The Cat Grant Award
Disclaimer: As always neither of us own the Arrowverse.
Facebook: Fanfiction Millma Verse Page
Note: This chapter is a special chapter for the anniversary of our Facebook page. It's been a year since we created it. If you liked it thanks for being with us. If you have not liked it, we welcome you to like it now.
-Karry Prime-
Jesse and Wally were at Joe's. With Joe out on cop business, Iris at CatCo and Barry at STAR Labs, they had the place to themselves. Or so they thought.
Just as Jesse reclined into Wally's lap to watch their favorite movie for the third time that week, there was the supernatural displacement of the air and between them and the television set, a blue rip in space opened and both speedsters sat up, groaning.
"Cisco…" Jesse started, but paused when an unfamiliar woman stepped out. She was young, around their age, with pale skin and dark eyes. She looked a little familiar, although neither could place where from.
"What are you lying around for?" The girl said grinning at the confused pair. "We've got awards to hand out."
"Awards…? What?" Wally now stood up. "Millie? I thought you couldn't vibe?" Wally remembered the Millie they saved from that weird Earth where everyone was the wrong gender. Also the other Millie from Superearth who had been against locking up Echo. Barry's alternative sister.
"Not her." The girl sighed, knowing of her parallel doppelgangers. "Here I was thinking I was getting a bit of a reputation across the multiverse. Hang on," she snatched the remote control from Wally's hand and turned to the TV behind her, somehow managing to pull up a webcam of STAR Labs, with Cisco looking right at them. "Urgh, Mavis is still new…" Accord muttered, "Do you guys have a webcam with microphone?"
Before Wally could complain, still a little affronted by Millie, Jesse sped off and reappeared with the webcam, with included microphone.
"Give it a year, and STAR should release all inclusive TV with face talk, but sadly she's still in early days. Give Barry time. Even my Earth has an A.I. In fact, we have Mavis too. They did want to call it Waller, but that's a whole other story," Millie explained as she turned up the volume of the TV now and Cisco sat back in STAR Labs and grinned.
"There you guys are!" Cisco spoke up.
"Yeah, what's going on?" Wally now asked. "Why do we have Millie Allen here?"
"Amelia Allen," Cisco corrected, matter-of-factly.
"You know, Millie exists on Earth-2." Jesse spoke up, "Dad did a bit of research after we found that other one. Sadly, she's estranged from Barry over there. And powerless."
"Yeah, I have more powers than you know," Accord smirked.
"In fact, she's the one who helped Caitlin," Cisco told them. "That meta who can alter other meta's DNAs and even turn normal humans into metahuman."
"Seriously?" Jesse seemed intrigued at this. "Caitlin must be having a field day with someone like you." She turned to Amelia at that curious about the woman abilities.
"You said it was 'Accord'," Wally pointed out now, doubtful.
"That's my chosen name, duh," Amelia sighed. "Anyway, Cisco. Explain."
"Oh yeah. Well we're awarding Cat Grants across the multiverse for being unchangeable," Cisco stated, leaning back in his chair.
"We're seriously doing that?" Wally was deadpan now. "I was joking when we mentioned that!"
"Yeah well, I had fun making the awards and you're doing it. Accord's coming with you to get you across the multiverse," Cisco stated. "So get your costumes on, you're going out." The screen went blank there and Amelia turned to them expectantly.
"We're seriously doing this?" Wally moaned clearly not into it and wishing he had kept his mouth shut instead of joking about this. It seemed his joke was taking on a life of its own.
"Oh come on, spoil sport. It'll be fun. I've always wanted to see other Cat Grants," Jesse hit him playfully on the shoulder at that. Wally sighed as he moved his hand, touching the ring on his pinky finger which had a small circular flat silver surface, a flash symbol barely noticeable on it. Jesse did the same, although her ring was red. Amelia watched in fascination as their costumes suddenly erupted from the rings and both sped into them.
"What?" Jesse asked, now in full Quick outfit as Amelia gawked at them. "We're not going to run to STAR Labs every time Quick and Silver are needed. Besides, we're in National City these days. You can thank Mutant Earth for that. Well, mostly Mutant," she mused.
Accord sighed as she picked up a shoulder back and threw it over her head before reaching out her hand and opening a breach. "This Earth first…"
…
"Eileen! Karen!" Cat Grant called out to both Iris and Kara, who were in the office today. It was a stressful day. Lu-Co had announced that some unknown woman, Samantha Arias, had taken over from Xander Luthor. There had been much speculation on whether Xander's little sister, or even mother, would fill his missing shoes, but this 180 had taken everyone by surprise and not unusually, Cat had managed to wrangle first interviews with Samantha. Lois Lane at the Daily Planet was being competitive though, even if they were friends.
"This place doesn't run itself," Cat sighed as she leaned into her desk, looking over her tablet as she bit her lip in frustration. "If we get this wrong… Who opened a window?" The sudden breeze caught her attention and she glanced up and paused at seeing two familiar heroes, and one woman she didn't know.
"This is not a good time…" Cat muttered, just as Iris and Kara appeared at her office doorway and paused at seeing their respective siblings. Wally looked around at Iris and Kara and pulled a face, but Amelia stepped forward, not hesitating.
