As the end of the year approached Harry received a call. He had to head for Japan immediately. His friend there had important information that might relate to the MBI situation. This meant that they needed a replacement for the school doctor. Instead of Jean taking over, Helen offered to handle it after clearing it with the head of the Medical Centre. The head was a huge fan of the work Harry did and was more than willing to cover the school as long as Helen worked the afternoons and evenings until her wedding.
The long days away from Lex took their toll as the bald headed billionaire struggled to handle wedding decisions on his own.
"Mr. Matheson, I would have thought quick decision making would have been your forte." The wedding planner frowned.
Lex stood up from examining the wedding cake samples. "That's why I made the quick decision to put Helen in charge of the wedding."
The planner gave a 'ah' of realisation.
"This is beyond me. Ask me to organise a gala, a dance or a wine tasting and I'm your man. I need help for this, would you excuse me whilst I make a phone call?"
The planner smiled and walked off to give him some privacy. Harry and the family had insisted on hosting the wedding at the castle and they were currently in the Great Hall that had various tables set out.
Lex put his phone to his ear without dialling. "I don't care which of you ladies can hear this but I really need some help with this wedding stuff!" He sent out using magic.
Around the castle and in the high school various females burst out laughing… which was embarrassing for the high school girls in class. Especially as they were studying segregation in history class. Lex didn't realise it but his life was about to become hell.
"Oh god! Emma, get in here and bail us out!" Phoebe said in a panic as the whole class and Clark looked at them horrified.
"Girls, suck it up and play it off." Emma smirked from her office.
"Lex, focus on Dani and me, don't get the girls in anymore trouble." Helen sent.
"You will pay for that Lex." Chloe growled.
"Good luck Lex." Scott chuckled.
Lex slowly began to realise what he had done.
"Sorry! So sorry!" He narrowed his focus to Dani and Helen.
"Lex, what's the problem?" Helen asked.
"The problem is I am looking at seven samples of wedding cake and aside from one which is decidedly rank, the rest are fine. I have no idea which one to pick without upsetting you later."
"I think that should be the least of your worries right now. My advice is to get down to the school, grab Helen and elope before the girls get out of class." Dani snickered.
"Thank you very much Dani. Helen, please, help me."
"I'm on my way." Tess said over the link. "I actually listened when Helen was discussing what she wanted."
"When was that?" Lex asked.
"Nearly everyday she's been over for dinner or at the castle."
"I don't remember that." Lex argued.
"We know. You zone out most of the time." She said with exasperation.
"Shit." Lex muttered out loud.
"Language!" Came three admonishments.
Lex was assaulted by more than just Lana, Chloe and the Cuckoos. Kyla also made an appearance.
"IT WAS SEX ED!" Kyla screeched at him. "Now everyone thinks I'm immature! Do you remember what high school was like?"
"At least everyone doesn't think you are racist." Mindee pouted.
"You can play yours off, all of you laughed, say there was a ticklish breeze or something." Kyla said dismissively.
"Damn, why didn't we think of that?" Chloe muttered.
"Well it doesn't help that with Pete gone we're all white and most of us are a shoe-in for the Aryan Club." Phoebe scowled at Lex.
"Oh… yeah, I hadn't thought of that." Kyla winced. "I take it back, yours is worse."
"Ladies, please. I'm sorry, I panicked and I didn't think. How about this, I come in and apologise for accidentally group texting you?" Lex pleaded from where he was backed up against the wall of the Great Hall as Helen, Tess and the other ladies of the castle looked on.
"That's a start." Phoebe said, she then started poking him in the chest viciously. "But you will be making it up to us for the shame and embarrassment."
"Of course! Of course!" He said quickly. He was developing a sheen of sweat on his shiny head. These girls were down right terrifying.
"And another thing-" Phoebe stopped as she started screaming in agony along with her sisters, Dani, Lorna, Brunhilde, Laura and Amara.
"What's happening?" Lana asked worriedly as she caught Celeste and eased her to the floor as the girl continued to scream.
"Knock them out with stunners." Jean ordered over the screams of her friends.
Flashes of red suddenly silenced them.
"What the hell was that?" Lex demanded as he lifted Phoebe who he had caught in his arms.
