Chapter Text
All Kara could see as her pod broke through the atmosphere was water, dark stormy water, and rain all around her. Her pod was going to crash into that huge body of water and she had no control at all. She was panicking, screaming at the fast-approaching water, finally, she just gave up and closed her eyes and braced for the impact.
She felt the pod shudder and opened her eyes. The sky was clear and blue and there was a beautiful mass of green where moments before there had been black water. She passed over a small city, dotted with buildings, both large and small, almost all of which were light in color and connected by an intricate design of pathways. The ship’s nose rose of its own accord as it got closer to the land and she grabbed her seatbelt, attempting to brace herself for the impact she was certain was coming when suddenly the ship slowed and slid slowly to a stop as if by magic.
Kara pushed the button to open the hatch, standing to look around. She looked back towards the city she had passed over and noticed a large group of people approaching her on odd four-legged mounts. She immediately noticed they were all female, and she assumed the strange-looking items they carried were weapons of some sort. The leader was a tall blonde haired woman wearing an intricate-looking gold headpiece that looked like a crown, or some mark of leadership and set of gold armor. The cut-out across the woman’s chest reminded her of the Nightwing legends her father had taught her about on Krypton. At the thought of her father, Kara found herself suddenly shaking, and felt tears running down her cheeks.
The group of women slowed to a halt and the one with the crown dismounted and approached Kara, the young Kryptonian found herself backing away, suddenly frightened. She almost turned to run, when the woman spoke, “Calm down little one, we don’t mean to frighten you.”
Kara shook her head, unable to believe that she could understand this strange language, Greek, the computer had taught her. She watched the woman approaching her, biting her lower lip to keep herself from crying anymore, and wrapped her arms around herself to hide her shaking. She closed her eyes, “I am Kara Zor-El, daughter of Zor-El and Alura, and I am here to protect my cousin.”
The tall woman smiled at her, “You answer in our language but are not from our island?”
“I am from Krypton, a planet far away, a planet now gone.” Kara tried to get the last out, but in her mind, she could see her world, falling apart, exploding. “They are all gone, me and Kal, we were the only ones to escape.” The tears started to flow again, she tried to wipe them from her eyes, but couldn’t. She started to shake, and hug herself tightly again.
Hippolyta, Queen of Amazons stopped approaching the child, she held her arms open, her heartbreaking at the sight of the scared little girl, "Come, Little One."
The calmness of the woman’s voice, and hearing the name her Aunt Astra had used for her so many times was enough to convince the frightened girl to give in. She shuffled into the woman’s arms and allowed herself to be embraced. The fur on the woman’s cape felt so soft and she nuzzled into it, cushioning her head and hiding her tears from the other women. The other Amazon’s including Hippolyta’s shield-bearer and lover, Myrinna dismounted and surrounded their Queen, each taking a moment to touch the little girl's shoulder and greet her in kind. Kara felt a warmness in her chest, a feeling of belonging and let herself be picked up by the Amazon Queen.
“Are you hungry, Little One? You must be tired from such a long journey?” Hippolyta asked quietly into her ear.
Kara nodded, she had not been held like this since she was 4 or 5 cycles old and had forgotten how it felt to be completely protected by an adult.
“Have you ever ridden a horse?” Hippolyta smiled.
“A horse?” Kara pondered.
Hippolyta took Kara by the hand and led her to the large grey stallion she was riding. “This is Atlas.” She made a show of stroking the large horse’s mane and neck. Then she pulled an apple out of her saddlebag and placed it in Kara’s hand. Then she mimed holding up her hand, palm first and placing it under Atlas’s mouth.
Kara cocked her head to the side and copied Hippolyta’s movements. She giggled as the horse took the apple and ran his tongue across the palm of her hand. The sound was music to the ears of the gathered Amazons, a sound they hadn’t heard in a very long time, the sound of a child’s laughter.
