9 Justice League Eternal War
Note: This is the 13th part of an ongoing series. The preceding installments are Justice League New Beginnings: DCAU Series Part 1; Justice League Second Strike: DCAU Series part 2; Justice League Past Imperfect: DCAU Series Part 3; Justice League Nuptials: DCAU Series Part 4; Justice League Cardinal Sin: DCAU Series Part 5; Justice League Twice Shy: DCAU series Part 6; Justice League Darkness: DCAU Series Part 7; Justice League Family Affairs: DCAU Series Part 8; Justice League Conflict: DCAU Series Part 9; Justice League Crossroads: DCAU Series Part 10; Justice League the Corps: DCAU Series Part 11; and Justice League Family Ties: DCAU Series Part 12 Events and personal developments from these installments will be referenced with little warning or back story given. If Part 13 raises any questions, I suggest you read the previous stories.
Additional Note: Reviewers are highly appreciated. I need to know what I'm doing right and/or wrong so I can either do it again or not do it at all the next time `round.
Additional Note #2: This is my seventh outing with animeluverqueen as my Beta Reader. I owe her a lot for her efforts and insights.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Justice League concepts, actualization, characters, or depictions thereof (such as the DCAU). All such intellectual and actual rights are properties of DC Comics and Warner Bros Animation which are both owned by Time Warner. I'm not making any money off of this. Hopefully I'm entertaining a few folks, but that's it. Do not sue me!
Maxima activated her yacht's controls. Her personal guard stood watch outside as the inevitable horde of rebels found them. They had stormed the barricades and smashed their way into the palace. In fact, they had been making life a hellscape for five months now. Ever since her daughter had returned from exile.
Maxima wanted to swear and utter vile curses regarding Kalea's return. Somehow though, she could do it. Her daughter was safe, far safer than she was on that bleak world that Maxima had left her on to die. And of all people to bring her back to the empire, it had to be Marcus.
Marcus was Kalea's first and truest love. His "death" had shattered her. She'd never recovered from that bleak spiral. It had led her to overthrow her mother and ferry a fleet to Earth and attack her father's charges. Kal-El had endured torments at his eldest daughter's hands yet he still had it in him to try and forgive her in the end. He had objected to Kalea's exile on Argo. He had endorsed a plan to "love her through it." As noble as that sounded, it was hopelessly naïve.
Kalea was damn lucky to escape execution. Maxima had hungered to give that order after she'd been restored to her throne. As long as she lived, Kalea would prove to be a threat to Almerac and the Kyneerian Empire. And somehow Marcus had returned from the dead and rescued Kalea from a frozen death.
A small part of Maxima's heart cheered at her daughter's survival and of her being at the side of the man she so desperately loved but the rest of her just wished she'd killed the brat while she had the opportunity. Kalea, no doubt at Marcus' behest, had thrown in the Democratic Rebellion. A few years ago, Maxima had ordered her agents to kill Kalea's lover because of his association with the Democratic movement.
Even as she negotiated a match between Kalea and Marcus she had agents in play to kill him. She'd never confessed her sin to Kalea. Her agents had made it seem as though the rebels themselves had eliminated Marcus. This in turn rallied the nobles to Maxima's cause. Yet it also cost her her daughter's love.
Even if Kalea didn't know the truth behind Marcus' death she knew that Maxima had profited by it. That twisted the girl with hate. A lifetime's worth of neglect and abandonment manifested as the rawest hatred. Her path towards madness had almost been predestined. And now Marcus had unleashed that madness on the Imperial throne.
Maxima wasn't a fool. She had all of the access codes changed as soon as Kalea left Almerac. It didn't matter. Kalea had obviously been a more astute student of the arts of warfare than even Maxima. She hacked every code, entered every computer, and penetrated all levels of security. The Democrats rose up across the worlds. The subject worlds threw off their shackles and the Imperial Fleet awaited the order to reduce the rebellious worlds to glass.
Even on Almerac the subjects had revolted. Noble house after noble house fell as the servants killed their masters. Marcus and Kalea united the rabble and set them forth with one goal: to overrun the palace and take Maxima captive. The pair had come out of hiding into plain sight just for the occasion.
