you like before a battle, Lykopis, and it isn’t “rest”… You’re insatiable… and somewhat irresistible…

You forgot “adorable”… when I want to be... and “relentless”.

Ha! That you are… Your clever tongue is as sharp as your swords, my dear Amazon Blade.

Come back inside, my Amazon Arrow. Let us celebrate life on the eve of battle… and I will show you exactly what my clever tongue can do.

Amazon Arrow's Power Quest | Part 5 - The Goddess Awakens

This chapter was a crossover between myself and 's "Sentinels" since Amazon Arrow frequently visits their home turf (Coastal City). Every other picture and story is his, and those featuring the villains are mine.

---

 

“Elf Witch!”

“How may I be of service, Oh Great Lord of Lycans?”

“Come, woman... Gaze into the Stygian Eye and tell me what you see.”

“It appears to be… no… that… that makes little sense… could it be?”

“Indeed it is… Just as I have foreseen.”

“But… what... what does this mean, My Lord?”

“It means this is the beginning of the end. The sun sets on the Age of the Amazons and my triumph is nearly at hand!!!”

Tabitha Jones sat in her chair, taking keen note of every detail about the head librarian as she sat there perusing the young woman's references. Ms. Kent was tall, shapely, and extremely attractive. She was dressed smartly, though Tiffany knew she could pull of something sexy with no trouble at all. Her age was hard to determine, but she couldn't have been too far off from Miss Jones's age, in either direction. She had no ring on her fingers, though her ears were pierced and Tabitha thought she had seen her attempting to repair a necklace when she had come in for the interview. She also seemed remarkably capable with computers, which was unexpected, all things considered.

Ms. Kent glanced up from the computer screen and noticed the keen interest her interviewee was taking in her. Her faced flushed ever so slightly, and the corners of her mouth twitched upwards for a moment, but when she addressed her, her manner was professional and unfamiliar.

"Well, you certainly have an impressive work history, Miss Jones," Ms. Kent said with a smile, "It would appear that the only library of note you haven't spent time in was the Ancient Library of Alexandria!"

Tabitha laughed politely and thought to herself, You'd be surprised. Aloud she said modestly, "I suppose I've gotten around."

"That's one way of putting it. I can see from your references that you've spent a great deal of time studying both the mystical and the occult. Any particular reason you find these two subjects so fascinating?"

"I've always heard it said that you can learn a lot about a culture through their stories and mythology. Magic and occult practices often crop up in fairytales and folklore, and I've just always found them to be the most fascinating aspects of all the old stories," Miss Jones replied, then worry crossed her face and she asked, "That's not a problem I hope?"

"Not at all," Ms. Kent reassured her, "I was just curious. You've certainly had a fascinating and far-reaching career. What prompted you to come to the Racks View Memorial Library? You're not from this area I understand?"

"No, I'm originally from Coastal City," Tabitha replied, "I moved down here a little while ago, trying to get back in touch with an old friend." The young woman studied Ms. Kent's reaction closely as she said this, but if the Head Librarian had caught her meaning, she wasn't letting on. When she didn't receive the desired reaction, Tabitha decided to press on.

"This seems like quite a grand library, have you been working here long?"

"No, actually. I was appointed Head Librarian by Mr. Mathers only a few weeks ago," Ms. Kent replied, "and what with the rather premature reopening of the library, we've been scrambling to get things sorted around here."

"What do you mean 'premature?'" Miss Jones asked.

"The building just recently underwent a massive renovation, courtesy of Mr. Mathers, the curator. Unfortunately, it was reopened to the public before all of the work was completed, so there are still some things that need attention. It should all be sorted out soon, though, and none of it poses a hazard. Mostly cosmetic from what I understand."

"I see," Tabitha replied, then paused for a moment and added meekly, "So, do I have the job?"

"You do as far as I'm concerned!" Ms. Kent replied, smiling brightly, "I'll just have to run your résumé by Mr. Mathers before it's official, he likes to take a look at any girls we hire from out of town, though I see no reason why he'd object to your being here. It will probably take him a while to go over all of your references, so why don't you head home and we can put you to work bright and early tomorrow morning."

"Thank you very much!" Miss Jones replied as she shook the hand Ms. Kent had extended to her. She bid her good day and made to leave the office, but stopped halfway out the door. After a moments hesitation, she turned around and asked, "Ms. Kent, do we know each other from somewhere? I have the strangest feeling that we've met before."

"Oh I don't think so," Ms. Kent said, gracing her with a flattering smile, "I'm fairly certain I'd remember if we had."

Tabitha Jones stared hard at Ms. Kent for a moment, then nodded slowly and made her way out of the building. The young woman stopped just outside the main door and stared off into the sky. Tabitha Jones, she thought to herself, there's a name I hadn't expected to use again. Her reconnaissance complete, the incognito Spellbound took stock of what she knew and pondered over it.

The last sighting had been almost a month ago, that seemed about right. But why on earth had she changed her name to Kent and hidden here of all places? It wasn't like she needed to do that to protect herself, if anything this had only made her more vulnerable! Well, that wasn't entirely true. It had taken all of the divination skill Spellbound possessed, plus a lot of old fashioned investigative work and no small amount of luck to track her down. 'Ms. Kent' had certainly gone to a great deal of trouble to cover her tracks, but why? What was her motive? None of this made sense, especially considering what she had been doing prior to her disappearance. And why didn't she seem to remember anything? Was it an act? Or had something happened to her?

Spellbound sighed and made her way around the building, headed to a nearby bus stop. She didn't have enough information yet. She had the job, at least, so that meant she would be able to observe her closely without arousing too much suspicion. It was dangerous, obviously, but she had to know more. As she walked past the library, she caught sight of Ms. Kent stacking books on a shelf, and stopped. She studied her unknowing friend for a few minutes, then set her jaw and made herself a pledge.

"I don't know why Amazon Arrow, who only a few weeks ago had become increasingly power-hungry and virtually omnipotent, suddenly believes she's a common librarian, but I'm going to get to the bottom of it. That's a promise, Chryseis!"

“The Sentinels lack conviction. Watch as democracy emasculates the mighty, Elf Witch! These fools play right into my hands.”

“The one known as Red Empress is quite magnificent. Can the Stygian Eye see if I will one day have the opportunity to taste of her essence?”

“Disgusting succubus! I will not avert the gaze of The Stygian Eye from one of the most important moments in this war simply to satisfy your voyeuristic fantasies!”

“Forgive my wanton nature, Oh Great One. Tell me… how is it that a gathering of bickering heroes bears such significance?”

“They do not realize it, but the Sentinels have it within their power to ruin all of my plans. The decision that they make in this moment will guide the fate of the Amazon Arrow.”

“And… do you know the outcome of this debate already, My Lord?”

“Of course I do!”

“Then… if I may be so bold… why is it necessary to observe them?”

“You try my patience, Elf Witch. Perhaps you would like your inquisitive tongue ripped from your throat! How would you satisfy your Red Empress then?”

“My deepest apologies, All Powerful Lord of Lycans.”

 

 "So let me get this straight," Slugger said angrily, "you've known where the Amazon Arrow is for over a week, and you're just coming to tell us about it now?!"

A tense silence filled the meeting room. Spellbound could see anger and confusion on most of the faces around her. Amazon Arrow's attack on Thane had left him weak and disabled. A few hours after they found him, he slipped into a coma-like state, and had still yet to come out of it. She knew when she called the meeting that they weren't going to take the news well, but she hadn't expected this. They weren't just angry. They were out for blood.

"She's not the same," Spellbound said, trying to diffuse the situation, "I've been watching her for weeks now. She's different, like she can't even remember who she was, or who any of us are. She's forgotten everything!"

Hierophant fixed his otherworldly golden eyes on her and said softly, "You once said that she had confided in you that she drew her power from the rings she wore. Does she still have them?"

"No, that's just it! She doesn't! It's like she's left it all behind, or maybe they weren't able to handle all of the power she had, they got destroyed or lost. I don't know. The point is-"

"The point is she's defenseless!" cut in the Red Empress, pounding her fist against the table and rising to her feet, "meaning we should strike now, and finish her!"

