The Fortress of Solitude – The Sanctuary
"Kelex, what's happening?" Kal asked as he ran through the grass of the sanctuary towards the large fire that was spreading through the tree up ahead. Above him, a thousand vanguards where flying all around the large set of artificial environments dealing with the dozens of different species that where all panicking at the sight of the fire and putting out the fire.
"AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR" a roar came from the right, Kal turned his head and saw a Droth. A large six-legged creature that stood on to back legs and four front legs, easily one of the toughest creatures on krypton, it was easily eleven meters long and around five and a half meters high. It had a second layer of armor on its back like someone had given it an extra pair of skin, it's head was large but what stood out was its primary weapon, if Kal was to compare it to any other creature he knew then he would choose the hammer head shark right here on earth "aaaarrrrr" it said again, this time much weaker than last time. Before Kal could even adopt a face of worry it clasped to its side "aaarrrr" he cried in pain. Kal ran to its side and he found the source of Droth's discomfort, it had a very large and very bad burn on its side in-between the gap of its legs.
Wanting to act as quickly as possible, Kal gently placed his hands on either side of the wound and took a deep breath. As gently and as carefully as he could he breath out a wind that was as cold as the wind outside the fortress, it wasn't going to make a big difference and Kal knew that but it should make the Droth more comfortable. Before Kal could do anything else a Vanguard came up behind Kal and shined a bright yellow light out of its eye, the Droth was lifted into the air and taken away, no doubt to a medical section of the fortress for treatment.
Kal picked himself back up and continued to run towards what he saw in the elevator on the way down. After another couple of seconds of running without stopping trusting that Kelex is keeping the other animals safe. He entered a clearing and found the remains of burnt trees and bushes, Kal wasn't that worried about the tree's they could always grow back, what he was concerned about was what was in the middle of the clearing was something, Kal's never seen anything like it. It was enormous, easily sixty meters long, shaped like an egg. What Kal saw that was interesting is that it was a purple color and it had a crystalline outer shell "Kelex what is this thing?" Kal asked as he used his flight to lift himself off the ground above the object.
Kelex's hologram appeared next to him "well master, it appears that the H'Raka has entered a chrysalis cycle" Kelex informed.
Kal frowned at him "a what?" He asked using his vision to look through the outside surface and his eyes widened at what he saw. Inside he could see a creature of some sort but it looked nothing like the H'Raka, in fact Kal had no idea how to even describe it, it was just a mush of a gel like liquid and body parts.
"A chrysalis cycle master" Kelex said to him again "it's a new stage of evolution for some species, it's how those said species enter the next stage of their life, though it does usually mean a change in body, it breaks apart and then reforms itself differently" he explained.
Despite how worried Kal was about the H'Raka, he needed to remember that his priority was the sanctuary as a whole, even though the H'Raka was probably his favorite "Kelex, what's the status of the sanctuary?" He asked the A.I.
"the structural integrity of the Sanctuary is rested at one hundred percent. The Ocean, Winter and Sky-high environments are all untouched by the fire and thus the animals are unharmed" Kal let a sigh of relief go with that news "however that cannot be said for some creatures within the wood and grassland environment which has sustained fire damage of up to twenty five percent and multiple injures" Kelex informed Kal as he stood and looked at the damage around him again.
"any casualties?" Kal asked hoping to Roa himself that there were none.
"I'm afraid it is too early to tell" he said looking down to the ground.
"clarify" Kal instructed.
"there are five individuals that are injured but there are two that where too close to the H'Raka when he began to chrysalid, they are in critical condition and now in surgery, it is too early to tell if they will survive" he told Kal as he let out a sigh before turning and slowly walking away.
Kal looked up to the small black vents that were stationed all over the sanctuary's ceiling "and the instinct dampeners?" He asked.
"the dampeners remain one hundred percent functional" Kelex said back to him.
"thank Roa" Kal said to himself. Those dampeners where vitally necessary to the success of the sanctuary as a whole. Naturally all the different creatures came in all different shapes, sizes, life spans, claws, scales, furs and of course herbivores and carnivores. The dampeners produce a chemical that affects their brains, not on a large scale but enough to make them realize that they don't need to hurt each other in order to protect themselves or to eat. In so, creating a completely peaceful environment for all of them "Kelex, take the H'Raka chrysalis into quarantine and repair the environment as best you can" he ordered.
"as you command, master" Kelex replied before a bright light shined down over the Chrysalis and it was lifted up into the air, it kept on going higher and higher until it reached the ceiling. The ceiling opened up like it was morphing apart and closed once the Chrysalis entered it.