"Cat Grant," Amelia started.
"Ms. Grant to you," Cat snapped. She wasn't in the mood.
"Okay," Amelia was grinning regardless. "STAR Labs wanted to present this to you," she pulled from her bag a trophy. It was in the shape of Cat herself, with the word 'Unchangeable' engraved in bronze at the base. Cat blinked at it, but said nothing.
"I'll just…" Amelia put the award on the desk as Cat raised her eyebrow at Amelia now.
"STAR Labs? That Barry Allen has cheek," Cat finally spoke. "I'll get you to have a word with him Karen," she glanced beyond Amelia, Jesse and Wally to Kara standing in shock at the doorway. Iris was doing her best not to burst into hysterics though.
"How many of those do you have…?" Jesse asked Amelia now, who turned to the two heroes.
"Enough." She held out her arm as opened a rip in space before her. "Gentlemen first," she indicated Wally, who rolled his eyes and jumped through. Jesse smirked at Kara before jumping through, followed by Amelia.
As the rip closed, Cat glanced at the award, then at the two by the doorway. "You'd expect that would be the strangest thing to happen to me this week. It's not. Now, Lu-Co interviews, go!" Cat Grant went back to work as if nothing happened but before going back to work herself Kara saw Cat give the award a look and smirk. Kara smiled to herself. Cat liked it even if she would not admit it.
-Alien Earth-
"Let me get this correct… you want to buy CatCo?" Cat Grant was in her office. In front of her was Lena Luthor. She was aware of James lingering just outside the doorway, and she was sure Kara was listening in with her superior hearing – she knew Kara was Supergirl, even if Kara didn't know she knew yet.
"If I don't buy the company, that scum Morgan Edge will," Lena persisted. The rivalry between Lena and Edge being no secret to Cat Grant, but the sentence did not seem to faze the older woman.
"Edge? You're worried about him? He's not worth the clothes on his back," Cat practically laughed. "He's a Maxwell Lord wannabe with no reasoning behind his actions. I can deal with those types of idiots in my sleep!"
"But CatCo…" Lena started.
"Don't you worry about CatCo – I've faced worse threats than this in my history. I'm not going anywhere… yet" Cat leaned back in her chair, a small frown on her face now Lena seemed lost for words of her own.
"I couldn't have said that better myself," a new voice spoke, and Cat paused as she saw three unfamiliar people in the doorway – two were dressed in outfits like that other world Flash who had sometimes popped over, while one was in civilian clothes. She didn't recognize any of them, however.
"To who do I owe this pleasure?" Cat stood, moving around the desk as Lena Luthor simply sat and stared – spinning in her chair to keep face with the action.
"Ms. Grant," this time it was Jesse who spoke. "I'm Quick, this is Accord, and this is Silver. We're from another world and we have a gift for you."
"A gift?" Cat smiled properly now; her attitude completely different to Prime Cat's, which seemed to relax Amelia a little as she pulled from her shoulder bag the Cat Grant figurine award, the word 'Unchangeable' shining in the light. Cat took it from Accord with a curious expression.
"Unchangeable?" She quoted, looking back up at the three.
"Across the multiverse, there are so many differences, so many variations… apart from you," Accord spoke up. "I don't know why you remain a constant, but it was worth noting. You need this award."
"Thank you," Cat stated. "See, Ms. Luthor? I'm not going anywhere."
"Seems like it," Lena said looking at the award as Jesse and Wally took a look at her. Neither had ever seen a Lena Luthor before.
"But we better go. A lot more rewards to hand out," Accord stated. "It was nice to meet you, Ms. Grant."
"How many of those are you handing out"? Cat asked, ever the journalist as she held on to her award.
"Enough," Silver spoke up, repeating the conversation he'd had with Accord barely a minute ago. He sounded a little reluctant to be doing this, but Cat didn't take this in as the one called Accord seemed to open what looked like a portal in the main office. Staff ran for cover, but Cat watched at the three jumped through the portal, which closed behind them.
"Ms Grant… Cat," Lena took Cat's attention back now, deciding not to question the strange world hoppers as Cat looked at her unusual award. "Please, you said 'yet', what does that mean?"
"It means CatCo is safe for now, but future prospects might change that," Cat sighed now. "You're a business woman Ms Luthor, you know these things."
"That's why I'm trying to buy CatCo before Morgan Edge does," Lena re-stated, a little urgently now.
"What future prospects?" James was the one to speak this as Cat look to him in the doorway, she raised her eyebrow at him.
"Never you mind, Olsen," she now snapped, standing up, "now find something to do or I'll fire you!"
Lena chuckled as James scurried away and Cat smirked at the L-Corp CEO.
-SuperEarth-
Cat was in her penthouse, in her office when someone knocked on the door. She looked up.
"You know you don't need to knock Annie," she stated as a similarly-aged redheaded woman poked her head in, and raised an eyebrow.
"How did you know it was me?" Annie Grant, Cat Grant's sister asked.
"Because Carter is at school, the cook has the day off and the nanny won't be back until Carter is," Cat stated simply. "You're the only other person under this roof at the moment. So, what can I do you for?"
