Planet Tamaran, Milky Way Galaxy
Sometime in mid 1997
Wally groaned then pulled his cowl off his face and smirked at the woman. Her expression softened when she saw that he visually wasn't too different than a male of her race. Albeit these three humans before her were much paler. Except for Starboy who's skin seemed to be a very light brown.
She inspected Wally, even walking up to him to get a better look at his green eyes, high cheekbones, and mid length auburn hair.
"My name is Wallace West," Wally said, stepping back a few inches, "My friends call me Wally."
The Tamaranian backed off and saw him extend his right hand to her. Not violently, but open palmed and with a smile on his face.
It took her a minute to realize what to do, but she reached her hand forward and grabbed his. He shook her hand and she smiled slightly.
"Koriand'r," She said, "It is Tamaranian for fire of the stars."
"And fire of the stars means?" Thom asked in a mocking tone, Wally glared at him and jabbed the fourteen year old in the ribs with his elbow. "Ow!"
"Excuse Thomas," Wally said, "He can't help it"
"What can't he help?" Koriand'r inquired.
"Arrogance, and being quite uncordial," Wally explained with a nod.
"Oh it is much fine," Koriand'r assured, she turned to Thom with a smile cocky smile, "And fire of the stars is a folk tale of my people, of a woman who travels across the stars and give life to her people, her name is X'Hal."
Thom nodded, not understanding what that entirely meant or even cared much. In truth he hoped it was like a stripper thing.
"Wallace, you did ot answer the second of my questions," Koriand'r said sternly turning to the ginger.
Wally rubbed the back of his head and cringed. He gave a perplexed expression.
"It's a long story, would you have the time to sit down and listen to it, I only ask because it makes little sense to me." He said.
"Trust me Wallace West, I understand having stories to complex to understand, even to those the story is about," She said.
Koriand'r walked passed the three boys and stood on the platform.
"X'kula Aku'bunta gnoga kurputt," She said to her troops who all disarmed and ran back into the jungles.
"Well then," Wally said, "Imra, bring the hatch back up!"
With that the platform raised back into the ship and the hatch closed.
Off in the distance a ship, nearly identical to the Waverider entered the atmosphere and turned invisible.
Aboard that ship Eobard Thawne sat in the captain's seat as Mano piloted it and Tharrok triggered its cloaking device. The Persuader and Validus both were in chairs monitoring the ships trajectory and weapons systems. Ready to lay waste to the Waverider if the Darkrider was detected.
"Take us to the palace Mano," Thawne ordered with an oily grin, "I need to chat with queen Komand'r."
Sometime later Wally, Koriand'r, Thomas and Imra sat around a table discussing the Legion's current situation.
"From what I am to be understanding, is that this Zoom?" Koriand'r said, "That he is planning to conquer Earth for his master?"
"As far as we know, but there is something on this world I'm sure he needs." Wally said, "The race of Mercenaries known as The Gordainians."
"Yes, mostly mindless creatures that tyrants use to conquer planets, a contingent of them and Apokoliptain Parademons led by my twin Komand'r staged a coup, killing my father sometime ago." Koriand'r said solemnly.
"And there's no way Thawne gonna mess with Parademons," Thomas chuckled to himself, "Unless he's working with Darkseid."
Wally pulled up a hologram of Darkseid. He quickly read through the file. The words moving faster than the others around the table could read.
"Are you even reading that?" Imra asked.
"Yes, so far I've read 49 pages," Wally said, "And apparently that's all Giddeon's got on the guy."
"So you now understand the trouble my people are in?" Koriand'r asked.
"Yeah, I do, but I'm not sure we can stage a coup and get you to replace Komand'r," Wally explained.
"Well,if Thawne's planning on taking half of this planet's military might used to coup the old king and queen maybe Komand'r will be weakened." Imra said.
"Imra, I wish that were the case, I do," Wally said, "But for all I know he might not even be looking for that."
"Doesn't matter, what matters is that these people are being enslaved," Imra pleaded, "Their true queen has been exiled and and her jealous sister who was banished came back to get revenge!"