Kal brought his hand to his face and bridged that gap between his eyes "has there been any difference with the other species?" He asked.
"nothing of this magnitude" Kelex said turning to face him "only an increase of speed, intelligence and durability"
Kal let out another sigh, thankfully that would mean not much else would have to change "if something happens, alert me immediately" he instructed before turning back to the elevator and headed for the command center, he needed to check something.
Barry and Donna's apartment building
Diana sighed for the tenth time today as he stepped into the elevator a pushed the bottom which would take her to Barry's floor. Being a founding member of the league meant she had access to the personal and phycological information on each member. It helps the leaders keep an eye on every member and to make sure that they are not a risk to themselves and others, of course they never kept any information on computers on the fear of being hacked. So that type of information was only in physical paper files that each founding member had. It was how Diana knew where Barry lived. She was in her Diana Prince persona, wearing a pair of brown boots, jeans, a red shirt, she had her hair tied back in a ponytail and glasses. Even to this day she was still surprised that no one ever recognized her.
As the elevator doors opened Diana stepped out and headed for Barry's door, she knew that he wasn't there as he should still be on the Watch Tower where she left him after she nearly put a whole through his head. Besides, after she let everyone know that Barry was dating her sister, she doubted that he would be able to get away from everyone who would asking him every question they could think of, especially the men who would also be congratulating him for being the first man to have a relationship with an Amazon in around a thousand years, not counting her own relationship with Steve Trevor, if you could call that a relationship. Diana always said that it was a real relationship and all of her friends supported her in that regard but there were some who it wasn't said because they were never lovers, only a couple who had kissed each other a handful of times.
Reaching his door Diana took a deep breath before knocking on the door three times, it took a couple of seconds before she heard a pair of footsteps coming closer on the other side of the door. The door opened and to her surprise, it wasn't Donna, it was a dark-skinned man that looked to be in his late forties. Diana didn't know what to say for a moment but he did seem familiar "…...hello?" He said to her with a voice of confusion as to who she was.
With the question Diana was able to find herself "yes, I'm sorry. I might have the wrong apartment. I'm looking for Donna Prince" she explained.
"oh no, she's here" he said to her "I'm sorry, who are you?" He asked her.
Diana extended her hand to him "I'm Diana Prince, Donna's sister" she explained.
The man's eye brows shot up and his mouth dropped momentarily "oh, Wonder Woman" he said shocked. Diana's eyes widened at his words, before she could even open her mouth to try and discredit what he just said, he grabbed her hand and shook it "sorry, I'm Joe west. Barry's foster dad" he informed.
Diana's face adopted one of shock and then understanding "oh, detective West" she said with respect as she shook back "it's good to finally meet you, Barry's spoken highly of you" she said.
"likewise, he's always said you've been a good friend and leader and fighter and bla, bla, bla" Joe said as he took a step back allowing her to step in the apartment. Diana wasn't expecting much, it was pretty generic television, couch, Kitchen, small hallway that no doubt led to a bedroom "I'll go get her" Joe said as he went down the small hallway. Diana sighed to herself, she was glad to finally meet detective West but she wanted to do this with Donna alone. Walking in front of the couch and past someone's coat she couldn't help but look at a small table, she stopped thinking about her current situation when she saw a framed photo of Barry and Donna.
Walking closer to it she couldn't help but pick it up and look closer. She didn't know what to think, it was Donna and Barry together, somewhere hot no doubt based on what they were wearing. Barry was shirtless with his arms wrapped around Donna's waist who stood in front of him in a two peace Bikini resting her body against his while bringing her arm backwards and holding the back of his neck pulling him in even closer. Their faces where pushed against each other's with bright smiles on them, Diana didn't fail to notice that she couldn't remember the last Diana or Barry had seemed that happy "Diana" a voice said from behind her said.
She slowly turned around and saw Donna standing and the end of the small hallway with Joe behind her. She wasn't wearing anything special, just a pair of sweat pants and an old blue T-shirt. Holding the picture at waist Hight she turned it around to show it to her, Diana made sure to let her know the hurt emotions on her face "how could you not tell me?" She asked.
Donna bit her bottom lip before looking down to the ground ashamed she turned her head to the side "err... Joe, if you don't mind?" She started.
"Hey, don't worry about it" he said stepping past her and walked over the couch where he left his coat "and I will see you and Barry and dinner tomorrow night right?" He asked walking back over to her.
Donna smiled at him "yeah, of course. Can't wait to see Iris's reaction to the news" she joked.
