Wonder Girl: Beginnings
A YJ: Invasion Fanfiction
Summary: Cassandra Sandsmark was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary dream. One day, her dream became possible with her own brave actions. Also, she discovered that she's not so ordinary after all.
Author's Note: Wonder Girl in YJ really sparked my interest and then I researched about her and I think I'm gonna love her. This fic is going to be my headcanon origins of Wonder Girl in YJ. It's entirely based on DCU continuity with several tweaks. Hopefully it would do the character justice.
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Wonder Girl: Beginnings
Chapter One:
Cassandra Sandsmark didn't mean to. She really planned on studying and acing that math test but more important stuff happened and, obviously, important stuff must always be prioritized first.
Her mom didn't believe her excuse. She could see right through her lie. That important stuff that she was talking about was most likely the live video streaming of Wonder Woman's speech online in celebration of Women's Month. Cassandra had ignored her studies in favor of watching the video and discussing in forums and chats.
Though her mom admitted that it was good that she was being up to date with current events and was vigorously in favor gender equality but she should still learn to prioritize. She should also check the news and support an advocacy because she cared about it and believe it herself. It shouldn't be for the sake of her favorite heroine. She couldn't depend her entire life on someone she would never meet.
Cassie's mother told her that she should learn to be more responsible. She should not keep wasting her time dressing up and acting like Wonder Woman on her free days. She shouldn't always sneak out into hero fan conventions. She also must not often end up in the principal's office too for getting involved in fights.
In Cassie's defense, she loves dressing up like Wonder Woman because she wants to be like Wonder Woman - a great female hero that everyone looks up to. She only have real fun and real friends in fan conventions. Lastly, it's always the bullies' fault that she gets into fights. She can't stand by and watch them terrorize their victims.
Her mom always frowns whenever she gives that excuse - that she was protecting others that's why she got hurt, that her real friends - people who really understand her passion, were in fan conventions, and that she was a bit of an odd one at school because of her character. While many of her schoolmates admire Wonder Woman, none was brave enough to live up to her ideals - fairness and justice. Only she had the nerve to do so. So despite her personality, most avoid her because she was a crazy hero fangirl who dreams to be like Wonder Woman someday.
It was at moments like that her mom would smile so gently and fondly at her. "I understand." she would always say. "You're my brave young girl who wouldn't be ashamed to fight for others. You have a big heart and I'm so proud of that." And then she would held her so tight, telling her that "You don't need to be Wonder Woman or any hero of another name. You are just fine as yourself. You are already perfect just as it is."
Those words. Those always meant a lot to Cassie. "I know, mom. But I still wanted to. It just feels right. It's just... sometimes I feel like I should be doing more. That I'm meant for something more."
Her mom would only answer her with a cryptic. "I know."
It was during a hero convention. Cassie was over the moon since the special feature on this one was Wonder Woman. Her joy was even doubled since her mom gave her permission to attend the event - complete with pocket money too. That was something that rarely happens.
She was in her Wonder Woman costume, mingling around and talking with her friends. It was all fun when suddenly someone, or rather someones, crashed into the event site. It turned out to be a battle between Decay and her heroine, Wonder Woman herself!
Panic and mayhem filled the building as everything around Decay crumbled to dust. People scrambled for the exit but the doors could not accommodate their huge number at the same time. They were stuck inside and if they don't get out soon, they would die.
Wonder Woman knew of the danger she had brought upon them and tried to lure the battle elsewhere. Decay knew about the heroine's intentions and instead of following Wonder Woman out of the building, she targeted them instead.
Cassie should have been afraid. This was the real deal. But instead, she felt excited because it was the real deal and she could be part of it.
The people were in danger. She had to do something to buy them some time to get out and for Wonder Woman to get back. Even a few seconds would suffice.
She had a crazy idea but it could work. Correction. She knew it would work.
"Hey!!!" Cassie yelled as she ran away from the crowd and towards Decay. She grabbed whatever she can - plates, cups, action figures and other hero paraphernalia, and threw them at the villainess as a distraction. The unusual harmless projectiles never hit her as they turn to dust within a feet distance from her but it served its purpose.
Enraged, Decay forgot about the escaping crowd and focus on her instead. She became even more furious at the sight of her. It must be because of her Wonder Woman costume.
Cassie thanked her lucky stars that she was part of her school's track and field team. Dodging and running was not easy especially when your pursuer was hell bent on killing you.
