Disclaimer: If I owned Superman, Flash or Batman… there wouldn't be a freakin' Bat embargo on the show and it would be playing all week on Cartoon Network. But since I obviously don't…. This little ditty has been created solely for the purpose of getting me through the most boring year of college… and to make my muse happy.

Enjoy!

14. Unsavable

Mankato…

"Idan, please tell me he didn't just do that." Kamara, Idan and Nixi were standing in the Great Hall. Since telepathic contact with the mage was out of the question, the three Overseers were keeping an eye on her using the Eye of Second Sight. Idan had had a vision and panicked, and he woke the other two. The vision hadn't been a vision, but a representation of events occurring in real time.

"I'm afraid he did."

"It's Helanna all over again. This… this cannot continue. We have to find a way to get her out of there. Now. 1500 years of planning and preparation cannot be lost to some…some… psychopathic crown desiring wanna be!"

"There isn't a way to do that without giving Zaddock the means to access Mankato. If Khyrran survives this and we give him those means, she will take us all out. I have to agree with Gagon about her personality, though. Athelean was also extensively protective of her people," Idan replied.

Nixi chimed in, "She will fight through this, Kamara. Khyrran's spirit is not broken as easily as that."

"I know, Nixi. But I fear for her all the same."

Eight days after Batman left Metropolis…

Clark flew through the air, not really paying attention to his surroundings. He had called Devlin…again… before going out on patrol. Khyrran had been "on her mission" for nearly two weeks. The first few days she had been gone were explainable. The Overseers had been MIA for nearly a month and Khyrran was planning on "backpacking" through Mann'ahoia to make sure that things were still running the way they should have been. Anthanasuis had contacted Devlin when they had gotten close, because Idan couldn't "feel" Khyrran. She had apparently "turned off" her guardian signal to keep her little trip under wraps. That was all fine and dandy but now Howard and Gail were getting suspicious. It had been easy to pass of her excursions when she was still in school. Field trips and all that. Now, now they were in trouble.

Sudden screams filled the air. There, walking down the middle of the street, was a black squid like thing that looked as if it belonged more in the ocean than out. Clark watched as it sent a green stream from its finger tips and wrapped around the nearest cop car. It burst into flames seconds later. The other one became airborne as the thing simply flung it away. Clark caught it and the cops exited the squad car before the tires hit pavement.

"Who are you? What do you want?" he asked, confronting it.

"Stay out of this mortal," was the response. It blasted Clark right into a car, which slid into a building. Clark, of course, returned the gesture.

'Ok that's it,' Clark thought as he got hurled into a building. 'Demons and monsters just became Guardian territory.' The claws of the thing ripped through his costume and the flesh underneath. 'Yep, this is definitely something in Devlin and Khyrran's league.'

It flew above him and sent a green ray towards where he had been standing. The ray continued to follow, blowing up anything in the way. Clark grabbed one of the burning vehicles and hurled it at the demon. It made contact and landed on the roof of the Daily Planet building.

'Of course, it did. Murphy's Law would dictate that.' The mess landed in the lobby. The car went flying again, sending anyone nearby running. Clark dove in after it, determined to keep any of his co-workers from getting hurt. It sent another ray at him, pushing him back out of the building.

It began to speak, "I, Karkull, claim the protection of the Lords of Chaos for myself and my own. Sume, kala, ti, hara."

A swirling green mist began to cover the building. When Clark tried to break in, Karkull began to laugh. His attempts were futile.

Mann'ahoia…

Khyrran again sat huddled against the stone wall. She was still in shock over what had happened. There had been no warning that the attack was going to be… that. She was having a hard time wrapping her mind around it. The worst part was the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Not at Zaddock, well not totally at the bastard, but at herself.

'Some Guardian you turned out to be. Nine years of training just…poof... gone. It's like you never learned to defend yourself.'

"Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!" Her own voice rebounded off the walls and was enough of a wake up call to snap her out of her shock.

"I wouldn't be getting to you, would I?" Zaddock asked from the doorway.

"Go to hell."

"To quote your generation 'Been there, done that'." He entered the room halting in the middle as if there were an invisible wall stopping him. "You know this will all stop when you give me what I want."

