The Bounty Hunter

Part Two

"Julia, I confess to doing this interview under protest." Princess Diana of Themyscira tossed a light blue sheath dress over her body. Smoothing out her dress, she thought of more important things she could be doing instead of giving an interview.

"Is that any surprise from your other interviews?" Julia Kapatelis asked, patiently waiting for Diana to emerge from her changing curtain.

For the past four months, they have had disagreements with the press and how much coverage they were to have on Diana and her life. It was increasingly becoming an annoyance for Diana. For the first time, it was actually becoming a strain on Diana and Julia's friendship.

Julia Kapatelis was the first person Diana met when coming to Patriarch's World. A professor of Greek History, Julia was one of few people to understand Diana in Themysciran. She taught her English, was a mentor to Diana as she navigated through the world as a young woman finding her purpose and discovering the best ways to use her gifts to help the world. She was a second mother to Diana and confidante. So much so that when Diana created the Themysciran Embassy, Julia resigned from her job as Greek Professor to become Diana's personal assistant and help the Themysciran Princess in running the Themysciran Embassy.

Diana always listened to Julia's advice, even when giving interviews to the media but the increasing, intrusive questions on her personal life was growing bothersome. "I've been in this world for six years and it's the same questions, Julia," Diana sighed. "I'm tired of it."

Julia could only sympathize. She wouldn't like it either if the media spent more time on her personal life and not on the work she was doing to help mankind. "I know, dear, but you can't ostracize yourself from the press. You're Wonder Woman. You're leader of the Justice League. You are ambassador from what many thought were a mythical race. You want to use your gifts and Themysciran philosophy to bring peace to this crazy world. On top of all that, you're a princess and the world's most beautiful woman."

Diana stepped from her changing curtain and went to her bed. Sitting on her bed, she slipped on her silver sandals and laced one up her left calf. "I'm not leader of the Justice League. I share that role with Batman and J'onn."

"You three may lead the Justice League but most of the members take their lead from you, Diana. The press calls you three a trinity."

Diana frowned at the media nickname given to her, Batman and J'onn. She slipped on her other sandal. "I wouldn't call us a trinity. We don't work together that smoothly. Besides," she paused in the middle of her lacing, "something is missing to make us a trinity. I'm not sure what."

"A special connection?" Julia guessed. "I know you three trust each other implicitly. You respect each other."

Diana finished lacing her leg. "We do but Batman still holds himself off from everyone. He trusts J'onn but he didn't have a choice since J'onn has the ability to read minds. It wasn't a natural buildup to a friendship. It took a while for Batman and me to trust each other. I'm good friends with Batman and J'onn but Batman holds himself back with J'onn and sometimes me. There is a missing piece to connect us together."

Diana stood and went to her dresser. She gently ran a brush through her hair. "This missing piece isn't only with Batman, J'onn and I. It's with everyone in the Justice League. There are some who side with me more than Batman and others who side with J'onn. I'm the closest to becoming an equal voice for everyone but it's not by much." Diana placed her brush on the dresser. "This is the last interview for a while, Julia. Promise me."

"I promise. I know you don't care for these interviews but the people are fascinated with you. It's not every day a beautiful princess from an island of Amazon women come to this world to save it from destruction. There isn't a woman like you on Earth, Diana." Julia opened the makeup case on Diana's dresser. "A woman gifted with strength, wisdom and speed of Greek Gods; a compassionate woman of intelligence, empathy with animals and gorgeous to boot."

Julia rubbed lipstick on a lipstick brush and applied it to Diana's lips. Diana wasn't pleased with the ritual as she wasn't a big fan of makeup but agreed to it. "Men want you and women want to be you."

Diana waited until Julia was done with her lips to say, "I rather women be proud of who they are and not try to be someone else. I don't want men to desire me for my looks."

"I know but that's the way it is in this world." Julia applied a light blush to Diana's cheeks. "Women follow glamour and fashion by actresses, singers, models and princesses to keep up with the latest trend. Men will always desire beautiful women. Women use their beauty to attract men but it's the smart women who use their wits and charms to keep them." Julia closed the blush compact and placed it and the brush back in its case. "You're ready. Let's go."

The two left the room and as they walked towards the sitting room, Julia noticed Diana appearing stiff. "Oh, do loosen up, Diana. I think all this work with the Justice League and Embassy has made you stiff and uptight."

"Stiff? Uptight?" Diana wanted to laugh. "You do understand my work is serious. It's not a juggling act."

"I know, dear, but you've been juggling so much lately. I think it would be nice if you laugh once in a while; find the humor in things. When was the last time you were home?" Julia couldn't remember and she doubt if Diana could. "It would do you some good to go on a nice retreat and come back refresh."

"You mean a vacation?" Diana stopped at the door.

"Yes!" Julia said brightly. "A vacation."

Diana kissed Julia's temple. She was so sweet and thoughtful at times. "Thank you, Julia, but I don't need a vacation." She placed her hand on the doorknob. "I need to get through this interview."

Diana entered the sitting room where her interviewer, Myndi Mayer, waited. Myndi's television crew were putting the finishing touches on the cameras and lighting for Diana and Myndi. Also in the room were two members of Diana's security, keeping an eye on Myndi's crew.

Diana didn't know much about Myndi Mayer except she started out as a reporter for the Boston Globe, who quit to start a talent agency for celebrities and quitting that to star in her own nationally syndicated entertainment news show. Myndi Mayer had a reputation for being crass and brass but Diana was interviewed by Lois Lane. She felt if she can handle her, she can handle anyone.

