The cheerleaders were handed over to the Sheriff who charged them with a range of offenses including the handling of Kryptonite. The knowledge of how to make the 'Love Molecule' was altered slightly so they could never get it to work.
Aphrodite made a heartfelt apology to Harry for her behaviour and she spent the night with Clark making it up to him.
Clark's Eighteenth birthday was approaching and he wanted to have more freedom to travel back and forth between Japan and Smallville.
For a man who can break the sound barrier, a jet wasn't going to cut it.
Instead he had several MBI scientists and Matsu working on a special device based on Kryptonian and Sekirei technology.
Other than Matsu, only Harry knew about it and was involved.
The world was abuzz with the news of a new invention from the Japanese company that was rumoured to have the potential to change the world.
At 6pm, Tokyo time, Clark stood on a raised platform in front of a crowd of reporters and scientists from around the world. Behind him was the team who had created the device.
Two large metallic, free-standing doorways stood at either end of the platform.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Clark greeted them in Japanese with a smile. "I am Clark Kent, owner of MBI. When I, a simple farmer's son from Smallville, Kansas USA, came into ownership of a Japanese company I knew my life was about to become very complicated. Most of the work has been done by my mother, Martha Kent, who has had control until I came of age.
"I love being in Japan. I love the culture and I love the people.
"But I am still just a farmer, I help my parents with their chores when I am at home and my friends and family all live in Smallville.
"So, rather than force myself to choose between Tokyo and Smallville or to subject myself to untold hours sitting on a plane, I asked the people at MBI to develop a new method for transportation. A more efficient and faster method.
"What they came up with was this:" Clark indicated the two doorways.
"The Prime Minister of Japan has graciously agreed to give the first ever public demonstration of this device."
There was cautious clapping as the head of state mounted the stage. It didn't take a genius to figure where this was headed.
Clark bowed low to the Prime Minister, the Japanese people in the audience and even the scientists seated on the platform were wide-eyed as it was returned at equal depth.
Clark led the Prime Minister to one of the doorways where the man stood tall before walking through the doorway only to vanish and reappear through the second doorway.
The man turned with a smile and bowed to Clark before taking a seat with the scientists.
"Teleportation is now a reality." Clark said with a huge smile. "Spending hours on a plane is no longer necessary to travel across oceans. We can send aid to countries in need without having to worry about the cost of fuel. If people need to be transported carefully for medical reasons, these devices can be used and we are even working on a portable version.
"There is no breaking down and destroying the original body. That man is the same being who walked through the first door." He pointed at the Prime Minister. "The doorways work by creating a fold in space that shortens the distance between the two doorways.
"A larger system is currently being developed for the Amaterasu and the other Alliance inter-galactic vessels to enable them to travel between galaxies. The Green Lantern Corp is especially interested in the technology.
"For me, the important thing is that I can now work at my company without sacrificing my time with my family." Clark smiled. "I'll take a few questions now, but most of the details we are releasing will be in your press packets."
The hands went up and the cacophony of noise began.
Clark pointed at a Japanese reporter in the front row.
"Minato Sahashi, Japanese Times. How long have you been working on this technology?"
"More than a year. It was soon after I took control of the company. I saw what they were capable of, I saw that there were far more technologically advanced people like the Green Lanterns and I knew they could do it. And they did."
Clark pointed to another reporter.
"Justin Morecombe, The Independent. What are the military applications of this device?"
Clark raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "The only way these devices should be used in war is to quickly and efficiently move injured soldiers from the battlefield.
"I am well aware that they could be used for military purposes, but so could a bread knife. This was not made to improve our abilities to wage war. It was made to make our lives more productive, to free up all those travel times.
"For me the most important function of these devices is to be able to get food and medicine to third world countries."
The questions went on and on and Clark answered most of them happily. The actual technology was going to be classified. The devices would be sold by MBI directly but they were sealed in such away that if anybody tried to get inside then the components would be destroyed.
The reasoning for this was that Clark didn't want other people reverse engineering it for military purposes.
There was a celebratory party after the press release where many of the world leaders were invited. There was champagne and dancing, all in true Japanese style. People were dressed in suits and tuxedos as the ladies were dressed in elaborate gowns.
Clark was quickly confronted by his friends.
"I can't believe you didn't tell us about this!" Chloe pouted.
