Batman: Trials of the Amazons - 3

Themyscira was a big place. Much bigger than one would expect from a lost island. Miles of green and mountain stretched beneath the invisible jet, and it only seemed to get bigger and bigger as they descended. By the time they touched down, it felt like the island had swallowed them up.

As the sound of the engines died down, Bruce rose from his seat.

Through the windows, he could see the landing platform was surrounded by a small gathering of Amazons. They were too far for him to pick out any faces… though one woman standing in immaculate white and gold looked particularly regal. The other women were dressed more modestly - in the sense of style, of course. All of them seemed to share the taste of bare shoulders and thigh-length skirts.

At the back of his mind, Bruce couldn’t help but feel that he was outnumbered.

He felt a hand on his arm. Diana offered a small smile to go with her comforting touch.

“Are you ready?” She asked.

“Always.”

Diana’s warm look remained, though for a split-second her eyes flickered with something else. Then she turned and tapped the console beside the cabin door. It hissed and opened.

They stepped out into pleasantly warm island air and a clear, shining sky. There was a soothing, gentle breeze - almost soothing enough to make Bruce forget about the edge cutting into his senses.

He took in his surroundings, noting the peculiar mix of modern and ancient architecture in the landing platform. Mostly though, his attention went to the other Amazons.

Just as Bruce suspected, there was Queen Hippolyta at the forefront of the welcoming party. Long, blonde curls set with a simple, golden tiara framed a stunning, ageless face. And like all Amazons, the Queen possessed an Amazon’s figure - garbed in lustrous silk of gold and white which ended just above her knees. At her age of well over a thousand years, Hippolyta looked damn good. Bruce chalked that up to those divine Amazonian blessings Diana had told him about.

Standing beside the Queen were two others, one Bruce recognized and one he did not. The familiar face was Artemis, the sharp-eyed redhead who had once filled in for Diana as Wonder Woman. She was tall, even by Amazon standards, with her sleeveless gown revealing the firm muscle packed onto her arms and shoulders… as well as giving the same glimpse of her thighs. She carried her strength beautifully, though - and there wasn’t any amount of muscle that could distract from the bold curves of her figure.

The other woman - the Amazon Bruce didn’t recognize - was neither as tall and nor as visibly muscled, though she was just as stunning. She was dark-skinned, a vision of smooth ebony garbed in pale blue fabric clasped by a elegant bronze breastplate. Bruce could feel her eyes on him - though where Artemis’ gaze held challenge, this woman was more… appraising.

Bruce did not dwell long on either. His attention was snatched by a cry of joy and the sight of Diana’s spitting image running up to them from the crowd. It was Diana’s face - almost exactly so - but somehow looking years younger with those bright eyes and cheeks pinched from her wide, brilliant smile. The same perfect features but without the color of maturity.

Donna Troy came rushing in, sweeping her big sister into a big, deep hug.

“Diana! It’s been too long!” Donna greeted warmly as Diana returned the hug with interest. The other Amazons were drawing up too, the Queen at the forefront, wearing a faint smile of her own.

“It has. But the world always needs saving.” Diana let out a deep sigh. Over Donna’s shoulder, she met eyes with Queen Hippolyta. “Mother.”

“Daughter. Welcome back to the nurturing arms of Paradise Island. ” Bruce remembered how pleasant it was to listen to the woman speak. The richness of her accent flavored every single word. Her eyes flickered over to Bruce for a moment. “Though I wish your return was for more… familial reasons.”

“What makes you think it isn’t?” Diana countered. It wasn’t challenge in her voice, but something else. 

Again, there was a flicker in the Queen’s eyes. Her expression, however, remained stony. Bruce noticed the other Amazons, especially Artemis and the dark-skinned woman, bristled at Diana’s words. The only one who didn’t was Donna, still standing by her sister’s side. The one thing they all had in common, though, was the focus they seemed to be sending his way.

Bruce could feel their eyes on him, dozens of Amazons looking him over. Not all at once, and not for very long, but he could feel their glances, could feel them studying him. Artemis was the most bold - and the most blatant. The tall redhead was staring him down.

Queen Hippolyta finally addressing him directly came as a relief.

“Bruce Wayne.” The blonde strode up to him, hands clasped before her lap. She bowed her head faintly. “The hospitality of Themyscira is open to you.”

Bruce bowed his head in turn.

“Thank you, your… majesty.” He fought back a grimace. A struggle that became harder when the laughter rose up among the Amazons.

The Queen wore a faint grin, sharing a look with her daughters. Even Diana seemed to be stifling a giggle.

“Majesty.” Hippolyta repeated with mirth. “Do you find me majestic, Bruce Wayne?”

“I do.” The answer was blunt enough to get a raised brow from the Queen. The laughter died down a bit, replaced with whispers. “But that’s not what I meant. In Man’s World, Majesty is a common honorific for royalty.”

Diana touched his arm then.

“She knows, Bruce. She’s teasing you.”

A look at the way the Queen’s eyes shined told Bruce Diana was telling the truth.

