Being woken up at six in the morning and shoved in a jet with her mother is not how Mara foretold the day going. If anything, she's supposed to be having a girl's day with M'gann, Bennie, and Artemis. Wearing matching pajamas while having a movie marathon and binging all of the food in the kitchen.

Instead, she's being forced to return to a lone island that she never thought she'd see again.

Diana called it 'home'. Mara only felt a chill run down her spine.

"I'm aware of your . . . condition," Diana says, steering straight and hands tightly gripping the control wheel. "But now is the perfect time. It is the annual Amazon Trials."

"Oh." Mara stares down at all of the flickering buttons and lights, wondering which one will crash the plane. "So you want me to compete?"

"The opposite. I want you to watch and learn."

"Are you competing?"

Diana quickly shakes her head. "Not this time. I'd like to keep an eye on you."

"Oh, okay."

In the corner of Diana's eye, she sees the slight pout from her daughter. Diana sighs. "No, I did not mean it like that. It is all going to be new to you and I do not want you to be overwhelmed. It will take some time to assimilate you back into our society, but I know that it will happen in due time."

Mara says nothing. How does she tell her mother that she desperately doesn't want to go? That she'd rather endure her father's torture back on Areopagus? Broken bones are nothing compared to what could happen on Themyscira. If Mara's lucky, the Amazons will beat her to a pulp instead of having that look in their eye.

The same one that her mother gives her.

But she can't tell Diana. It would probably be the final rift needed to fully break their relationship. So Mara will continue to suffer if it means she gets to have a relationship with her mother.

The jet comes to a slow stop and Mara knows that it's too late to jump ship. But even if she wants to, she's too distracted by all of the dazzling structures and shimmering water. In a way, it reminds her of Areopagus, especially the enormous coliseum in the distance.

Mara doesn't realize that she's shaking until her mother puts a heavy hand on her shoulder. "It will be fine," she reassures. "Your grandmother has been asking about you."

Mara feels her heart skip a beat. "Grandmother? She . . . remembers me?"

"They all do."

For the first time, Mara realizes the huge horde of women. From tall to short, dark skin to light, curls to straight. They wear traditional greek armor with numerous swords and shields in sight. Although many of them smile, a few also harbor glares.

The canopy pops open and Diana hops out, urging Mara to quickly follow. The girl wants to but her feet aren't listening to her brain. She feels like she's going to throw up, pass out, or both. Once her feet finally touch the sand, her knees begin to feel like jelly. She can barely hear all of the murmurs because of her heart hammering all the way up to her ears.

The crowd folds open like the Red Sea. A beautiful raven-haired woman approaches. Her attire is different. She has a long and flowing gown that gently brushes against the ground. Upon her head, a crown. Something about her smile is nostalgic to Mara.

"I am Hippolyta," the woman introduces, standing close. She blocks all of the watchers with her tall and muscular frame. "Welcome home."

.

.

.

Things are moving way too fast.

Although they haven't done anything yet besides sit at a fancy table and feast on goat meat and rice, Mara feels like she can't keep up. It might be better that way. If she starts to think about it too much, she can't breathe.

Mara hears the sudden whip of an arrow zipping through the air. Instinctively, Mara snaps it forward. The point stares at her and the feathers tickle her palm.

On the hunt for the source, Mara finds two Amazons snickering amongst themselves. The taller blonde nonchalantly twirls the bow in her hand, obviously proud of her assassination attempt. Artemis wannabe, Mara thinks.

Mara's aware of how a majority of the Amazons feel about her. She wouldn't be surprised if a slow poison is seeping into her bloodstream from dinner. But she can't blame them. Everything about her is the complete opposite of their beliefs. One of their main purposes is to suppress Ares and now they have to openly welcome his daughter.

Still, that doesn't mean the laughter is any less annoying. Mara glares at the Amazon before snapping the arrow, the pieces falling to the dirt.

She's going to have to try a lot harder than that.

"No, Mother. She is not ready."

Diana's hushed words make Mara roll her eyes. They're openly talking about her as if she isn't five feet away. This place is really starting to irritate her. She can barely stand it another hour, so it's a miracle she'd originally managed to in the first place.