"All of the people working on the project were vetted by the Japanese and Korean governments. Harry put a Fidelius on the project as well. We didn't want any spies infiltrating our work. I was serious about this technology not being used for military purposes."
"Won't the scientists be at risk now though?"
"No, they are celebrities and they are all gifted with magic. There are also monitoring charms on them in case they get kidnapped."
"Does this mean we don't have to take the plane back to Smallville?" Jason asked.
Clark had made sure to give Lana a plus one invite for Jason.
"Of course not. There is one already set up in the castle that is linked to my office in MBI."
"You realise that you are now a high value target for oil and airline companies?" Laura asked as she walked up with the Cuckoos. "You have just destroyed their business."
"She's right, MBI's stock value has rocketed." Matsu confirmed as she accessed the net with her powers.
"Planes will still be needed." Clark shrugged. "Someone has to transport one doorway to its destination after all. But those companies were always doomed. The Earth saw to that long before I came along, there isn't an infinite supply of the stuff."
"Congratulations Clark, you got me into a lot of trouble with my shareholders." Bruce grumbled good-naturedly. "They want to know why I didn't use my friendship with you to get a piece of the action."
"Because you're a good man and that is why I work with you on other projects." Clark responded easily. "We won't be outsourcing the construction of the internal components but we can negotiate on things like the casing and the self destruct mechanism."
"I suppose that is something." He sighed as he sipped his champagne. "Are you planning on making a commercial or home version?"
"Eventually. There will be some simpler security features such as an actual door to prevent people hacking the OS and breaking into people's homes. It actually works just like a phone. Input the serial number of the destination door and it will attempt to connect. If the owner of the receiving door accepts then the connection is made and the person can step through."
"I never thought I would see this sort of thing in my lifetime." Bruce admitted.
"You've been in space. You fought aliens. You befriended an alien!" Kyla hissed quietly.
"Did you ever imagine being an Amazon?" Bruce asked pointedly.
"It's always been different for people like Kyla and myself." Clark explained. "I have always had my abilities and Kyla was raised to learn how to shift her form to the wolf."
"Ah yes, my little wolf cub." Xander grinned as he strolled up with Miya on his arm. "We have a lot of fun running through the woods with the others."
"Others?" Bruce asked.
"The other members of Kyla's tribe, the Kawatche." Xander grinned. "Seems that I am once again the pinnacle of wolf-kind."
"Biggest freaking alpha of all time." Kyla muttered.
"Omega." Xander corrected. "Technically I am the wolf who is kicked out of the pack because he is too weak. The omega will become stronger because of this and possibly create his own pack."
"But you don't have a pack yet." Bruce pointed out.
"We are his pack." Clark smiled. "Harry may be the highest recognised power known but Xander is the one who rules the family. Or have you not noticed that Miya is silently hanging onto his arm?"
"That gets a bit annoying." Xander grumbled. "She's been my only decent source of conversation in the room till we came over here."
"I apolo-"
"Stop that!" Xander snapped in exasperation. "You can take out alien tri-pods with a mere slice of your sword. You defeated Ares with a skill and precision that not even Harry and Clark can come close to.
"But most importantly, you are an amazing young woman and my daughter-in-law." Xander looked at her with puppy dog eyes. "Why don't I ever get attention from your ladle?"
Miya's eyes went wide in horror at the thought.
"Xander, she has over twenty years of conditioning." Bruce pointed out gently. "Unless you become a threat to her family she will always treat you like that."
"More importantly, she deserves to be able to treat you like that." Laura added. "We all know that Clark prefers to know that Harry is above him in the pecking order, but Harry likes to know he has you to turn to."
Xander just pouted.
"Pitfalls of being the Omega?" Clark asked with a smirk.
"I really need to get a girlfriend." He sighed.
Lex Luthor was furious. He was pacing around his office with papers strewn around the room and his laptop a destroyed mess on the floor.
So to be more precise: Lex Luthor was throwing a temper tantrum.
"I see you just heard the news from Japan."
Lex spun to face the speaker at the door.
He immediately began to straighten his silk black shirt. "General. I didn't know you were coming."
General Lane gingerly made his way through the room, attempting not to stand on any papers as he took a seat in the chair.