"What?! No!" gasped Spellbound.

"Whoa! Come again?" interjected a startled Solaris, "I agree that we gotta do something, but killing's a whole 'nother ball of wax!"

"Are you serious?!" scoffed Slugger, "After what she did to Thane? Death is too good for her!"

"Whoa! Easy, Kurt!" Wire called out, "Thane's in a bad way, sure, but killing Amazon Arrow isn't going to change that."

"He's been at deaths door since we found him! He could expire on us at any minute!" Slugger shouted back, "and I want to make sure that bitch pays for it!"

"Everyone calm down!" came the imposing voice of Guardian as he stood and let the sheer weight of his presence subdue everyone around him, "much as we'd all like to make sure we stop Amazon Arrow before she has a chance to go on another rampage, the truth is the matter is out of our hands. We're sanctioned heroes with a specific theater of operation, and Racks View is well outside of that! We have no jurisdiction there; no legal right to intervene. Even if we did, we do not operate as judge, jury, and executioner! All we can do is try to get in touch with any heroes or heroines that operate in that area and hope that they can subdue her safely."

"No," Hierophant said with finality. The other Sentinels all turned to listen as their leader rose from his chair.

"I don't know why she has stopped accumulating power. I don't know why she is hiding as a librarian. I don't know where her rings are. I do know that the path she is on leads only to death and destruction, the likes of which has not been seen on this world in millennia! She is weak, she is vulnerable. We will go to Racks View, we will find where she is hiding, and we will end her mad quest for power once and for all, before the opportunity is lost."

"No!" cried Spellbound, "How can you say that?! She rescued us from the Asoni when they invaded the city! We fought side by side with her as we drove them from our planet! She stood up to the Clue Gang when you were too afraid to get involved! She's been one of our greatest allies!"

"Sir," Wire said to his leader, "Spellbound is right. She deserves better from us than a cold, heartless execution! We owe it to her to try to save her!"

"She attacked one of us!" Hierophant retorted, danger dripping from his words, "Thane may very well die! I cannot, and will not tolerate anyone who threatens the lives of one of our own!"

"Oh really?" Wire shot back, his eyes flashing with anger, "because as I recall, when you and I first met, I was trying to kill you! You didn't just tolerate me after that, you recruited me!"

The whole room fell silent at this revelation. Hierophant stared coldly at his protégé, and Wire met his eyes in silent challenge. The tension in the room, already thick, was like a visible force between the two of them.

Hierophant breathed slowly and said in a calm, even voice, "That hardly compares. You were never any threat to me."

"Hey Wire," Slugger spat, "You don't want to do what needs to be done? Fine! You stay here and play dolls with the other girls, and let the men take care of business!"

"We can't kill her!" Guardian said with finality. He turned to look Hierophant in the eye as he continued, "If she were anyone else, maybe, but Chryseis is an Amazon.  She's an ambassador from another land. Wonder Woman and Ultra Woman are her people. If we were to kill her, can you imagine what they would do when they found out? And they would find out."

Again, silence reigned in the meeting hall of the Sentinels. The opposing members all glared at one another, none of them willing to back down, but none of them willing to break the silence and possibly ignite an argument there might be no returning from.

"So we capture her," Scrapper finally said, adding her voice to the discussion for the first time.

All eyes turned to her, and she suppressed the urge to gulp as she felt the intensity of their gaze. "We knock her out or something, keep her sedated, and then turn her over to the Amazons. She's their ambassador, she might as well be their problem too. If they can help her, they help her, and if they kill her, at least no blood will be on our hands." Grudgingly, the two parties consented to Scrapper's idea, and a plan was formed.

It was time to put an end to Amazon Arrow's power quest! 

“Oh, how delightful! Run, little Amazon… run! Hahahaha…”

“NO! This isn’t right! DAMN!!!”

“What is it, My Lord?”

“Apparently at least one of The Sentinels isn’t quite as stable as I was expecting. He’s going to try to kill her!”

“You are… surprised, My Lord? I don’t think I’ve ever seen….”

“I am not omnipotent, Elf Witch! I see the future in glimpses and broad strokes, but the details are always elusive.”

“Then your plans may NOT come to fruition?”

“Oh, I’m certain that they will… but if The Amazon Arrow dies I may have to make a few… adjustments…”

“If she dies… what then?”

“Chryseis is not my only asset, Elf Witch. The Amazon Arrow is resourceful. Clearly we are approaching a significant crossroad. Let us see what events transpire…”

 

 Ms. Kent had been walking home from work when she saw three strangely costumed people headed her way, their eyes fixed on her. There was an unnerving quality about them, and Ms. Kent decided to turn around and find a different route home.  She quickened her pace a little, then heard them call out a name she didn't recognize. She quickened her pace again.

"Hey, Kent!" called out a very unfriendly man voice, "Real clever name! Stop for a minute, we need to chat!"

Despite herself, Ms. Kent looked back.

"Please Chryseis!" implored a striking young woman in a flattering bikini and cape combination, "We just want to talk!"

The Sentinels had decided to approach her directly to see if Spellbound was correct and she really didn't remember any of them. In the event things went south, only  Spellbound, Red Empress, and Slugger would confront her directly. The other Sentinels were hidden nearby, ready to spring at a moment's notice should the need arise.

When she first looked back, 'Ms. Kent's' expression was exactly what they would have expected from someone who had never heard of them: blank confusion. But as she stared at them for a moment, something changed. Her eyes widened for a moment and she opened her mouth to speak, then her face contorted in abject terror and she started running as fast as she could!

"Shit!" growled Slugger as they gave chase, "We spooked her!"

"Everyone!" Spellbound said into her comm-link, "Chryseis is on the move! She's headed for a section of rundown back alleys! Wire, I think you're the closest to her!"

The other Sentinels acknowledged and began converging on the panic stricken librarian.

"Get away!" she shouted back at her pursuers, "Leave me alone!"

"Guardian!" Slugger shouted into his comm-link, "You sure all the civilians were cleared out of the area?"

"Yes," came his reply.

"Good!" Slugger said, "'Cause I think she recognized us! When we catch her, we end her!"

"No!" shouted Spellbound in dismay.

Guardian replied, "Kurt! We agreed not to-"

"She recognized us! That means Spellbound was wrong! AA hasn't gone all psycho on us yet, but we need to make sure she never gets the chance! When I catch her, I'm snapping her damned neck!"

"You can't do that!" pleaded Spellbound.

"Watch me!" spat back Sluggeras he split off from the others and went down a different alley.

"Wire!" Spellbound called into her mic.

"I heard!" he replied.

"You have to get to Chryseis before Kurt does!"

"I know!"

Panic began to rise in Spellbound's chest. This was all going horribly, horribly wrong!

 

“Excellent! You see, Elf Witch? The future remains on its proper course.”

“The Stygian Eye’s vision is shifting! What has happened, Oh Great One?”

“The Sentinels have failed! I thought perhaps that the ruthless among them might shift the tide, but collectively they are only ‘heroes’ …and are thus weakened by compassion.”

“Pathetic… It is a vulnerability shared by the Amazons as well. It is why I know you will be victorious, My Lord.”

“Thanks to The Sentinels this battle is now inevitable. Behold the future, Elf Witch!”

“I know of this one... She is the Amazon Champion known as Ultra Woman.”

“Yes. She will make fine breeding stock. I look forward to muzzling and mounting that bitch myself.”

“Then she is most blessed, My Lord of Lycans.”

“Indeed.”

Ultra Woman is the OC of  

 

Ms. Kent was a remarkably swift runner. Even with panic and strange memories clouding her mind, she was able to stay ahead of her pursuers. She darted back and forth down side alleys, once catching sight of the man who had broken off from the others that were chasing her, but none of them ever got close. Indeed, if her head had been clearer, she would have realized that she was loosing them.