Another arrow. This time, a pair of larger hands deflect it. Hippolyta stands with a glower, eyes locked upon the blonde. "Juniya," she scolds. "What do you think you are doing?"

The Amazon rushes forward, face drained of color. She bows. Mara has the bright idea to stomp her head into the dirt but refrains for obvious reasons. "I apologize, my queen. It was an accident. I was not looking where I was aiming."

"An accident?" Hippolyta murmurs. "Mara, is this true?"

It feels strange to have someone stick up for her. She knows that she should appreciate it, but the sections of her organs stretch and churn into a clear disdain. It makes her feel vulnerable, like some sort of damsel in distress. And that's the opposite of what she'll ever be.

Diana approaches, her golden lasso outstretched. "Juniya, speak your truth without punishment."

The Amazon cowers, opposed to her withering confidence earlier. It makes Mara grin. She's their princess. They should all be kissing the very ground she walks upon. They deserve to be in the palm of her hand.

"She does not . . ." Juniya swallows thickly. "She does not belong here."

"She is your princess!"

"No, your royal highness, you are." Juniya turns to Hippolyta. "And you are my queen." Her eyes flicker to Mara, harboring nothing but hatred and disgust. "She is . . . his."

Mara knows that she should've fought her mother harder, that she should've launched herself from the jet. She knows that she never should've come when the steady beat of Juniya's heart floods her eardrums. It doesn't sound melodic or peaceful. It sounds like an ear splitting screech.

"No, not now," Mara hears her mother gasp. A part of her knows why, but the other half doesn't listen. The hairs stand up on her skin, ease filling her nerves, wrath purifying her―she can't stop.

"Enough!" Hippolyta shouts. "All of you, back off!"

"She is going to kill her!"

"Stop her!"

"Juniya!"

Mara feels the pain too late. A large and freshly open gash declares itself across her chest, gold honey dripping from the wound.

Juniya stands, shaky hands clutching a sword as blood leaks from her nose and eyes. Her teeth clench. They're stained red. "And you wonder why we cannot see you as more than Ares' successor?" The glint of the blade showcases black veins and a stark gray painting her cheeks and under eyes. Mara looks down at her hands―pitch black splotches crawling up her fingertips and her nails growing sharper. "You claim to be an Amazon, but we will never bleed the same."

Mara stops. Something about staring back at herself on the brink of an insanity―it's like looking into a dark void. What would her friends think if they saw her like this? What would Robin think? Would he crucify her as the Amazons are now? Would he turn away and want nothing to do with her?

"Mara!" Diana's tight grip snaps Mara back into focus. "Control yourself!"

"It is alright," Hippolyta hums. "No permanent harm was done."

"But Juniya―"

"Also got a good strike in. They both took their damages. We would not be Amazons if we did not settle a dispute or two with our fists, now would we?"

The queen's smile throws Diana off. "Mother, it is more serious than you―"

"I would like to keep her for a while. If that's alright with you?" Hippolyta asks, gently pulling Mara back towards her. "Go on and catch up with your sisters, Diana, it will be fine."

Diana still looks sickly unsure, but she simply nods her head. It makes Mara question how she ever defied orders to become Wonder Woman.

"Come now," Hippolyta ushers. "We have much to do."

.

.

.

The throne room isn't as impressive as it should be.

Mara only thinks of Areopagus and the darkness that lurks behind the castle walls. She's seen her father's throne many times, but only when punishment was inevitable. His has spikes, though. This one is polished and refined.

"Through bloodline, this will be yours one day," Hippolyta says, gesturing to the golden seat. "I will not be here forever and neither will your mother. But until that day comes . . ."

The tall throne casts a shadow over Mara. The seat looks too big for her. She'd probably sink. Plus, who would listen to her authority?

Mara doesn't realize how heavily she's frowning until Hippolyta mimics the expression. "What's wrong, little one?"

Little one. The words strike a chord. A visionary flashes in the demigoddess's mind. She sits on her grandmother's lap as she nurtures a wound. Hippolyta cracks a joke, making the girl giggle. The wound heals itself up, shocking everyone.

