Chapter 26 – All creatures, big and small.
Day 30
Planet Earth – Amazonia – 280 Km. West of Manaus – Brazil - 10:00 hs. AM
Shayera and Katar softly landed on the river bank. The river currents were calm and birds could be heard singing and chirping on the near trees. Curious groups of monkeys gathered to see the strangers.
Shayera: Soo…what do you think of my sanctuary? – she asked proudly.
Katar (with a not so happy expression on his face): It's muddy, damp and hot – waving rapidly his hands, he added – and plethoric of bugs.
Shayera: Oh, c'mon! You have to appreciate nature in its rawest form! This is something we don't have on Thanagar. This is an explosion of life! Look at the skies: clear and bright. The climate regulators back home are incapable of reproducing all this beauty.
Katar (in a lower voice): Good thing they can't .
Shayera: Don't be a mood killer; give it a chance: it will grow in you as it did in me. Besides, listen to the silence, only broken by the whispering waters and the birds singing. This place is perfect for you to do your meditations and for us to reconnect again. For a cleansing of the spirit.
Katar: You have a point there. I only hope the sounds of this "explosion of life" allow me to concentrate.
Shayera: You're not very "outdoorsy", are you, Peacock?
Katar: I love the outside…when I have my camping gear. With my tent with temperature controls and my coolant cabinet.
Shayera: This was a mistake! I was hoping for a pleasant time together, to forget the horrid events of Almerac, but now I see you're not comfortable here. In fact you hate it and… We didn't have the opportunity of get to know each other. Maybe we are rushing things. - her voice broke for moments – let's go back…!
Katar saw he was complaining like a grumpy, old man, ruining the moment, unappreciative of her efforts on trying to make him feel better: Hey, hey! I didn't say I won't give it a try. Give me a minute to adjust myself. If you like it here, it can't be that bad (after all, you like me). I'm sorry: I'm a spoiled city guy.
Shayera: I thought this could be a dry run test for our life on your secluded planet, if we move there in the future. For what you told me, we will be living far away from civilization.
Katar: You are absolutely right! This could be a perfect opportunity to test our (my) capacity to adapt to new environments. I guess it was an overstimulation of my senses. I'm sorry. You are the local here. Tell me: what are we doing next?
Shayera began removing her yellow workout outfit, revealing a minuscule dark purple thong micro-bikini: Okay: First, we are going to refresh ourselves having a swim.
Katar: I'm definitely giving this place a second chance!
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Planet Almerac – Potentoris – Communications Center
Hour of Barris
Manhunter: …and she's our unwilling guest. I think you can use her for an exchange of prisoners, since Darkseid seems to value her for some reason. Be sure to mention the involvement of Apokolips in the attempts to sabotage the peace talks.
Orion: I'll communicate your idea to High Father and get back at you. In any case, being in possession of such individual could always be an asset for the New Gods. I commend you all for avoiding a disaster, by the way.
Manhunter: I beg you to explain High Father we don't know for how long we can keep Lashina confined. She's resourceful and dangerous, and I don't totally trust Almerachi security, even though we have the full support of the Queen. Promptness will be highly appreciated. If I may be so bold: may I suggest you come to collect her personally?
Orion: Don't worry: that's a mission I won't trust to anyone else. I'll contact you in the next quartios (give or take 45 minutes).
Manhunter: Very well then. Manhunter out.
The screen changed to its default display.
J'onn went to the Palace to inform the Queen. He requested a few moments of the Monarch's attention. When they let him into the Throne Hall, he bowed.
Manhunter: Exalted One: things are in motion to send Lashina to New Genesis I've just talked with Orion…
Maxima: Orion? Mmm! So many memories…!
Manhunter: Hmm! Yes. Chances are he'll come himself to collect the prisoner.
Maxima: Excellent! We'll have the chance to catch up…(seeing the hint of obfuscation on J'onn's face)…of course, J'onn, we'll require your presence as representative of the Justice League, as protocol demands.
Manhunter: I'm sure it does. I don't want to be an imposition, though.
Maxima: Nonsense! We'll be very pleased to have you with us.
Manhunter: If the Exalted One shall excuse me, I have to inform my colleagues about the new developments.
Maxima: Very good. Remember our appointment for dinner.
Manhunter: If nothing interferes, I'll be there, Exalted One.
Maxima (impatient): Make sure nothing does. Dismissed!
With a reverence, the Martian abandoned the Throne Hall.
"The nerve of this woman!" He thought to himself "She's wrong if she thinks I'm just a sex toy!"
Justice League Headquarters – Hour of Ilson.
Zatanna: Hurry, Green Lothar! J'onn is coming! We must make it look like we slept in separate rooms!
Stewart: Lot…? So, that will make you Mandrake the Magician? Very subtle, but I'm not your assistant.
Zatanna: You should be flattered: Lothar had always been my favorite fantasy. The man of my dreams, of sorts.
Stewart: I'll take it as a compliment then. With reservations.
Zatanna: Don't be touchy. It WAS meant as a compliment. J'onn is here!