As she turned another corner, she came face to face with a new costumed assailant. He had the same aura of dread familiarity about him that the others did, and she turned to escape him as quickly as possible, but he reacted more quickly, and strong arms wrapped around her torso before she could make her escape.

"Let me go!" she almost pleaded in her panic as she fought against the steely grip that encircled her.

"Chryseis! I'm here to help you!" Wire tried to reassure her as she clawed at his arms, "You have to relax! I don't want to hurt you, I'm trying to keep you safe! You have to calm down!"

Almost in response to his words, her struggles ceased for a moment. Wire was about to reassure her again, when she threw back her head and let out a cry that made his blood run cold! She turned in his grasp to look at him, and her eyes were glowing white. She brought up her hands, and he saw her soul rings materialize on her fingers. Her hair shot out from her head, and he could feel  the incredible power surging through her.

Off in the distance, the other Sentinels were closing in. They needed to get away! He needed to warn them! But he couldn't. Wire seemed frozen in place, unable to move or speak. He had never felt as terrified as he did now. A goddess had awakened, and she was not happy!

 

“Chryseis’s  aura is GLORIOUS, My Lord! What I wouldn’t give for a taste of her now.”

“That would be the end of you, succubus. Her power is far more than you could possibly contain.”

“Still… it would be a fine death.”

“My little godling’s might grows exponentially with every passing moment. Soon she will… wait... ”

“Oh my… Who is that?”

“The Hierophant! NO! ”

“Another unforeseen complication, My Lord?”

“There are very few beings that walk the mortal plane whose fate the Stygian Eye cannot foresee… The Hierophant is one of them. He is not visible in any of my visions of the future.”

“Perhaps he is simply unseen because he will soon die, Your Grace?”

“Perhaps… but unlikely. This one is dangerous. He is older than I. Perhaps older than The First Ones. I am not certain that he CAN die. I have been content to avoid him until now because his path rarely intersects with my agenda, but The Amazon Arrow seems to have attracted his attention. I cannot allow him to align with the Amazons. Steps will need to be taken.”

“It does not appear to be an alignment that he seeks, My Lord…”

 

 In one swift motion, Chryseis spun out of Wire's embrace and brought a Soul Arrow into being. Time slowed as they stared eye to eye, her face contorted into crazed hunger, his a mask of shock and fear. The arrow plunged into his chest, and a pain he had never experience wracked his body! As he lost consciousness, he was aware that the other sentinels were converging on their position. Chryseis spun around to face her new attackers, her skin began to change color, and her clothes started disintegrating as she glared at them.

"You fools!" she cried disdainfully at the pathetic heroes and heroines before her, "you have no idea what it is you have unleashed!"

On the rooftop above her, just out of sight, Hierophants watched what was transpiring below.  He could not let this continue. Kneeling down, he began silently chanting an ancient incantation all but lost to the world. He imbued his weapons with a secret magic, one he had hoped never to have to use: a deicide curse! One prick from his hooks and Chryseis would be shredded from reality; reduced to a pile of sand. His stomach churned as the forbidden magic took hold of his weapons.  When it was done, he saw that the remaining Sentinels had surrounded Chryseis. Her attention was focused elsewhere.

Exhaling slowly, Hierophant leapt down from the roof and struck!

 

 “AAhhggghh!!! That explosion was cataclysmic! What has he done?!?!”

“Most impressive… I do not know if this was The Hierophant’s power or hers. I have never seen its equal. Rarely are such energies unleashed within this plane of existence”

“I can almost feel the mystical resonance from here! Could anything survive that?”

“The blinding energy dissipates… We will know in a few moments…”

 

Hierophant's hook blades struck the defensive barrier Amazon Arrow had taken from Thane. It did not stop his attack, but it slowed the speed his blades were moving at. That fraction of a second made all the difference.

With a resonating cry, the ground around Chryseis detonated and a strange energy came spiraling outward. Hero and heroine alike were thrown back and they all struck the ground senseless; dead to the world. Amazon Arrow floated back to down, and gazed contemptuously at the helpless forms of the once mighty heroes that lay sprawled about at her feet.

 

“Magnificent! The Sentinels are down!”

“Did… did she kill them, Oh Great One?”

“Unfortunately… no… but they have all been incapacitated, including The Hierophant. They will not interfere in the battle to come. My triumph is now inevitable!”

“Unless some other unforeseen circumstance arises…”

“Impossible!”

“But... My Lord… the very definition of ‘unforeseen’ implies…”

“If you favor breathing, Elf Witch, you will not complete that sentence. We both know the limitations of The Stygian Eye... and I know exactly what you are trying to do. You are fortunate that I have not eviscerated you already, treasonous bitch!”

“Why is it, My Lord, that you let me live? …if I may be so bold.”

”Because you are a woman, and I control you as I control ALL women! It is in your very nature to be servile. I will one day need to slay The Amazon Arrow… and you will help me do it.”

“Ahhh… You are most generous, Lord of Lycans. That is a prophecy I myself would like to see fulfilled!”

“Patience, Elf Witch, for now I have use for her. The Amazon Arrow’s power will be mine to command; she will help me to enslave her sisters, destroy their island home, and eliminate the First Ones!"
“I can’t wait, Your Grace.”

“The Age of the Amazons is at an end... The Ascension of the Lycans has begun!”

 

"Fools!" Chryseis shouted bitterly at the bodies sprawled about her, "I was trying to forget! It was the only way to contain all of this power! But I can't now! You've ruined everything!"

She stalked about, glaring down at the faces of those she once thought of as friends.

"I won't be able to subdue myself again," she said softly, "I had hoped to avoid the destiny I see so clearly, but that is not possible now."

After a moment's silence, she looked to the setting sun and set her jaw, "So be it then. I have the power; I will use it as destiny demands, and end this once and for all!"

The Amazonian goddess took to the air, leaving her past, her friends, and everything else she had held dear behind her for good. The fates had aligned, and she would face them without reservation. It was time to show the world what she was capable of; nothing would stand in her way.

Nothing!

Amazon Arrow's Power Quest | Part 4 - White Owl's Patrol

Story/art by amazonarrow
Script/dialog by and of course White Owl is her OC.

---

The nightly patrols between Queen City and Amazon Arrow's hometown were beginning to wear a bit.  But the news of her "going rogue" was still being kept to a minimum.  I had been asked by the embassy to fill in for Chryseis, until the new champions were chosen and trained.

So far it had been routine--very little the local police couldn't have handled.  But tonight was different.  Dr Tronix decided to try the "substitute" heroine.  I felt like I was back in second grade with the Kish brothers trying to fool their substitute teachers.  But every sub in my school was enough to handle the challenges.  Surely I could step up to this.

This thing had a body covered in heavy armor and looked like a giant gorilla.  An Iron Ape.  And Bio mechanical if I understood it. 

The direct attack resulted in me getting swatted and flipped into the brick walls of the alleyway. 

All right then, time to see what this thing is made of.  I didn't want to hurt the ape, I was certain there was still a frightened experimental creature beneath all that armor.  I tossed a Flash Bang at the Iron Ape--listening as he howled in pain, his arms thrown up over his eyes, to wipe away the phosphorus blast.  So he COULD be hurt.  I rolled in and with a flying kick attack, landed 130 pounds of Owl Fury into the armored belly of the beast.  A whoosh of air escaped from the gorilla's mouth and I nearly gagged on the smell.  I climbed to get some momentum, then dove down again, flipping to land another flying kick.

The eyebeams caught me by surprise.  I didn't realize that Tronix had that kind of technology.  I smelled the synthetic NuSilk beginning to burn.  "All right," I said out loud.  "This Ends now!"

I threw another bop ball at the Iron Ape, and watched his glaring eyes disintegrate the ball as it drew close.  But while he was distracted, I got in close again.  The Iron Ape scowled, and I felt the heat rising on my costume again.  Gritting my teeth, I got close, then dropped another Flash Bang into the collar of his armor, along with a gas ball.

I heard the boom, and heard the Iron Ape howl in pain.  The gas ball caught up with him as he was howling in rage and I saw him stagger, dropping to his knees then to the ground, unconscious.