“I am Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazon. Welcome to Themyscira, Kara Zor-El.” the older woman smiled down at her.
Kara bowed as she had been taught when meeting the High Chancellor of the Court of Justice on Krypton. “It is an honor, your majesty.”
Hippolyta smiled brighter and the Amazons behind Kara snickered and copied her bow, which turned the smile on the Queen’s face into a smirk, followed by a giggle.
Kara froze, embarrassed by her actions. “Did I do something wrong?” the little blonde asked, her blue eyes sparkling as she looked up at Hippolyta.
‘Hera help me’, Hippolyta thought as she looked into Kara’s bloodshot blue eyes, reminding her so much of her Diana. “No, Little One. We just are not creatures of formality here on Themyscira. We all have responsibilities here on our island, mine just happens to be the leader of the Senate and of the people.”
Kara looked confused for a moment, thinking back to the control the Chancellor had on Krypton, then she realized that Themyscira must work the way the Science Guild worked, there was a leader, but he, her uncle Jor-El, only made decisions after taking the matter before the Science Council. Then she nodded, giggling at herself, “so what do I call you then?”
“You may call me whatever you please, Kara Zor-El,” Hippolyta responded.
“Zyvehsh,” Kara said in her best Kryptonese. Then she reverted back to Greek, “it means chosen leader in my language.”
“You should teach us your language, Kara,” Hippolyta smiled, then she climbed onto Atlas’s back and held her hand down to the child. Karas grasped the hand, feeling the warmth once again, and allowed herself to be pulled up. Hippolyta rested Kara in front of her on the saddle and placed her hands on the reins. Kara held the reins loosely and heard Hippolyta click her tongue and pull gently to start Atlas moving. They move forward slowly as the other Amazons mount up and follow, singing a welcoming song to the newest member of their family.
Kara sat up a little straighter as they arrived at the gates, large wooden doors which swing open allowing the party to enter. As they enter the gates, she looks around awestruck at the city, the buildings which seemed so bright from her flight over them, are painted in light earthy tones, reminding her of Krypton. The city streets are all circles, each one crossing four points allowing access to the Palace at the center. As they enter the courtyard of the palace, the little blonde watches Hippolyta's hands as she brings Atlas to a slow halt.
“Zyvehsh, can I learn to ride a horse? Can someone teach me?” Kara asked bright-eyed.
“Of course Little One, you have to work for it though. I will talk to Alsippe, she is the head of the stables,” Hippolyta smiled as Kara hopped down off the horse, still looking around, trying to take everything in. “Shall we get you fed? And get you a place to sleep?”
“Yes, please.” Kara looked around and noticed the sun setting, the sky was changing colors and she stopped, looking out over the walls. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Come, Kara,” Myrinna said as she took Kara by the hand. “I will show you where you can sleep.”
Kara walked beside Myrinna in silence as they climbed the stairs. She was looking at the paintings on the wall and noticed one that grabbed her attention. The eyes were so intense and so brown in the painting they appeared black. “Myrinna?” She asked.
“Yes, Little One?” Myrinna stopped, “what is it?”
“Who is that?” Kara said, pointing at the painting.
“That is Diana, Hippolyta’s daughter, she left the island--a lifetime ago,” Myrinna eyes glanced at the door beside the painting, one that hadn’t been opened in over 80 years. “She protects the man’s world now.”
“A man’s world?” Kara asked, confused.
“The world outside of Themyscira.” She answered, “a land of chaos and science and war.”
“Science?” Kara asked excitedly, “do you have science here?”
“We study science and magic, philosophy and mathematics, anything your heart desires, Little One.” Myrinna smiled. “I am a tutor in Mathematics.”
“Can I learn from you too?” Kara was bouncing.
Myrinna took her by the hand again, “come on, Little One, we will make sure you learn as much as you desire.”
“Thank you.” Kara smiled.
“Myri, you may call me Myri,” Myrinna grinned. “It’s what Diana called me when she was growing up.”