"Actually, it's not me," Annie couldn't help but chuckle regardless. She opened the door completely to reveal three unfamiliar people behind her, and Cat stood up. "They kinda turned up out of the blue," Annie added.
"Interesting…" Cat moved around her desk to the door, but didn't stop as she moved past the four and lead the way back to the kitchen, her mind instantly set as she didn't stop, moving into the open planned kitchen and grabbing a bottle of liquor and five shot glasses.
"Kitty Cat…?" Annie asked, giving apologetic looks to the three newcomers as Cat poured out five small drinks.
"Why are we having a toast?" Wally was the one to speak up as Cat silently handed him one of the five glasses, knowing the gesture – Joe did it enough with his scotch.
"Why not?" Cat simply said, downing her glass as Wally cautiously downed his. As a speedster, it should have little effect, but it had a nice taste. "So, what's up?" Cat asked.
"Oh, erm…" Wally looked at the two girls, realizing it must be his turn to present Cat with her award, which Amelia took out of her bag to give to him. "So, we've been to many different earths in the multiverse –"
"The multiverse?" Cat asked, inquisitively.
"Oh you know, Kitty Cat – an unlimited amount of parallel universes where different outcomes make different worlds," Annie explained. "It's science theory 101."
"Right." Cat however, raised her eyebrow at her sister before inclining her head to Wally to continue.
"Well, we've seen many different parallel worlds, many different versions, and you are a constant. Unchanging," Wally hesitated.
"I remain the same throughout?" Cat asked, frowning now. "Interesting. What about my life, my work? It's what makes me."
"CatCo exists in various states," Amelia spoke up now, "and sometimes you have more than two kids. Sometimes only one. In fact, your son Carter would be up for the award if it wasn't for one world on the system so far."
"Oh?" Cat asked, intrigued.
"He's… he's female there," Amelia almost blushed at that.
"Fascinating," Cat stated as she turned back to look at Wally. "I take it that's my award?"
"Oh yeah," Wally thrust it at Cat without thinking who smirked.
"Good likeness. Well, you know how you came in. I'm a busy woman," Cat put her glass on the counter. Annie hadn't touched hers and neither had Amelia, but they put theirs on the counter too as Cat moved passed the heroes, heading back to her office.
"That was… unusual," Jesse spoke up.
"My sister is an unusual woman," Annie stated. "Now, how do you make those portals?" Accord smirked as she lifted her hand and the portal opened in front of them. Annie watched as the trio left.
-Karry Universe-
Cat Grant was sitting in Henry's bar with Henry and Kara. Nora and Alura were with them as well as Cat was bouncing Nora on her knee as the three talked. Alura was in her Grampy's arms while Krypto was by the table watching on.
"So, what do you think?" Henry asked. "You and Barry going to be able to sing tonight?"
"We got to see if someone can take the girls," Kara said as she looked at her drink. It was blue, and Henry insisted she try it. "What is this again?" Alcohol had no effect on her, but it had an interesting taste.
"The Supergirl," Henry smirked, and Kara nearly snorted out her drink at that.
Before she could comment their attention was drawn to the vortex that opened on the floor. Krypto's head picked up, hoping to see Powie coming out, but instead two familiar speedsters and another familiar looking girl stepped out. "Accord?" Kara asked, moving off the stall, and Accord gave a nod. "And… Prime?"
"Yeah," Jesse said, removing her mask. On this Earth, they could be a little freer with their identities. "Accord helping us with something."
"Hi," Wally said, smiling at Nora who in return blew cold air out at him. Wally laughed as he shivered. "And Cat Grant." Cat raised an eyebrow; she recognized these two from when they helped Barry and Kara with Weather Wizard, Maxima, and H2-No, but she had never had contact with them before. "This is for you." Wally took one of the little trophies Accord handed to him; it seemed he was getting into the spirit of this now.
Cat took it, confused and looked at the inscription with a raised eyebrow. "Um… thank you?" Cat said, unsure.
"Care to explain?" Kara asked, looking over the trophy herself.
"Sure," Jesse said, taking a seat. With Cat Grant in on all the secrets on this world, they didn't have to be as mysterious. "Simply, we have noticed on every Earth we go to, Cat Grant is always the same."
"Some minor differences. Family and such," Accord chimed in with a smirk.
"Like this is the only world we know of where Cat is with Henry," Jesse added.
"But Cat is always the same – looks the same, same personalities… owns CatCo Worldwide Media in some form," Wally continued. "It unusual; everyone else has major differences, except you. So, we are awarding Cat Grants throughout the multiverse."
"And Accord fits into this how?" Kara asked giving the meta human creating meta human a look.
"She started all this," Jesse spoke up. "Well, gatecrashing our alone time to hand out awards." She didn't sound bitter though. It seemed she was having fun.
"Why not use Cisco?" Kara asked, knowing Vibe was the one who liked hopping worlds.
"This sounded fun," Accord chimed in with a smile. "So Mutant Earth next."
"Mutant Earth," Jesse repeated, putting her mask back on as she and Wally stepped up and a portal opened. The three left, leaving the three sitting there in silent contemplation.
"Well, that's neat," Henry broke the silence, going for the trophy which Nora now had her hands around.
