Counterpart Conferences

By Michael Weyer

This one is a bit of clean-up. A while ago, I listed the Smallville Earth as Earth-21 as a play on 2001, the year the show debuted. Then "Crisis on Infinite Earths" shifted it up. So from here on out, as in the show, Earth-2 is the world of Stargirl while Earth-167 is the world of Smallville, although sticking to the fun "Season 11/12/" comic series. Complicated but thought needed.

Also, it is helpful to have seen the Netflix series Cursed but it hit me as a fun addition that just came in quickly.

Earth-2

Blue Valley, Nebraska

Courtney Whitmore grit her teeth as she spun the Cosmic Staff in her hands. The glowing rod emitted a blast of energy which Yolanda Montez barely dodged. Wildcat was in her usual black cat-themed suit, leaping about to avoid the shots of Courtney. "Not so close!" she hissed.

"Hey, the bad guys aren't going to be holding back either!" Courtney replied. Nearby, Pat Dugan stood watching with calm interest. Beside him was Beth Chapel, the dark-skinned youth clad in her brown jacket, green cloak, tan pants and the hood and goggles of Dr. Mid-Nite over her eyes. Rick Tyler was standing next to her in the dark suit and yellow hood and cape of Hourman, a black mask over his face and the glowing hourglass on a chain at his chest.

"Not bad," Pat announced, the massive STRIPE robotic suit standing behind him. "But you have to pick up the pace better."

"Still new at this in case you've forgotten," Yolanda snapped.

"I'm just saying, the Injustice Society won't hold back, and neither can you," Pat announced. The underground hanger may not have been the best place to have a massive training session but it was the best they could do. He hated trying to teach these kids like this but it wasn't like he could just back down. Like it or not, these kids had become a team and Pat had to handle it.

"At least try not to leave as many bruises," Courtney stated. "I don't know how many 'I tripped' excuses my mom is going to accept."

Yolanda snorted. "One benefit of my parents not speaking to me is they don't even notice."

Before Courtney could speak more, a wind seemed to pick up out of nowhere. Turning, the group saw what appeared to be a shimmering light circle appearing in the air. "What the…." Yolanda began.

Beth's glasses were analyzing and the computerized voice that had once belonged to Chuck McNider echoed in her ears. "A trans-dimensional energy portal? How do you even know that?"

It grew before them before a figure emerged from it. She landed on her knees, taking a deep breath before slowly rising up. She was an attractive older teenager whose curly blonde hair peeked out from behind a mask covering most of her face. She wore a nearly solid blue shirt with a large star on the chest and smaller ones on her sleeves. A pair of tight blue shots mirrored it with red boots and gloves. In her hands was a long golden staff whose tip glowed with energy.

"Am...I being cosplayed?" Courtney whispered as she saw what looked like a near mirror version of herself. A bit older and different face but the similarities were there from the outfit to the staff in her hands, even if it wasn't glowing. In fact, Courtney's own staff was shaking hard and letting out a whine of some sort.

The other woman blinked around before her eyes fell on Courtney. They narrowed behind the mask as she lifted the staff in her hands. "Who the hell are you?" she barked.

"Um….back at you!" Courtney snapped.

"I'm Stargirl of the Justice Society of America."

Courtney slowly blinked. "Heybuwhanow?"

Before she could do anything, her staff suddenly lowered itself toward the other Stargirl. She lifted her own staff up to fire a blast of energy that Courtney barely dodged. The other Stargirl leaped in, spinning her staff into an attack which Courtney blocked, a flash of energy firing off as the Staffs slammed into each other. The other woman leapt back and did a cartwheel in mid-air, landing on her feet to fire off a blast. Courtney held her staff up and let it levitate her into the air. Snarling, the other woman also floated up to meet her.

Beth leaned in toward Yolanda. "Yo?"

"Yeah?"

"This…is happening, right?"

"I think so." She called out to the air with hands cupped to her mouth "Kick her in the nuts!"

Courtney shrieked as the staff nearly slammed into her head. "Look, I don't know who you are-"

"Or you!" the other woman snapped. "What, some rogue Martian?"

"Martian? How many drugs are you on?" Courtney shrieked as another blast of energy struck at her. They sailed down, landing hard on the ground. Courtney saw the other Stargirl leaping at her, her staff raised to come down at her. She held her own staff up, ready to block it when a blur of motion came around.

The woman gasped as STRIPE was there, lifting her up. "Okay, settle down!" Pat called from within the suit. "I don't know what this is about but…"

The woman managed to fire out a blast from her staff to strike his helmet and Pat grunted at the impact. That allowed the woman to twist her way out of his mechanical grasp and land on her feet. Courtney was spinning her staff to move at her when a blast of light echoed around them. When it vanished, so had the two girls.

A long silence went up before Rick finally spoke. "I really think I need to start drinking again." For once, Pat couldn't blame the young man as he stared at the space his stepdaughter had vanished from.

Earth-19999

England

The explosion of light deposited the two blondes in the middle of a forest clearing. They barely noticed as they kept up the battle, smacking their Staffs against each other and trying to find an advantage. Courtney grit her teeth as her double moved in and was about to fire a blast when a burst of energy knocked them both off their feet.

They spun around on their knees to see the figure stepping into the clearing. She pulled back the hood on her cloak to reveal an attractive woman with blonde hair they both thought oddly familiar. "Who the hell are you?" Stargirl snapped.

"Me?" The woman cocked her head, her cloak opening to show a lush blue dress underneath it. "I could ask you the same."

"Well...we asked first!" Courtney said. She winced as her staff once more seemed to pull from her. "Will you settle down? It's bad enough you started this whole mess!"

