Author's note: *SCREAMS LIKE A BANSHEE* THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS. THEY FEED MY MUSE. HUEHUE.
Additional note: yes, I know, the timelines are different. And I jumbled the events. Supergirl was supposed to be the one to have defeated the Diasporan parasite. Kal should have been fighting his Doomsday self and weakened by the Kryptonite bomb sent by the government. But *smiles*, you know my excuse.
One last note: the Scott free comics are brilliant but I don't think the Donna part, Steppenwolf and Diana's daughter, makes sense. It was out of character in Diana's part to have an affair with a man she didn't even ... *sighs*. I just think that the writers could've written her in many other ways and not made her a ho. It's as if they just threw her role there like 'whoo, there she goes.'
Smallville, Kansas
Town
A young man and a woman strolled along the snow-filled streets of Smallville. Loud Christmas songs could be heard everywhere. The siblings looked each other and smiled when they heard Bing Crosby's 'Let it Snow'. Half an hour ago, they left the Kent's house after they heard their father's arrival. Though they were aware that Clark would discover their lingering presence, Kairos and Lara decided to look around Smallville and its occupants. Afterall, it was erased out of the map after the destruction made by Doomsday. They had winter coats hugging their body to blend in since the temperature never really bothered them.
"Look, Lara, they give free hot cocoa." Kairos said, hiding his glee.
Lara chuckled. "Come, let's get one."
And they did. Kairos sat on the chairs inside the coffee shop. His sister joined him too. Quietly, they basked into the silence and savored everything in sight.
"It's been years since I've last seen this kind of setting." Lara hugged her cup with her fingers and she looked at the steam evaporating from the cup. "It's very nostalgic. I didn't think I'd experience this any time soon."
Kairos nodded. "We all deserve some break, sister."
"I wonder how Jon's doing. I can't help but to worry about him." Lara said, sipping the coffee carefully. She was saving it so it could last for long minutes.
"Well, he can take care of himself. He is a remarkable boy. Undeniably smarter than the two of us combined. Not that you admit that." Lara lightly nudged Kairos playfully.
"Where do you think he is?" Lara asked. She and Jon were close. When Jon needed a maternal touch, he would find it in his grandmother and sister Lara. But the bond between brothers was greater. It was precious and pure. Even though Kairos did not show it, Lara knew he was worried.
"Anywhere. But I know Jon too much to not know. He must have asked Scott to land him in Themyscira." Replied Kairos, blinking at the waitress who sent him a flirtatious smile. He shook his head and turned to his attention to his cup.
Lara sighed deeply. "Why am I not surprised? He missed her too much. The only thing I worry now is how can we pass through the Island's barrier?"
"How can I know?" Kairos scoffed. "I may have been raised there but I wasn't taught of its secrets. You're the princess and heir, sister. I thought you would have an extensive knowledge regarding to your origins?"
Lara rolled her cornflower blue eyes. "Oh shut up, Kai."
"Touch a nerve, didn't I?"
The young woman sent him a withering glare. Kairos wryly smiled. "Martha Kent," he began quietly. "She's a very maternal sort of woman, isn't she? Dad's lucky to have himself landed there. If he had not, I wonder what would have happened to him." Lara nodded in agreement.
"I can see where Dad got his personality from." Lara chuckled.
"From Mr. Kent?" They mused simultaneously. They made a sound from their throat that sounded like a supressed laugh.
"What now?" Lara asked expectantly, looking at him and waiting for his words. Lara may look, most of the time, the siblings' overseer, but the three of them knew, Kairos was their headman.
"I have the boom tube to successfully transport us to New Genesis. However, we're not going there. Scott and his wife will come for us. Here on Earth. We shall wait until Scott has break free from Apokolips and the truce between the two kingdom have been broken."
Lara nodded solemnly. "I see. How do you propose we convince him? The Scott of this time must be different."
"He's currently seeking peace and freedom, sister. He may be in doubt at first but he'll believe us." Kairos assured her.
"What about our parents?"
The question was forgotten when the waitress, who recently winked at Kairos, passed by them and placed a small plate of chocolate cake on their table. In front of him. Lara gaped. "How are you getting this free things?" Asked Lara incredulously.