"I understand that," Wally said with a deep sigh, "But I can't exceed my mandate."
"Well Wallace," Koriand'r said sternly, "I'm afraid I'll have to say the same, your Zoom isn't my priority, my people are and if you can't help me free them I can't help you defeat him."
And with that Koriand'r stood up, picked up her sword and sheathed it on her back. She strolled off of the bridge to the exit hatch. She turned to take one last look at the human heroes and then swiftly walked off of the ship and into the jungles that surrounded them.
Wally sighed, he slumped in his seat and wiped his forehead with a shake of his head. Thom left the room to get something to eat. Imra stared at Wally in contempt.
"I thought we were heroes," She said, "Heroes help people."
"What would you have me do, just because a government is under tyranny doesn't mean a coup is even needed," He said, "Stability is stability, a coup makes things unstable, incites a vacuum of power and honestly i don't know if our involvement is the thing that'll save this planet or end up destroying it."
Imra shook her head and stood up. She started to walk to the hatch and leapt off the ship. She left her commlink onboard and closed the hatch behind her.
Wally didn't notice her leaving till he thought of more to say, that he was willing to change his mind.
"Imra?" He shouted, "Damn it!"
Imra ran through the jungle and caught up with Koriand'r who knew of her presence but didn't look at the fifteen year old.
"If your commander was more to say he can say it to me personally," Koriand'r said.
"He doesn't know I'm here, I kinda just left." Imra explained, "I want to help, restore your mother to the crown."
"My mother is dead, as is my father," Koriand'r sighed, still marching along towards the castle, "I was the heir, if my sister hadn't been stripped of her royal status after suggesting we ally ourselves with Apokolips, she'd be net in line."
"Explaining why she exiled you," Imra asked.
"Indeed Imra Ardeen, she has told our people that I had also been killed and that my dying wish was her ascension to the crowned state of queen."
Imra nodded, she putted alongside Koriand'r and her men towards the westmost towers of the castle. Koriand'r explained that this tower lead to catacombs which were the most direct route to the queen's chambers. It had been how she escaped her sister.
Zoom, wearing no mask knelt before the Tamaranian queen. He crowed to her and expressed my gratitude she agreed to speak with him.
"So Thawne, you foresee my planet's doom?" She asked, "How do you know of this?"
"Great Komand'r allow my friend Tharrok show you Tamaran's future." Thawne said, standing up. Komand'r waved to the cyborg known as Tharrok to approach her throne. "As thatis where we came from."
He knelt down and bowed before the beautiful queen. She was truly Koriand'r's twin. She had the same eyes, nose, cheekbones, curves and length of hair. Though the queen colored hers a deep, near black shade of violet.
Tharrok rose and approached her closer and extended his hand to her. She took his hand and walked down from her throne slowly. He then projected around them images of a barren wasteland. The castle in shambles, crushed into oblivion.
"We are here to save not your world, a planet is a planet," Thawne explained, "But to save you and as many of your people that can fit onto our ship."
"That is well and good," She said, she looked out the window, "My people aren't worth saving in the past months the men grown weak, the women too, the amount of children born is at its lowest in history."
"You don't wish to save your people?" Mano asked, he was greeted with a nod.
"Indeed," Komand'r replied strictly, "As your leader has said, a planet is a planet and with that subjects are subjects. But a true queen may never be replaced."
"Says the lady who staged a coup," Persuader chuckled under his breath. He was met with a blast of solar energy crashing into his armor, leaving a giant dent and sending him crashing into the wall.
"Do be advised if I wanted you'd be dead now," She snarled at Zoom's lackey.
"Thank you for sparing him," Thawne said, "Now if you are to come with us I must ask something."
"You need something?" She inquired.
"I do," Zoom answered with an oily grin, "I need your great power to radiate any kind of solar energy."
"What kind of energy?" She asked.
"The kind that that powers a red sun," Zoom said cockily.
They all then started to walk out of the throne room when the wall in front of them came down. Komand'r growled.
"X'hal!" She shouted, "Akula'op khufa't s'kutter!"
