The Other Kryptonian

Chapter 25

Zar soared over Amnesty Bay, the sounds of seagulls cawing filling his ears. He dipped low smiling as sea spray coated his body. Instinctively his tongue shot out, tasting salt water on his lips.

Leaning back, he righted himself letting his heels dig small trenches in the sand as he skidded to a stop before a small house.

A deck painted in white wrapped around a house covered in tan siding. The rising sun bathed the white shutters in its golden rays as it spread across the window.

Zar strode forward, his clothes morphing into something more casual. His sandal covered feet slapped against the wood of the stairs, sending vibrations through the deck. Stopping before a screen door, he knocked. The thin aluminum vibrated in its frame.

He paused on his second knock. He could feel magic clinging to the metal.

Leaning back, he let his senses sweep over the rust colored shingles that covered the roof.

Now that he was focused on it, he could sense a thin magical barrier line in the home like a second skin. Stretching forth his hand, he stopped just an inch away from touching the screen door.

It wasn't a very powerful barrier, at least not at the moment. However, it was strong enough to impede his x-ray vision. He shook his head, "Well, at least I know I have the right place."

Footsteps inside made him straighten.

The pale door behind the screen door opened to reveal a tall broad shouldered man thin with age. His hazel eyes were hard in his tan heavily lined face. His salt-and-pepper hair was cut in a buzz cut. His lips curled beneath a slightly pointed nose, his hazel eyes sweeping over Zar's form, "What do you want?"

Slowly, Zar slid his hands into the pockets of his shorts, the hem of his white T-shirt brushing his wrist. "Percival Graves?" He asked.

The man tensed, one large thin hands sliding into the pocket of his gray bathrobe, "That depends on who's asking?"

"My name is Harry Potter," Zar twitch the instinct to offer his hand almost overwhelming, but he crushed it down when the man didn't move, "I'm here to ask you some questions about some technology bought in your name."

"I don't know anything about any technology bought in my name," he grabbed the edge of the doorframe, getting ready to close it, "you have the wrong guy," he began pushing it shut.

"Mr. Graves, wait please. Your name has been used to purchase technology that has mutated magical citizens. Can you please tell me why this woman would use your name, or what connection you have to her?"

Graves's shoulders slumped. He slowly shook his head, "Not again."

Hazel eyes locked with emerald green, "You better come inside."

Stepping back, Graves pushed the screen door open.

Entering the home, Zar felt the wards wash over his body, testing his intent. After a moment, they pulled back fading into a slight buzzing in the background.

Emerald eyes swept the room. There was a staircase covered in dark finish leading to the upper floors, a faded ornate rug covered the wooden steps. Off to his left was a kitchen, the morning sun bathing the stainless steel appliances in its golden rays.

Graves led Zar to his right, into a moderately sized living room. The stone fireplace made of expertly cut dark gray stone sat against the far wall. Directly in front of it was a glass coffee table, the iron frame blending in well with the dark hardwood floors. Two small couches accented in more dark wood set on either side of the table.

Sitting at an angle to the couches were two armchairs, their red cushions matching the couches.

Moving over to one of the couches, Graves gestured to the other, "Please have a seat."

Zar sank into the red cushions, closing his eyes briefly. It was moments like this that reminded him he hadn't had a break since he'd played that game of tag with Kara. He would be so glad when this mess with Wotan was over and he could get back to his normal life.

His eyes slowly opened as Graves cleared his throat.

"Sorry about that," Zar said with a hint of a smile, "it's been a long few days."

Graves inclined his head, a glass of amber liquid appearing in his hand. He raised it to his lips, the ice inside clinking together, "I remember those days, makes me glad I'm retired." Lowering the glass, he sat it on the curved arm of his chair, "Now why don't you tell me why the tech mogul of the magical world has come to visit me."

Zar raised an eyebrow.

A slow smirk made its way across Graves's face, "I may live in the mundane world, but I still get news from back home."

Zar inclined his head, "A little over two months ago. I was contacted by a friend of my family. He wanted me to look into a string of murder and mutilations that the ministry either wasn't interested in or was trying to cover up."

Graves shook his head, taking a mouthful of amber liquid, "Figures, if it's one thing governments are good at its cover-ups and scapegoats."

Zar nodded, noticing the slight hint of an accent in Graves's words, "Agreed"

"Anyways through the course of my investigation, I found out that your name was used to purchase the technology used to build the devices that was mutating and killing members of the magical community."

Graves ran a hand through his hair, "You know some days I curse myself for entering the political game. First it was Grindelwald taking my identity back in the war, now it's some psycho using my name to purchase technology," he shook his head, "I'm sorry kid, I can't help you. I don't know any woman still affiliated with the magical world that would want to use my name."