"It's part of my charm, Lara." Kairos smiled at her before taking a bite of the cake.
"Well, give it to me and I'll be the judge of your so-called charm." Kairos watched as his sister snatched the plate away from his grasp.
Lara crunched up her nose. Kairos snickered. "Hera, this is so sweet. It's sickening. That woman digs you, brother."
"You have to admit she's better than Gilotina crushing on me."
Lara's face pinched into disgust. "That woman." She recalled when Darkseid sent his parademons and furies to Earth. It was not a full-scale attack but a warning. Lara fought Stompa while Kairos took on Gilotina. You see, when you're a sister and there's a bitch barking around your dear brother, you'd want to slit her throat out because you want him to be with a nice girl with 100% no involvement in the abduction of your parents.
"You've done her good." Kairos grinned. "She's now wearing an eye patch."
"You know I would've done the same thing if it were Jon." She scoffed. "I wanted to tear Lashina apart. She should thank the gods they spared her from my wrath." Lara clenched her left hand which rested on her lap under the table.
"In due time, sister. We'll get there." They had to be patient. It would do them no good if they rushed into things they could not handle.
For seconds, there was silence between the El siblings. The silence was only broken when a man spoke, "Good afternoon, folks. How's your day doing?"
Kairos and Lara looked up and found a blond man staring down at them with a welcoming smile. Based on his appearance, he was in his 20s. "Hello." Lara greeted awkwardly. Kairos shot her a look that said he'd handle it.
"We're doing fine, sir." Kairos replied, slightly changing his tone and accent. "It's a cold day, isn't it?"
"A cold day indeed. I've never seen your faces here before. New neighbors, I assume?" Asked the stranger, his blue eyes roving Lara's form.
"No." Kairos clipped tone snapped the man's back to his face. "As a matter of fact, my sister and I are visiting some relatives."
"The Kents I reckon?" The man assumed, looking more chipper when he heard the girl was the young man's sister. "You look like the big ol' Clark."
Kairos and Lara looked each other. "Err..."
"That settles it then! There's a Christmas party tonight at the Lang's house. Everybody in town is invited. You two should come. There's drinks, company, and food. Oh and the name's Andrew Parker." He lent out his hand. Lara drew her hand and shook it. Kairos followed.
"Lara Prince." She smiled tightly.
"Kairos." The dark-haired young man calmly put his empty cup down. "Nice to meet you, Andrew but I'm afraid we have to go."
With this, Kairos grabbed Lara's wrist and left the shop. They sped past stores until Kairos stopped. He faced Lara with a contemplative expression. "Tonight. Everybody. This means Dad will be there and Lois. I think we should come."
Lara nodded thoughtfully. "I think we should too. In our disguises?"
Kairos nodded.
"In our disguises." He agreed.
Planet Rann
Sector 2682
The once lively planet Rann was now in ruins. Screams echoed around the cities. Parademons were scattered around the globe and chaos took form in explosions and deaths. The citizens of the planet were either slain or imprisoned. All of these were witnessed by Darkseid and he revelled in it. He took pleasure in every loss. Beside him was his champions. Their stance and glare defined apathy and heartlessness. With them, he his army was practically invincible. He made no mistake when he ordered to capture the Amazon as well. Kal-El and Diana was his right hand men. Gone were Steppenwolf, Grayven, and Kalibak who now only served him when they were summoned. They were not needed. Darkseid now had the two most powerful physical beings in the Universe. He had to admit that taming the two was strenuous but again where was success without labor?
"Commander, tell them to retreat." Darkseid said, calling Kal-El's attention. His commander turned to him and bowed.
"Anything else, my Lord?"
Darkseid waved his hand to dismiss the Kryptonian. "No, you may go."
Diana furrowed her brows as her mate flew down to order his army. "What shall I do to make myself useful, my Lord?"
"Nothing, General. We shall watch them until Kal-El has finished his task." Despite feeling a bit vexed for not being able to do anything, Diana nodded obediently and stood beside Darkseid's left side. Seconds later Kal-El flew upwards. This time, he was not alone. He was carrying an inert Adam Strange in his hands.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Darkseid chuckled and looked at Strange. The Commander of Apokolips shook him slightly. Adam Strange stirred and, in no time, was awoken.
