Connor Kent and the Revival of Krypton
Chapter 12
Laura led the way out of the lab. They stepped into a long hallway. The carpet was a deep crimson and thick enough that it muffled their footsteps. Weapons lined the left wall while high tech technology lined the right. Circular holes in the ceiling filled the hallway with a bright yellow light.
While they walk down the hallway, Connor's head swiveled from side to side. Well, he thought, if I ever needed proof that two opposite personalities lived here I have it now. He shook his head. I wonder if they would let me play with any of this stuff.
The neo-man of steel was brought out of his thoughts when Artemis pulled his ear hard.
"Ow, Ow, Ow."
"Don't even think about it," Artemis hissed in his ear.
Connor pulled his ear free and pouted, "You are no fun." He said crossing his arms.
The neo-man of steel jumped as one of her delicate hands caressed his ass.
"Wait till later," she purred in his ear, "and I'll show you just how fun I can be."
Connor's cheeks turned a bright red and a goofy smile spread across his face.
The quartet stopped at an intersection and Laura turned to face Jor-El, "You take them to the dining room, I'll go get Kal-El." The wife of Jor-El turned and walked down the left hallway while Jor-El led his companion straight.
They stopped before a smooth metal door, it slid open with a soft hiss revealing, a long rectangular room with dark hardwood floors. A variety of unrecognizable plants sat under long rectangular Windows that looked out over the city. A long silver table with eight chairs sitting around it sat in the center of the room.
A large inverted triangle with a silver S in the center hung from the ceiling with candles at its three points. The strange chandelier cast a soft glow that was reflected in the table.
Jor-El stepped into the room, "Feel free to set anywhere you like," he called over his shoulder as he took a seat at the head of the table.
The earthly duo moved forward and took a seat at the middle of the table.
A silence fell between the three. Connor began drumming his fingers on the table.
"So," Jor-El said in an effort to break the silence, "tell me what my Kal-El is like in the future."
Over the next half an hour, Connor and Artemis took turns telling Jor-El about Kal-El's many adventures and his great battles to save the earth.
After they finished, Jor-El sighed, "I'm a little disappointed that my son couldn't find a peaceful solution, but I know some people only respond to violence."
"Well I'm happy to hear that our son became such a strong warrior."
The three turned to see Laura enter the dining room holding a small child with dark messy hair. His chubby cheeks were flushed and his bright blue eyes were laden with sleep. His eyes opened as he spotted the newcomers and he gazed at them curiously with his head cocked slightly to the side.
Laura stepped forward. The chair on Jor-El's right turned into a silver highchair.
Laura set Kal-El down in the chair then moved over to sit on Jor-El's left.
Once she was seated, the matron of the house of El clapped her hands.
Spindly humanoid robots entered the room from a hidden door carrying trays of food.
Connor's mouth began to water at the smell, but he raised an eyebrow at the look of some of it.
After the food was placed on the table the robots slid silently from the room.
Connor eyed the main dish. It was a strange looking beetle. He turned to Laura, "Is that a mammal or an insect?"
Laura shrugged, "Nobody really knows. Now, let's eat."
Connor began filling his plate. He picked up some strange blue vegetable, a leg of the beetle looking thing, and some oval-shaped bread.
Artemis stuck with a variety of brightly colored vegetables.
Over the next little bit, the four adults made small talk while a robot fed young Kal-El.
Connor wiped his mouth with a napkin and laid it down beside his plate, "Jor-El, if you don't mind I would like to discuss a way to save…"
Artemis's head fell into her empty plate with a loud thump.
The neo-man of steel turned to his female companion, "Artemis, are you are all…" Connor swayed in his seat and his world began to go dark. His head fell into his plate.
The last thing the neo-man of steel heard was Jor-El's exasperated voice.
"Laura, what did you do?"
CK
Connor blinked hard to clear the spots from his vision. Once his eyes were clear he tried to move his head, but found it bound in place. He tried to move his arms, but found them bound as well. The same thing happened when he tried to move his legs.
Okay, he thought, don't panic. Now, what do I know? I'm in a sitting position with my arms and legs bound. By the pulling sensation in my forearms I have needles in my arms.
The neo-man of steel frowned. Well, he thought, now that I took stock of my situation. What am I going to do about it?
Suddenly, lights clicked on, causing the neo-man of steel to squeeze his eyes shut. A clinking sound announced that his restraints had opened. He winced as he felt the needles withdraw from his arm.
He opened his eyes, but shut them again as light filled his vision. He took a deep breath then opened them slowly. He blinked a few times. When his eyes adjusted to the light he looked around. The familiar oddly shaped kryptonian tech surrounded him. I'm in Jor-El's lab, he thought, but why would my grandfather knock me unconscious?
The sound of approaching footsteps caused the neo-man of steel to turn. He found Jor-El standing a few feet away with his hands folded behind his back. The kryptonian bowed his head, "Sorry for knocking you unconscious, but Laura felt it was better if we took a look inside your mind to make sure your intentions here were pure."