Joe laughed at her words "yeah, me neither" he leaned in and gave her a fatherly kiss on the cheek before turning to leave "oh" he stopped and turned to face her "and don't let your mother's actions get to you, she'll come around soon" he smiled "and you" he pointed to Diana "go easy on my future daughter in law" he finished before turning to leave and closing the door behind him.
"he seems like a good man" Diana observed starting a conversion before the silence could set in.
"he really his, Barry was lucky to have him" Donna said before turning back to face her. Donna's eyes found their way to the picture in Diana's hands "that was Turkey, four months ago" she informed as Diana looked down to the picture one more time before setting it back down "look, if you're here to just freak out about me dating Barry then you can just leave" she said heading into the small kitchen space and grabbed a can of coke from the fridge.
Diana didn't plan for this conversation, she thought about but not plan for it, she didn't want, she just wanted to talk, not have an argument or a debate "Donna, I don't care that you dating Barry" she announced.
Donna placed the can on the kitchen counter and turned to face Diana while placing a hand on her hip "no?" She asked frowning herself "then what the hell was that back on Themyscira!" He yelled "let me ask you something Diana, what was going to happen if Kal wasn't there? Would you have hurt Barry? Would you have killed him?" She asked.
"of course not" Diana said back hurt that Donna would really think she would do that "That was just the heat of the moment..." She tried to explain.
"oh, just the heat of the moment" she said interrupting her with a voice full of sarcasm "so, how many more times are 'the heat of the moment' going to happen before you get used to the idea that I'm dating Barry?" She asked crossing her arms at her.
"I DON'T CARE THAT YOU'RE DATING BARRY!" Diana yelled a lot louder then she meant. Donna quickly took a step back in fright at the sudden outburst "I was never angry at you for dating Barry, I'm angry that you lied!" She shouted. There was a moment of silence before she was able to calm herself slightly before walking closer towards Donna who herself, stood her ground. Diana stopped when they were face to face "you lied, right to my face, for over a year. After all we've been through, I thought you trusted me... and I thought I could trust you" she said as her eyes started to water, not failing to notice Donna's where too.
Donna froze at her words, she wasn't going to lie, they hurt, hurt badly "Diana I..." she started but couldn't find the right words.
"do you know what happened after you left?" She asked Donna, who slowly shook her head "after you left, Kal revealed that mother has also lied to me but much longer then you have" she explained as Donna raised an eye brow at her "on the same day I found out that my mother and my sister, the two people I cared about more than anyone, just proved to me that what everyone says about me is true, I am incredibly naïve" she said.
This was breaking Donna's heart, she had no idea Diana felt this way and what was that about mother lying to her "Diana, I'm... I'm sorry. I didn't know... I... I didn't think..." she struggled to say.
"didn't think what?!" Diana yelled "that you could trust me? That I wouldn't support you? I've been in my own relationship and I never hid it from you. Why couldn't you just give me the same curtesy. Did you think I wouldn't support you? Did really think me so shallow? That I'd be such a hypocrite? That after everyone I've been through I would believe every word mother has said to us. I don't, I never did and now I'm starting to think I shouldn't have believed anything you've said to me either" she ranted letting go of all the inhibitions she had before coming here. Closing her eyes, she turned around a walked a few steps away from Donna to try and catch her breath. Turning back to face her she could see tears going down her cheeks, it really hurt Diana that she was causing this much pain but she needed to let this out and she needed Donna to understand the pain that she caused her "you know what? I'm done, if you don't want to treat me like your sister... Then I'm not going to be your sister anymore" Diana said as she turned for the door "have a nice life with Barry Donna" she finished before opening the door and closing it behind her.
As the door shut behind her Diana felt dizzy for a moment and nearly fell over, placing her hand on the wall to steady herself, she tried to understand what just happened. Did she really just say that? was the pain she was feeling really that bad she needed to say those things? Did she even mean it? She didn't know, what she did know is that she just needed to get away from everything, she needed time to herself. Picking up her phone from her pocket, she dialed "hello Diana, is everything alright" J'onn said over the phone.
"no, it's not" she answered "I need some time alone, take me off the roster for a few days would you" she said knowing full well that she wasn't asking.
"understood, and don't worry. I'm sure it will all work out eventually" Diana didn't say anything back, she hung up and entered the building elevator.