"Fuck you."

"I do believe I already did." The widening of her eyes told him that she was surprised by his comment. "Just think, this will all be over and you can go home."

"Whatever." He raised an eyebrow in perfect mimicry of her. "The past is done."

"So you're giving up just like that?" he asked, incredulously, then laughed. "This should be easy. My friend will be quite upset, but he'll survive."

He moved towards her watching the fire return to her eyes. That look had been missing since the first time. She had seemed terror-stricken and didn't seem to realize what had happened each time since until afterwards. His anticipation level was rising, watching her prepare for a fight. Then as suddenly as it appeared, the look died.

"Do what you will to me, but I won't give you what you want." Her words, meaningless syllables in any other circumstance, managed to steal the power he had over her. With the indifferent tone, she had shifted the tide back in her favor.

"You will give me Mann'ahoia," he said, taking off the waist length overcoat and dropping it.

"No, I won't."

The insolent host was overriding the scared little girl, but he would change that. The knee-length chain mail joined the growing trial of clothing. Khyrran prepared herself for round two, but this time she was going in with a plan.

Salem…

Clark landed outside Fate's tower, falling to his knees as he touched ground. Pushing to his feet, he began to walk around the door less tower. "Fate, Fate!"

Behind him the sound of someone exiting the tower caught his attention. "Superman."

"Inza, I have to see your husband."

The dark haired, blue eyed beauty glanced at his chest. "You've been hurt. Come," she said, grasping his hand and leading him into the tower.

"Have you heard from Khyrran?"

"No and neither has Fate." She pushed him into Fate's chair and knelt before him. Clark could feel the subtle power coursing through him. It was almost the same as getting healed by Khyrran, except Inza's aura was gold instead of white.

"I don't suppose you can sew too?" he asked in jest.

She turned glimmered gold again and the ragged edges of the material repaired themselves. "Entry level spells. Wouldn't be much good against whatever gave you that."

"It was something called Karkull."

"That's why you wanted to see Fate?"

'I would have called on Khyrran, but seeing as she's MIA,' he thought. "Is he here?" Clark asked reaching out to her.

"Right behind you."

"Same old Dr. Fate," Clark said, turning. He remembered the time when he had interrupted a training session between him and Khyrran. Fate had invisified himself and snuck up on Clark. The Man of Steel had jumped about ten feet in the air. Khyrran had laughed herself to tears and had tormented him for a few days with the knowledge. "You heard?"

"Yes."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

"Not this time my friend. I've quit."

"What do you mean? We need you. This thing has magic only you…"

"I know all about Karkull. I fought him a century ago. Thought I'd won. But if there's anything I've learned from a lifetime of combat, it's that victory is an illusion. No matter how thoroughly you exterminate the evil, it creeps back like a cockroach."

"Well it's time to step on him again."

"Not for me. I've removed myself from the battlefield."

Clark followed Fate into a casting room. Khyrran and Devlin had one in the house, but because of Gail and Howard it was continuously moved. He glanced back at Inza, who bowed her head and walked away.

'What about Khyrran? You trained her.'

'Duties as the Guardian of Air. I never fought in the battles I attended. I was simply there to make sure she survived.'

'She's going to be very angry when she gets back.'

'I know.' Leaving their mental argument, Fate said, "This is my domain now. The metaphysical realm. I've moved beyond good and evil."

"But there are people trapped," Clark cried, grasping the front of Fate's shirt.

"I'm sorry; I truly am."
Clark dropped him and walked away.
"Superman, you and I are alike you know. We are masters of our destiny. Don't waste your life in endless battle as I did. Not when the universe beckons."

"You're wrong, Fate. We're nothing alike." 'I don't let innocent people die because of some stupid notion that the universe is the answer. And neither does Khyrran.' He turned and walked out of the room. The wall opened in front of him and he left the tower.

"Superman," Inza cried, following after him. "My own powers would be useless against Karkull. But this talisman might help you." She placed her hands around his, conveying her hope to him.

"Thank you." With that he flew off.

