Looking over the computer, he found it's workings and calibrations more interesting than counting the stars outside the Watchtower this evening. Even the sight of the Earth wasn't enough to distract him now. He stood perhaps a bit too eagerly over Mr. Terrific's shoulder for his liking however. Sadly for him it would only get more crowded as Wonder Woman walked up to join Superman and they both bore down over his shoulders. Behind the transparent screen's calibrations, The Flash did some 'warm up' runs on his cosmic treadmill.
"Everything looks good" Superman said content with the results he saw.
"So far. So good." Mr. Terrific said as he busied himself at the computer further. An expert on such things, he was requested specifically to help the Justice League in these matters, even though he currently wasn't on the team. Though neither was Clark or Diana at the time. But who knew what else could change. "A few more test runs from Flash and we should be able to pinpoint it exactly."
"Well, now it's starting to sound good" Superman said as he stood straight up, giving Michael some room.
"You sure this is a good idea?" he asked as he kept his eyes on the computer and kept typing away; easily being able to perform complex calculations and keep up a stimulating conversation. Though stimulating would not be his word for this. "They weren't welcoming last time" he reminded Superman cautiously "nor we're we" he added quickly.
"That was a different circumstance" Superman assured him
"It's more of a good will trip this time" Wonder Woman agreed. She looked to Superman and smiled and he returned one. They both knew what they were getting into. They only hoped that goodwill would be reciprocated this time. Mr. Terrific still seemed skeptical, but silently plugged away. They then turned their attention ahead, to beyond the computer.
"How's the pedaling Barry?" Superman called over the monitor as Flash had just picked up his speed bringing it up a few more Machs.
"Oh I could've gotten you outta here 5 minutes ago" he flashed a confident grin at them "I just wanted to see if you guys would argue anymore"
Superman shook his head with a grin and Wonder Woman suppressed one of her own.
"Maybe I should hop on next then" Superman called back
"Get in line!" Barry called before he sped up once again. A stray strand of yellow flashed over the treadmill. It was accompanied by a few clicks from the computer by Mr. Terrific.
"And here we go" he said as he finished. No sooner had he, had a bright white overtaken them. Blinding as it was everyone blocked it's view their own way. Superman averted his eyes, Wonder Woman brought up her arm to block it; something she was used to doing. And Mr. Terrific put his head down.
"Who put the lights on!" Flash called as they all got accustomed to it and looked at it. Superman and Wonder Woman approached it as Flash kept running ahead.
They approached the blinding portal as it remained lingering in the air before them. He tried to look in to see on the other side, but even with his super vision he saw nothing. But his mind still wondered, backtracking to what brought them here.
It began when their warlord, stranded from his universe and into theirs broke out of the Phantom Zone that Superman banished him to. After a battle between him and his Krpytonian horde they were captured and imprisoned again; all save him. It was decided to put him back where he rightfully belonged. But it seemed on the other side of things, they were just as fed up with their cast away as well. So their brief reunion was more of a exchange, perhaps the first time Superman was happy to see the warlord of Apocalyse Darkseid back where he belonged. But it was in that fleeting trade off that hatched this idea in him; to try to reach out to them again and build upon something. But to get across time and space to another universe was no easy fit, especially if you wanted to get to the right one. It wasn't Ultrman from Earth 3 or Superwoman from Earth 11 they were looking for after all. But with Mr. Teriffic from the JSA helping them, Barry's treadmill and even the old guard of the Justice League in agreement, it was easy to accomplish. Superman and Wonder Woman volunteered to go first, for there were specific people they wished to see again and they would send the regards of their friends over to the other side.
He turned over to Wonder woman who shined in the light along with him.
"Ladies first" Superman said and Diana turned from him to the portal. Bounding forward she jumped ahead of him and disappeared into the bright blinding light. Superman levitated himself off of the ground and flew in after her.
The light was even more blinding when he stepped into and was engulfed by it. As if he was eaten whole by a great bright beast. But he kept focused; the portal may be long because the journey was, but this was much quicker. And he could already see his destination. For up ahead he could see something. Distinct and out of place from where he was; color, structures, land and sky. All of it becoming clearer by the second.
Looking ahead he saw brown dirt and grainy sand. And no sooner had he seen it had he found himself there surrounding it. He slowed his flight and straightened himself out and his feet touched the ground.
When he stepped through the portal Superman found himself in the middle of a small little village settled on an even smaller slimmer road. Some stone buildings and wooden structures surrounded him and everything was imbued with a dirt brown hue.