-Mutant Earth-
"Lois Lane," Cat called as Lois walked into her office with Chloe by her side. "And this must be your cousin? The freelance reporter." Chloe gave a nod at this. Lois and Chloe had been in National City together when Cat had called Lois, requesting she stop by while she was in town. "When I heard you two were here I just had to have you by. My assistant has made us dinner reservations."
"How nice," Lois said, putting on a smile and wondering what her former colleague and rival was up to. Since Lois had got the first interview and story with Lady Power, Cat had been trying to up her for a while.
"Chloe I've been following your reporting," Cat said, unfazed. "You have some talent, and a good ability to find heroes. I'm surprised Lois hasn't got the Daily Planet to scoop you up."
"Oh," Lois said with a nod to herself; Cat was trying to get Chloe into CatCo. "Well, I did offer to be her reference, but she has refused."
"Oh?" Cat said, giving Chloe a look. "Any reason?"
"I like the freedom being freela –" Chloe paused as the wind picked up and everyone stood up, shocked as a blue portal opened in the room. Chloe had seen similar from Vibe Junior, as Kara called him, but she had no idea why he or anyone else would be coming here.
But out of the portal came two speedsters; one a man dressed in silver, and the other a female in red, along with another female Chloe knew as Barry Allen's little sister – but this one was definitely different to the one she had met.
"Cat Grant," the male speedster spoke. "I'm Silver, this is Quick, and our associate here is Accord."
"Superheroes coming for an interview?" Cat said excitedly, going to reach for a recorder.
"No, we're not heroes… well not for this Earth," Quick said with a smile. This was fun – it was interesting to see how each Cat would react and so far they hadn't been let down. Despite all being the same person and lives being so similar each had reacted slightly different. "We're from another Earth."
"What?" Cat asked, pushing record so she got this on tape.
"And we are giving all Cat Grants an award for being unchangeable," Wally said, Accord taking out the little trophy and putting it on Cat's desk.
"What?" Cat asked, again completely confused by this. Usually she was good at keeping up, but this was not something she could wrap her brain around.
"Congratulations," Jesse said, her eyes seeing Lois. "But you're a close second Ms. Lane." Lois raised an eyebrow as the two speedsters turned to Accord who was smirking. Having let the two speedsters take this one by themselves. "Wild guess but Kryptonite next?"
"Oh Kryptonite. Have not been there yet," Accord grinned, and opened a portal, the three leaving as suddenly as they came.
"What just happened?" Cat asked Lois and Chloe, not sure what to make of it as she pushed stop on her record. She wasn't sure if there was a story here or not.
"I don't know," Chloe said, thinking she had to call up Kara and ask as Lois tried not to laugh.
-Kryptonite Earth-
"That is so cool," Carter said, looking at Kara and Jal. Kara was laying on her back, floating in the air while Jal was floating about an inch above her. Kara was smiling at the boy as the two played. Kara moving slightly upward, and then down to see if Jal would follow. Then left and right. It was a game, but it was also training him how to use his flying skills.
"Okay, everyone on the ground," Cat said, coming in and smiling herself. "You have some work to do Kara. And Carter, homework."
Kara grabbed Jal, who cried out at that as she turned and put her feet on the ground. As she did though, a portal opened in the lounge. Kara turned to see the portal, remembering the world hoppers who came a while back and left through a similar portal. She steeled herself, not used to them regardless. But, out of this one came three people, two of which, Kara didn't know.
"Millie?" Kara recognized the one world hopper from last time, the girl looking to her and frowning.
"We haven't… oh, not me," Accord nodded, confusing Kara. "Some of my counterparts have gotten around." She seemed impressed by it as her eyes found Carter. "Oh, now that's an interesting power you can have, but even I wouldn't give it to you… not with that consequence."
"Accord…" the unknown female warned her colleague.
"What?" Carter asked, as Cat stepped between them.
"You will not be giving my son any powers," Cat said simply.
"That's not why we're here," Jesse said now, holding up a hand. "Accord, back off." Accord took a step back with a shrug. She had gotten distracted so might be better to let the speedsters explain why they are here. "We're here to give you this." She already had one of the awards in her grip, which she handed to Cat now.
"See, well you know of the multiverse," Wally said, remembering what he learned of this world from Cisco: Kara disowning the Danvers and becoming a Grant. Kara groaned at that though, as Cat nodded. "Well, simply put, you're unchangeable. On every Earth, you're the same."
"So, we're giving you awards," Jesse said. "All of you we know. I mean there are minor differences…" Jesse was contemplating letting this Cat know the differences, but Kara cut her off.
"Isn't that kind of stupid?" Kara said. "And a waste of time."
"We find it fun," Accord said with a frown. Most Cats and the people around them had been confused, but they had all been nice about it – even if Prime Cat had been busy. All had accepted the award, and some even found it funny. But the three in the room didn't seem to find this amusing at all.
"Sounds stupid," Kara said, and Jal's eyes lit up. He sent out a tiny ray of heat vision that couldn't hurt anyone, but hit right into Wally and stung a bit. Jal laughed at his trick. "Good boy." Kara whispered, kissing his head.
"Oh, alien baby," Accord said. "Is that…? I know this one… um… doesn't exist on my Earth… Clark… Or Kal?"
"Jal," Kara said. "Kal's twin… well, former twin."
