Apologies for the wide gap between updates, I haven't been able to find the time to focus on the story. I am working on managing my time better to get chapters up sooner, I do have multiple chapters already written just need to look them over and cover the plot points and so on.
Thank you for your patience and understanding
…
Seattle
A luxury Apartment building, parking garage
Making his way to a silver BMW M5, in a grey with black pin stripe suit, Walter Steel found the driver side blocked by a red Dodge challenger SRT8 Hellcat. In an annoyed huff he entered through the passenger side, he slid to the drive seat and Lawson, in white mid tops, white jeans, white shirt and a white leather jacket, entered behind him, sat in the passenger seat and placed her white 1911 on the dashboard.
"What the…" Walter said before realising its Lawson "Oh, it's you"
"Yes it's me and…" Lawson started
"You British amaze me…" Walter interrupted before Lawson punched him the lower rib
"When you interrupt someone like that it makes them feel like you're not interested in what they have to say" Lawson stated "Or do you feel that what I have to say isn't as important as what you have to say?"
Walter remained silent
"Now, I have a client that tells me you have been spread false rumours regarding the health of their company along with short cutting their stock across the globe" Lawson stated "it's made you millions but at my clients expense, which has forced them to let go of tens of thousands of employees, those are third generation factory works, people with families and their pensions are being rendered worthless because of you but you'll stop now, correct?"
"Which company" Walter enquired
"Wrong answer, Walter" Lawson replied disappointed
"Look, genius…" Walter started before Lawson punched him the lower rib
"Why would you let me hit you in the same spot twice?" Lawson asked rhetorically
"We short position on dozens of companies" Walter clarified
"Shit, Walter" Lawson remarked "well, I'm pretty sure most if not all those companies your short positioning are under my conglomerate, so you're just going to have to stop short positioning them all"
"That's ridicules I can't be expected…" Walter started before Lawson, punched him in face twice
"I'll be keeping tabs on the stocks and business trades, so I expect your cooperation to be reflected there in the next few days" Lawson insisted as she took her gun "Walter, are we good?"
Walter nodded
"Good boy, Walter, if you and that girlfriend of yours Isabel start any more trouble, I will make sure you lose a lot more than your careers" Lawson stated before exiting the car
Kansas
Smallville, Sherriff Lang's House
In a white nightshirt, Sherriff Lang opened her eyes and felt a presence on her left side, tilting her head towards it, she found Debra nestled under her arm, in Lana's old white Winnie the Pooh pyjamas, Lang smiled, Debra must have been unable to sleep on her own and snuck in. Gently and slowly Lang tactically shuffled herself to the edge of the bed, careful not to wake Debra, finally free, Lang stood up and starched the ever present morning stiffness out her muscles, a routine she always enjoyed, silently, Lang made her way out the bedroom and into the guest bathroom.
After a quick shower, Lang changed it to her uniform, went to the kitchen and made breakfast. Placing plates, of what's basically an English breakfast in a bun, on the table Lang turned to see Debra hastily appear in the hallway looking panicked, she must have freaked out waking up to find Lang gone.
"Hey, it's ok, I'm right here" Lang reassured as she went to hug Debra "I should have waited for you to wake up, I'm sorry"
Lang remained holding Debra till she was sure Debra calmed down, then stood up and lead her to the dinner table and sat her down.
Lang's phone rung, she answered "Hey, care bear… no, it's fine, you get back to varsity… yes, I'm sure… she's alright, it will just take some time… ok… love you too, care bear… bye"
"Was that Lana?" Debra enquired
"Yes, it was" Lang replied warmly
"I like her, she so smart and sweet" Debra commented "She gave me my teddy bear, I want to be like her one day"
"You know, I believe you will be" Lang declared
Debra smile happily at this "You look like her, but taller and stronger"
Lang chuckled "I am her mother, you know"
Debra nervously asked "Are you going to be my mommy?"
Lang looked at her with a small warm smile "Starting today, if that's ok with you"
Debra nodded "I'd like that"
Debra looked around the room noting that, despite its modest look, everything in the house was quite pricy, even the house itself seemed to be a bit much for a small town Sherriff.
"Something wrong?" Lang enquired
"Dad always wondered how you can afford this place" Debra informed
"Overtime" Lang replied
Gotham City
Bristol, Wayne Manor
Bat cave
In grey slippers, grey pants and a grey shirt, Tim woke up to see an image of Diana taken on dock before the tumbler crashed into her and an identification program stated it found a match and a document of Diana's legal information popped up on the centre screen above, he immediately dialled Bruce's number on the desk phone and put it on speaker.
"I got a hit on her" Tim informed as soon as Bruce answered
"What you got?" Bruce enquired
"Diana Helena Faraday, 16 years old, born in Norwich, England to King Faraday and Athena Faraday, everything else is redacted" Tim informed
"King Faraday?" Bruce asked knowing it could be only one person
"Yes, A.R.G.U.S's very own director" Tim confirmed
"So the director of the world's leading agency in the defence of meta-humans has a daughter that's one as well" Bruce muse "and she just happens to, possibly, be just as powerful as superman"
"So what are we going to do?" Tim enquired
"Damien should be returning on his own today, we'll talk to him tonight" Bruce replied
Tim was sceptical, for all there tension, he respected Damien's resolve, he was all too aware that confronting Damien would result in nothing but a heated argument at best and punch out at worst… and the punch out was the most likely outcome.
"We'll do it tactically, if he won't budge we'll back off" Bruce assured
"Hmm, I was just thinking the others would be more amiable" Tim offered
"I doubt they know as much as he does" Bruce declined
"Yeah, I guess" Tim conceded
Outskirts of Gotham
An undisclosed A.R.G.U.S landing strip
Greyson, in black shoes, blue jeans, a grey shirt and black jacket, leaned on the hood of his black Mercedes E63 with Barbra next to him, in yellow loafers, light blue jeans, and a red blouse, parked next to them leaning on the hood of Stephanie's Maserati, in black canvas loafers, black pant, a red shirt and a black jersey, Damien watched as Faraday, in a black suit, escort Ivy onto the Hyper sonic Jet with Diana, in grey sneakers, grey sweat pants and a black A.R.G.U.S tee, standing by the jets door with her arms crossed.
