Chapter 11
Earth – 1; Central City
While all the heroes were gathered at Star Labs in Central City, Thor took the opportunity to join Oliver who had just replaced his Green Arrow outfit with civilian clothes.
"Oliver! Oliver!"
The archer turned to him, puzzled that the God of Thunder came towards him.
"What is it, Thor?"
Thor came up to him, and spoke candidly:
"We need to talk… about your arrow…"
"What?" Oliver replied, confused.
"Your arrow that allowed you to stop Deegan and the Book of Destiny."
"What are you talking about?"
"Oliver, I'm not stupid! With my ax and lightning bolts, I was powerless against the Book, and yet I am a God, so you understand my curiosity when I see you with a single arrow defeating Deegan! I know it was no ordinary arrow. Someone helped you, Oliver. No need to deny it, tell me, what did you do?"
Oliver took a breath before answering in a neutral voice:
"I did what I had to do to save Barry and Kara!"
"Oliver, I need to know how you managed to destroy the Book of Destiny, when I couldn't. You went to see Mar Novu, right? Tell me the truth!"
Knowing that there was no point in denying it, Oliver nodded.
"Barry and Kara don't have to know. Yes, I went to see Mar Novu, and I asked him to intervene to prevent their deaths."
But Thor looked suspicious. Knowing that it was about an unknown cosmic being, the Asgardian knew that Novu had not agreed to help Oliver without something in return.
"Except he didn't help you do it without something in exchange. You made a deal with him, didn't you?"
Oliver confirmed again, nodding. The Monitor's voice rang in his mind again:
"The universe is a complex piece of machinery, and balance must be maintained. One change requires another! How would you propose I keep the balance?"
Oliver then imposed:
"Will you help me save Barry and Kara or not?"
"No, but I will give you the means to save them," Novu replied.
"Tell me what you need in exchange."Oliver asked again.
"Whatever the multiverse requires to survive the Crisis that is looming. When it is time…"
"That Crisis," Thor exclaimed, of which Oliver had just related his conversation with the Monitor. "And did he tell you anything else about this Crisis? What's gonna happen? When is that supposed to happen?"
But the archer shook his head in negation.
"He didn't tell me anything else."
Thor took a moment to consider what his friend had just taught him, then turned to him with a serious look.
"Oliver, no matter what Novu wants from you, you can't trust him. I, who am a God, have no trust in him. This test he put us through… give an almighty Book to a madman… If I can give you any advice, beware of him! Because I have serious doubts about his intentions."
"I'll be careful, Thor," Oliver assured him. "I will keep your doubts in mind."
Soon after, it was time to depart for residents of Earth – 38. Barry joined Supergirl, who couldn't help but notice:
"So this is kind of becoming an annual thing, huh?"
"Good, I hope not," Barry replied.
The Kryptonian chuckled softly, looked at Oliver and added:
"Is that a… Are you smiling?"
It was very rare to see Oliver Queen smile. The archer just answering:
"I kind of like you guys. Don't tell anyone."
"Honestly, Oliver, you should smile a little more," Thor added, joining them. "Are you sure you're Green Arrow again? I'm pretty sure there's still some Flash or Barry Allen in you? (He pretended to think.) I'm not quite sure you're yourself again!"
Barry and Kara giggled, while Oliver kept his cheerful demeanor.
"Shut up, Thor!"
The Asgardian laughed for a moment, then kept his seriousness by nodding. He understood the archer's deal with the Monitor, and he wouldn't tell his friends.
J'onn J'onzz came over to shake hands with Superman.
"I hope to see you all again soon."
"Preferably without giving Lois another reason to dive headfirst into danger." answered the Man of Steel, looking at his wife.
"I dive where you dive, babe." she replied.
Finally, Supergirl walked over to the Star Labs technician, to initiate their departure.
"Cisco, will you do the honors?"
"Anything for my favorite Kryptonian. That's right. I have a favorite Kryptonian. " Cisco replied.
"Yes. A good choice." Brainy added.
Cisco made an interdimensional breach for Supergirl and her allies in order to return to Earth – 38.
They all made their way there, while Supergirl waved goodbye to her friends.
"Well... Until next time. Peace out from your favorite Kryptonian."
Then she joined the breach, then it was Thor who turned to Barry, Oliver and Cisco.
"Well, well, it was nice to see you again, guys! Cisco, Barry, Oliver… Until next time! (And he gave Oliver one last serene look.) And watch out for you all!"