"I wasn't planning on it, but after that spectacle in Japan, I thought we should confer." The sleeve with a missing arm was pinned to the shoulder.
"Confer on what?" Luthor scoffed. "I can't find an entry point into the project. There is no one to bribe, no one to interrogate and no one seems to know anything about it that isn't in the press packet.
"The most important development in Earth's scientific history and LuthorCorp can't even come close to duplicating it.
"It's insulting!"
"What if I could get you one of the 'doorways'?"
He immediately had Lex's attention. "Explain."
"I have become aware that tomorrow a set of doorways will be delivered to the US. I am currently working on getting hold of the itinerary but there are at least two. One for the Pentagon and one for the White House. A set is also due to reach the various Alliance embassies."
"You intend to steal one?" Lex asked curiously. "I suppose we could attempt to reverse engineer the product, but we may need more than one if the self-destruct features are as good as they claim."
"Then we just steal the replacement. And we continue to do so until we get it right."
"Or until they figure out who is involved and you get arrested."
"That won't be an issue." Lane said dismissively. "I have people who will kill themselves before they are compromised. This is important to re-securing America's security on the planet… in the universe."
"We will need a new base to work out of. Somewhere no one will find us. The device will need to be shielded so it can't be tracked. Especially during transport."
"I have just the place." The General said with superior smirk. "Best of all, it is right under their noses."
The election campaigns for the US government were in full swing. Elections would take place the following November, in the meantime the Alliance's interim government was making various changes as best they could. It wasn't easy as they met resistance from the military, but the Alliance was going for full transparency and held all meetings in open public forums so the people could see what was happening.
One hopeful Presidential candidate was forbidden from entering when he made political promises about leading a rebellion against the Alliance and attacking them. He was soon in a Japanese interrogation chamber.
Another was eliminated when he made disparaging comments about foreigners and the Alliance in particular.
Queen Amara was the spokes-person for the Alliance and she had made it quite clear that unless you had the best interests of every sentient life form then you had no place as a leader.
A fair few notorious leaders in the world upped their security as a result.
Themiscyra was finally offered a place in the UN. They declined; instead they offered membership into the Alliance. Japan and North Korea both withdrew from the international body. Future members were offered promises that if the asked for help they would get it as long as it was not harmful to the innocent. This included everything from food and medicine to troops for protection and liberation.
For the Smallville gang things began to return to normal. They managed at least a few days without incident. Clark would attend the cheerleading practices to support Chloe.
Lois would attend the cheerleading practices to mock Chloe.
"You know, you could be a little more supportive." Clark commented as he sat next to Lois in the stands with Kyla on his other side. For whatever reason she always seemed to sit next to him and not Kyla. He was fairly sure she liked to annoy him.
"I am being very supportive. I have been cheering for her the whole time."
"Yes, but it doesn't count when its sarcastic."
"Lighten' up Smallville. Chloe knows I am only teasing."
"Oh god!" Clark suddenly grasped his head in his hands painfully.
"Jeeze, don't be such a drama queen. I'll lay off." Lois rolled her eyes.
"Clark? What's wrong?" Kyla asked quickly.
"Another beacon. One of the stones." Clark gasped.
"Damn." Kyla muttered. She immediately sent out a distress call for Logan, Harry or Laura to accompany Clark.
"Take off kid. I've got a grip." Logan instructed as he held on tight around Clark's neck.
They vanished in a gust of wind.
"What the hell just happened?"
"Later Lois. You need to head home. The rest of us need to be prepared for whatever they find." Kyla instructed.
"Like hell. I'm coming with you!" Lois declared as she took a firm grip of Kyla's arm.
Logan had no idea where they were headed. All he could see was a blur of colour as Clark sped through the countryside and eventually a city.
When they came to a sudden stop Logan found himself on the floor of a prison public visitation room and Clark was locked in a light show of some kind as he struggled with Lionel Luthor as Lex Luthor watched from his position sprawled on the floor.
Eventually the light show that surrounded them passed and Lionel fell to the floor as Clark stumbled.
"What the hell was that kid?" Logan growled.
"Huh? What?" Clark asked slightly dazed.
"What did Luthor do to you?" He asked firmly, he ignored the prisoners and visitors; he already had Emma and Jean en route.
"I don't know… I"
"Logan, that's not me!" Lionel cried out as the guards began to haul him away for the fracas.
