"Ok, I am now certain that my mother set me up to meet Lana." Jason said firmly as he marched into the common room of the castle.
When they weren't out on a date Jason occasionally visited the castle where Lana lived. He knew he would have to share Lana with her sisters but most of them were supportive.
Kyla was warming up to him.
Just a bit.
"Explain, little one." Xander instructed with an air of an elder.
There was a large assortment of rolled eyes.
"Lana told me about those stones you were all searching for. She said one was in China. Guess where my mother offered to send us for a holiday?" He said with heated sarcasm.
"You think she wants the stones?" Lorna asked.
Jason looked at Lana curiously. "You didn't tell them about your shared history with my family?"
Lana slumped in exhaustion. "It's been so hectic. Christmas, Tim Westcott, Alicia and the Sheriff, Alicia and Clark, Lois, Lois and Clark, Lois and Metropolis PD… plus I have my patrols in Metropolis, my shifts at the Talon and my school work!"
Jason just looked at her with a blank expression. "So that would be a 'no' then?"
The look on Lana's face did not bode well for the Smallville High Assistant Football Coach.
"Run boy! Run!" Xander hissed.
Jason suddenly realised that a good few of the other females were glaring at him.
"I mean… right, it's been a tough few months. Invasions and all that. Why don't I tell them?" He offered hastily.
Now Xander was smirking right along with the others.
"Countess Margaret Isobel Thoreaux worked for Duchess Gertrude… one of my ancestors. Old Gerty was searching for these powerful stones that would let her rule the world.
"Izzy wanted them for herself and Gerty had her burned at the stake as a witch… even though she was a witch herself.
"With her dying words, Izzy cursed Gerty's line declaring that her ancestor would awaken her and allow her to kill each of Gerty's heirs." Jason told the story with all the reverence he could muster… none.
"How do you know all this?" Scott asked seated between Emma and Amara. "It can't have all been written down."
"Sure it was." Jason nodded seriously. "Don't all women write diaries? Ow!"
Lana glared at him as he rubbed his chest. "Now tell them how you found out where to find the journal."
"You didn't try time travel, did you?" Brunhilde asked worriedly.
"Me? No!" He assured them. "I may have asked Barry if he could see through time without going through time though." He winced as he waited for the backlash.
"That is very impressive Mr. Teague." Emma said approvingly.
Jason was fairly shocked to see the older residents agreeing with her.
The younger, native, residents were just as surprised as he was at their acceptance.
"He meddled with time and you-"
"Uh uh!" Harry interrupted Kyla with a smile. "He specifically didn't meddle with time. He didn't even ask to meddle with time. He asked to see through time into the past.
"The only people who would be able to feel any effects are seers."
At that moment, a soaking Cassandra teleported into the room dressed in a dressing gown and slapped Jason across the face. "Don't ever ask Barry to spy on me in the shower again!"
"But I didn't!" Jason protested as he rubbed his sore cheek.
"Oh yes you will." Harry grinned. "Cassandra, he did it on my orders. I apologise but I didn't think he would catch you in a state of undress. I just wanted to see if you would notice someone watching you through time."
"Can't I not do it now?" Jason begged. He was getting glares from Kyla again. Lana was clearly trying not to laugh.
"You have to. It has happened and it will happen. Unless you want to create an alternate timeline." Harry shrugged. "Those tend to suck – umfph."
Harry's eyes crossed as Cassandra slowly lowered her foot. "Next time be more specific and make sure they check I am available before they start peaking on me." She glared at him.
A very panicked Barry suddenly teleported in. "Harry, Jason, watch out. Cassandra's on the war pa- oh… never mind." He quickly vanished, but no one missed the red handprint on his cheek.
"Why do I get a kick in the gonads?" Harry groaned.
"Because for you, that is the equivalent of a slap on the face." She smirked triumphantly. "I could always have Jean burn you."
"The kick is fine." Harry said quickly as the pain had already vanished.
"As long as you have learnt your lesson, I am going out. Miya?"
"I am ready, Cassandra." The purple-haired goddess smiled as she rose and followed the seer out.
"Where are those two going?" Xander wondered out loud.
"That is none of your business." Amara glared at her father-in-law.
Xander held his hands up defensively. "Jeeze, just idle curiosity."
"She's going on a date with a friend from the retirement home." Neville sighed as ignored the glares sent his way. "She asked for either myself or Miya to accompany her as a chaperone. Miya jumped at the chance.
"If you make fun of her for this I will burn you. Both of you." He said pointedly.
"What did I do?" Harry asked defensively.
"You got adopted by him." He jerked a finger at Xander. "Except you also took magical adoption vows. Sirius always said that James was far more responsible than Xander, when he heard about the magical adoption he explained that you would begin to take on some of your parents traits."
"Which explains where he got the ability to teach from: Minerva. And his caring nature: Joyce." Xander nodded.
"No, he could have gotten those from you. Or do you not remember our very first conversation?" Neville smirked.
Jack McArthur was feeling very uncomfortable as he sat in the town's only restaurant with the young and pretty Cassandra. He had been heart broken when she had died, they were always constantly flirting, but they never did anything about it. Both of them thought they were too old.
But then on Christmas Eve after everyone hears Harry's revelation, the newly rejuvenated Cassandra introduces herself.
And here he was, and eighty-three year old man on a date with a twenty-year-old looking girl.
Forget cradle robbing… he felt like a damned paedophile.
"Seriously Cassie, you are gorgeous, why would you want to waste your youth on an old codger like me?" He grumbled.