After letting Ivy enter the plane to join Wally and Shayera, Faraday stepped back out with a medium sized case, walked back to Damien and stood between the two cars.
"Alright, the investigation into who was behind all this is official yours now, obviously, you'll contact me for further assistance" Faraday stated
"Obviously" Damien confirmed
Faraday handed over the case to Damien "You spoil her, you know"
Damien shot Faraday a questioning look then took the case "Thank you, Faraday"
"Greyson, Miss Gordon, it's been a pleasure as always" Faraday bid farewell
"Likewise, Faraday" Barbra replied warmly "Though, next time, can we just have lunch like normal people?"
"We can try on my next day off" Faraday offered
"Don't forget to check in on Jason and Cass" Greyson reminded
"Shit, yeah" Faraday recalled "I completely forgot about them"
"For two weeks?" Barbra asked stunned
"Getting old I guess" Faraday shrugged "Diana, let's go"
Diana gave Grayson and Barbra a hug, then when she got to Damien to shake his hand as usual he murmured to her "I'll always trust you"
Diana smiled and nodded "As I you"
After Diana and Faraday entered the jet, they watched as it took off down the runway and then went to get into their cars
"So, you have your own key?" Barbra enquired leaning against her door
"Yes" Damien replied casually
"Does she have a key to your car?" Greyson added
Damien let out a heavy sigh
"That's a YES!" Greyson Declared
"I hate you" Damien replied as he stepped into the Maserati
"No you don't" Greyson yelled before Damien started the car and sped away
Getting inside, Barbra enquired "Think they'll ever just get on with it?"
"Not anytime soon" Greyson admitted "his in unfamiliar territory, I bet he doesn't even understand why he's feeling the way he does for her, so till he figures that out, they'll just have doing the dance of theirs"
Barbra reclined back a bit as Greyson drove off the runway "They work so well together, despite being opposites"
"It's my fault" Greyson admitted
"How is it your fault?" Barbra asked sceptically
"I saw it pretty much when it started, they were both oblivious to it but it was clear as day, at least to me" Greyson informed "If I had just spent more time with Damien, talked to him, taught him how to address those feelings, he may be more open than he is now"
"Hmm, maybe, but you can still help him, I think now is better anyway, you got more experience than when we met and you're in an actual relationship" Barbra suggested "Plus Damien isn't so kill crazy anymore"
"Yeah, true" Greyson agreed "and we have being spending less time together, perfect opportunity to change that"
Massachusetts
Cambridge, Lana's apartment
Standing in the hallway by Lana's apartment door with his glasses on, in brown work boots, blue jeans and a blue/white striped shirt, Kal parted from Lana ending long passionate goodbye kiss and noted the sad yet happy smile on her face. It wasn't the goodbye that put the sadness in her smile, he could see that clear as day, it was something else, something he had a pretty good idea as to what it was, but he would play it cool and let her say it and relieve herself of the burden.
"What's wrong?" Kal asked softly
Lana hesitated for moment then looking at floor she said "I loved the kiss, but I feel kind of bad that you couldn't enjoy it like I did"
"I got a pretty good idea of how it felt" Kal reassured
"Really?" Lana asked sceptically
"Whatever it is that dampens my feeling gets taken away, along with the rest of my powers, while we were at the fortress, so…" Kal informed
"Uh, of course, how could I not think of that?" Lana realised
"Besides, I think it makes it all the more… enticing for when we do get back to the fortress" Kal said playfully
"Do you now?" Lana replied equally playful
Before they could even get to tilting towards each to go for another make out session, a voice rang out from down the hall
"Lana?" a male voice called out
Turning they saw a student, one of Lana's classmates a chestnut haired 20 year old, in grey sneakers, grey track pants and a grey MIT hoodie, walking towards them, almost in a power walk, with a gym bag slang over his shoulder
"Jerry, how's it going?" Lana greeted vainly hiding her irritation
"Just had a good morning at practice" Jerry replied
"Right, of course" Lana said with a strained smile
"So you going to introduce me" Jerry asked darting his eyes between Lana and Kal
"Uh… hmm" Lana managed
"Clark Kent" Kal greeted noticing Lana being less than inclined to continue interacting with Jerry
"Oh, you're the famous Clark Kent… Jerry Stills" Jerry said as if Kal had heard of him
Kal raised an eyebrow and indicated in his voice he'd never heard of Jerry "Jerry Stills, nice to meet you"
"Lana hasn't mentioned me?" Jerry enquired
"Probably just never got the chance" Kal said diplomatically
Jerry opened his mouth but nothing came out then nodded and invited an awkward silence for a moment
"So, Jerry, you must have things to do and Clark and I have things to do, so…" Lana started
"No, I was just go chill and watch some TV… how about I get you guy's breakfast? We can chat and get to know each other, Clark" Jerry offered
"Uh Clark and I planned on doing some BOYFRIEND/GIRLFIEND stuff for breakfast" Lana lied as she pulled Kal into her Apartment "So, you know… Privacy"
Jerry's crushed disappointed face was the last thing Lana saw before shutting and locked all four locks on her door.