"The man is delusional." Clark said dismissively.
Logan was unsure.
"Ask him my age!"
"Hold it!" Logan barked at the guards.
"Logan, we don't have time for this." Clark sighed in frustration. "Let's just go."
Logan could tell there was something wrong. He had dealt with too many situations with shape shifters and body switchers. Clark wasn't quite himself. There was something in the voice. A touch of class that the farm boy never displayed even when out as Superman or as the owner of a multi-billion cooperation.
"How old are you, kid?" Logan asked suspiciously.
"Eighteen." Clark answered with a slight hesitation.
"I'm a whole lot older than that, Wolverine." Lionel called out from where he was restrained by the guards.
Logan began chuckling as he turned to 'Clark'. "Nice try Lionel but you don't know a damned thing about Clark Kent." He called over his shoulder, never taking his eyes off the now clearly possessed Clark Kent's body. "Take 'Lionel' to solitary, make sure no one goes near him. Then get some guards and take 'Clark' here in for holding."
"I don't think so, Logan." 'Clark' snarled before throwing a haymaker that sent the Wolverine smashing through the wall of the room and into the exercise yard.
'Clark' looked down at his fist in awe of what he had done.
"That was not smart Lionel."
Lionel in Clark's body spun around to see Potter himself standing there.
"Surrender peacefully and I will painlessly destroy you. Fight, and I will see you spend eternity with the last man who crossed me. He is still being tormented in hell."
Lionel was absolutely amazed. Not only was his new body capable of impressive feats of strength but Potter actually had smoke and fire billowing from his mouth.
"I'm afraid I don't have time to deal with you today Potter my boy. I have a company to reclaim and a son to spank." Lionel said condescendingly.
He began to run at Harry to move in closer and punch him when he suddenly realised that the world seemed to have slowed down to a crawl. He decided to ignore this fact for a moment in favour of putting all his might in the right hook that turned Harry Potter into a stain on the prison wall.
Lionel turned and began to walk out of the building when he felt immense pain and fell to his knees.
"No Lionel. You are about to have a lot of time."
Lionel painfully raised his head to see Batman walking towards him holding a piece of Kryptonite.
"You've crossed so many lines today that nothing can save you." Batman said as behind him various beings began to appear in unusual clothes, each brandishing some form of weapon. "These are the gods. They are bound by laws older than mankind that say when Death is attacked, they must intervene.
"And Harry Potter is Death."
Lionel wasn't sure where these people were coming from and he didn't know what exactly they knew about the abilities of Clark Kent's stolen body. But he knew he could run.
Fighting through the crippling pain he began to move away until it was enough for him to stagger and start running.
But then the pain increased along with a sharp pain in his shoulder that made him scream out in agony.
He never saw the bolt of red light that knocked him out.
"This bastard is all mine." Harry growled as the assembled deities and castle residents glared at the unconscious form of Lionel Luthor in Clark's body.
"For the record, this is much creepier than having Harry impersonating me." Clark muttered from Harry's side. He was in a brand new body as he had no desire of going back into anything Lionel had tainted. His girlfriends agreed.
"Are you going to kill-"
"No!" Harry growled angrily as he interrupted the Flash causing him to take a step back at the venom in the man's voice. "No." Harry repeated as he calmed himself. "He gets the pleasure of joining Minaka."
"An attack on Death's Apprentice is an attack on Death himself." Aphrodite repeated what she had told Clark long ago.
Clark wanted to object to someone being tortured because of him, but he knew this was more to do with Harry. This was not the time for the Apprentice to argue with the Master.
Clark wanted someone else to have his justice as well. He was going to ask Harry to call them but he decided to see just how much he could do.
"Lex? What are you doing on this side?"
Harry's surprised voice broke Clark's concentration.
"It worked?" He looked up to see the ethereal form of Lex Luthor standing there.
"Your Apprentice seems to be getting more powerful if he can call the dead from the after life." Lex smirked. There was a hint of pride there.
Harry rolled his eyes scoffingly. "He surpassed Apprentice years ago. He's pretty much my right hand now."
"That's your way of saying I do all the work, right?" Clark asked with a raised brow.
"Ok, this is really creepy." The Flash commented. "Lex Luthor without the sneer."