"OK Tronix--I win this one," I said.  "But using innocent animals makes me VERY upset."

Dr Tronix doesn't rely on theft alone to support his research; he's also been known to sell his "toys." The Queen Hornet is one of his better, and wealthier customers. Tonight, I caught her coming out of Monitor and Wagers facility, a soft glow coming from the antigrav devices built into her armor.

"Stop right there, honey," I said, palming a net ball.

"You must be the White Chicken I've heard about," she taunted. "You don't look so tough."

"White OWL," I corrected, wondering why I bothered. "I don't suppose you'd care to avoid the conflict and surrender?"

"Fat chance Owly,"she said. "That Amazon Arrow couldn't stop me, and I don't think you can either."

I heard a buzzing sound and a soccer ball sized object flew past my ear. I ducked instinctively, turning to see this silvery object with a glowing yellow "eye" whipping around for a second pass. I saw a small appendage on the ball , beginning to warm up.

"Meet the drones," giggled Queen Hornet. "They LOVE their Queen."

I threw the net ball at the drone, watching as the net opened then covered the drone. The weights pulled the net close then the magnetic tabs held it tight. The drone whined, as it pulled against the magnetic pull. I pressed a switch on my belt and a small electronic pulse caused the drone to explode.

"One down," I said.

"But can you stop eight at once?"

A small squadron of drones surrounded me and I dodged two short bursts of plasma. The drones weren't compassionate apparently, one of the shots missed me and exploded another drone. I dove onto a drone as it flew past me,wrestling it in front of me and using it as a shield as two more drones took pot shots. I released it just before the bursts hit home; rocked by the blasts.

I recovered and found a paint ball in my pouch. A flight of three drones shot forward at me, and I tossed the ball onto the "eye" of the middle drone. It hit hard, covering the drone with a bright orange tempra paint. I could see sparks breaking out, and the drone lost control, wiping out one of the others. I looked around, seeing Queen Hornet flying away. I shot after her, the drones following after me.

"Give it up White Owl," she laughed, holding up the flash drive. "These plans will fulfill my debt to Dr Tronix, and there's nothing you can do to stop me....OWWW" My bop ball hit hard, denting her armor at the wrist. The drive fell out of her hands, tumbling to the pavement of Chapman Boulevard. The combined blasts of the remaining five drones burned into my back. I heard the sizzle of high energy on my back and howled in pain. I blacked out and followed the flash drive to the streets below.

 

 "Are you sure you're up to this White Owl?" asked Police Chief Brody.

"I think so chief.  I'm just curious why the police divers can't handle it."

Brody tugged his ear, a nervous habit I had picked up on.  Generally it meant that there was more than he was willing to share.  I gave him the benefit of the doubt, since he had a clean record as far as the Guild was concerned.  So I listened intently.

"We're fairly certain Tronix has been tinkering with Genetics in addition to robotics.  The real problem though, is that catching this guy is like nailing Jello to a wall.  You hero types have broken several of his operations, but HE always manages to get away, and start over.  Anyway...this operation is pretty high profile for the police force.  A seaside factory, abandoned since the Cold War ended.  We're pretty sure Dr Tronix set up a lab there."

"So what's the plan?" I asked.

"We want to surround the place with SWAT, and cover the exits by air, land and sea.  We're hopeful we can catch Tronix with his labcoat down.  That's where you come in."

Brody pointed to a spot about a mile out from the factory, in the bay.  "There's a drain vent here.  The specs show it to be about 5 feet in diameter.  It runs straight into the factory and opens into a drain pool there.  We'd like YOU to infiltrate the factory through that and get the drop on Tronix from the inside.  Our Intel shows he won't be expecting a heroine if the police are surrounding him.  The Chaos ought to be enough for you to take him by surprise."

I nodded at the logic of this.  "Give me a few minutes to get ready."

An hour later, I was in a small boat wearing swim flippers.  A small "chariot" device was at hand as well.  I slipped on my swim mask and rebreather, then dropped over the side into the murky bay.  After getting my bearings, I set out towards the drain vent.  The water was dark and cold, and I could see fish briefly as they flashed past me.  I paid them little attention, fish were generally harmless.  But as I got closer to the vent, I felt a tug on my left leg.

I nearly jumped out of my skin, and only because my brain kicked in did I not lose my rebreather.  I looked behind me and saw a human/amphibian hybrid reaching out to me again.  I kicked it in the chest, then kicked up the prop speed on the "chariot."  I moved faster, but the creature was right behind me.  Suddenly two, three, five of them surrounded me.  I covered my eyes, tossing my only phosphorus grenade at the things coming closer.  The bright flash illuminated the murky water and the creatures  backed away in pain.

I pulled the filter off the vent, and swept inside, wondering what the hell those things were...

"Looks like Dr Tronix IS experimenting with genetics," I thought.

 

Getting through the drain entrance, I made it through without encountering any more mutants.  The drain grew empty and I padded along to the drain cover.  Herculean strength was enough to move it, and I slipped into a large open room.  My footsteps echoed in the cavernous area, and I could see dim metal cylinders in the security lighting.

A bright light flashed and I head an autotuned voice saying "Greetings White Owl.  As you may have guessed by now, Chief Brody's little scheme has failed.  You see, I'm not here; and while I have no reason to worry about White Owl, YOU do."

The lights came on through the entire room, and I saw the cylinders were filled with mirror images of me.

The doors to the cylinders opened and suddenly I was faced with at least 40 images of myself.  Clones?  Droids?  I didn't know; but I had a feeling I was about to find out.

 

After determining that these creations were almost my equal in every way, I settled in for the fight for my life. These things knew my every move and counter; making it difficult to stay a step ahead.

"They can't have Athena's wisdom," I thought. "That was a gift."

But their muscles were every bit as powerful as mine, and if I could fly, so could they. I spent what seemed like an hour ducking, dodging, catching, throwing, and generally avoiding getting hurt.

Behind me, I heard a sudden crash... then an arrow flew into one of the clones. Had Chryseis returned to her senses? I chanced a look over my shoulder and my jaw dropped. The Amazon Arrow? But this wasn't Chryseis. She was shorter, blonde...and she had friends.

"All right sisters, spread out. We need to stop these White Owls!" she said.

"What if the real one is in here?"

"Then we'll find her."

I remembered the Amazon embassy telling me there would be new champions coming to look for Chryseis. I could see there were four of them... One with a bow, who I assumed was the new Amazon Arrow.

"Lykopis!" she cried. "Be careful! One of them could be the real White Owl."

The Amazon with the bladed weapons sliced a clone in half and laughed.

"Well it's not this one!" she said, swinging her sword again.

The fight had suddenly turned... but had it turned in my favor?

 

I felt a pair of silky gloves on my shoulder and I turned around to see a White Owl grinning back at me with her arm raised to deliver a powerful punch... but without warning a larger pair of arms picked her up and pulled her apart in a shower of sparks and shredded metal.

I said thanks to the towering women, but received no reply. The Amazon Fist said nothing as she grabbed another White Owl, crushed her head and returned to the fray.

 

 I assumed the blonde was the new Amazon Arrow. Her outfit was the same as Chryseis's and her aim was every bit as accurate. She had a coolness and an accuracy with the bow that made it seem like an extension of her soul.... but she wasn't shooting Soul Arrows. I don't know what they were, but they were stopping the clones in short order.

I cut left, knocking down two more, but wasn't able to shout a warning in time as one of the clones got behind her and wound up for a savage chop...

 

"Aella!"

I heard Amazon Blade cry out as a White Owl chopped the new Amazon Arrow in the back of the neck, dropping her to her knees.

Lykopis began hewing in earnest and bits of White Owl clones began falling all around the room.  She came closer to me, where I was still fighting back against clones of my own. 

"Peace!" I said.  "I didn't do it!"

Her sword pointed at my throat as Lykopis made up her mind regarding my fate...