Adrenaline pumped into her veins as she jump through tables and zig zagged through booths. She grinned with pure glee when she crashed into the Batman booth and got herself a good number of fake batarangs which she promptly threw at Decay. She had to keep the villainess's attention solely on her. She had to buy everyone time to escape.
Her plan was going good until she forgot to pay attention to where she was running and tripped over something - she vaguely remember it was a broken chair leg. Cassie fell flat on the floor and barely had enough time to roll away from an attack by Decay. She had to get up and run again. But before she could do so, the villainess managed to grab hold of her ankle and sent her flying across the room.
Cassie mercifully hit the giant Superman Teddy Bear on display and landed on a sea of Justice League plushies. It cushioned her fall but it still hurt. Her body was already used to being banged up in fights but this wasn't the usual skirmish with the bullies. This was more intense and dangerous.
Decay approached her with a contemplative expression on her face.
"This is unusual. My powers didn't have that much effect on you." she said.
Cassie struggled to get up and gather her bearings. Decay's close presence made her feel a bit light headed and weak but she can still take her on. Yes, she can. She just have to think of her as a bully she beats up at school and not as a super villainess that can kill her with a single touch. She can fight her.
But as Decay stepped closer and closer, Cassie felt worse and worse. She was losing her focus.
"Just what are you, little girl?" Decay asked and reached a hand towards her face.
"Human. What else do you think?" Cassie spat back and avoided the offending appendage. She had to talk. It will be her give some time to recover. It can also confuse the enemy so she could get away. Talk,Cassie.Talk. "Guess with a face like yours, it will be impossible for you to know a human when you see one."
Damn it. That didn't come out right. She should really work more on witty comebacks.
"Oh?" Decay approached again. Her lips twisted in a vicious smile. "Well you thought wrong because..." The villainess's voice became eerily softer. "You're not entirely human at all, little girl."
Cassie blinked at that. What?
Taking advantage of her confusion and weakness, Decay tried to touch Cassie again but Wonder Woman had come back and wrenched her away.
Cassie snapped back into focus as the battle between Wonder Woman and Decay commenced once more. She looked around and saw that almost everyone in the convention was gone. Only a handful of people were still at the door. She had done enough. It was all right for her to leave now. Her mom will be worried since this will be over the news and she knew that she was here. Worse, her mom just knew that since she's here, she'll try to help even if it kills her. She had to go. Make a call or something to show her mother that she was alive and well.
But she can't.
To Cassie's shock and horror, she saw Wonder Woman being strangled by Decay. Her heroine's hair was slowly turning gray. Her skin slowly wrinkling and her body turning bony and old. Decay was killing her. Decay was winning.
Without much thought, Cassie yelled and jumped into the fray. She flung herself on Decay's back and latched her arm around her neck in what she hoped was a decent head lock. Cassandra punched the villainess in the face with her free hand. She hit her hard again and again. She hit her with all she's got.
"Let! Her! Go!"
She had to help Wonder Woman. She had to take Decay away from Wonder Woman. She won't let the heroine die. She won't.
Annoyed by her interference, Decay grabbed her by the hair and threw her hard on the floor. Cassie could have sworn that she heard her spine crack at the impact.
She didn't have much time to recuperate as Decay grabbed her by the neck. Fingers around her throat tightening and tightening. It was getting harder to breathe. She felt weaker and weaker. Her life, her energy - it felt like they were slowly seeping away from her.
Cassie's vision was getting blurry. She tried to struggle but it didn't do much. Breathe. Air. She needed air. Mom. Mom.
She could barely hear Decay chuckling.
"Well, whatever you are little girl, you're not entirely insusceptible to my powers. I can still kill you. It just takes a lot more effort and time."
The fingers around her throat became even tighter. "Goodbye, Wonder Girl."
Her as Wonder Girl. That sounded nice. Really nice.
Her oxygen was completely cut off. It was the end. Sorry, Mom.
Just when Cassie thought she was dead for good, the hands choking her suddenly disappeared. She then dropped on the floor. Weak and feeble but still conscious.
She wanted to get up but she felt comfortable just lying there. Maybe she should sleep. Sleep sounded a good idea. She could apologize to her mom later when she comes back home. She will be mad but Cassie was sure she will be proud once she tells her that she rescued a lot of people. That she helped Wonder Woman. That she took on Decay. Her mom was just like that - angry because she picked a fight but proud since she fought the good fight. Yes. That was right.
Cassie's eyes slowly closed.
Her mom would be proud.
She would be.
