Chapter 37
"Alyosha's Answer …"
"Tell me straight out, I call on you – answer me: Imagine that you
yourself are building the edifice of human destiny with the object of making
people happy in the finale, of giving them peace and rest at last, but
for that you must inevitably and unavoidably torture just one tiny
creature, that same child that was beating her chest with her little fist,
and raise your edifice on the foundation of her unrequited tears –
Would you agree to be the architect on such conditions?
Tell me the truth?"
- Ivan to Alyosha in The Brothers Karamazov
Off World
Clark sat looking at the blank screen, stunned and horrified. The implications of Darkseid's choice hit home, Earth or an innocent young girl? The fact the young girl was his daughter made Clark's head spin. In the short span of a few minutes, he went from divorced and alone to the father of two.
Frantically, he started working the communicator trying to contact Earth and New Genesis. No matter which bandwidth he tried all Clark got was static. Darkseid must have anticipated this and had some sort of dampening field around the two worlds. That would mean Clark couldn't just boom tube in to them, either.
The choice was the same, Earth or his daughter.
His mind was in chaos. How do you make a decision like that? Clark had always know Darkseid was evil, but this was beyond anything he'd every witnessed. It wasn't the insane evil of the Joker or the megalomaniacal evil of Luthor, but a cold, calculated cruelty. Sitting there, Clark realized Darkseid had been manipulating him at every turn. He was playing God with Clark. The very choice he offered spoke of it. Darkseid was saying that to be the hero or savior of Earth, Clark had to sacrifice one innocent. He wanted Clark to sacrifice his own child in essences to him as some sort of offering.
Darkseid got what he wished, he hurt Clark more than he could imagine, but he'd done one other thing he hadn't counted on, he made Clark angry. As the full implications of everything washed over Clark a rage began to build inside him. It was like nothing he'd ever felt before and with each passing second it grew. It went beyond wounded pride or physical injury down to the very core of the man. Darkseid had wanted a tribute from Clark, but what he was going to get was a reckoning.
Powering up the small ship, Clark blasted off into space.
Gotham
Bruce and Zatanna were having coffee on the back terrace. They had both been quiet mostly, as each was deep in thought. The events and problems of their daily lives seemed to overwhelm them at times, and this was the first quiet moment either had experienced in quite awhile.
Zee was thinking about Bruce and had been for some time now. Sitting here just sharing coffee seemed right to her. He had been so generous to her and Memo that she knew she could never repay him. Those weren't the thoughts that were on her mind at the moment. Zee had realized something might be starting to grow between them, something more than friendship. Over the years they'd known each other, she'd flirted with the idea, but sitting across from him it seemed more serious. She sensed he was attracted to her and she certainly thought he was a handsome man, but was there more to it, she wondered?
"You know I think you're picking up your daughter's habits, Zee. You're staring," Bruce said.
"What? Oh, sorry, I guess I was kind of lost in thought there," she replied.
"Anything I should be aware of," he asked.
She seemed to debate this for a moment, before putting down her coffee cup and looking him straight in the eye.
"Are you interested in dating me, Bruce?"
He nearly spit out his mouthful of coffee. His eye went wide in surprise for a moment.
"Excuse me?"
"It's a pretty straight forward question, Bruce," she replied. "Do you want to date?"
"Where did this come from?"
"Well, I've been thinking about it," she admitted. "I think you're interested in me, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"I thought so," she said with a smug smile. He gave her a look, but it didn't stop her.
"Well, I have to admit I've thought about it over the years we've known each other. I guess being here has made me wonder.'
"Zee, I'm flattered and tempted," Bruce began. "I think the problem would be that knowing the kind of life I lead, I wouldn't want to bring you into that. If I were to put you or Memo into danger, I'd never be able to forgive myself."
"I know, blah, blah, blah, you still didn't answer the question, Bruce."
"Blah, blah, blah? That's what you have to say," he replied.
"Well, that's your usual line, isn't it? You're the Dark Knight, the lone wolf, all that BS for not answering the questions," she said. "I guess I should be happy you didn't pull that rich boy with issues line on me."
"Hey!" Bruce cut in. "Those aren't lines, they're legitimate concerns! For the record, I've never referred to myself as a lone wolf."
"Sorry."
"I live a dangerous life, with countless enemies," Bruce continued. "I don't want anything to happen to you because of me. That's not an excuse, Zee."
"Okay, I get it," she replied. She put her hands up in surrender. Bruce sat grumbling as he glanced over at her.
"Lone wolf, you make me sound like a cliché," he muttered.