Myndi Mayer rose from her seat to shake Diana's hand. Myndi reeked of cigarettes and perfume. She was a woman in her late fifties and dripped in plastic surgery. She had her breasts increased from a size B to size D, a tummy tuck, a face lift and a bad Botox job. Seeing Diana, an epitome of a perfect woman, forced a phony smile on the woman. Wonder Woman got her looks for free. Myndi had to pay for it. She hated that. Why couldn't she be gifted like Wonder Woman? "It's such an honor to finally meet you, Wonder Woman. I admire you so much."

"Thank you, Ms. Mayer." Diana took her seat across from Myndi. "I understand you are a pioneer in women as well. Not many women have their own television show. You worked to your position alone. That's something many women can admire. If you are passionate in your beliefs and you work hard, you can achieve your dreams."

Myndi wanted to gag. Please. You didn't have to suck off, screw and blackmail men to get where you are. You just show up in a swimsuit and men just line up to do what you want. Myndi pasted her phony smile. "A compliment by you. That's quite an honor. I know you have a busy schedule so I won't take long."

Diana smiled, "That's so kind of you."

Myndi wanted to roll her eyes. Bitch, do you have to act so kind? "They call you Wonder Woman because you seem to be the woman to have it all: looks, intelligence, confidence and strength. You hold your own with the male superheroes, fight evil villains like Cheetah, the Joker and a sorceress, Circe. You run an Embassy hoping to spread your mission of peace to the world. How do you do it all?"

"Not alone that's for sure," Diana joked lightly. "My mother and Amazon sisters are a great source of counsel for me. I have my friends in the Justice League and I have my staff in the Embassy. I couldn't possibly do this without them."

"Speaking of the Justice League, most consider you as the leader. How does it feel to be the most powerful in a group of superheroes? How does it feel to order men around?" That was something Myndi loved about her position. "Do the alpha male heroes resent you?"

"I believe it's the media who considers me as the leader of the Justice Leader," Diana corrected Myndi. "Batman, the Martian Manhunter and I equally lead the organization. I don't consider myself the most powerful. We are all strong together as one solid unit. If the unit is powerful, then we are all powerful."

Myndi nodded in understanding. What a bunch of crap!

"I don't order the males around," Diana continued. "The male heroes do not resent me. We all respect each other. We all know we can't do this without each other."

"You don't think the males resent you when you are not around?" Myndi tried to get a rise out of Diana. "Perhaps they do resent you but do not voice it because they hope to have a chance to get between your legs."

Julia's gasp could be heard on camera. She turned to a security guard. "What did she say?"

The guard started, "She said the male Justice—"

Julia slapped his arm and hissed, "I know what she said. I just can't believe she said it."

Diana maintained her cool. She wasn't surprised as Julia seemed to be the interview was going in that direction. "Despite the attraction some male members of the Justice League have towards me, we value our friendship and respect each other above all else. The men will follow my instructions on a mission and if they have an idea, I and the other women follow that. We have the same goal: to protect the people of this planet and if our powers our needed on other worlds, we protect and aide the people there. There isn't misogyny among us."

Myndi leaned forward. "Between us women, let me tell you, there is always misogyny between men. Men, no matter how open and liberal they claim to be, do not like a powerful women. They rather take orders from a man."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Ms. Mayer." Diana was apologetic. "I know there are men like that. I've encountered them and it makes me feel very blessed to know the men in the Justice League aren't like that."

Well, you are certainly blessed everywhere, aren't you? Myndi tartly thought. "One of the many things women admire about you is your strength of criticism. You don't let it get to you."

"Many people speak on what they do not understand. Why take words from them personally?"

"It doesn't bother you the media calls you ODD?"

Diana felt Myndi fishing for a reaction. Diana vowed to not give it to her. "It doesn't matter to me the media thinks I'm odd. Perhaps I do things that are but I'm comfortable with myself and that's more important."

"No, not odd," Myndi corrected Diana, "but ODD: One Date Diana. The press calls you that when you are seen on a date. You never have a second date with the men you are seen with." The words garnered no reaction from Diana. "You haven't heard the headlines ODD Strikes Again?"

"I don't have any interest in gossip columns, Ms. Mayer. I'm interested in political and world news that affects the people on this planet and ODD is never mentioned there."

Not the response Myndi wanted. "You have no reaction to being called One Date Diana?"

"No, I do not." Diana smiled again. "It's only the truth. I've only been on one date with the men I have dated. I guess the media got it right this time."

She was laughing at herself and not taking it seriously or at least not being offended by it like Myndi wanted. She wanted Diana angry, bitter. She needed something for her show. Time to push it up a notch. "Well, people have wondered why after one date with a man, you drop them. Were these dates one night stands?"

She's bold. She really must want a reaction to ask me that. "No, they were not. I prefer not to lead anyone on. The point of a first date is to get to know each other enough to see if a second date or a possible relationship is there. If my date and I do not share any mutual interest that can lead to a second date, what is the point in continuing to court? Would we not be wasting each other's time and delaying ourselves from meeting the person we are meant to be with?"

Damn! Why does she have to speak so eloquently? "You make sense to a point, Wonder Woman. It's the men you have been with that puts a wrench in your logic. You've gone on dates with attractive, successful men. There was Major Steve Trevor, King Gushén from Flint Island, the British actor Charles Ryder, New York Governor Mark Brody, Greek Historian Ben Sterling, CEO Paul Lynch…." Myndi paused at her list. "It goes on and on. After dating so many diverse men, you found nothing in common with them to go on a second date?"

"No, I didn't." Diana was blunt. "Isn't that what dating is all about? To meet different people until you find the one you are attracted to? I've been dating for three years. There are men and women who have dated much longer than I and still have not found the one."

There was a touch of annoyance in Diana's voice. Myndi knew she was getting to her. "Perhaps you are not looking in the right spot."