"One of your many unconsidered suiters?" Kal quipped
"Don't make light of this" Lana warned "His the most persistent one"
Kal made an 'Oh' face
"His not a bad guy, really nice truthfully, but even if… us wasn't a factor, I wouldn't be interested" Lana clarified
"Yeah, I figured, you would have mentioned him if he was one 'those' other types" Kal stated
"And you would have come to teach him manners?" Lana quipped
"Oh no, I would have brought Pam for that" Kal replied with mischievous smile
"Too far, Clark, you don't bring my mother in for anything less than a psycho" Lana said as she made her way to the couch
"Hmm, I guess" Kal shrugged standing next her as she sat on the couch "You know, I'm kind of trapped now and I need to get to the fortress"
"You're not tapped, just go out the window as always, I'll just say you slipped out and they just didn't notice" Lana countered
Took of his glasses, bent down and kissed her "I'll see you soon"
"Definitely" Lana said softly
Kal winked then blurred out the window
Kansas
Smallville, Sherriff's Department
Entering the break room with Debra, in black flats, blue jeans and a pink tee, Sherriff Lang went to the fridge as Deputies Greg and Shaun sat the table eating their breakfast while Patricia, the Mexican department secretary in black heels, grey pencil skirt and a white shirt, leaned against the counter waiting for her food to warm up in the microwave.
"Little early in the day, boss" Patricia commented as Lang grabbed a beer bottle and a coke can
"It's midnight in Tokyo" Lang replied handing Debra the coke can
"I thought you said you don't drink" Greg said
"While on duty" Lang corrected "I haven't clocked in yet"
A short haired blonde woman poked her head through the break room door "Hey Shaun, where's the PlayStation?"
"How should I know?" Shaun replied as he slid a plate of pastries towards Lang
"It's in the store room, Maggie" Patricia answered "Left side back"
"I hit your car, Shaun" Lang informed as she sat down by the table
"Again, is it bad?" Shaun asked
"You should patrol with Greg" Lang suggested as she started eating and reading the note
"Dude, you going to stop that anytime soon?" Patricia asked Greg noting him scratching his crotch all morning
"I've been itchy all weekend" Greg replied
"When's the last time you had sex?" Patricia enquired
"Thursday" Greg replied
"And when did the itching start?" Patricia queried
"Saturday mid-afternoon" Greg informed
Patricia nodded as she opened the microwave "its thrash"
Shaun and Lang Spat out their food on their plates
"What's thrash?" Debra asked
"But I wore a condom" Greg disputed
"It doesn't matter" Patricia informed as she took a seat next to Greg
"What do I do about it?" Greg asked concerned
"Just go to Faye, she'll give you some cream, you'll be fine" Patricia reassured
"What's Thrash, Pam?" Debra reiterated
"Thrash is small to medium sized song bird, now go to my office and play some games" Lang answered standing up
"Could you guys not discuss his gentleman parts while I'm trying eat?" Shaun requested after Debra left "this looks like dick and balls now"
"Patricia, your responsible for Debra till I get back… don't fuck it up" Lana instructed as she went to the door "Later guys"
"Later, Boss" everyone bid farewell
Arctic Circle
Canada, Queen Elizabeth Islands
Ellesmere Island, the Fortress of Solitude
Level 4, Central Core
With doors closing behind him, Kal floated over to Zatanna, in red flats, blue jeans and a red tee, standing by Kelex's core, with Kori laying on the ground, in jean shorts and a light blue shirt, playfully blocking Krypto from lick her face.
"Kal, this place is amazing" Zatanna commented
"It's all Kelex, she built everything" Kal stated
"You did design the house, Master Kal" Kelex said humbly
"And that's all I did" Kal countered
Zatanna giggled "So what are we doing here?"
"We're going to be staying here for a bit" Kal informed "It will be safer for the farm, just in case this whole magic thing tries to follow us back"
"Well, I could have just shielded the farm so no one could track us" Zatanna stated
"I know but there are things here that could prove useful with our investigations and we have direct contact with Kelex" Kal rebuffed "Plus I was kind of hoping that you could…"
"I could what?" Zatanna queried
"Show Kelex your magic" Kal answered
Zatanna stared at him perplex
"I have monitored your trip to New Orleans and the magical energies you've encountered and I have come to the conclusion that I can alter myself to incorporate magic based operations with in my systems" Kelex informed "Master Kal, believes this will greatly improve my ability to assist you in magical realms, such as the one you previously visited"
"Really?" Zatanna enquired
"I have successfully duplicated and improved the tacking link you have with Master Kal and incorporated into my own tracking and communication systems that are linked to his armour systems" Kelex informed
"Wow" Zatanna remarked
Kori stood up "You're magic plus Kelex's tech will make her the most secure place in the galaxy"
"Hang on, are saying Kelex IS the fortress?" Zatanna enquired
"Yeah, we're basically inside her heart and… brain" Kal answered
"Oh, ok" Zatanna replied "So basically, you want me to teach you magic?"
"To put it simply" Kelex confirmed
"Alright, so…" Zatanna said unsure how to continue
"Kori and I are going to the archives then get to training Krypto" Kal announced "So how about you start with Kelex showing you just how large she is and then she can monitor you as you shield her?"
"Yeah, ok I can do that" Zatanna agreed
"Sweet" Kal commented before leaving with Kori and Krypto in tow
Level 4, Archives
Seated by two consoles in a room with rows of cylinder shaped crystal towers, pulsating with beams of light, Kal and Kori looked through files upon files of data on everything Kelex managed to collect and observe regarding magic, Krypto lay between them on the crystal desk, wanting to play but obeyed the order to remain still. Kori noted an odd search input in the history, following it up, she found a compatibility comparison between her and Kal and looking at the log in record she found Lana's log in tag.
"So Kal, you did catch Lana's remark yesterday about how close we are, right?" Kori queried
"The baby one?" Kal replied
"Yes" Kori confirmed "I found out where that came from"
Kal leaned over to look at her screen and saw a genetic comparison between himself and Kori, it indicated a 95% compatibility.