"I don't know. Is anyone else feeling pain?"
"I have a mild headache." Clark admitted. "And a bit of a chest pain."
Jean walked over to him quickly and began running diagnostics.
"I can't reach Harry." Jonathan spoke up from where he was helping Martha with the girls.
"Confirmed, I can't sense him telepathically either." Emma added. "I will attempt to use Cerebro." She said as she vanished.
"Jonathan, take Clark to Themiscyra." Scott ordered. "Check on Diana, so far all of the affected are Harry's soul mates."
Jonathan jogged over to Clark and they teleported out.
Jonathan and Clark arrived in the royal palace on Themiscyra to find a screaming Diana surrounded by anxious and fretting Amazons, some were trying to maintain control of the younger girls.
"Jonathan! Lord Kal-El, our Princess-"
"It's ok Epione." Jonathan told the Chief Healer of the Amazons. "We know about the problem." He stepped forward and stunned Diana. The Amazons visibly sighed in relief as their princess ceased her screaming. "This has affected all of Harry's bonded. Even Queen Amara."
"Our Queen? Have the gods said anything yet?" Epione asked.
"We have not, but we are aware and require Lord Kal-El's assistance in this matter." Aphrodite said with a solemn expression as she appeared.
"Me?" Clark asked.
"Yes. Jonathan, would you stay and watch over my Amazons whilst Amara is incapacitated?" She asked the farmer with a look of pleading in her eye even though her face neutral.
Jonathan hid his shock. He knew just how big a step this was, to ask a man to take responsibility for the Amazons. "If that is your desire." He said with a formal bow.
Aphrodite stepped forward and kissed him firmly on the lips causing the Amazons to gasp in amazement. She then turned to address them. "This is Jonathan Kent. He will act as my regent until the Queen or Princess can resume their duties."
The Amazons bowed to Aphrodite. "Of course goddess." Epione spoke as the most senior.
"Lord Kal-El, come, we are expected." Aphrodite said as she took Clark's arm and vanished.
"Do we know what the problem is?" Scott asked as they stood in the infirmary, around them the beds were filled with the incapacitated women.
Martha was torn over which Cuckoo's hand to hold, she loved these girls.
"Martha, calm yourself or I'll knock you out and put you in the last free bed." Emma threatened. Martha's mental worrying was leaking through.
"No, we don't know what the problem is." Jean answered her husband's question. "That is the troubling thing. There is nothing wrong with them physically, magically or mentally. Which leaves one last avenue…"
"Souls." Scott sighed. "And with Harry missing we can assume he is either the unintentional cause or equally affected."
"I doubt this would hold our dear Harry back." Emma mused as she dragged a reluctant Martha away from the girls. "He spent millions of years with his damaged soul. I'm surprised that Laura is out considering how bad her soul was."
"All we can do is wait until Clark gets back from wherever Aphrodite took him." Scott shrugged. "Should we send Martha to help Jonathan? As his wife she might help him get more respect."
"No." Jean said firmly. "She asked for Jonathan specifically. I believe she wants this to be a test for her Amazons. Martha should stay here with us and Jonathan needs to deal with this on his own."
"Fine, but you need to leave Jean. If Harry is missing we need info from all sources; that includes the Phoenix Council. They might be able to help get the Cuckoos up at least."
Clark found himself transported to a castle… just not Harry's castle. Arrayed against the walls where Viking warriors.
"Hail Kal-El! God of Thunder!" A voice called out.
"HAIL!" Came the thunderous response from the Vikings.
Clark took a guess and raised his fist. "Hail!" He said loudly.
"Come forth Thunderer."
Clark looked up at the voice and saw Odin seated on a throne at the end of the great hall they were in. Aphrodite led him to the bottom of the steps leading the raised section where Odin sat and knelt, Clark followed suit.
"Rise my friends." Odin said.
Clark was worried; there was no warmth or emotion in Odin's voice, unlike when he had met him last time. Odin had been full of emotion then. He was definitely in the presence of a warrior king.
"Greetings My Lord Odin." Clark said, his voice cracking to a whisper as his nerves caught up with him.