"Hm" he let out "Sure looks different than last ti-" he turned his head to the left to where Wonder Woman was standing before. But she wasn't there now. He turned his head to the right. She wasn't there either. "Diana!" Superman called and looked around "Diana!" he called again. He turned around some more, looking confused as he went in a circle over again. But no matter where he looked she wasn't there.
And he wouldn't be alone for long.
"Lost?" A cold muffled voice suddenly asked. Turning Superman saw a man approaching, twirling his two silver revolvers around in each hand. His face was hidden under a wide brimmed cowboy hat, and what else wasn't was beneath a mask.
"Jonah Hex?" Superman asked confused.
"Friend of yours?" the muffled voice let out through the mask as he brought his eyes up to meet him. He eyed him with a cold distant glare. "You better hope he's round. Cause you're sorely lacking in friends here" he said as he put the guns on him. Superman halfway turned to face him, until he heard something else approaching from the other side.
A crawling, slithering kind of sound. Turning around he saw a figure shrouded under a hood until she in some unnatural way turned upwards to face him and revealed a golden face that resembled a person, but looked more like the outer crust or shell. Almost like an insect in appearance and movement.
"Well I know that's not Queen Bee" Superman thought aloud.
"This one will not let him escape" her voice clicked and spoke in a way that would make skin crawl, even if it was made of steel.
"I assure you, there must be some kind of mistake. I mean no harm or intrusion here" Superman said passively
"That remains to be seen" a third voice spoke, deep and powerful. Superman turned back towards the cowboy and saw that approaching him from behind was a tall man covered in green paint. He had a golden helmet which lined his head, but still showed his face. The helmet was adorned with bright green-possibly peacock- feathers coming out of it. His track record going against him, Superman surmised that this wasn't Aztek. The green man walked past the cowboy and now stood before Superman, his hands behind his back, and a handle over his shoulder and the edge of the blade appeared diagonal from it on the mans waist. He was half a foot taller than Superman who looked up to him. "Who are you?" he demanded an answer.
Superman then turned to him puffed his chest out so they could see his 'S' better and put his hands on his hips and answered with a bright smile "I am Superman" he answered without malice or threat. There was a brief lull as no one answered "Well it seems someone else drinks their milk here" Superman said. His joke was not met with amusement.
"I am Kotal Kahn. The ruler of Outworld"
"Kahn? Outworld?" Superman dropped his head in confusion.
Kotal raised an eyebrow "That doesn't seem to please you"
"It's not that" he admitted bringing his head back up, for this is where he meant to be "It just looks so much different" he looked up and around in an estranged astonishment "So much better than the last time I was here. Its so.. clean" he admitted, surprised by it himself. Though perhaps clean was not the best word to use.
"You are not from this realhm?" Kotal surmised quickly.
"I am not" Superman nodded
"What brings you here then?" he grilled him, his voice taking on a more imposing edge.
"To see what it has become" Superman answered "And it is an improvement" he said looking back to Kotal.
"Flattery" he said though he did not sound so. He sounded more suspicious "It is because of I that it looks so" Kotal brought a hand to his chest taking credit "But when was that? When you were last here?"
"Back when Shao Kahn ruled this realm" Superman explained as he turned head back to Kotal
"Hm" he mused on that answer briefly "Then you have been gone for far too long. Shao Kahn is dead. His daughter wishes to rule in his stead"
Superman's smile came back a little "Kitana" he said "she'd make a fine ruler. In fact my friend would like to see her again" Shifty eyes were traded between the three of them. Superman's smile diminished a little more, quickly coming to a conclusion he did not wish he had. "She is gone as well" he concluded somberly.
"Yes" Kotal grimaced "And a perversion of her has started a war to take the throne back. We've have been fighting for years now" he took a step forward and his eyes focused further on Superman "A curious time for you to make a return isn't it?" he asked in an accusatory manner.
"I thought time flowed the same for both our worlds, but something must have happened on my transfer over here" Superman mused aloud "Time must flow different for us. Or perhaps we came too far ahead? I had no idea of what was going on here"
"It is clear that you are not from this realhm, but you have not stated from where you come " Kotal stated " You are from Earthrealhm?" Kotal questioned
"A different Earth than you know, but yes" he nodded.
"And you say you are not alone?" he continued skeptically
"No. I don't suppose you encountered her? A woman with black hair, wearing red and blue" he described, but none of them had answers. They shared more silent glances between each other. Unsure of what to make of him just yet. "If it's all too much to take in. Contact Raiden-"
"Raiden?!" Kotal let out surprised
"Yes" Superman nodded "He should be able to voucher for me. In fact I had come all this way to find him". His rival turned ally from another realhm, leader of the Earth realhm warriors. Kotal went silent for a few moments, before grumbling a reply.