"She must have been bored and got curious" Kal wrote off "Probably just messed around while working out how she and I can…"
"Yeah, but…" Kori said unconvinced
Kal looked at her waiting for her to continue
"What if it's to… insure that one day… you could… you know" Kori struggled
"Have a baby with you?" Kal surmised
"Have a family" Kori corrected
"Hmm… I guess" Kal agreed "but it's not something I'm think about, right now"
"Yeah, I know… I'm just saying she's planned ahead for when you do" Kori clarified "Look she even checked Diana… Oh shit! Isn't she like 14?"
"16" Kal corrected "but yeah, still weird"
"64.5%... hmm" Kori remarked "Oh, 8.2% for Shayera, that's a surprise"
"Isn't she dating Wally?" Kal enquired
"Looks like your girlfriend was covering all bases for anyone remotely compatible" Kori surmised
"Let's get back to the…" Kal said turning back to his screen only to stop short seeing what's on it
"What?" Kori enquired
"Does that look like that Fawcett city guy to you? I mean his lightning thing" Kal asked
Looking at his screen Kori saw an images of hieroglyphs depicting a being similar to Shazam in process of transformation and others of artefacts in museums
"Yeah, but somethings off with it" Kori noted before recognising an artefact "Wait, I saw on the news that one was stolen, the lightning guy intervened but the thieves had magic creatures defending them and got away"
"Kelex, check the other artefacts and their museums" Kal instructed
"Similar news reports for all of them, expect this one" Kelex reported as she displayed an ancient scroll
"Monitor the museum holding it and ask Zatanna to check in with Nimue about this" Kal instructed
"Done" Kelex confirmed
"We get something?" Kori asked concerned
"There's a chance this is linked to our current assignment" Kal replied "even if it isn't, lightning guy will need our help most likely"
Kori looked at him uneasy "Kal, I don't get involved with your A.R.G.U.S stuff, but… how much danger are we in?"
"Global annihilation" Kal replied bluntly
Kori sighed and shook her head "How can I help?"
"Kori…" Kal started
"Kal, don't" Kori warned "How can I help?"
"Bail me out?" Kal offered
Kori was taken aback
"I'm mostly in it as a loophole for their magic, due to being an unknown and unaccounted for anomaly" Kal explained "so, just in case I fall short at some point, I'll need you to get me out and to safety… along with Zatanna"
Kori nodded "Ok"
"Master Kal, Zatanna informed me that this is may very well be part of your assignment" Kelex informed "85% chance she says"
"85" Kal remarked "ask Zee to keep us informed of any magical changes, I'll see about investigating who's involved in the city"
"And I'll monitor the situation from here with Kelex" Kori added
Kal looked at Kori and realised she was done hiding now, she was joining him full on in his A.R.G.U.S work, at least with this current assignment
"Oh and Kelex, please, make armour for me" "Kori requested
"Right away, Mistress" Kelex complied
Kansas
Smallville, Kent Farm
In her uniform checking the house, Sherriff Lang steps out on to the back porch only to greeted by the sound of a gun click next her ear, freezing in place, she turned eye gaze towards the gunman, a bum of a man with long greasy hair and beard, not sure exactly what its natural colour is, in dirty rags and stinking something awful held a revolver to her head.
"Bet you thought you'd never see me again, uh?" the gunman said
"Do I know you?" Lang asked unconcerned
A shotgun click turned her attention to her side and another man similar to the first appeared
"Hands up" the shotgun man instructed
Lang raised her hands and the shotgun man took her gun
"What kind of cop carries a gun like this?" The shotgun man asked perplex as he handed the Desert Eagle to the gunman
"One that doesn't care for the rules much… what was it you said again? Oh yeah, make up lack of manpower with superior firepower" the gunman replied as he holster his own and switched to Lang's gun "now move, Lang"
Lang stepped down the steps on the backyard and started walking straight ahead to no particular destination
"Turn toward the barn" The gunman instructed "keep your gun on her, you heard the stories"
Complying, Lang made her way to the barn, then stopped by the doors and turned to face the gunman "This is far enough"
"In the barn Lang!" the gunman demanded
"I'm not going in there" Lang refused "now who are you? It would be nice to know who's going to kill me"
"Sam Jones" The gunman said
Lang turned to the shotgun man and stared at him intensely
"Billy Jones" The shotgun man said failing to hide his terror
Lang looked to be struggling to remember anything about them "I confess the name sounds familiar, I just can't recall why"
"Marshall Jones, our daddy, you killed him right in that barn" Sam reminded
Lang sighed heavily as she recalled the incident "You mean, I saved a six year old boy from getting murdered by your daddy in that barn"
"Sh-Shut up, he was saving your daughter from a monster" Sam denied
"You sure about that?" Lang enquired "Because seeing as my daughter is doing fine, I don't see how she was in any danger from anyone expect your dad, who was drunk and delusional"
"FUCK YOU! He was our dad and you killed him to save a filthy alien" Billy rebuffed
"Hmm, so you're dead set on this, uh?" Lang said disheartened
"You will die, just like he died" Sam stated "Now for the last time, get in the barn"
"I'm not dying surrounded by rats" Lang refused
"Sherriff, you're needed back at the station" Maggie's voice radioed
Distracted by the radio call Billy let his shotgun down away from Lang and looked down at the radio on Lang's hip, this gave Lang the opportunity to grab her gun from Sam, who turn away to chastise Billy for dropping his gun. Lang shot Billy in the chest, tripping him back and dropping his shotgun, then she quickly shot Sam in the head, as he fumbled to get his revolver, before taking two steps towards Billy and finishing him off with a shot to the head.
"Are you alright, Sherriff Lang?" Kelex asked through the radio
Lang chuckled then replied "Yeah, thanks for the distraction"
"You are most welcome, Mistress" Kelex replied
Massachusetts
Cambridge, Lana's apartment
-Translated from Kryptonian-
Sitting on the couch packing her backpack Lana, in black Dr Marten boots, blue jeans, a white tee and a red/black flannel shirt, noticed a news coverage of a case against superman, turning the volume up, she found it was about the Middle East incident and a resident had survived.