"How are your fingers? Still causing you trouble?" She seemingly ignored is question.
"Never better. I can actually hold my knife and fork." He grinned as he brandished the implements in question.
"Everyone in town will gradually start to get younger until they reach their physical prime." She explained. "It is something that naturally occurs when around Harry Potter.
"You and I will live to be upwards of four thousand years old and still look like young adults."
"Four thousand years?" Jack asked with wide eyes.
"Think about all the changes we will witness. I've seen a lot of them already in my visions, but we will get to experience them as well."
"Us, together?" He asked hopefully. He had long known about Cassandra's gift, he was one of the people she would confide in.
"I'm not going to make it that easy on you." She smirked.
"Bah! Women!" Jack grumbled good-naturedly.
It was decided that they would take absolutely no action when it came to Genevieve Teague.
Or 'Jenny' as Xander had taken to calling her.
Genevieve had offered to send them to China so Harry offered to send them to Italy… during the summer break.
They would do the exact opposite that she wanted and wait as long as possible to do it just to see what she would do next.
Harry and Xander were clearly enjoying themselves too much.
Tess had arranged her own date with Xander.
Xander had declared his plan was working.
Neville had to stop himself from strangling his adopted father.
The date was fairly nice. No interruptions, just several nosy daughters-in-law and too many jokes from Xander.
Fortunately Neville had coached Tess before hand on how to deal with Xander's… sanity… or lack thereof.
Whilst Tess was out with Xander, Neville had asked out Pamela. The current handmaiden of the future May Queen was shocked and surprised. Neville had stood there patiently smiling whilst she stuttered her way through arguments about a high-ranking being dating a lowly handmaiden when she realised he was actually smiling at little Kusano who was glaring up at her.
Ku had taken Pamela straight to Kazehana and told her that Pamela was refusing to date Uncle Neville.
An hour later and Pamela was all dressed up in a glamorous evening gown with lots of skin on show.
An hour after that Helen and Laura had her dressed in something a little more conservative that made her more comfortable.
Despite this, Neville and Pamela's date was more of a success. Mainly because the young handmaiden was completely enamoured and swept off her feet by the handsome Brit.
Over the weekend a major event was to take place. Everyone from Harry and Kusano to Jason and Cassandra would be present. Batman, The Flash, Hawkgirl, Hal, Sinestro and the Guardian known as Ganthet were present.
Standing in the Kawatche Caves, they watched as Clark assembled the Stones of Power before inserting them in to the console in the hidden chamber.
As soon as Clark vanished the magicals grabbed the Sekirei and teleported straight to him.
They found themselves standing in the frozen snowy Arctic. Warming charms were quickly applied.
"Harry, do I still have my soul?" Clark asked nervously. After helping with building and designing the portals he was very wary of teleporters that destroyed your body in one place only to rebuild it in another.
"Don't worry, you're fine." Harry assured him.
"Most of the teleporters we have used transmit our energy with the body." Brunhilde explained. "Our souls tend to follow along, so you don't have to worry about being killed over and over again."
"Still, feels like something to be wary about." Xander shuddered.
"What happens now?" Dani asked eagerly. "You still have the stone, so what do you do with it?"
"This." Clark drew back his arm and threw it lightly in the air. It landed about a mile away in the snow.
"Ok… now wha –whoa!" Dani stumbled slightly as the ground began to shake.
"Everyone into the air." Neville ordered.
Again the magicals all grabbed a Sekirei and rose up.
They watched in amazement as a crystal structure grew from the small stone.
"Ok… that is impressive." Logan nodded.
"What is that?" Dani queried.
"Only one way to find out." Harry shrugged as he caused the whole group to move forward in the air.
"I want my Sekirei on the outside." Clark ordered. "Monitor the outside and keep an eye out for activity from the structure or from the horizon. "Miya, Uzume, you come inside."
"Clark, if that's a repository of information, shouldn't I come with you?" Matsu asked.
"I've got two experts coming in already, I want you on the outside in case we need someone to try and break in.
"Smallville Amazons, you pair up with the Sekirei.
"All civilians wait outside. Jason, Cassie, you are in charge."
"Aw… I don't get to be one of the first inside the cool alien structure?"
"Jason, the last few alien structures have tried to control me or kill me." Clark pointed out.
"You heard the man kiddies, Cassie and I are in charge." Jason blustered.
"Clark-"
"Just keep him out of trouble Ryan."
"Hey!"
"I'll help!" Kusano offered.
"HEY!"
"See you in a few minutes." Clark waved at his littlest Sekirei.
"Ok, which one of you bastards turned my boyfriend into a paranoid son of a bitch?" Kyla demanded as they separated from the others, she wasn't going to be separated from her soul mate for this. "OW!
"I swear to god Miya, one of these days." Kyla grumbled as she rubbed her head.
"Kyla, if you hung around Harry enough, even you would become paranoid." Amara patted the younger woman on the back.
"Oi!"
"Does anyone have any observations on what we are seeing?" Neville asked as they floated inside the structure.
"It's crystal, not ice." Clark noted.
"Not any type of material found on Earth." Amara added.
"No metal." Lorna offered.
"These crystals are Kryptonian, just like the ones in Clark's ship." Brunhilde scowled. "I vote for blowing the whole damned thing up now."
"As much as I understand your desire to avoid confrontations with Kryptonian AI's due to previous encounters, I beg you to hold off until we have had a chance to examine the database." Ganthet pleaded.
"Relax, if necessary we will call in a friend and purge the AI." Scott assured the small alien.