Inza walked back into the tower heading for the kitchen. She paused when she passed her husband.

"You've just sent him to his grave," he said.

"What do you care?"

Mankato…

"Mahala!" The name rebounded off the walls of the Great Hall. The brunette came hustling into view, skidding to a stop in front of Kamara.

"What?" she asked breathlessly.

"Nabu has refused to aid Superman in the recapture of Karkull. I want you to go down there and get him in gear."

"Why? Have Khyrran do it. She needs more training in recapture, anyway."

"Khyrran is unavailable."

"This is getting ridiculous, Kamara!" The head of the Overseers didn't blink. "Fine, I'll go get them to help Superman, but when I get back I want an answer. And it had better be good." She disappeared in a flash of yellow light.

"It's definitely not good, but certainly one for the record books," Kamara sighed as she left to collect the others.

Mann'ahoia…

Zaddock burst through the holding cell door. He stalked over to the table and picked up a chalice. The ruby colored liquid swirled around as he brought the vessel to his lips. Her laughter reached him as he was about to take a sip. Zaddock howled his displeasure and hurled the chalice at the stone wall. She was lost to him. The power he had over her was gone.

This did not bode well for him. His master had been explicit in detail about how her demeanor should be when he arrived to finish the job. Gone was the scared little girl, gone was the insolent host, and in their place was the true spirit of the Guardians. Determined, head strong, intelligent and wise, this was the woman who had trapped him in a box for an entire millennia.

If he was going to complete his mission and be free from entrapment, he was going to have to find another way to break her. Zaddock sat in his chair, trying desperately to keep the reminders of her laughter out of his mind.

Khyrran stood at the door, waiting to hear something else. Zaddock's bellow had made her smile for the first time in days. The tables had indeed turned in her favor. All she had to do was keep it that way.

'Note to self,' she thought, scouting the room for some way to escape. 'Laughing at a man during foreplay is a very bad idea.' She giggled again at the memory of his face when she had looked at him in his birthday suit and nearly died laughing. He had tried to take her again, but the rage at her incessant laughter made him unable to perform, which had, in turn, made her laugh harder. Now she just had to sit back and wait for him to make a mistake. Because if she had learned anything from George and being related to Devlin, Clark, Ollie, Wally, and Jet it was angry men make mistakes. Too bad Zaddock had never learned the other half of that rule, angry women…get even.

Metropolis…

The talisman worked, but apparently only for him. Clark shrugged, as the SCU detectives pounded away at the swirling shell. He was okay going in alone, that was a few more lives he didn't have to constantly think about.

"I don't remember inviting you," Karkull said. "Kill him."

The little bestial things began to attack. The talisman flew out of his grip. He threw a couple of them into the rock wall.

"Careful, it could be someone you know."

'Sorry guys,' Clark thought. The knowledge that he was injuring his co-workers was disheartening, but he had no other choice. He flew at Karkull. The demon wriggled his glowing claws and vines grew from the floor to wrap themselves around his wrists and ankles.

The demon hovered above him chuckling. "You continue to surprise me, but as I said, you don't have the tools to defeat me."

"But I do," a voice said.

Karkull whirled and there was Dr. Fate. He released four lines of magic and they broke the bonds holding Clark.

"Fate. I thought our dealings had come to an end long ago."

"No such luck, I'm afraid."

"What magic do you have that's powerful enough to defeat me in my own lair?" he asked haughtily. Kent cast a spell and a tablet appeared in his palm. "The artifact of Mortu. But I destroyed it."

"What has been made can never be unmade," Kent replied. "Lorta cume Kakull. Lorta terra…" Karkull shot a blast at the artifact, causing Fate to drop it in to the pit. He reached after it yelling, "No!"

The little beasts moved in to attack Fate. Superman tried to help, but Fate refused. "The artifact. It's the only power that can trap him. Get it!"

"But you…"

"Go!"

Clark flew down into the pit, through demon souls that made him feel as though he would never be warm again. He caught the artifact at the end of the tunnel only to face the darkest evil thing yet. He flew for the surface at break neck speeds. "Fate."