They finally reached the door to Kara’s chambers and when Myri opened the door, Kara stopped. The room was flooded in a soft rose glow. She looked through her balcony window and saw the sun setting over the wall. She walked forward, and when she reached the wall of the balcony she raised her head and allowed the soft light to wash over her whole body. She could hear the water at the beach washing over the shore, the birds singing a song that she didn’t recognize, the sound of the wind, she opened her eyes and Myri saw a soft glow to them before Kara blinked and it was gone, replaced by tears.
“Are you okay, Kara?” Myri asked.
“It reminds me of home,” the girl responded, as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Chicago, Illinois the United States
Wonder Woman stood at the top of the Sears Tower, looking out over the city and focussing her hearing. She heard it, the sound she was dreading, the growling of Barbara Minerva in her bestial form of Cheetah. The woman had never learned the meaning of stealth, and it was easy for Diana to get a bearing of where she was, three blocks over on another rooftop. Diana rushed toward the edge of the rooftop and dove off the building, relaxing and allowing herself to float on the currents of wind that she could feel on her skin. While she couldn’t actually fly, she had learned to use the currents to her advantage, and as she reached a spot over the building that Barbara was hiding on top of, she twisted her body into a somersault and touched down hard on the same rooftop.
Barbara was beautiful in her Cheetah form, her body was lithe, athletic, for lack of a better term, cat-like. And she moved with the grace of her namesake. At the sound of Diana’s touchdown, she turned, purring at the Amazon princess. “Hellooooo, Diana.”
“Barbara, this needs to stop,” Diana stated with authority.
“I agree Diana,” the Cheetah purred again. “Maybe you should actually lock me up instead of using that damn lasso to make me change back to poor pitiful little Barbara.”
“It’s a curse, the only way to control it is to fight it, Barbara.”
“Maybe I don’t want to fight it, maybe I just want to embrace it,” the cat growled as she launched herself toward Wonder Woman.
Diana had been expecting the attack, as she stepped to the side and brought her arms down across the back of her head, dropping her to the rooftop unconscious. She tied the creature that was Barbara Minerva in the Lasso of Hestia and forced her to assume her true aspect.
Themyscira, One Year Later
“Lyta, she has absorbed every bit of information we have given her. Math, Science, Philosophy, Languages, everything.” Myri explained for what seemed the hundredth time.
“You wish to train her in combat?” The Queen asked.
"Like every Amazon, she has the right to become a warrior if she so chooses, Lyta," Myri reminded the queen, "you made the proclamation. She has her abilities, by Zeus, you have seen how strong she is."
“I know, Myrinna. What of her bracers?” Hippolyta asked.
"No metal we can make can stand up to her strength. Asteria has a plan, but even she's not sure if it will work." Myri cringed, "and she will need access to the hellfire to produce them."
Hippolyta rubbed her face, “You want me to ask Hades for magic, to forge bracers for Kara.”
“The only metal that Asteria thinks will hold up is that of her ship, and she can barely break it with a hammer. To heat it, she will need magic.” Myrinna pleaded, using a small gift she had learned from Kara, the adorable pout that could twist the mightiest Amazonian warrior to see things her way.
“After her nightmares and sleeping on the walls with the guards watching her, I agreed that she would be a true daughter of Themyscira, but I never thought that all my sisters would take her side in every argument.” Lyta smiled.
“So that is a yes?” Myri smiled.
Hippolyta smiled, “Tell Nubia that she is personally responsible for Kara’s training. She will start tomorrow, her arrival day, after her chores at the observatory.”
Myrinna leaned in and kissed Hippolyta, “Thank you, my queen.” Then she turned and sauntered out of the throne room.
“By Athena’s wisdom, that child will be the death of me,” Hippolyta said out loud to no one in particular.
