[center][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/486b167e474e3de106cc39dfccf7f8a9/tumblr_oxiqjx9JhY1w14pp3o3_500.gif[/img][/center][indent][sub][COLOR=FDE384][I]Washington, D.C.[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=FDE384][i]Present Day[/i][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr][indent][sup][COLOR=FDE384][b]Issue #3.03[/b][/color][/sup][/indent][center][color=FDE384]𝗪𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡[/color][/center]
[indent][indent]Arriving at the hotel near Capitol Hill, Diana exited out of Rogers' car and waved goodbye while it drove off. She wished him luck on his mission and headed towards the hotel. Once inside the lobby, Diana checked into a room and quickly headed towards an elevator. She wanted to remain unnoticed, but it was hard for her to hide from the world. Especially with her being on the news for the past couple of days. 

While on the elevator, Diana pulled out her phone and saw that Candy responded to the apology. Even know it was short, Diana didn't want to make excuses for leaving her friend behind in Transia and not answering any calls. She noticed that her phone started to ring and it was Candy calling. Diana answered the call and greeted her with a warm 'hello.'

[color=9370DB]"I forgive you, Diana. I understand why you decided to run. Just know that you have friends that can help you next time."[/color] Candy addressed the text message.

[color=FCDA63]"I will."[/color]

[color=9370DB]"Good."[/color] Candy said contentedly. [color=9370DB]"Anyway, are you sure that you can handle the committee? Keast can help you out."[/color]

[color=FCDA63]"I am grateful for her offer, but I have to do this on my own. I need to stand up for myself and my actions."[/color] Diana responded. 

[color=9370DB]"Alright, then. Have a good night, Diana. Don't forget that we will be supporting you tomorrow."[/color]

[color=FCDA63]"You too, Etta. Tell the others to have a good day."[/color] Diana hung up and put the phone away for the night. It was a peaceful night with the full moon shining brightly. She turned on the television and it played the local news which talked about tomorrow's committee. When she changed channels, there was another news channel talking about the best seller book, "Wonder Woman: Untold Stories of The First Superhero."

One of the news anchors, a young blonde woman, started talking about how the book revealed secrets about the superhero. She also mentioned how it became a best seller across the nation. The other news anchor, an older man with grey hair, introduced the author, Emmett Mueller. While both men were talking, Diana was astonished about not knowing a book about her was published. But then again, she was dealing with the footage being released. 

Suddenly, the woman brought up Trasnia and asked Mueller if that event caused increased sales of his book. 

[color=#CE603C]"Elizabeth,"[/color] Mueller answered with a grin. [color=#CE603C]"I believe that terrible event made people realized how Wonder Woman is a massive threat to the mortal man. Of course, you didn't need to know that mutants like her are the most significant threat in human history. Look at the two brave NYPD officers that were murdered by a mutant. Then, we have the X-Men that champions and protects mutants. What if they decide that enough is enough and fight back against us? Well, I hope that our government does something before it comes to that."[/color]

Diana turned the television off in frustration after listening to Mueller's rant. She needed to focus on the committee without having insignificant thoughts in her head. Instead of getting some rest, Diana prepared for tomorrow; however, she wanted to take one last look outside. It was a beautiful night despite the city lights preventing some of the stars from appearing. After staring at the night sky for a few minutes, Diana went back inside and started writing out a rough draft.[/indent][/indent]
[hr]
[center][url=https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/06/23/article-2346829-1A719304000005DC-923_634x477.jpg][color=white]"When a sighing begins
In the violins
Of the autumn-song

My heart is drowned
In the slow sound
Languorous and long"[/color][/url][/center]
[hr][indent][sup][COLOR=FDE384][b]Dunkirk // 1940[/b][/color][/sup][/indent][indent][indent]France was going to fall. Diana understood the harsh truth after learning that the Nazis successfully invaded the country. The French High Command knew that defeat was inevitable and gave up all hope despite her and Churchill's attempts at comfort. Now, the British were planning a daring evacuation without informing anyone. Diana was outraged when she learned that French and Belgian soldiers were being left behind. Naturally, she made her way to notify them of the evacuation, but she met resistance by someone close to her.