"It doesn't have to be someone you know personally. Is there anyone you're still close to across the pond?"

Graves glanced at the mantle, his eyes locking onto a photograph.

Following his gaze, Zar glanced at Graves, "May I?"

"Knock yourself out."

Rising to his feet, Zar made his way over to the fireplace in two quick strides. Gently, he picked up the photo surprised to find that it was a young Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall with a young girl. A chill ran down his spine as he recognized the girl even though she had blonde hair and blue eyes in this picture. It was definitely a younger Wotan, but more unnerving was where the photo was taken.

They were standing at the edge of a field of flowers. The same field of flowers he saw in Wotan's memories.

Swallowing, he fought to keep his face relaxed as he turned to face Graves, "How do you know Professor Dumbledore?"

Finishing his glass, Graves sat it on the table, "It's thanks to Dumbledore that I'm not in prison. After the war, he convince the ICW that I wasn't a willing participant in Grindelwald's campaign," he shook his head, "quite hard considering the bastard was still running loose at the time. People were clamoring for Dumbledore to face him, but with a wife and daughter, Dumbledore didn't want to risk it."

He stared off into the distance, "It wasn't until years later he faced Grindelwald with a team of unspeakables."

Zar's grip tightened around the picture frame, images of his battle at the Department of mysteries flashing through his mind, "I know all about that," he shook his head. "So, Dumbledore has a daughter?"

Graves glanced at the photo, "Yeah, sad thing that. A year after I was fired, something happened to the girl, no one has seen her since."

Sitting the photo back on the mantle, Zar stepped up to Graves offering his hand, "Thank you for your help Mr. Graves."

Graves shook his hand, "You're welcome, but I don't see how I was much help."

"You were more help than you realize," Zar replied releasing the man's hand. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a vial of the cure for the Dementor venom setting it on the table. "This is a vaccine for a new virus running around Europe. Consider it a thank you for your help."

Striding towards the door, he paused in the center of the frame. "Just so you know Grindelwald is dead. He was cast through the veil of death some years ago."

"Thanks for the medicine and the information, but my life is here now."

"Fair enough, have a pleasant day, Mr. Graves." With that, Zar walked away.

Graves stared after him for a moment then glanced down at the vial. Slowly, he picked it up rolling it along his fingers. With a flick of his wrist, it disappeared into the sleeve of his robe.

He had heard about what this cure did to wizards, restored youth, greater strength, and a healing factor. That was all nice, but for now just being useful to an open case again after so long was reward enough.

–XX –

Rising away from Percival grave's residents, Zar spoke, "Zar to the fortress, I'm heading to Hogwarts, I think I found out Wotan's real identity."

"Wait," Kara called back, "and I'll come with you."

"No, finish helping prepare everything for the journey to new krypton and Meridian, we need a place for our people to go if things get bad."

"Alright, but be careful."

"I will be. Stay safe."

"You're the one going after an evil sorceress, and you're telling me to be safe."

A wry smile spread across Zar's face, "Fair point."

–XX–

Albus Dumbledore sat behind his large desk, ignoring the papers sitting on one of its curved corners. His long bony fingers were wrapped around the photo of a young Minerva McGonagall, her hands resting on their daughter's shoulders. She looked so much like his younger sister, long blonde hair and blue eyes so full of innocence.

Ariana Dumbledore named after his younger sister. Who died from a fight he still regretted after all these years. Was it him who cast the curse that killed her, or was it Grindelwald, or maybe even his own brother Aberforth. He didn't know he hoped by naming his daughter after his sister, his sister could live on even if just in spirit.

"Hello Daddy."

Dumbledore's head snapped up, his blue eyes widening behind his half-moon spectacles, his long white beard twitching as his mouth fell open.

His daughter stood before him, changed but here she stood.

"Ariana," he breathed taking her in. His daughter's eyes glowed like burning coals, light shimmered on her dark green skin, and her dark hair flowed down her back like a wave of silk, almost invisible against her robes. Slender green hands poked out of dark robes, bolts of mystic energy dancing between her fingers.

Ariana Dumbledore strode forward, her dark robes swishing around her, "I go by Wotan now."

Dumbledore inclined his head, ignoring the twinge in his heart, "Well then Wotan how may I help you."

"I've come for the wand father," she nodded to the wand sitting near her father's left hand, "the wand of death, one of the three artifacts created by the death gods, the cloak from Hades, the stone from Anubis, and the wand from the Morrigan."

Dumbledore slowly rose to his feet, his fingers curling around the wand, "I'm afraid I can't give you what you desire."