Kara, who had been eavesdropping from the roof flew in and landed, wrapping her arms around Hippolyta, “Thank you, Zyvehsh!” Then she was gone. Hippolyta spent fifteen minutes getting her heart back under control, ‘By the Gods!” she yelled at the wall.
Kara flew to the cliffs above the beach, coincidentally the same cliff that Diana had flung herself from to rescue SteveTrevor almost 90 years before. She smiled at the sky, absorbing the sunlight and enjoying the peacefulness of the ocean below her. “Little One!” Kara’s ears perked as she heard a whisper on the winds, “I need your help on the forges.”
The fourteen-year-old launched herself into the sky and flew towards the other side of the city, landing gently outside the blacksmith shop. “I’m here, Asteria,” Kara called through the doorway before entering.
“Come in, Little One,” Asteria shouted from the back of the shop.
Kara entered and saw her pod. She swallowed, the uncomfortable feeling of the walls closing in around her. “Breathe, Little One, there is no danger here. Take a deep breath, keep your eyes open, and focus on my voice,” Asteria recited, her deep voice visibly calming the young girl.
Kara took one more deep breath, focusing on the flames of the forge, “Thank you, Asti.”
“You okay, Little One?” the gruff blacksmith asked. “I need your help with a new project.”
“Yes, ma’am, what do you need me to do?” Kara asked, smiling.
“Can you pull a panel off of your ship?” Asteria asked.
“I can try,” Kara admitted. She moved towards the ship and grabbed one panel near the corner. She worked her fingers into the groove of the metal, concentrating and then she pulled. Asteria watched, impressed by the strength the young one was using. Kara pulled the screeching metal up, separating it from the rest of the ship by the force of her own will and muscle. As she had been taught by Asteria, she rolled the metal into a small ingot, about the size of her forearm and twice as thick.
“Very good, Little One.” Asteria smiled, “now I want to try one more experiment, to avoid using hellfire.”
Kara bit her lip, “Okay.” Although the magic of Themyscira didn’t affect her as much anymore, it still caused a slightly uncomfortable effect on her, like an itch she couldn't quite scratch.
“Focus on the forge Kara, focus your inner fire on the flames and the metal, bend them to your will,” Asteria spoke softly, watching Kara focus, her heat vision flared and she watched the young girl concentrate, her blue eyes turning from the deep orange of a cooking fire to the brilliant sky blue of a star in distress, superheating the metal and heating the forge underneath, allowing Asteria to work the metal, to bend it and make the shapes she was so focused on creating.
“Is that what you needed, Asti?” Kara asked.
“You did wonderful, Little One.” Asteria answered, “the flames should hold till morning.”
“What are you working on, Asti?” the girl asked, smiling at the compliment and her own sense of accomplishment.
“You will find out tomorrow, Little One, your arrival day,” Asteria smiled, “Now go, it’s time for evening chores.”
"Yes, Asti." Kara pouted, but when she looked up Asteria was already deep into her work, prepping the metal for it's first melting.
Kara stepped outside the forge and once again launched herself into the sky, she got her bearings, turned towards the mountains and flew to the observatory.
“Auntie?” Kara spoke loudly as she landed. “Auntie I’m here for evening chores.” Then she heard the tapping of a cane on the floor, and she smiled.
"Hello, Little One, here to take care of me again, not tired of me yet," Astra asked, smiling. She had repeated the same question for over four months since Kara had come to the Observatory.
“Never Auntie, what is on my chore list for tonight.” Kara brightened as she took the Amazon by the elbow and led her towards the table.
“No chores tonight Kara, it's the night before your Arrival Day,” Astra spoke with a grin, “By order of the Queen, you get a break tonight. Not that our observatory could get any cleaner, or that my charts could be any more organized.”
“Can I sleep here tonight, Auntie?” Kara pleaded, “I start warrior training tomorrow, and I want to try and map Krypton’s location one more time.”
“Of course, Little One.” Astra smiled, though blind she could practically see the joy radiating off of Kara at the answer. “Let’s eat and then we will head up to the viewing platform.”