"…when he landed it was like the earth itself trembled in fear of him. He went into our elder's house and after a short time… two of the soldiers came running out with our elder trying to get him to gather the rest of us, so we could escape, but it was too late… it was like fires of the hell come bursting out of ground, then he followed, hovering above us like a vengeful god, we didn't even notice the ground cracking below us, then he came down on us and sent the whole village into cravens below" the survivor retold
"The world has been so caught up with what superman can do, that we haven't asked what he should" Senator Dawes stated "Let the record show that this committee is issuing an official call for him to answer for this act of violence"
"He will not answer to you, he answer to no one" the survivor stated
Lana turned off the TV and slumped on the couch, depressed, she knew this could be the beginning of a long road of misery for Kal and she'll have to do all she can make sure he doesn't lose himself in desolation. Shaking it off, Lana grabbed her bag and headed out, she still had classes to attend and hopefully they'll distract her for a while, before working out how to deal with the news of the U.S government seeking to bring Kal to justice.
Pulling out her necklace, she contacted Kelex -"Kelex, has Clark seen the news?"-
-"No, Mistress Lana"- Kelex replied
-"Please, don't let him see it just yet"- Lana requested
-"If you believe it to be best"- Kelex questioned
-"I do"- Lana confirmed
-"Very well, Mistress"- Kelex complied
Arctic Circle
Canada, Queen Elizabeth Islands
Ellesmere Island, the Fortress of Solitude
Level 1, Living Area
Entering the living room Kal and Kori found Zatanna standing by a wall staring at a clock like she's in a trance, they float over and stood next on both sides of her.
"We're in the most technologically advanced structure on the plant, so much so it reveals magic, which it's now upgraded with… so why do you have an analogue clock?" Zatanna asked noticing them set foot next her
Kori looked at Kal and found him struggling to come up with an answer, the she took the clock down and inspected it.
Seeing the back Zatanna eyes widened "OH MY WORD! It even uses AA batteries!"
"SO you're done with the magical upgrades?" Kal asked skipping the topic
"Yeah, Kelex got all the data she needed, just from scanning me shield her" Zatanna informed "She even showed me how improve my shielding… she's something else, you sure your people weren't magical or gods?"
"Positive" Kal replied "though, I suspect we were evolving in that direction"
"Hmm, interesting" Zatanna commented "So, you found a trail in Fawcett City?"
"It's something, there's a new hero there, been around a couple of months now, he's dealing with it but with everything that's going on he'll need our help" Kal confirmed
"So, you and Kal will be going to the city for a while, see if you can't get this lightning guy to join forces with us" Kori informed
"You're coming with?" Zatanna enquired
"No, I'll draw too much attention, but I'll be here monitor the situation, if you need me, I'll come by" Kori explained
"Oh alright, so when are we leaving?" Zatanna enquired
"Tomorrow" Kal informed "for now, I was hope you could help us out with cataloguing the data we have on magic, it a mess"
Zatanna laughed "Alright, let's see what I can do"
Kansas
Smallville, Sherriff's department
Shaun sat by Lang's desk as Lang packed Debra's bag with all the toy's she brought for the day, when Linda, in black flats, a navy pencil skirt, a white shirt and a navy blazer, burst into the office fuming.
"Debra go to the front and wait with Patricia" Lang instructed
After Debra left, Linda shut the door and turned to Lang and Shaun "So where the hell have you been?!"
"On patrol" Lang stated
"To where, fucking Iceland?!" Linda asked
"Yeah, that's where she went" Shaun quipped
"Shaun, that shit's not funny anymore… actually, it's never been funny, so I don't even know why I said that" Linda blabbed out
"Linda, calm down" Lang beseeched "I wasn't in the car much and my radio's battery died, just got back to charge it and get a new one"
Linda sighed and calmed herself "Sorry, I just received a serious accusation of assault, this Marco Fradiani character…"
"Fuck him" Lang interjected
"NO, PAM, FUCK YOU!" Linda rebuffed furiously "He's lawyer is threating to have you arraigned on attempted murder charges"
"Murder charges over a little splash of water" Lang remarked
"Well, he claims, after requesting for you to get off the Jefferson property, you failed to identify yourselves as police officers, hence why he fled the scene… those are what we call mitigating circumstances… the fact that you knock out two of his teeth when you chased him down and then repeatedly held him underwater for several minutes, those are not what we call mitigating circumstances, DO YOU SEE THE FUCKING DEFFERANCE?"
"He's was part of the Mr Jefferson case and he was with holding vital information, which we got and we're now closer to finding Mr Jefferson" Shaun explained
"If anything, we could have charged him with obstruction of justice and aiding and abetting" Lang added
Linda sighed and shook her head then said "I can work with that, get them to back off, but the powers that be are hoping to add this to their list of things to nail you with, all because of that guy whose eye you knocked out"
"That was impressive" Shaun praised "One punch and pop, cyclops"
"Shaun, come on" Linda chastised "just, please… find Jefferson… that will, at the very least, shut them up and hopeful take a step back"
"Hey, Linda, come here" Lang requested with her arms open
"Pam…" Linda started
"Come on" Lang interjected closing in
Linda shook her head and gave Lang a hug
"I promise you after this, any issues that crop up won't be about us" Lang promised
"I'm sorry for yelling" Linda apologised as the broke of the hug
"You were well within your rights" Shaun reassured
"We have been rather troublesome" Lang admitted "It's a wonder this town keeps electing me as Sherriff"
"You do keep the peace and get results" Linda stated "No one can argue with that"
"That's true, you have made it that no one even dares to jaywalk" Shaun quipped
"Fuck you, Shaun" Lang chuckled "come on let's get out of here, I got get my daughter home"
"Debra, she's already a daughter to you?" Linda asked surprised
"Better to start getting used to it now rather than later" Lang reasoned as they exited the office
Linda mulled it over and found it logical "Hmm, well, she's one lucky child, that's for sure"
Gotham City
Bryan Town, the Tombs Hotel
Damien's Bunker
Damien leaning against his desk as Stephanie tested out her new armour, it's the same design has her old her suit just with lightweight armour plating and a hood with a lower face mask instead of a cowl, she twisted and flexed and found it to be much better than the simple padding of her old suit, the hood wasn't much of surprise, Damien always hated that hair was exposed 'too easy to spot in the shadows' he would say, she agreed but could never let him have the satisfaction of being right about it.