"Sorry, I didn't know you were so touchy about which synonym I used," she replied. He just waved her off and turned back to his coffee. She looked at him for another moment before trying again.
"So is Dark Knight okay?"
"Yes, don't be cute," he fired back.
"So Dark Knight, are you going to answer the questions or not?"
"Yes! All right, are you happy? Yes, I think I'd like to see where this could go!"
She smiled at this and some of his annoyance slipped as he saw it.
"Can I ask another question?"
"Go ahead," he replied.
"Since we've decided to try, should we kiss or something,' she asked. "Or don't you like the word kiss? How about smooch or make out?"
"You know you can be a real smart ass, when you want to be?"
He leaned over towards her and smiled.
"The answer to that question is yes too."
Their lips touched and Bruce moved to deepen it. They lingered like this for a moment before both seemed to pull back. He sat back in his chair without a word. Zee looked at him and then scrunched up her face.
"Did that feel weird to you?"
"A little bit," Bruce admitted.
"I thought you'd be a better kisser, but that was just yuck." She shivered.
"I am a good kisser for your information," Bruce replied defensively. "Maybe it was you?'
"I don't think so," Zee laughed.
"I know you've had a lot of experienced, but so have I." He pointed out.
"Hey! I don't think I like what you're implying," she fumed.
'"I was just suggesting that maybe that wasn't your best effort," he offered.
"And what about you, Mr. Playboy?" She fired back, offended by his statement. "I'd think with all those models and actresses you've been out with you'd have learned how by now."
"I don't want to argue about it, Zee," Bruce said.
"Well, don't blame me if it was a weird kiss!"
Both sat there thinking about the kiss for a moment.
"I'm sorry if it sounded like I was saying you're a bad kisser," Zee started. "It's just something about it felt wrong. I can't describe just what it was, but if was weird, you know?'
"It did have a sort of kissing your sister feel to it," Bruce offered.
"Eyyyyewwwhaaa! Did you have to say that out loud?!" Zee cringed. "Oh God, that's what it was! It was like kissing my brother! Now I feel all creepy inside!"
Zee wriggled in her seat, cringing as the thought set in. Bruce winced a bit himself.
Before they could say anything to make it worse, their League communicators went off.
"Batman."
"Zatanna."
"We're under attack! Boom tubes have opened all over the planet! Parademon ships are heading towards all the major cities! It's another invasion and we need everybody!"
The voice was Dinah's and in the background they could hear the sound of explosions.
"I'll be right up,' Bruce said, launching out of his chair.
"No, Batman, Jonn and I can handle it from here, but we need someone down there to organize and lead. The others will be looking to you for that!"
"Agreed, stay in contact and fill me in on all the details," Bruce replied. He was running towards the BatCave at top speed.
The Watchtower
Parademon ships were attacking the tower from all sides, while heroes scrambled to respond. In the control room, Dinah and Jonn were trying to organize a response.
"Lantern! We need some cover from those ships," Dinah shouted over the din.
"I'm on it," John replied.
"There are ships appearing over many of the major cities of the world. We need more heroes! I'm sending out an alert to everyone I can get," Jonn said.
"Good, Batman will be in the air in a moment or two. Relay all the data we have to him. He's on point for this down there," Dinah replied.
"Wonder Woman has just checked in. She's started a counter attack as we speak."
"Jonn, we're going to need you down there too," Dinah said. "Mr. Terrific can help me up here, but you're one of the most powerful assets we have. Your place is in the fight."
"I'm on my way," he replied, heading off. Mr. Terrific seamlessly stepped in.
"Of all the times we could use Superman, this is it," Dinah murmured to herself.
Undisclosed Location
Amanda Waller came running into the control room. General Eiling and Lex were watching the invasion on the screens, deep in conversation.
'Why are you two just standing there? We're under attack from Darkseid's forces! We need to respond," she shouted.
The two men turned to look at her.
"The military has already scrambled, Ms. Waller. The combined forces of the great powers are engaging the enemy as we speak," Eiling replied.
"Even the so called Justice League are involved," Lex added.
"We need to release the weapon," she said to them.
"No, not yet," Lex replied.
"I agree," Eiling added.
"What? Why not? It's what it was created for!" Waller shouted at the two. "The whole idea behind continuing the project after the last fiasco was to have it as a weapon against an invasion from Darkseid! It was your idea, Lex!"
"That's true," Lex admitted. "But as you can see, Darkseid hasn't arrived yet."
"So what? We're under attack!"