"No problem, Thor," Barry replied, waving his hand.
"We'll be careful," Oliver replied.
Then Thor smiled at his friends and walked into the breach.
Earth – 38; Smallville
Brainy and J'onn had moved back to National City, as they both had responsibilities. While Kara still stayed with her cousin Clark at the Kent Farm in Smallville. The barn was in good condition. Clark had completed all of his work. Thor was not far away, he wanted to leave some privacy between the two cousins.
Lois came to the Asgardian.
"You are still here?"
"I wanted to say goodbye to Kara, before I left," Thor explained. "Your husband is a real fighter. He's a real Superman. It's amazing, in my entire existence, not once have I heard of Krypton. And I regret not having been able to know it. When I see Kara and Kal, I can imagine how great people of Krypton was. And I'm glad that there are still Kryptonians on Argo."
"Speaking of Argo," said Lois. "Clark and I loved spending time there… and now I'm pregnant."
"Really?" exclaimed the Thunderer God, surprised. (Then he gave Superman's wife a beaming smile.) "Congratulations!"
"Thanks, and that's why we're going to be staying on Argo for a long time," she replied. "I have a Kryptonian baby in my womb. I will well spend these months of pregnancy in an appropriate environment."
"I understand, that means Superman is leaving Earth," Thor concluded.
Then then, Kara and Clark joined them. Lois broke the news of her pregnancy to the young Kryptonian who couldn't help but be delighted.
"That's great, so, you're gone another nine months?" she said.
Lois looked at Clark, who replied:
"A little longer than that. Look, this fight, it... It reminded me of everything that I could lose. But the only reason I feel safe hanging up my cape for a while is because of you. The world doesn't need Superman if it has Supergirl."
Kara nodded, considering those statements.
"It's actually probably a bit safer." added Lois.
"If I might interject," Thor replied, looking at Kara. "As an Asgardian and God of Thunder, I agree with them. You have all the qualities it takes to protect the Earth. Kara, you are much more than Supergirl. You have a caring heart with a lot of compassion and love deep inside you. Don't forget that!"
"Thank you Thor," Kara replied.
"A study out of Harvard last year said that women respond better than men - under competitive pressure." Lois explained. "We are better in a crisis. More apt to ask questions before punching."
Thor nodded, elated, wondering if it was the same for Valkyrie with whom he had left him custody of his people.
Then Lois turned to her husband.
"Not that you are not totally terrific."
Clark laughs before turning to Kara.
"Bottom line, (he hugged Kara.) the world is safe with you."
"Aw. I'm gonna miss you guys." Kara answered, hugging her and Lois.
"I was delighted to have met you, Lois, Kal," Thor replied, hugging them back. "I hope to see you again soon. Good luck with your future baby. I wish you lots of happiness. And you deserve it!"
Later, Kara and Thor walked near a cornfield, a few yards from the farm.
"You too, Kara, you deserve to be happy," said the Asgardian. "And no matter what happens on your Earth, you are a good person. You will know how to find a way to prove to the inhabitants of your city that your sense of duty has much more value compared to depraved people who only seek to sow violence and hatred. Supergirl is way above that! Your cousin believes in you! If it wasn't, he wouldn't leave Earth without thinking that you would be able to defend it. And I also believe in you!"
"Thank you, Thor, it means a lot. And you, what are you going to do? We finally stopped Deegan. Where are you going, now?"
"We stopped Deegan, yes, but there is still a problem to be solved. Mar Novu has spoken of an impending Crisis and of an enemy much stronger than him. Judging by what you've seen what the Monitor is able of, and if we believe what he says, we're dealing with a deadly and potentially very powerful enemy. I must find Novu, find out what this Crisis is and find a way to prevent this apocalypse!"
"Maybe I should come with you," Kara suggested.
'No,' Thor replied. "You have your responsibilities. Your world needs you. I'll go find the Guardians of the Galaxy and we'll go find Mar Novu. Someone like him must certainly be known in the Universe. If I ever find out about this Crisis and need help, I can find you."
Kara nodded, knowing that both had responsibilities.
"I was happy to see you again, Thor! I hope we will see each other again in better circumstances."
"Me too, Kara," Thor replied, smiling. "Whatever happens, always keep hope in yourself."
The two hugged for a moment, then it was time to leave for Thor. He took out his ax, so he could summon the Bifrost and leave Earth – 38.