A ghost of a smile crossed Odin's lips. "And greetings to you my young lord. I had thought I would not see you until the rebirth of my child, but this day has brought to us grave tidings and we are forced to turn to you for aid in this matter."
Clark was not about to argue with the King of Asgard… Harry: yes. Odin: Good god no!
"I await your command My Lord." Clark bowed.
"We know that an attack was made on Lord Death. King Zeus and I have met with the other Pantheon heads and agreed that it happened in the past, nearly a decade of your time ago. But we cannot discover who or what has attacked Lord Death in such a way that would keep him from us." Odin informed Clark sternly.
Clark swallowed hard. "My liege, Lord Death informed myself and his family and friends recently that he believed he would soon travel through time, he showed no sign of knowing he would be cut off from us completely."
"That is even more troubling." Odin frowned. "It is in his eyes and soul, he would not allow this to happen without warning so we can take it that he was taken unawares."
"I agree, as an Avatar of Love, he would not leave others to harm, least of all his soul mates." Aphrodite confirmed.
"Lord Kal-El, under normal circumstances we would know who attacked Lord Death or any Aspect. The Pantheons would descend on the perpetrator like Ragnarok. But we do not know what caused this." Odin admitted with disgust. "We would ask you, as both a god and Lord Death's Apprentice to seek out the bastards and bring them to justice. Also, search for anything might help us bring Lord Death back, there are dark tidings on the horizon, Lord Death maybe needed."
There was a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder that caused everyone to turn to the spot where Clark and Aphrodite had appeared.
Kneeling there in full Viking garb was Thor. Harry's son-in-law.
"I seek an audience with the Great and Wise Odin." Thor said, his head bowed.
"Rise Thor Odinson and approach." Odin said as he stood. Aphrodite dragged Clark back gently and to the side.
Thor strode forward quickly and bowed. "Lord Odin, I bring greetings from my father and the Pantheons of my universe."
Odin nodded and waited.
"The loss of Lord Death has affected all the worlds. Even now my wife and brother-in-law, Lord Death's daughter and son, lie in their father's castle suffering from the loss of the link they shared with their father. I request permission of yourself and the Pantheon's of this world to stay and serve in my godfather's place as best as I can. My sister Loki also offers her services."
"You wish to serve in their stead on Midgard?"
"We do my Lord. We also wish to be close to our family in this perilous time."
Odin nodded. "You will be most welcome as always Thor Odinson, your family as well. Lord Kal-El has a mission dedicated to finding Lord Death and those responsible." He informed Thor. "Kal-El, tell me, do you have an idea where to start?"
"Japan, Lord Odin. Lord Death was headed there to investigate something, that is where we lost contact with him."
"How is your Japanese?" Thor asked.
Clark flushed mildly with embarrassment. "Weak, I can read and write the language with ease, but speaking and listening to it is still tricky."
There was a soft breeze that blew through the hall and everyone turned back to the spot where the visitors arrived. In a shower of cherry blossoms a man appeared, he was dressed in ancient Japanese garb.
"Lord Odin, I bring a gift for Lord Kal-El to aid him on his journey." The man said with a deep bow.
"Omoikane, you are welcome here." Odin said formerly.
Omoikane walked up to the small group. "It would be best if I give my gift after we have finished the discussion." He said with a wry smile.
Odin nodded. "Is there anything else our young warrior needs to know?"
Aphrodite stepped up to Clark and put her hands on his shoulders as she looked him straight in the eye.
"You have been blessed by Love, Kal-El. You have parents who gave their own lives to save you. Parents who have taken you in despite your dubious and mysterious origins. Friends who would fight for you. A soul mate who will never leave you. And you were chosen by an Avatar of Love. You are a being capable of great love. Do not be afraid to share your love, it would be a crime to keep it for yourself so selfishly."
Clark frowned, slightly confused by what the Goddess of Beauty and Love was trying to tell him.
Aphrodite smiled softly at him. "All we become clear in time." She leaned forward and kissed him deeply, shocking him.
She pulled away and stood slightly behind him leaving him very flushed and the Vikings sniggering softly. Clark didn't know it yet but he was in for a lot of ribbing when he figured out how to visit the city of Asgard on his own.