All of the planetary defenses turned against the military. The auto cannons on the ground pummeled the imperial cruisers in orbit. Having no order to retaliate, the commanders withdrew out of the line of fire. Maxima was horrified to learn that the palace's defenses had also turned against her guards. The rabble soon tore down the gates and stormed the castle.
Maxima was forced to retreat to her private hangar and board her yacht and prepare it for immediate launch. She received a desperate call from the Captain of the Guard. He and his ablest cohort were further inside the palace desperately fighting to slow the horde down. He begged Maxima to lift off. A gurgling sound marked the last time she would ever hear his voice again. The guards outside the ship rushed towards the entrance.
Maxima sealed the hatches and fired the thrusters. As she swung the ship about, she saw Kalea on her monitors. Maxima held position and Kalea stared up at the yacht. It was if she were staring into her mother's eyes. The image of the hatred seething out of Kalea's organic eye would haunt Maxima until the end of her days.
She fired the thrusters and they bowled over every rebel except Kalea. Maxima knew that Kalea could fly. It was part of her dual Almeracian-Kryptonian heritage. Most Almeracians could merely hover and barely propel themselves along. The nobles were capable of true flight. Kalea though. She was capable of feats of greatness.
Yet for all of her ability, she let her mother go. When asked about it later she would merely say she thought the auto cannons would finish the job. But Kalea knew as well as her mother that the royal yacht was exempt from defense protocols. The sensors wouldn't even register the yacht's existence.
As such, Maxima sailed past the ground based weaponry, the orbital gun platforms, the automated drones that filled the system, and the mines lacing the asteroid belts. Not knowing where else to go, Maxima set course for Earth. Kal-El found it hospitable enough. Despite Kalea's incessant whining about how ignorant the natives were, Maxima had fond memories of Earth. Of course most of those memories had been forged while fornicating with Kal-El.
She sighed as she slipped the yacht into hyperspace. Kal-El was married now to Princess Diana. Why he would settle for a mere princess when he could've had an empress was beyond her. On top of it, he'd impregnated her. Diana's child had been female so Kal-El also had a younger daughter to go with Kalea.
She idly wondered if his child had been born yet. Shaking herself out of her reverie, she allowed herself to worry about how she would be received. Thanks to Kalea's bungling Almeracians weren't very welcome on Earth anymore. If she was properly up on the news, the people of Earth had learned to accept Shayera Hol as a hero even though she was Thanagarian and the humans had a twisted history with her people.
Still, if they could accept a mere Thanagarian than they should love an empress from Almerac. She mentally winced as she amended "empress" to "refugee." Maxima no longer had any standing. Before she'd exiled Kalea she'd stripped her daughter of all rank and title. She was declared a non-citizen, not even worthy of the title "slave."
Now Kalea had reversed things on her mother. Maxima didn't have anything beyond the basic provisions granted by this yacht. She was nothing, a nobody, with no value to anyone. Her heart burned as she desperately clung to the hope Ka-El, and even his wife, would embrace her and offer her sanctuary. They were modest as far as hopes went but it wasn't like she could afford big ones any more.
Clark and Diana watched with delight as eighteen month old Alyssa Dibny attempted to play with five month old Alexandra Kent. Diana had floated several options around before Clark bought into one. The others were far more traditional. While unique in this day and age they also would have forced Alexandra into a lifetime of trying to explain her name without giving away her mother's Amazon heritage.
Diana adoringly called Alexandra by her full given name. Clark, being Clark, called her "Alex." It was a struggle the Dibnys knew well since Sue referred to Alyssa by her full name while Ralph annoyed Sue by calling his daughter "Ally." As their children got to know one another the mothers commiserated on the inability of their husbands to use a proper name even after consenting to it. It was like they were undermining the mother's authority right from the start.
Waller made an unexpected stop in the day care center. Sue grimaced and squeezed Diana's hand as she exited, "Glad to have you back."
"Ralph, don't you have somewhere to be? Waller inquired.
"Nope," he blithely replied.
"Doesn't Hula Hula have you scheduled for monitor duty right now?" Waller tried again as sweetly as she could.