The man looked around his planet in chaos. He turned to the three with wild eyes. "What have you done?!"
"I've done what this planet's gods failed to do ever since this miserable planet became incapable of producing its own people; sabotage it. An Earthling such as you must be in the arms of your own species. Yet you're missing in action. Such traitor." Darkseid fixed his eyes on the struggling Adam Strange.
"Superman, release me! Can you not remember we worked together in the Justice League? This demon, he brainwashed you and you —" Kal-El did not let him finish and slapped him harshly. His dark eyes glinting menacingly.
Adam, his worn down body, tried to stay conscious. The impact he had taken from the slap had all his strength drained. He activated his jetpack and attempted to escape from their sight. Diana dragged his collar and made him face her.
"Wonder Woman, please..." The General glowered at him.
"In the face of death, everyone does beg." She smirked. "Unfortunately for you, you don't have to strain yourself."
She looked at Darkseid for permission. "Kill him. Play with him if you want."
Diana released Adam's collar. She pulled her face into hers and whispered. "Fly away little bug."
The man terrified face was priceless but he flew nonetheless. Diana nodded at Kal-El. The Commander and General watched Adam Strange flew in a considerable distance before they surged at him in breakneck speed. Kal-El tutted.
"Too slow."
Five Hours Later
Meanwhile...
"I pity the Kryptonian." Grayven said, shaking his head as he watched Lashina and Mad Harriet spar each other. Kalibak crossed his arms beside him.
"Why pity him? He's got everything you and I want." Kalibak replied gruffly before guffawing loudly as Lashina tackled Mad Harriet into the ground and punched a tooth out of her mouth. Grayven eyed his half-brother in disgust.
"After our Great ruler gets his hands on the motherbox, he'll be unstoppable but that doesn't end with that. My Lord wants Kal-El's mate to be his Queen." This piqued Kalibak's attention. He stared at Grayven in interest, nodding his head to continue. "He wants to breed a new generation of powerful New Gods and where else should he find this powerful bearer?"
"Then where will the Kryptonian go?"
"He'll still be the Commander, of course." Grayven spat venomously. "But he has to accept the union. Otherwise, another brainwashing session for Desaad."
Kalibak laughed. "He forbade us to touch her now he wants the Amazon for himself? Our High father is a hypocrite."
"You shouldn't talk about your father like that, Kalibak." The masculine voice remarked, having heard the last words of the first-born of Darkseid. Kal-El entered, wearing his dark armor. "Such impiety."
"Ah, Commander. You finally decided to join us." Lashina said, throwing a final punch to Mad Harriet. The latter fell, clutching her jaw before raising her hand in surrender. The triumphant female Fury smiled in satisfaction before walking towards the Kryptonian Commander. The Amazon was nowhere in sight.
"Kal-El, how about we ditch this people and eat dinner? It's been a tiring day and conquering worlds had me very exhausted." Lashina batted her eyelashes at Kal-El. Kal-El arched a handsome dark brow at her.
"A tempting offer but I'm afraid I have to pass." Kal-El said wryly, lifting his other arm to extract a clingy Lashina's fingers from his arm.
"But why?" She asked, peeved.
"Because me, you stupid woman." Diana said, entering the room and glaring at Lashina. She bolted forward and thwacked Lashina out of the way. The female fury's body thumped into the solid wall of the spacecraft. Kalibak whistled. "I thought you've learned your lesson when you tried to seduce Kal-El into sleeping with you. I thought wrong."
"He will not be yours any longer!" Lashina spat back, wiping the blood on the side of her lip.
Kal-El clamped a calming hand on Diana's shoulder. "What do you mean, you harlot? Is that a threat?" Diana hissed.
"It's a fact." Lashina replied. She pushed them out of the way as went to the exit. "And he will be mine."
"Why that—"
Diana was about to march off to punish the disobedient fury when Kal-El shook her head to her. She glared up at him.
"Do not tell me you tolerate her behavior?"
"No, Diana. Not at all." Kal-El shook his head and grabbed her hand. They went out of the practice room. "She is not worth your time."