Connor stood up and stretched. He sighed as his back gave a satisfying pop. After cracking his neck he turned to face Jor-El, "You know, you could have just asked."
Jor-El shook his head, "We couldn't take a chance on you putting up mental defenses."
Connor nodded. I was a little concerned that he accepted my story so easily. He thought to himself, it's good to know that he's not too trusting. He shook his head, "Where's Artemis?"
Jor-El smiled, "After seeing inside your mind, Laura took it upon herself to train your girlfriend in hand-to-hand combat, so she would be better backup for you."
Connor winced and turned away, "Maybe I'll just go check on them."
A hand on his shoulder stopped him from moving, "Nonsense, let Laura help your girlfriend."
Connor shook his head, "She's not my girlfriend."
Jor-El flashed him a knowing look, "But you wished she was."
Connor looked down at the black tile floor to hide the blush on his face.
Jor-El turned him around and began leading him deeper into the lab, now, "Before we had to test you, you had something you wanted to tell me. What was that?"
"Don't you already know?" Connor asked, "I mean you did look in my mind."
"That was more of a brief scan to make sure you didn't have any evil intentions against our family. We saw some things," Jor-El squeezed Connor shoulder, "like your recent battle on Themiscira. I'm sorry about Hippolyta."
Connor focused on a machine that looked like an octopus standing on his tentacles and blinked hard to try to hide the tears in his eyes. "It's all right," he said in a shaky voice, "she died a warrior's death."
Jor-El opened his mouth to say something, but Connor cut him off.
"I have a plan that can save krypton and leave my future intact."
Jor-El's eyes widened then a serious expression crossed his features. He turned Connor to face him, "I'm listening," he said firmly voice, "tell me everything."
CK
Artemis slammed into the snow-covered ground and rolled to a stop. The snow and ice burned her skin, turning her skin an angry red. She rose to her feet; her breath came out in short gasps and clouded as it hit the frigid air. She flexed her fingers trying to get the feeling back into them. I can't believe how strong this woman is, she thought, she's knocking me around like a rag doll.
She glanced up at the red sun half hidden behind the clouds. No, the sun is still red, so she's just that good. She admitted to herself, I would've felt a bit better if a super-powered kryptonian was kicking my ass instead of a normal one.
"Is that all you got little girl," Laura taunted, "if so then you are not worthy of my grandson." She strode forward her long violet gown trailing in the snow.
Artemis flipped her long blonde hair out of her face and snarled. How can she move with such ease, she wondered, if it wasn't for Connor's suit I wouldn't even be able to move?
The former Archer of Cadmus shook her head. It doesn't matter, she told herself, I will not let this woman keep me from being with Connor if I so choose. She took a deep breath then coughed as the cold air burned her lungs. She shook her head, her eyes hardened with determination and she tried again. She released to sonic scream that soared toward Laura.
The sonic attacked churned up snow and ice and cracked the snow-covered ground as it moved closer to its target.
Laura grinned savagely, "Now this is what I'm talking about." The ground crunched as she braced her feet. She then sprinted towards the sonic attack.
Artemis's eyes widened. What is she doing? She thought, there's no way she can run through that attack.
Laura skidded backwards as the sound waves slammed into her. She gritted her teeth and with a cry of exertion powered through the sound waves.
Artemis's eyes widened. Incredible, she thought in awe.
Laura exited the sound waves panting. Her eyes were half open and blood dripped from her ears. "You… Did… Good… Girl," she panted, "but this fight is not over."
The matron of the house of El straightened up and removed a small round golden cylinder from the folds of her tattered dress. It a long gated into a silver spear, the crystal head glinted in the setting sun.
Artemis removed her energy maces from the holsters on her legs and swept her hair behind her ear, "Stop this, we are both exhausted."
Laura spun her spear, it whistled through the air and caused snow to dance around her, "That's true, but in battle you could never choose when the fighting stops." With a roar she charged forward.
With a sigh, Artemis spun her maces and went to meet her. Her legs burned and darkness began to creep in at the edges of her vision. A foot away from Laura her vision darkened and she fell onto the ice covered ground.
Laura stopped and gazed down at Artemis with a smile on her face, "You did well girl, even exhausted you showed a warrior's will by continuing to fight. You are more than worthy of my grandson." With her piece said, Laura gave into unconsciousness and fell backwards.
CK
Wonder woman paced back and forth in her room, her bare feet pattered against the cool hardwood floor. She glanced down in thought while chewing on her lower lip. First Connor goes missing with Artemis. Then Clark, and now I haven't heard from Bruce in a few days. What in the world is going on? She wondered.
She sighed and sat down on her large four poster bed, the golden post glinted in the sunlight. It's times like this I wish I would've kept my pregnancy hidden, she thought, but the magical band I'dI've been wearing was weakening. I couldn't risk my enemies knowing about you, she splayed her hand across her belly and fell back onto the violet sheets of her bed.