 

 The woman mountain (I assume she was the Amazon Lance) literally broke one clone with her bare hands and speared another with her large spear while I was busy dodging the gleaming weapons of the Amazon Blade. 

Behind her the new Amazon Arrow was coming to her feet, and with a surprised look on her face she gazed up at me. I tried to appeal to her but a solid blow from an armored fist suddenly hit me in the back of the head. 

I dropped to the ground, surrounded by the avenging Amazon quartet.

Slowly I raised my hands and said, "ειρήνη?"

 

"I could stab her with the Soul Sword... just to be sure..."

Lykopis's blade was suddenly at my throat as it glowed and vibrated with power. It appeared to be made of the same energy as Chryseis's arrows.

The giant of a woman cried, "ΑΡΚΕΤΑ! Τετέλεσται!"*

Behind Lykopis, Aella was lowering her bow.

"It's over, Lykopis!  This is the real White Owl--and she's a friend."

The Amazon Blade growled, but lowered her sword in acknowledgement.

I looked up at the large woman and said: "Melousa, isn't it?"

With a grim face, Melousa nodded: "We have arrived to search for our errant one and to... return her to the First Ones.  Your mission is over here.  You are no longer needed."

"I...I would like to help you find her," I said as I came to my feet.

Melousa looked at me, said something too fast for me to catch and laughed. The others joined in.
"What's so funny?" I asked.

Aella whispered in my ear: "She said you have the heart of an Amazon, but not the stature."

I looked around at the shattered creations Dr Tronix had left and smiled: "But I AM the last White Owl standing."

Aella translated this and Melousa laughed harder, pounding my back.  I staggered forward, but somehow managed to keep my feet.

 

Chief Brody and his CSI team showed up shortly after, along with cleanup crews from STAR, NSA and the FBI.  Apparently Dr. Tronix had been VERY naughty.  After taking our statements, the Amazons and I were released.  We went to the Amazon Embassy first and I gave them a full report on Chryseis' actions to that point.

"I'm very worried for Chryseis... and for all of my friends," I said.

"We too are concerned," said Aella.

"Rest assured, we will find Curia ...and bring Chryseis down," said Lykopis.

"In..." quickly corrected Aella.

 Lykopis gave her a funny look.

I almost didn't see Melousa squeezing Lykopis on the shoulder... almost... I couldn't be sure what plans they may have for Chryseis, but that would have to be a problem for another day. Confronting them in the middle of thier own Embassy wouldn't help anyone, and right now Chryseis could certainly take care of herself.

"We have detained White Owl for too long.  I am certain she has other responsibilities to which she must attend.  She has fought bravely and her valor will long be remembered. Amazons ...Salute!"
The clang of bracelets coming together thrilled me as I left the Amazon Champions in the courtyard of the embassy and gratefully returned to Queen City.

Amazon Arrow's Power Quest | Part 3 - The Amazon Champions

This next section features 's "Sentinels" and he created the art and story. Amazon Arrow frequently visits their home turf (Coastal City) and she has lots of history with many of the Sentinels.

The Sentinels usually met monthly to remain up to date about various threats within the city, the status of certain high profile villains or criminal organizations, and to assign patrol routes and regions of responsibility to each hero.  The meeting room was also their "War Room" when emergency situation arose and they needed to plan quickly. So naturally, when Hierophant called an emergency meeting, everyone was braced for bad news.

"I've called everyone together because a series of events is taking place that I believe to be cause for concern.  Has everyone been keeping up with the latest reports on what's been happing to other super villains abroad?"

"Uh no," said Slugger.

"You mean all the defeated villains that the authorities have been stumbling across for like the last week?" asked Scrapper.

"Yes," Hierophant replied.

Guardian nodded, "No wounds to speak of, mostly just bumps and bruises, but some of these villains they've found were powerful enough take a tank shell to the face and then shred up the tank. Most folks are assuming that it's a new vigilante running about."

 "Not a vigilante," corrected Hierophant, "most of the defeated villains were taken into custody after the local authorities found them. They've all been interrogated, though the details have been kept from the public. A contact of mine forwarded me transcripts from the interrogations."

"Please don't tell me it's been an even worse bad guy beating these people up," Spellbound sighed.

"No, it's been the Amazon Arrow."

The silence that followed this declaration was almost deafening. Slugger was the first to break it, "You mean little miss 'Oh look at me and my pretty magic bow' Amazon Arrow? The one who spends more time tied to a chair than actually doing any heroing work?"

"Kurt!" Spellbound scolded angrily, "That's not true! She isn't doing any worse than you were when you first started!"

"I'm just saying it seems hard to believe," he retorted, "After all, her track record does speak for itself."

"Perhaps she has finally tapped into her inner power," the Red Empress offered, "I've heard that the other Amazon Champions sent here are quite formidable. It could be that she has taken a rite or learned a skill that has made her as powerful as they are."

"You wouldn't have called us here if all you wanted to tell us was that Amazon Arrow is doing a great job of clearing out the bad guys," Wire said to Hierophant, "What else is going on?"

"On the surface, this seems merely to be evidence that Chryseis has finally come into her own as a heroine, but the details from the interrogations have revealed some disturbing facts.  Each villain she has defeated has described her as using powers that she never previously possessed."

"Ok," interjected Spellbound, "So Empress is right, she's gotten her Amazonian powers finally."

"No," Hierophant said solemnly, "With each new attack, she is using the powers of the villains she defeated previously."

Again, the room was plunged into silence.

"Ok," Wire said slowly, "So she's able to duplicate their powers. But she hasn't been killing or seriously harming them. I still don't see how this is a problem."

"Wait, how is she even doing that?" Guardian interrupted, "That's no 'Amazonian Power' that I've ever heard of before."

"That I do not know," replied Hierophant, "But this news troubles me."

"Why?" demanded Spellbound, "She's cleaning house! If she really is the one responsible for what's been going on, she's put more big bads behind bars in the last week than all of us combined have in two months! This is a good thing!"

"I'm not so sure," spoke Nammu for the first time, "My ability to enhance other people's powers is incredibly helpful, but it does take its tole one me, and overpowering a person for too long can have adverse effects on them as well.  She may be becoming more powerful, but who knows what other effects it's been having on her."

Wire shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "Ok, forgive me for saying this but, what difference does any of this make? She isn't doing any of this in Coastal City; she's out there, well outside our jurisdiction.  And while there certainly may be some cause for concern over her personal well-being, this isn't exactly a good enough reason to call an emergency meeting. There are always risks to what we do, but these are hers to take. I'm sure she knows what she's doing."

"Are you kidding me?" scoffed Slugger, "She can barely go outside with getting clubbed, drugged, overpowered, or otherwise captured and imprisoned. She's more of a liability than a help!"

"That's enough Kurt!" Spellbound yelled.

"Oh please," Scrapper spat back, "You're only defending her because she helped you go after the Clue Gang! Remind me again, how did that all work out for you?"

"ENOUGH!" Hierophant commanded, "I called you all here because I have seen this kind of thing happen before, long ago.  In her case it isn't as severe. No one has died, yet. I still believe her actions to be cause for concern, and that she should be watched closely. If her actions should develop into the threat I fear they might, out duty as heroes will outweigh out duty to this city."

"That's all well and good," said Defender, "but if what you're saying is true, she could already be too powerful for any one of us. And what's to stop her from stealing our powers too? Not to mention the fact that we'd be attacking an emissary from the Amazons, you really think that would go over well?"

"That is why I will be the one who goes against her if the need arises," said Thane, stepping up beside Hierophant, "I am not of this world, nor am I like your kind. I can defend myself against the powers she wields."

"You think!" retorted Spellbound.

"And because you belonged to some kind of policing unit from another plane of existence, you can always claim that you were acting on oaths you had made rather than on orders from the Sentinels," Wire concluded disapprovingly.

"Why are we even contemplating this?!" bellowed Red Empress in disgust, "We should be aiding her! Not plotting against her!"