"The Reiko accords call for dialogue between Earthrealm and Outworld" he said aloud "Yet you claim not to be from Earthrealhm" he said again
"I know it sounds strange" Superman insisted "But it's the truth"
"We shall see, Raiden's ally" Kotal said and he raised his hand and the gunslinger took his hands off his guns and the woman behind him eased a little bit before going to take his side. "I have little time to deal with this now. Our enemies are amassing their forces in the jungle" he pointed off to the distance beyond the town and market where they stood "And I cannot let them gather strength" his outstretched palm turned to a fist.
"I understand" Superman nodded "If you can get me to Earthrealm, I'll help you anyway I can" He proposed, but not without his own condition "But I won't kill anyone"
"A strange code for a warrior." Kotal smirked "But very well". Kotal offered his arm out and Superman went to shake his hand. Kotal looked at him strangely "You're supposed to grab my forearm".
"Sorry" he said releasing his hand and Kotal winced a bit as he held it in his other "But we usually hug where I'm from". The thought of that sounded much more painful as he held his wrist.
'Such strength' he though to himself. Superman noticed it too. His strength remained with him. No transfers of power this time. At least one thing went right.. but what about Diana?
When she stepped through the portal all she saw was thick jungle brush, twisted vines and vegetation all around. And on top of that, Superman was nowhere to be seen. When she called out for him, she heard rustling of her voice echoing beyond where she could see hiding away among all this jungle. She looked around confused at her surroundings.
Tall overbearing trees, thick green vegetation and vines dangling downwards and swerving around anything. She turned around, going so far as to put herself in a circle, but all she saw around her was more and more jungle. "Clark" she called "Clark!" she called louder, but all she heard was an echo. She let out huff of air with no response. And with no other option she began to trek forward hopefully out of and not into the jungle.
The grass, bush and dirt crunched or squished beneath her boots as she walked. Her eyes scanned above for any sign of civilization or Clark. It certainly wasn't the Outworld she remembered. She walked a few more paces and finally, she heard something. A trickle of water running down some rocks. Stepping forward more and under an overturned tree she found a small clear stream. She would have stopped to take a drink had she not had seen eyes looking at her from under the water. That and because now she smelled something. Smoke.
Where there was smoke there was fire. Fire likely meant some kind of civilization or at least a settlement. Following her nose she hopped over the stream and continued on towards it. Some tall rocks covered in moss or more trees only got in her way. But soon enough she saw a clearing, where peaking through the trees were tall purple tents with banners around them. She sighed in relief as she had found what she had expected to be help. Hopping forward she approached the encampment though strangely there seemed to be no one around. Even as she got close to the clearing. That was until she head a voice
"Intruder!" one voice called. Diana was put on edge, even more so as she was swarmed by countless guards. She looked around as people stormed out of their tents, saw her and took no time to ask questions. But she had no intention of using her sword and shield.
One woman in yellow jumped at her, but she easily grabbed her leg mid air and threw her tumbling across the ground effortlessly, standing her ground the entire time. Her eyes followed her across the ground, but she stopped when a fist came at her from her left. She moved her head back as a man in purple followed the fist in front of her and landed with his back to her. Quickly he flung an arm out and unleashed a blue bolt of lightning. She arched her head just as the bolt passed right by her, instead going past her to hit a tree that cracked and sizzled from the strike. Her wide eyes remained on him.
"By the Gods" she said shocked looking to him.
"Demi God" he corrected under his mask. He said nothing as his concentration was on the tree that was about to fall on top of her, while she was too busy focusing on him. The tree fell down and likely would have crushed her had she not casually put her arms up stopping the fall suddenly and held the tree above her head as if it weighed nothing at all. He was taken back by this as was everyone else who saw it. At this point the man was rejoined by the woman and Diana flung the limb forward at them. The man evaporated into a surge of water as the woman jumped over the tree which landed with a hard 'THUD'. She landed down on her knees and when she looked up she was kicked in the face by Wonder Woman sending her back into one of the tents which collapsed atop her. At that moment the man reappeared behind her as the water took his shape. Approaching Wonder Woman from behind she merely snapped her fist back to hit him in the face and he went down to the ground. She turned around to him again as he knelt on the ground. She would try to speak to him if he would listen; he was a man after all. But right at that moment another person entered the fray. The very one she came here to see coincidentally.