Both took a seat on separate armchears.
Manhunter (entering the room): Forget it. You're dealing with a telepath here.
Zatanna: Damn! I should've cast a protection spell!
Stewart: Too late now! The cat is out of the bag!
Manhunter: I'll forget your indiscretion if you forget mine. Besides, the no co-fraternization policy of the League is more of a guideline than a rule.
Zatanna: Yeah. Tell that to Kal-El and Diana.
Stewart: That was a train about to collide any minute now…I had money saying it would've happen before the end of this year.
Zatanna: I betted they'll be together by summer next year. Now, we'll never know.
Manhunter: For all we know, they could be together as we speak. My money was, also, by the end of this year.
Zatanna: You think they are still alive?
Manhunter: If someone could be, are those two. There's no force stopping them together.
Stewart: Hear, hear! Back to business: any response from New Genesis?
Manhunter: Orion is presenting the case to High Father…
Zatanna: Orion…! So many memories…!
Stewart: Excuse me?
Zatanna: Cool down, Ringo. I wasn't born when you first put your eyes on me! Should we talk about Shayera?
Stewart: Fair enough. Just don't make it so obvious.
Zatanna: Sorry. It brings so many memories, though…
Manhunter: What is it with women and this man?
Zee and John shared a puzzled look.
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Planet Fred – Fortress of Solely Two – 6:30 AM
Clark opened his eyes to the incredible vision of Diana naked beside him. He still couldn't believe he had the courage to confess his love for her, even though she told him it was mutual. Last night's love making brought many memories of the last year with Lana, when his powers began manifesting with full force. With Diana it was different, though. Their level of maturity was different, as different is the understanding between them. Not even 10 years went by in his life since his first love, but there were so many discoveries, adventures, his and Diana's responsibilities as protectors of humanity. Lana and him was a natural progression. With the Amazon, he had to conquest every portion of terrain. Her ancestral mistrust of men, reinforced by the resentment of Steve Trevor, scorched by her dumping him and he saving face, telling the press and media he was the one terminating the relationship due to the many intimacy issues of the Princess. First, gaining her friendship and trust, making evident they were equals, gender had nothing to do with protecting the innocent. Their mutual admiration. Then, as he aspired to be more than her friend, opening a path to her heart by showing his own out in the open. Finally, this unexpected incident making it possible for them to spend time together an alone (sorry, Bruce, but it is what it is) depending the one on the other and vice versa. This amazing woman was the reason he's still alive. She accepted him without his powers. She loves him without his powers. He's willing to give his life for her, just to show her how much he loves her.
And now, his recent memory of the past 3 years lost. Will calamities end at some point?
Diana: Huh? Kal? What are you doing?
Clark: Contemplating perfection. Trying to absorb every feature, curve, line. I still can't believe we're together. It's like a dream I don't want to wake up.
Diana: Did you pinch yourself to verify it is not a dream?
Clark: I did…and, now… I'm gonna pinch you! - he playfully said.
Diana: No! Kal, it tickles! Please stop! Ha, ha, ha!
Clark stopped before things escalated. Due to the difference in strength, Diana could accidentally hurt him. Besides, his shoulders were killing him. The left one started to bleed again.
Clark: I have to find me more of that green goo. It's really effective to cure wounds.
Diana: Melopita, there's something I must tell you about that goo. When I was looking for you, I happen to pass by some caves where some kind of bears, orange in color, lived. One of them was releasing its bowels. The result was a green substance, identical to the goo you appreciate so much.
Clark: Oooh…okay, then: I was putting bear's shit on my wounds. Be merciful, kill me now.
Diana: Anyway, its healing effects can't be denied. Let's save the information just in case of emergency.
Clark: Life or death emergency only. Tell me about the creatures which snatched me away.
Diana: Argos calls them "Shiny wings", always with his colorful and very accurate names. He says they also take their cubs. Mainly for reproductive purposes: they somehow inject their embryos inside the victim. When the offsprings reach maturity, they eat their way out of the host. Amazing how cruel nature can be sometimes. They must've seen, like me, that you would make an excellent, nurturing father, that's why they took you.
Clark: Thank goodness you've rescued me…
Diana: I didn't. When I found you, you've already broken free. Wounded and powerless you bested and killed two of the beasts and managed to escape. I'm so proud of you, Melopita. Superman is not all about superpowers: you have the heart of a warrior. Remember that.
Clark (changing the subject): Tell me: what were we doing before my abduction?
Diana: I was in orbit looking for the homing beacon, which got lost in the ring surrounding Fred (she pointed at the circular shadow crossing the sky).
Clark: Fred?
Diana: This planet. Long story.
Clark: Roger that. What about me?
Diana: You were cannibalizing the wiring of the javelin to distribute electricity around our camp.
Clark: Sounds like a plan. You start your morning prayers (you still do that, don't you?) while I clean myself up and let's start the day, baby!
Diana: You have a pass, for now, because of your wounds, but in a week from now we'll resume your Amazon training.
Clark: That doesn't sound like fun.