Diana was confused. "I don't follow you, Ms. Mayer."

"Are you a lesbian?" Myndi brusquely asked.

Julia slapped a hand on her forehead. The security guards' mouths dropped. Even Myndi's crew thought she went too far with the question.

Diana almost smirked. She had to give Myndi credit. She didn't expect that. "If I were a lesbian, Ms. Mayer, I wouldn't go on dates with men."

"Maybe you are in the closet."

"I have nothing to hide, Ms. Mayer."

"Are you sure you're not a lesbian?" Myndi thrust her chest forward in a silly attempt to lure Diana to look and if she did, Myndi would say it loud and proud that she 'out' Wonder Woman. "Maybe you don't know it. You go on dates with men one time. Obviously, you are not finding what you need with them. There are people who were married to the opposite sex for years before they realized they were gay. There's a famous TV Mom who had multiple husbands and didn't realize until she was in her fifties she was a lesbian."

Diana didn't fall for Myndi's trick. "I know enough on my first date that I don't need to go on another."

"Maybe something will happen on the next date to spark that attraction. If you grew up on an island of women and you're not attracted to them, how will you know if you are attracted to anyone?"

Myndi had a point and yet she was wrong. "I know myself. I know what I want and what interests me and if I do not find that on a date there is nothing wrong in not continuing it."

Myndi wanted to scowl. Pretty women are such bitches. Dropping men when they lose interest where us unattractive women have to hold on to a guy and do things we don't want to hold on to them. "If men don't stimulate you and women don't either, does that mean you are asexual?"

The accusation threw Diana. "What?"

Myndi smiled. Finally a reaction from Diana. Now that she was on a role, she wasn't going to stop now. "Do you masturbate?'

Julia's jaw dropped. The male crew in the room started to chuckle and awaited with keen interest on the answer.

If the camera wasn't on Diana, she would've had the same reaction as Julia. "Excuse me?"

"You said you know what you want. You know yourself. How can you know yourself unless you masturbate? Don't Amazons do that? If I were on an island with no men, I would masturbate constantly. I would be so bored being on an island with women."

Julia put a hand over her heart. "If Queen Hippolyta ever sees this, she will kill me for letting Diana go through this."

"Each Amazon responds to sex differently. Some give into the pleasures and feelings it evokes alone or with a partner while other Amazons take vows of continence, to show mastery of the physical body. It can be very healthy and liberating."

"Guess that means you never had the big O," Myndi quipped.

Julia had enough of this. She stepped into view, blocking the camera in front of Diana. "That's enough. You lied on why you wanted this interview. I know what your game is. You will not embarrass Wonder Woman just so you can get ratings for your show!"

The hell she wasn't and Myndi wasn't going to lose a chance at higher ratings because of Julia Kapatelis! She might be a protective Mama bear when Queen Hippolyta isn't around but Myndi wasn't going to be intimidated by her. "I'm only showing the real Wonder Woman. A stuck up beauty who is sexually repressed, picky, preachy, never-giving-a-man-a-chance woman who needs one good, long hard-"

"Cut the cameras, give me the video and get out!" Julia snapped. "Your type of reporting isn't wanted!"

Myndi rose from her seat. She was shorter than Julia by four inches but she wasn't going to be insulted by Julia's height and anger. "I'm not giving you my video! I have freedom of speech! This is America!"

Julia held her hand out and sternly said, "Give it to me or I will have Batman get it for me and you know he can. If by some chance he can't, there's Green Lantern, the Flash, the Martian Manhunter and the rest of the Justice League. I will not have you mislead the public about Diana just so you can get ratings for your show!"

Julia Kapatelis Myndi Mayer could handle. No way could she take on the Justice League. She snarled at her cameramen. "Give her the video." To Diana, she said, "You can't hide behind your assistant forever. One day the world will know what you're really like."

The cameramen pulled out the discs from their cameras and gave it to Julia. "You people have ten minutes to leave. Security will escort you out!"

Julia turned to see Diana had already left the room. She turned her attention to the security detail. "Watch them and make sure they leave without taking anything." Julia hurried after Diana. She caught up with Diana as she neared her office. "Diana, I'm so sorry. I didn't know Myndi Mayer would ask those questions."

"Reporters are often misleading." Diana brushed the matter off. "Don't worry. It's not the first time I had my sexuality questioned."

No, it wasn't. Many male journalists and bloggers questioned it as well. On the Internet, there were polls of Diana's sexuality and what celebrity, male or female, should Diana be with. Some people even took to writing stories of Diana falling in love with mythic creatures and public figures.

Julia didn't like the way Myndi approached Diana but the older woman had to admit Myndi was right in one thing. "If you don't want those people to think those things, it would help if you go on more than one date with a guy."

"People think what they want to fit their opinions. They wouldn't believe the truth if it doesn't fit their ideas." Diana stepped into her office. "Why should I go on more than one date with a man if I'm not interested? Why keep up the pretense?"

Julia wondered if Diana believed what she was saying. Diana never said it but Julia knew there were times Diana was lonely. She knew Diana was disappointed when her dates didn't pan out but Diana kept her feelings hidden in that strong wall of hers. "Sometimes you need more than one date. It took me three dates before I saw potential in my late husband."

"That may work for you, Julia, but not me. I have too much to do." She smiled wryly at Julia. "Could it be Julia, there isn't anyone for me?"

Julia didn't believe that one bit. "There's someone for everyone, darling, especially for a woman as intelligent and beautiful as you. Your Gods wouldn't be so cruel."

It would be right up their alley. "You don't know the Greek Gods well, do you, Julia? I am content being with myself. I have my mother, sisters, friends and my work to keep me occupied. I am living a very fulfilled life."