Like she’d ever do otherwise…

“Right.” Bruce cleared his throat.

The embarrassment thankfully didn’t last long. The Queen was already heading off.

“Come.” Hippolyta unclasped her hands, beckoning all to follow her. “My daughter is home. The cooks have prepared a feast. Let us celebrate!”

-  -  -

In the grand dining hall of the royal palace, the Daughters of Themyscira welcomed their Princess home. 

Over a hundred Amazons packed along the flanks of three long tables. A fourth table was set just beyond, smaller and shorter. That was where Bruce sat, right alongside Diana, Donna, their Queen mother, and a handful of others. Artemis, Aella, Antiope. Bruce finally had a name for the dark-skinned woman: Nubia, Hippolyta’s most trusted general.

They feasted on juicy, savory cuts of chicken, wild boar, and lamb. All seasoned and spiced, all served on freshly baked flatbread pitas alongside a sizzling, dripping medley of peppers, onions, and tomatoes.  Amazonian cuisine wasn’t quite like anything else. Small touches of Persian, Arabian, Indian, Italian - the clearest influence of course was Greek. 

The aroma swept into Bruce’s nostrils, thick and tingling and making his mouth water, making his stomach growl. The long flight over - as enjoyable as Diana made it - did little to sate his appetite.

Bruce dug in - though he was mindful enough not to wolf it all down. He was in esteemed company after all.

As he ate, he could feel their eyes on him again. Not just Hippolyta or Artemis or Nubia but damn near all of the dining Amazons. Just like before, they didn’t stare him down all at once - it was quick looks when they thought he was focused on his food, lingering glances, sizing him up. Like he was a strange pet their Princess had brought along.

Bruce felt Diana’s hand settle on his thigh.

“Don’t eat too much.” She said quietly, not meeting his eyes.

Bruce couldn’t help but look Hippolyta’s way - the woman didn’t hide her scrutiny the way the other Amazons did. He wondered then about just what sorts of trials awaited him. How much danger was he about to face?

“What if I need the energy?” Bruce murmured back.

“You’ll have the energy. Themyscira rejuvenates, remember? A full belly, though… that might put you to sleep.”

Bruce swallowed down chewed meat, following it up with red wine. It was sweet going down, prickling the back of his mouth. He shouldn’t have been drinking it at all - wine dulled the senses. Hippolyta had insisted, however.

“You’re telling me I should be on my toes?”

“Aren’t you always?”

Bruce had no comeback. Diana gave his thigh a squeeze - playful and warm. 

It was Artemis who shattered through their little bubble. 

“So this is the man, then? A mortal?” The redhead’s voice cut clear and sharp. Her gaze was sharper, piercing right into Bruce from across the table.

“He is.” Diana replied calmly - though Bruce knew there was steel hidden just beneath.

None of it gave Artemis pause.

“The trials ahead are difficult for Amazons.” She kept on. Stabbing her fork into a cut of boar, she popped it into her mouth and chewed slowly. “How’s this one going to last?”

“He has a name, Artemis. Bruce is far more formidable than you think.”

“She’s not lying.” Donna added. “I’ve never met a man more stubborn than he is.”

“Thank you, Donna.” Bruce said pointedly. Donna’s look was neither warm nor cold. It was likely she was still simmering from her break-up with Dick.

Artemis was silent for a long moment. Her gaze remained firmly on Bruce, studying him.

“Fine.” She finally answered. “We’ll find out how hardy he is soon enough.”

Then she went back to her dinner and said no more.

“She’s picking a fight with me.” Bruce observed under his breath.

“Just be ready for anything.” Diana reached over and touched his thigh again. Comforting him. Unnecessary… but Bruce appreciated it all the same.

The dinner would go on for some time - another hour or so. Nothing of note would happen until the evening finally started to wind down.

It was Hippolyta rising at the head of the table that caught the attention of all. All eyes on their beloved Queen. She was beaming, radiant in her silk robes of white and gold, as she raised her goblet high.

“A toast!” She announced. “To my daughter’s safe return!”

There was shuffling, cheering as the Amazons rose with their Queen, hoisting their cups in the air. Bruce rose with them - when in Rome, right? It was worth it to see the Princess looking so bashful.

Then Hippolyta’s voice rang out through the hall again.

“And to our honored guest! The mortal man who seeks to pass the Trials of the Amazons. May he acquit himself with bravery.”

The cheers died down, turning to whispers and murmurs. Hundreds of women turned, putting their eyes, their focus on the lone man on their island paradise. What did they see, Bruce wondered, when they looked upon him? Hero? Warrior? Invader? Beast?

At least some cheered, if belatedly. Diana was the loudest, spurring Donna into joining her. Others were among the other tables, women he didn’t recognize. The rest clapped and drank with the base standard of respect. The message was clear: if Bruce wanted more, he’d have to earn it.

There were a handful, though, whose looks were far more wolfish. Artemis, of course, but also Nubia… and Queen Hippolyta. She regarded him with keen, piercing eyes - now sharper even than those of Artemis.