Cassandra then fell asleep with Decay's screams as her lullaby.
Summary: Cassandra Sandsmark was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary dream. One day, her dream became possible with her own brave actions. Also, she discovered that she's not so ordinary after all.
Author's Note: Wonder Girl in YJ really sparked my interest and then I researched about her and I think I'm gonna love her. This fic is going to be my headcanon origins of Wonder Girl in YJ. It's entirely based on DCU continuity with several tweaks. Hopefully it would do the character justice.
+++
Wonder Girl: Beginnings
Chapter One:
Cassandra Sandsmark didn't mean to. She really planned on studying and acing that math test but more important stuff happened and, obviously, important stuff must always be prioritized first.
Her mom didn't believe her excuse. She could see right through her lie. That important stuff that she was talking about was most likely the live video streaming of Wonder Woman's speech online in celebration of Women's Month. Cassandra had ignored her studies in favor of watching the video and discussing in forums and chats.
Though her mom admitted that it was good that she was being up to date with current events and was vigorously in favor gender equality but she should still learn to prioritize. She should also check the news and support an advocacy because she cared about it and believe it herself. It shouldn't be for the sake of her favorite heroine. She couldn't depend her entire life on someone she would never meet.
Cassie's mother told her that she should learn to be more responsible. She should not keep wasting her time dressing up and acting like Wonder Woman on her free days. She shouldn't always sneak out into hero fan conventions. She also must not often end up in the principal's office too for getting involved in fights.
In Cassie's defense, she loves dressing up like Wonder Woman because she wants to be like Wonder Woman - a great female hero that everyone looks up to. She only have real fun and real friends in fan conventions. Lastly, it's always the bullies' fault that she gets into fights. She can't stand by and watch them terrorize their victims.
Her mom always frowns whenever she gives that excuse - that she was protecting others that's why she got hurt, that her real friends - people who really understand her passion, were in fan conventions, and that she was a bit of an odd one at school because of her character. While many of her schoolmates admire Wonder Woman, none was brave enough to live up to her ideals - fairness and justice. Only she had the nerve to do so. So despite her personality, most avoid her because she was a crazy hero fangirl who dreams to be like Wonder Woman someday.
It was at moments like that her mom would smile so gently and fondly at her. "I understand." she would always say. "You're my brave young girl who wouldn't be ashamed to fight for others. You have a big heart and I'm so proud of that." And then she would held her so tight, telling her that "You don't need to be Wonder Woman or any hero of another name. You are just fine as yourself. You are already perfect just as it is."
Those words. Those always meant a lot to Cassie. "I know, mom. But I still wanted to. It just feels right. It's just... sometimes I feel like I should be doing more. That I'm meant for something more."
Her mom would only answer her with a cryptic. "I know."
It was during a hero convention. Cassie was over the moon since the special feature on this one was Wonder Woman. Her joy was even doubled since her mom gave her permission to attend the event - complete with pocket money too. That was something that rarely happens.
She was in her Wonder Woman costume, mingling around and talking with her friends. It was all fun when suddenly someone, or rather someones, crashed into the event site. It turned out to be a battle between Decay and her heroine, Wonder Woman herself!
Panic and mayhem filled the building as everything around Decay crumbled to dust. People scrambled for the exit but the doors could not accommodate their huge number at the same time. They were stuck inside and if they don't get out soon, they would die.
Wonder Woman knew of the danger she had brought upon them and tried to lure the battle elsewhere. Decay knew about the heroine's intentions and instead of following Wonder Woman out of the building, she targeted them instead.
Cassie should have been afraid. This was the real deal. But instead, she felt excited because it was the real deal and she could be part of it.
The people were in danger. She had to do something to buy them some time to get out and for Wonder Woman to get back. Even a few seconds would suffice.
She had a crazy idea but it could work. Correction. She knew it would work.
"Hey!!!" Cassie yelled as she ran away from the crowd and towards Decay. She grabbed whatever she can - plates, cups, action figures and other hero paraphernalia, and threw them at the villainess as a distraction. The unusual harmless projectiles never hit her as they turn to dust within a feet distance from her but it served its purpose.
Enraged, Decay forgot about the escaping crowd and focus on her instead. She became even more furious at the sight of her. It must be because of her Wonder Woman costume.
Cassie thanked her lucky stars that she was part of her school's track and field team. Dodging and running was not easy especially when your pursuer was hell bent on killing you.
