Disclaimer: Lawyers suck. (I should take that back, considering I want to go to law school. But I really want to own Batman, and sigh I can't) Needless to say, I don't own anything Justice League related, except my own characters and ideas. 'Nuff said.

A Father's Curse

Khyrran's Bedroom, Elysian Fields, NY

"I can't believe you bought that crap," Khyrran said.
"Her time was served, Jinx. Let it go."
"So you entertained no thoughts of creating little Kryptonian babies with her?" she replied, mischievously.
"Khyrran," Clark or rather Superman, warned. "Mala was psychotic. I wouldn't have touched that woman with a ten foot pole."
Khyrran began laughing. She was laughing so hard that when she gasped, she accidentally choked. Clark began to laugh, "Serves you right."
"You know you are getting really good at making women mad."
"What does that mean?"
Khyrran began to tick them off on her fingers. "Me, Lois, Mala and that Leslie chick who is now calling herself 'Livewire'."
"How did I upset Lois? Or you for that matter?"
"And I quote, 'Well, Lois, the truth is I'm actually Superman in disguise and I only pretend to be a journalist in order to hear about disasters as they happen and then squeeze you out of the byline.' End quote. And me you're my brother, you will forever be making me mad at you for some stupid reason or another."
"Thanks Jinx, you are absolutely wonderful for my ego."
"Somebody has to keep you from developing a god complex."
Clark shook his head as got up from the chair. Khyrran was giving him the third degree after his last go around with Livewire. He had come to see her for her healing skills and got the lecture of women's rights instead.
"Tell you what shut up and heal the stupid wound and I'll leave."
"Fine. You just want to use me. I see how it is."
"Jinx," Clark warned.
"Yeah, yeah. Hold still." She closed her eyes and took a few steps back.
He just watched in awe as the air immediately surrounding her turned white. Her eyes flew open, completely white and glowing. Her arms rose from her side as extended her palms towards him, her fingers facing the ground. A thin white mist began to flow from her hands, surrounding Clark. Almost instantly he felt rejuvenated.
"Thanks kid."
"If you want to pay me back you could ask Lois out."
"Good- bye Jinx."

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'Being an empress isn't easy,' Khyrran thought as she left the conference room. She had promised the people that not much would change now that she had taken charge. The few subtle hints she had given about changing the defense system were ignored. The council thought that at fifteen she should be more concerned about her education, human and Mann'ahoian, than ruling a planet. This, in her mind, was stupid. High school had been an annoyance when she was training everyday. Now, it was just pointless. Beside trying to rally a planet that didn't want to be united, continued training, and daily meetings with the Overseers, they expected her to attend school seven hours a day? Not bloody likely. Besides, she had convinced Gail and Howard to let her take the GRE. After two weeks of major pleading, pointing out that she had taken all honors courses her freshman year and had finished at the top of her class while holding down extreme extra curricular activities they finally gave in. Of course they had no idea that the extra curricular activities were training sessions, but then again they really didn't need to know that.

Khyrran dropped some papers off with her head of planetary security. As she left the office she heard voices around the corner. She recognized them immediately as the Queen of Elandic, Ferinia, and the head of the old council, Dronine.
"What was her proposal this time, your highness?" he asked.
"A planetary wide security system that has something called satellites orbiting in space," Ferinia said with distain.
"That child is too humanized to rule this planet," Dronine replied.
"She never should have been considered in the first place. It is a severe disgrace that a bastard sits on the throne," she spat as if the word left a bad taste in her mouth.
"Careful," he hissed, "that is privileged information. If anyone finds out I told you that it will be the end for us both."
"What is she going to, take away my crown? I don't think so and I don't particularly care. We have pure blooded Azorians that have the abilities she does."
"She was pre-destined, your highness. Even if she had not accepted her birthright, she still would achieve the power levels she has. And she is going to get stronger."
"So be it."
"If you feel that strongly about it, bring your concerns to the underground. They have power to spare and can use it to influence the common folk. If there is enough dissent among the people, we might be able to take her off the throne."
"That is perfect," Ferinia purred.

Khyrran tucked herself into the shadows as they suddenly rounded the corner. Luckily they went into the opposite direction. Had they come towards her, the shadows wouldn't have completely hidden her from view. Khyrran stared after them. Ferinia had been her biggest adversary since she took the throne. The hostility radiating from that woman was the singular constant in her day-to-day life. Now, armed with the information that one of the council was possibly planning treason, she had to find out if Ferinia could indeed have her removed from the throne. The end result for Mann'ahoia could be disastrous should prophecy be undone. And only one person had the answer to that question.