"What is this?!" an enraged voice suddenly erupted. All eyes went to the woman who stood behind her. She wore purple with a veil of cover the lower half of her face, her hair doing the rest of the job it seemed. But even with all of that, Diana recognized her instantly.
"Kitana!" Wonder Woman let out happily despite the circumstances. Kitana then looked to her, almost enraged. But it was her alright, no doubt about it. But it seems things had changed. She looked feral. Her hair unkempt, her clothing showed more skin and strangest of all her jaw seemed wider now. All others who regarded her obediently now looked to Diana herself.
"What is this mockery!" she demanded, her voice stretching and sounding hoarse "Who are you intruder?!" she shouted pointing a finger and a sharp nail at her. Diana's smile faded and changed to confusion.
"You do not remember me?" she asked.
"Remember? I do not even know you!" she waved her arms "And the first thing you do is mock me! State your reason for the intrusion or else I will have to assume you are a spy or assassin"
"A spy?!" she exclaimed "I have come for you!"
"For me?" she questioned. Wonder Woman nodded. "You have come to kill me!"
"NO! I would never- I merely got lost when the portal closed. But thankfully it brought me to you" she outstretched one arm.
"How convenient. And how do I know you speak the truth?" she asked skeptically. Wonder Woman looked to her strangely.
"Then this hardship has affected you worse than I thought" she said aloud "What has happened since we last spoke?" she began to approach her and Kitana tensed up as she did. The man from before tried to stand up and put himself between them, but Diana casually shoved him back to the ground and he landed with a hard 'thud' and 'ooff'.
"Do not come closer!" Kitana commanded in a shriek
"I mean you no harm" she put her open hands up defensively. Kitana took a step backwards and put an arm forward.
"Heed me! I am the Empress of Outworld!"
"Empress" Diana repeated "Then that means..." she paused "Shao Kahn-"
"Is dead" Kitana finished "And now a pretender has stolen my throne from me!". There was no hesitation in Wonder Woman's' next words.
"Then I shall help you get it back" she said confidently.
A silence overtook them, but none seemed more surprised to hear that than Kitana herself. In that silence Wonder Woman took the initiative.
"I know ruling can be hard, but there is none better suited than you" she said as she got a little closer. Kitana mused over her words. She seemed to enjoy hearing it, but then her looked hardened.
"Such flattery. You say you have come all this way for me? And now to help me on a whim? What is your intention? What's your purpose?"
"I am princess of Earth. You of Outworld" she stated but her counterpart did not seem convinced. "We're like sisters you and I". Right as she said that a glossy inflection overcame Kitana. She seemed to look at Diana differently from before, if only for a fleeting moment.
"I am Empress now" Kitana reaffirmed, though slightly less threateningly than before. They dropped their hands from each other.
"Only the princess when last we met" she said astonished "And look how far you've come"
"Or how far I've fallen" she reminded scornfully
"When we get back up we rise even higher" she said warmly before looking up to her. "What is the symbol of your rule?"
"My throne and palace was taken from me" she put a hand on her chest "But my followers know the truth! I need no symbol when I know my right"
Wonder woman simply smiled, as if she had the answer "Every Empress needs a crown". She raised her hands up to her own head and grasped at the Tiara sitting atop it. Lifting her arms up again she brought the Tiara with it. Kitana eyed her cautiously. She brought her arms and the Tiara forward towards Kitana and placed it gently on her head before removing her hands. "It suits you" she complemented. Kitana's eyes rolled up in wonder at the feeling of it and her hands went up to trace and hold it in place. "A change of scenery and hardship" Wonder Woman took her hands in hers "But you're still so beautiful". Kitana turned redder when she said that. And her hands felt like they were going to melt. "And we're going to make a difference together. I swear it". Her eyes looked into her counterpart form another worlds for a few silent lingering moments. When Kitana's eyes finally tore away from here she unleashed her voice with it.
"Tanya!" she shrieked turning to her before looking back to Diana "Show our.. forgive me, so much has happened.. your name?". Wonder Woman looked at her strangely, but did give her an answer.
"Wonder Woman, but just call me Diana" she turned back to Tanya.
"Show our honored guest-my sister" she quickly corrected herself "better hospitality"
"Empress Mi-" she spoke cautiously but she snapped at her with a glare and that diminished "As you wish empress".
Diana walked in toe with her as the other two followed behind.
"It's a shame we had to do so much to get through this" she spoke as they walked "We could have just used this" he held a hand around a golden rope wrapped around her waist.
"A string?" she let out confused.