She was Astara back then.

Now she's . . . not really sure.

"I'm not fit to lead here." Mara profusely shakes her head. "They hate Ares more than they accept me."

Hippolyta leans down and places a hand on Mara's cheek. The touch is soft. "I do not see Ares when I look at you, I see my beautiful granddaughter who I have been waiting ages to meet again."

A small smile twitches on Mara's face.

"Do not let others tell you who you should or should not be," Hippolyta continues. "You know your mother was not always the noble and fearless hero that she is now. If she had not gone against my wishes, the world never would have had Wonder Woman. I felt I had to protect her from the world."

Mara can't imagine a time where her mother ever buckled under the pressure. A time where she was a fragile child learning how to navigate life. She always seems to have everything figured out.

"After all, she was the first child of Paradise Island." Rising back to her feet, Hippolyta winces. "The second was . . . you."

The queen beckons Mara forward, leading her through a long hall, the floors shiny and the lights bright. "Come, I'd like to show you something."

Mara blindly follows, expecting her grandmother to show her another one of the many glitz and glamour that this small island has to offer. Maybe a sleeping chamber or a bathing hall that probably makes the Amazons poop out neon pink glitter.

As soon as the door swings open, Mara feels her heart clench.

This room is different from the others. Wild colors are splayed around every corner. A fuzzy rug covers the tile. The sheets and curtains are bubblegum pink. Attached to the ceiling, a teddy bear functions as a light. Splotches of unfinished drawings adorn the walls from a rainbow to a colorful castle.

Shaky knees carry Mara forward. She touches the board hanging on the wall above her bed, feeling as the rusted wood splinters her finger. The bedazzled words make the little goddess sigh.

Princess Astara.

"We haven't been here since . . ." Hippolyta stares at the ground. She gently rustles her palm against the silk sheets. "Most nights, you would awake and come running to my bed. You said you dreamt of a shadow taking you away. We'd assumed that it was only a nightmare."

"Oh . . ." Mara murmurs, her throat scratchy. "So I could've had all of this if―"

"Yes, your father is a horrid creature―"

"Not him!" Mara whips around, nearly knocking the queen from her feet. Her teeth clench. She can't cry. "My mother! She knew where I was!"

Mara knows that she shouldn't be bringing it up anymore. She knows that she needs to move on but it still feels like the world is standing still. Her own mother didn't even try.

Hippolyta doesn't speak. She doesn't have to. Her face says it all.

"You're the queen," Mara says, her voice breaking, "so of course you knew."

The queen's face pales. "Diana consulted in me, but in the end she had the final say." She reaches for Mara, but the girl quickly retracts.

"You've gone to war with him before, so why was fighting for me any different?"

"I . . ." Hippolyta's bottom lip wavers like a fallen leaf. Mara's made the queen speechless―someone so influential and eloquent. "I'm . . . sorry."

It hurts but Mara forcefully bites back her words. What can she do? It won't change anything that already happened. It's too late to go back in time so there's no point in her dwelling in the past.

"You're not," Mara snaps, a venom crawling up her throat. She paces back and forth through uneven breaths before hurrying out to the balcony, trying to get some fresh air. Her throat feels like it's closing. She tightly grabs the railing, not even noticing as it bends.

"I am!" Hippolyta argues, following after her. "I thought about it every night!"

"If you really cared, you would've made sure that I was never created."

"Your creation was a blessing―"

"Tell that to them." Mara sarcastically beckons to the path down below. In the grassy opening, many Amazons stand and watch, including Juniya and Diana.

Fury bubbles like an open cauldron. The high and mighty Amazons who hide on their pathetic little island, especially when the world needs them most. Especially when Mara needed them most.

Mara can't stop thinking about that sign. Princess Astara. Princess Astara. Princess Astara. It floods her line of sight. So she rushes back into the room and tosses the board over the balcony with such force that it splits in half as soon as it hits the dirt.

"Mara!" Diana gasps, crouching down to view the mess. Her hands shake as if her heart broke with the wood.

Malice fills Mara's face. She doesn't feel bad. Not anymore.

She flies off, not bothering to watch as Themyscira disappears from view.