“Be ready, Bruce Wayne.” She called out to him. “The Trials begin in the morning. And they won’t stop until they’re done… or you are.”

-  -  -

There was someone’s hand wrapped around his cock. 

At first, Bruce thought it was just a pleasant dream. Him and Diana, just the two of them, embracing amidst the thick mist of a mountain hot spring. The sensations turned too intense, too deliberate, so strong was the swelling of his cock that it stirred him awake.

He hadn’t expected a guest. After the grand dinner, Diana led him off to his own room. He was to sleep alone for the night, as per Amazonian tradition. 

Apparently, someone didn’t get the memo. Or maybe it just was Diana again, come to wish him luck in her own playful way. Bruce did remember then how reluctant she had been to leave…

Bruce groaned, going tense as the fingers wrapped around him quickened their strokes. He snapped his eyes open… and was greeted with a face he never expected to see.

Artemis, the redhead, sat at the edge of his bed, watching him with a calm look about her. She appeared far more curious now, a far cry from those bold, challenging eyes she’d been giving him back at the dinner. She’d slipped one of her hands under the sheets, working his cock steadily. He was fully hard now, a solid rod stabbing straight up. There was already a dark spot in the fabric, right where the material met the tip of the crown.

“You’re a heavy sleeper.” Artemis spoke first. Her voice carried the faintest hint of amusement. “A real hunter would have heard me out in the hall.”

She didn’t stop stroking him. She didn’t break eye contact. There was no shame at being caught, no apologies he could see written in her expression. What Bruce did see, however, was interest.

“Artemis. Why are you fondling me?” Bruce’s words came clipped, though he tried to keep his tone even. This woman was stronger than him by a hefty margin - he was not fighting his way out of this. Certainly not with her fingers wrapped around his prick.

“I’m inspecting you.” Artemis clarified. Her eyes finally broke from his, drawing down his naked torso. There was far, far more appreciation in the way she regarded him now. “Perfect physical condition, just like Diana said. Aside from the scars, of course.”

There was a pause in her musings as she drew the sheets from his lower body. The hand on his cock slowed, nimble fingers exploring the shaft, every little bump and bulging vein. The Amazon seemed to drift into a daze for a split second, just looking at the fattened organ.

“I must admit…” She made a soft, little sound. “I didn’t think a mortal man would be so blessed.”

Artemis’ touch was skilled. Bruce couldn’t deny that… or his body couldn’t ignore it. The warmth of her touch, the deftness of her strokes, they had him swollen to the point of pain. Splendid pain, yes, but pain nonetheless.

“Why are you here?” Bruce pressed, his voice rough. “The Trials don’t start until morning.”

“It’s past midnight. That makes it morning.” Artemis mercifully released his cock then, letting the length list and finally drop under its own heft. The mercy was short-lived. Artemis rose from the bed and undid the pin at the single shoulder strap of her silk dress. The gown came loose and slipped from her body. 

Her tall form of taut muscle and luscious curves was now bare as Bruce was. Tanned breasts sat high and proud, rounded and succulent and perfect, set with large, round nipples of dark pink. Her belly was just as pleasing to behold, flat and firm and toned yet somehow still carrying the faint, feminine softness that could draw the envy of gods. All leading to the lush width of her hips, so wide and womanly and fertile. And set at the nexus, a pretty little cunt, almost hidden away between smooth, full thighs.

“I am the first trial.” Artemis announced, kicking her garment away. “A test of stamina.”

She stood over him for a moment, like she was allowing him to drink in her perfection before crawling back onto the bed. The quaking of her bosom was a delight to behold as she straddled his thighs. She took his hard cock back in hand, resuming her strokes. Bruce grit his teeth, clinging to reason through the pleasure of the woman’s fingers drifting up and down his shaft.

“I doubt Diana would appreciate this.” He managed to say.

Artemis scoffed.

“Diana knew exactly what would happen when she brought you here.” The redhead cracked a devious smirk. “Why do you think she sent you off to your own room?”

Bruce blinked, realizing. The pieces fell into place in his mind, yet still he scanned Artemis’ face for deception. None. He found none.

“I-”

“Diana wants a family. With you.” Artemis squeezed his cock by the base, drawing another groan from him. “But she’s the Princess of the Amazons. Our noble Queen will not allow her grandchildren to be sired by a weak man. So you’re going to prove yourself. Starting with me. Can you last until sunrise, Batman?”

Bruce swelled harder in her hand. He bucked his hips up against her grip - was it defiance or desperation?

“I can last until sunset.” He countered.

That earned him an even bigger smile from the naked redhead. Wolfish, it was, just like at dinner. 

“Ha. We’ll see.”

Artemis stroked him a few more times before letting her fingers play along the edge of the crown. Agonizing sparks of bliss followed her fingertips, making his cock leak and dribble. But then she started to grind upon him, bringing the heat of her sex right up along the swollen shaft. A small taste of paradise.

Then Artemis descended and caught his lips with hers.