"Nope," Ralph was less certain this time though.
"Yes, he does," Waller said in a menacing tone, "Now get going before I disturb the children."
"Okay," Ralph kvetched, "No need to get huffy. Sheesh."
Waller watched his every step as he proceeded down the corridor. She shook her head as she re-entered the day care, "At least he's headed in the right direction."
"Can we help you, Amanda?" Clark asked with a broad smile.
"I just wanted to wish you a warm welcome. Since it's your first day back I expect J'onn will be filling you in on what's been happening," Waller shared.
"Has anything significant happened while we were away?" Diana was suddenly concerned.
Waller shook her head, "No, nothing like that. The League just wasn't the same without you two."
Clark wore a beaming smile, obviously pleased with the comment. During Diana's pregnancy and Alex's first five months he made Metropolis his primary concern again. He'd waited for the JLU to come bring him back but that day never happened. Obviously they'd gotten along without them.
Diana looked touched. She knew how hard it was for Waller to hand out praise, even indirect praise like this. She'd about gone out of her mind during the pregnancy. The ever creeping boredom had been pervasive. It had gotten so bad she'd accepted a desk job at the Hall as Maven's assistant. It turned out she had quite an eye for detail and was a superb paper jockey.
Then there had been the joy that was Alexandra. Every day with her was precious. Watching her discover things most people took for granted was a joint adventure. Diana knew how much of an adventure it was since she'd been an adult when she traveled to Man's World and discovered a broader life than her island refuge.
"Stop looking so insufferably pleased with yourselves," Waller commanded, "The League 'needs' you because you're powerful image. The 'Power Couple' or so it were. The thought of facing you two has nearly every criminal, wannabe super villain, terrorist, and would be dictator quaking in their collective boots. Let's face it, you're our primary deterrent. The mere threat of facing the Power Couple keeps folks in check when they'd otherwise like to abandon their scruples."
Diana found Clark looking at her. As she recognized the mirth that was there. The term "Power Couple" brought a smile to both their faces. It wasn't strictly amusement either. There was a sense of pride in being such a powerful force against evil.
"Okay, change of topic before you two's heads explode," Waller segued to her actual question, "Are you two planning on attending Galatea's wedding?"
Clark looked distinctly uncomfortable and he hesitated as Diana gave an unequivocal, "Yes."
Now Waller was amused, "I think you two need to talk this out."
As she left, Clark gruffly said; "I think we need to find a private room."
"You have the enhanced senses. Find us one," Diana was already steeling herself for a fight.
"The rec room is clear. Let's use that," Clark suggested.
"Fine," Diana growled.
The recreation room was empty. As soon as they entered Diana wheeled on Clark, "Now what is it you wish to discuss?"
Clark blinked. He'd expected to be the one on the attack but Diana looked ready to kick his butt. And she nearly could too. Forcing aside his hesitancy, after all, that trait started this mess, he blurted out, "How can you tell Waller that I'm going to Galatea's wedding?"
"Because you are!" Diana declared, "That girl, that woman, has served in our stead since we left and the world is better for it. I know I feel safer knowing she's on the watch."
"Well, I don't!" Clark snapped.
"At least pretend to share her happiness for one day. You owe her that after she got us out of Kalea's clutches," Diana reminded him, "Because if you don't I'm going to beat you over the head with Shayera's mace."
Clark suddenly grinned, "Like she'll let you have it."
"Have what?" Shayera asked as she and John entered the room.
Clark went a little wide eyed as Diana's threat became that much closer to reality.
"Clark is refusing to go to Galatea's wedding. I threatened to beat some sense into him with your mace unless he changes his mind," Diana explained.
Shayera unhooked the mace from her belt and handed it over to Diana, "Here. Have at."
Clark blanched as Diana hefted it and took its weight and feel. She smiled at Shayera, "Thank you. This should only take a minute or two."
"Now wait a minute!" Clark was beginning to get a little panicky.
"Why don't you want to attend?" John suddenly took the role as the voice of reason. Shayera shot her husband a dirty look. Quite frankly, she was going to enjoy this tussle.