"Why did you summon Lex?" Kyla asked as she noticed Helen looking at her departed fiancée longingly. The look was returned in equal measure.
"He deserves justice." Clark said evenly.
"Hmm." Harry mused as he watched Helen, Tess and Lex talk in a quiet corner. "Methinks Lionel could add an extra kick in the happy sacks."
"God you're gross." Kyla shuddered.
"What exactly did you do to Jeremiah Holdsclaw?" Harry countered.
"He deserved it." She said petulantly. "And at least I don't talk about it."
Lionel Luthor woke up and immediately and knew he was in his own body. He could feel the sickness that had plagued him.
Surrounding him were an array of people, he briefly remembered them from the prison where he stole the Kent boy's body.
"Potter." He spat. "When the authorities find you maybe they'll put you in the cell next to mine."
"Lionel, the authorities may find me, but they could never hold me." Harry smirked. "And my friends here wouldn't let them."
"Lionel Luthor, for your crimes against the Aspect of Death, known as Harry Potter and his Apprentice and brother, Kal-El the God of Thunder, known as Clark Kent, you are sentenced to imprisonment and torture until this realm ceases to exist." A figure in a cloak holding a lightsabre rasped.
"Before you are shipped off though, I want you to witness something." Harry said. "This is the spirit of your murdered son." He indicated the ethereal form of Lex.
"Hello father." Lex said snidely. "How does it feel to have been betrayed by the clone you used to kill me?"
"What sort of trick is this?" Lionel demanded.
"Lex, hop in. This is a gift to my Apprentice for all his achievements. He deserves to have all the family he can." Harry said as he indicated the new body being levitated out by Lorna.
Behind Lex, Helen broke down in tears of happiness as Tess hugged her.
Lex was in shock. He thought he was just here to witness Lionel's judgement.
"Come on, we don't have all day!" Harry chided.
Clark tentatively pushed Lex. He was pleasantly surprised when he actually made contact.
Everyone else was shocked.
"Is Clark becoming your equal?" Matsu asked in awe.
"No child." Odin said quietly. "But by Death's choice, Kal-El is his brother and Apprentice. And we have heard him now declare him the Right Hand of Death."
"What will separate Clark from Harry, ability wise?" Chloe asked.
"My guess is that other not being able to do anything I don't agree with… he will never hear the voices." Harry said quietly.
"Voices… what voices?" Kyla asked worriedly.
"The voices of the dead and dying." The Cuckoos said as one. "We cannot hear them, but we know that Harry does. They drain him. They constantly call for him and beg for his attention."
"That's enough girls." Jean said firmly.
"Oh my god!" Lana gasped. "You're talking about everyone in every reality, dimension and universe."
"Its not that big a deal." Harry shrugged uncomfortably. "I just try and find ways of distracting myself."
"Like throwing people off towers." Clark grumbled.
"Lord Odin, did you know this?" Lana asked the Norse king.
"We did not. I do not even know if my counterpart in his children's world knew."
"He did." Loki's voice nearly a whisper. "Father would occasionally be found inebriated after Harry left us in our youth to return to our future. It was practically the only thing my younger male self did that was good and honourable when he would tend to Father. Father would tell him the horrible things that Harry had confided in him. I think he hoped that it would make him more responsible.
"Loki may have been evil but he never lost respect for you Uncle."
"I know sweetheart. You're father told me how you were there for him, even in this form."
"Ok, enough maudlin stuff." Xander shuddered. "You girls can go and take my son and defile him later. It's no different to Clark being able to hear all the crime in the city and the victims."
"By the goddess!" Yume gasped as Clark's Sekirei looked horrified at this news.
"You can really hear them all?" Musubi asked as she grasped her Ashikabi's arm.
"I ignore them when I can." Clark assured her.
"Nice work." Logan muttered quietly to Xander.
"One day I'll learn to shut my big mouth." Xander sighed. "Would one of my two Death sons please deal with Lex so we can finish with Lionel?"
"Right." Harry grabbed Lex's soul and jammed him in the body.
The newly corporeal Lex gasped in air and sat up. "Oh god… I'm flashing back to that bridge."
"Except there is no pretty brunette giving you mouth to mouth." Clark grinned. "Helen, you're up."
The young doctor wasted no time before she was attached to Lex and completely oblivious to the rest of the world.
