𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐀 𝐅𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧?

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Wonder Woman never thought she'd be walking towards a jet that was headed to Russia. Only a few days after the ruined visit with Ryan, Butcher wanted everyone at the airport. They were taking a small field trip to Russia.

More specifically, the facility where Soldier Boy was held for all those years. It was a nightmare in itself but it was a nightmare that Wonder Woman needed to endure.

Finally, she was so close to the answers she needed. She was close to finding her best friend... And maybe feeling less alone in a world that wasn't meant for her.

The thought and a million more ran through Wonder Woman's mind as she followed behind Mel and Milo. The Supe only brought a carry-on that was packed with her gear and other weapons. She stared ahead at the jet, turning her head when Mel wrapped her arm around her shoulder.

"Come on, Diana, you're part of this crazy group now." she smirked, her arm strong around Wonder Woman's shoulder. Her muscles peaked from underneath her sleeves. The muscles were sharp and poised under the cloudy light of the early morning.

Wonder Woman chuckled, patting Mel's shoulder, "Whatever you say," she smiled, following them onto the jet, "Milo, you're sure Butcher and everyone else wanted me to join?" she questioned, looking at the man.

A small laugh left Milo's lips as he carried both his and Mel's bags, "Don't worry, Diana. We're gonna need you on this. If we find Soldier Boy and he tries to kill us, we're gonna need someone to try and calm him down. Not to mention, you're one of the strongest ones here." he explained, making Wonder Woman nod.

True. She thought to herself, climbing into the jet.

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After what felt like an eternity, the Boys, Mel, Milo, and Wonder Woman finally landed in Russia. From what Wonder Woman remembered about the country, it was a place that despised the Supe's of America. Especially Homelander.

Once they made it to an abandoned gas station, the group settled in the backrooms. Wonder Woman leaned against the wall, looking at the posters of Supe's. Their eyes were crossed out and some had dart holes in-between their eyes and necks.

Ignoring the posters, Wonder Woman looked at the door when Butcher walked in, "Good news. Nina's had a word with her Kremlin piss boys, and she's located the lab." he explained, making Mel nod, "Good, where is it?" she questioned, looking at Butcher with expectant eyes.

Wonder Woman narrowed her eyes when Butcher smirked, "Before she told us that, we just got to do a little job for her. Ain't nothing. Just some local oligarch who got in her bad books." he added, making the room tense and seem to grow annoyed.

Of course it was too good to be good. Milo thought while Wonder Woman shook her head, "Just one job? Butcher, one job turns to a lifetime. Why get involved?" she questioned, making Mel nod in agreement as she stood, "Doesn't Nina have her own fucking people to do her dirty work?" she questioned, looking at the man.

While everyone seemed to argue with Butcher, he ignored everyone and turned to Kimiko, "Sorry, love, victim of your own success. Now, Nina's got you in. You'll be the wanker's pro girl for the night. You just get in there, give the cunt a good noose, and get te fuck out. Easy-peasy." he said, looking at her with his usual smirk.

The moment Kimiko stormed off to get ready, Wonder Woman sat down beside Mel. She didn't know what to expect. She didn't even know if Soldier Boy would be alive. It had been forty years.

A small sigh left Wonder Woman's lips, her knee bouncing with every second that passed. With her being in the same country as Soldier Boy. His power was strong enough that she could feel it. The presence of him was enough to give Wonder Woman some flicker of hope and anxiety.

Wonder Woman looked up when she felt Milo tap her shoulder, "You ok?" he asked, sitting on the armrest of the couch. He and Mel both looked concerned. They seemed to know how much this mission mattered to Wonder Woman.

"Yes... Yes, I'm fine, thank you," Wonder Woman nodded, looking at the two she considered friends, "I guess I'm just worried. After all these years, not just of me being gone—I don't care about what happened to me. I just want to know what happened to him. It sounds cliche but Soldier Boy was my best friend. He and I... We were inseparable and we promised to protect the people. We promised to protect..." she soon trailed off, looking down at her lap.

"I'm sorry, it's not important," Wonder Woman sighed, standing to go get ready, "I'll be getting ready." she called over her shoulder, grabbing her carry-on and walking to the next room.

Wonder Woman closed the door behind her, setting everything down and taking a deep breath. Slowly, she unbuttoned the black flannel around her body and undressed from the rest of her clothes.

She kneeled down and grabbed her gear, slipping it over her body until it was tightened and secure. Wonder Woman made sure her lasso and sword were tied to her hip while her shield was secured inside the back harness.