Gail was sitting in the study when her daughter came storming through the double doors. She glanced up and recoiled from the icy glare in the teenager's eyes.
"What's my father's name?" she demanded.
"Khyrran what are you talking about? Your father is upstairs," Gail replied.
"Don't play stupid with me, Mother," Khyrran said sarcastically. "What is my father's name?"
"Howard Sheridan is your father, Khyrran," Gail repeated softly.
"That's bull. I remember that conversation Devlin had with George when he brought me home. I want my biological father's name now."

Devlin, Grace, Howard, Dawn and Jet heard Khyrran's shouts from various points in the house. They all ended up outside the study at the same time to find Jaydra listening at the keyhole. Dawn took her daughter upstairs.
"What are you waiting for? Or were there so many that you can't remember?" Khyrran's voice easily passed through the solid oak door.
Devlin sighed. "I think this is going to be a family affair. Why don't you and Dawn take Jaydra to the stables when she's finished getting her lecture?"
Jet nodded content to stay out of this particular conversation. Besides, Khyrran would tell Dawn about it anyway. Which meant he was going to hear about one way or another.
"This is going to get very ugly. Are you sure you are okay with this?" Devlin asked his father.
"She was going to find out sooner or later. This is something we should have dealt with a long time ago and we are going to do it as a family."
Grace simply smiled at him. "For better or for worse, Devlin. For better or for worse."
Gail's gaze flickered towards them as they entered the room, but Khyrran's never left her mother's face. Howard immediately crossed the room to stand next to his wife. Devlin stood between the two sides and quickly decided his course of action.
"Dad, would take Mom to the kitchen for a cup of tea. I think this one and I need to have a brother/sister chat."
"No one is leaving this room until I get a damn answer," Khyrran said, quietly.
Devlin stepped in front of her. "And what are you going to do?" he whispered. "Pull some magic trick and reveal the world of Mann'ahoia to them. Whatever answers you think you need, this is not the way to get them." He grabbed Khyrran's upper arm as he turned to the others. "We'll be in the other room. Explain. Now, Khy," Devlin demanded when they reached the family room.
Khyrran sighed as she sank onto the nearest couch, knowing that he wasn't going to let her out of this until he got his answer. "I overheard Ferinia and Dronine talking in the hall. They were trying to find a way to take me off the throne."
"I know Ferinia has a problem with you but she can't just take you off the throne. She has to have a legitimate reason."
"How about the fact that I'm a bastard?"
"Please tell me you're joking."
"Ummmm…yeah, wish. But unfortunately the truth is just that."
"All right. Let's go clean up the mess you made with the folks, then we'll go harass the big wigs."
Khyrran agreed. Gail's eyes met Khyrran's and she was relieved to see the hostility had dissipated. In its place were hurt, anger, and confusion. Devlin took a seat next to Grace. Khyrran wandered over the massive bay windows.
Devlin was the one who broke the silence. "I think it's time she learned the truth. She is old enough and I think she can handle it."