Hierophant closed his eyes and breathed deeply for a few moments. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm and quiet, but filled with authority, "The last time I saw powers being used like this, the world was nearly enslaved. An immortal was slain before we finally did what needed to be done to stop it.  I will not let it come to that again. Chryseis has been our guest, ally, and friend in this city, but if she is going down the same path others have tread before her, we must do whatever it takes to stop her before it is too late."

---

Below are biographies for each of the Amazon Champions. They will be featured heavily throughout the rest of the Power Quest storyline.

For untold thousands of years the Amazons favored isolation and non-interference with regards to the affairs of Man’s World, but in the 1940’s the oracles known as The First Ones received a terrifying vision: Man would soon harness the power of the atom. The seers foretold that Man would not only weaponize this knowledge, he would actually use it! Man’s reckless pursuit of land and territory would threaten the existence of the entire world, including the Amazon Isle. The First Ones could no longer ignore Man’s indiscretion.

They elected to send a corps of representatives from amongst the Amazon's finest warriors to guide Man’s fate; a “Champions Tournament” was held to select the ambassadors.  Hundreds of Amazons volunteered, but only a dozen would be chosen, one for each of the Amazon's most ancient and powerful weapons.  There would be a Sword Champion, an Archery Champion, a Lariat Champion and nine others tasked to put an end to war, crime and conflict throughout Man’s World.

Lykopis won the Sword Championship and is now known as The Amazon Blade. She is short for an Amazon (only 5'2"), but do not let her height deceive you. Lykopis is a vicious warrior and she is astonishingly fast and agile; many suspect that her ancestors were demigods, though no such recorded proof exists. With an edged weapon in her grasp her spinning and twirling movements become a dance of death.

Lykopis is armed with the Soul Sword, a non-lethal and mystical blade that produces no physical wounds but inflicts damage to her enemy's lifeforce. She also carries an enchanted Crescent Blade capable of slicing through any known substance. The Amazon Blade has sworn not to kill her enemies, but her Crescent Blade could disemboil or decapitate a foe should she ever change her mind.

Lykopis is betrothed to the Amazon known as Aella, and Aella harbors a not-so-secret attraction to Chryseis. The Amazon Blade has often dreamed of beating The Amazon Arrow bloody and tossing her broken body at Aella's feet.

Chryseis's current "Power Quest" has given Lykopis all the excuse she needs to hunt her rival down.

The Light and Night Rings are ancient weapons forged for the Amazons by the Gods. One ring can be used to manifest a "Soul Bow" while the other ring can generate an endless supply of "Soul Arrows". The First Ones, oldest and wisest of the Amazon seers, held a tournament to find their best archer who would serve as The Amazon Arrow in Man's World at the dawn of World War II.

The first tournament champion to win the title of Amazon Arrow was Pyrrah and The First Ones armed her with the Night Rings. Pyrrah was a noble champion who ultimately fell to a lycanthropic curse, thus a second tournament was held.

This time the victor was Chryseis; she was given the Light Rings and became the second Amazon Arrow. When Chryseis went rogue and apparently succumbed to some new manifestation of the Light Ring's power, the First Ones immediately dispatched her replacement.

Her name is Aella... and she is now the third Amazon Arrow.

Aella is betrothed to Lykopis, the Amazon Blade... but Aella has always felt an unrequited love for Chryseis. Aella is not a tournament champion; she was specifically chosen to carry a heavy burden by The First Ones. All previous Amazon champions have been forbidden to take a life; Aella is the exception. She is armed with the Gorgon's Bow and a single Black Arrow. The Black Arrow is said to be infused with the blood of Medusa herself; there is no armor it cannot penetrate, and no foe it cannot kill. The First Ones believe this may be the only weapon that can destroy the now power-mad Chryseis.

The First Ones hope that Aella's gentle spirit and love for Chryseis will grant her the wisdom in battle to determine if and when the Black Arrow is to be fired.

Chryseis's power quest threatens the entire world and the celestial balance itself. Aella is prepared to take Chryseis's life if she cannot be restored to her former self.

 

Not all of the champion tournaments involved physical combat; some were contests of cunning and skill and magic. The Amazon Shield was chosen from among those who practice the healing arts. 

The Shield Tournament finals were conducted in secret and judged by The First One’s themselves. Four Amazon healers entered the final arena. Three of them emerged shaken to their very core, traumatized by what they had witnessed and sworn to speak nothing of what had transpired. The fourth Amazon… the victor… was Echephyle, our most respect battlefield surgeon and our most compassionate soul.

Many believe that Echephyle died to become the Amazon Shield.

Some believe that she is now horribly disfigured, or one of the undead, or a demon, or perhaps a ghost doomed to haunt an armored shell. They say she made the ultimate sacrifice to win the tournament so that others might live. Echephyle no longer sleeps or eats or speaks. The Amazon Shield is a terrifying entity…silent, relentless and indestructible… but she is a welcome presence on the battlefield.

The Amazon Shield carries no weapons, but her armor is believed to be impenetrable. Her gauntlets are capable of healing virtually any wound and she possesses supernatural strength; but The Amazon Shield’s most important ability …and responsibility… is the power to cast a bubble of force around those that she wishes to protect. This ability provides her fellow Amazon’s with a tactical advantage and reduces civilian casualties during battle.

Echephyle would sacrifice her life to defend the innocent from Chryseis’s destructive path.

In fact… she may have done so already.

 

Melousa is the Amazon’s strongest and most feared warrior and the General of the Amazon Armies, a title she has held for thousands of years. At nearly eight feet tall she towers over most Amazons; many believe that the blood of the ancient Giants flows in her veins. There are few Amazons that Melousa has not personally trained; Chryseis is one of her many former pupils.

Melousa’s title is The Amazon Lance and she is armed with The Obolos Spear. The handle of this enchanted weapon was once an oar used by Charon, the boatman of the river Styx and Acheron tasked with ferrying the dead into Hades. While the spear is a non-lethal weapon that produces no wounds, The Amazon Lance can grant her foes a brief taste of death. Those with evil hearts who are struck with The Obolos Spear’s glowing blade receive a vision of the fate that awaits them in Hades; they collapse into a state of shock and awaken reformed, confessing their sins and committed to a more righteous path.

There is no one Chryseis trusts more, on or off the field of battle; Melousa is her mentor and confidant. The Amazon Lance believes this gives her a tactical advantage that she will not hesitate to exploit. Melousa hopes that a glimpse into Hell will turn her former pupil from her destructive path.

Amazon Arrow's Power Quest | Part 2 - Losing Control

The Red Behemoth is a powerful adversary with extraordinary strength, but he is also a living creature. He has a soul and that makes him vulnerable to my Soul Arrows.

I could drop him from a distance... but that would be far too easy. Today I'm in the mood to get upclose and personal with my enemy. I want to loose myself in the thrill of mortal combat!

My name is Chryseis and I am an Amazon champion!

I have fallen in battle far too often as of late. This day... I vow to be victorious!

 

The steel of my boot crashes into Red Behemoth's jaw with a satisfying crunch! The creature reels and staggers back, howling in pain. He snorts and growls threats at me in an alien language that I cannot understand as I complete my somersault and press the attack!

He has been at my mercy since this fight began. I will finish him at the moment of my choosing. I toy with him as a cat might toy with a mouse... albeit a very LARGE mouse.

Red Behemoth is angry, but his rage does not compare with my own. In the last few weeks I have been gassed, knocked out, abducted, bound, molested, hypnotized and so much more... and I have had ENOUGH! The Red Behemoth chose the wrong day to terrorize the streets of my city.

He will know the fury of an Amazon unleashed!

 

 I use the weight of the Soul Bow and my Amazon bracers combined with my forward momentum to strike the Red Behemoth with a vicious and powerful punch. My fist slams into the vilain's lower jaw in the exact spot where my steel boot struck just moments before. His mouth slams shut, shattering a few of his teeth as blood and mangled fangs fly from his broken maw.

I could have easily killed him by centering the blow and crushing his windpipe. In the heat of the battle my warrior's instinct tells me to do just that, but as the designated Amazon Arrow I am forbidden from taking a life. I enjoy being a public superheroine, but I find that I must so often hold myself back in the middle of combat. I wonder how many of my recent defeats are the result of fighting to incapacitate rather than to kill.