"Good luck, Kara Zor-El of Krypton, Kara Danvers and Supergirl, Protector of Earth!"greeted the Asgardian.
"Good luck to you too, Thor, Son of Odin, God of Thunder, and… maybe not the strongest Avenger, but at least… one of the Avengers," Kara replied, smiling.
The Asgardian nodded, smiling, then raised his ax in the air, summoning the Bifrost. He disappeared into a rainbow beam, leaving behind a large circle in the grass.
Kara watched the Bifrost disappear, thinking about what she had just been through recently.
"Goodbye, Thor!"
Earth of the Avengers ; Wakanda
In his sister Shuri's lab, T'Challa admired the technical advancements of his new Black Panther suit. As always her sister couldn't help but rave about reciting her technical jargon that had taken to design her new armor.
"You've outdone yourself, Shuri, as always," Black Panther congratulated her.
"Thank you, brother."
Then a voice emerges from nowhere.
"Black Panther!"
That was then that Mar Novu revealed himself, coming out of nowhere. With a neutral gaze, he approached the Wakandans.
Stunned, T'Challa stretched out her claws, while Shuri stood back, shocked.
"Who are you and what are you doing in Wakanda?" asked the king of the kingdom threateningly.
"I am the Monitor, and I didn't come to harm you! I'm not your enemy!"
"What do you want?" T'Challa continued, still with his claws sticking out.
"I have come to this Earth, to test and search for potential champions," the Monitor explained. "And I have to warn you this. A Crisis is imminent. And it's inevitable. And you will have a part to play there."
"And what part?" Shuri intervened, still stunned at the sight of the cosmic being.
"You'll find out in due course."
And he disappeared through an interdimensional breach. The king and his sister of Wakanda looked at each other, completely stunned by what they had just encountered.
"What the hell is that, brother?" exclaimed the young woman.
"I don't know," Black Panther replied, dumbfounded.
Barton Farm
From inside his house, Clint Barton watched his family outside. His two sons Nathaniel and Cooper played baseball, while his daughter Lilah chatted with his wife Laura.
Since the universe was restored from the snap of Thanos' fingers, Clint was spending the most time with his family. But thought every day of Natasha who had sacrificed herself to save the world. He missed her.
As he was caught in his thoughts, he heard footsteps behind him. Quick as lightning, he grabbed a penknife from a table in front of him and spun around… right in front of Mar Novu who had just appeared, with a neutral gaze. Clint raised his knife, threatening the cosmic being with a look.
"Clint Barton!" Novu said in a calm voice.
"What the hell are you?" replied the archer in an aggressive voice without lowering his knife.
"I am the Monitor!I am not here to bring harm to you or your family.I have come to your universe to seek out and test potential champions. We must prevent the end of the Multiverse. A Crisis is coming, and it will be even worse than the one you just went through with Thanos. And this Crisis is inevitable! No one can stop it from happening, but you can save countless lives, including your family. When the day comes, you will need to be prepared. Because you will have a part to play!"
"And what would I have to do when this… Crisis will happen?" Clint asked, quite stunned, without lowering his utensil.
"Clint?"
The archer turned to Laura and her daughter to come into the house. Both looked at him in amazement.
"Dad, what are you doing with that knife?" Lila said, frowning.
"I…" answered Clint turning around and was surprised to find that the Monitor had disappeared.
Stunned, he looked around the room, but saw no trace of the cosmic being he had just met.
Laura came to take her husband's hand.
"Honey, is everything okay?"
He put the penknife on the table and hugged his wife and daughter against him.
"Everything is fine. Fine for now!"
He didn't want to alarm his family, but remained worried about this potential Crisis that was to come.
11 MONTHS LATER
In the space
"Gonna tell Aunt Mary 'bout Uncle John
He claims he has the music
But he has a lot of fun
Oh baby
Yes baby
Wooh baby
Havin' me some fun tonight, yeah"
The Benatar sailed through the endless ocean of stars represented by space. Quill, who was in charge, Peter Quill sang with amusement, the song Long Tall Sally by Little Richard. He sang while dancing with his head:
"Well, long tall Sally
She's really sweet
She got everything that Uncle John need
Oh baby
Yes baby
Wooh baby
Havin 'me some fun tonight, yeah"
He was the only one of his crew to sing. Drax was snoring asleep, Nebula gazed at Quill in annoyance, Mantis nodded to the beat of the song, Groot played with his video game console, Raccoon Rocket yawned, while Thor scanned the space with determination.