At that moment, Diana's comlink beep. Julia noticed a shift in Diana's demeanor. "What's wrong?"

"Circe in Washington, D.C.," Diana pushed opened her balcony doors as she prepared to take flight. "I have to go."

Julia watched Diana fly off in pity. "A very fulfilled life? Twenty-seven years of naiveté. How sad."

Diana wasn't so far off she couldn't hear Julia. "I heard that, Julia, and you're wrong."


The battle was getting ugly. Washington, D.C. was under attack by Circe and her Beastiamorphs. Circe floated over the city cackling like a witch at the destruction she created. She attacked the politicians in the United States Capitol, where Congress met. She turned them all into the symbol of their party: elephants and donkeys. She turned the President who was visiting Congress that day into an eagle.

Wonder Woman led the charge to stop the chaos. With her, were Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, the Martian Manhunter, Vixen, Black Canary and Flash. While Diana targeted Circe, the Justice League subdued the riots on the streets.

"Beautiful. Simply beautiful."

Unbeknownst to the heroes on Earth, they were being watched by Darkseid and Desaad on Apokolips.

Desaad looked at his Lord and Master puzzled. "The battle?" Desaad questioned. "Circe had the advantage but now she is engaged in a battle with Wonder Woman and she's losing." He pointed to the screen in Darkseid's War Room that showed the battle. Wonder Woman punched Circe so hard it even had Desaad wincing.

"Not that," Darkseid scowled. "Her. Wonder Woman."

Wonder Woman ensnared Circe in her lasso and was demanding she return the people in Washington, D.C. to normal.

Desaad looked at Wonder Woman, Darkseid and back to Wonder Woman. The fact his Lord was attracted to Wonder Woman was very repulsive to him. He wasn't attracted to anything. He didn't have that emotion. He was more drawn to torturing people. Of course he couldn't tell Darkseid he disagreed with him. "Well, yes, she is beautiful." Desaad couldn't believe he said that. Torturing a few slaves would get the disgusting taste of complimenting Wonder Woman out of his mouth.

"She will be mine," Darkseid vowed.

Desaad looked at his master perplexed. "Sire?"

"She's strong, a skilled warrior, very intelligent, beloved by the Gods and very beautiful. I could make her a Fury if I wanted but she would do better giving me a powerful child. A child better than the bastard Kalibak and that disgraceful Orion."

"Uh, yes," Desaad agreed nervously. How many women was he planning to bed and get a child out of? Desaad saw no interest in women unless it was to torture them. All these years, Desaad thought he would get to do that when Darkseid put his focus on Earth. Now it seemed he wouldn't get the chance to torture the Amazon. "You plan to court Wonder Woman?"

Darkseid scowled at Desaad again. His glowing eyes caused Desaad to tremble in fear. He wished he had not eaten earlier. It was threatening to come up. "I, Darkseid, do not court any woman. I will take her and force her to be my bride."

"Bride?" Desaad couldn't hide his repulsion. "Why marry? Just rape her and force her to carry your seed."

Darkseid smiled, scaring Desaad again. Last time he looked like that, he disintegrated a Lowly with his Omega Beam. "If she is my wife, it would really stick it to the Gods and her Justice League. Having her verbally say she will be my wife is much more effective than her just carrying my child. The epitome of truth and justice, my bride, carrying my seed."

"Won't it cause a problem if you take her? The Justice League will know and follow you here."

"I have a plan where the Justice League will not know it is I who captured Wonder Woman. They would not think she is here until it's too late."

"Your mind is always working," Desaad praised Darkseid. "How do you plan to do that?"

"It's time I hire a bounty hunter."

Desaad knew what he meant. "You mean, Kal-El? The Kryptonian?"

"Yes." There was joy in Darkseid's eyes. After all these years, he was going to put the Kryptonian to use. "I've watched him enough over the years. He's grown stronger and powerful. In darkness, he's not where I want him but capturing the Amazon and bringing her here will push him over the edge. When he brings the Amazon, I will have a bride and a new soldier."


"You have two options. One, you give up and let me take you back to Froloc where you pay for your crimes. Two, you try to make a run for it. Just know that not only did I hunt you down and kick the asses of everyone who tried to protect you, but I'm stronger and faster than you. Resisting will only piss me off and give me the liberty of kicking your ass before I turn you over to the Froloc authorities."

Krag, the Bull Kath Hound regarded his options. He knew Kal was a notorious bounty hunter, and he hated of all the bounty hunters in the universe, Kal was after him. The Bull Kath Hound was a formidable creature. He had five inches over the 6'4 bounty hunter. His wolfish build and three large horns were poisonous. He used his strength and stealth to bully, rob and kill anyone who got in his way. His last victim, was an entire kingdom on Krag's home planet. The hound bullied the kingdom since he killed the last ruler. The people dealt with his tyranny for years until they finally mustered up the courage to hire Kal to overthrow Krag and turn him over to the Froloc law enforcement.

Krag could take on anyone but this bounty hunter. He never met Kal before today but he knew of his reputation. Kal always got his bounty. Standing before him now, Kal looked as wild and dangerous as the rumors about him. A tall, muscular man whose build nearly swallowed his impressive size. His black hair and beard was wild and untamed like a lion and the expression on his face that read, 'I'm not taking any zhuut!' was very intimidating to Krag. If Kal wasn't bad enough, he had a dog with him. His dog, called Krypto wasn't an ordinary dog. He was strong and fierce like Kal. He heard stories of the dog tossing a space cruiser like a Frisbee. He was always loyal to Kal and anybody bold to hurt Kal, really faced Kal's wrath and lived to regret that decision.