"So, what do you think?" Damien enquired
"I love it" Stephanie replied as she pulled down the mask and hood "I'll have to get used to the hood but I got you to help out with that"
"Good, figured the upgrade would be needed seeing as you joined A.R.G.U.S" Damien justified
"Oh, is it that why you commissioned it?" Stephanie asked unconvinced stepping closer to him
Damien straightened up "yes, you won't be dealing with street thugs and crazy clowns anymore"
"Right, our enemies will be meta-humans" Stephanie stated as she got closer still unconvinced of his reasons
"Steph" Damien said as she stood uncomfortably close
"Damien" Stephanie replied warmly
"Personal space" Damien simply said
"Right" Stephanie whispered before kissing him
Damien froze, his brain seemed to have had a system crash, and he couldn't comprehend what was happening then to his surprise he found himself responding to her lips, they're soft and had a taste of cherry. Stephanie moved closer, but he shifted to the side and broke off their kiss, she looked at him perplexed, did she act too soon?
"I'm sorry, I… just wanted to show my thanks" Stephanie offered
Damien wasn't responding, he just stared at her, Stephanie was terrified now, outside of Barbra and Greyson, he was all she had left and the most import person in her life, everyone else was dead or didn't want anything to do with her anymore, she couldn't lose him, anyone but him, sure their first few months weren't that great but then again he was arrogant and mistrusted everyone, but Greyson had pointed out, the good in him and with Greyson's constant excuses of being busy, she was often paired with Damien on the regular.
It worked out for the best it turned out she was the only one who could get him to listen, why that was no one was sure but no one cared so long as she could get him to behave it didn't matter why he listened, eventually they developed a sort of silent understanding, she could tell how he would react in any given situation as could he could about her.
"Say something" Stephanie begged
His silence was too much, reminded her of when she and Tim were dating, she knew they didn't like each other but didn't think it would affect him as it did. He started disappearing a lot more in the past year than usual and didn't tip her off on where he was going and when anymore, it was only in last few months before their team up to rescue Kal that they started talking to again, seemed to have come to terms with her and Tim being together. Now here they are, having shared their first kiss, probably his first ever, and it may be the ruin of the slow rebuild of their bond which was solidified in Metropolis.
"One day I'll be ready for you" Damien stated
"Just not today" Stephanie added softly
"I'm trying to process all this, I'm not exactly…" Damien started
"It's ok, I'll be here" Stephanie assured with a warm smile
After a moment of silence Damien asked "How about we get to look for the people who went after Ivy?"
"Yeah, let's do that" Stephanie agreed
Damien sat in his chair and they went over the evidence they gathered, it would be awkward night but at least they got something to do.
London
The English Country side
Lawson's Private Residence
In a white bedroom with nothing but a king sized bed with simple white sheets and a pillow, Lawson lay asleep, in white cotton boxers and a white vest, as a black oose seeps through the centre of her balcony doors and forms into a lanky humanoid creature. Silently the creature glides across the pure white tiles, hovering next to the bed and reaching over Lawson's ear with one hand it extends its fingers into her mind.
In Lawson's mind
The creature was caught off guard, it hadn't expected her mind to be as powerful as it is, but it manages to compensate and the first thing it sees are images of surface knowledge, a meeting with the D.O.D about A.R.G.U.S re-joining the U.S, a charity relief effort in a remote village and a hostile takeover of Stagg Industries. The creature then hit a barrier and it knew what it seeks lay behind it, pushing through the mental barriers the creature saw, among many images playing around it, a man huddled by a fire in a cave, a secret base being built somewhere unknown, Orm talking to Lawson by a beach, Kal being branded with the house of El emblem on his chest in a torture chamber, Lex with Bruce as they unveil Brother eye and the O.M.A.C's at an expo.
The creature got a small part of what it came for and knew she didn't have more but curiosity got the better of it and pushed further into her mind past her deeper and stronger mental barriers and witnessed a single memory, a bright light making it hard to see a man and a woman calling out to Lawson, their voices warm and soft, then suddenly the memory stopped and everything turned black, the creature had pushed too far, and an furious Lawson appeared.
"Get out of my mind" Lawson demanded
Back in the bedroom
The creature exited Lawson's mind to find her, standing on the bed, pushing it back and ripping its arm off its shoulder, screeching in pain, the creature slammed into the wall braking its bones and cracking the wall, looking up the creature saw a rage filled Lawson toss its arm to the far side of the room as she lunged towards it, it was here and now it realised she is not fully human as her hazelnut eyes and chestnut hair had a gold tint to them. No choice but escape the creature turned into oose just before Lawson's fist could strike it, making her punch through it and the wall, then the creature slipped around her arm and reformed by the doors.
Lawson dragged her arm through the wall and shattered the glass doors, but the creature dodged her punch and ducked to the balcony, lunging after it Lawson slammed a fist on the floor as the creature, once again, turned to oose, causing the balcony to collapse and crash to the ground. Standing up, Lawson saw the creature run across her lawn and a boom tube opened up and the creature jumped into it and tube closed, Lawson turned and jumped back up to her bedroom, then went and picked up the creatures arm, inspecting it she let out a heavy sigh.