Gail and Howard looked at each other. "I'll begin," Howard said. "You both know that George has never really been happy with the fact that I married Gail. He was even less thrilled with the fact that she was pregnant at the time. He was so sure that you weren't mine. After you were born George had to call off the ranting; you looked just like me." He paused and took Gail's hand. "We were both only children and didn't want you to suffer the same fate, Devlin. We began trying to have another baby, about two years after you were born. For seven years we tried and no baby. We began to fight and after a year we just quit talking."
"I remember that," Devlin said.
Howard nodded. "You kept asking if we were fighting."
"And both of you said that sometimes people grow apart."
"George was contributing to the situation. Kept going on about getting a divorce and marring a woman that could give me a son, as if you didn't exist. I ended up having an affair with my personal assistant. It lasted less than a year and afterwards she transferred to a different department. I managed to keep it hidden from your mother. Three years later Charlotte showed up here with a small son. She told Gail about the affair and how she had been fired by George for having a bastard child. She never told him that the boy was mine."
"I have a younger brother?" Devlin asked in awe.
"Yes. And if my math is right he is around eighteen. But I have no idea where he's at. Right after Khyrran was born Charlotte married and not long before you brought her back, they moved."
The room was silent for a few minutes. "So what, one of you has an affair, the other gets to also?" Khyrran asked.
"No," Gail said. "I was immature and did it more out of revenge than anything. But I can't regret it, I have you."
"Swell. So who was he?"
"An old friend from high school. It was a one night fling. Howard and I got back together less than a week later. It didn't even cross my mind that you weren't Howard's until you were born. All that red hair gave it away."
Howard broke in with, "You said your mom had red hair."
"Mom's hair was more blonde than red."
"Where is he?" Khyrran said with a slashing motion of her hand. "Enough with the hair crap. Where is he?"
Gail sighed. "You aren't giving up on this are you? Not that it matter because I don't know. I tried to contact him about a year after you were born but I couldn't find him. What brought all this on anyway?"
"That is really none of your concern, not that it matters," Khyrran said, parroting her mother's words.
"It would be nice to know what made you decide to question your parentage."
"Maybe I felt that I was old enough to know why George called me a bastard eight years ago." She looked at them. "How did he know anyway, especially if it was such a big secret?"
"We don't know," Howard answered.
"You two are just a wealth of knowledge. Are you going to tell me his name?"
"No."
"Are you kidding me!" she cried.
"Khyrran, I will not have you popping up on his doorstep almost sixteen years after a one night stand he probably doesn't remember."
Khyrran glared at her mother, spun on her heel and stormed out of the room. The four occupants stared after her. Grace glanced at Devlin, he nodded and she left to go talk to Khyrran.
Devlin looked at Howard. "I still have questions for you. About my brother," he clarified at Howard's confused look.

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"That was uncalled for," Grace said coming into the room.
Khyrran sat in her window seat staring at her glowing orb. She sighed. "Probably, but this entire situation is totally ridiculous. I have every right to know who my father is."
"I agree with you but it isn't your decision to make." Grace said watching Khyrran toss the orb.
"No but it is my right."
"What brought all this on anyway?"
"Ferinia is planning on using that information to turn the planet against me," Khyrran told her. "I guess it was something that I was going to have to face sooner or later."
"She sounds more determined than usual."
"It's retaliation. If I died before I claimed my birthright or denied it all together, she probably would have been the Empress Elect."
"That explains a lot." Grace paused.
"Come on Grace. Spit it out."
"What are planning to do now?" she asked gesturing towards the orb.
"I'm going to find out if this is really something that could have me removed from the throne. Mann'ahoia will die if she is the one who succeeds me."
"Go ahead and ask. I'll tell Devlin."
"Thanks. I knew that you were going to be a good fit in this family," she said hugging the older woman.
"Right that's why you did everything to keep us apart."
"Nope, just making sure you weren't marrying him for the money."
"Get out of here," Grace said swatting at her. Khyrran left in a flurry of rainbow colored light. Grace sighed as she locked the bedroom door. One thing was for sure, this house would never be boring.

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Mankato was empty. Thoroughly and completely empty. Khyrran had checked and double-checked all of the common rooms that she had access to. After ten minutes she felt she had enough sufficient evidence that the Overseers had no clue she was there. Of course, that also meant that she had enough evidence to justify going into the forbidden parts of the castle. She pushed open the huge door that they normally came through. It opened up into a long hallway with five wooden doors on each side.
"Eenie, meenie, miny, moe…" Khyrran said, picking the second door on the right. She pushed the heavy wooden door and found Kamara sitting at a workbench sorting herbs. She grinned. This was almost too easy. "You're doing that wrong."
Kamara jumped and dropped the plant. "Khyrran! What are you doing in here?"
"No one came to the great hall, so I came looking."
"Hmmmm, that's interesting. Anyway, what's up?"
"Ferinia is planning on informing the entire planet that I'm a bastard. She wants me off the throne."
"Khyrran she can't just take you off the throne. She has to have a legitimate reason before she can petition us."
Khyrran nodded. She looked as if she had something else, but didn't want to ask.
"This bastard thing is really bothering you," Kamara observed.
"I'm more worried for my people should she actually find a way."
"She needs a majority vote from us to take you off the throne and it isn't going to happen."
"Do you know who my father is?" the teen blurted out.
"Ahhh, the real reason is finally revealed."
"You aren't going to tell me either, are you?"
"I don't think you could accept it."
"Kamara, I sacrificed my life for some freakin' crown. I deserve to know the circumstances which make that sacrifice completely pointless."
"It wasn't pointless. The timelines of Mann'ahoia and Earth were rebalanced when you accepted your correct destiny. Ferinia can try all she wants, but she can not claim the throne."
"So who is he?"
Kamara sighed and rose from her workbench. This one was as bad as her ancestors, possibly worse. Never one to let go and stubborn to a fault, this line of hosts were particularly hardheaded. "Khyrran, in the end it won't matter. You are still going to be base-born."
"Gee, thanks."
"Besides the Legacy of the Empress is passes through the maternal line, not the paternal. Your throne is secures and you have no worries on that front."
"What about Devlin's brother?" Khyrran said, dropping her other question.
"What about him?"
"You know about him?" So much for the element of surprise.
"Of course. His birth lead to yours. Besides his conception broke a curse placed on the Sheridan family. Devlin will be able to fulfill his own destiny."
"That's headache material right there. Does he know about this?"
"No. He has no clue who his real father is. But I will give you his name. Wallace Howard West and he lives in Central City. Have fun."
"Excuse me? He gets to find out about his father…"
Kamara interrupted, "Khyrran, he is going to play an important role on both Devlin's life and yours. But we want you to meet him and move some things along. The timeline…"
"…has to be protected at all costs." She sighed. "Fine. Keep Ferinia off my back and I'll work on finding this West kid.'
"That can be arranged."