"I let my anger get the best of me, I know, Kal-El. Do not lecture me about this. But I'm extremely pissed and I don't think your words would help me right now." Diana said, running a hand through her long locks. She didn't know what to feel lately. Her insides were squirming with guilt. She was troubled deeply that she herself could not explain why. Ever since they arrived from Earth, there were episodes of flashes in her mind. She wasn't able to determine what these were. They were all brief and hazy.
"I suppose it wouldn't." Kal-El nodded, agreeing. She broke away from her thoughts. "But eating would. Come on, my love."
Mediterranean Sea
Paradise Island, Themyscira
Martian Manhunter, Batman, Hawkgirl, and Cyborg laid on the wide maroon couch of Themyscira after dinner, having small, quiet talks with Princess Diana and marveling at the Greek interior of the palace lounge. There was a thirty-foot pine Christmas tree adorned with lovely lights and decors. Shayera even noticed that the Christmas lights weren't lights at all. They were fireflies who flittered across the palace hall like tiny stars.
"It's a shame Big Blue missed this. Man, look at this place!" Victor exclaimed.
Diana couldn't help but ask, "Big Blue?"
"Superman." Shayera replied. "Some of the Leaguers call him that. Wally started it."
Diana nodded comprehensively. She eyed Bruce Wayne. Their eyes met. "I read Lois Lane's article on your work, Mr. Wayne. Very impressive."
"You were there at the function, Diana. Please call me Bruce." Her lips quirked. There was a flirtatious tone hinted in his voice. Odd. He had always been professional with her but again, Bruce's reputation as a charismatic playboy preceded him, she thought.
"Yes, but we only chatted once and I had to leave early since I was called for a mission." Diana motioned to the servants to give them some refreshments.
J'onn cut in, "Bruce's generosity have inspired thousands of metahumans to get out of their ostracization. It was a great event."
"The others don't think so." Victor replied, taking a beer from the ice bucket. He looked at it, impressed. "I mean, they think you're just doing it out of publicity. You, with your billions and all. No one really knows what you're doing inside your manor."
Bruce said dryly, "Thanks for enlightening us, Vic."
If he could flush, Victor would have been beet red.
There was a quick pitter patter of feet coming towards them and, in a flash, Diana's sight was suddenly blocked by a small figure. She groaned. It was Jon. He launched himself to her when he caught sight of her. Gently, Diana lifted him off of her and placed her beside him. The League stared at the boy in surprise.
"What are you doing here, Jon?" Diana asked.
"I just woke up." He chirped. "I left aunt Donna sleeping because I didn't want to wake her up." The Princess felt exasperated at the boy and her sister. Donna said she would watch him!
Jon sat beside her patiently, swinging his thighs, as if waiting for her to introduce him to them. Diana inhaled calmly. "Everyone this is Jon. Jon, this J'onn, Bruce, Shayera, and Victor."
"Nice to meet you Messrs J'onn, Bruce, Victor and Miss Shayera."
The four blinked at him. There were barely coherent replies of 'Nice to meet you, too Jon' s. Diana smiled furtively.
"Who is this boy?" Shayera asked, smiling at Jon. Diana didn't answer rightaway. She didn't know if she should tell the truth or fabricate a story. She bit her lip. Her sapphire blue eyes made contact with J'onn and that moment she knew that he knew.
J'onn revealed bluntly,
"That boy is Diana's son or, for lack of a better word, the fruit of her womb."
Smallville, Kansas
Town
A red wool sweater and jeans materialized on Lara's body. There was a light blue scarf wrapped around her neck and a grey bonet to match with the scarf. She reached down to fish her glasses from the jean's pockets and put it on, nodding in satisfaction as she eyed her form. "I look good."
"You love yourself too much, sister." Kairos said, appearing with a similar ensemble.
Lara snorted and fixed her glasses in place. "And you're a dork."
"You'd be surprise if I told you how much I look like Dad in his high-school years in this bad boys." He said, pointing to his clothes and glasses. He was right. He did look like Dad.
"Nonsense. We're going there to be inconspicuous as possible. Don't speak, blink, breathe, and move to attract attention."
Kairos scoffed. "Of course, I might as well not go to the party."
"You are a drama queen. I pity the girl you'll kiss tonight under the mistletoe." She tutted, shaking her head. She tucked her thick locks of dark hair inside the bonet.
Kairos made a face. "Likewise."