Kara quickly made dinner. Astra was a naturalist and had no stomach for meat, so Kara made salads of wild vegetables and a dressing of oil and spices. Then she cut up a bunch of fruits including her favorite, pears, for desert. Then she set the table and she and Astra sat and ate. While they ate, Kara's mind drifted back to four months ago, when she had first met Astra.
Kara was holding Myri’s hand as they entered the Observatory. She was trying hard not to use her gifts, but she was sure she heard shuffling and a tapping sound. She looked around and saw a barefooted Amazon with red hair and strange blank eyes coming towards her and Myri.
“Hello Mryinna, do you have my new student with you today?” the redhead asked quietly.
“Hello Astra,” she smiled, then cringed as Kara’s hand tightened around hers. “Kara, Little One, you’re--you're squeezing too tight.”
Kara released Mryi’s hand and rushed out the door, towards where they had left the horses.
She was outside by herself for about fifteen minutes, before Myri and Astra came out looking for her, Crying to herself.
Kara heard the shuffling, and when Astra stopped, she stood up and apologized, “I’m sorry, it was disrespectful of me to run out like that.”
“Is it my eyes, Little One?” Astra asked, “they have a tendency to frighten people from time to time.”
"No, ma'am." Kara hung her head, "My aunt, she was named Astra and we were very close. She disappeared about one cycle before my parents sent me away, I didn't get to say goodbye." At this admission, Kara's tears started again and the blind woman opened her arms and her heart to the displaced girl.
“Myri, you will stay here tonight I think.” Astra spoke, “I think I have found our next Astrologer.”
Myri merely smiled and nodded as she watched the woman and child embrace.
"Kara, you are very quiet?" Astra cocked her head and asked.
"Sorry Auntie lost in a happy thought." Kara smiled, the nickname had started a week after her classes, and she felt a little closer to home each time she used the endearment.
“Well, let’s clean up and head upstairs,” Astra spoke, then heard the wind as Kara rushed to clean up the table. As Kara continued to clean, Astra made her way upstairs, to the palet she and Kara used whenever she was at the observatory to study or stargaze.
That night Kara and Astra studied the night sky together, Kara pointing out stars and Astra naming them from memory. Astra laid there for hours after the young girl had fallen asleep, picturing the route Kara had described on her way here from her home planet.
Kara woke the next morning as the sun rose. She smiled as she sat up and saw the sunlight reflecting off the ceilings of the tower. She stepped out onto the balcony and launched herself into the sky.
Closing her blue eyes, she began to speak, just enough to hear herself over the wind, "Though we go forth alone, our soul unites us under Rao's gladsome rays. We're never lost, never afraid, for we shrink not under the sun of righteousness. Rao binds us to those we love. He gives us strength when we have none. And in the darkest places, He guides us. Rao sees all, feels all. His love is eternal. Rao, protect us so that we might protect others. And we shall rise, a fire in His hearth, burning and free," Kara spoke the prayer of Rao, as she hovered, absorbing the morning sun's rays, feeling it strengthen her both mentally and physically. Then she opened her eyes and saw the chariot, drawn by four beautiful white mares, each with a mane and tail of red and orange flame. It was drawing closer, but instead of fear, there was a wonder in the eyes of the girl from Krypton. She remembered a prayer that she heard Myri recite each morning during sunrise;
As Kara began the prayer the voices of all of Themyscira joined her call,
"O Great God Apollo, God of the Sun, God of music, God of healing, Hear this prayer. Let us feel your sun rays, Let us hear your music, let us be healed With your touch. Apollo, let your sun shine bright Apollo, let your music be merry, Apollo, keep away ill, Banish it and let us heal. Be with us. We honor And praise you. Blessed Be!"
As the prayer ended, the chariot drew to a halt, Apollo stepped out, floating in front of Kara. “Happy Arrival Day, Little One.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Kara smiled as she attempted a bow while floating in front of the Sun God.