After tying up her boots, Wonder Woman slid her bracelets over her forearms, tying them until they were still. Finally, Wonder Woman reached inside the carry-on for the last item. Her tiara. Her symbol of justice and equality. Freedom and a light in the dark. The voice of millions without a voice of their own.

Wonder Woman held the tiara in her hands before positioning and balancing it on her forehead. She looked at her reflection, taking a deep breath, "I'm coming, Ben." she whispered to herself, walking back out to the group.

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Mission was a-go.

Wonder Woman followed the group into the disabled lab, her fingers drumming against the skin of her thigh. The lab was dark and seemed to have been abandoned for years. Rooms were left empty while others seemed to be picked clean.

Mel and Milo had their own guns tucked in the waistband of their jeans. They weren't stupid enough to leave anything of their own weapons behind.

"Does anyone know what it looks like?" M.M. and Milo questioned, looking at Butcher when the man chuckled, "Ain't the joy in the discovery, eh?" he smirked as they walked into another room. This room was different from the rest.

Wonder Woman tilted her head at the sight of a cryostasis chamber. She walked past the group and towards the chamber, placing her hand against the cold steel, "Why would they have this here?" she asked, staring at the steel in shock.

Before anyone could answer, Wonder Woman pulled away when an alarm began to blare and the once dark lights turned red.

Wonder Woman quickly grabbed her sword, ducking to the ground and trying to listen for how many people rushed into the room. She got her answer quickly when they all began to take fire on them.

She continued to kneel to the ground before taking charge. The Supe stood and leaped over the table, using her shield to block bullets and incoming fire. She got close enough and swung her shield, blasting one soldier through the wall.

Wonder Woman didn't notice how everyone else got in the fight, using her bracelets to block more bullets. She pulled back, gritting her teeth and swinging her sword towards the soldiers. The Sword of Athena cut into anyone who tried to get close, blood spilling to the floor in puddles and splatters.

The Supe moved forward, clearing a path for Mel and Milo. The couple kept an eye out, making sure no soldiers came close. The trip fought like a team, having one another's back and making sure no one died. A true team. More so than Payback.

The group continued to fight until Wonder Woman ducked beside Mel and Milo, holding the two behind her as she used the shield to block more oncoming bullets. She grit her teeth, grunting at the force and pressure of each shot.

Wonder Woman's eyes darted to the corner of the room when Butcher stood and began to walk towards the soldiers. The only shocking part was when Wonder Woman saw Butcher taking bullets to the chest. No consequence of pain or death.

Her shock only grew when lasers began to shoot from Butcher's eyes. Wonder Woman watched as Butcher's laser eyes cut through more soldiers, their blood splattering the walls and ceiling.

"What the fuck?!" Mel shouted when Hughie suddenly appeared by M.M.... Naked. Milo quickly averted his eyes while Wonder Woman tilted her head with some confusion, more shocked to see Hughie naked and shoving his arm through the chest of a soldier.

After Hughie killed the last soldier, Wonder Woman stood from her spot while Mel looked at Butcher, her eyes narrowed, "What the hell was that?!" she questioned, walking towards the man, "Butcher, why the fuck did you two do that to yourselves?!" she shouted, livid to see one friend and asshole do that to themselves.

Wonder Woman didn't focus on the rest of the argument, looking back at the chamber. She quickly stowed her sword and shield away, grabbing the edges of the door and yanking it from their hinges.

Dropping the door, Wonder Woman stood still as the smoke and mist flowed past her body and into the air. She didn't know what to expect but her body tensed when the smoke finally cleared, leaving her face-to-face with him.

With Soldier Boy.

Wonder Woman stared at him, her skin paling as she stared at the friend she lost all those years ago. Here he was and she couldn't do anything but watch.

She only moved when Milo gently pulled her back, watching Soldier Boy break free from the leather restraints around his body. The air grew tense with every passing second. The sound of Soldier Boy pulling the needles and wires from his skin until nothing was left.

When he tugged the mask off his face, finally taking in a breath of air that wasn't coming from a tank. It made Wonder Woman feel dizzy and light-headed. She felt a million and one emotions, crashing through her body and clawing at her chest.

"Oh God, not another one." Mel muttered from her spot beside Milo, seeing that Soldier Boy was also naked. She kept a gentle grip on Wonder Woman's arm, knowing the weight of the situation. Especially for Wonder Woman.

Everyone remained silent until Wonder Woman caught sight of small pieces of debris beginning to gravitate towards him. The sight was new and something Wonder Woman had never seen; but it wasn't anything good.