Still, despite infuriating Kal, Krag wasn't going to face the charges against him. He would be dead if he did. He murdered the last ruler and after his tyranny, death would be his fate.

Krag took one more look around his surroundings. He was on the edge of the forest. The Froloc forest was thick. Even in daylight, the heart of the forest was pitch black. He could hide and blend in with the trees using his camouflage abilities and once he got to the forest's heart Kal couldn't find him. He'll have to give up and turn away.

"Fruck you!" Krag turned and ran into the forest, hoping he could be the first person to get away from Kal, the bounty hunter.

"You frucker!" Kal called after him. "I told you not to run!"

Krypto growled. He started to give chase but Kal grabbed Krypto by his collar. "Stay, boy. I'm getting him."

Kal ran into the forest, preferring not to use his super speed, and putting the fool Krag into a false sense of security to think he has a chance of getting away from him. Despite it being daylight, the deeper Kal got into the forest, the darker it got. Kal realized that was Krag's plan. Before taking on the job of getting Krag, Kal researched him and his planet so he knew every trick that could be thrown at his game. While his friend Lobo went into his hunt without preparation, Kal researched his prey.

Even with it being dark in the forest, Kal's eyes were still superior. "I know you are using your camouflage technique. It ain't gonna work!"

Not only did he have good eyes but he had good ears, too. Kal could hear the pounding twin hearts of the Bull Kath Hound. He could hear the hound's feet crunch on the leaves as he tried to distance himself from Kal. What a sodhole, Kal thought of the hound. Krag didn't stand a chance. Why run?

Realizing the night forest or his camouflaging wasn't working, Krag kept running. He couldn't stop. If he did, Kal would catch him. He also went with option two instead of one. He didn't want to know what Kal did to his prey when they chose option two. He wasn't going to make it out, Krag realized. Captured he would be killed by his people. If he was going to die, Krag was going to die on his own terms.

Krag skidded to a halt when he reached the outskirts of the forest where he came across a gorge. It was too far for him to jump across. Looking down, he saw the rocky gorge was deprived of water. If there were water below, he had a chance but this part of the planet was suffering from a major drought. The spring water that fell dried up weeks ago.

Footsteps behind him forced Krag to turn around. Kal was standing on the edge of the forest and he wasn't happy.

"What did I tell you about running off?" The glare from Kal nearly caused Krag to wet his pants. Instead, he ran to a tree. "You're gonna hide behind a tree now? You know the more time you waste to come over to get your ass kicked, the more pissed off I'm going to be."

Krag picked up a tree from its roots. He raised it over his head and threw it at Kal.

Kal easily caught the tree and noticed the Bull Kath Hound jumping off the cliff. "Oh, you ain't getting off that easy!" Kal, with the tree in his hands, jumped after the hound. He swung the tree like a golfer swinging a nine iron club. The root of the tree kissed Krag's face preventing his death against the rocks and slapped him up the gorge. Before Krag's flying body collided into the forest trees Kal caught him by the collar of his shirt.

Kal snarled at the hound. "I told you not to run!"

Krypto perked up at Kal's return. Kal dragged the Bull Kath Hound on the ground by a chain in his hand. The collar of the chain was locked on Krag's neck. Krag faced the consequences of option two. His nose was broken, one eye was wedged shut, a couple of teeth were missing and ribs were broken. Krag whimpered and groaned as his body bumped over the coarse ground. With his good eye, Krag caught Krypto looking at him. If he didn't know any better, he would say Krypto pitied him for choosing option two.

When Kal and Krypto approached their ship, Kal saw a man standing beside it. Kal narrowed his eyes, wondering who this man was. He didn't look like a native of this world. Krypto barked, which perk Kal to keep his guard up around this man. Krypto growled at everyone but when Krypto barked that was a sign for Kal trouble was afoot.

"Who are you?"

A twisted smile curved the man's sinister face. "I am Steppenwolf. My Lord, Darkseid, wants a word with you."

Kal heard of Darkseid and Steppenwolf though he never met either. Kal didn't bat an eye as he opened the door to his ship and tossed Krag inside. Krypto jumped in the ship and followed procedure. He dragged Krag into a cage and floated up to press his nose against the panel turning the cage on. It was a cage Kal built himself that was impenetrable to anyone he caught.

While Krypto did this, Kal said, "He wants my services?" Kal knew Darkseid was Lord of Apokolips and the evil he's responsible for. Naturally, he was confused on why Darkseid wanted his services. "Why?"

"One never questions Darkseid's decisions."

"Well, I do," Kal snapped back. "Darkseid has his own cronies to do what he wants. Why would he seek me out? I'm just a bounty hunter. What does he want me to do that you can't?"

Steppenwolf gritted his teeth. How dare this Kryptonian speak this way? "Obviously, he wants you for something special. Not many are given the opportunity to aide Darkseid. Many would consider it an honor."

Kal scoffed. "Don't count me as one of them."

"You would be aptly rewarded."

Kal knew the money would be big but it would be even bigger bragging rights to his friend Lobo if he met Darkseid, and shockingly agree to what he wanted. "I'll listen to what Darkseid has to say but only because I'm curious about meeting him. If I want to do the job, fine. If not, you can both fruck yourselves. When does he want me to come by?"

"When Darkseid request someone's audience, he means now."

"He's gonna have to wait for me. I need to get my money for this zhuuthole. You can come along if you like and we can go to Apokolips after I get paid."

Steppenwolf stared at Kal. The brazenness of this man.

Kal stepped in his ship. "You comin' or what?"

Steppenwolf retrained himself. He wanted to strike Kal with his electro axe but the wrath of Darkseid held him back. Darkseid wanted Kal before him at all cost. Biting his tongue, Steppenwolf followed.