"Right, next up we need one last person before we finish dealing with Lionel." Harry clapped his hands. "I'll be right back."
The rest of the assembled group stood there awkwardly as Lex and Helen continued to kiss passionately.
People started checking their watches.
"Ok, she's an Amazon, but how is Lex doing that without breathing?" Dani asked in exasperation.
"Dedication?" Xander offered.
He took an involuntary step back at the glares.
"So… how's that 'keeping your mouth shut' deal working out?" Neville smirked.
Xander just sulked. "Shut up Green Thumb."
Neville face palmed.
"Here he is." Harry announced as he arrived in tow with the Lex-Clone… plus one.
"Dad?!" Lois exclaimed. "What the hell?"
"He and the clone were having a little pow-wow. Thought we might start making in roads into the military." Harry informed them.
"You were hanging out with Lex Luthor?" She asked in disgust.
"When the UN hears about your secret Potter you won't have a place to hide." General Lane snapped at Harry, ignoring his daughter.
"First of all, you are assuming you will be able to tell the UN about me. Second, I'm hoping there is some good sense in you so that you won't want to tell my secrets." Harry said dismissively. "Now, be quiet and stand with your daughter. I need to deal with this sad excuse for a clone."
The clone immediately fell into a combative position and started to attack Harry. He fell to the ground in a heap seconds later as Clark flicked him in the back of the head crushing his skull. His hand then snapped out as if grasping something.
"You can see them now?" Harry asked.
"No, just the same feeling I get." Clark said.
"Do you think you could destroy him?"
Clark concentrated for a moment. "Yes. I could."
"Give it a shot then."
"No. Just because I can do something doesn't mean I should do it. Unless you are unavailable I will never destroy a soul."
"A wise path." Odin agreed.
"I am pleased with my daughter's choice." Zeus added with a broad smile.
Harry reached out and everyone gasped as they saw the pitch black and almost demonic looking soul of the clone. It was missing what would pass for skin, as though it had been burnt off. Clark was absently rubbing his hands on his jeans.
"This is what you have been consorting with, General." Harry turned to the one-armed man. "A poor attempt at a clone that immediately turned on its creator and killed its originator. Lois a little demonstration please?"
Lois hesitantly stepped forward helped by a little shove from Chloe and Kyla who just tried to look innocent.
"This won't hurt a bit."
Before Lois could protest she was staring down at her crumpled body.
"Looking good Lois." Kyla smirked.
Lois looked down and realised that she was naked.
Hands instantly snapped into position as she turned to the Aspect grasping her shoulder.
She began yelling at Harry, not that the others could hear her.
"Why is my daughter naked?" General Lane demanded.
"It's a little payback Uncle Sam." Chloe spoke up. "She walked into the boys locker room and didn't even announce herself. Coach Summers had to put in new security. Apparently the honour system doesn't mean much to Lois Lane."
"Its not the first time." He sighed.
"Sounds like a story worth telling." Xander said with an amused look.
"Tell it later." Harry interrupted. "Now, as you can see, Lex Luthor, the clone has the most disgusting looking soul on the planet. Your daughter has a healthy looking soul."
"Now that's a surprise." Clark muttered to Dani who laughed.
"Goddess, is love really supposed to be this blind?" Lana asked Aphrodite with exasperation.
"No daughter. But this is not blindness. This is denial." She explained sadly.
Lois however was preoccupied with her soul. She was attempting to poke at something without losing her modesty… which isn't easy when you're a naked woman with only two hands in a room filled with men and women you barely know.
Giving up in her attempt she turned to Harry and began demanding answers.
"…"
"Yes, you have an extra bit and no, before you ask it is not a penis."
The look on Lois' face almost made him take a step back.
"…"
"I'm sorry! But after all the crap you pull in this town it's hard to know what you'll do or say next. You've nearly had more mishaps in three months than Lana has in the years I've known her."
"Hey!"
"…"
"Unfortunately its only a very slight exaggeration." Harry snorted.
"What are they arguing about?" Clark wondered quietly.
"They are discussing the soul bond you and Lois share, husband." Tsukiumi stated, not realising that her Ashikabi had no idea what she was talking about.
"Hey, wait a minute!" Clark said as he stepped forward. "Are you saying I have a soul bond with Lois? Is this one of you practical jokes? Did you put him up to this?" He glared at Xander.