Clark took the measure of everyone in the room. They all wanted an answer to that question. He sighed, "She shouldn't exist."
"Say what?" Now Shayera was getting irked. He just couldn't win.
"Emil Hamilton stole those blood samples from Kara and after vowing no blood had ever been drawn. Galatea was created not born and she was created to be a weapon. A weapon to be used against the League, especially against Kara and I. She attacked the Watchtower and nearly killed everyone aboard," Clark replayed her history; "She escaped from confinement and joined the Legion of Doom. Can we all say that together? The Legion of Doom!"
Clark was into his topic now, "Afterwards we all know how Galatea met Blackhawk and she turned her life around. She left the Legion and joined the Global Guardians. Then she was eventually asked to join us at the Justice League."
His eyes narrowed and his anger began to eke through, "But what if it's all been a lie? What if she's fooled us all just to be in the perfect position to strike at us?"
Shayera snatched the mace out of Diana's hands and lunged at Clark. She found herself stopped by a giant green hand construct holding her around the waist.
"Are you completely stupid?" Shayera demanded to know.
"I don't think…" Clark began to say.
"Think? Is that what you call it?" Shayera scornfully shot back at him.
"Clark…" Diana's cool, clear, rational voice suddenly stilled the air. Even Shayera quit struggling.
"You will go to Galatea's wedding and you will be the perfect picture of shared joy or Alexandra and I are returning to Themiscrya and you will never see us again," Diana's tone was soft but the resolute menace was there.
Clark's shoulders sagged, "How can I say 'no'?"
Diana tenderly put a hand to his cheek and caressed it, "I knew you could be reasonable. Have a little faith. You used to have it for all beings whether they be born in a laboratory or not."
Clark slowly nodded as her words struck deeply in his heart, "You're right."
Diana's responding smile was loving, "Of course I'm right. That's why you married me."
"Pay attention, Lantern," Shayera advised John.
"As if I don't already know it," John chuckled and swept her up into his arms.
L-Ron chose that moment to interrupt. Shayera gave John a wry look before addressing the mechanoid, "How are you doing, L-Ron?"
"Don't mind me, your Hawkness. You and Green Lantern can resume snogging. My errand is to interrupt Supes and Wondy," L-Ron announced.
"What is it?" Diana asked.
"The monitor room crew has picked up some activity around the Fortress of Solitude," L-Ron shared.
"There's been more and more activity in that region now that the Arctic's warming," Clark countered.
"Ah yes, but the Fortress' alarms triggered our alarms so I'm officially dumping it in your lap," L-Ron duly informed him.
"Why did the alarms go off?" Clark was beginning to see the point if this exercise.
"A spacecraft landed on the Fortress," L-Ron divulged, "Not just any space craft, mind you, but one identified by your systems as being Maxima's personal yacht."
"Maxima?" Diana suddenly asked, "As in Almerac?"
"You got it in one," L-Ron told her.
"What would Maxima being doing here?" Clark wondered.
"That's what her Administrativeness and her Chief Operationalist wants you two to find out," L-Ron finally got to the heart of the matter.
"Why us?" Clark asked. Diana punched his arm.
"Your house, your…ah….history, and your fabled response time," L-Ron recited, "Now, if I were you I'd leave already. You were supposed to be there ten minutes ago," L-Ron happily replied.
"How are we…" Clark never finished because Diana put a finger to his lips.
"The how doesn't matter. Let's just go," she urged.
"You're right again," Clark stared down at L-Ron, "Let J'onn know we're leaving."
L-Ron chuckled, "Who do you think sent me to find you?"
"But you said…" Clark started to protest.
"Clark!" Diana said accusingly, "Maxima is waiting. Let us arrive before she puts her empire into a second war with Earth and accomplishes what Kalea failed to do."
At the reminder of his eldest daughter's insane invasion, he hurried to follow her. L-Ron shook his head, "Gets easier every day."
"Go easy on them, L-Ron," Shayera urged, "They just got back."
"They think I'm bad? They're parents now. Wait until their kid gets older," he smarted off and left.
John and Shayera shared a meaningful look. The topic of children had a slight sting for them. Fortunately they had the promise of the future so they wouldn't give up.