Fate was being held in the plant tentacle thing. Karkull noticed Superman's return and advanced on him. Fate shot the tentacle and fell to the ground.

"Don't let go!" Fate cried as he finally broke free of the plant. Concentrating on forcing his magic to flow through Clark, he began the chant again. "Lorta cume Kakull. Lorta terra sume Kakull." The artifact began to glow. "Ten am ah. Ten am ah."

Karkull sank to the ground desperately trying to escape the power. He groaned as the artifact sucked him up. Clark pointed the tablet at his friends and the souls that had possessed them joined Karkull in the artifact.

"Did we miss something?" Lois asked looking around. The planet building was covered in a bright white light and was restored to normal.

The cops came busting in and Clark looked at them. "It's ok." Fate gasped in pain and Clark picked him up. "Hold on."

The flight to Salem was short and fast. Inza was waiting for them. Clark carried him in and laid him on the bed Inza had prepared.

"The healing balm should do it's work," she said with a loving look at Fate. She left to give the men some privacy.

"What made you change your mind?" Clark asked.

"You."

"Something I said?"

"Something you did. You went back. You didn't stand a chance, but you went back. Till then I thought it was only the forces of evil that wouldn't give up. I was wrong."

"Your helmet," Clark said, handing it back.

"I'll be needing it."

"After knowing Khyrran and Devlin all these years, why would you think that evil was the only side fighting?"

"They are idealistic. Khyrran is young and has not seen much of the horrors this world and others have to offer. Devlin has complete faith in the Overseers and has yet to experience the disappointment in their failings. I've seen Guardians come and go. They lose their lives to the fight." He saw the look that passed over Clark's face. "Khyrran may or may not. Her future is still unwritten."

Deciding to pursue that answer later, Clark asked, "Why was I able to help capture Karkull?"

"Do you remember the accident when Khyrran was young?"

"Sure. She fell off the hay loft in the barn when Ma and Pa were at the market and put a pitchfork through her thigh when she was four," he said, softly. The memory of that afternoon still haunted him.

"And Elvind told you that…"

"Because of who and what she was, I could save her life by donating my blood."

"Exactly. Azorian DNA has the power to overwrite other forms of DNA. Because she was so young and her blood so pure, by adding your DNA to hers, she was able to heal. She also acquired some of your powers, just as you have some of hers."

He jerked back. "What?"

"Khyrran is the only Guardian who naturally has the power of flight. I have it only when I wear the helmet. Devlin, Arthur, and Etrigan do not posses it at all. And you have the ability to cast basic magic spells… if you choose to pursue that."

"After tonight, I just may have to. Am I still susceptible to magic?"

Kent gave him a look. "Of course, you are still Kryptonian. Just as she is still half human, half Azorian. You just have a little extra flavor now."

"That sounded like an Inza comment," Clark said.

"It was." He sighed and heaved himself off the bed. "I need to go to Mankato and let them know Karkull was recaptured."

"Mind if I go with you?"

"Not at all."

Mankato…

Kamara paced on the dais as the others absorbed what she had just told them. Gagon stood behind the table as silent support. He too felt immense guilt at the recent turn of events. Idan and Nixi were a little more guilt-free since they hadn't been as old as the rest when Zaddock had kidnapped Helanna. But they felt her pain as much as Kamara did.

"How did this happen?" Anthanasuis asked, breaking the silence.

"We're not sure. The time vortex just appeared. Of course at the time we were occupied with Khyrran's safe return from the other dimension," Gagon answered.

"I wasn't asking you, Gagon. You aren't the Overseer of Time, anymore." He looked to Idan. "Since you are, perhaps you can explain?"

Idan colored slightly. "I don't know either."

"Where were you?" Elvind joined in.

"He was passed out in his room," Mahala said. "I had to try for twenty minutes to get him up for the Assembly."

"I guess the trip from Ajuris 5 was more strenuous than I thought," Idan replied sheepishly.

"That's the answer were going to have for her… if she returns?" Anthanasuis fired back. "This never would have happened if I had been in charge."

"Well, you weren't and still aren't, so drop it. Our main concern is getting Khyrran back alive," Kamara replied.