Her royal guards approached the hole in the wall to inspect it. They were blasted away by a burst of energy from Koriand'r who stood in the middle of the hole. One hand glew green with energy and she held sword in the other.
"Damn," Zoom crowed. "Looks like I have to kill something today after all."
"Like you're sad about that," Tharrok cackled. He transformed his right arm into his Ion Cannon and fired at Saturn Girl who used a psychic force field to block the attack. He fired again and the girl flew into the air then straight at him.
Imra punched the cyborg in the only flesh on his face. He growled. She tumbled over him and tried to get away but he grabbed her leg and threw her like a ragdoll.
Zoom laughed loudly, running through the loyal soldiers that followed to Koriand'r to their doom. He broke necks, used their weapons against them and even punched a hole through one woman's chest after running so fast his fist became almost like a bullet.
He ripped her heart out and let the woman fall to the ground. He threw her heart down and stepped on it. Enjoying every second of that kill.
Near the roof of the room, Koriand'r and Komand'r battled in mid air. Their blades clashing over and over. Neither getting the upper hand.
"You always were the weaker of us!" Komand'r snarled, she rammed her forehead into the bridge of her sister's nose and sent Koriand'r falling to the ground.
Komand'r cackled and pointed her blade at her, she flew down swiftly, running the blade through her sister's leg.
"I will enjoy this," Komand'r sneered, "I want you to suffer the way I'vesuffered."
"And that's why you won't win this battle," Koriand'r shouted at her, leaning up, "You let hate, anger and rage fuel you and sure, those are great for short bursts of energy."
Koriand'r then used her not impaled leg to kick her sister in the breast. Komand'r fell to the ground, clutching her chest. Koriand'r then pulled the blade out of her leg and threw it to the ground next to her.
"But I fight for something greater, for peace and love." She said.
"That an oxymoron!" Komand'r said, standing back up glaring into her sister's eyes.
"That's right," The Flash's voice echoed through the room, "But Koriand'r has a point!"
Wally then burst through the window, crashing through the glass. He ran up to Komand'r and grabbed her wrist and reeled her arm back behind her.
"Vengeance isn't justice," Wally said with a smirk. "It's a high you'll never get enough of!"
He threw her forwards into Koriand'r's arms who just smiled at her sister.
"And justice is a cure to that high," She added, Koriand'r then punched her sister to the ground.
Zoom on the other side of the room growled he turned to Mano and Tharrok.
"Tell me the MFD has been set," He snarled quietly.
"It has, and in the planet's core, Flash ain't shutting this one off," Mano chuckled.
Zoom grinned, his teeth were stained yellow and his eyes were bloodshot with rage.
"The three of you get to the ship, have Validus take off once me and the queen are on board." He ordered.
Mano, Tharrok and The Persuader all left through the entrance Wally had made and flew off into the horizon. Zoom watched. He then turned back to the battle and waved Starboy and Booster Gold off of him with only a couple punches.
He ran towards Flash and kicked Wally in the back. He grabbed Koriand'r by the hair and pulled her forward and then threw her to the ground.
He swiftly picked Komand'r up off the floor and ran out of the building through the window just as the Darkrider passed by, boarding his ship.
Wally groaned as he returned to his feet. He checked on Imra who only suffered a fractured wrist from her tussle with Tharrok. Koriand'r stared out the window, watching as the Darkrider left the planet's atmosphere.
She crossed her arms around her chest and held onto her left bicep with her left hand. Thomas and Micheal walked up behind her and stared out the window with her.
"Hate to break the moment," Brainiac's voice called on their commlinks, "But Giddeon's telling me this planet's about to implode in on itself in 16 minutes."
Wally then stood to attention, he stared out the window for a moment and watched the sun start to set for the last time of the planet of Tamaran.
"We have to go," He said, "Brainy, travel to our coordinates in the Waverider, load as many Tamaranians as can fit on board."
"Wallace that is not necessary if our time is over," Koriand'r sighed. Wally wouldn't have it.
"Your people deserve to survive, to have a fresh start, the neighboring world of Praxis has the same climate as Tamaran," Wally explained, he put a hand on Koriand'r's shoulder and smiled. A gesture she returned.