"Kara Zor-El, Daughter of Krypton, raise your eyes," Apollo commanded as his aspect changed.
Kara looked up and was stunned. Floating in front of her was Rao or at least the representation she had seen in paintings and drawings on Krypton. A large man, larger even that her uncle had been. Wearing the white robes of a Kryptonian Adjudicator. His eyes were the red of Krypton's sun, and they matched the beard on his face. His bald head shined like the sun he represented and Kara could have sworn she saw Krypton itself when she looked into his eyes again.
Kara lowered her eyes immediately, as she had been taught at the temple by her mother. Then she felt Rao’s strong hand on her chin. He lifted her face and smiled, “Kara Zor-El, as your mother was before you, you are now a Priestess of Rao, so lift your eyes as you are the voice of Rao.”
Kara drew in a deep breath, her thoughts jumbled as she thought back to the words her mother had used. Then she drew in a shuddering breath and recited the promise her mother had stated when she had been named Rao's adjudicator on Krypton, the Voice of Rao.
"I, Kara Zor-El, a descendant of Erok-El, founder of the Great Houses and the Court of Rao, swear by my ancestors to uphold your word, to never act without thinking, to never hesitate when thinking is done, to uphold your justice and the justice of my new home." Then she smiled and her eyes shifted from blue to orange, to blue and then to red, "In Rao's name I swear."
Rao reached forward and touched Kara’s shoulder and she gasped as she was marked by the shield of Hope, the symbol of her house, branded upon her right shoulder.
Then Rao's mighty visage was replaced by the smiling face of Apollo. "Go, Kara, enjoy your Arrival Day with your sisters."
Kara hugged the Sun-God with all her considerable might and heard him gasp. “Oh...sorry.” she choked out.
“Nonsense Little One, if I can’t survive a hug from Rao’s chosen, I don’t deserve to drive my horses. Now go child, enjoy yourself, and remember always, my sister and I are here for you when you need us.” Then he floated into his chariot and raced through the sky once more.
With joy in her heart, Kara shot up, her sisters watching the illusion of flaming wings erupt behind her.
After finishing her chores at the observatory and mucking the stables, Kara was ordered to the palace where she met Myri in her room.
“Myri, did you see, did you see me this morning, I met Apollo and Rao. It was amazing, I feel like I could float for days.” Kara was talking so fast Myri head was practically spinning.
“We all saw Little One, you have been blessed, just as we were by your arrival.” Myri smiled, tears evident in her eyes. “Now let’s get you ready for your celebration.”
An hour later, Kara Zor-El, priestess of Rao, stepped from the Palace doors and joined all her sisters for her first Arrival Day celebration. There was food and drink, singing and games. There was also food, which seemed to hold Kara’s attention the most, that is until Hippolyta called for everyone’s attention.
“Today we celebrate the arrival of our precious Little One, as she officially enters the Sisterhood of Amazons,” Hippolyta spoke loudly, smiling as brightly as all the other Amazons. “We all agreed on five gifts for Kara today, and each was chosen with care.”
“Presents!” Kara squeaked.
The first to present a gift was Asteria, mistress of the Forge. “Kara Zor-El, our little one, for a year, I have tried to present you with your own bracers, and you have broken every pair. These are for you, a piece of your old home, and a symbol of your future here with us.” Then Asteria presented Kara with a pair of metal bracers, forged from the metal of her own pod. Though the metal appeared flat in color, Kara could see the metal flowing with a sheen of blue, like a river constantly flowing up and down her arms, and her name carved in flowing Greek letters at the top of each.
“Thank you, Asti.” Kara spoke with joy, “They are--they are wonderful.”
Asti leaned in and kissed Kara on the forehead, “Just try not to break this pair, Little One.”