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Ferinia sat in her dressing room, snapping orders at her staff. Kamara chuckled as she watch the fluffy of activity. The woman was stupid, like her mother. The room cleared as Ferinia's temper finally snapped. She grabbed a perfume bottle and threw it at the door.
"Now that was uncalled for," Kamara said as she de-invisivfied herself.
"Who do you think …" Ferinia said whirling. She paled when she realized who she just said that to. "My…my lady. I apologize," she said sinking into a curtsey.
Kamara's facial expression didn't change. "Hear me and hear me now, Ferinia, Queen of Elandic. Leave the Empress alone. The Overseers have placed her there for a reason."
Ferinia's face darkened. "That little bitch," she thought.
"Khyrran hasn't said a word. I am everywhere and no where. Leave. Her. Alone."
"As you say, my lady." Ferinia looked up. Kamara was gone. Her eyes narrowed at the spot where the Overseer has stood. They were all going down.

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Khyrran knew that Kamara had given her that name for a reason. And the timeline thing was crap. She knew it; so did Kamara. But she told Devlin and Grace the truth about the missing sibling. Devlin was ecstatic that he could track down his brother. They were not happy about the plan Khyrran had mapped out. She was going to tell Gail and Howard that she wanted to check out potential universities in Central City. Alone. She hoped that this way she could track down Wallace West without them asking a million questions about how she got her information. Gail and Howard immediately vetoed the idea. Khyrran refused to say another word to either of them until they relented on something. Devlin told her she was acting like a spoiled child. Grace seemed to be the only one on her side. She and Devlin argued about it for a week. One night she had had enough.
"STOP IT! DO YOU HEAR ME…STOP IT!" She screamed, storming into their bedroom. Both occupants turned to stare at her. "This is between me and my so called parents. You two need to butt out."
"You know we can't."
"Bull, why not?"
"Because…" Devlin started.
"You're jealous that Kamara is sending me to find your brother," Khyrran interrupted.
"I'm not jealous."
"Yes you are."
"Khyrran," Devlin warned.
"Devlin," Khyrran replied just as sarcastically, "You. Are. J-e-a-l-o-u-s, jealous."
"Prove it."
"Empath, don't have to."
"Since when?"
"When I passed my sorceress test last week," she said, smugly.
Devlin just shook his head. "I relent. Go do what you have to do. Just…"
"…be careful," she finished for him. "I will. You two need to quit bickering over this."
They agreed and Khyrran left the room, heading back to pack. She was leaving as soon as Gail and Howard left for work. She was going to fulfill this mission and no one was going to stand in her way.