[color=5c9740]"Diana!"[/color] Steve Trevor shouted as loud as he could while running towards her. He took a moment to catch his breath and calmly said, [color=5c9740]"You cannot tell them about the evac."[/color]

[color=FCDA63]"Why not?!"[/color] Diana asked, clearly angry.

[color=5c9740]"Because we have orders from-."[/color]

[color=FCDA63]"Screw command! You are asking me to stay silent while thousands of young, scared men think there's no means of escape!"[/color] Diana interrupted and yelled at Trevor. She took a moment to collect herself and then started pleading, [color=FCDA63]"For the love of Hera, please don't make me lie to them. I already lied long enough."[/color]

[color=5c9740]"I am sorry, but we have to keep on lying. And I know it fucking sucks, but we need soldiers to stall the incoming German forces. If there isn't any resistance, about four hundred thousand men will either die or become their prisoners. We need those French and Belgian soldiers to believe in the lie."[/color] Steve responded and tried explaining to Diana the reason for the Command's decision to not tell.

[color=FCDA63]"I am sure that plenty of men will voluntarily stay behind-"[/color]

[color=5c9740]"Diana, that's foolish to believe that."[/color] Steve cold-heartedly said to Diana. [color=5c9740]"You said it yourself, these men are scared for their lives. And if there were a chance of escape, nobody in their right minds would stay here any longer and we won't have any protection. That means everyone is doomed."[/color]

[color=FCDA63]"It isn't fair. We have been retreating and losing since Poland."[/color] Diana said depressingly as if she sounded tried.

[color=5c9740]"I know."[/color]

[color=FCDA63]"Now, we are abandoning Europe to the hand of these Nazi bastards!"[/color] Diana cried out while waving one of their leaflets, showing that they were surrounded, at him. Then, she tore it into small pieces and threw them away.

[color=5c9740]"We aren't abandoning Europe. We need to regroup and come up with a better plan to retake it from the Nazis and beat them for good. And to do that, we need our boys back home. That means we have to make sacrifices to achieve a successful evacuation."[/color] Steve consoled.

Diana glanced at French soldiers carrying sandbags to form a makeshift defensive front. She breathed and looked back at Steve. [color=FCDA63]"Then, I am staying behind."[/color]

[color=5c9740]"What?!"[/color] Steve was surprised by her announcement.

[color=FCDA63]"If I have to lie, then I will standby their side while everyone else retreats."[/color] Diana explained her reasoning for staying with the soldiers.

Steve stared at Diana and begged her to not stay here.

[color=FCDA63]"Why can't I?"[/color]

[color=5c9740]"Because the whole world needs you."[/color] Steve sighed and placed his hand on her shoulder. [color=5c9740]"They need Wonder Woman to be there for them now. Nobody, not even you, can withstand the German military. We need you to protect Britain from any threat it will face. And when we are finally ready, we will need you to help us fight back. I know that you don't want these men to risk their lives, but their sacrifice will save the expeditionary force."[/color]

Diana curled her hands, made a fist, and started squeezing as hard as she could. She knew that Steve was right, but it didn't give her the needed peace in her mind. She looked down at the ground and muttered, [color=FCDA63]"You are right. Let's go back..."[/color]

[color=5c9740]"Thank you. I know this is hard, but I will make it up to you. I swear."[/color] Steve promised and started to make his way back to headquarters. Meanwhile, Diana turned towards the French soldiers finishing placing the sandbags. One of them saw Wonder Woman and waved at her while telling his pals about her. Each of the soldiers started to cheer on Wonder Woman and praising her heroic work. 

She responded with a smile and said chirpy, [color=FCDA63]"No, you are the real heroes! Keep on working!"[/color] Diana felt ill after the exchange.[/indent][/indent]
[hr]