"The mountain of redemption isn't endless; it's just a steeper climb for some." - Princess Diana of Themescyria
Third Pov:
The air in the room became pregnant with tension and anticipation as many Amazons started to tune in on the conversation taking place at the royal table.
"What you really want to know. I have no moral or just reason." Daikon replied to Artemis
"Of course it will give me a good insight into your mind," Artemis replied with intrigue.
"I would also like to know Daikon. From my knowledge, you've spent little time in between humanity, so for you to have such a distaste for them seems unjustified. We Amazons have our reasons to dislike man's world, but you're an alien. What's the driving force for you?" Diana replied in a critical tone, her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at her friend.
"Really you as well, Diana." Daikon said as he let out a deep sigh of defeat, "We isn't the right word; however, you don't seem to share your sister's distrust and dislike, but I suppose since you weren't born when they fought their oppressors, you don't have the interactions needed to make a sound decision like they have. Allow me to answer your question with one of my own: Why is it you don't dislike humanity?"
The Amazons seemed to freeze and point all their attention at their princess as they speculated with the Sayian Prince. Diana hesitated for a moment, not answering right away, but soon she let out an exhausted sigh and conceded, "You're correct; I don't have a negative opinion. I have no opinion because I think it would be foolish to judge a race based on the actions of a few. Along with that, I believe there are good and bad people in all groups. To generalise a race is the height of hubris. By what right does anyone pass judgement on a whole group? It's playing at God."
Diakon seemed to acknowledge her answer with scepticism, as if he didn't believe it. "That's foolish; we can judge anyone; we judge by what is apparent, and humans by nature are a greedy cannibalistic species who kill their kin to profit," he said, his voice filled with a resolve that drove home his true thoughts on the race.
The whole hall seemed to grow silent as some Amazons nodded at Daikon while others gawked at his bluntness. Diana, however, seemed to grow more indignant as her face adorned a frown. "That is ignorant. You generalise a species based on the few humanity, like all races, is more nuanced than that."
Daikon was carefree as he brushed off his friend's indignation. "You'd think so, and that's because you seek the good in people even when it is not present. It's naive, admirable, but naive. Take me,for example, I'm a genocidal planet conqueror, yet you've befriended me."
"And you are a close-minded person, ridged in your ignorant way of thinking you've not even spent a modicum of time with humanity; by what basis do you judge them all?" Diana said, her voice low yet firm, her hands clenched into a fist under the table.
"I have read enough of their history and seen them as they are; even this man Steve, as a guest in your home, plots against you trying to devise strategies and gain information for his brethren in preparation for an attack. His Ki spells it all out," Daikon said, a healthy amount of disgust lacing his voice as he spoke of Steve. Many Amazons seemed to narrow in on the American as he tried to hide into himself, looking nervous like a man caught with his pants down.
Diana slammed her hand on the table, drawing attention to her; she hadn't finished making her point, "Yet they create art stories and happiness; they can do great wrong but also great good." She tried to drive in her point of humanity not being a lost cause.
"Diana, you have no idea the bottomless malice that dwells within the human heart. You need only look at their societal structure to see how lost they truly are—a structure that is not just broken but rigged against the masses to serve the few. It is madness. Could you ever imagine Themescyria being run like that where children in the east starve whilst idel dregs in the west have an abundance where the old steal the future from the young?" Daikon said, his distaste locked into the atmosphere.
Diana froze She didn't have the answer to that; she found herself speechless. She couldn't imagine a system like that ever working on Themescyria, where her sisters tore each other apart for personal gain, but even that couldn't make her condemn humanity like Daikon and her sisters seemed to. She spoke, her resolve still unshaken. "Maybe they are flawed and greedy, but there is some good in them; there has to be, and that is worth guiding."
"I have been to hundreds of different planets and seen countless forms of social structures, but whenever I saw anything similar to humanity, it always disgusted me. A society that insists on a dog-eat-dog world that lets their own starve for a meagre bit of profit is revolting and can only be fixed with a firm guiding hand—a leviathan state if you would."