After leaving Earth – 38, the God of Thunder had reunited with his companions, the Guardians of the Galaxy. He had told them all in detail about his adventure with Kara, Barry and Oliver. The body swap between Flash and Green Arrow, Batwoman, Deegan and the Monitor.
Then Thor had told them about this Crisis he knew nothing about. In the end, the Guardians of the Galaxy had set out for the far reaches of the galaxy in search of Mar Novu. Months had passed, but no one knew or heard of the Monitor. Thor had been contacted Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel, but she, too, was unfamiliar with Mar Novu. However, after telling her about the Crisis, she set off on her own to search for him in space.
Months of unsuccessful research, then finally, recently, it was rumored that Mar Novu was on a desert planet and no one was aware of what he was doing there.
After a yawn, Rocket turned to Thor.
"Are you sure we're going to the right place?"
"Rabbit, this is the only lead we have," the Asgardian replied simply.
"Do you really think we'll find your… Monitor… over there?"
"I hope so."
After his song ended, Quill observed the space, while muttering with a frown:
"We're looking for a guy called the Monitor and his real name is Mar Novu? Doesn't even sound like a real name!"
"I am Groot!" said the young tree, without looking up from its console.
"Ah, for once Groot agrees with Quill, that's a first," Rocket replied.
"I really hope this long trip is worth it!" Quill muttered with a scowl. "We've been looking for a cosmic guy for months that no one has seen or known. We're looking for a guy who doesn't exist."
"But this guy has informations about a Crisis that may be coming," Thor replied sternly. "We have to find out what it is and how to prevent it from happening."
"Wow, I love it when the God gives the orders," Drax exclaimed.
"Sure, that's a change from the cheesy Quill music," Rocket added.
"I am Groot!" Groot added.
"Hey guys, I'm here and I can hear you," replied the Captain of the Guardians of the Galaxy. "And I hope we didn't take this trip for nothing."
"Quinn, talk less and fly your ship!" replied the Asgardian.
"For the last time, it's QUILL!" the human corrected angrily.
"We have arriving," Mantis announced.
"Finally!" exclaimed Nebula, at the end of his patience.
The Benatar came straight to a dark gray-looking planet.
The ship landed around a haze where it was impossible to see the sky. Nearby was a cave. The ramp came out, and the whole crew got off the ship.
"Be careful!"Thor warned them. "Novu is an extremely powerful being!"
"That, I think we've figured out since the time you told us about him," Quill replied, drawing a pistol.
Thor brandished his ax, as the other Guardians of the Galaxy marched around him, each with their weapons in hand. Only Groot was walking around, continuing to play his video game.
"Groot? Really?" Rocket exclaimed. "We're on an unvisited planet looking for a cosmic guy that nobody knows and you playing your silly game?"
"I am Groot!" threw the tree at him with a grumpy look.
"Language!"
"Silence!" Thor thundered in a low voice as he approached the cave. "I feel like a presence. We are not far."
He entered, followed by Rocket and Groot. The other Guardians followed them, wondering what to find.
As Thor, Rocket, and Groot stepped deeper into the cave, a white light appeared out of nowhere and dazzled them all. Quill and his other companions had to protect their eyes. And when the powerful light disappeared, there was no trace of the Asgardian, neither the raccoon, nor Groot.
"Where did they go?" Mantis exclaimed, astonished.
"What the hell was that?" Quill added, his eyes wide in amazement.
Thor, Rocket, and Groot were on a platform surrounded by stars. All three gazed at their surroundings in amazement.
"Where are we?" cried Rocket, flabbergasted.
For the first time, Groot was no longer playing his video game, and as his animal friend gazed at the platform in amazement.
"I am Groot…"
"Here we are!"said Thor, resuming his seriousness.
"Thor, son of Odin!"
All three then saw the Monitor staring at them with a neutral gaze.
"You haven't changed since we last met! The time has finally come!"
"Novu!" the Asgardian exclaimed with a threatening look.
Rocket and Groot also had their eyes on the cosmic being. They were stunned.
"That's him, the Monitor?… Mar… Uh… Mar…" stammered the raccoon, intrigued.
"Mar Novu!" The Monitor replied, tilting his head towards the two Guardians of the Galaxy.
"I am Groot!" Groot muttered fearfully.