"Remember your training Kal-El." Odin said as he descended the steps from his throne. "You are a god, you have the full authority of the Thunderer. You are the Apprentice of Death himself, but this will be your first step in ascending beyond the position of student. The bond of Master and Apprentice will always be with you, and you should remember to cherish this bond, even when you chafe under the rule of the Master. You are destined for great things Clark Jonathanson, but you will decide what those things are and how you will achieve them.
"Go with the blessing of the gods of all Pantheons." He declared as he placed a hand on Clark's shoulder. He then turned Clark to face the Vikings lining the walls of the hall. "Hail Kal-El, The Thunderer!"
"HAIL!" Came the thunderous response.
Clark saw Thor make a little motion with his hand and Clark understood and raised his fist again. "HAIL!" He shouted.
Odin clapped his shoulder and smiled at him. "Lastly Omoikane has one last thing for you before you return home to make preparations for your journey."
Clark turned to the middle-aged looking Omoikane.
"You have been through this before, Lord Kal-El. My advice to you is to always remember to respect the culture of your hosts. They will respect you more for it." He said with a serious look. He then stepped up to Clark and grasped him by the face.
Clark's eyes widened as he realised what was about to happen.
Omoikane leaned in and kissed him full on the lips as knowledge began to assault his mind.
Clark stood at the Metropolis Airport waiting for the final boarding call for Tokyo. Scott, Thor and Kyla were the only ones able to come and see him off.
"Just do what you can and discover what you can. None of us has any doubts that Harry will come back on his own, we just might need him here sooner." Scott instructed.
"I will see to the protection of your town and family myself Kal-El." Thor assured him. "Do not worry about them, focus on your task, the gods must do something and you are the best way for them achieve this without razing the entire city to the ground."
"No pressure. Glad to hear it." Clark said as he looked at both men glibly.
Thor just laughed at him. "Truly my Uncle is your teacher."
"Remember to call every night." Kyla said as she hugged him. "Keep an eye out for new friends as well."
"You have the name of our contact in Tokyo, he knows everything, he's from our world." Scott reminded him. "He is well versed in Japanese culture… but he can get a little grumpy."
"Scott, I never knew you to use such an understatement." Thor smirked. "Logan is a Samurai. You would do well to listen to his wisdom."
"Just… try and make sure he doesn't try and gut everyone in sight." Scott sighed.
"How exactly did he live this long?" Clark asked. "Is he another god?"
"Ha! Logan would never accept the mantle of a god and no one is stupid enough to try and offer him one." Thor scoffed.
"THIS IS THE LAST BOARDING CALL FOR ALL PASSENGERS FOR FLIGHT AA134 TO TOKYO."
"That's my flight." Clark sighed.
"Remember, once you're there and legally registered as being there you can always fly back home to visit." Kyla reminded him.
"But you would do well to stay until your task is done. Some of the Pantheons may not look too favourably on you leaving your post for a visit. This should really be your only focus." Thor countered.
"Well… see you… soon, I hope." Clark said as he shook both men's hands, Thor grabbed him in a hearty hug before Kyla gave him a solid kiss that left him very red as more than a few fellow travellers gave him a smirk as they passed.
A few hours later the trio arrived back at the castle for a meeting to decide how to proceed. A majority of them were missing now and the table they used in the Great Hall for meetings was decidedly empty.
"I believe our first order of business needs to be to determine what will be affected by the absence of Harry and his soul mates." Emma stated as she chaired the meeting.
"The school will be hard hit. Dani, Harry and Laura all had jobs there." Scott spoke up.
"I'm still filling in for Harry." Helen pointed out. "Will anything be affected in Smallville with Harry gone? He did make arrangements for his trip."
"He was very thorough, but if anyone thinks of something, speak up." Jean encouraged.
"I could handle Laura's classes if you can get me clearance." Tess offered. "Her students know me from when I assisted Bruce and Lex."
"I can easily get you cleared to work with children." Emma nodded. "Thank you Tess."
"Dani is the tricky one." Scott sighed. "There was a reason we picked her for that job. She has a gift for it."
"Earl has agreed to help out on the farm with Jonathan on Themiscyra and Clark in Tokyo." Martha informed them. "I could fill in as best as possible till Dani is back."