"Watch out!" Wonder Woman shouted when Soldier Boy's chest glowed with a bright light. She quickly grabbed her shield, protecting Mel and Milo while Kimiko shoved Frenchie out of the way, taking the blast through the concrete wall.

The sound of Soldier Boy's wail made Wonder Woman stare at him, her eyes filled with hesitation and worry. She watched him stumble through the debris and down the hall, leaving everyone behind.

When he was gone, Wonder Woman moved towards Kimiko and kneeling beside her, "It'll be alright. You need to get her out of here." she said, looking at the gnarly wound on her side. A piece of rebar had pierced through her side.

"Get her out of here." Wonder Woman instructed once more when Frenchie looked at Hughie, "She isn't healing." he whispered, his voice frantic and filled with panic.

Wonder Woman quickly stood, glancing at Mel before running off down the hall. She held her shield, using her free hand to grab as many hard-drives she could find, dropping them into the small pouch that hung on the side of her gear.

As Wonder Woman ran, looking through every room and hall, she stopped and looked inside the last room. She stepped inside, her eyes widening when she caught sight of another cryostasis chamber.

But there was something different about this one.

The door was already broken off and the chamber seemed to be beaten until nothing could be done to save it. All the damage was caused from the inside.

Wonder Woman stared at the chamber, slowly stepping back and stepping on a clipboard. She grabbed the board and felt her grip on the shield tighten. It was a picture of Phantom.

Her mouth was wired open while her eyes were bruised and skin pale. Tear tracks were shining from the flash while doctors grabbed different tools and syringes.

Wonder Woman dropped the picture and continued down the halls. She walked with purpose and determination. It was one thing to hurt Soldier Boy... But the moment Phantom was mixed into the mess. It made Wonder Woman go livid.

She kicked the doors open, stepping back into the night. Soldier Boy was long gone and Phantom. Wonder Woman didn't know where to start.

The longer she stood there, the more hopelessness and anxiety clawed its way into her chest and heart. Wonder Woman looked around, turning in circles until she finally shouted, "Ben!" her voice cracking as it reached the sky in powerful waves.

"Marie!" Wonder Woman shouted once more, staring at the darkened sky with a desperate gaze. She quickly placed her shield back on her back, turning when Mel and Milo made it outside, "You two should be going with the others." the Supe sighed, looking at the couple.

Milo nodded, "We know but we had to make sure you were ok." he explained while Mel nodded back to the lab, "That other chamber we saw. That's where they kept Phantom?" she questioned, making Wonder Woman nod, "I'm guessing it was. Only she'd be able to cause that amount of damage." she answered, looking back at the sky.

"Get back to M.M. and go back to the States." Wonder Woman instructed, stepping back as she grabbed her lasso. She didn't look up when Mel questioned, "Where are you going?" she asked, watching Wonder Woman ready herself.

"I'm gonna find them," Wonder Woman nodded, looking up, "I'll see you two soon." she softly smiled, looking straight and beginning to walk off.

The Supe walked in the middle of the vacant street, taking a deep breath and breaking into a jog. She jogged across the pavement, holding her lasso with a tight grip.

After a few seconds, Wonder Woman's jog turned to a sprint. She moved through the quiet city with ease. Wonder Woman waited a few seconds before finally running at her normal speed.

Her eyes remained focused, not wanting to lose momentum as her legs carried her faster than most cars' speeding limit. Her speed only grew until Wonder Woman allowed her lasso to go slack and fly behind her body.

A grunt left Wonder Woman's lips as she jerked her arm forward, her lasso flying forward and towards the sky. The lasso carried her body, sending her into the cloud and night sky.

Wonder Woman soared through the air, her body moving through the clouds as she began to lose altitude and fall back towards the ground. Before she could fall any further, the Supe jerked her arm until her lasso took her higher into the clouds.

As her body moved past and through the clouds, Wonder Woman maneuvered her body to rest on her back. She occasionally jerked her lasso to keep herself in the sky, but her eyes slipped shut.

She wanted to remember this feeling. The feeling of freedom and power she had almost forgotten about. She extended her arms out, feeling the mist of the clouds against her arms and hands. It was liberating to be in the position she was.

As Wonder Woman continued to fly, she noticed the cities and forests began to disappear and were soon replaced with the ocean. She was on her way home.

One way or another, Wonder Woman was going to find Soldier Boy and Phantom. She'd find her teammates and make sense of this situation. Even if it was the last thing she'd be able to do.

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Wonder Woman made it back in New York around dawn. She had been cooped up in her apartment for most of the time.