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The library in Central City was absolutely wonderful. Not. The librarian was rude and wasn't going to let her look through the public records. All because she didn't have a library card. Oh she had one just not a Central City Public Library Card. She and the librarian went round in circles till Khyrran got fed up with it and left. Next stop court house. The clerk there was very helpful and Khyrran discovered all she needed to know.
Now, standing in front of the Central City Orphanage, Khyrran felt closer to Devlin's brother. She could have ended up here, instead of with the Kents. She was trying to decide whether or not she really wanted to delve deeper into this mystery or just use the Eye, when a voice broke through her musings.
"Imposing isn't it?"
Khyrran turned to find a man, dressed in red spandex from head to toe. A lightening bolt symbol graced his chest and one adorned each side of his head. She cocked her head to one side and asked, "And you are?"
"I'm the Flash."
"The Flash," she repeated in disbelief or mockery, which ever considering she was trying to keep from laughing in the poor man's face.
"You've never heard of me?" he replied, sounding hurt.
"Can't say that I have… Flash," she said, choking back laughter.
"Are you looking for someone here?" he asked, gesturing toward the orphanage.
She stopped. "Do that again."
"Do what?" he parroted, confused.
"That gesture with your hand." He did it again and she gasped. She knew that gesture; she'd seen Howard and Devlin do it a million times JUST LIKE THAT. 'It couldn't be that easy…could it?' she asked herself. "You're Wally West."
He took a step back. "How did you know that?"
"My name is Khyrran Marquis. Is there someplace les public we can talk?"
"You aren't going to hurt me are you?"
"What? No, I'm not going to hurt you. I have a story for you."
"Oh. Okay, follow me." Flash took off, Khyrran following as best she could behind. He zipped back to check on her once when she got lost, but other than that she kept up fairly well.
"Geez, you move slow," he said as she finally caught up to him.
"Just because you move fast, doesn't mean the rest of us do." She looked around the abandoned building. "Please tell me you don't live here."
"Home sweet home," he grinned and lead her inside. The place was a dump. Khyrran shook her head as Flash straightened up a bit. He plopped down on the ole warn sofa and took off his face mask. "Ok, so spill time. How'd you know?"
"Your birth name is Wallace Howard West; you were named after your biological father, but kept your mother's last name even when she married. She died when you were eight, your step-father shortly afterwards. Your mother's brother, Barry and his wife Iris tried to adopt you but couldn't due to financial troubles. The state placed you in the orphanage. They died a few years ago, just after your sixteenth birthday. And here we are."
"How did you know all that?" he asked in amazement.
"Court records from your uncle's petition. Did you ever wonder who your father was? I mean your real one?"
"Sure. But there are only so many times a kid can ask his mom where his dad is."
"Ain't that the truth."
"Why were you looking for me?"
"My step-father told my brother and I a very interesting story the other day about a woman named Charlotte West and her son…"

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Wally sat there in disbelief as the girl with the funny name told him about his life. After years of hoping to be adopted here comes a ready made family and it was his. He noticed she'd stopped speaking and was waiting for his response.
"It just doesn't make sense."
"Wally… can I call you Wally?" He nodded. "Wally your mom did the right thing. If George had discovered you were Howard's son and he didn't claim you, your life would have been worse than you think it was."
Wally jumped to her feet. "Yeah what do you know about it? You grew up in a house with your mom, MY dad and MY brother and you think you get to tell me my life was good?" He dashed out of the building, leaving Khyrran to wonder how she'd messed that up so badly.

Wally returned later that night to find a note on the table and over a thousand bucks in cash. He read the note, astonished at what she had left to say:

'Wally,

I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression earlier. I know the horrors Howard's father can bring. He had me kidnapped as a baby. I was seven before I made it back home to Devlin. (That's our brother by the way.) He's very anxious to meet you, so next time you're in Metropolis give us a call.

The money is yours to use. Devlin would kill me if I left you in that rat hole. Go rent an apartment. Don't worry, it's not a hand out. It's helping family. I'm staying one more night in Central City at the Plaza Royal. If you want, stop by. I'd love to say good-bye.

Khyrran

Under her name was the hotel room number, a home phone number, and their address. A brother, something he'd always wanted but never gotten. Maybe this could be the answer to all his questions. Plus…he'd get to meet his father.
Flash dashed over to the Plaza Royal. Khyrran opened the door to his smirking face. "So, I have this charity race thing in Metropolis in two weeks. Wanna set up a date?"
She threw her arms around him, "Welcome to the family, Wally."

A/N:

The quote about Clark tellin Lois that he is Superman and gets the byline is from Superman the Animated series The Main Man part 1 written by Paul Dini and directed by Dan Riba. (Giving credit kids...)

Sweet! Just checked: 340 hits on my story. Yeah that is totally something to make my day! So about the rumor thing: Until they post it on the opening page or I receive a personal email telling me that I can't thank my readers in my fics, I am refusing to add fuel to some unsubstantiated rumor. SO….Thanks to

Stormcloud-23 – thank you so much… I love cookies. So here's your update!

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To others who have read and haven't left a review... cookies to you too...thank you for following Khyrran this far and stay tuned... her life is about to take one surprising turn...