"Calm yourself, Ms. Waller, we're all aware of the situation," Lex dryly said to her. "The plan was to reprogram the beast in the event that Darkseid invades. The creature is our ace in the hole, if you will. To release it now would be to tip Darkseid off to our plans. The element of surprise is key to this working."
"I agree," Eiling added.
"So what are you going to do? Are you just going to sit back and wait, while Darkseid's forces attack Earth? Do you realize the potential toll in human lives this could have?"
"Collateral damage is unavoidable," Eiling said.
"Maybe there's a bright side to this, Ms. Waller," Luthor offered. "We've been worried about our superhero problem, perhaps some of them will be taken care of for us."
"You're both insane,' Amanda Waller gasped. "Earth is in peril and all you can think about is your stupid plan!"
"The decision has already been made, Ms. Waller," Eiling replied. "We wait."
"We wait for Darkseid," Lex added.
Snow World
General Zod stood on the icy plateau gazing out over the frozen land. The wind and snow whipped furiously around him, but he took no notice. Since leaving Earth he'd been looking for a world just like this one. It so reminded him of his home world, Krypton or at least what Krypton might have been like several millenniums ago.
He felt the disturbance before he saw it. Turning his head, he saw the mystical doorway open and Morgaine step through. She had on her golden armor as usual, but the faceplate was gone. She stood there looking at him. A smile crossed his cold features.
"You're a hard man to find, Dru," she said, with a smile of her own.
"I didn't think you would want to find me, Morgaine," he replied.
"I changed my mind," she said. " A woman's prerogative."
Their eyes seeming to devour each other and in the next instance they were in each other's arms. Passions long denied spilled over.
"Oh, how I've missed you, Dru," she whispered.
"And I you, Morgaine," he softly replied.
"After you left I tried to move on, but it felt hollow. After all these centuries, to finally be cured and find love again," she whispered. "I find I hunger for it more than anything else."
"I have only hungered for you, my love," he replied.
'Whatever we do, let's do it together from now on," she asked.
"I would not wish it any other way."
He kissed her, the heat of their embrace belying Kryptonians reputation as a cold people. She returned it with equal passion.
"So why are you here, my love," she finally asked. "Why this world, so far away from anything and anyone?"
"I've had a lot of time to think," he began. "You're words have haunted me all this time.'
"My words? What are you talking about?"
"When our transformation was complete, you said 'we have been given a new life, Dru-Zod and your first reaction to dwell on the misfortunes of the past one'. I've had time to think about those words. You were right; this is a new life for you and me. I was trapped in a cycle of revenge tied to my old life. Here I will make a new start."
"Why here?"
"Thousands and thousands of years ago, my world looked much like this one. It was a barren, unforgiving place, yet out of it raised a great civilization. There is a species of great fighters on this world. It's the reason few have tried to conquer it. They live in a pre-industrial society, almost clan based. There is an empire waiting for the one that conquers this world, Morgaine."
She smiled as she listened to his words.
"With your strength and my magic that shouldn't be too difficult," she whispered.
"Yes and once this world is ours, we can spread out to others," Zod added. "An Empire needs a Queen, Morgaine."
"And a King," she replied.
'Our new life begins now!"
He pulled from his coat a crystal and tossed it in the air. As it landed, the earth began to move and reshape. In a matter of minutes a great palace emerged where none was before. Morgaine kissed Zod.
"The future is ours, my love."
New Genesis
The calm tranquility of High Father's garden seemed to spread out to the whole world. The glittering city and lush landscape lulled one into a sense of security. Perhaps this was the reason the Furies so easily took down the guards.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!" Mad Harriet cackled.
"Shut up," Lashina ordered. "Fenris, you know what this girl looks like. Find her, while we cover you."
"Yes, mother," the boy eagerly replied. He moved with the speed of a hunter, while the Furies followed, ready for anything.
They came upon a group of children being instructed in the art of horticulture. The teacher gasped in fear as she saw the Furies. The children panicked and began to run in all directions. Fenris scanned them all and quickly found Avida.
'Her," he said, pointing her out to his mother. Lashina looked at the young girl and received a shock. Up until this moment it had just been a mission. It was the price that Darkseid wanted for her to return and be with her son. She hadn't given it any more thought than that. Lashina had never cared much for Amazing Grace and liked her even less now. If killing her spawn was the price to have Fenris back, she had no problem doing it.
That was before she saw the girl or rather almost a young woman. Lashina couldn't miss it. She had spent too much time with Kal-El, looking into his eyes not to notice Avida's. There was no mistaking who the girl's father was. The anger Lashina felt when she'd first heard of the two of them being together came roaring back.