"Why are you so scared of Darkseid, Pops? You never met him."

"You don't have to meet someone to be scared of them. Sometimes the reputation is enough. Darkseid has done many despicable things. He is someone you do no cross."

Dirk sat in the copilot seat, giving ten-year-old Kal lessons in flying a space cruiser. The legal age was fifteen but Kal was a bright kid and Dirk didn't see the harm in teaching a kid how to fly a cruiser if he was watching him.

"Well, I'm not scared of Darkseid," Kal was defiant. "Darkseid has to show me he is scary. I won't be scared of someone by words."

"It's not just words," Dirk warned Kal. "It's his actions. Darkseid has enslaved planets. He has killed, tortured and brainwashed millions of people. I've heard stories he used people as pawns and kills them when he is done with them. Sometimes he does worse than kill. Letroi told me a story of Darkseid brainwashing a gallant hero. That hero killed men and raped women on his planet all by Darkseid's will. Then the sick bastich released his control on the hero, forcing him to remember everything. The hero was so distraught over his actions he killed himself. To make matters worse, Darkseid enslaved the planet."

None of that scared Kal. "I can kick his ass. Watch. When I get older, I'll do it."

Dirk gripped Kal's arm, forcing the boy to look at him. "You don't know what you are saying. Darkseid is the sickest piece of zhuut in the universe. No matter what you do when you are older, you avoid Darkseid and any of his associates at all costs. Crossing paths with them, brings no good."

"Okay. Okay," Kal said trying to wiggle his arm away. "Geez!" Dirk released Kal. He shook his arm, trying to get some feeling back it. He never saw his Pops react that way to anyone. His Pops wasn't scared of anyone but Darkseid really shook him. Was Darkseid really that dangerous?

"So this is Apokolips."

Kal gazed out of the window of his cruiser of the home of Darkseid. The sky was blood red, giving an ominous feel of the planet. Industrialized buildings were seen as far as Kal's eyes could see. Scattered around the buildings were roaring fire pits that erupted occasionally. Kal's sharp eyes picked up on pitiful looking citizens on the ground being watched by parademons. From what he heard of Apokolips, Kal knew these people to be Lowlies. They were people captured when Darkseid took over their planet and broke their spirit. Kal looked away from the grim sight. Deep in him, a piece of himself wanted to help the trodden people but he knew these people were too far gone to be helped. Their spirit was broken, minds brainwashed to Darkseid. Even if he or someone freed them, their loyalty would be to Darkseid. It would be pointless to help.

"Armagetto," Kal read the words on a long steel wall.

"This is Apokolips' capital," Steppenwolf explained. "Down this avenue is the Tower of Rage, which is Darkseid's home."

The Tower of Rage was a fitting home for this dismal looking city. The further Kal flew into the city the darker the skies appeared. Red skies mixed with black clouds that were no doubt created from the polluted factories. Kal spotted a few parademons flying around the top levels. Some floundered in height as the thick smoke clogged their lungs.

When Kal's cruiser reached the end of the avenue, he saw a mile long Fire-pit. Looking both ways, he eyes saw passed the mile to buildings on opposite ends of the Fire-pit. One building had a sign that read, 'Granny Goodness Happiness Home'.

Granny Goodness Happiness Home? Happiness? Here? Talk about a damn oxymoron.

Looking towards the left, he saw a tower. It had to be the Tower of Rage.

Taking note of the Fire-pit before him, Kal noticed they were huge furnaces as tall as a skyscraper and wide enough to engulf his spacecraft. Parademons fed the fire scrap metal. Looking inside the pit, Kal saw molten slag being collected at the edge of a pit drained further underground.

This is like a fire garbage heap. Even a sodhole like Darkseid recycles.

"Am I supposed to go through this fire?"

Steppenwolf raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Your superior eyes can't tell you the way? You've been rumored to see for miles."

Just how much do they know about me? "I can but you got something on this sodhole of a planet blocking my vision."

Was Kal telling the truth or lying? Steppenwolf wasn't sure. He wasn't aware if Kal had any weaknesses, and if there were, Steppenwolf wasn't sure what that was. Was it the metal? The fire?

"Left," Steppenwolf told him. "And don't fly too close to the pits."

Kal did as he was instructed, casually looking at the sights as he stored everything he saw, everything he heard into his eidetic memory. It may come in handy later.

The Tower of Rage came into view. It was a tall, massive structure with no doubt the most indomitable metal on the planet. At the height of the tower, Kal saw an octagon glass. It was almost like a giant eye. Darkseid may not know everything that goes on his planet but he knew what went on in his capital and Kal was certain this tower monitored everything. Darkseid was probably watching his arrival now.

Security was very tight around the tower. Parademons flew above and stood guard at the base armed with weapons. Taking a cue from a parademon, Kal landed his cruiser at a single gate with a steel wall armed with barbed wire with enough power Kal thought might even affect him.

"This is where we enter the Tower of Rage."

"My cruiser will be safe here?" Kal wasn't sure of leaving his ship unguarded on this planet.

Steppenwolf found Kal's worry laughable. "There is nothing in this cruiser Darkseid wants. If you try to attack Darkseid, you wouldn't even make it to your cruiser to escape."

Maybe. Maybe not. Kal got out of his seat. He urged Krypto to follow. "Come on, boy."

Stepping out of his cruiser, Kal looked up at the giant, steel fortress. Taking a look at the central tower, he noticed the structure was oddly designed with a face. He wondered if the tower itself resembled Darkseid.

What an egomaniac.

The stench of the outside hit Kal's sensitive nose. Kal recoiled but held his disgust. Krypto wasn't so quiet as he whined. "It's okay, boy. Hopefully it smells better on the inside."