Wotan raised her hand, Dumbledore's arms snapped to his sides, his wand clattering from loosening fingers. Raising her hand, Dumbledore's body followed her motion, lifting a good foot into the air.

Striding forward, she scooped up the wand, feeling power rush into her body. She glanced up at the man who was her father in this lifetime. "Thank you for giving me a few years of happiness before my memories returned. Know that I won't kill you because of that."

Raising her free hand, she bent her middle finger back with her thumb. Releasing it the aged headmaster flew backwards, slamming into the wall of bookshelves behind his desk.

With a screech, a crimson bird flew into the air, its golden beacon claws flashing in the light.

"Always the faithful bird," Wotan commented thrusting her wand forward. An emerald sphere closed around the bird stopping it in midflight. "Take care of my father," she said staring into the animal's dark eyes.

Turning, Wotan dispersed into black smoke, slithering her way through the window frame.

–XX –

Zar gently touched down on the grounds of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry, his clothes morphing into a dark suit. Recently he discovered he could not only change his body, but anything he was wearing.

The magic of the ancient structure weighed heavily on him for a moment before lifting, sensing his intentions were pure.

Wind swept through the courtyard, pushing his dark hair back and creating ripples on the lake off to his left.

Striding towards the castle of dark brown stone, he let his gaze sweep over the grounds, taking in the towers stretching towards the sky. Light shone from arched windows like eyes of a giant monster, or an ever watchful hound.

A large log cabin set off to his right, its single window blazing with light.

Reaching the large stone stairs, he took them two at a time. Reaching the large double doors at the top, he pushed them open.

Large hourglass is filled with rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and a purple stone he didn't recognize set before one half of a large spiral staircase.

Ignoring the staircase off to his left, he took the one on the right, blurring up the stairs. Reaching his fourth landing, he strode down the hallway, paintings moved alongside him, their occupants whispering to one another as he passed.

Reaching an intersection, he paused.

Minerva McGonagall nee Dumbledore strode down the hallway towards him, her dark robes sweeping the floor behind her, her green eyes intense, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Mr. Potter, what are you doing here?"

"I need to see your husband."

"My husband is a very busy man, he can't…"

"It's about your daughter."

Minerva's face went slack, her angular features looking almost gaunt, "Follow me."

Minerva led Zar down two more hallways, and up a staircase before stopping at a gargoyle. Her eyes narrowed into slits "Move away."

The gargoyle jumped aside, the dark brown stone behind it sliding back to reveal a spiral staircase.

Pushing the door to her husband's office open, Minerva gasped.

Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, former leader of the ICW, and Champion over Gellert Grindelwald lay against a bookshelf at the far wall of his office. Books lay scattered around him. His head lay hunched on his chest, his glasses askew on his crooked nose, his long white beard trailing down his body like a white wave.

"Albus," Minerva exclaimed running towards her husband. She knelt on his left, while Zar took up a position on his right.

The headmaster's eyes slowly opened, "Ariana," he rasped, "Ariana now has the wand."

"The wand?" Zar asked.

Dumbledore slowly turned his head, revealing a bloody spot on the back, "The wand forged by the Morrigan, the goddess of death, battle, and destruction."

Taking the headmaster's bony hand, Zar leaned forward. "Albus, I need you to tell me, where is Wotan, where is your daughter?"

Albus shook his head, "No," he moaned, the sound like a wolf's howl.

"Albus, I need to find Ariana, I need to stop whatever she's planning, or a lot of people could get hurt."

Albus shook his head, "Ariana wouldn't hurt anyone, no matter how much she's changed," his gaze became unfocused.

Minerva leaned down, pressing her ear to his chest. She released a breath as his steady heartbeat thundered against the cartilage. "He needs to see Madame Pomfrey," she said flicking her wand.

Zar shook his head, "he's not going to tell me anything," he turned to Minerva, "Do you know where Ariana is?"

"Are you asking me to betray my daughter?"

"I'm asking you to save lives, for months your daughter has been collecting ingredients for some kind of ritual, I understand you wanting to protect her, I get that's why you didn't tell anyone when things started to happen, but it's bigger than her now, she has endangered the entire magical community, now please, tell me where she is."

Minerva looked down, before raising her head to meet Zar's gaze, her green eyes hard, "Promise me you won't kill her."

"I'll do my best."

Closing her eyes, Minerva released a breath, "The last time I saw her, she was in the old Nurmengard prison."

Rising to his feet, Zar inclined his head, "Thank you." With a step, Zar disappeared in a blur of motion.