He had a child by that witch and didn't tell me, Lashina thought. It just reinforced all the fears and doubts she'd had about their relationship and how special it had been. A cold fury settled inside her.
"Do what you came to do, Fenris," she said. Her voice was like a knife-edge. He nodded and moved towards Avida.
She's been standing, frozen in fear the whole time. As Fenris moved towards her, she suddenly found her voice.
"I-I remember you," she said. This caught Fenris off guard, but he quickly recovered. Falling back on a lesson Amazing Grace had taught him, Fenris straightened up a smiled.
""I was hoping you would," he replied. He tried to relax his body and kept a smile on his face the whole time. He moved closer to her remembering how Grace had taught him a smile can get you closer to your victim.
"Why-Why are you here," Avida nervously asked.
"I'm here to see you," Fenris replied.
"Why?"
He was only thee feet away from her. She would be so easy to kill, he thought. He had a detached feeling about all of this. He regretted killing Grace, but it was the price he had to pay. If anyone would understand that, it would be Amazing Grace. Darkseid had taken away his mother once before and he'd been powerless to stop it. Since that day, Fenris vowed to himself it would never happen again. Nothing, no one would separate him from his mother. She was the one person in the entire world he truly loved. If he had to kill this girl that was the price he must pay. He didn't dislike her; it was just what had to be done.
"Why do you want to see me," Avida asked. She nervously shifted, having a strange sense about him.
"Lord Darkseid sent me," Fenris said. In the next moment he thrust his blade towards her heart. It was a killing blow and hour after hour of training made Fenris' aim true. When he missed, a shock look came over his face. He gazed at the girl in astonishment. She'd dodge his blow. That shouldn't be possible. It was only a momentary shock and he dropped all pretenses.
"Die," he shouted, attacking her again.
Panic filled Avida. She knew something was wrong the moment she saw the Furies. When Fenris had moved towards her, she saw by his movements that he was a hunter. It made no sense to her, as there was nothing to hunt in High Father's garden. His posture changed as he got closer, but she could still see the tight control in him. When he lunged at her with the blade, her instincts took over. All those hours of training with Orion kicked in and she was barely able to dodge his attack.
Scrambling away, she saw him move towards her again.
"I don't want to fight you," she pleaded, yet he didn't slow down.
"I didn't come to fight you, I came to kill you," he replied. He slashed at her, cutting her arm.
"Ow! Why? I've done nothing to you," she exclaimed.
"It's what must be done," he said. Again and again, his blade slashed and thrust at her. The two were moving at incredible speeds. She was in a panic, always moving backwards, bobbing a weaving out of the way of his killing strokes.
The alarm had gone out that the Furies had invaded High Father's garden. When Orion heard this, a fear gripped him. Somehow he knew they were here for Avida. Rage and panic filled him as he dashed at top speed. Rounding the corner, he saw Avida and Fenris engaged in a death struggle.
"Avida!" he screamed. He rushed headlong towards her. The only thing on his mind was protecting her. The sizzle of electricity caught his attention too late. Lashina's whip coiled around his neck, sending a charge though his system. He screamed as every cell in his body as overloaded. Before he could react or recover, Stompa kicked him hard, driving him to the ground. Mad Harriet's claws bit deep into his back. The Furies were like a pack of jackals attacking him.
"Finish her!" Lashina shouted to her son, even as the Furies continued to attack Orion.
"Run, Avida, run," Orion somehow managed to yell.
As she dodged another blow, Avida heard him. She had cuts all over her, but had avoided the crippling blow. Her flight instinct took over and she scrambled away from Fenris and starting running. He was right behind her. She weaved her way in and out of the hedges, blind terror gripping her. She could hear Fenris behind, growing closer. In her panic she could almost feel his breath on her neck. Putting on a burst of speed, she headed down a path between two high hedges. Fenris shouted in anger at her, but she didn't stop. He was still coming, she just knew.
As she rounded a corner at top speed, Avida ran into what she thought was a wall.
"Oh, no, he's going to catch me and kill me," she cried.
"No one's going to harm you now. You're safe," a voice said and then two arms gently eased around her. Confused and shaken, Avida looked up. Two kind blue eyes looked down at her.
"Father?"
"Yes, I guess I am," Clark gently said to her.
"Father?"
Clark looked up at the sound of another voice. Fenris was standing five feet away looking at him in shock.
"No. I don't agree."
-Alyosha's answer to Ivan's question.