A voice suddenly surrounded them as they touched down.
"Welcome Kal-El. I have been waiting for you."
"Ah shit." Harry grumbled.
Miya stood there confused as she stared at the feather that had replaced her ladle.
Xander tried to look innocent.
"Somebody go and get the Vision, please." Clark asked wearily. He had no intention of even humouring the AI.
"Who are these people you have brought?" Jor-El asked.
Clark ignored him as he headed for a nearby console made of long crystals. "Brunhilde, Laura, can you help me figure this out?"
The two tech-savvy women joined Clark at the console.
"This place is a representation of Krypton. Humans have no place here." Jor-El declared. "Leave now."
"Seriously, if we ever find your dad's soul I'm having Harry put him in a body just so I can kick him in the balls." Dani groused.
"I am Ganthet of The Guardians. I can vouch for these people." The little blue guy said as he stepped forward with Hal and Sinestro flanking him.
"The Guardians." Jor-El repeated thoughtfully. "They were considered as carers for my son. But they were not chosen. Likely due to their peace-keeping policy that would prevent Kal-El from ruling Earth."
Ganthet raised an eyebrow at that. "I don't believe Krypton was in any position to conquer another planet, regardless of how much more advanced they were. Krypton was suffering from geo-planetary destabilisation as a result of their civil war."
"And where were The Guardians in Krypton's hour of need?" Jor-El countered.
"Where Krypton demanded we be." Ganthet retorted calmly. "Out of Kryptonian affairs."
"That was a sad day." Sinestro nodded. "The Corp mourned the loss of the people and culture."
"Your words mean nothing when Krypton is- Kal-El, what are you doing?" The AI suddenly asked.
A beam of light shot out of various crystals causing the various beings in the room to become immobilised.
"Clark, Harry?" Laura called out as she tried to fight the containment.
"Patience Sweetheart." Harry called out calmly.
"Until you learn your place my son, you will be stripped of your powers." The AI continued.
"Harry, this thing is more powerful than the cave." Clark said as he struggled to call on his divine lightning.
"Patience young grasshopper." Harry chided. "Let's face it, there isn't a single thing this poor excuse for a calculator can do that I cannot fix."
"This fortress must remain secret and hidden from all but the Last Son of Krypton. I cannot affect the mind of a Guardian so I must kill you all. Do not worry my son. You will not remember them."
"Why exactly would that not cause me to worry?" Clark wondered.
"FOR ASGARD!"
"FOR THE THUNDERER!"
"FOR KAL-EL!"
The thunderous shouts from outside the crystal fortress caused the whole place to shake.
Then the destruction began.
With the very first strike large beam like crystals fell to the floor with thunderous crashes.
"ALERT! The Fortress is under attack!" Jor-El boomed as the ice began to glow red.
"Is this going to get messy?" The Flash asked.
"It's already messy, Flash." Hal pointed out.
"And now I am going to add to it." Clark growled as the beam holding him finally weakened. He burst into a being of pure lightning as he started pounding on the control console turning it to dust in seconds and releasing the others.
"Erm… have you ever seen Thor look like that?" Lorna asked Loki.
"The most Thor can do is cover his hammer in lightning. I have never seen him take on a form of lightning."
Clark's entire body was one big solid light with arcs of lightning dancing over his exterior. His hammer seemed to now be of a similar construction and was held firmly in his hand as stood angrily over the remains of the console, his chest heaving with anger.
"Harry… what do I do now?" Clark asked cautiously as he tried to calm down.
"Try relaxing. You were tense, now stop being tense." Harry shrugged.
"I'm finding that a little difficult at the minute." Clark admitted, the tension clear in his voice.
He was purposefully keeping his distance due to some of the arcs of lightning striking out at the crystals.
"Clark, you seem to persistently break more rules than Uncle Harry."
The group turned to see Thor and Sif walk in accompanied by The Vision.
"Thor! How do I stop this?" Clark asked relieved to see his sort of mentor/nephew.
"In truth, I have never achieved this level of control over our element." Thor admitted as he approached and began circling Clark. "I have seen other beings whose bodies were made like yours though." He added with a look to Harry.
"Usually I had to build bodies for those individuals." Harry admitted. "Their power had literally destroyed their original bodies.
"Normally I would have to work with our scientists to block off that particular power. I'd rather not mess around with what appears to be a divine ability." He said seriously.
"So I'm stuck like this?" Clark asked.
"You have all the medical training you need to create a body for someone and you are the only other person I know of with the power to do it on your own." Harry mused. "My advice is to go somewhere and meditate whilst you attempt to build a body around yourself."
Harry paused and looked Clark straight in what would have been his eyes, but were now two glowing orbs of power.
"You are as unique as I am Clark and just like me there are some things you will need to learn and discover on your own. The rest of us will have to make do with your stories of what happened."
Clark's shoulders sagged as he sighed. "I guess now I just need to find some place to meditate."
"I recommend using your home in Asgard." The native Odin suggested as he walked in with the native Baldur. "We are quite used to the thunder and lightning that my sons are known for." He added with a small yet proud smile. "Hopefully my daughter will raise the hopes of our people with her own displays as she grows."
"Thank you All-Father." Clark said with a respectful bow. "I will return when I have… achieved something."
"I will stay on Midgard in your stead Brother." Baldur assured him.
"You are not getting out of your duties so easily my son." Odin said with a stern look but eyes filled with amusement. "I am sure Lord Thor and Lady Sif would be willing and far more able as they at least know how to blend in with the mortals."