–XX –

Wotan strode down the corridor leading to her caves main chamber. Stepping inside, florescent lights clicked on revealing the pentagram with its tanks sitting on each of the five points. Moving over to the one that held the deathly hollows, she slipped the wand inside.

The wand, the cloak, and the stone pulsed with purple energy.

Her eyes lit up with anticipation.

Rigidly, she moved over to the control panel. Her fingers danced across the wide keyboard. One by one lights inside the tanks clicked on. The octagonal center of the pentagram dropped low filling up with bright green liquid.

Stepping away from her keyboard, Wotan let her robes slide away from her body, revealing her naked slender figure. Stepping forward, she dipped one leg into the water feeling a rush through her body.

This was the thing that started her on this path, who knew a Lazarus pit existed beneath Nurmengard prison. Now with its restorative powers, a bit of science, and her magic, she will be reborn into a goddess. Finally she would have the power to protect herself and change the world as she saw fit.

Taking a deep breath, Wotan allowed herself to sink beneath the water. Tubes leading from the tank into the water blazed with magical energy. The energy flowed into the water, changing it into a pool of crystalline white viscous liquid

The energy began to build. Bubbles began to pop on the liquid, sending lashes of energy throughout the room. Electricity danced across the controls, causing them to explode sending glass and wire raining to the floor.

The explosion rocked the room. Rocks rain down from the ceiling to smash into the tanks positioned around the pentagram sending them toppling into the Lazarus pit. White energy exploded upwards, blasting a hole in the roof and growing to encompass the room within a moment.

–XX –

Zar shot through the air, his gaze locked onto the island in the distance.

Nurmengard was built on an island off the coast of Germany. A thirty foot stone wall surrounded rectangular buildings that covered the island, positioned in a mazelike pattern. The island was made invisible by powerful wards. Only one who knew it was there could find it. It was the perfect place to hide enemies of war, or a deranged daughter. It had been the home of Wotan a.k.a. Ariana Dumbledore for decades.

Suddenly, a white beam shot into the sky, leveling the structures on the island. The force of the blast drove Zar backwards.

A figure rose out of the center of the energy. They drifted forward emerging from the energy.

A blue gold helm with curling horns sat atop her head, framing a pale face with intense almost glowing gray eyes. Long dark hair poked out from beneath the helmet, swaying against a white fur cape in the wind.

Zar righted himself, tearing his gaze away from the pale beauty.

A black leather vest hid her modest breast from view and showed off a toned stomach. Matching leather pants accentuated the curves of her hips.

A slow smile curved her pale pink lips, "You're too late," she angled the staff in her hand towards him, the hoop at the top holding a black jewel that glittered in the sun, "I have been reborn, I now have the power of a god."

Black carbon fiber armor grew over Zar's skin. Pointed claws slowly emerged from his fingers, "let's test that theory." He blurred forward, throwing a roundhouse kick at Wotan's head as claws emerged from his toes.

Wotan raised her arm, blocking the attack, Zar's claws sparking off the gauntlet's covering her arms up to the elbow. She flexed her bare fingers, driving her free hand into Zar's gut.

Air exploded from Zar's mouth, he felt energy leaving his body as Wotan's fist impacted his chest. With a snarl he released a blast of heat vision, using it to push him away from her.

Wotan laughed, Zar's heat vision disappearing into her body. Her gray eyes burned red with the stolen energy, "What power you have." In a blink she disappeared. Appearing in front of him, she grabbed him by the throat.

For a moment Zar froze, surprised by the attack. He tried to reach out with his mind to pull more power from the earth's magic, but the draining was making his thoughts fuzzy. He blinked hard barely able to keep his eyes open. He scrabbled at Wotan's arm with uncoordinated fingers, but it was like clawing against stone.

Wotan's muscles expanded as Zar's decreased, his red hair lost its color becoming snow white. When the last vestiges of his power flowed into her body, she dropped his emaciated gray form watching it plunge into the water below.

As Zar disappeared beneath the surface, Wotan shot off skeletons rising from the sea to join her. She glanced back at her rising army. Dead from a multitude of wars wearing a variety of clothing rose from there watery graves to do her bidding.

A smile spread across her lips. Years of planning was finally coming to fruition, with this army no woman would ever feel the pain she felt again.

–XX –

As Zar sunk beneath the water, he lost hold on his pocket dimension, causing the philosopher's soul to slip free. The golden oval dropped with him for a moment, before pulsing with an inner light. As Zar descended tendrils of Golden energy flowed from the stone wrapping around his body. Just as he was about to impact the ocean floor, he disappeared in a flash of golden light. Water rushed in to fill the unoccupied space in an explosion of bubbles.