"You would wish a dictator for humanity to force them to change into a prosperous society; that's foolish; an artificial change means nothing." Diana said her voice was laced with disappointment at the notion of such a thing ever happening.
"Artificial or not, it would hardly matter if every man, woman, and child had full bellies and a home—a massive improvement from the current situation; it worked for the Sayians; it would for everyone," Daikon said, sounding firm in his belief.
"Change forced upon someone isn't change; it must come from oneself for it to matter. Even if you gave them full bellies, they would not change but rather oppose you as you have stripped away their autonomy," Daina said, rolling her eyes as if she were stating a fact.
"You make it sound as if it is oppression when it's helping them be more prosperous." Daikon said, sounding perturbed.
"It is oppression if you rule by fear and take away autonomy. People will rebel no matter what system society functions under, as that is the basis of life. We all have free will, and we would all oppose anyone trying to force his will upon us, no matter the ends he's trying to reach. For any society to have a positive evolution, it must be done by the people. For that change to be ingrained in them, societies need a helping hand to evolve, not a stick." Diana said, sounding immensely confident in her assessment.
"Your way sounds like a naive dream; mine at least has a basis in logic. Humanity has had the chance to improve since the iron age, yet they have made no strides in that regard," he said in a judgemental tone.
"Just because they haven't improved yet does not mean they won't in the future. I hardly call looking for the best outcome naive; they can become better on their own," Diana said in an irritated tone. Jabbing at her beliefs, calling them naive and childish, made her begin to be grown fed up.
"You always want to see the best in people; you're ever the idealist Diana," he said playfully in his tone.
Diana didn't deny his words but rather responded in turn, "You're ever the cynic, aren't you, Daikon?"
"It seems our perspectives won't shift from a simple conversation; our outlooks are too different, and we'd just keep talking in circles," Daikon replied, sounding bored.
"No, I suppose we shall have to agree to disagree here, but let it be known, I believe in the inherent good of all life," she said, accepting that they were at an impasse.
"Of course you would, a typical Amazonian heart," Daikon said in a mocking tone.
"It's called compassion; you may wish to try it, savage Sayian," she said, crossing her arms in defiance.
"Compassion, huh, is that a food? Can I eat it?" Diakon joked as he fell back into his nonchalant persona that was always around when he was with Diana.
Diana knew that he was merely trying to get a rise out of her with his typical humour. But she couldn't hold back her small laugh at his joke. "You really are a fool, you know that," she said, though all the irritation in her voice seemed to have vanished.
"You're a naive girl," Daikon said as he leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed as they fell back into their usual banter, a smirk adorning his face.
Diana laughed at his insult as she returned her own, "And you're an arrogant male." She teased her words playful.
"Condensing loser," Daikon responded quickly, his feet now on the table as he smirked at Diana in defiance.
Diana looked him directly in the eyes. "You're insufferable, you know that," she said, her arms crossed under her chest.
"Yet you always seem to be around me," Daikon responded, wiggling his eyebrows as he teased her.
Diana seemed to blister and blush a little before responding in kind with her own teasing words. "I don't see you avoiding me either," she pointed out.
"It's a small island," Daikon responded, grinning ear to ear.
Diana huffed; he seemed to always have an excuse for finding themselves in each other's company, never admitting he sought her out as she did him. "Oh, like, that's your only reason," she said, a hint of playful sarcasm in her tone.
"I won't humour a loser in case you're wondering; it's now 10-5 in my favour," he said in a smug tone, trying to rile Diana up.
Diana huffed, feigning annoyance at his words. Really, it was a little funny; he actually kept score. "You're such a child," she grumbled, but there was no heat in her words anymore.
"And you keep losing to a child, so maybe you need to train harder," Daikon said mockingly, his eyes flashing with mischief.
Diana's eyes widened at his taunt, and her playful irritation resurfaced. She was not going to let his words stand unchallenged. "Oh really? Then why don't we test that theory? Right now?"