Krypton – Two Billion Years ago
Kal and Lok used their magnetized suits to practically crawl across the roof like spiders as they made their way down the final corridor which will lead them to the terminal that can give them the location of Loana and from her, the main prison block. The brothers might as well have been ghosts as the slithered their way across the corridors ceiling. There were few things that the Kryptonian's did better than the Scar but stealth was one of them and Lok was the best shadow alive at the moment, Kal was still a pilot but thankfully he and Lok where able to share information and training with each other, they would never be good as each other, not this late in life but it was good enough.
As they reached the end of the corridor, Kal couldn't help but sigh in relief when he saw that the door at the end was already open. Perhaps Roa was watching over them after all and take make it better they could both see the terminal against the wall 'let's drop' messaged over their suits com before he dropped down to the floor, a feather hitting the ground would have made more noise than Lok did as his feet made content with the metal surface. Kal followed soon after though he did make noise, more like the sound of a pin dropping but it was still louder.
'hurry brother' Kal replied as he turned his back and kept watch but he had one head and three different directions for enemies to approach 'if we're spotted, it's gonna be a non-stop fire fight and the chances of success drop by ninety eight percent' Kal informed him. Lok said nothing back but he grunted quickly, which was enough for Kal to understand that he heard him. Kal was right, if they were spotted by anyone it would take a miracle for the mission to succeed. It's not that they couldn't handle a handful of Scar, it's that when they did handle those Scar it would only be a matter of time before the bodies would be found. Normally they would have equipment to destroy all evidence of death but the only equipment they had on them was the skin-tight Nano-suits they were wearing and the sword of El on Lok's back.
'Brother' Lok messaged him 'I have her, she's just over a mile away from are current location' he said. Kal couldn't help himself, he turned to face him. Like looking at him would change anything he said or it would sound differently.
'holding cells?' Kal guessed.
Lok tilted his head to the side making sure he was reading the information right 'a science lab by the look of it' he informed.
Kal didn't like the sound of that, it wasn't a secret that Loana was one of the smartest Kryptonian's alive, second only to his and Lok's farther Jor-El. She was responsible for half of the modern weapons used today, the fact that she might be forced to create tech for them or do research in their name was very unsettling 'Brother, there is something you should know' Kal started as he turned to face Lok who started to make his way to one of the doorways, he assumed that he had downloaded the route to the lab Loana was working on that was the way.
'What is it Kal?' He asked.
'there is one detail about Loana current situation I neglected to mention to General Zod and father' he said as now Lok turned his full body to look at him 'Loana's pregnant' he said.
Lok didn't say anything at first, he didn't know what to say. How could he? Childbirth was a very rare thing for his people so when it happened, dozens of precautions where put into place to ensure that the mother lived long enough to birth the child 'how long have you...' Lok started but couldn't finish his sentence as the door opened. Kal and Lok both turned their attention forward and saw three fully armed Scar soldiers.
The Watch Tower – Monitoring station
Batman sat in his chair drinking some coffee as he starred at the different monitors in front of him, there were a couple of firefights, a hostage situation and a hurricane. All events spread out through the globe but like always he successfully dispatched the appropriate league members to deal with each situation. Despite the commotion that accrued with the revelation that Barry was dating Donna, everyone was as eager as ever to help save people.
He thought Barry was thankful too, despite how reified he seemed to be not to have to keep that secret anymore, he could tell the constant questions and pampering was starting to get to him. Honestly, he didn't really care about Barry's situation with princess Donna. What occupied Bruce's thoughts right now where Diana, that situation in the cafeteria early was not ok, especially for someone as calm and mature as Diana. To put it short, Bruce was worried. Sure, she's gotten angry at times, just like everyone else but that outburst was uncalled for and she knew that. Something happened that's caused her a great deal of distress and he needed to find out what it was, before she did something she regretted.
He needed to get to the bottom of that but at the same time he needed to do some extra recon on Luther. He's been very quiet lately, too quiet and he didn't like it at all. Whenever Luther stayed quiet for a long period of time he was working on something big and he's been quiet for a while now. Though as much as he hated to admit it, it seemed that Kal-El's words at the U.N meeting are starting to make waves in governments. Twenty of which have done what Kal-El instructed and have made their biggest secrets known to other country's with more joining every day, Bruce was starting to worry that although there is a chance this might make things better. The growing tension that would come with it would make the world ten times worse than it already is.
Thankfully the twenty countries that relieved their secrets weren't the most powerful in the world, most of them where third world countries that where living in poverty. Bruce couldn't help but understand their situation, they're dying and they need help, Kal-El offered it but at a price, they didn't have any choice but to do what he said. What surprised Bruce was that the latest country to do what Kal said was the United Kingdom and that's a collection of four countries, no world superpowers of yet have taken part in Kal-El's deal. Bruce guessed that they were waiting for another to come forward but he knew that the U.S, Russa and China had to come forward soon enough. After all, Kal-El announced to the rest of the world what their secrets where. Bruce knew what Task Force X was but he had no idea what Venom or Project Zeus was. He suspected that it was a top-secret project of Russa and China.