Arctic Circle
Canada, Queen Elizabeth Islands
Ellesmere Island, the Fortress of Solitude
Level 4, Storage Area
Zatanna wondered around the fortress and found herself in storage, looking around she just saw mostly empty storage units, except a few lined together by the wall. Making her way to them she noticed a similar armour progress much like earths armour concepts starting from mediaeval knight plat armour, then it progress to modern exo-suits and this became power armour, followed by mech-suits and then suddenly the armour became a bulkier version of kal's armour, reaching the end she noticed a mannequin, it wasn't dressed, is this where kal's armour was and he just took it?
Moving on she came across a large door, curious she wondered if she had access to what's behind it, placing her hand on the security pad, the door opened, inside there were shelves upon shelves and all were empty, Zatanna sighed at how empty the fortress is. Turning around she came face to face with a woman, with the same crystalline blue eyes as Kal, only darker, her hair a jet black pixie cut, in a shade darker of Kal's armour, with a furious expression on her face, Zatanna jumped back and got ready to defend herself.
"You are not Lana" The woman observed
"No, but who are you?" Zatanna replied slightly terrified
"I am Faora-El, Kal's aunt" Faora induced
"Oh, I'm Zatanna" Zatanna replied relieved
Faora squinted her eyes sizing Zatanna up "I've been watching you, Zatanna"
"Why?" Zatanna asked nervously
"You are a threat to Lana" Faora stated bluntly
"W-what? No, I'm…" Zatanna managed to say before she found herself on her back staring at the ceiling
Getting up the pain in chest indicated she was hit but something hard and it flung her to the back wall, once on her feet she found herself facing Faora again.
"What was that?" Zatanna asked confused
"Attempt to lie to me again and I'll do more than just push you" Faora warned
Zatanna looked at Faora and decided honesty is the best policy, but she was still confused Kal had explained her that all was left of his family are holograms not constructs.
"Ok, deal" Zatanna agreed terrified
"Do not interfere with their relationship, child" Faora cautioned "I've seen how taken you are with my nephew, I do not blame you… but I will not allow you ruin his happiness"
"Yes, I love Kal, but that in itself should tell you that I want him to happy, with or out me" Zatanna defended
"Many love another that is taken and do all they can to take them for themselves" Faora countered
"True, but that is not love, if you truly love someone, you don't force them to be with you" Zatanna rebuffed "Their happiness should be all that matters, even if you're not the one providing in it"
Faora's expression lightened but she was till mistrusting of Zatanna
"I can see you don't trust me, but please give me the chance to prove to you that Kal being happy is all I care about and will never do anything to come between him and Lana" Zatanna implored
Faora had already considered this half way through Zatanna's sentence and decided to give her a chance "The first sign of ill intent and I will find you"
The storage area doors screeched as Kori forced them open "Hey, Zee! You in here, are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm back here" Zatanna cried out
Kori flew in the room and floated two inches of the ground in front of Zatanna and checked her chest "Kelex, can you hear me?"
"Yes, connections restored to storage" Kelex confirmed
"Do a medical scan for Zatanna, check for injuries" Kori instructed
"I recommend escorting Mistress Zatanna to the medical bay, she as suffered multiple hairline fractures to her ribs" Kelex recommended
"What happened, Zee?" Kori enquired "Kelex said she suffered a black out in here"
"I, uh, met Faora" Zatanna informed
"Oh, did she give you an impromptu self-defence lesson?" Kori quipped
"No, we just had a chat" Zatanna replied
"Must have been some chat to fracture you ribs" Kori said unconvinced
"I'd rather not talk about it" Zatanna replied
"Alright, just next time you go exploring bring either Kal or myself along, things aren't exactly catered to anyone with subpar durability and doesn't know the place" Kori requested scoping Zatanna up and flying out to medical "especially level 3 and 5"
"Yeah, don't worry I won't be doing much exploring any time soon" Zatanna reassured
Fawcett City
The Mckeon History Museum
Sitting on the roof of an office building with binoculars, feeling sleepy and bored out of his mind, Billy, in black convers shoes, blue jeans, and a red shirt, spots the four of the thieves his been dealing with sneaking into the museum from the rooftop, unaware, he missed Selina sneaking out a window and duck into a side alley. Standing up, billy jumped off the building and barely audibly says Shazam in as calm a tone as anyone can give, two stories away from the ground his lightning hits him, narrowly misses the ground and flies towards the museum.
In the museums Aztec exhibit the thieve stand in semicircle with their arms stretched out and blue beams of light coming out of their hands forming a large ball of smoke and static electricity, Shazam arrived just in time to see a yellow minotaur with red spots appear from the smoke cloud and charge at him. Crashing through the walls of the museum, Shazam is knock out to the paved court yard of the museum, where his caught and helped up straight, turning around, Shazam find it's Kal, in his armour, who caught him.
"Superman?" Shazam recognised
"Yeah, let's do the pleasantries later, your playmate isn't looking to happy" Kal suggest nodding to the Minotaur charging out the hole Shazam created
Soon as the Minotaur touched the ground, it launch at Kal, but Shazam flew in and punched it down to the ground, the Minotaur returned with a punch flinging Shazam over the museum, Kal engaged the Minotaur, but when he made contact his arm sunk into its chest up to his elbow and got suck, trying to pull his arm out, Kal mistakenly put his hand on the Minotaur's chest and got it sunk in up to the wrist. Shazam come back over the museum and saw the Minotaur laughing as Kal futility tried to pull himself free, charging down, Shazam grabbed the Minotaur's horns, pulling it back as Kal pulled himself away, hoping both their strength will set him free, but the Minotaur shifted and turned into a blue marble like statue of itself.