The blonde-haired stranger took in her staff, then the one in the other Stargirl's hands, and raised an eyebrow. "Well...if you must know...I'm Courtney Whitmore, I was Stargirl of the Justice Society of America. Nowadays, folks call me Merlin."

The three blondes stared at one another before Courtney piped up. "Okay, someone here is on drugs, is it me?"

Whitmore (as the two other girls automatically thought of her), raised her staff as she looked them over and sighed. "Okay…I think I get it. Short version: There are countless alternate realities out there. Worlds where things are mostly the same but some differences. I'm guessing that, like me, you're each the Stargirl of her Earth."

Courtney was completely confused but the other Stargirl nodded. "Okay…I can get that, Kal told me about other Earths." She looked her double over and frowned. "Wait…did you say Merlin? As in…"

Whitmore shrugged. "Okay, it's a very long and complex story but suffice to say, my JSA existed in the 1940s. For reasons I won't go into, I found myself sent back to medieval times in what would be the period matching Camelot. When I used my staff, folks thought I was a wizard so next thing I know, I'm helping this young guy named Arthur become King and from there…"

"This...is Camelot?" Stargirl looked around the field in wonder.

"Actually, no. I was in my Camelot in 507 and then a huge flash of light and the next thing I know, I'm here."

"Oh, thank God," Courtney moaned. "If you were gonna tell me I was on another Earth and gone back in time, I'd be a complete head case now."

"How could you tell?" Stargirl muttered under her breath.

"Hey, you were the one who started it!"

Whitmore looked the other pair over. "So, versions of me...Interesting, look a lot alike despite some differences and the staffs seem mostly the same."

Stargirl looked at Courtney. "That pack of folks, is that your JSA?"

"We're sort of a new generation after the old ones sorta, um, died."

Stargirl winced. "And I thought mine had it bad." She frowned at Whitmore. "Wait…did you bring us here?'

Whitmore shook her head. "No, this wasn't me. I mean, despite what I make people think, I don't have real magic, just a few pieces of '40s technology which I'm guessing is way mothballed by your times."

"That would actually be me." The trio spun around as a woman stepped into the clearing. She was a strikingly beautiful woman who appeared in her 50s, her long dark hair framing her stunning features. She wore a loose dress showing some ample cleavage with a medallion about her neck. Bracelets adorned her wrists and rings about her fingers. While she smiled, it was cool and not quite inviting. "Ladies. A pleasure."

"Who the hell are you?" Courtney demanded.

"I've gone by a few names in my lifetime," the woman replied, her lush British accent clear. "But the one you'll know me best is…" She made a clearly dramatic pause. "Morgan Le Fay. Or Morgana if you want to be polite."

Courtney rubbed her temples. "My day started out normally, I swear it did."

Whitmore glared. "Morgan Le Fay? As in the evil witch who tried to conquer Camelot?"

"Now, now, let's not be judgmental," Morgana said. "It was more circumstances that pushed me on and I had to make some harsh moves but recall this was the 6th century. Things were far different for women so many of my decisions rankled more simply because I was a woman." She let out the sigh of someone long used to an annoying part of their past. "Frankly, between Malory and White, I got horrible press." She carefully paced. "I had intended to merely summon the…Merlin here," she nodded to Whitmore. "But I guess my spell reached across realities to ensnare you other two as well." She shrugged. "Ah, well, I suppose three works out better."

"For what?" Stargirl asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Morgana carefully paced before them. "I have an…issue, ladies with a certain wizard. One who possesses a certain item that I wish for you to gain from a certain place."

"Certain specifics to follow at a certain time, I'm sure," Whitmore sarcastically said. "Why should we help you?"

"For a start, I'm the only one who can get you back to your own Earths," Morgana smoothly answered. "For another, it will be removing a very dangerous item from a very dangerous man and returning it to its proper owner. I'd think that'd appeal to a bunch of…super-heroines." It was clear she didn't like the word.

Courtney stared at her before holding up a finger. "Just…give us a minute." She beckoned at the other two as they walked a few feet away and then huddled together. "Okay…opinions?"

Whitmore stared at her. "She's Morgan flipping Le Fay!"

"And that's bad?"

Stargirl stared with wide eyes. "Have you not read any of the Arthur books?"

"Um, I saw the Disney movie."

"Live-action or animated?"

"There's an animated one?"

"Have you...ever had any fight training before you got that staff?"

"Well, not really. I mean, we have super-heroes on our world but was never seriously into that stuff."

Stargirl glared. "How did you even get that staff anyway?"

"Well, it belonged to the original Star-Spangled Kid."

"And he gave it to you?"

Courtney blanched. "Um…no, when he died, left it with his sidekick, Stripsey who married my mom."

"So he gave it to you."

"I…sort of stole it. Or borrowed it. Well, sometimes I think it borrowed me." The Staff seemed to glow and shake at that. "Oh, yeah, it's kinda alive, I'm figuring that out."

Stargirl shook her head. "Okay, clearly you're an arrogant brat who just lucked out into this. Good to know."

"Excuse me?" An irate Courtney snapped. "I am not a brat! Sure, I love shopping and all that but we just met, you have no right to slam me!"

"I am you, genius! And before I got this staff, I was a self-absorbed queen bee who only cared for herself. It took Carter giving me a wake-up call to get more into the hero game."

"Oooooh," Courtney sarcastically said. "So because you did that, I must be like that too! Wow, guess your dad was an even bigger jerk."

"I never knew him."

"Count yourself lucky."

Whitmore rolled her eyes. "Ugh, I can tell teenagers are worse in your times."

"Hey, you're basically us!" Stargirl snapped.

"I grew up in the Great Depression, then World War II," Whitmore fired back. "And have I mentioned how women back then weren't exactly given the best breaks? Still, I got the skinny on what your futures are like from politics to the Internet and frankly, I'd rather live in a world without indoor plumbing than that."