"Perhaps you would like to explain that to the late comers," Arthur said from the shadows.

All eight turned to find the Guardians (minus Khyrran, of course) and Superman. The five of them stood shoulder to shoulder, with their arms crossed over their chests, matching angry expressions on their faces.

"How… When… Why?" Theodora sputtered. The other Overseers also hadn't been aware that the Guardians were on Mankato.

"To which question?" Kent asked. She glared at him.

"Where's Khyrran?" Clark asked.

"And don't give us some bullshit answer either," Devlin broke in. "We know she's not on a mission."

Kamara looked at Idan, who shook his head. "I have no idea how this will turn out."

"Zaddock broke out of jail and these so called protectors allowed her to get captured," Anthanasuis announced.

"WHAT?" came the chorus.

"Where is she?" Kent demanded.

"It doesn't matter," Kamara said. All five of them began to protest. She silenced them with a quick motion of her hand. "If we send any of you down there, we'll be sending you to your death.

"Then send me," Clark said.

"Zaddock has the means to destroy even you, Clark," Idan said.

"Kryptonite?"

"The Sword of Atrox," was all Kamara got to say before the other Guardians went ballistic.

Through the jumble of noise Arthur's question rang loud and clear. "Is she dead?" The others stared at him. "I ask the hard questions. So, is she?"

"No, but not for his lack of trying," Nixi answered bitterly.

Kamara shot her a look. "She'll be home soon. If her plan works… she'll be home soon."

Mann'ahoia…

Zaddock opened the door to the holding cell. She hadn't made a sound since he threw the chalice. He walked in and found it empty. "No!" he cried, rushing in. He heard metal clink from behind then all went dark.

Khyrran lightly kicked Zaddock in the ribs. He didn't even moan. She dropped the chain and manacle she had hit him with and dashed out the door. She found herself in a large stone room. A fireplace, a table, a couple of chairs and a bed were all she could see. What she couldn't see were windows or a door, save the one she just exited.

"Damn, damn, and double damn," she swore, as she began to run her hands over the walls. None of the bricks were false or hollow, meaning there wasn't a hidden door in the walls. She was standing at the foot of the bed checking the last section when a heavy hand landed on her shoulder. Without thought, she drove her elbow back into his chest. She hit chain mail, but there was enough force behind the blow to cause him to move backwards. She reached down and grabbed the first thing she saw off the bed.

"You little bastard!" Zaddock screamed, as he rushed her.

She side stepped him and he went head first into the wall. He stood, unconsciously swiping at the blood that ran down the side of his face. When he turned she was halfway across the room. He ran past the fireplace, snatching the poker as he went. His long legs easily caught up to her. As he brought the raised poker down on her head, Khyrran pivoted and raised the Sword of Atrox to protect herself. Metal slid against metal until the Sword caught the hook at the end of the poker. Khyrran lifted with everything she had, despite her screaming torn muscles. The poker went flying out of Zaddock's hands as she delivered a well placed kick to his chin. His head snapped back and he stumbled away from her.

"I'm going to kill you with my bare hands!" he roared.

"Bring it on, freak," she taunted.

Zaddock again rushed her. Imagination, apparently, was not one of his strengths; but it was one of hers. She dropped just as he reached her and swept his feet out from underneath him. Zaddock landed on his back. The air rushed from his lungs.

With nowhere else to go, Khyrran raced back into the cell. She grabbed the chain she had hit him with before. A noise behind her was the only indication that he was back on his feet. She turned and he stood in the doorway, murder in his eyes. She took a deep breath and charged. He grinned a split second before he dropped, prepared to put one of her moves against her. She jumped at the last possible second. She sailed over him, using her heel to kick him in the back of the head as she landed. He pitched forward landing on his face. Once on her feet, she spun and put the tip of the blade against the base of his neck.

"Stand up." He complied without a sound. "Show me where the door to get out if this place is and no funny stuff."

He led her out of the holding cell. On the top of the fireplace was a candelabra. He picked it up and the fire went out as a gust of fresh air swept through the room. Khyrran mentally smacked herself in the head. 'Duh, that was so obvious.'