"That's interesting," Jesse said. On their Earth Kal had a little brother she had heard of, but not a twin.
"You gave the award," Cat said putting the tiny trophy down on the table. "Now you can go."
The three took a step back, seeing they were not welcome here anymore. It seemed at least Kara and Cat were not into the multiverse.
"Forget Kryptonite Earth, this is Stern Earth," Wally muttered, looking at Accord now who pulled a face at this. "So, erm… Dark Earth?" Wally now asked, surprising himself at the Earth names he knew.
"Unless you want to leave a trophy on a grave, then no," Accord said, making Jesse now turn to her. "From what I know, Cat Grant died on Dark several years ago. Killed by Livewire. National a mess from what I have seen. There's a good reason the world is called Dark."
"Well then, Superflash," Jesse said, and Accord gave a nod and opened the portal, the three leaving quickly.
"Homework!" Cat called after a minute, and Carter went running to his room. "And I expect all your work to be done as well, Superhero Correspondent." Cat turned to Kara, who smiled at her mom and boss before handing Jal to her, her mind still reeling from the spontaneous multiverse meeting.
-Superflash Earth-
Cat and Kara were sitting in Cat's office. Kara was head of events management, so Cat was telling her details of a new occasion she needed Kara to plan. Kara was writing it down, already getting ideas when she was distracted by the vortex opening in the office.
"Kara?" Cat asked, as three people came out.
Kara stood up, ready to protect Cat if needed, but the female dressed speedster held up her hands quickly.
"Calm down," Jesse said, seeing the protective stance. "We're not here to fight, Superflash." Kara gave a sigh of relief. Recognizing the name the other worlds had given them from Winn who was very into the multiverse system the other Earth had set up.
"What world?" Kara asked, wondering if this as Barry's original world. She kind of recognized Jesse now.
"Prime," Jesse said.
"But I'm from what's dubbed 'Paranormal'," Accord said, waving her hand.
"Cat Grant," Wally said, Accord handing him a trophy. "This is for you." Cat took a took the trophy, raising an eyebrow at it. "How much does she know?" Wally noticed Kara talked freely in front of Cat, so figured Cat was in the know on some things on this world too.
"Everything," Cat said, taking the trophy and looking it over. "You're from another world, like Barry."
"Only we're not here to stay," Jesse said with an eye roll, clearly not thinking much of the Barry who had abandoned his world. She had heard the story of this Barry leaving Dark to fall into a pit of despair, even if she could understand the reasoning behind it. Kara raised an eyebrow at the eye roll, but choose not to comment. "See, we noticed as we explored the worlds, you're always the same across the multiverse. Everyone around you can be different, but you're the same person." The three were running out of different ways to explain this.
"Really?" Cat asked, seeming intrigued.
"Some minor differences – relationship status, whether or not you know Kara's secret, your kids, but you are mostly the same." Wally rolled it off, almost bored now at explanation.
"We decided to award you, for being you, so we are going around giving these out." Accord stated. "Because we find it fascinating that every single one of you is the same."
"Well, thank you," Cat said looking over the trophy. The likeness to her was good.
"You're welcome," Jesse said with a grin, liking Cat's sincerity here. It was definitely a change from Kryptonite Cat's attitude. "Accord, Gender Twist, next?"
"Gender Flip," Wally spoke up, and Jesse gave him a look.
"I would say Gender Change," Accord commented thoughtfully, about to raise her hand to open the portal.
"What are you on about?" Kara asked, confused as they seemed to be talking among themselves.
"A world where everyone but Cat it seems is the opposite gender than we are used to, and we have done this twice already," Jesse said, annoyed as argument on the name of the world got started again. "Let's go to Gender-whatever world."
"We have a special award for that Cat." Accord said with a smirk.
"Why don't you just call it Gender World?" Cat asked as Accord opened the portal. The two speedsters turned to look at her.
"Good idea," Wally said simply as they moved forward and disappeared through the portal.
Kara sat back down, bemused by the intrusion. "So… um… where were we?" Kara asked seeming not to be able to remember what they had been doing. She had to tell Barry this when she got home.
"I think we were talking about caterers," Cat said, putting the trophy down. "You know, I got to say I think me always being the same is very interesting."
"Very lucky for all the other worlds too," Kara said with a smirk as they went back onto the event planning.
-Gender World-
"Pat!" The woman with strong bone structure, strawberry blonde hair and good fashion sense called as she walked into the office.
"PB," Cat Grant replied with a smirk, both women using Cat's signature mis-pronouncement of names, as HP Wells strolled straight through the office floor and to her doorway. "It's good to see you again."
"You too," HP smirked as they looked each other over for a moment before Cat moved forward and embraced the woman. It was unusual for Cat to have such a connection to someone outside her family, but HP always reminded her of her late sister, and HP had no one, being a multiverse refugee, essentially, so the two had bonded.
"You're looking well," Cat stated as she moved to the two sofas and sat down, indicating for HP to take the seat next to her.
"Well, I met someone, Kitty," HP smirked now, and Cat raised an eyebrow, curious.
She didn't find out more though as both women were nearly bowled over by the sudden wind that whipped up and the rip in space that opened before them. HP moved quickly, jumping in front of Cat, but paused when she recognized the three figures that emerged from the portal. "Jesse? Wally? Millie? What are you doing back here…?"