Kal and Krypto followed Steppenwolf inside. Kal took notice of the people inside the Tower of Rage. He saw parademons and armed guards on one level. Another level up he saw scientists and technicians. Kal didn't stare long as he knew he was being watched. What he did noticed of the people, their eyes were listless. It was as if they were controlled.

Brainwashed just like Pops said.

The further Kal got into the tower, the more he didn't like this. What if he was attacked? What if he was tricked here to be Darkseid's next pawn? Kal remained on guard but he played off as if he didn't have a care in the world.

Entering another level, Kal found only one entrance on this level. It was through a door at the end of the hall. When they reached the steel doors, Steppenwolf turned to Kal. "Darkseid waits beyond these doors."

"Fine. Let's meet him."

Before Steppenwolf could open the door, they opened for him. Two women stepped out. One was an old, stocky manly looking woman with white hair boxy hair. With her was a tall pretty red head with a green mask over her eyes.

"Who's the babe?" Kal's eyes followed Knockout as she passed him.

"That's Knockout," Steppenwolf informed him.

Kal stared at Knockout's retreating backside. "She most certainly is."

Steppenwolf cleared his throat. Kal feigned offensive. "You can't have a sexy woman walk by and not have me check her out!"

"Let's go!" Steppenwolf was curt. Darkseid's making a huge mistake with this one.

Kal had no initial thoughts as to what Darkseid's throne looked like but whatever he could vision wasn't what he saw. The walls were made of stones of dried blood. Did the remains of the Lowlies decorate his wall? Kal shook that thought away as he noticed the a mural of every torture and sick deprecation of what Hell could be. It was intimidated by such horrifying images, he would have nightmares. Kal looked on. Ahead were steps leading up to a tall, monstrous, rock life figure looking down on two fire pits before him.

Kal knew that to be Darkseid. Beside the ruler of Apokolips was a thin, sickly looking man in a dirty rust looking robe. He rubbed his hands as he stared at Kal with glee. Kal thought the man looked like something out a horror space movie.

Steppenwolf went to the bottom of the steps and bowed, "My Lord, I bring you, Kal-El, the bounty hunter."

"I expected you much sooner than this, Steppenwolf." Darkseid turned around, revealing himself at last to Kal. "I was beginning to think you failed in your mission."

Steppenwolf kept his head down. "The day I fail you is the day I kill myself."

"No need to kill yourself, Steppenwolf, when I would kill you myself."

Kal kept quiet as he studied Darkseid stepping down his throne with the thin man following after him. This was the being that ruled Apokolips. A monstrous creature who had strong cronies do his bidding. The only being to put fear in his Pops. Kal glanced at Steppenwolf. The fact someone like him was kneeling before Darkseid told Kal Darkseid was not a person to take lightly.

Steppenwolf kept his head bowed before Darkseid. "I apologize, sire, but Kal-El needed to acquire his funds of his last bounty. He wouldn't come with me otherwise."

Darkseid's eyes fell on Kal. He defied meeting him to get paid? Even now Kal showed no fear in him. Such defiance and confidence. Darkseid found Kal's behavior impressive. It would be valuable to have a warrior like Kal on his side. "I see. It is in my understanding you are a very good bounty hunter, Kal-El. Therefore, I want the best in getting what I need." Darkseid towered over Kal, expecting that to entice fear in Kal. It did not.

Again, Darkseid was impressed. "I want a bride."

Kal recoiled. Darkseid wanted him because he wanted a bride? He never thought Darkseid wanted that from him! He took a step back from Darkseid. "Uh, yeah. I don't do that type of thing. I am a bounty hunter. I hunt my bounty. I don't be the bounty."

It insinuations of Kal's words enflamed Darkseid's eyes. This insolent Kryptonian! How dare he? "I don't want you or any male," he seethed with rage.

Kal wiped his brow relieved. "Oh, you're into women? Whoo! That's a relief. I can find some women for you. No problem."

"I know what I want."

Desaad took the cue to pull a silver orb out of his robes. He waved it in front of Kal. A hologram of Diana fighting Circe appeared before him.

"Her name is Wonder Woman."

Kal took a moment to admire Diana. She was quite the beauty and had a body on her. Kal focused on Diana's breasts, hips and legs in her patriotic suit. Her face was quite stunning. Over the years, Kal saw many beautiful faces but none as beautiful as Diana. "Daammmnnnn! She's a frucking hot babe! I can see why you want her as your wife." Kal whined when Desaad turned off the hologram. He wouldn't mind seeing more of Diana. "But I'm not a matchmaker. I'm a bounty hunter. I don't kidnap people and force them to the altar."

He was refusing Darkseid? Desaad was speechless. Steppenwolf, who was on his feet, stepped further away from Kal. He didn't want to get caught in Darkseid's Omega Beams.

"It's blasphemy to refuse Darkseid," Desaad warned him.

Kal wordlessly mocked Desaad. "Whatever. He hasn't given me a legitimate reason to work for him. If Wonder Legs made a promise to Darkseid and she got a case of cold feet, I can work around that but I doubt that is the case. I may be a bounty hunter but I do have a limit on what I will and will not do. Rejecting Darkseid isn't a criminal act."

Desaad glanced at Darkseid. He wasn't speaking. In fact, Desaad couldn't tell what Darkseid was thinking but he felt right to defend him, "It is a criminal act to refuse Darkseid."

"Well, I'm gonna do it. If you want to kill me for refusing your offer, go ahead and try it. You won't be the first person who wanted to take me out." Kal turned his back as he walked towards the exit with Krypto at his heel. "How the fruck you get out of this place?"