"You think I won't," Daikon replied in a combative tone as he got up, staring to butting heads with Diana.
"I know you won't," Diana smirked widely. She was ready to prove him wrong if he tried. He had the power, but she had the speed and finesse. It was just a matter of whether he was willing to accept the challenge.
"You'll eat those words," Daikon said, his competitive nature shining through as the two began to get closer and closer to fighting right in the hall of the palace.
Diana's smirk only grew in confidence. She loved this about him, their competitive sides coming out to play. She was fully prepared to win, to knock him down a peg and wipe the smug look off his face."Go ahead then. Prove me wrong, Saiyan."
"Gladly Amazon," Daikon replied in an arrogant tone, as if his victory was assured already.
Diana couldn't help but laugh and roll her eyes at the tone of his voice. Of course he was still acting arrogantly. It was in his nature. "You'll be the one eating your words, Daikon, not me."
"Please, with your power level, don't make me laugh." Daikon bellowed as the two fell into their normal routine.
"What exactly is a power level?" Steve asked Artimes as the two watched Daikon and Diana begin to fall back into their usual routine, their ideological argument forgotten.
"It is a unit of measurement devised by the Sayians to measure combat prowess; it was enacted in the time of Prince Daikon's grandmother; it just measures raw power, not weapons or magic, as they are too volatile variables. It's based on Ki readings the average power level to be considered strong in the universe is 2,000," Artemis replied whilst she took a gulp of Ale whilst radiating a content arura.
"I see what the average human power level is," Steve asked, his curiosity getting the better of him as he started to become freer with the fiery-haired Amazon.
"Humans are around 400–700. The weakest Amazons have a power level of 4,000; I myself am around 10,000 tied with the Queen; we are both surpassed by only the princess and Daikon, who have power levels of 16,500 and 18,600, respectively," Artemis said as she looked at the man next to her with intrigue.
"That seems so varied," Steve replied, sounding disappointed as he started at his feet.
"It is the universe is a rather large place with lots of species like Thanagarians, Tameranians, Tetromans, Sayians, Kryiptonians, Draxamties, Domminatora, New Gods, Xarnians, and Martians. The ceiling for power is very high, but it also has very weak species like Atrocians, so its a very varied scale," Artemis said, drinking her ale down and chugging it like it was air.
"Wait, did you say Martians?" Steve replied in an astonished tone.
*Thunk*
The sound of a staff hitting the floor called attention to everyone as the Queen walked to their table. Diana and Daikon seemed to break their bickering for a moment as they fell into a more formal attitude.
"I wish to speak to you alone, daughter, Prince Daikon; please follow me to my solar," she said in an authoritative tone as the two followed the Queen out of the tasting hall, the Amazons still eating all to their hearts's content even if the two guests of honour had left.
Daikon and Diana followed behind the Queen in earnest as she led them away from the banquet hall, the feasting of the Amazons drowning out the footsteps of the royals. The solar of Hippolyta was large but not draped with excess. Upon the wooden table lay a body covered in a crimson sheet. It was surrounded by two Amazons looking at it with tear-filled eyes, their fingers digging into their palms, breaking the skin as their blood flowed down their hand and dripped onto the carpeted floor.
Hippolyta arrived within her solar, closely followed by Diana and Daikon. She had a sombre look on her face, her fist clenched tightly around her golden staff as it bent, moulding into the shape of her hand, her eyes masking a cold fury in them. "It seems we had a snake living amongst us, daughter, a craven hiding in the shadows, striking at us with our backs turned." Hippolyta spoke, her voice laced with a heavy sense of fury and failure. She obviously carried the guilt of failing one of the sisters she had led since the Bronze Age.
Diana seemed perplexed at first. Her mind not registering the gravity of the situation, a woman who had no concept of mortality having lived well past a few centuries whilst still being the youngest person on the island by a large margin, gave the immortal no dread of death, for she had never had to face it herself; she had never experienced the loss of a loved one before, so her brain could not comprehend the situation before her. She automatically tried to reach for the sheet to uncover it, but her hand was gripped firmly by Philippus, who gave her a wary look as she stopped Diana in her tracks.