"Ok, that will work. You'll be with Helen so it won't be as if you will be alone in the deep end."
"I can help with the farm." Thor offered. "Also I can aid Tess and Scott with their classes."
"That sorts out the High-School. What about Lorna? We have several students now, they need their classes." Jean said.
"Cassandra is handling that as she was already preparing to teach classes herself. Mrs. Jenkins has agreed to be her assistant." Emma assured them.
"Isn't Queen Amara going to be the hardest one to cover for?" Kyla asked. "Mr. Kent will be fine with the Amazons, the Goddess won't let him flounder. But what about her legal cases?"
"Luthor is out of our hands for now." Scott answered. "He will probably be back but that's not a worry for now."
"From what I know, all her cases are closed. We only have to worry about any new issues that crop up." Lex said. "Do the three of you have legal accreditation?" He asked Scott, Jean and Emma.
"We do, but I fear we will be swamped if we need to deal with the courts as well." Emma warned.
"I believe I can cover any legalities that may arise." Loki grinned. "It has been too long since I got play in the courtroom."
"You really don't inspire me with confidence." Chloe said with a wary smile.
Loki just gave her a toothy smile.
"I think that's everyone." Scott sighed as he put his pen down from where he was taking notes. "Brunhilde doesn't have any real responsibilities in the world. She just oversaw all the company business. We can handle most of that. What we need to figure out is how we explain their absence to the world."
"Couldn't we say they came down with some sort of illness? Something to do with kryptonite?" Lana offered.
"Or stage an accident, but I think it will be hard to convince everyone that all of them are in comas as a result." Chloe trailed off.
"I vote for the illness." Kyla raised a hand. "We could keep them safe and say we are working on a cure. If we claimed it was a result of long term exposure to kryptonite we might be able to convince more people to get rid of any souvenirs."
There was a flash of fire in the middle of the large round they table they were sat at. When it cleared they saw a tall muscular man with sandy brown hair dressed in a suit.
"Neville?!" Jean gasped in astonishment.
"Hello Jean." Neville smiled warmly at her. "I come at the behest of the Council. They wish you to have all the help you can get whilst Harry is AWOL."
Jean hugged him tightly as he stepped off the table. "Everyone, this is Neville Longbottom. He and Harry grew up together, Neville is the one who introduced me to Harry."
"All these years and we've never met." Scott said with surprise. "Are you forbidden from visiting?" He asked without malice.
"No, but when you live for millions of years, not seeing someone for a few hundred thousand years is the equivalent of a year or so for a mortal." He smiled. "I always wanted to meet Harry's family. But I had my own jobs to perform. There are many universes out there and there are very few Phoenixes and even less Harry's. Just the one in fact!" He smirked.
"Thank god." Scott muttered.
"You're welcome." Thor said straight-faced.
"You were never like this before Harry turned up." Scott accused Thor with narrowed eyes.
"That would be Xander's fault." Neville explained as he took a seat. "That man was like an uncle to me. It hit Harry and I hard when he passed on. We were both orphans and Xander Harris was, without a doubt, the man that taught us about family."
"Why thank you Neville, and for the record you were like a son to me."
"Xander? How are you here?" Neville asked as he shot to his feet. Standing in the doorway to the hall was Xander Harris, in the flesh… literally.
"Do you realise just how big this is? Harry is gone, not permanently, but he is out of the picture for the immediate future." Xander said with a scowl. "Harry still doesn't realise just how influential and loved he is in the after life. You have to have felt it Neville… the Aspects are moving. They can feel the loss of Death and they want him back. Harry isn't just an Avatar for Love or the embodiment of Death and the Master of Magic… he is the champion for the Aspects."
"What does that mean, 'the Aspects are moving'?" Kyla asked worriedly.
"Magic and Love both have Avatars. Harry is the ultimate Avatar for magic, all others treat him as though he is magic. But time has never had an Avatar before, which seems to be changing. Time needs someone to defend it as it is the most dangerous Aspect, if Time is messed with then Existence is at risk."
"Are you here to merely pass on the information?" Jean asked.
Xander smiled. "No, I'm here to lend you a hand whilst Harry is gone. I will return to the Afterlife soon after that though."