"Oh," Wally paused as he recognized HP but Jesse grinned.
"Not the same Millie," Accord stated with a smirk.
"Oh, another world? Cool," HP grinned, obviously feeling more at ease now.
"Care to explain…?" Cat started, but another rush of air announced the arrival of a blonde handsome man in a familiar blue and red outfit. "Oh, Superboy."
"Everything okay, Ms. Grant?" Kandar, the male version of Kara, looked at the newcomers and groaned. "Oh, you three." He hadn't taken to them last time they were here either.
"This is just a flying visit," Jesse held up her hands now as she couldn't help staring at her parallel sibling now. It was still weird. He didn't move though.
"These are visitors from another world. Like I am," HP stated to Cat now. "They came a while back to set up some multiverse communications system. Hasn't been used much since," she raised her eyebrow at the three. "Would have been useful this time. Give us a bit of heads up. Cesca and Cain are at STAR right now. You could have told them, and they could have relayed the message to me."
Jesse held up her hands in a mock surrender, feeling like HP was now laying in to them but held her ground. "We didn't know until this all started like ten minutes ago," she stated. "Besides, this isn't really worth using the system; we came to give Cat an award."
"An award?" Cat asked now, glancing at HP as Superboy groaned and folded his arms.
"Yeah," Accord spoke up now. "This one is more special, hang on," she began rummaging around in her shoulder bag as Wally and Jesse raised an eyebrow at one another before the familiar award was pulled out, although this one seemed gold-plated and Jesse noticed the words 'special award' under the usual 'unchangeable' wording.
"Here," Accord now held it out to Cat, who took it hesitantly, raising her eyebrow. "So long story short: Of all the worlds we've been to, Cat Grant is one the constant. This world should have broken that rule as everything is flipped, especially the people. Cat Grant should be male here, like everyone else's counterparts, but she's – you're – not. You're special, especially here."
"Yeah you should be like Carmon Grant or something, but you're not," Jesse stated pulling the name out of the top of her head.
"I never thought of that," HP stated under her breath before adding louder: "On my home, Cat was still female, but she died…" She looked down at that.
"Fascinating," Cat sighed. "But if that's all…?" She looked at the three newcomers. "I'm a busy woman, about to have a meeting with my good friend here. I would like to not be interrupted." Nevertheless, she put the award on her desk, taking a moment to see if it looked good on its spot and all three world hoppers smirked at the move.
"Never change," Accord stated as she nodded to HP and opened a new vortex. Without another word, they left, leaving silence in their wake.
"I knew about the multiverse but never imagined…" Cat stated, her eyes finding Superboy still lingering. "You can leave Kandar. There are photos you need to take."
Superboy's mouth fell open at Cat revealing his identity, but Cat simply smirked at him. "And try not to be too mean on newcomers – the alpha male thing doesn't suit you."
-Twin Earth-
"Both these pictures are very good Kiera," Cat was saying. "Sharon, which one do you think?" Siobhan and Kara were in Cat office as Cat was choosing the pictures to go with an article.
"I think you could use them both," Siobhan said. "Different angles to the article and all that."
"Ah I like…" Cat said, but was cut off as the wind picked up and a portal opened. Kara, who had her camera in her hand, took a photo as three people jumped out. "Kiera, pictures!" Cat seemed unfazed by this interruption.
"Already on it," Kara said before the three could speak; Accord smiled for the camera though.
"Cat Grant," Accord then said, taking out the trophy. "This is for you."
"Sharon, notes," Cat said as Siobhan was taking out her notebook as Cat took the trophy. "What is this for?"
"Throughout the multiverse you do not change," Jesse practically quoted. "You're like a fixed point. Unchangeable. We are awarding you for it."
"The multiverse…? So you're from a different Earth like that TV show… what was it called?" Cat asked.
"Sliders," Kara supplied.
"Thank you, Kiera. Take more pictures," Cat said.
"Still on it," Kara sighed, snapping some more pictures. "Can you not vibrate your faces?" Kara asked the two speedsters – Wally and Jesse had been vibrating in case their identities here needed to be secret here. This Earth was a practical unknown in their system and neither of them knew what their alternates were up to here, or if they had alternates at all. They didn't want to risk it.
"Are you a photographer?" Jesse asked, turning to Kara now.
"Yes," Kara said. She could feel Kayla in her mind listening in. Wondering what was going on.
"That's different," Jesse said, making Kara raise an eyebrow. "But we must be going. Congratulation Ms. Grant and always remain the same."
"Being you is what your best at," Wally added. "Accord, Paranormal?"
"Oooh, no," Accord said, right away shaking her head and seeming nervous. "Not my Earth. Trust me… not a good idea."
"Okay," Jesse said cautiously, seeing Accord was serious there. "What about that SnowAllen place? The one where Barry and Caitlin…?"
"Yeah, probably not there either," Accord shook her head again as Wally rolled his eyes. "That Earth is a little odd when it comes to people."
"How many awards do we have left?" Wally asked.
"Two." Accord checked her bag.
"Okay, New Justice then? Surely that's not off limits? Barry had a thing at Christmas with them," Wally tried.