She had been avoiding everyone in The Boys, only talking to Mel and Milo. It wasn't that she was upset or mad, she wanted to visit and see how Kimiko was doing, but she believed no one would want to see her. She already caused enough trouble.

Wonder Woman believed she was better off hiding out in her apartment.

The Supe sat on her bed, looking down at the tiara she held in her hands. A small sigh left her lips, "God, Ben." she whispered, bringing the tiara to rest against the bedside table once more.

Wonder Woman grabbed the remote, turning the TV on with a defeated sight. She thought TV was supposed to fix problems with distracting movies and shows.

But the universe seemed to enjoy spitting in her face.

It seemed like every channel was playing Wonder Woman. She stared at the screen, feeling herself listen more intently as the scene played out.

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All sorts of explosions and voices could be heard across the barren set of land. It was hectic and somewhere Wonder Woman always seemed to thrive in.

But she was currently arguing with Soldier Boy, the man she partnered up with to stop a poisonous attack against the British.

"Women and children!" Wonder Woman shouted, her voice desperate as she kept the black cloak tight around her body. She didn't understand why Soldier Boy wouldn't do anything to help the innocent villagers. He was supposed to protect the innocent. He was supposed to be a hero.

Soldier Boy shook his head, "We need to make our next position by sundown." he said, his voice calm as Wonder Woman scoffed, "How can you say that? What's the matter with you?" she questioned, turning her head when another bomb was dropped near the trenches.

Soldier Boy finally shouted, "This is No Man's Land, Diana! It means no man can cross it, all right? This battalion had been here for nearly a year, and they barely gained an inch. All right? Because, on the other side, there are a bunch of Germans pointing machine guns at every square inch of this place. This is not something you can cross. It's not possible." he argued, looking at the woman.

She continued to stare at Soldier Boy, "So what? So we do nothing?" she frowned, not trusting Soldier Boy's words when he answered, "No, we are doing something. We are. We just... We can't save everyone in this war. This is not what we came here to do." he admitted, letting someone pull him to the side.

Wonder Woman watched him walk off, but she remained still. She turned away, pulling the pin that kept her hair in a loose bun.

Once her hair was loose, Wonder Woman slipped her tiara onto her forehead. She looked at Dean before shaking her head, "No, but it's what I'm going to do." she corrected, shrugging her cloak off her body to reveal her gear and shield.

The Supe took hold of the ladder, climbing up towards the surface of No Man's Land. She heard Soldier Boy shout her name, but she didn't stop her climb towards the surface.

Once she made it to the top, Wonder Woman stood strong as she stared out at the lands of dirt and debris. She didn't pay any mind as the bombs continued to drop around her.

As Wonder Woman walked on the dirt and ash, she lifted her forearm when a bullet launched across the land. The bullet flew towards her, shattering against her bracelet before it could touch her body.

The bullets never stopped, trying to hit her legs and abdomen; but no bullets ever reached her. Wonder Woman held her forearms up, sparks of the bullets smashing against the steel of her bracelets.

When the bullets grew more hectic and more shots were being fired towards her, the Supe broke out into a run. She ran, grunting with every bullet and shot she managed to block with the steel of her bracelets. She couldn't stop. She wouldn't.

Wonder Woman ran, not seeing that Soldier Boy began to chase after her, "She's taking all the fire! Let's go!" he shouted, climbing out from the trenches.

The Supe continued to run, grabbing her shield and sliding it across her forearm. A bomb dropped towards her, but the shield blocked the bomb into the dirt.

She wasn't fazed as the bomb denoted at her side, forcing herself to slow to a stop when thousands of bullets rained onto her shield. The force of all the bullets caused Wonder Woman to kneel towards the ground.

Wonder Woman was taking all the fire and giving everyone else a clear path to get to the trenches. She grit her teeth with a groan, her forearm strong as the bullets refused to cease.

As the bullets continued to pierce Wonder Woman's shield, she turned her head when she caught sight of Soldier Boy. He was blocking bullets with his own shield, firing his gun back towards the trenches.

The two Supe's shared a look before an explosion went off in the enemy's trenches. Wonder Woman took the opportunity to stand and run towards the explosion.

When Wonder Woman ran towards the smoke, the soldiers on both sides of the land rushed from the trenches and towards one another.

The land shook with explosions and gunfire, but Wonder Woman leaped through the air and into the trench. She punched a soldier to the ground while destroying their machine gun with one hit of her shield. Wonder Woman pulled back, seeing the village across the dirt and debris, "Soldier Boy! Let's go!" she shouted, leaping into the air once more.

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Wonder Woman never moved quicker to grab the remote and switch the channel to the local news station.