 

Red Behemoth groans as his eyes cross and his knees buckle. As he begins to fall I meet him on the way down with a kick to the abdomen. I know his armor will protect him from most of the impact, so I strike at the seams below the breastplate, driving the armor segments back into his diaphram. I know I hit my mark because the air whooshes from his lungs, leaving the monster squealing and gasping for breath.

My foe is nearly defeated and in severe pain. I should be thrilled at this point, excited to deliver the killing blow, but instead I feel sorry for him. I do not know what motivates the destructive villain. Perhaps he is being controlled or manipulated. Perhaps he lacks the intelligence to know right from wrong. Perhaps the Red Behemoth's rampage is a symptom of a larger problem. As a warrior I would not care about such things, but as The Amazon Arrow my responsibilities do not end on the battlefield. True victory is achieved when I can prevent villains from striking in the first place.

Red Behemoth is on his kneees. I charge up my Light Ring to summon a Soul Arrow to finish him off, but the monster is not through just yet...

 

 The Red Behemoth strikes back! Pain, anger and fear trigger an adrenaline rush that grants my foe a second wind. His massive arm lashes out at me with surprising speed, but I am already airborne, leaping up and over the thrashing beast. He reacts wildly and instinctively in a desperate effort to fend me off, throwing blind punches in every direction. Desperation makes him unpredictable and even more dangerous. Many heroines fall as a result of underestimating their enemies. I am ashamed to admit this has happened to me on several occasions... but not today.

I surrender a portion of my lifeforce to the Light Rings and summon a Soul Arrow. Time to bring him down...

 

 The villain flails at me as I lock my thighs around his armored neck. The Red Behemoth is protected and enhanced by heavy plates, but they also limit his range of motion. He can't reach me effectively, so he begins to whirl around in wild circles, trying to buck me off. I ride him like a bronco as I prepare to stab him with the Soul Arrow. For a brief moment he looks up at me; I show him the arrow... and relish the look of fear in his eyes.

 

 The Red Behemoth collapses beneath me as I drive the Soul Arrow into his spine. My mystical arrow passes through his armor plating as if it isn't there at all, penetrating through to his very essence.

The Soul Arrow draws its power from a small portion of my lifeforce, magnifying that energy a thousand fold and then channeling it into my target's soul upon impact. My victim suffers a kind of neural overload as their lifeforce becomes flooded and overwhelmed by my own. For the target this sensation feels a bit like drowning as they suffer a massive heart attack while being burned alive and electrocuted and falling overwhelmingly in love with me... all at the same time. My enemies drop unconscious almost instantly no matter how physically powerful they may be. It doesn't matter where they get hit, as long as I strike living flesh. If it has a soul I can take it out with one shot. The damage inflicted is spiritual, leaving behind no physical wound or lasting effects.

I usually strike from a distance using the Soul Bow, but when I use the Arrow without the Bow such as this, I share in a momentary bond with my target... an intimate exchange as my soul touches theirs. I see flashes of memory. We share emotions. I hear thoughts. Their power temporarily becomes my own. It is a beautiful experience beyond compare... even when my target is as ugly and as savage as The Red Behemoth. All souls are unique and magnificent and delicious.

The feeling is orgasmic and highly addictive. I have been warned not to do this very frequently, but I must admit it is extremely energizing.

My enemy falls and I feel better than ever... How can this be a bad thing?

 

Victory is mine!

The Red Behemoth’s power roars through my veins. His enhanced strength is mine for the moment. I feel as if I could crush a car with my bare hands! My body is practically shivering with the contained energy. Imagine what I could do with such strength if I had this all the time! I could stop more bad guys! I could save more lives! I could save every one!

Is this what it feels like to be Curia? Or White Owl? Or Ultra Woman?

No… it must be even better for them. They have speed, invulnerability, flight...

I want to fly.

I know this power transference will not last long, so I savor every moment of it. To be honest, I’m surprised it hasn’t worn off already. It seems to be lasting a bit longer every time I use my Arrows without the Soul Bow. I should probably stop doing that… or so I’ve been told. The First Ones say this can be addictive, but why is that such a bad thing if it allows me to become a more powerful heroine? I would gladly sacrifice myself to save others. If I put myself at risk, then so be it. And what exactly am I risking? Becoming stronger? Becoming better? That doesn’t sound like such a bad thing.
I see no reason not to make use of my new found strength tonight while it lasts. The night is young and there is more evil afoot.

Villains beware…

 

 I'll admit it... I went looking for trouble.

It had been nearly 48 hours since my encounter with The Red Behemoth and the strength that I had absorbed from him during the battle had yet to fade. One of the additional side effects of the power transfer was that I apparently no longer required sleep. I fought crime relentlessly, cleaning up the streets at a furious pace. I lost count of all of the would-be rapists, drug dealers and gangbangers I stabbed with a Soul Arrow during those first two nights. Compared to the Red Behemoth the thugs didn't have any real power to offer, but it still felt damn good to stick them... and I was on a roll.

Apparently one of the crimes that I intercepted was one of Mercury's operations and she didn't take kindly to me wiping out her hired muscle. Mercury is literally a speed demon, an escapee from The Underworld with the ability to move at supernatural speeds. Despite my new found strength she was all over me in a fraction of a second, slapping me around as if I were standing still. I couldn't hit what I couldn't touch and she wasn't about to hold still. When her chloroform-soaked rag clamped over my face I thought I was done for... Even with my new power, I was about to endure yet another humiliating defeat. I used the last of my strength to lift my right arm, aiming my Light Ring at her abdomen. As consciousness left me I poured everything I had into one last effort...

The Soul Arrow materialized inside of Mercury and our souls touched! I was instantly rejuvinated as I absorbed her thoughts, memories, emotions... and her power. My head was suddenly clear as I metabolized the chloroform at an astonishing rate. Apparently Mercury healed quickly and was immune to the effects of drugs. Good to know.

Mercury was out cold before she hit the ground.

I felt better than ever.

Super-strength... super-speed... accelerated healing.. and I was just getting started.

 

Fire Fright is a pyrokinetic arsonist employed by the local mob bosses when they need to wipe out evidence in spectacular fashion. I’ve heard of him, but this is the first time we’ve tangled. Someone needs to get this jerk some fire retardant pants.

This is the kind of situation where the Soul Bow comes in handy. Get close to a pyrokinetic and you’re likely to get burned. Shooting him from a distance is obviously the way to go… effective, but not terribly fun. Normally I wouldn’t have any other options, but tonight I get to try something new.

I test drive the super-speed that I copied from Mercury and I’m on top of Fire Fright at what feels like the speed of thought. I think about being behind him, and suddenly I’m there. No real fight occurs; my Soul Arrow takes him out before he gets a good look at me. The rush of the power transfer kicks like a mule and leaves me breathless, like having an orgasm while running a marathon then getting an adrenalin injection straight through the heart. It’s good stuff, but I’m starting to get used to it. I shake it off in a matter of seconds… and that’s when I realize I’m on fire!

Fire Fright’s flames are all over me! Fire licks across the surface of my skin, but all I feel is a warm and gentle breeze. With barely a thought I command the flames to rise higher… burn hotter… and they obey. There’s something hypnotic about starring into a raging inferno. I’m glad I took him out. This power is extremely dangerous. Fire Fright could burn the entire city to the ground if he wanted to do so. I guess that means I could as well, but of course I’d never do anything like that.

Fire is great and all, but I’d still like to be able to fly.

My hunt continues…

 

 Haven’t slept in almost a week... but I’m not really tired so I just keep going. Every creep that I put down is another life saved.  Violet Ghost is an assassin capable of walking through walls to reach her target. I suspect intangibility will come in handy. Can’t wait to try it out for myself.