"Oh yes, let's not forget how wonderful the days of segregation were," Stargirl sarcastically stated. "Then again, we'd have fit in well there anyway, white and blonde hair..."

Whitmore glared as her hands tightened on the staff. "Oh, do not even go there!"

"We don't even know each other and yet you're judging us?"

"I've been doing my best to whip a kingdom into shape, what about you?"

Courtney stepped between them, raising her hands to stop the pair from moving in on each other. "Before we get into the weirdest bitch-fight ever, can we figure out how to deal with the evil witch here?"

"At least you recognize she's evil."

"Trust me, I've been at my high school long enough to see the signs."

Morgana stood by, absently studying her nails. "I am on a clock..."

"Lady, we're talking here!" Courtney snapped before going back to the others. Morgana simply rolled her eyes as she watched the trio huddle for a few more moments of hushed conversation. They finally shared nods before moving off to face her. "We've discussed it," Stargirl announced. "And we've concluded that since you're obviously an evil woman who's going to use us for your own gain..."

"And 50/50, you're just going to kill us anyway once you're finished with us," Whitmore added.

"We have elected to say, 'screw you' and find our own ways back, thank you very much," Courtney finished.

Morgana let out the sigh of a person who'd gotten the answer they had been expecting anyway. "For the record, I really did try to handle this in a different way. But I suppose this was inevitable." Her hand went to the medallion around her neck as she whispered under her breath. The medallion began to glow and instinctively, the three Courtneys found their eyes drawn to it. Too late, each realized they were unable to look away as it shimmered with light. A blast of energy ripped from it, tendrils of green firing off and into each of their eyes. They all gasped as they went stock, still shaking.

The glow faded as the three girls stared out with matching calm expressions, their eyes with green tints. Morgan let out a wicked smile. "Now, ladies...Shall we discuss this under better terms?"

"Yes, Mistress Morgana," the three Stargirls said in unison. Morgana laughed. "Ah, you can never beat the classics."

To an outsider, the small house was no different than any of the cottages that dotted the landscape of the quiet hamlet of Sheffield. Likewise, the figure sitting on the patio reading the book looked like any teacher of a local college. That he was, in fact, the most legendary wizard in history would have been laughable which was what he preferred. Of all the tricks Merlin had used in his long life, hiding in plain sight was one that never got old.

He sipped at his tea as he studied the book before him, easily translating the words. It was unique, he thought, how magic varied from Earth to Earth but necessary for him to understand it all. Recent events had made him believe that something was coming. He didn't know what but Merlin had learned not to ignore his instincts and every one of them was screaming that the recent "crisis" was nothing compared to what was on the horizon. That meant being prepared and "forewarned is forearmed' was another saying he'd learned to not ignore.

His ears pricked up at a sound as if something was heading toward him. He looked skyward at first, assuming it was a passing airplane. Yet it kept up and his eyes soon saw an object starting to fly down toward him. He stiffened as he waved his fingers, letting the invisible shield over his home to strengthen. It was capable of stopping a falling ten-ton bomb which was why Merlin was so taken aback when the red and blue-garbed figure with the golden staff easily smashed through it and headed straight at him.

He barely had time to dodge before she swept her staff out, firing off a blast of energy. Merlin rose, activating a defense spell just as another blast erupted from the other direction. It caught him in the chest, sending him flying back through his front door and into his home. He gasped for breath as he rose to see the trio of women entering his home. He was struck by how each had similar looks and outfits as well as each with a glowing staff in their hands.

Instinct took over as he waved a hand. From the other room, his own staff flew through the air to land in his grasp. Merlin slammed the tip into the floor, igniting a shockwave of energy that sent the three women sailing back. He emerged back onto the patio as he spun the staff, making sure the shield was still in place. The last thing he needed was his neighbors seeing a fight like this in his backyard but any passerby wouldn't think a thing was amiss.

Spinning the staff, Merlin fired off a blast that one of the blonde women dodged. The other two were firing off their staffs with the younger of them charging in. Merlin couldn't help noticing how her staff seemed to be almost resistant to what the woman was doing yet still compelled to pull her in the air and fire a blast at him. He dodged it before smacking the pole into her head. It didn't seem to faze her as she kept on attacking, her expression barely wavering which just confirmed his suspicions she was not in her right mind. The other two blondes kept firing their staffs with Merlin doing his best to adjust his attacks. Right now, cutting loose didn't seem the right thing to do.

He was about to attack when another blast of energy cut through the air at him. This was green in color and far more powerful in its impact. Merlin gasped as he was knocked back with two of the women firing different beams from their staffs. They coiled around his hands to hold him tight. The third moved to smash her weapon onto Merlin's hand, forcing him to drop his own staff. A familiar incantation cut through the air and Merlin found himself bound inside a green barrier that held him tightly.

Merlin grunted as he vainly tried to escape the binding. A cold laughter echoed through the air as a beautiful dark-haired woman stepped into the yard. "So...this is where you've holed up? Still the stable boy at heart, aren't you?"

Merlin cocked his head as he took her in. The face and voice were different but that aura, not to mention the darkness and arrogance, were unmatched. "Morgana." He looked her over and cocked an eyebrow. "Love the new look."

Morgana struck a pose. "You know me, I always dress for the occasion. Oh, and what an occasion this is." She smirked at him. "Now, we can easily banter back and forth, rehash old times and all that but I'm not quite in the mood for the usual gloating. So let's make this short and sweet." She leaned in. "Where is it?"

Merlin frowned. "You may have to narrow it down a tad. I know full well you want so many things you can never have."

"Excalibur, Merlin," Morgana snapped. "Where?"