Zaddock suddenly turned and knocked the sword from her hand. She dove for the weapon before it had even hit the ground. He grabbed her ankle and her fingertips brushed the hilt. She was flipped on her back. His face loomed above her. The malicious grin and the wild look in his eyes was all that told her he was moving in for the kill. His hands pressed against her windpipe. She bucked, trying to dislodge him. He laughed at her vain attempts to free herself from his grip.

His eyes slid shut as he felt her pulse begin to slow and the raspy, gasping attempts for air filled the silence around them.

The sharp pain in his side was unexpected. His eyes opened to see the Sword of Atrox clatter to the floor, covered in his blood. She pushed him off her and got to her feet. The weapon became airborne again and Zaddock knew no more.

Khyrran stood over the body for a second just to make sure she hadn't missed. Sighing in relief that it was over, she turned to leave.

"Now that was uncalled for."

Khyrran whipped around looking at the body. Zaddock's spirit stood over its former home. He looked up at her, eyes glowing red. "I do believe this is round three."

"Oh hell no. I am not doing this."

"You forgot that little technicality, didn't you little girl?"

"I hate the dead."

"Only because I get to haunt you for the rest of your natural life."

"That's what you think." Khyrran called Cierra to her. Pulling out the Scythe, she spun it like a baton. An inky black portal opened and she stepped through. The ferryman to the dead, Cheron, pulled up. She stepped on to the boat. Handing him a coin she said, "Take me to Hades."

Cheron complied. Weather it was due to the fact that she still held the Sword of Atrox or that she was the Guardian of Death, it didn't matter. Khyrran spent the ride contemplating what she was going to say to Hades to get him to help. Cheron deposited her on the other side before her speech was completed. The walk from the "river front" to Hades' throne room was short. Etrigan had brought her down about a month ago as part of her training. She had made sure to memorize the path.

"Look boys, we got us a live one!" One of the demons standing along the walls felt it necessary to point out her existence.

"Well, what should we do with her?"

"I think we could have us a little fun!"

"Do it and I will make sure that you spend eternity in place more horrid than your worst nightmares," Khyrran answered. She had kept walking, not pausing to take the demons on.

The ringleader reached out and grabbed her. She grabbed his wrist and planted a solid kick to his stomach. Releasing his wrist, she landed kick number two. The demon landed against the wall. She raised the Sword in one hand, the Scythe in the other and crossed them over his face.

"Do you recognize these?" she asked. He nodded, compliant at last. "Then I suggest that you not disturb me in these halls again. Now run ahead and tell Hades the Empress of Mann'ahoia is here."

The demon took off. She followed at a more leisurely pace. Zaddock finally caught up to her. He continued to taunt her. The guards wouldn't let him into the throne room though. She sighed as she entered.

The court was in full session. The dead spirits of past Kings and Queens of Earth and Mann'ahoia were gathered along the walls. There were a few she recognized. Anne Boylne stood near Henry the Eighth and Jane Seymour, discussing some mundane aspect of their era that should have been preserved. Napoleon and King George the Second were talking war tactics with Ares. She noted a few other dignitaries and walked up the tattered carpet right up to Hades' throne. "Well, well, what do I owe the pleasure?" Hades drawled, reclining in his throne. Persephone was in her own throne to his right.

Khyrran gave Persephone a slight nod of recognition and respect. The Queen of Erebus returned the greeting, then left the room altogether. Hades watched the exchange with interest. She finally answered the question. "I have a…request to make of you."

"Do tell."

Khyrran glared as she took Persephone's chair. His eyes narrowed as all conversation in the hall died.

Ares came up to the couple. "Her highness makes herself right at home, doesn't she?"

Khyrran swung the Sword out. She flipped the handle into the air and caught the blade. "Look familiar, Mortal?"

"The Sword of Atrox," he breathed. His eyes filled with an unholy light as he reached out to touch the legendary blade.

"Touch and die." His eyes met hers. The cold glare emanating from them was colder than anything he had ever felt. "Get. Out."

Ares and the rest of the Court fled. Hades sighed next to her.

"I hope you have something more that some moldy old Sword to entertain me with."