"Better luck next time." Clark chuckled before he vanished in a burst of lightning and a clap of thunder.
It was several minutes before Harry was able to heal everyone's eardrums from the volume. Including the Aesir.
Clark managed to meditate for a full twenty-four hours before he was interrupted. He could easily go longer as it was something Harry had taught him to do for weeks during their time in the past.
"Aren't you supposed to be a prince up here?"
Clark sighed as he heard the familiar yet no longer irritating voice of Lois Lane.
"Yeah, but he's also pretty much a Viking God so you have to give him some slack for that."
And there was Kyla.
Clark opened his eyes and relaxed. It was just Kyla and Lois for now. There wouldn't be a sudden invasion of Asgard.
"You do realise I am supposed to be concentrating here?" He said pointedly.
"You were supposed to be trying not be an imitation light bulb. Looks like you succeeded and decided to hide from your loving wives and soul mates." Lois smirked.
"I managed to re-grow my body within minutes." Clark explained. "I had the residual lightning contained within two hours. I have spent the rest of the time trying to re-create the phenomenon."
"Why would you do that?"
"And you still haven't got it?"
Both girls asked simultaneously.
Kyla indicated Lois should go first.
"Why do you want to recreate it? It didn't look comfortable."
"It wasn't at first." Clark admitted. "But I need to know how to trigger it. I have several women who would be fairly upset with me if I woke them up in the middle of the night with the equivalent of a lightning bolt."
"You cast lightning in your sleep?" Lois asked sceptically.
"Not since I first became a god. Thor had to spend that first night trying to reign in the thunderstorm my nightmares had caused."
"Some nightmares." Lois muttered, clearly she was slightly impressed.
"Kyla?" Clark prompted his other soul mate to continue her question.
"Why has it taken so long?" She asked. "To re-create it, I mean."
"I don't know." Clark said honestly. "I have tried to imitate everything including my memories."
"Have you been back to the Fortress?" Lois asked.
"You think it might have been triggered by Jor-El?" Kyla queried.
"Or the crystals. Or the combined energies of all the gods and aliens attacking the Fortress at the time." Lois shrugged.
"Well… I hate to leave this type of mystery unsolved, but your suggestions have a lot of merit." Clark sighed as he stood up. "I will call this a failed experiment for now and something to be aware for the future.
"Now, why exactly did you come up here? I haven't been gone that long and I thought I had adjusted the time dilation."
"You did." Kyla grinned. "But we got back to the castle to find Sam and Gabe there with Lois' sister. Someone lost her backbone and begged me to help her escape."
"Tattletale."
"Coward."
"Snitch."
"Yella' belly."
"Ladies!" Clark called out quickly. These two could be as bad as Xander and Neville. "I didn't intend to stay here any longer than I have. Why don't we all go down and see just why it is that Lois fears her little sister?" He finished with an evil grin.
"You bastard!" Lois screeched just before they vanished from Asgard.
Clark sat down at the table in the Talon where the subject of his search was already seated. Ordering at the counter where an annoyed Lois and a clearly happy Kyla.
"So, your Lucy Lane."
"Oh. My. God."
"Sister of Lois Lane."
"Oh my god."
"And daughter of Sam Lane."
"Omygodohmygodohmygod!"
Clark frowned before turning in his seat and calling out: "Lois, I think your sister is broken."
"Then fix her Smallville." Lois called back without looking. "I will not be explaining this to my dad."
Clark harrumphed before turning back to the now blushing Lucy Lane. "Do I need to get you a paper bag or something?"
"You're Clark Kent." She stated dumbly.
"Facial recognition software appears to be working." Kyla grinned as she sat down next to her boyfriend.
"And you're here! In Smallville!"
"As is the Global Positioning System."
"Right in front of me."
"Proximity sensors: Operational."
"I think I need a drink."
"Ah… engine lubrication required: Please see an authorised dealer."
"Hey! There will be no 'lubricating' of my sister." Lois glared at Kyla as she took a seat next to her sister.
It was a rule of thumb that whenever Kyla was around Clark, none of his other girls would sit next to him if possible just in case they forgot themselves and made inappropriate displays of affection.
"Hey! I decide who gets to lube me up!" Lucy argued. Then she turned a deep red. "I can't believe I just said that in front of Clark Kent."
"Lois, what have you been telling your sister?" Clark asked tiredly as he sat back.
"Nothing! I didn't even tell her I knew you!" Lois defended herself.
"That is probably the problem." Kyla pointed out.
"We should probably get the fact that you know Bruce Wayne and Harry Potter out of the way then." Clark laughed.
"And Virgil Swann, The Prime Minister of Japan, the Emperor of Japan… I think that's it." Kyla frowned thoughtfully as she tried to think of other famous people Lois knew who weren't classified… like Aphrodite and Odin.
"Does Daddy know about this?" Lucy rounded on her sister angrily.
"He knows." Lois said with a calmness that only seemed to emphasise her displeasure with her father for the way he got involved. Lois' phone began to ring and she checked the caller ID. "Speak of the devil. I'll take this outside."
Lucy watched her sister walk away before she turned back to Clark. "So, you must be pretty loaded."
"Wow, bluntest and dumbest question ever." Kyla snorted.
Lucy clearly thought she could be competition for Kyla as she smirked at the older girl.
"So what do you do for fun?" She asked flirtatiously.
"Me." Kyla smirked superiorly. "Repeatedly."
"I bet that must cost a lot." Lucy snarked.
Kyla raised an eyebrow but didn't respond.