He snorted. "Even if I was going to tell you...which I won't...It won't matter. The only person who can wield is the rightful ruler of Camelot and despite whatever you delude yourself into thinking, that's not you."

"You'd be amazed at how expert I am finding loopholes, Merlin," Morgana said.

"First, I am glad you changed your appearance. After all, as far as I'm concerned, the Morgana I knew died a long time ago. You're just making it easier to accept although I am surprised you went for much older..."

Morgana snarled. "I'm still better looking than anyone around!"

Merlin rolled his eyes. "Good Lord, the ego has gotten even worse and I didn't think that was possible."

"Look who's talking," Morgana sniffed. She rubbed her face. "Dammit, I promised myself no gloating this time, no wasting the chance but here you are, getting me into it." She composed herself. "I'll make it clear. Give it to me..."

"And you'll let me live?"

"Oh, no, I'm going to kill you, we both know that," Morgana related as if it was a friendly chat. "However, I will make it swift and as painless as possible out of respect for what we once had. Otherwise, not only will it be horrible and agonizing but..." She pointed to the Stargirls. "I will make you watch these three kill each other first."

Merlin looked them over, then to Morgana and shrugged. "So? I don't know them, what do I care of their fates? Really, it's just a pack of poor knock-offs of Charlie's Angels which, amazingly, appear to be worse than the last movie."

Morgana threw her head back in laughter. "Oh, Merlin, please. All this time and you're still a horrible liar. As much as you love to act like you've hardened your heart and care for no one but yourself, I know you. I know you simply won't let these poor, innocent girls be sacrificed even for your pride."

"You'll be amazed how cold my heart has become in the last thousand years, Morgana."

She smirked. "Hmm...Oh, Merlin-Courtney?" Merlin jerked at that as the lead blonde stepped forward. "Oh, yes, on her world, she took your name, turned some backward land into her take on Camelot. Bet that's an interesting turn." She returned her attention to the enslaved blonde. "Be a dear and break the smallest finger of little Courtney." The woman nodded as she grabbed the finger of Courtney, who barely seemed to notice. She smiled at Merlin stiffening. "Come now, Merlin, whatever happened to chivalry?"

"It died when you killed Camelot." Despite his bold words, Merlin felt himself weakening as he realized that once Morgana ran out of bones to snap on the women, she was going to move up to more lethal measures. And for all his talk, watching three innocent women abuse each other for Morgana's amusement was not going to be pleasant.

A blur came through the air as a figure landed on its knees before the group. In its hands was a sword that buried itself into the ground as the figure looked up. She appeared to be in her early 20s but the look in her eyes was one Merlin knew all too well. The eyes of someone who had seen centuries of life flow before them. She was clad in a dark leather suit that fit her form, crafted for combat and exploration alike and not too different from one he'd have seen in Camelot, her long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail.

As he watched, the woman's eyes took on a shimmer and strange marks appeared about her face. She whispered under her breath as the sword in her hands glowed, illuminating the runes upon its surface. From the ground, tendrils flowed up as the trees around the yard seemed to come alive. Branches and vines streaked out to embrace the three Stargirls and pull them away, pinning the staffs from them. Morgana was startled just as the ground underneath opened up and she shrieked as she was pulled into it.

The woman looked to Merlin, her voice with a crisp accent. "I think I'll spare the line we both know has become utterly cliche at this point and say it's best we get the hell out of here."

As someone who had never even enjoyed The Terminator, Merlin was quick to agree. He reached to take the woman's hand as held the sword up. A flow of smoke surrounded them and Merlin felt a familiar tugging as they were teleported away.

There was an eruption of dirt as Morgana burst out from the ground with an angry look on her face. She spat out a pocket of dust as she wiped at her face. "Damn, I hate that man," she muttered.

"Should we follow, Mistress?" Courtney asked.

Morgana opened her mouth but then shut it as she bent her head to the side as if listening to something. "Wait...is that..." She waved her hands and a cloud of smoke flowed around the four women. It faded as they found themselves in a chamber deep under the house. A snap of the fingers ignited the torches around them, illuminating the monstrous scaled figure chained to a huge platform. It lifted its heads, its eyes focusing on the woman before him. "You."

Morgana smiled broadly. "Hello, Kilgharrah. We have so much to catch up on."

As the cloud faded around them, Merlin shook his head to adjust himself. He looked around, seeing the think trees of a forest around him. The senses he'd sharpened over the centuries allowed him to realize they were halfway across England in a region he knew quite well. He looked to his rescuer, taking in her professional demeanor. "Who are you?"

"Like you, I've had a few names over my life," the woman replied, straightening up with her sword sliding into a scabbard. "My birth name...is Nimue."

Merlin blinked and stiffened. "The Lady of the Lake..."

She smiled. "Also like you, the legends have shifted over time and in various realities. Truth is, I don't even like swimming." She brushed back her hair. "I was coming to see you anyway when I sensed what was happening."

"Lucky you came along."

She snorted. "I think we're both old enough to know there's no such thing as luck or coincidences in things like this." She looked around the forest. "So...it's near here."

Merlin didn't bother asking what she meant as he was focused on the sword in her hands. "Is that what I think it is?"

Nimue held it up. "It was never really called that in my time. Just the Sword of Power. Cliche, I know but then, folks weren't very imaginative back then. Truth to tell, I prefer not to use it too much as it has a...dark influence on those who wield it." She spoke with the tone of someone remembering a past shame before shaking it off. She lowered it to look him in the eye. "Let's clear this up now. In my world, my Uther Pendragon made yours look like Richard the Lionhearted. He was a fool obsessed with his own power and glory. I am one of the Fey, a race who are attuned to nature and magic. My people were nearly wiped out by a fanatical band of religious nuts. I found this sword, took up the mantle of the Fey Queen and did my best to help my people. My Camelot...was different."

