The atmosphere became perplexing.
This was supposed to be a scene where Diana and Donna Troy would double-team Ares—either pulling off a power-up reversal or getting taught a lesson. Instead, Jack Kadere's forceful entrance left both sides confused. First he beat up Ares, then he wanted to fight Donna Troy.
Which side was he on?
"No one knows what he wants." Diana hesitated, warning Donna Troy. "Be careful. I'll deal with Ares as quickly as possible and come help you."
Although she and Donna Troy together had been no match for Ares moments ago, now she had to defeat him quickly.
With a powerful push off the ground, Diana charged.
Ares, already displeased after being inexplicably beaten, grew angrier seeing Diana boast about finishing him quickly. The two immediately clashed.
Whether Ares's strength had declined because he hadn't recovered, or Diana had found new power with Jack Kadere's presence, the result was a back-and-forth completely different from before. Not evenly matched, but competitive.
Donna Troy stood stunned.
"Hey."
A finger waved in front of her eyes. She flinched, only to realize Jack Kadere had already arrived before her.
He didn't seem to intend to attack.
"What's your name?" He smiled, sizing her up.
She appeared sixteen or seventeen, a bit shorter than Diana. Their armor styles were similar, but Donna Troy had black hair—distinguishing her from Diana and confirming her identity.
If Jack Kadere remembered correctly, there were two generations of Wonder Girl. The first was Donna Troy; the second was Cassie Sandsmark, Diana's niece. During the period when Donna Troy went independent and changed her name to Darkstar, Cassie created her own equipment out of admiration and joined the Teen Titans as the second Wonder Girl.
But Cassie had blonde hair, so...
"Donna Troy," she said hesitantly.
"It really is you." His smile deepened. "Tell me—where are you from? I never saw you on Paradise Island."
Friendliness was a weapon, especially after he'd just beaten Ares. Donna Troy hesitated only briefly before answering.
"I've been training in the outside world. I was only brought to Paradise Island half a year after you and Princess Diana left."
"Half a year? Maybe I didn't pay attention to the time while traveling."
The year was the same, but the months differed. For Donna Troy and the people on Paradise Island, they'd been gone over half a year.
"Do you know your origin?" This was what intrigued him.
Donna Troy paused. "What about my origin? Queen Hippolyta said I was an orphan she rescued from a fire. It was inconvenient to raise me on Paradise Island, so she fostered me outside, training my abilities from a young age. She planned to bring me back when I grew up."
"An orphan?"
Jack Kadere grinned and threw a punch.
Caught off guard, Donna Troy took the blow to her abdomen, bending over and dropping to her knees.
"Donna Troy!" Diana, fighting fiercely in the distance, had been watching. She shouted urgently—and the distraction let Ares send her flying.
Donna Troy struggled up and threw an angry punch. Jack Kadere dodged easily.
The moment he dodged, he copied her abilities.
Divine power and abilities similar to Diana's, just weaker. He chuckled, caught her next swing, twisted her arm, and pinned her to the ground. At the same time, he produced the Lasso of Truth and bound her hands behind her back.
Instantly powerless, Donna Troy could only lie limp.
"This thing is useful." He sat astride her back, asking about her equipment.
The Persuasion Lasso: anyone bound by it would obey her commands if their willpower was weaker than hers. The Submission Bracelets: could defend against ordinary bullets, missiles, and laser attacks. The Troia Uniform: according to Hippolyta, equipment bestowed by the Titan gods. The shield was ordinary Amazon equipment, and there was a combat staff she'd left at her lodging.
Donna Troy couldn't be an ordinary human orphan. Hippolyta hadn't told the truth about her origin—she wouldn't send an ordinary human to confront Ares. But the Lasso of Truth only forces one to speak what they believe is true. If Donna Troy didn't know the facts, she couldn't answer them.
He'd have to ask Hippolyta directly next time he visited Paradise Island.
Jack Kadere felt slight regret and chatted idly with Donna Troy.
…
"Ten minutes!"
After a while, boredom set in. He shouted again.
"I'll give you ten more minutes! Diana, if you still can't defeat Ares, I'll make you watch as this girl—the one fulfilling your mission—is first pierced by a sword, then killed, then pierced again." He paused and looked down at Donna Troy. "Does that sound scary enough?"
"Scary..." Though unwilling, she spoke her true thoughts. "Scary."
Diana's expression shifted. She glared at Jack Kadere.
"Ares—if she's still alive after ten minutes, I'll personally crush your skull!"
Ares looked at Jack Kadere grimly.
"Don't doubt my words." Jack Kadere's voice was flat. "For me, there are only two kinds of people in this world: those who interest me, and those who don't."
Diana turned her rage on Ares—not Jack Kadere.
Because she knew Jack Kadere meant what he said. She knew her chances of defeating him and saving Donna Troy were slim. So she had to defeat Ares.
This wasn't about the mission anymore. It was about saving someone.
"You see?" Ares spoke to Diana. "He's the real villain. He doesn't care about anything at all. Sister—let's join forces. We defeat him together, then settle our own score."
Diana's heart wavered.
Join forces against Jack Kadere—the stronger and more terrifying enemy.