"Ah, the boring world," Accord said, making the two raise an eyebrow to her. "What? Everyone has a power. They do not need me. Oh, by the way," Accord moved forward and touched Siobhan's forehead. Siobhan stumbled backward, and then Accord repeated the maneuver as Jesse and Wally stared at each other. Worried now. "You're welcome." Accord bowed slightly at the surprised Siobhan.
"Accord?" Jesse held warning in her voice, suspecting what the girl had just done.
"What? If she has a power, the curse on her family can never take a hold of her and turn her evil. Well, at least I think that's the way it works," Accord speculated, making Siobhan raise an eyebrow at her.
"You didn't even give her a choice!" Wally muttered now.
"She only has one available power," Accord said with a shrug. "So, New Justice?" Wally and Jesse rolled their eyes, but sighed as Accord opened a portal and all three hopped through.
"What curse?" Kara asked her friend after a moment. Siobhan shrugged, not sure what happened.
"There's a story in there," Cat muttered to them. "Sharon, you want to be a reporter someday? Figure it out. Kiera, go get those pictures ready. Move, now." Siobhan and Kara both hurried out of the office.
-New Justice-
Rae put the tray in the middle of the table.
"Chicken?" Dawn asked as she looked at it.
"Chicken with a cream sauce and broccoli, and I'm going to go get the rice," Rae said, heading back into the kitchen.
"Ugh broccoli," Dawn pulled face.
"You'll eat it," Cat said to her daughter with a smirk, "or you won't get any of the brownies I had Rain make today." Dawn eyes lit up at the word brownies.
"At least it's not cauliflower," Carter said as Joel put food on the plate for his blind son.
When Rae came back in with the rice, a familiar blue portal opened. Rae raised an eyebrow, all too used to Premos portals, but had no idea why one was opening here. Was another world coming to her? She remembered the last time something happened like this – and that involved Paranormal Earth.
Both Joel and Cat stepped up and in front of their kids, obviously remembering that event too, as two speedsters and another girl came out. Rae recognized the Prime versions of Jesse and Wally from her visit there, and the girl as Paranormal Henry and Nora's daughter.
"Oh," Accord said looking at Carter. Carter had turned his head, able to see the meta human's and their abilities. The speedster one he was familiar with, because of Rae, but Accord was different. "That's unfortunate. If I had come here sooner I could have…" Accord took a step towards Carter now, but Joel and Cat moved both kids back.
"Stay away from our children," Joel said, pointing at the three.
"We don't mean you any harm!" Jesse said holding up her hands as a sign of peace for the third time. She had not expected this world to be defensive towards them though. "We're from another Earth."
"Like Maxwell Lord?" Cat said, not being an idiot. She had heard what Flash had said to Max when she had been beating him up. She put it together. "He kidnapped our kids."
"So, did the Reverse Flash," Joel said. Wally and Jesse's head turned slightly to Rae before turning back to the Grants, not wanting to give away her secret. They knew who she was, after all. For her part, Rae was trying to keep a poker face on; she didn't feel she needed to call in to the League just yet, but she was confused.
"Well, we're heroes," Wally said. "I'm Silver. This is Quick. That's Accord. We would never hurt a kid. We're just here to give you this." Wally already had a trophy on hand, which he held out to Cat.
Cat Grant was hesitant as she took it, looking it over. "Simply for being you," Jesse said, and Cat raised an eyebrow. "Never different. Always the same. Cat Grant across the multiverse, unchangeable. Yelling out wrong names of employees and being generally awesome."
Rae couldn't take it anymore and started laughing – the whole situation was hilarious in her opinion.
"You find this funny Rain?" Cat asked, rounding on her chef.
"No…" Rae said but was wiping away tears of humor as she said this. Cat calling her Rain just made this even more funny – it seemed all Cat Grant's did it. It made so much sense.
"That's pretty cool, mom – it's you," Dawn said going over to look at the trophy and commenting on its likeness. "We're always the same?" She looked up at the three newcomers. Seeming to want more information.
"Cat Grant is," Jesse said. "Her family is sometimes different. Although Carter is usually around. But every Earth we know Cat is always the same. It's actually kind of nice."
"If not a little weird," Wally commented, and Jesse punched his arm as Rae continued to laugh. "Well, we have one last trophy to give out. Accord?" He turned to the world hopper not sure what World was next. Seemed they went through all the world on their mutlvierse system already.
"Oh, I know another Earth. Not officially on the system yet, but I think your Vibes are calling it Basic. They really got to start going to some some of the worlds thy ave named but not visited. Cat is the same there as well. As she is everywhere," Accord said with a smile and the two shrugged.
"Sure, let's go," Wally said, and Accord opened the portal.
"Rae, you can stop laughing now," Joel said when the three had gone. Rae took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself down, but then started laughing again – she couldn't stop it. It had been a long time since she laughed like this, and she found it nice.
"I'm glad you found this so amusing," Cat said, putting the trophy down.
"It is kind of funny," Joel said, and started chuckling himself, followed by the kids. It took a while before they calmed down to get back to dinner.
-Basic Earth-
Cat moved into Carter's room, a bowl of soup on a tray in her hands. She put it down on his bed as she moved to open the window.