"Arthur?"

"A sellsword." A light smile came to her face. "But a...good friend." It was obviously more than that but Merlin decided not to press it. "His sister, Morgana, was a friend too but...well, it wasn't so much evil but she became very complex."

"And...me? You did have a version of me there?"

"Oh, yes, I did." Nimue lifted her head up. "My Merlin is my father."

It had been a long time since Merlin couldn't think of a single thing to say but this was a major blow. "He was mostly a drunkard," Nimue went on. "A selfish monster who cared not a whit for anyone as long as he kept his power. A warrior who spilt scores of blood, he tried to steal the sword from me." She looked at him as she finished in a dry voice. "We're not close."

"Ah," was all Merlin could get out. Nimue turned to begin marching into the woods, following a path Arthur already knew. "Just why are you truly here?" he called out as he followed, shaking off his confusion.

"To find your Excalibur," Nimue replied. "And see if it deserves to stay."

Merlin nearly stopped but then increased his pace to catch up to Nimue and block her path. "Wait, what?"

She looked him in the eye. "There's a War coming, Merlin. One greater than anything you can imagine. It's a war where magic is going to get wild. And some weapons may be too much, especially when they're much the same."

"You can't take it," Merlin barked at her. "It's needed for when Arthur returns."

Nimue rubbed at her face. "I'm not trying to be insulting but it's been, what, a thousand plus years? More? Maybe you should adjust to the idea he's not coming back."

"I don't believe it. It's prophecy, he returns in England's darkest hour."

"See, that's the problem. You're reading it the way you want it to. Old lesson, never trust a prophecy that can be read at least two ways." Nimue held up a finger. "Maybe Arthur's return is to save England in its darkest hour...or maybe it brings that hour about."

"That won't happen."

"How can you be sure?"

"I know him."

"Did you? Or are you letting time play with your memory and recalling Camelot much better than it was?" Nimue let out a tired sigh. "I don't know how much dimensional hopping you've done but I've been on quite a bit of it. I've seen other versions of Camelot, other versions of you and me. I've seen a lot of worlds where it's not magical at all, just another kingdom and legends grow from it. I've seen ones even more fanciful than some of the movies about us." She leaned in. "And I have never...ever...seen one that's a truly perfect golden age. Because there's no such thing, Merlin. It can be wonderful, it can be peaceful...but there's always the darkness waiting to bring it down."

Merlin glared at her. "Maybe I have more faith in people."

"Oh, I have faith in people, I do," Nimue defended herself. "I've also had more experience with the dark parts. You're a man so you don't know just how bad things could be for the other gender in your time. And lest we forget, your 'Golden Age' never even happened in the first place, not like in other realities. You're fighting for a world you're not sure can even exist."

Merlin glared. "Isn't that what many others do? What you do?"

"I have hope and I have faith but I'm also a realist. And I know that this keeping to old ideas and beliefs can blind you to the future." She waved a hand to indicate what was around her. "Honestly, Arthur, this world has progressed so far, there barely is a need for a King like Arthur anymore. Today's royalty is nothing more than figureheads, you expect Arthur to just dominate Parliament and be accepted by the people? Just how far would he have to go to gain control in a time he doesn't understand? Don't forget how twisted some of those monarchs can be, you really want to unleash a possible tyrant upon this world?" She motioned to her sword. "This is power, Arthur. A power that corrupts, I've felt it. I've seen it happen even worse to others. Give the blade to the wrong person and you can create a monster to rival Morgana."

"If Arthur leads, England will be better as will the world," Merlin insisted. "Maybe he can adjust, more a Prime Minister or such but it's his destiny to rule."

Nimue arched a sharp eyebrow. "My father believed in destiny too. It didn't end well for him. Be careful, Merlin, you're already grazing the edge, you don't want to fall over. And, of course, you're thinking when Arthur comes back, he'll be a man. Surely you know reincarnation loves to play tricks on you." She chuckled. "Queen Arthur, now that would be a sight."

It had been a long time since Merlin had met someone as stubborn, arrogant, and mysterious as himself. It was a disconcerting sensation. "I do whatever it takes to defend this realm."

"Is that why you keep that dragon chained up?" Merlin blinked in surprise that she knew that. "As I said, I was studying you. Now, you are better than quite a few other Merlins I've spotted, some of whom could make Morgana a candidate for sainthood. But, you must admit, keeping that being captive doesn't quite aid your case."

"You don't know him," Merlin barked. "He spent years playing his games and manipulations..."

"And now you do the same," Nimue returned. "You use others if you need to and willing to take twisted actions for the 'greater good'." She smirked. "Maybe you and my father aren't so different after all."

Merlin still wasn't happy with that as Nimue continued to walk. "Regardless, I'm not going to let you steal this Excalibur."

"I may not need to steal it," Nimue answered. "I just need to test it first." She spun around, the sword raised with a glow just as she saw Merlin raising a hand. "Don't," she hissed in a cold voice. "I don't want to fight you, I really don't. But I will, if I have to." They faced off against each other, their expressions hard. "If nothing else, I think it should be remembered I just saved your damn life just now. And Morgana is hunting us with those three women, you really want to try and face her alone now?" She slowly lowered the sword. "At least let me see this Excalibur and test it...Then we can figure it out."

Merlin was uncertain but slowly nodded as Nimue turned to walk on. He caught up to her, the silence between them speaking volumes. "So..." he finally spoke up. "Least favorite pop-culture version of yourself?"

Nimue's lips twitched upward. "Well, I wasn't a fan of Monty Python calling me a 'moistened bint.' And most just having me looking like a swimsuit model throwing a sword out in some huge theme park water show."