"My lasso. It makes those who touch it tell the truth. Surely you remember that?"
She shrunk away in sight of it, not wanting to touch it "Of course" she laughed it off "As I've said so much has happened.. I've been through a few binds myself" she said in a strangely seductive voice.
Wonder Woman was invited into her personal tent. She was followed by Tanya and Rain who disappeared with a wave of their empresses hand. Rain left doing as he was bid, but Tanya lingered eyeing Wonder Woman cautiously.
"Empress" she spoke up cautiously "Are you sure-"
"I am" she was cut off again, harsher this time "Leave us be" she waved a hand "There is much to discuss". Tanya lingered wordlessly this time, but on command slumped away and disappeared behind the flap of the tent.
It just the two of them now as Wonder Woman remained with her overlooking a map. The situation seemed dismal. Numbers were against them, even the terrain was as well though it hid them for now. Kitana seemed almost at a loss, the confidence from before gone, but Diana reassured her easily.
"That's alright" Diana said reassuringly "I've faced worse odds and greater threats before".
"Youre optimism sure is.." she paused, as if unsure of what to say or trying to find the right word" refreshing" she said though still seemed unsure of the word as she stood up, eyeing Wonder Woman up and down before stopping at her eyes.
"You should meet this friend of mine who came with me. He talks like this all the time"
"Friend?" she cocked her head "What kind of friend?" she asked sounding upset.
"A life long one. He's lost out there now just like I was. Will you help me find him?" she asked. But she seemed to hesitate you give an answer "Don't worry, he'll help you, I know it" she said putting a reassuring hand on her bare shoulder. She then looked to her concerned "You're hot to the touch" she said alarmed.
"The jungle has a habit of that" she said alluring "Come and sit" she offered with a wave of her hand "You've had along journey."
Thanking her Diana went to sit herself down on top of a soft cushion and before long Kitana followed her there, getting intimately close to her with a chalice of water in her hand. "Drink up you must be thirsty" she said in a husky voice. Thanking her again Diana took no time in drinking from it.
Her onlooking continued to regard her with fascination as Diana reared her head back and drank heartily from it. Her eyes never let her as she watched the water flowed down her throat. A stray drop from the corner of her mouth fell on the top of her bare chest and her eyes bugged open a little more. She came closer and almost seemed intent to lick it off, before Diana dropped the cups with a refreshing 'ah' and she backed off just a bit. Diana then turned to see her flinch away from her. Thinking nothing of it she placed the cup out of the way.
There were a few more moments of silence between them before the empress moved just a bit closer to her and spoke.
"So.." she said trying to sound sweet, but her voice sounded hoarse "What did we do before?" she said placing a hand on Diana's bare knee. She looked at her hand strangely before looking up.
"A terrible misunderstanding" she stated apologetically "But we worked through it. And I wanted to come here to give any aid I can"
"What kind of aid" she purred as her hand went up her leg and her fingers traced her skirt; some of them reaching underneath. Diana eyes shifted from her knee, the arm holding it and to her face. And noticed for perhaps the first time that they were a different color. Now they were Orange.
"What has happened to your eyes?" she asked.
Kitana leaned in a bit closer, one hand reaching out across to the other side of Diana's lap "You like them? Come in for a better look"
"They were different last time" she said plainly as she got even closer.
"They're not sisters. Not like everything else" she growled suddenly her mouth growing wider
"What?" Diana asked strangely. What does that mean? In that moment Kitana looked down and saw that her bare arm was brushing against the lasso and she quickly scurried off of it, putting more space between the two.
"What are you afraid of?" Diana chuckled a bit, but Kitana was scrunched up on the other side of the room, eyeing her lasso animalistically. Diana followed her eyes "This will do you no harm".. Kitana however kept her distance and it seemed by the look in her eye and her sudden distant demeanor that she said something she regretted. That she didn't want to say or know.
"...things have changed..." she muttered
"And they will again for the better" she insisted.
"Touch that and say it" Diana did turning over to her and crossing her legs she reached down for the lasso and gripping it tightly and repeated her words though she didn't need to to know what she said was true. Quizzically at first Kitana looked her over as she sat there from the darkness of the room.
"..things have changed..." she repeated,
"I know" Diana said somberly, with pity as she looked down at her. It was strange to see her so far gone like this, in both appearance and personality. But slowly and eventually she came back to sit with Diana who welcomed her back, though she had remained wary of her waist.
"So.." she said flicking her hair back and crossing her legs to mimic the way Diana sat "where were we?" she asked sliding up pressing her bare shoulders against hers.