I’ve done more good for this city in the last few days than my fellow heroines have managed to accomplish in months. I have acquired many so-called friends since my arrival in Man’s World, and until recently those heroes and heroines had my utmost respect.  But now that I have a taste of real power, I’m beginning to realize how much more they could accomplish if they accepted the responsibility that accompanies their great power.

My assault against crime has the bad guys on the run as the enemy scrambles to protect their assets and stolen goods. The harder I fight the more rats I chase out of the sewers.  I’ve lost count of how many bad guys I’ve taken down. I’ve accumulated more powers and skills than I can keep track of.
I am single-handedly winning the war on crime.

Seek out evil and kick its ass; it’s that simple. I would have done this long ago if I had possessed even a fraction of Ultra Woman’s extraordinary power. Why hasn’t she done this herself? What’s her excuse? Cowardice? Laziness?

I haven’t seen any of my fellow heroines all week. From their perspective the city probably seems abnormally quiet. I’m taking out bad guys preemptively, before they can strike, so there isn’t much crime in progress at the moment. White Owl is probably kicking back with a cup of tea and a good book, while I’m out here doing all the work.

Not that it matters…. With my new powers I don’t need their help any way.

 

I’m just about to take out The Broad, Diabolist and Plasma Cat when Curia suddenly drops from the sky and lands between me and my prey. As Plasma Cat unleashes an energy blast, Curia shoves me backwards and deflects the deadly beam with her bracers.

“CHRYSEIS!!! STAY BEHIND ME!!!”

Curia thinks she’s protecting me, but she has no idea what I’m capable of now. I could have easily dodged or deflected that beam, or allowed it to pass through me harmlessly; Plasma Cat is no threat to me… not any more.

It doesn’t even occur to Curia that I could handle all three of these villainesses myself. All she sees when she looks at me is weakness. That’s all any of my fellow heroines see in me… just poor, helpless Chryseis. They see me as a liability… constantly in danger… always calling for backup… always needing to be rescued from some stupid death trap or another.

Well, I certainly didn’t call for back up this time. Curia must have been flying overhead on a routine patrol or something... and now she’s come down from her lofty high horse just in time to save the day.

Poor, helpless Chryseis… I’m so sick of it I could strangle her.

I leap into the air as Diabolist blasts Curia with some sort of magical beam. Diabolist is a deadly sorceress capable of casting dozens of powerful spells. I can’t wait to copy her powers, but I’ll let Curia keep her busy while I take out the other two villainesses first.

I might not be able to fly just yet, but I have enough strength enhancements that I can now cover an impressive distance with a single bound. Accelerated reflexes and situational awareness allows me to close in on Plasma Cat as she tries and fails to shoot me out of the air. She falls to a Soul Arrow at point blank range and the transference rush blazes through me as I copy her ability to project concussion beams. Yummy!

My forward momentum carries me over Plasma Cat as she crumples to the ground, allowing me to finish the aerial maneuver by kicking The Broad in the face. The monstrous woman staggers back a few steps, but she won’t fall that easily. The Broad is incredibly strong, savage and virtually invulnerable to harm; we’re talking about a bazooka-proof woman that can rip cars in half with her bare hands and trade blows with Ultra Woman for hours.  She’s tough.

She’s also dumber than a bag of hammers and she has a soul, so her powers are as good as mine.

Pay attention Curia… this is how it’s done!

 

The Broad is a little faster than I expected. She recovers from my kick, snatches me out of the air and smashes me into the ground with enough force to make a small crater. The noise is deafening and broken chunks of pavement fly everywhere. It’s pretty awesome!  Just a few days ago a hit like that would have been the end of me. It hurts, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve acquired enough invulnerability that it doesn’t even take me out of the fight. All I have to do is…

“CHRYSEIS!!!!”

I can hear the panic in her voice. No doubt Curia thinks she just witnessed the death of The Amazon Arrow. I can’t wait to see the look on her self-righteous face when I get back up and kick The Broad’s ass with my bare fists. I’ll show her what real power can do.

Through the flying dust and debris I see Diabolist energizing a new spell to take advantage of Curia’s distraction.

That is the problem with emotion and friendship… there is no tactical benefit.

 

Curia screams in agony as Diabolist laughs.

I feel… I don’t know… sad, maybe? I don’t like to see her hurt, but…

My emotions seem distant…like they don’t even belong to me anymore. There is a part of me that cares for Curia, but that part seems fuzzy and faded… like the memory of an emotion instead of an actual emotion. I know that I should be feeling… something… but I just… I don’t feel anything.
Part of me thinks this is probably bad… but there’s another part… a growing part… that can’t come up with a good use for emotions at all. I don’t miss them. I don’t need them. Did I ever? What was the point? Where’s the benefit? How will emotions make me a better heroine?

I suppose I should save her… if only so she’ll stop that irritating scream.

 

I was going to toy with The Broad for a bit… just to prove that I could… but with Curia in danger I decide to put an end to the battle. The Broad gets a Soul Arrow through the gut and her power is mine.

I barely feel the rush now. I barely feel anything at all.

The Broad is as relentless and unstoppable as an earthquake, and now so am I… yet I sense that I have only scratched the surface of my potential.

I am evolving… but into what?

I zap Diabolist with a low-intensity concussion beam courtesy of Plasma Cat and the sorceress falls to the ground. I’m surprised that the beam connected to be honest. I was expecting her to put up more of a fight. Perhaps magic is overrated?

I guess I’ll find out in a moment…

 

I SEE IT!!!

I SEE EVERYTHING!!!      
       
As her powers rush in on me it takes me a moment to realize that the images flashing before my eyes are glimpses of my own destiny. Diabolist is more than a mere sorceress… She’s an oracle! She can see the future!

I knew I beat her too easily. Diabolist wanted this… wanted me to copy her powers. She knew that I had to see what she sees! Our encounter tonight was carefully orchestrated. There is so much more at stake! My recent actions are a necessary part of a much larger tapestry… and my work has barely begun.

I will need much more power!

Great Hera… so many lives destroyed... the lycan rebellion… the celestial wars… the heroine holocaust…

I see… The First Ones!

IT CAN’T BE!

 

Curia’s voice sounds muffled and distorted… as if she is speaking while underwater. I don’t know what she’s saying… and I don’t care. It doesn’t matter.

I've seen it. This is what must happen. This is what will happen. This is what does happen. Only I can do this… only me.

I have gathered so much power, but it isn’t enough… I must have more!

Curia seems confused. I think a part of her knows what I am about to do... and what the repercussions will be. It freezes her in her tracks like a helpless deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. I think there is a part of her that wonders what it will feel like.

I think she’s… curious.

 

 Curia’s power surges within me as our souls touch. I feel her sense of betrayal…her agony... I see glimpses of her tragic past… events that even she is not aware of… I would weep for her… if I cared.

The attack looks fatal, but my Soul Arrows do not damage flesh or produce wounds; the arrow will dissipate in a few minutes. Curia will probably wake up in an hour or so, feeling slightly hungover and in love with me… but those effects will also pass. She will be fine, and I have what I require.

It occurs to me that Curia might have allowed this if she understood the depth of my need… if I took the time to explain it to her… but time is a luxury I do not have. I would have to explain the situation to all of them… over and over again. That would be tedious and… in most cases… futile.

Their feelings on the matter are of no concern. I have the strength and the abilities to simply take what I need.

This is the most efficient course of action.

This is what happens.

At last… I can fly.

I expected to feel more joy… a sense of wonder… something… but it no longer matters. The power of flight is just one tool among many. I will need much more.

Villains. Villainesses. Heroes. Heroines… it makes no difference…

They will gather. They will try to stop me. They will fail. This is what happens.

THEIR POWER WILL BE MINE!!!



Curia is the OC of



Want to know what happens next?!?!?

Me too!!!

In June of 2014, I created a contest at DeviantArt and invited other artists to help to expand the tale. The idea was for them to tell the story of what happens when a power mad Amazon Arrow crosses their OC character's path and attempts to steal their powers. Dozens of generous artist contributed! To see their amazing work, please check out “Amazon Arrow’s Power Quest Art Contest!" at DeviantArt.