Merlin chuckled. "Try the Disney version, ugh, that was ugly."

"Count yourself lucky. Ran into tales of a version of you on one Earth and suffice to say, the Arthur there was a true monster. Another reminder that maybe painting the past in a better light isn't always a good thing."

Merlin mused on that as they found themselves coming past a clearing, to a large open lake with a waterfall pouring into it. Merlin took the lead, moving past the waterfall and through a cavern. They passed through the tunnel as he whispered under his breath. "The old 'the passage is a test' routine," she mused. "You Merlins always are suckers for that."

He smirked. "It gets the job done. Plus, it kept Morgana from finding this place." Nimue felt various magical barriers fade enough for them to enter a large chamber dominated by an object on a platform.

Nimue took in the metal weapon jutting out of the large block of stone and raised her eyebrows at Merlin. "Really? I mean...this doesn't strike you as just a tad cliche?'

"I prefer to think of it as traditional," Merlin returned. "It's the final test for Arthur, to take the sword from the stone."

"Once more, you assume it's Arthur," Nimue replied as she circled the block, studying the stone. "For all you know, maybe it's time for a queen to take over."

"The last time Camelot had a queen, it didn't go well..."

"Different world, different times." Nimue unsheathed her sword as she carefully stepped up to the platform. Merlin hung back, his arms crossed, genuinely curious as to what she was going to do. She reached out with her sword, the runes upon it glowing brighter. Nimue hissed as a loud whine filled the chamber. "Two versions in close proximity," she called out. "Sometimes, it can be...messy."

Merlin was prepared to throw a shield around himself just as the whining died down. Nimue studied her sword, as if reading something into its surface. She then nodded. "Very well. It can stay."

Merlin blinked again. "That's...that's it?"

Nimue stepped down from the platform. "My apologies for no grand production or a major throw-down between us. I might not even have needed you to know about this." She looked to him in a serious manner. "This is going to be needed, Arthur. I can't say what the full destiny of your Excalibur is...But it will play a part in what's to come."

Arthur studied her. "How did you know this? Just who are you gathering these swords for?"

The smile she gave was not one of happiness. "Believe me, wizard...you're better off not knowing. Suffice to say, in my time, I committed an act that requires penance. This is it." She suddenly stiffened as the sword seemed to glow. Merlin didn't need to ask what it meant as he also felt an all too familiar presence. There was a rumbling before the ceiling above them exploded, sending waves of rocks tumbling down. The pair barely dodged it before looking up to see a massive winged form hulking atop the edge of the chamber. On top of it, holding tightly to a pair of chains, was a grinning Morgana with the Stargirls behind her. "Look who I found," she announced in a cheerful voice.

"Oh, damn," Merlin whispered. He threw up his hands to craft a shield in time to block the blast of flame sent down at him. Nimue was beside him, wincing at the heat. "Too much to hope it's simply the witch controlling the dragon?" she called out.

"Maybe but I suspect Kilgharrah has some...issues with me."

"I cannot imagine what."

"Don't start!"

The flame ended as Morgana made a motion. The Stargirls were soon flying down at the pair as Merlin waved his hand. His staff appeared out of nowhere as he blocked Courtney's blows, then dodged that of Whitmore. The latter knocked their staffs as Merlin grunted. "I did look you up," he remarked. "Just to see what Supergirl was talking about. Didn't mind what you did but don't think I'll take it easy on you for it."

She didn't seem to hear as she kept up the attack. Meanwhile, the dragon was lowering itself to allow Morgana to land on the platform. Her eyes focused on the sword, grinning broadly. "Morgana," Merlin called out. "Don't do it! It's not meant for you!"

"I ruled Camelot, Arthur," she snapped, her eyes never leaving the sword. "It's my birthright. The sword recognizes that." Her obs were gleaming with pure greed and a lust for the power held within the blade.

Arthur pushed back on Courtney as he yelled again to Morgana. "That was the old you, Morgana! The good part of you, the honorable part is gone!"

"So is the weak part," she sniffed as she headed toward the blade, letting her fingers wrap around its hilt. "This...this is my destiny. My time. It is..."

That was as far as she got before an agonizing pain ripped out through her arm. She screamed as her hand seemed to smoke from merely touching the hilt of the sword. She yanked it back, clutching at her hand, staring in horror at the shriveling skin with bone peeking out as if she'd dunked it into a vat of acid. Merlin let out a tired sigh. "Dammit, Morgana, you never could listen."

Nimue was ducking a blow from Courtney to catch the Cosmic Staff in her right hand. She frowned as she looked down as if listening to something no one could hear. "Yes...yes, I agree, she does need help." She tightened the grip on the Staff to pull Courtney in. Nimue put a hand to the blonde's forehead and began uttering a series of incantations. Courtney gasped out as the Staff glowed brighter, Nimue placing her sword against its tip. The combined glow flowed up to Courtney's body and then into her eyes. She threw her head back with a loud scream before slumping back.

Taking a few deep breaths, Courtney opened her eyes, showing them now cleared of the green tint. "Are you all right?" Nimue asked.

"No." The teenager's eyes narrowed with anger as she looked at Morgana. "And neither is she gonna be." She leaped forward, unleashing a blast from the Staff which seemed downright eager to follow her commands. Morgana was still consumed with agony over her smoking hand and unable to dodge the blow from Courtney. She smashed the Staff into Morgan's jaw and then slammed the tip on her chest. It struck the medallion as she fired off a blast of energy. With a green and golden blast, the medallion erupted into pieces.

Stargirl and Whitmore both gasped out as they clutched at their heads. Above, Kilgarrah let out a loud roar of agony himself. The two blondes slowly rose to their feet, their eyes losing the green tint. They looked to each other with matching expressions of sheer anger before looking to the platform where Courtney stood. In unison, they raced to it, each firing off blasts from their staffs at the sorceress.