"As much as I wish I had been party to this, I was not. This was all you. Take a look for yourself."
Sure enough there was a strong link going from Lois to Clark.
Clark paled. "This wasn't there when we dealt with the Terminator boy." He argued.
"It is a natural bond." Harry shrugged. "I could see it and Aphrodite could sense the potential, just like when you first met Kyla. Now it has actually connected."
"Could you please put my daughter… in her body? I would rather not have to deal with her running around naked." General Lane nearly begged. "Not to mention all the strangers staring at her."
"You, get in your body." Harry ordered as he gently pushed Lois down.
"Anyway, as for this piece of filth…" He started to destroy the clone's soul. "Would one of you Gods of the Underworld please stick Lionel in the same cell as Minaka. He will serve as an example of what happens to those who attack my Apprentice."
Hel of the Norse underworld stepped forward and grabbed the protesting human before vanishing. She was an ugly hag who was blue down one side.
"You really need to do better with people." Harry warned Odin. Harry had investigated the Norse in this universe and the story of Odin banishing Hel for being ugly was true. In his children's world he had been present at the birth of Hel and had healed the ailments that made her so ugly.
Odin just bowed his head stiffly, unwilling to argue with the Aspect but not able to easily change. He and the other gods quickly departed though.
Whilst Harry was doing this Lois wobbly picked herself off the floor and stumbled over to Chloe and her dad. "I was dead… right?"
"You get used to it after a while." Lana sighed.
"When did you die?" Kyla asked slightly angry that something bad had happened to her sister.
"Harry keeps pulling me out of my body so he can examine my soul. He is still trying to find a way to clean my soul so I don't need a bond."
Kyla scoffed dismissively. "I don't see what the big deal is. Have him cut it out and bond you to me and Chloe. If that's not enough then I doubt Helen and Tess would object, not to mention the hundreds of sisters back on the island."
"I know, but I think Harry is enjoying the challenge." Lana smiled in amusement at the thought. "He's always cursing away when something doesn't work and he always begs for more time. Jean doesn't think she has ever seen him happier.
"If it becomes necessary I'll ask him to join us together. Maybe he could join the whole tribe together anyway. It would be wonderful to have that extra closeness." She mused.
Un-noticed behind them, Aphrodite smiled proudly with Athena and Artemis. Her Amazons were becoming what she truly envisioned them to be.
Harry, Lex and the General were having a very intense discussion meanwhile.
"You're telling me that not only did Luthor manage to clone his son, but he also let it kill his son?" Lane asked disbelievingly.
"Let? He didn't let it. He gave it the gun and the instruction. The only part Lionel wasn't party to was killing Lucas." Lex explained. Helen was still stuck to his side and refused to let go. Tess had taken up a position as his guard. "I remember watching the clone shoot Lucas and shocking Lionel before mother came to get me."
"Mother?" Helen asked.
"My mother came to me when I died. She is the one who helped me to the other side."
"Joyce did the same for me." Xander nodded. "I did it for my wives and children when they died. It's a sort of tradition."
"I wonder why no one came for Gabe." Tess mused.
"Because he is an orphan and the only people he calls family are Chloe and Moira." Harry said dismissively. "He was in an orphanage as a baby."
"Why won't you reveal yourselves to the government?" Lane asked, changing the subject.
"Because most of the American people aren't ready for people like the gods, they definitely aren't ready to know that Death walks amongst them."
"And Magic." Xander added.
"The Japanese, North Korean and Themiscyran governments are aware." Harry explained.
"But why not the rest of the world?" Lane argued.
"Because I am the ruler of North Korea. My wife is the ruler of Themiscyra and the gods of Japan are already respected by their people." Harry answered. "No one in those countries would dare think of leaking private information and yet none of them fear us."
"General, if we told the world about magic and gods, what would the people do?" Lex posited. "The general population?"
The General paused in thought. "I don't like it. But I do see your point."
"The people of Earth have just gotten used to the fact that there are aliens out there." Harry said. "They are still trying to balance the fact that there are good aliens with the fact that there are bad aliens. They need some time before they are forced to deal with Gods and Aspects."
"Will you at least be informing the newly elected administration?"
"Of course." Harry grinned. "We need to give them a reason not to get out of line like the last bunch."