Adrenaline pumped into her veins as she jump through tables and zig zagged through booths. She grinned with pure glee when she crashed into the Batman booth and got herself a good number of fake batarangs which she promptly threw at Decay. She had to keep the villainess's attention solely on her. She had to buy everyone time to escape.
Her plan was going good until she forgot to pay attention to where she was running and tripped over something - she vaguely remember it was a broken chair leg. Cassie fell flat on the floor and barely had enough time to roll away from an attack by Decay. She had to get up and run again. But before she could do so, the villainess managed to grab hold of her ankle and sent her flying across the room.
Cassie mercifully hit the giant Superman Teddy Bear on display and landed on a sea of Justice League plushies. It cushioned her fall but it still hurt. Her body was already used to being banged up in fights but this wasn't the usual skirmish with the bullies. This was more intense and dangerous.
Decay approached her with a contemplative expression on her face.
"This is unusual. My powers didn't have that much effect on you." she said.
Cassie struggled to get up and gather her bearings. Decay's close presence made her feel a bit light headed and weak but she can still take her on. Yes, she can. She just have to think of her as a bully she beats up at school and not as a super villainess that can kill her with a single touch. She can fight her.
But as Decay stepped closer and closer, Cassie felt worse and worse. She was losing her focus.
"Just what are you, little girl?" Decay asked and reached a hand towards her face.
"Human. What else do you think?" Cassie spat back and avoided the offending appendage. She had to talk. It will be her give some time to recover. It can also confuse the enemy so she could get away. Talk,Cassie.Talk. "Guess with a face like yours, it will be impossible for you to know a human when you see one."
Damn it. That didn't come out right. She should really work more on witty comebacks.
"Oh?" Decay approached again. Her lips twisted in a vicious smile. "Well you thought wrong because..." The villainess's voice became eerily softer. "You're not entirely human at all, little girl."
Cassie blinked at that. What?
Taking advantage of her confusion and weakness, Decay tried to touch Cassie again but Wonder Woman had come back and wrenched her away.
Cassie snapped back into focus as the battle between Wonder Woman and Decay commenced once more. She looked around and saw that almost everyone in the convention was gone. Only a handful of people were still at the door. She had done enough. It was all right for her to leave now. Her mom will be worried since this will be over the news and she knew that she was here. Worse, her mom just knew that since she's here, she'll try to help even if it kills her. She had to go. Make a call or something to show her mother that she was alive and well.
But she can't.
To Cassie's shock and horror, she saw Wonder Woman being strangled by Decay. Her heroine's hair was slowly turning gray. Her skin slowly wrinkling and her body turning bony and old. Decay was killing her. Decay was winning.
Without much thought, Cassie yelled and jumped into the fray. She flung herself on Decay's back and latched her arm around her neck in what she hoped was a decent head lock. Cassandra punched the villainess in the face with her free hand. She hit her hard again and again. She hit her with all she's got.
"Let! Her! Go!"
She had to help Wonder Woman. She had to take Decay away from Wonder Woman. She won't let the heroine die. She won't.
Annoyed by her interference, Decay grabbed her by the hair and threw her hard on the floor. Cassie could have sworn that she heard her spine crack at the impact.
She didn't have much time to recuperate as Decay grabbed her by the neck. Fingers around her throat tightening and tightening. It was getting harder to breathe. She felt weaker and weaker. Her life, her energy - it felt like they were slowly seeping away from her.
Cassie's vision was getting blurry. She tried to struggle but it didn't do much. Breathe. Air. She needed air. Mom. Mom.
She could barely hear Decay chuckling.
"Well, whatever you are little girl, you're not entirely insusceptible to my powers. I can still kill you. It just takes a lot more effort and time."
The fingers around her throat became even tighter. "Goodbye, Wonder Girl."
Her as Wonder Girl. That sounded nice. Really nice.
Her oxygen was completely cut off. It was the end. Sorry, Mom.
Just when Cassie thought she was dead for good, the hands choking her suddenly disappeared. She then dropped on the floor. Weak and feeble but still conscious.
She wanted to get up but she felt comfortable just lying there. Maybe she should sleep. Sleep sounded a good idea. She could apologize to her mom later when she comes back home. She will be mad but Cassie was sure she will be proud once she tells her that she rescued a lot of people. That she helped Wonder Woman. That she took on Decay. Her mom was just like that - angry because she picked a fight but proud since she fought the good fight. Yes. That was right.
Cassie's eyes slowly closed.
Her mom would be proud.
She would be.
Cassandra then fell asleep with Decay's screams as her lullaby.