Normally, Morgana would have coped but the agony of her hand was distracting her. Thus, she could barely muster the proper defenses as the three very angry Stargirls unleashed their weapons on her. The blasts erupted on her shielding as she did her best to hold off the assault. It wasn't helped by a blast of flame washing from above that nearly engulfed her. Between the pain and the odds, Morgana knew it was time to swallow her pride and with a flash of smoke and light, vanished.

Courtney lowered her staff, taking a few deep breaths. "Damn...That was...not fun." She looked to Merlin and winced. "Um...sorry?"

"Yeah, so are we," Whitmore stated. "And, um...about using your name..."

Merlin chuckled as he held up a hand. "If I got upset over every alternate version of me, I'd get nothing done. From what I gather, you did all right with the name, I'm sure Arthur must count you as a good friend."

"Oh, he does." Whitmore smiled smugly as Stargirl looked at her. "Wait...you and King Arthur?"

"He's better than most men in my own time."

"What about Guinevere?" Courtney blurted.

"She...is more into women." Even Merlin had to blink in surprise at that one. His gaze then turned up to the dragon glaring down as he licked his lips. "Kilgarrah..."

"A long time ago," the dragon boomed. "I put my trust in a youth I saw as a grand mage who could bring about a golden time. Circumstances prevented that from happening...and time hardened that youth."

"And you don't approve?"

"On the contrary, young warlock...I am actually pleased you realized you lost the naivety that held you back." The eyes narrowed. "But imprisoning me...is not something I will forget. Or forgive. Yet, for now, you have your part fo play in what is to come, young warlock so I will let you be..." The wings began to flap as he rose up. "But be sure of this, Merlin...one day...we shall have our reckoning." With that, the dragon rose to take off into the skies.

Stargirl looked to Merlin. "Ah...Is he thinking he's just going to find a place to hide around here?"

"You'd be quite surprised how many places in this world he can fit into," Merlin mused. He looked to the Stargirls. "I suppose I should get you back to your own worlds."

"Yeah, Pat must be freaking out by now," Courtney sighed. She paused to look to Stargirl. "Listen...I think we got off on the wrong foot. I mean...we're really alike, so I guess it's not a shock we clashed a bit."

The other Stargirl had to smile. "I do get folks saying I'm hard to get along with sometimes. Maybe that counts for myself." She nodded at Courtney's Staff. "If you have that...if it lets you use it...then you deserve it. And if you're trying to be a hero, I can't fault you for that either."

Whitmore coughed. "I was pretty hard on you both too. You're from different times, different worlds, I shouldn't have been so high-horse."

"Well, you wouldn't be a Merlin if you weren't judgemental of others," Nimue teased.

Whitmore smiled back. "I guess not. Thanks for your own help and sorry about..."

"Please, if I had a shilling for every time I've been attacked by someone under a spell..."

Merlin looked to her. "Continuing on your...quest?"

She nodded. "I still have some other stops to make." She looked back at him with a serious gaze. "Maybe what happened today should be a warning to you, Merlin. Don't get too tied into this destiny you thought you knew centuries ago because it has a way of changing on you." Nimue stepped in to look Merlin in the eye. "There's a storm coming on the horizon, Merlin. When it hits, you'd best be prepared."

The three Stargirls exchanged dubious looks. "Kay..." Courtney began. "I see speaking like a poor man's Gandalf is a common thing for both of you."

Nimue waved her hands as a portal flowed out of the air before them. She looked to Merlin and offered a subtle smile. "We'll meet again, mage. Believe that. And hopefully, when we do...It won't be on opposite sides." She stepped through the portal which winked away behind her.

The three blondes looked to the bemused Merlin. "Sooooo," Courtney spoke up. "You gonna tell us more about her?"

"As soon as I figure it out myself," he sighed as he waved his hands to produce a portal. "Shall we?" The three shrugged to follow. They shivered at the coldness and the feeling of being turned inside out before finding themselves in the middle of the JSA training center before the startled heroes.

Pat's eyes were wide as he took them in. "What the..."

"Okay, Pat," Courtney started. "Here goes. This is the me from another universe..." Stargirl waved. "And another me from another universe who's traveled in time to Camelot..." Whitmore nodded. "And this is Merlin...at least, one of him, I'm still wrapping my head around the whole thing."

"Yeah, I definitely need to get drunk," Hourman muttered.

Beth's smile was wide and bright. "Three Courtneys? Oh, wow, this is amazing!" She looked at Stargirl. "You know us?"

"Well, on my Earth, both guys," she stated. She looked over Yolanda. "Ted Grant is Wildcat."

Yolanda brightened. "You know him? Wow, I've always wanted to meet him!"

"He gave me some pointers on fighting, if you want to see some moves."

"Oh, hell yes!"

Merlin coughed. "Ah, maybe we should shelve that as three versions on one Earth..."

"Oh, cool it, Mer," Courtney said with a wave as he mouthed "Mer?" and Pat just shrugged. "Ya know, if you can put off the whole getting them back thing as long as you can, I really would like to talk more." She nodded at Stargirl's staff. "How'd you do that move with the spin and flip, I can never get that right!"

"Oh, it's easier than it seems," Stargirl said. "It's all about the timing, use the staff for an additional boost and you can levitate better."

Whitmore seemed interested as she followed them. "Now I'm not too much into cheerleading, it wasn't a big deal in my time but I am wondering if I can help. You'd be amazed how regular sword fighting moves can integrate into the staff fighting."

"You use swords?"

"I live in the 6th century, who doesn't?"

"6th century?" Beth stared harder. "Wow, I would love to know more about that..."

"Well, it's not all pleasant but the lack of pollution is a plus."