"Someone betrayed you and killed an Amazon, it seems, so who is the guilty party?" Daikon chimed in his attitude, relaxed as always, his carefree voice cutting through the tension in the room as he drew all eyes towards himself.
"Persephone...she killed Alexa by stabing her in the back and then freed Arse after she stole one of our aircraft and ran away with the 3-hour head start she could be anywhere on the planet," Hippolyta said through her gritted teeth, her eyes blazing with a hunger for vengeance.
"The one who was against supporting me seems the craven was planning this for a while,Daikon said, falling to keep the amused tone from his voice.
"Mother, what do you require from me? I shall hunt the traitor to the ends of Gaia and deliver her to you to face justice." Daina said her voice strained as she tried to hide away her own pain, her eyes constantly flashing to the dead body on the table with empty eyes.
"That is exactly what I expect. Diana, as the champion of the Amazons, I require you to go to man's world, find Arse and Persephone, and deliver justice. Zuse will not be able to save his prodigal son this time, and I will not allow it. I spared him once for his mother's plea, but no more he shall answer for his crimes. The ones committed now and the ones committed in the Bronze Age that collapsed the world into the senseless war we suffered through his days are numbered." Hippolyta spoke in a clear yet dangerously low tone as Thunder sounded behind her as she finished her words, but she showed no signs of breaking her resolve. She stood unshaken as lightning strikes continued to sound through the heavens in the clear, sunny sky.
"Seems the grey beard isn't happy with your decision, but what is my role in this play?" Daikon spoke amused, gazing out the window at the continuously worsening weather as a storm approached the island.
"I wish for you to guide my daughter in man's world and assist her Prince Daikon. Your view of it fills me with a sense of peace of mind while my daughter is off the island. I know it is a greedy request, but we require your assistance." Hippolyta spoke in a diplomatic tone as her gaze followed that of Daikon towards the storm clouds heading towards the island.
"It is no great task, Queen Hippolyta. We are allies after all. My end goal is to kill a new god; killing an old one may prove decent practice." Daikon said arrogance was seeping from his tone.
"Mother, I do not require a babysitter," Diana said, sounding annoyed at how her mother had basically given Daikon the role of being a guardian for her in man's world as if she couldn't discern dangers herself.
"I know you don't; consider him an alternate perspective to keep you grounded. You two shall leave tomorrow with the guest to man's world." Hippolyta spoke with a sense of finality.
-THE END-
Read the my note
Okay so I will try chapters every two weeks so I can upload and finish both my stories I already planed out the next chapter spoiler it will be very dark so the disclaimer
Also these power levels aren't the same ones that are used in dragon ball they have been upped to the level of DC they so 18,000 sayian saga vegeta is not equal to 18,000 Daikon Daikon is much much stronger I just used numbers that wouldn't get to absurd .
Also yes Daikon may come off as a Hypocrite but remember this is Third PoV you don't know what's going on in his head out only saw the outside of his options not the reason behind them
Also don't give me Bs about Steve he's a solider he's planning to always serve his country first and foremost even above his own life so him being understandably worried about superbeings travailing at well past speeds of light is not a exaggeration
Also I made the amazons have decent power seeing as in flash point the war with their limited number kept the human world and Atlantis at bay and they won and ran shit they are way more powerful than you would think cause usally they face beings who make them look like fodder when they aren't they are literal super humans immortal warrior with thousands of years of experience in Combat
Power levels
Daikon : 18,600
Diana 16,500 after tranning with Daikon for 6 months before daikon arrived on the island 15,000
Superman : 16,800
Arse:????
Darkside : *error*
Persephone: 8,000
Philipus:9,000
Hippolyta : 10,600
Artimes : 10,650
Bardock : 35,000 he was 350,000 in wrathful/ great ape transformation
Es Zod : 26,000
Made the chapter long as a sorry for being away