"There can't possibly be enough room on The Waverider," She sighed.
"There's only this one city on the entire planet," Imra pleaded, "I think it's worth a shot, don't you?"
"Then let's save my people." She said with a smirk.
Later the team of six ran out of the castle into the main town square. Hundreds of people were at the castle base, shouting to be let in. Guards in riot control gear and weapons held them back.
"Felu'Shea onakil l'mionga!" Koriand'r shouted to the guards who dropped their batons and shields and let her through. They were confused as to why she was present.
"Prnce'ss Koriand'r?" A man shouted, "Q'nn Komand'r alan yon de'ad!"
Koriand'r sighed, she placed a comforting hand on the young man's shoulder. She gave him a smile and shook her head. She turned to her new friends Flash and The Legion who stood behind her watching the sky for Brainiac and their ship.
"Booster, I need your droid," She said, "If it can broadcast my voice to this entire crowd."
Micheal gave a thumbs up and launched Skeets from his backpack. The golden droid hovered to Koriand'r. It floated in front of her, a small screen showed a microphone with a mouth next it. She assumed this was how she'd be able to broadcast.
She was correct.
"My people," She said in Tamaranian, "My sister had deceived you, she was in League with Apokolips who helped her seize the crown, she has also been in League with villains from a place strange to us, who have set this planet to collapse on itself. She has conspired to destroy our home and leave us stranded while she travels elsewhere."
Gasps, swears, and rioting voiced echoed the square. They were silenced as The Waverider flew overhead, blowing wind, dust and smoke across the square. Hair, clothes and papers flew about as it came in for a landing next to the castle behind Koriand'r.
The ship's hatch opened, but when it was only halfway Brainiac 5 slipped out and landed on the ground then stood back up and ran over to Flash and handed him a datapad.
"I got rid of the escape pods to make more room," Brainiac explained, "I theorize that the entire city can now fit on board without them."
Wally nodded then put the pad on his side. He sighed and looked at Querl's hand. There was no hand, just the stump of his wrist covered in a gloved and several bandages.
"It's fine," Brainiac said, "But all the Tamaranians can only fit if two of us aren't on board."
"Leave me," Koriand'r said, electing herself to stay behind. Wally shook his head and waved his arms in protest.
"Not a chance sister," He ordered, "They'll need to to help them figure this thing out."
"How about me and Thom," Micheal asked, Thom gave him a disgusted glare.
"What?" Wally said, he was about to protest to that as well before Thom cut him off.
"Wait, yeah, I can breathe in space, that's where I was born," He explained, "And Mikey's amor has a built in oxygen mask built in."
"Mike can't fly, are you going to carry him on your back?" Imra asked mockingly. Thom and Mike both glared at her and she stopped her laughing.
Brainiac's wrist gauntlet started beeping then he viewed it display screen.
"Sir, the planet is starting to implode faster than expected," Giddeon said.
"Thom, leaving your for a second might be a good idea," Wally said, "Your powers can hold Tamaran gravity together a little longer."
"I mean, I think so," Thomas said, "I've never used my gravity powers on anything as big a planet."
Koriand'r sighed and gave him an assuring smile.
"I believe in you Thomas Kallor," She said, "Earn the name Starboy now."
Thomas smirked then knelt down to the ground, his hands started to shake just the same as the earth beneath his feet. His fingers started to glow purple then he pushed them onto the planet's surface and his whole body started to glow the same violet as his hands.
"Okay, Koriand'r get your people on board," Wally ordered, "Imra I need you at the ship's helm ready to take off once everyone's loaded up."
Koriand'r and Saturn Girl ran off to do as told then Wally turned to the boys.
"Micheal you stay with Starboy and Brainiac, get Giddeon to patch up your hand, maybe get a prothstetic." He said. Brainaic ran off with Wally as they boarded the ship with hoards of Tamaranians.
Thomas didn't dare look up, but only down at his hands scratching against Tamaran's crust. He could feel the planet's atoms trying to split away from each other. All of them all at once.
He grunted, trying to focus on keeping them in once place. Smelly, sticky sweat beaded on his forehead and soaked his dark brown hair turning it black from the wetness. Some fell from his bangs and head, some trailed down into his eyes.