"Mom?" Carter asked groggily, moving on the bed, Cat moving quickly to grab the tray before it was knocked off.
"Hi Carter. How are you feeling?" Cat asked smoothly.
"Like I have the flu," Carter put simply.
"Well, I made some chicken soup. Just the way you like it – from the can," Cat joked as Carter moved himself up on the bed and Cat felt his forehead. "Oh, you do have a temperature," Cat frowned now.
"You should head into the office, mom, I'm fine. The nanny –"
"Will not be paid overtime simply because I put work ahead of my family," Cat stated simply. "No, CatCo can last without me for a few days. I had Keira rearrange meetings, the place can run without me for a few days."
"Thanks mom," Carter was truly grateful for his mom to take such precautions to be with him while he felt like this.
"Just you get better. I'll be back in a few minutes to get the bowl," Cat kissed him on his burning forehead before moving to his bedroom door. Keeping an eye on him as she closed the door, she didn't notice the three people in the corridor waiting for her until the door was closed. It was all she could do not to shout out as she stared at the three.
"Who are you and what are you doing in my house?" Cat demanded in hushed whisper, standing in front of her son's bedroom door, protective.
"This is a bad time," one of the girls spoke up. "Your son is sick?"
"He has the flu, it's nothing a few days bedrest can't cure," Cat briskly replied.
"Oh, poor thing," the other girl cooed. "He'll be fine, I'm sure. Carter's made of strong stuff. Well, he has you for him mom. Anyway, I'm Quick, this is Silver and this one is Accord. We have an award for you."
"An award for me?" Cat raised an eyebrow. "How exactly did you get into my home?"
"Here," Accord moved forward and handed her the last award, Cat looking down at it in confusion.
"Unchangeable…?" she asked.
"Across the multiverse –" Silver now started, almost able to recite it now.
"Oh. I'm the same across multiple platforms," Cat finished for him, causing in to stop and gape. "I'm not stupid, you know."
"Oh, we know you're not," Quick almost laughed.
"Come on, we better go," Silver spoke up, glancing to Accord. "Bad time. You may be seeing more of us though," he turned back to Cat. "Our multiverse web map is only growing."
"And how many worlds are there?" Cat couldn't help but ask, her journalistic tendencies rising.
"We're in the mid-twenties now but –" Silver started.
"There are millions – billions even," Accord spoke over him. "I've seen enough. You wanted to know how we got here though?" She turned and raised her arm, a blue vortex ripping open in the hallway. Cat stepped back, clutching the award in shock now.
"See you soon, Ms. Grant," Quick smiled at the woman before all three walked through the breach, which snapped shut behind them.
"Mom? Everything okay?" Carter's voice drew Cat's attention back.
"Oh erm, yes. Sorry that was…" Cat moved to open his door now, a little surprised still as she poked her head into his room, "Keira on the phone. I just had to check on something," she lied to her son, not sure how she could explain the world hoppers.
"You know her name is Kara, Mom," Carter pointed out. Cat simply smiled.
-Prime Earth-
Jesse, Wally and Millie stepped out in the revamped STAR Labs, Cisco waiting for them as he whipped off his Vibe goggles just in time.
"Been spying on us?" Accord asked the man.
"I just had to see how it went down," Cisco grinned. "So many Cats, all the same. She really is a fascinating woman. Almost as if the entire cosmos centers around her, and everything that happens is just an offshoot of Cat Grant."
"She's not the center of the world," Wally moaned, deadpan again. "She's just a woman with a good brain. Probably better than your brain."
"Hey, no one mocks the Vibe Brain," Cisco pointed out.
"Why so few awards?" Jesse spoke up, wanting to move the conversation along. "If the 20 or so Earths on our system all had Cat Grants on, why only the 11? Why 11 and not 10, come to think of it."
"Because Gender World's one is a special one; 10 awards, plus 1 special one. Besides, this is just a test run, something Accord and I worked on together." Cisco pointed out.
"So we're going to do the other 10-plus later?" Wally groaned. He'd had his fill of Cat Grants to last him several years now.
"You, Kara, Barry… anyone, but those 10 for the moment," Cisco stated simply. "Besides, it takes time to 3D print and paint those babies; I do have a job here."
"Yeah, geeking out," Accord pointed out playfully.
"Hey, I do more than geek out!" Cisco protested.
"Well, when you do that stuff, let me know. I gotta get back. Well, by get back I mean…"
"Waller still got a leash on you?" Cisco frowned.
"No, but Uncle Jay has. You'd be surprised what being a speedster can do to a man," she nudged Wally playfully as she stepped back and vanished into a portal, all in one move.
"Well that was unexpected," Wally muttered. "Come on Jesse, I had the movie on pause."
"See you later, Vibe," Jesse waved at Cisco as Wally had already left in a blur.
"Later, Quick," Cisco sighed, turning in his chair and plugging his goggles into the computer. It now had vital data on various Cats which he could run into an algorithm. The Cat Mystery, as he deemed it, might soon be solved. He had to find out why she was the same. There had to be a reason. It's not like there were some overlords controlling the multiverse ruling this be so.
Post Chapter Note: hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Karry Master and Captain Sigma OUT!