"A proposition, actually." His attention piqued, Hades reached over to grab a bowl of fruit. "Forget it, lackwit. I read the myths and I'm not in the mood for any of your monkey business. Is there an area down here that is inescapable?"

"No."

"Is it possible to create one?"

"Yes." He leaned forward. "Have anyone in particular that you want in there?"

She made a motion with her hand and the demon she had cornered earlier raced out. He came back in with Zaddock. "Him."

Hades' smile was even nastier than Zaddock's. The two men stared each other down. Zaddock looked away as Hades stood and descended the stairs leading from the throne to the floor. Gripping the ancient's chin, he forced Zaddock to look him in the eye.

"I do believe that your request can be granted. What am I getting out of it?"

"Anybody told you what happens when I die?" He shook his head. "When I go out, I will be kicking you off your throne."

The shock of her words was like pouring ice water into his veins. And ice water is very hard to come by in those parts. "Continue," he said, hoping that there was an up side to this.

"My end of the deal: upon my death you keep the throne and all the glory that goes with it."

"And you will be my Queen."

"You have one," Khyrran pointed out. "And rumor has it you love her."

"She is only here for half a year. You will fill in for her in that time. Love and Power. I wouldn't be a god if I didn't want it all."

"Fine."

"I'll get out the contracts."

"The word of the Empress of Mann'ahoia isn't good enough down here?"

Hades had the good grace to look abashed. He smiled and motioned for her to follow him. He reached an unused portion of Tarturus and told her that if she wanted it, it was hers. She sent the Scythe back to Cierra and sent a few magic blasts to the wall. Tremors shook the area. The hollowed out portion was enough for an entire football team.

"This is mine. I am the only one allowed to let anyone out. I want it guarded at all times. If I find out that someone was let out with out my permission or that it is ever unguarded, I will kill you."

"I am immortal."

"The Sword of Atrox can take care of that nasty little problem right now if you'd like."

He backed off and demons sprung from the ground to guard the cell. Khyrran turned, grabbed Zaddock, and hurled him into the cell. "Like I said 'That's what you think'," she said slamming a magically created cell door. Zaddock began shouting obscenities at her and pounding on the door. She cast a silencing spell at the door and added a sign stating that anyone who touched the door would suffer a fate worse than death.

Hades sly grin was enough to tell her he approved. "I do believe we will work fine together."

"I don't plan on dying any time soon," Khyrran replied. "I'm going home. Keep your nose clean Hades. I'll be watching you."

The God of the Dead watched as the Empress turned and walked out of Hell with heavy, yet determined steps.

Elysian Fields…

"I can't believe they just tossed us out like that!" Devlin exclaimed. He, Grace, Jet, Dawn and Clark were all seated around the kitchen table at the Lilac House.

"What did you expect?" Jet asked. "You have been on edge since Khyrran followed that Darkseid guy back to where ever he was from."

"Apocalypse, I think."

Devlin was out of his chair and had grabbed Khyrran in a hug before the others realized that she was the one who answered. "My God, Jinx, where the hell have you been?"

"Eerily enough, hell."

He hugged her tighter, then moved so that the others could hug and berate the teen. He silently watched her as she talked with Grace and Dawn. Little details were starting to register in his mind. She was still in her "battle" clothes and looked as if she hadn't slept in a week. There were circles under her eyes. But it was the look in them that made Devlin's heart break. They were empty, emotionless. There was a thin black line around the outer rim of her iris, telling him that she was bonded to Cierra and only Cierra. Which could only mean one thing: she'd killed someone to get back. She turned slightly and the leather vest shifted. He and Clark both saw the bruising around her shoulders and neck. They exchanged looks. Whoever did this was going to pay.

A/N: 5,861 words. That is just… wow. Who knew, right? Superman episode: The Hand of Fate; written by Hilary J. Bader and Stan Berkowitz; directed by Dan Riba; produced by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, and Bruce Timm. Clarification for those who still need it… Zaddock did rape Khyrran…after he tortured her. I didn't really go into that part, because quite frankly I was putting the girl through enough. Again thanks for reading and please R&R!