"So Clark-"
"Lucy, do you really think the best way to get to know me is to attempt to flirt with me in front of my girlfriend and insult her?" Clark asked calmly. "Because if you do… you really need to research me better."
"Insulting who?" Lois asked as she came back and glared at her sister.
"She pretty much called me a gold digger." Kyla shrugged.
"That's it. Get up Lucy. Dad called and he wants us back at the house. Clark, he asked for you to accompany us." She said with a shrug. She had no idea what was going on, just that her dad refused to give more details.
"I'll see you back at the castle." Kyla kissed Clark lightly before leaving.
As Clark, Lucy and Lois exited the Talon, Clark glanced at Lucy and noticed her texting on her phone. He never spared it another thought.
Outside a black Escalade stretch limo pulled up.
This was an unusual sight as even Lex and Lionel would use a simple town car with a driver and not a limousine.
Then Xander Harris jumped out of the drivers seat in a full driver's uniform, complete with cap and gloves.
"Mr. Kent, Miss Frost asked me to come and pick you up and take you to General Lane at the Sullivan home." He said respectfully.
Clark frowned; this was very irregular as it meant leaving his own truck parked in town. He decided not to mention it. He didn't bother querying mentally as Xander hadn't attempted it yet.
"Thank you… Harris. We'll head straight there." He instructed calmly as he headed for the door that Xander opened for him.
Once they were on their way Clark made his excuses and pulled out his phone to check what was going on.
Of course the phone was simply a ruse to cover the telepathic conversation with Emma.
All Clark had to do verbally was pretend to ask for a report over the phone and go 'mmhmm' a lot.
"Emma? Are you there?"
"Just waiting for your call darling." He could hear her smirk.
"So what is the situation if you have Xander playing chauffer?" He asked.
"Unfortunately I don't know much, an envoy from the Japanese Embassy arrived an hour or so ago and advised us to make every effort to keep our secrets from Lucy Lane. They also said they would be making a report of their findings to General Lane and that one of us might want to be there." She explained with the seriousness and professionalism of a seasoned X-Man.
"So you volunteered me to be there? Alright, Kyla is headed home so it will just be me and Xander."
"Understood. Laura and Scott are on standby if you need back up."
"Thanks, I'll see you later." Clark cut his end of the connection, which essentially meant throwing up his mental walls. If Emma or another telepath wanted to contact him they would send the equivalent of a mental nudge.
They quickly arrived at the Sullivan house and Clark ended his fake phone call as Xander held the door for them and they headed into the house.
Seated in the living room were Sam, Gabe and a Japanese man in a suit with a briefcase. Sam was scowling as he read some papers in a file.
"Lucy, take a seat." Sam said seriously. "Mr. Kent thank you for coming."
"I am an unaware of the situation just that one of the family was requested." Clark nodded.
"Mr. Hashimoto, if you could begin your report." Sam turned to the Japanese man.
"I am Hashimoto Arata, envoy from the Japanese Embassies Security Force." The man stood and bowed deeply which Clark returned not as deep but respectfully for a man of his position. "We are tasked with running checks and investigations on all individuals that our ambassadors and diplomatic envoys come into contact with or are due to meet. Yourself and your family come under our purview.
"We ran checks on Miss Lois Lane and General Lane and when we heard that you would be meeting Miss Lucy Lane we investigated her as well."
"A problem with Lucy then." Clark nodded as he heard the girl's heartbeat quicken.
"Regrettably so." Hashimoto nodded. "Due to her status as a minor we felt that we should approach General Lane first and inform him. He immediately asked for you to be present when we told him not an hour ago."
Hashimoto looked to Sam who nodded that he should continue. Sam was clearly quite angry and upset.
"Our investigations revealed that Miss Lucy Lane has been involved in illegal actions with a man known as 'Marcus Becker'. He is a known, if un-prosecuted, criminal."
"Why hasn't he been prosecuted?" Clark asked as Lois glared at her sister.
"We believe he has been paying off police and prosecutors or even lawyers."
"What illegal activities has Lucy been involved with?"
"Blackmail, extortion and scams. We believe that she intended to attempt to swindle money from yourself or Dr. Potter at some point due to the communications we picked up between Miss Lane and Mr Becker."
"You hacked my phone?!" Lucy was horrified.
"Actually, Miss Lane, we hacked Mr. Becker's phone. You just happened to have called it."
"I can't believe she isn't denying it!" Lois said angrily. "You were really going to just try and steal from my friends? You don't think they were smart enough to figure you out?"
"Why deny it?" She asked dismissively. "We both know Daddy will just send me back to school and make it go away."
"Make it go away?" Sam asked dangerously. "I never make your little indiscretions 'go away'. You have a fairly extensive juvenile sheet. Now you've decided to run with the big kids." He pointed out with narrowed eyes. "You get big kid punishments."
"You're going to turn her in?" Lois asked curiously.
"I need to talk to… some of Mr. Kent's friends first. We will see how things go from there." The General then turned to Clark. "I have spoken to Martha and Jonathan Kent and they have agreed to put her to work temporarily and house her.
"I can't ask Gabe to take more time off work for this and they have enough people that they can keep an eye on her."
"I can escort her there now if you want." Clark offered. "Are her bags ready?"
"They are in my car, I was planning to drive her up straight away." Gabe answered.
Clark looked to Sam and gave him a nod. "Gabe and I will handle the bags then. We'll meet you outside when you are ready."
Sam nodded in appreciation for the consideration Clark was giving him. It was easy to forget at times that the seemingly eighteen-year-old young man was actually over one hundred now.