Even more frustrating he couldn't come with any counter measure to stop him in case he over stepped his bounds, he needed for information on him in order to stop him and he knew nothing about him. It was so frustrating, Kal-El completely bypassed the whole League including himself and then did the same with the Injustice League, he was dangerous, there was no doubt about that. He only had one lead at finding a suitable weapon against him. Matallo, his energy beam knocked Kal-El back, it did something to him and Bruce needed to know what it is, he needed more of that meteor rock "Ok, hurricane has passed and the people are as safe as I can make them" a familiar voice said behind him.
He didn't turn but he could hear Zatanna walk up beside him "good" Bruce said back calmly "there's nothing else going on right now so you're good for the night" he informed.
Zatanna let out a long sigh of relief as she lifted her hands to her neck and stretched "good, I'm exhausted. Looks like people are starting to listen to him" she said placing her hands on her sides.
Bruce grunted "so it would seem"
Zatanna placed a hand on his shoulder "Bruce, I know you like your paranoia. But honestly, I think it's Diana we need to worry about. I've never seen her freak out like that before. Even when that pervy reporter copped a feel" she added with a chuckle "that was hilarious when she decked him, right in the nose" she finished with a smile.
Even Bruce couldn't help crack a smile at remembering that "Diana just needs some time to herself, she's just learnt that not only has she been lied to by Barry but her sister too"
Zatanna looked at him with sad eyes "yeah, that must have cut her deep. I wish I could blame Barry for keeping it a secret but I can't. It makes sense that he would want to keep it from her, because we all know Diana loves her mother and wouldn't be able to keep that a secret from her"
Bruce shook his head "that's not it, the way she acted, it was like she was on her last string. No, something else happened to piss her off" he summarized.
"you mean the pregnancy?" Zatanna guessed "god, I'm still coming to terms with... Barry being a dad. Never would have saw that coming, I always figured Hal would be the one to be an unexpected father" she joked.
"agreed" Bruce said back with a smile.
"did you know about that?" She asked with a hint of worry in her voice.
"I didn't know she was pregnant" Bruce replied as he typed away at the monitors looking for anything else that needs to be done, also hoping he could send Zatanna away on another mission before she asks the question he knew was coming.
"but did you know Barry was dating her?" She asked getting a bad feeling in her stomach.
'damn' he cursed "yes, I knew they were dating" he confirmed not seeing the point in denying it.
"Jesus" she said placing a hand on her forehead "and you didn't feel the need to tell Diana about it?" She asked but didn't know why, it was easy to guess what the answer would be.
"Zee" he said turning in his chair to face her "it wasn't my secret to tell, as far as I can see it's not my problem that Donna and Barry didn't trust Diana enough to tell her about their relationship. They're both adults and they can do what they like" Bruce turned back to the monitors.
"you know Diana's going to flip when she finds out you knew" Zatanna said as she turned around ready to leave "I really hope you just tell her before she finds out another way" she finished before leaving the room.
Bruce sighed lowing his head for a moment thinking about everything that's happened "Batman, are you there" Bruce heard J'onn's voice through the com.
"yes, J'onn. What is it?" He asked getting right back into business.
"I would just like to inform you that we may need to reschedule the roster for next week, as Wonder Woman just called to inform me that she would need to take a couple of days to herself due to stress" he said.
Bruce was silent for a moment "Understood" he said before ending to call, he sighed. He knew that the situation was bad but not that bad, the more he thought about it the more he realized that he needed to choose whether or not the focus his time on either finding a way to stop Kal-El if he turns against humanity, helping Diana through whatever problems she has and telling her that he knew or finding out what Luther was up too. And he knew that would not be an easy choice to make.
Sorry for the long wait guys, a lot of stuff been going on at home. Anyway, I will try and upload these chapters at a quicker pace but things can always get in the way.
Also, I wanted to let you all know that I'm thinking on doing a story of what if the events of man of steel took place in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) with a Superman/Black widow Romance. And the twist is that Superman replace the hulk for the story, and I mean no Hulk at all because I think that if that's the case it would be easier to keep everything the same but a little bit different.
Let me know what you guys think and please do not hesitate to leave me a review of send me a message, until then I will see you in the next chapter ;)