Arctic Circle
Canada, Queen Elizabeth Islands
Ellesmere Island, the Fortress of Solitude
Level 2, Medical Bay
Lying flat on an operating table Zatanna watched as Kelex's crystal basketball shaped droid floated above her chest with strings coming out of it and into her chest, she found that she did feel anything except her chest pain subsiding, which she found to be the only indicator that her ribs were being healed, standing next to Zatanna, swiping and typing on a holographic interface project by Kelex's droid, Kori's face turned dark with concern.
"Kelex, how much longer till she's healed?" Kori enquired
"One minute" Kelex replied
"Ok, I guess we can wait that long" Kori signed "Kal just hang on for another minute and I'll send Zee to you"
"Yeah, sure take your time" Kal replied through the droid
"Hang on, you were busy watching, Kal? I thought you were operating on me" Zatanna realised
"What? No, I don't know anything about medical care, let alone that of a different species" Kori stated "It's all Kelex"
"Uh, I should have figured" Zatanna agreed
"Healing complete" Kelex announced as she drew out her strings
"Alight, can you… magic yourself there or do you need me to fly you?" Kori asked as she showed Zatanna the museum
"I can 'teleport' there" Zatanna confirmed
Kori was about to say something the suddenly a flash of light blinded her
Fawcett City
The Mckeon History Museum
Opening her eyes, Kori found herself staring at Zatanna, who had a large grin on her face, then noted how dark it is and turned to see Kal and Shazam next to her, then shook her head realising Zatanna took her with.
"I wasn't sure you called it teleporting, no offence was intended" Kori stated
"None taken, just wanted you come along" Zatanna replied merrily
"So, Kal what do we have?" Kori asked moving on
"You tell me" Kal replied
Zatanna inspected the statue, taping and feeling it, then stepped back and stared at it thinking of how to deal with it, Kori, Kal and Shazam watched patiently letting her work, then she snapped her figures and gestured for Kori and Shazam to step back, Kal's eyes grew wide with worry.
Zatanna focused then said "eutats ot tsud"
The statue rumbled a bit, then it started cracking and finally crumbled into a pile of dust freeing Kal
"You alright?" Kori asked concerned
"Yeah" Kal reassured shaking the dust off his hands
"So you got a name?" Kori said turning her attention to Shazam
"Yeah, uh" Shazam said before creating a banned between hands spelling out Shazam in an electric current
"Ok" Kori remarked "I'm Kori, you've met 'Superman' and this is Zatanna"
"Pleasure to meet you" Shazam greeted
"So, um, we've been tasked with finding out what's been going on with magical barriers between worlds and we came across the museum thefts and figured that they may have something to do with it" Zatanna explained "And we were wondering if, maybe, you would help us out"
"Uh, sure, I actually I've been task with that too" Shazam informed "I noticed the disturbance as well and the thefts are merely a by-product of it, from what I've gathered someone is using the weakened stated of the barriers to try and summon someone or something"
"Any idea what?" Kal enquired
"All I got is the name Sabbac and it is somehow tided with bringing whatever it is into our realm" Shazam informed
"Hmm, I'll check in with Nimue, see what she's got, in the meantime we'll need to go to Los Angeles" Zatanna announced
"What's in L.A.?" Kal enquired
"All the magical items and books my father's collected" Zatanna informed "They're safe enough as is, but I think we should move them to the fortress and we can properly do some research"
"Alright" Kal agreed
"Shazam, how about we meet up tomorrow?" Kori requested
"Uh, sure, where?" Shazam replied
"Ellesmere Island, Canada" Kal replied "you can met Kori here tomorrow and she'll guide you to the meet"
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow" Shazam agreed
"Hope, you're not too bothered by the cold" Kori remarked before Zatanna teleported them away
Billy's rundown apartment
Shazam flew back to the apartment and landed in the back alley before transforming back to normal, running around, he went in the front and made his way up the stairs to his apartment, unaware of a woman following him. After watching him entering his apartment, the woman walked over to a bum sitting in the corner, to her observation, he seems to hang out here a lot and must know everything that happens here, kicking him awake, she wave a wad of money over him.
"Two thousand bucks for everything you know about the kid that lives in that apartment" She offers
The bums an old man, grey hair and despite his age looks 20 years older than he actual his, the rags he has on is all he owns, he looks at the woman and immediately spots that she's poorly disguised as someone poorer than she actually is, the wad was merely confirmation, he was reluctant to share anything, he just stared at her blankly, showing his disinterest in ratting billy out.
"I know that, kid" a voice chimed across the hallway
The old man furiously turned and gave a scowl at a young man, about 26 standing by doorway in black worn shoes, ripped blue jean, a dirty white tee and a military jacket, but the man ignored him.
"What you got?" the woman enquired
Old man was about to protest, but the woman kicked him the face.
"What you got?" The woman reiterated
"Run into him last week, was a little curious as to why he's here and not in an orphanage or something, kid was rude, I got a little angry and slapped him. I felt bad about it and was about to apologise, but he said something couldn't quit catch it, then bam, lightning hit's the kid. I turned away the flash was to bright, when I looked back, there he was, that lightning guy that popped up a couple months ago, I almost shat myself, then run from my life" The man informed
"You got his name?" The woman enquired
"Heard one of the officials that come around looking for wayward kids, refer to him as Billy Batson, he wasn't here at the time" The man informed
The woman tossed the wad at him and walked way "Enjoy it"
The Milky Way galaxy
A barren rock planet
In a purple hooded robe hiding his features, a tall lanky figure stood, leaning on a black bladed polearm, next to a man seated on a makeshift throne, in black plate armour with blood red outlines and a horned helmet, looked over an army of bug like humanoids before them, when a boom tube opened above them, the black oose creature fell out and crashed before their feet. Raising the creature's head with the edge of his polearm, the lanky figure inspected the creature curiously and amused, then turned to the man on the throne and nodded, the man grinned as the lanky figure decapitated the creature.