Mr. Hashimoto, Gabe and Clark headed outside only to find a black humvee parked there with Miya, Kazehana, Homura and Yume standing at attention and dressed in black unmarked military battle dress uniforms.
"Harris, can you help Gabe put Miss Lucy Lane's bags in our car please." He called out to his waiting driver.
"Yeth math-ter!" Xander lisped before limping away with a hunched back.
"And there goes professionalism." Clark muttered as he saw Yume and Kazehana trying not to laugh. He approached the Sekirei. "Report." He ordered in Japanese.
Miya responded in kind. "Threat levels have been raised. Musubi and Matsu were accompanying Kyla home and they were ambushed." Miya explained. "The girls left one survivor who has been interrogated and revealed he was working for Marcus Becker to try and extort ransom from you.
"Plans are being made to apprehend Becker and end the threat."
"Homura, please inform whoever is planning the operation that I will be joining as part of the assault team."
"Is that wise Clark?" Miya asked as a friend and as the Chief Sekirei responsible for his safety.
"A few years ago when Harry and Amara were attacked by Lionel's men, Lex explained to Captain Sawyer that we all train vigorously in self-defence. Occasionally it is good to display those skills and send a warning." Clark smiled.
"Should we include Kyla on the team then?" Kazehana asked.
Clark nodded in agreement. "Excellent idea… and thank you for preventing me from getting trouble with her later." He gave a sheepish grin.
"I will meet you at the castle once I have helped Lois hand off Lucy to my parents." Clark informed them in English.
"We will follow." Miya said firmly.
"All packed up boss." Xander informed Clark.
It was an angry trio of Sam, Lois and Lucy that exited the house.
"Miss Lane, please hand over your cell phone and any other forms of electronics." Homura instructed the youngest of the group.
"What? No way!" She snapped.
"Do it Lucy, that's an order." Sam snapped back.
"Make me!"
Sam looked to Homura and gave her a nod.
In a flash Lucy was sprawled against the side of the humvee and being patted down.
"Hey! Get o-ow!" Her complaints were cut off as Kazehana held her very tightly by the shoulders.
Miya approached and addressed Lucy as Homura pulled out an electronics detection device and began using that. "Miss Lane, there are two ways we can do this. One: You ride in the passenger section of Mr. Kent's limo calmly and in a well-behaved manner.
"Two: We bind your hands and toss you in the trunk of Mr. Kent's limo."
"Lucy, just do as your told. Even if I was inclined to, I can't help you out of this one. You and your friend targeted the wrong people." Sam pleaded.
Lucy was shocked to hear the tone her father was using, he almost sounded scared.
"Fine, but I will be suing your asses when the courts clear me." She sneered at Miya.
"The trunk it is." Miya nodded to Yume who spun the girl around and held her hands for Kazehana to zip-tie them before she tossed the screeching girl in the trunk of the limo that Xander held open with a smile.
"Please try not to kill my daughter." The General requested.
"If we wanted her dead, she would be dead." Kazehana shrugged. It had that all to common effect on Gabe and Sam that most men suffered. As her shoulders went up and down, so did the eyes of the men.
Unfortunately the human eye is attracted to movement so men weren't the only victims of Kazehana's… charms.
"So… should we take the back roads?" Xander asked with a malicious grin.
"The back road?" Lois asked.
"He means the dirt tracks that will give Lucy a bumpy ride." Clark explained.
"Oh, do that then." Lois nodded.
"We need to do this quickly so I can get back to the castle. Take the quickest route." Clark instructed his driver.
"Quickest? I can do that!" Xander said happily as he jumped in the drivers seat.
Clark opened the door for Lois as Xander had forgotten in his excitement.
"I'll meet you at the castle so I can talk to Miss Aquilla." Sam told them as he and Gabe got into Gabe's car. Sam couldn't drive yet as he hadn't trained for his missing arm which couldn't easily be replaced without raising eyebrows. Sam wasn't worried as he felt better just knowing it was possible.
"You know, people are going start believing that we are running a prisoner work release program and not a farm." Jonathan grumbled as he accepted custody of Lucy Lane. "First Hippolyta and now Miss Lane here."
"Don't forget you roped Lois and Kyla into working for you after they committed the foulest of crimes." Clark smirked.
"Not as perfect as you think you are then?" Lucy mocked her sister.
"The foul crime was waking Jonathan up too early." Lois scoffed. "Mister Grumpy-Pants just knows how to hold a grudge."
"I spend all my life waking up early and I cherish those late mornings! You two girls somehow managed to pick two days when I would be lying in!"
"Alright, Lois, if you want you can stay here and argue with Dad. I need to get back to the castle." Clark interrupted.
"I'll stay here. I want to make sure Lucy doesn't cause trouble for your parents."
"I don't need you watching over my shoulder!" Lucy snapped. "I can take care of myself!"
"I'm not staying to protect you Lucy. I'm staying to protect the Kents from you. They are some of the most decent people I have met aside from Uncle Gabe and I won't let you hurt them." Lois snarled.
"Lois, take it easy." Jonathan said calmingly. "I have plenty of people on the farm to keep her in line."
"I'm still staying. I'll catch up with you later Smallville."
"Alright."
Lois was a little confused as the others all left except Kazehana and Yume.
"I thought you guys were part of Smallville's bodyguard team."
Kazehana gave a small smile. "The recent… developments warrant you your own bodyguards."
"You're going to follow me everywhere?!" Lois asked incredulously.