Only Thor was not afraid. He brandished his ax and sent lightning bolts through his body.
"I've been waiting for this moment for months! We have been looking for you for months," grumbled the God of Thunder. "This time you will give me answers!"
"The time has indeed come for your answers," Novu replied.
"You will tell me everything about this Crisis and how to avoid it!"
"The Crisis is imminent,inexorable and unavoidable! Even someone like you, Thor son of Odin, you cannot stop what is to come. Nothing and no one can change what will happen! You can't dodge it, but on the other hand, I can help you ensure that billions of innocent people can live!"
"I am Groot!" exclaimed the still scared tree.
"You're right, Groot, even for me, this guy freaks me out!" Rocket exclaimed.
"And what am I supposed to do?" Thor continued in an imposing voice.
The Monitor took a few steps towards him.
"I can tell you about your part in the Crisis. Because your presence will be decisive for the battles that are to come. You, along with a number of champions, will have the burden of saving the Multiverse. The fate of hundreds of worlds are in your hands. And for your part, you will need this."
Novu waved his hand. Suddenly, a hammer sprang out of nowhere. Thor was stunned. This was his old hammer Mjolnir, as Thor always had. He had been destroyed by his evil sister, and there… his weapon seemed intact, never destroyed.
"How will a hammer help us save the universe?" Rocket asked, looking at the gun with a frown.
"It's… Mjolnir…" Thor stammered in shock.
He took a moment to touch Mjolnir and took it in his hand. To his surprise, he lifted it without problems.
"And I'm still worthy! (Turning to Mar Novu.) How is that possible?"
"I went back to the timeline and extracted it from the past. And I added my power to your hammer. Because your weapon will be used to find them."
"Find who?"
"The Paragons!" the Monitor said with a smile this time. "Thor, son of Odin, you are the Keeper of the Paragons. It is your mission to guide the champions to victory in all battles. You wanted to redeem yourself for your failure in the face of Thanos, this is the opportunity today to do so."
"Uh… Excuse me, Monitor or Mar Novu…" mumbled Rocket a little anxiously. "But could we know who we have to fight against?"
After a brief glance at Rocket and Groot, Novu turned to Thor again.
"It's time I told you about our enemy: the Anti-Monitor."
Thor looked puzzled.
"The Anti-Monitor?"
"The Anti what?" Rocket exclaimed in amazement.
"I am Groot!" Groot asked, confused.
Much further out in space stood the Skrull ship, Nick Fury was resting on a lounge chair and star gazing while quietly drinking a cocktail.
Then Maria Hill came to see her.
"Nick, I think we have a situation."
"What is it?" asked the one-eyed black man.
"Carol Danvers just contacted me. According to her, Thor is looking for a man named Mar Novu. And this person announces an important Crisis to come. And it would be even worse than the one with Thanos. For now, we still do not know what it is."
Fury grumbled in his chair.
"What the hell is that, again? Motherf…"
Earth – 1; Central City
December 9, 2019 – 11:58 p.m.
Nash Wells was in the depths of the city observing a wall with several strange symbols on it.
"For so many years, I've traveled across worlds across the multiverse to do one thing Kill you. And now here you saved my life."
"Submit and begin your life anew."growled a dark voice from beyond the grave.
"Show me," Nash said speaking to the wall, assuming the voice he had just heard was coming from behind.
"The knowledge is within you!" resumed the voice.
Immediately, the symbols began to sparkle with a golden glow. Fascinated, Nash put his hand on the wall and touched the glowing symbols one after the other. Then the engravings ceased to shine. The man waited. For a while nothing happened. Nash was starting to wonder if his quest had been in vain, when suddenly the wall opened and a blinding light carried Nash away. The man screamed, but there was no one to hear him. And Nash disappeared into the light, and the wall closed, as if nothing had happened…
To be continued in
Crisis on Infinite Earths
RIP Chadwick Boseman, our one and only Black Panther, who passed away on August 28, 2020. You will always be Black Panther for the MCU.
And that's the end of this story that closes Elseworlds. Soon, I'll be writing my next Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover story and plan to put several MCU characters in it. There will be others besides Clint and T'Challa. Finally, the first part of the crossover is in French on the Internet, I will be able to start writing.
But at the moment, I still have a story to finish. I hope my Elseworlds story will have you more.
PS I added the song Long Tall Sally by Little Richard for Guardians of the Galaxy. I watched Predator and Predators recently.
See you soon for a new story!