Desaad cringed. He couldn't believe this arrogant bounty hunter had the nerve to reject Darkseid. Desaad was puzzled at the silent reaction from Darkseid. Would he burn Kal with his Omega Beams? No! It was worse than that as Desaad saw the scary transformation on Darkseid's face. He actually smiled. Desaad grew very afraid and very frightened. So much so urine pooled between his legs.

The sudden rank stench almost caused Kal to keel over. He turned and saw a wet pool of liquid by Desaad. "What the fruck, man!"

Darkseid couldn't hide his joy at the defiance of Kal. He watched Kal-El over the years. He watched him grow stronger and fearless since his parents' murder. It would be of great use to him when Kal became his pawn. Until then, Darkseid had to lure Kal to his side.

"I can give you what you desire most."

Kal turned his back on Darkseid as he walked off again. "I only take offers like that from hot women. You ain't hot and you more importantly, you ain't a woman."

Having Kal under his power, would be the perfect revenge for his attitude. "I can tell you who you really are, Kal-El. The bounty hunters Dirk Batisch and his wife Saki were not your real parents. I know who your real parents were."

Kal stopped then slowly turned around. How did he know that. "What?"

"You were found by the Dirk, the bounty hunter and raised as one but you were not meant to be a bounty hunter. You weren't even supposed to be raised by him. I know who you are, who your parents were, what world you come from." He pointed to Kal's shirt. "That symbol on your chest is your birth family's crest."

Kal looked down at the serpent symbol across his chest. His parents gave him that symbol to wear. Why would they do that if they knew it came from his birth parents? He looked at Darkseid again. Could he be telling the truth or a lie? "And how would you know this?"

Darkseid had Kal's attention. Now to lure him in. "I am Darkseid. I know everything."

To prove his point, Darkseid brought his right hand before Kal. In his hand was the Rubix. Krypto immediately recognized it. He barked and wagged his tail wildly. Kal looked from his dog to the cube in Darkseid's hand. Was that causing Krypto's excitement?

"Was it that?" Kal asked.

"Your past," Darkseid told him. "Touch it."

Kal reached for the cube. He hesitated for a moment before touching it. As the cube glowed, Kal noticed the strange symbol on all sides of the cube were on his chest.

Darkseid was telling the truth? This is my family's crest?

Looking around Kal noticed Darkseid's throne room vanished. He was transported to another room. A room from his home world! Kal saw a man and woman standing in the room. The man's physical build was similar to his. Kal froze when he saw the woman's face.

These are my parents. Her eyes. I have my mother's eyes.

His mother spoke, "Our dearest, Kal-El. We hope your journey…"

Darkseid pulled the Rubix from Kal's touch. Krypton vanished and Kal found himself back in Darkseid's throne room. "So, Bounty Hunter, what do you say? Bring me the woman and I'll tell you who you are. You will learn of your true heritage, your true parents, and your true destiny."

Kal was overwhelmed. He saw his birth parents. After all these years, he knew what his birth parents looked like. They were not what he imagined them. They didn't look mean. They didn't look full of hate. They looked kind. "What was that you showed me?"

"I told you, Kal-El. Your past. Don't you want to know more?"

Kal regained himself, trying to sound tough. "Why would I want to know about the people who abandoned me?"

"Who says they abandoned you?" Darkseid raised the question. "Perhaps they died saving you? Perhaps you were taken from them? Taken by the very people who raised you."

Kal's eyes flared red. "That's a lie! They wouldn't have done that!"

"How do you know? You were a baby when you were found. Anything could've happened. I'm offering a chance for you to be reunited with your people. Would you really turn that down?"

Reunite with his people? To learn where he came from? To meet family members? Even though he harbored a grudge against his parent, Kal always wanted to know about them and where he came from.

"Why should I trust you?" He squelched the emotion of seeing his birth parents. Kal had to keep his wits was about him when facing Darkseid. "I know all about you and your reputation. Why would someone like you do something nice for me?"

"There's nothing nice about it. It's payment for bringing me Wonder Woman. That's all I want and in return, you learn who you are."

Could he trust Darkseid? How could he be certain Darkseid wouldn't betray him? Kal remembered what Dirk told him about Darkseid but Kal always wanted to know about himself. Darkseid was the key to Kal learning the truth. Darkseid could provide him with the answers he needed and yet, he had to watch his back. He wasn't sure what to do.

Darkseid saw the emotions on Kal's face. He was vulnerable to his control. He had one more ace up his sleeve. "I also know who murdered your adoptive parents." Steppenwolf's eyes widen. Even though he was Darkseid's uncle and it was a useless gesture, he tried staring down Darkseid. It didn't work as Darkseid continued, "Bring me Wonder Woman and I'll tell you so you can have your revenge."

Kal's eyes briefly flickered red. "How do you know who murdered my parents?"

"I am Darkseid."

Kal's eyes flared. "I demand you tell me!"

"Bring me Wonder Woman," Darkseid reiterated coolly and waved the Rubix before Kal. "And not only will I tell you who but I will tell you how to find your parents murderer."

Steppenwolf held his breath. What was Darkseid thinking? Was this a ploy to lure Kal-El or would Darkseid really tell Kal-El he killed his parents? Anything can happen with Darkseid. He would turn anyone over to get what he wanted. Steppenwolf found himself in a sticky situation. If he questioned Darkseid's decision, it really would be the end of him. Instead, he would bide his time and wait but prepare in case he did had to fight Kal-El for his life.

After all these years to finally know who killed his parents, to avenge their murders. It went against him to deal with Darkseid and it was against Dirk's words but the temptation to know the truth was too great.

"All right, Darkseid. We have a deal."