Jonathan barked a laugh. "Welcome to my world Lois." He said as he jabbed a finger at the group of Amazons disguised as farm hands behind him.
"At least yours can't follow you into the bathroom." Lois grumbled.
Jonathan turned to the girls behind him. "You hear that Anna? You can't follow me into the bathroom."
Lois just stared at them in disbelief.
"Harry, what do you think you are doing?"
Clark had arrived back at the castle and joined the planning session in the Great Hall only to see what he instinctively knew to be Harry using his form.
"Rather than putting you in danger, I can go in and it won't hurt at all." Harry shrugged Clark's shoulders.
"You're an idiot." Clark said calmly.
"What? It's a good plan! If I get shot it will look like real, if you get shot it will look weird because bullets bounce off you." Harry argued.
"Which is why we have bullet proof vests, armoured helmets and telepaths who can alter what people remember.
"What do you think will happen if they have something really dangerous that could put you out of action?" Clark challenged.
"I eventually figure it out or you rescue me." Harry smiled widely.
"Is that before the gods all get jumpy and storm the place? You know how close they are to storming the planet and taking control. They don't like the fact that humans have managed to create ways to combat gods. They just need an excuse and you will have multiple pantheons patrolling the streets of every major city.
"Do you not remember what happened in the Hidden City?" Clark argued.
Harry's mouth opened and closed dumbly.
"I did warn you Uncle." Loki smirked.
Harry pouted as he released Clark's form and reverted back to his natural form.
"I never get to have any fun anymore."
"No one said you couldn't come." Clark said with a wry smile. "You just can't try and guilt the rest of us into not coming."
Marcus Becker was one step above your average criminal. Instead of having a base of operations or making temporary bases out of warehouses and the like, he used constantly moving lorries. He also made a habit of crossing state lines whenever possible to create jurisdictional issues for anyone chasing him.
Currently he was travelling along the Colorado/New Mexico border. Several unmarked cars and vans drove in irregular patterns around the lorry making it harder for anyone to tell they were part of Becker's convoy.
Unless, of course, you have several telepaths tracking you.
When a team of individuals dressed in black jumped from a nearby bridge onto the back of the lorry, it became quite obvious which vehicles were part of the convoy as they opened fired on the jumpers.
Of course that was when several humvees immediately sped up and began attacking those cars. It was a risky operation as they needed to protect the civilian cars that could be caught in the crossfire but it was the only way they could get all the other cars as well. Whenever the lorry stopped for re-fuelling most of the other cars, about fifteen, would break off and start a patrol of the nearby highways. The remaining five cars would accompany the lorry for protection.
The good thing about the lorry for the jump team was that the trailer was bullet proof. That meant that no one inside the lorry could start firing blindly at the roof.
But bullet proof isn't fire proof. Homura and Clark immediately began cutting into the roof of the trailer whilst Mutsu accompanied Logan to the driver's cab and used his sword to deftly block any bullets headed their way. Logan entered the cab and took out the driver and his partner before slowing the lorry and then driving it off the road and into a nearby field.
Most of the cars that were still mobile, about three, followed.
They quickly found themselves flying into the air due to special land mines thrown by the Sekirei. These mines didn't explode; they emitted an anti-gravity pulse based on the artificial gravity generators used on the Amaterasu. It was also what the Japanese used to punt the White Martian tripods back into space.
It probably doesn't need to be pointed out that this device was a joint collaboration between Harry and Dani.
Nor does it need noting that Dani was in charge of the squad throwing out the landmines.
It definitely doesn't need saying that Dani was standing there cackling away at her genius.
But it should be pointed out that Musubi, on strict instructions from Lorna, pulled out a spray bottle provided by the green haired mutant and sprayed ice-cold water on the nut job.
In Musubi's defence, she was just doing as she was told.
Clark waited for Laura to signal her readiness to breech the lorry with Harry. Clark and Homura would enter through the roof whilst Harry and Laura would slice the loading doors open.
For this operation Laura had the lead.
She began the countdown. "Breech in 3, 2, 1…"
Instead of finding themselves dodging bullets, they only encountered men on their knees with their hands behind their backs.
"We surrender!" Came a Swiss accented voice.
"I've got you covered." Clark assured Homura as he waited for his Sekirei to secure the four men on their knees.
The trailer was of a luxury design that you would find on a custom leer jet. Beige walls, a conference table in the middle with luxury leather seats around it, large television screens on every wall and for some reason… a disco ball hanging from the ceiling.
"I wish to speak with someone from the Swiss embassy." Marcus Becker smirked superiorly.
"There are no Swiss embassies where you're going." Laura smirked back.
"You are required by international law to allow me to contact my countries representative." He scowled.
"That's the thing." Harry said with a grin as he sauntered up to the now zip-tied crooks. "You're on Japanese soil within the borders of America. Extradition becomes a little tricky."
"We are in an American field in Kansas." Becker countered.
"A Japanese owned field. My field actually." Harry continued to grin. "Of course once we are done here I will be selling it back to its previous owner for a healthy sum of one dollar. He didn't trust me at first, but I not only paid him ten million for the field in cash but I also personally escorted him to the bank to deposit the money."
"You can't do this!"
"Can and am doing it."
"Harry, you taught me long ago not to taunt the bad guys." Clark sighed.
"Sure, but that's when they are a danger. If you've got them all trussed up then have at it." Harry shrugged.
"Oh. My. God." Laura said incredulously. "No wonder you managed to get yourself into so much trouble in this universe. You've grown lax!"
Clark quickly stunned the bad guys considering it was safer and that Laura was now discussing classified stuff.