The next gift was presented by Nubia, the chief trainer for all the Amazon. In her arms, she held Kara's training tunic and her first pair of training sandals. "These are yours Little One, you have been picked to train, to become a warrior if you so decide. You notice that both are in the colors of your Kryptonian house. We want you to be our sister Little One, but we also want to honor who you were before you arrived to brighten our lives."
"Thank you Nubia, I will strive to uphold the honor of the Amazons and to try and make you and my sisters proud," Kara said standing tall, and pressing the new clothing to her chest as if it was the most precious thing in the world to her. "I promise to make you proud."
Nubia hugged Kara and turned to leave, wiping a tear from her right eye, causing some of the warriors to smirk, until they saw the look they were getting and stopped and looked away.
Kara smiled as she saw Astra approaching, the sound of her shuffling feet and cane had become a calming sound for Kara these last four months. "Hello, Little One."
"Hello Auntie," Kara saw a rolled piece of fabric in Astra's hand and bit her lip in anticipation of what wonderful information could be on that fabric.
"Here Kara, I have been working on this for 2 months, I hope I got it right," Astra said as she handed the canvas to Kara.
As Kara unrolled the cloth she saw her Krypton, circling the red sun Rao, and then her path, from Krypton to Earth, the stars along her path in all the right places, their names in both Kryptonese and the Greek of her sisters. There were no words as Kara looked at the beautiful painting of the path that had led her to Themyscira. She reverently rolled the canvas back up and holding it tightly in her hand, she wrapped her arms around Astra and hugged the blind woman until her tears finally stopped. “It’s perfect, Auntie.”
"As are you Little One, as are you," Astra said, wishing once more that she could see the smile on the face of this beautiful child.
Kara dried her eyes and looked to the crowd. From behind she heard Hippolyta clear her throat. She turned and saw the Queen stand and removed a gift from behind her seat. She stood and walked towards Kara, "This was my daughters, her first sword, the one she learned to use from her Aunt Antiope, created in the flames of Hephaestus' forge, like you and the woman who first used it, it is unbreakable, wield it with honor, Little One."
The crowd gasped, the sword had been locked in Diana’s room since she had left, they had all thought they would never see it again. Kara took the sword and held it gently in her left hand, feeling it’s weight and how well balanced it was. She could also feel the warmth in the hilt, a gentle tug at her soul as she realized just how much weight had been placed on her young shoulders this day. Diana was a legend among her sisters, the most powerful warrior of any generation, with the ability to use the powers of the gods themselves. The daughter of Zeus may never meet her, but Kara Zor-El, vowed, that the daughter of Krypton would do everything in her power to live up to the legend that was Wonder Woman.
She heard, rather than saw her final gift first. A soft neighing as Myri led a golden mare towards her. Her cerulean eyes met the black eyes of the horse, and she watched, fascinated as the horse calmed itself and moved towards her. Myri smiled, finally certain that she had chosen the right horse for the child she had grown so close to over the last year. As much as Kara belonged to all the women on the island, they all knew who was the mother Kara looked for when she needed reassurance or protection. They were all Aunts, including Hippolyta, but Myrinna was Kara’s mother in all but blood.
“Since the day you arrived Kara, you have brought joy to our lives, have helped us see the world through the eyes of a child again.” Myri smiled, “on your first day, you rode Atlas and then you learned to ride. You are now another year older and have shown the makings of a fine horsewoman. It’s time Kara Zor-El, for you to have a mount of your own.” Then she made a show of handing the reins over to her adoptive daughter.
“Thank you moth--Myri,” Kara nearly choked on her tears, but she saw the smile cross Mryi’s lips. “Thank you to all my sisters. I promise to live up to the ideals and practices of all the Amazons.”
She walked up to the beautiful Mare and noticed a single dark mark on the horse's shoulder above its right leg, and felt her own mark. She smiled, Myri had known, somehow she had known again.
“She needs a name, Little One,” Myri whispered.
Only one name would truly fit her horse.
“Hope!”