She absentmindedly rubbed her belly. If only I could leave the island without risking the baby, she thought to herself, then I could investigate what's going on in the outside world.
The sound of approaching footsteps caused her to turn towards the door.
The door flew open and a breathless Amazonian warrior entered the room. Her bronze chest plate heaved as she gasped for breath. She raised her free hand and flung her black hair out of her sweat drenched face, "My Lady… There's something… You need to see," she panted.
Dread settled in the Amazon Queen stomach and her arms encircled her protruding belly protectively. This can't be good, she thought…
Half an hour later, the Amazon Queen stood in a circular Temple before around marble viewing pool. Shimmering orange light danced upon the water's surface from torches that hung on the columns supporting the roof.
"Alright, I'm here," Diana said, "now, what do I need to see?" Man, she thought, being pregnant sure slows you down. She rubbed soft circles on her belly, but I wouldn't trade you for anything in the world.
A dark skinned woman at the other end of the pool raised her hand, the bracelets on her wrist jingled as she moved. "I'm afraid I have grave news about man's world, My Lady." Worry filled her amber eyes and her soft pouty lips turned down in a frown.
"Show me," the Queen commanded with hard eyes.
The pool maiden tucked a strand of Brown hair behind her ear and nodded. With a few words of power, the pool glowed. Lex Luther, president of the United States stood before a crowd of people.
CK
Lex Luther took a deep breath. He straightened the collar of his Armani suit then fiddled with his cufflinks.
"Are you nervous sir?" His attendant asked.
Lex Luther ran a hand across his bald head and smiled a mad smile, "No Mercy, I am anything but nervous. For today I will bring in a new era on earth." He brushed off his shoulders even though they were spotless then straightened and held his head high.
"I now present to you president Lex Luther," an announcer said.
Lex Luther walked out from behind the heavy red curtain that hid him from the public, a clinking sound followed his movements as his Italian shoes struck the metal stage. It's good to be president, he thought, after all, who else could get a stage set up in Metropolis Central Park in less than twenty-four hours. He waved as he neared the podium, causing the crowd to scream in elation.
You know, he thought, it's funny. They once feared me as their greatest villain, and now people can't wait to see me.
The multibillionaire stepped behind the podium and straightened his jacket, "People of Metropolis," he began, "I stand before you today in order to announce the beginning of a new era of earth. Over the past few months, I have been talking with one of Earth's greatest enemies, and after a long hard battle we have finally made peace."
People began to clap and cheer, "Luthor, Luthor, Luthor."
Luthor looked out over the crowd scattered throughout the park. He smiled as young children stood on their father's shoulders to get a better view of him. He waved as people in the back pushed through the crowd to get a front row seat. Eat your heart out Superman, he thought. He shook his head and raised both hands for silence.
The crowd fell silent.
"Without further ado, I present to you, Darksied, ruler of apocalypse, and Earth's new technological benefactor."
A vortex of white energy appeared beside Luthor on stage.
Heat and the smell of sulfur spewed from the vortex.
People in the crowd began to cough and back away from the stage.
Darksied emerged from it with the grace of royalty. However, he looked different than how most people remembered him.
He was tall and muscular with short dark hair that glistened in the sunlight. His tan skin was smooth and without blemish, and his dark eyes held wisdom and power. He wore a white button up shirt with black slacks, a black blazer and black dress shoes. Golden cufflinks in the shape of a horseshoe adorned the wrist of his dress shirt.
Lex Luther stepped out from behind the podium and shook Darksied's hand.
With a nod, Darksied step past Luthor and stood behind the podium.
"People of Earth, he began, I stand before you today a humbled man. I once thought that I could conquer this world, but the unbreakable human spirit has defeated me, so from this point forward I would like to help the people of this planet journey towards a better future."
People stayed silent.
"As a gesture of good faith," Darksied continued, "I would like to introduce free clean energy to Metropolis."
He raised his hand, a silver cylinder with a dark purple ball on the top appeared from another vortex of white energy, "This device," he gestured to the cylinder as thick metal cords shot from the cylinder and sank into the purple ball. The ball shown with dark purple energy and began to hum with power, "has enough power to run every business and home in Metropolis. It is my hope this will make up for the horrible things I've done."
The people cheered at the prospect of not having to pay for power, "Darksied, Darksied, Darksied."
Darksied smirked. These simpleminded fools are so easy to fool, he thought to himself, offer them something for free and they instantly love you.
CK
Wonder woman stared at the scene before her with wide eyes, her mouth formed pressed in a thin line. What has Luthor done? She thought to herself, now that he's invited Darksied to earth we lose new Genesis's protection.
The dark-haired soldier that retrieved Diana turned to her Queen, "What should we do my lady?"
Diana shook her head slowly, "I have no idea, I honestly have no idea."