He wanted badly to wipe it away. Yet he feared if he moved one inch that the whole planet would collapse under him.
"Hey," Micheal said, "Only a few more minutes."
"Shut up!" Thomas shouted at him. He didn't care how much longer at this point. Because every second felt like his body was being ripped apart from the strain. He gritted his teeth then closed his eyes.
"Flash," Booster said, tapping on his commlink, "How many more, I don't know if Thomas can hold out longer."
*Brainiac says another fifty of so people,* Wally answered, *Not too long*
Thomas heard. He couldn't help, to look up at how many more people were boarding the Waverider. He lost his focus then the planet started to shake rapidly. Dammit he thought to himself then tried to hold it together. He screamed loudly as he felt the planet start to come apart inside it's core.
"Tell them to hurry up!" Thomas yelled. His body was on fire. He saw in the distance matter start to vanish and come apart. He closed his eyes and tried to pull it back in to no avail.
"Shit," Micheal whispered, "Saturn Girl, last one's on board! Take off!"
The Waverider's engine then started to roar. The strain of so much extra weight made them screech loudly. Micheal stared at it as it took off slowly then pick up speed, bursting out of the atmosphere and out of sight.
He smirked at it then turned to Thomas.
"Come on!" He shouted then pulled Starboy to his feet. Thom grabbed Micheal by the arm then took off as fast as he could into the air. He strained hard as he then reached escape velocity and rushed away from Tamaran.
Micheal put his oxygen mask on then looked back at Tamaran. He watched as it caved in on itself then blew into smithereens. He looked back at Thomas who flew straight to the Waverider.
"Hey," Micheal said with a soft smile, "You did good."
Thomas couldn't hear him, or the planet's explosion and he flew right up to The Waverider and grabbed hold of its wing. He looked forward with a smirk at the planet Praxis where they were headed.
On Praxis the Tamaranians got off of the Waverider and looked to the skies where their home once was. Koriand'r stayed on the Wavrider's bridge staring out of the cockpit at her people. She held her arm and held back her tears.
Wally approached her. He sat down next to her and handed her a cup of water. She took it and took a sip. She smiled at the redhead.
"Thank you Wallace West," She said, looking back at her people.
"Hey we're friends," Wally said with a smile, "Call me Wally."
Koriand'r looked at him and chuckled.
"Okay Wally," She said. She turned back and looked at the infirmary. In there Thomas lay unconscious on the bed with Micheal watching over him. "Will Thom be alright?"
"Be sure of it," Wally said watching Micheal take care of the resting boy, "He'll make a full recovery, will you?"
"I will," Koriand'r said with a sigh, she turned to look out the cockpit again, "When Eobard Thawne and my sister are brought to justice."
"They will, I'm gonna make sure of it," Wally assured her.
"Then allow me to join you," Koriand'r requested.
"What about your people?" Wally asked.
"They need a fresh start," Koriand'r said, standing up to her feet, "Not dragged down by Tamaran's past, including it's exiled princess, I'm no queen, never was, I checked that my cousin Ryand'r is still alive, he'll make a fine king."
Wally stood up next to her and watched her cousin who was talking to a few people. He turned to Koriand'r and smirked.
"You already arranged it," Wally said.
"I did," Koriand'r answered.
"You'll need a codename," Wally told her. To which she smirked, she also figured that one out as well.
Koriand'r put her hands on her hip and told Wally the name she chose to which he smiled. He told Brainiac to take off.
"What's our next stop boss?" Brainy asked. Wally and Koriand'r exchanged glances, and chuckled.
"Who knows," She said.
"Wherever time takes us," Wally laughed, walking to his captain's seat as Starfire sat in the chair beside Saturn Girl in front of Flash.
The Tamaranians watched as The Waverider floated into the night's sky. Ryand'r smirked, knowing his cousin was onboard to get Komand'r to be taken to justice for her crimes.
He put one arm on his hip and wrapped the other around his son's shoulders. They watched The Waverider then fly high into the sky and disappear at lightspeed.