"Xander needs to have serious words with you." She said seriously.
Harry frowned. "You really think I've been… too careless?"
"You were the one who taught the classes on Battlefield Common Sense back home! You hammered it into Loki and our children as they grew up! You of all people should realise by now that even a regular human like Becker here can be a danger to even you."
"She's right." Clark added. "Minaka was just a regular human and he trapped you for nearly a decade. Higa was just a human and he had me fairly restrained without laying a finger on me."
"I- I guess I was just too caught up in having fun." Harry muttered more to himself than anyone else as he slumped into one of the leather chairs at the conference table.
"There is nothing wrong with having fun." Laura consoled him as she slid on his lap. "You seem to have thrown caution to the wind though. Maybe you should head back to my home universe and spend some time with Odin. Talk things out."
Harry sighed unhappily. Being self-aware was something that he had strived for since he was a boy. The ability to step back from his life and point out his own mistakes… and to also own up to them and accept them. He could see Laura and Clark were right; he was becoming reckless. He needed to find out why.
"Alright, we'll clear up here and then I will head back through the door. Clark is more than capable of handling things here."
"He's certainly had experience." Laura smiled in relief.
"I think I will take Diana, Miya and Akitsu with me though. Give them a chance to see where the rest of you came from."
Lucy Lane had had her mind blown wide open. She had witnessed magic, gods and even Superman and Wonder Woman. And now she was standing in the palace of Themiscyra in front of the Queen of the Amazons. The only people she knew were Lois and Chloe who were standing slightly behind her and the two guards on either side of her.
"Lucy Lane, you are guilty of extortion, blackmail and conspiracy to commit kidnapping." Amara declared. "Your actions could have led to the deaths of countless people… and yet you seem to have no remorse or compassion.
"In contrast to these damning facts, your soul is not completely tainted. Death's Right Hand has determined that there is a chance you can be redeemed. Your punishment is servitude to the Amazon Nation until you have been taught remorse and compassion.
"You will be denied the gifts of magic until you have learnt these lessons and you will serve your time in a linear fashion. You will not be returned to this point in time once you have completed your sentence… if you complete your sentence.
"Lastly, despite whatever attachment you may develop to the Amazon people, you will never be permitted to become an Amazon.
"Do you understand what I have told you?" Amara asked.
"I understand that I am entitled to a lawyer and a trial. I want both." Lucy snarled.
"And what evidence will you provide that will prove your innocence?" Amara asked stonily. "You have been checked for drugs, your computer and accounts have been checked for evidence that you were being coerced, and your soul has been examined.
"Are you willing to testify under the Lasso of Truth? Be warned, the Lasso will compel you to tell the truth."
"I-"
"A quick demonstration, your Majesty?" Chloe offered.
Amara smirked and nodded.
Chloe stepped forward and stood in front of Lucy. "When I ask a question, the person I ask is compelled to speak the truth, just like the Lasso of Truth.
"What type of underwear are you wearing?"
"Pink panties with My Little Pony cartoons." Came the wooden response.
Chloe tried to hold her laughter… but Lois lost it and took Chloe and Amara into fits of laughter with her.
Lucy was horrified and blushing bright red.
"Oh goddess, at least she was wearing some this time." Chloe laughed as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Chloe, I believe you have proved our point." Amara giggled. "Lucy Lane, do you still wish to have that trial? We can do it now and you can have Chloe ask you."
Lucy thought for a moment then nodded. She was fairly pissed. "But you have to question my motives as well."
Amara wanted to roll her eyes. "Very well, Chloe, proceed."
"Lucy Lane, are you guilty of the crimes you were charged with by the Queen of the Amazons?"
"Yes."
"Do you feel any remorse for what you did, or sorry for the people you wronged?"
"No."
"Why did you commit those crimes?"
"Because I believed my father liked my sister better than me and I wanted to get back at them."
"That's it?!" Chloe asked incredulously.
"Yes."
"Was that the answer you thought you were going to give when you asked us to question your motives?"
"Yes."
"Wow." Chloe was stunned by the shallowness of her cousin. She stepped back next to Lois.
"Lucy Lane, your motives are considered ridiculous. Your father taught you right from wrong and your sister has proven that it was not a hard lesson." Amara said sternly. "Your motives are based on greed and jealousy. Instead of complaining to your father or sister you decided to actively hurt other innocent people.
"Your sentence stands. Remove her from my sight so she can begin her sentence."
"You can't do this!" Lucy screeched as she was dragged out of the throne room.
Chloe put an arm around Lois as she could see the screams of her sister were affecting her.
"I had to raise her you know." Lois said quietly. "Did I make the mistake?" She wondered numbly.
"We make our own decisions Lois."
The assembled Amazons and Lois bowed low as Aphrodite appeared before them. Except Amara who she greeted with a kiss.
"Rise." Aphrodite instructed with a kind smile. "Thank you for your respect." She told Lois as she kissed her cheek. "But I am not you goddess, I am your future sister wife. You do not need to bow to me."
"Kyla does though." Lois frowned.
"Only when I am in my role as her goddess. She is considered Clark's first wife, even though they are not legally married."
"Does Tsukiumi know that?" Chloe giggled.
Aphrodite laughed. "She was the one who stated it. Tsukiumi has designated everyone a role. She has given herself the position of Head Wife of the Harem. But she does a good job in looking out for the needs of her sister wives and she has earned our respect."
"Wow… to think… when we first met her she wanted to kill Clark for being a man." Chloe grinned.