As the trio walked off, Yolanda, Beth, and Rick exchanged baffled looks. Merlin looked over to Pat with a bemused smile. "Are you all right?"

Pat just stared after the trio. "You know what's going to happen, right? They're going to become friends, they're going to bond, it's going to be sleepovers and get-togethers and texting across dimensions and guess who has to pay for it?"

Merlin just had to chuckle at the man's agonized look as the three Stargirls began to bond more.

Morgana hissed as she pulled her hand out of the basin. She looked at it, wincing at the charred and wrinkled skin, her beauty marred and cursed once more at Merlin. She wrapped a bandage around her hand, wincing at the pain of it. The cramped quarters of the underground lair were hardly the lush palace she would prefer but she figured keeping a low profile from Merlin was the best bet right now. Not to mention how the last she needed was hearing Victor's gloating on ignoring his advice not to seek out the sword.

This was just a setback, nothing more. She was Morgan le damned Fay, she'd find a way to get back the power that belonged to her. She had time after all and always able to cook up a new plan.

She heard it first, a flow in the air, and spun in time to see a cloud of black smoke appear before her. It faded to show a strikingly attractive woman who looked much like her with dark hair and clad in a very alluring leather outfit Morgana couldn't help but admire. An odd tiara was nestled in her hair as her outfit also contained a cloak that resembled feathers. "Morgana Le Fay," she said in a lush accent. "I've been looking forward to this."

Morgana scowled as she held up a hand to create a fireball. "Let me guess, someone else who wants what I want?"

"On the contrary, Morgana, I think we have a lot in common." The woman shrugged off her coat, allowing a pair of black gossamer wings to extend from her back into the air. As if not noticing the other woman's reaction, she paced before Morgana. "Like you, I made some harsh choices to get what I want. Like you, I was judged by others over it and turned on. Like you, I realized that to get what you desire, you have to let go of what you once loved. A weak emotion but one that nearly led to my demise."

Morgana was suspicious as the woman of obvious power went on. "It was a harsh experience and coming back was not a pleasant journey, to say the least. But I believe it was educational, in a way as I realize, the hard way, that doing this on my own was not the best move." She looked up with piercing eyes. "So...I believe a...partner may be better."

Morgana snorted. "I'm not a team player."

"Oh, I know that," the woman replied. "But I promise you...work with me and this world shall be yours just as mine will be mine." She saw Morgana's suspicious look and smiled. "I suppose a gesture of good faith is required." She reached to take Morgana's bandaged hand and lay her own palms upon it. A shimmer of light flowed over as Morgana felt the pain vanish. She pulled the bandages off and stared in wonder at the perfectly unblemished skin underneath, the hand as good as new.

"That Doom fellow may have his ways," the woman said, her smile broad. "Yet we can do far better without some selfish and power-mad man in love with his own ego interfering."

Morgana looked at her hand, then into the other woman's eyes with a rare sense of wonder. "Who are you?"

The dark-haired woman laughed. "I'm known as the Black Fairy. You may call me Fiona. And you and I, my dear...are going to be such good friends." This time, Morgana had to return the laugh in full.

Earth-3415

England

Nimue slipped her sword onto its special place on the rack before her. As always, once she did, she felt a weight leave her, the reminder of how much dark power was in that blade. She'd learned to control it better over the centuries but could still feel the urge to give in and let it take control. And the last time, she'd let it, the sins she'd inflicted scarred her soul to this very day.

She backed up, looking at the dozen swords lining the wall. They varied in style and size, some covered with runes, others a simple straight surface, but if one was attuned to the ways of magic, they could feel the power coming off them in different ways. Each was within a case specially designed not just to hold that power but conceal it from those who might seek them out for sinister purposes. Which was why they were here.

At a familiar flashing sound behind her, Nimue took a deep breath. "It'd be helpful if you told me which swords were the ones I needed."

"If I knew, would I need you?" the figure asked in a booming voice with an echo to it.

"Yes, actually, you do." Nimue turned to face him, her expression set. "Don't think I don't know that you're fully capable of finding these blades on your own. That you couldn't figure out another way to gather them. You chose me for a reason and you send me to these realities for a reason. Such as perhaps the true goal was to aid that Merlin and give him a...push in a certain direction. Not to mention those three women so much alike and needing to learn from each other."

The figure simply cocked his head to the side without saying a word but his silence was the answer Nimue wanted. "And showing me that other Merlin...what was that? A look at what could have been? What will be?"

"Events are drawing to a grand climax," the figure stated. "Perhaps this meeting was needed for the conflict to come."

Nimue snorted. "You know, maybe if you put as much energy into stopping this war as preparing for it..."

"It cannot be stopped." The cold, matter of fact way it was stated silenced Nimue. "It can be delayed but it is inevitable. The War of the Realms will come. That is certain. Even I cannot say how it will end...But I know that these..." He waved to the Excaliburs on the wall. "May be a key to the proper victory."

Nimue crossed her arms. "And just which victory is 'proper' in your mind? Because I don't like being someone's pawn in a much bigger game where I barely understand the rules or players."

"You volunteered, Queen of the Fey," the figure reminded her in a tone that managed to sound chiding even if flat. "You made your mistake long ago and this may be your price."

"Which I hate paying off," she muttered. She brushed her hair back. "At least let me rest up a bit before my next trip?"

"Indeed, you should require as much rest as you can. For when the War ignites...even the wicked will not have any." With that, Novu the Monitor turned on his heel to match out of the room, leaving Nimue the Fey Queen alone to her swords and her thoughts.

This ended up longer than planned but as clear, a lot of setups, as well as fun with the various counterparts abounding. And for OUAT fans, yes this is Fiona alive and well. All comments welcomed.