Clark was terrified.
He had died numerous times.
Been dosed with a toxin that forced him to relive his deepest fears.
Been possessed.
Been body swapped.
Been chased and threatened by women wanting to… mount him or castrate him.
But all of that paled to his current dilemma.
His birth mother was watching memories of him provided by the woman who raised him.
He took the only logical action… he ran.
He was attempting to meditate in his home on Asgard. Once again trying to become the being of energy that had appeared twice before. But actual control still eluded him.
He thought he was safe from female Kryptonians up here. They didn't have magic.
He didn't count on his wives meddling.
"I told you the coward would be up here."
Clark wanted to sob as he heard Lois' smug voice.
"Lois, show a little respect." There were Aphrodite's calming tones. "We are in his home. We must respect that he has an image to maintain up here amongst his brother Aesir."
"Please 'Dite, Baldur is constantly telling stories he gets from Earl and Harry." Apparently Kyla had joined them. "Anyway, on with the tour." She said suddenly all business.
"As you can see Clark doesn't really believe in decorating a house. All he has is that desk and the bed…" Kyla trailed off wistfully. "Oof."
"I know where you are going and she doesn't need to hear about her cousin doing the horizontal mambo." Lois chided with a smile.
Clark opened his eyes carefully. "Why is Kara here?" He asked curiously.
"Because we finished showing her memories of your adventures and decided to give her a tour. We are starting here." Lois explained.
"And because Lois wanted to torment you some more." Kyla whispered conspiratorially.
"They say you don't intend to rule the humans… but you still claim to be a god." Kara said with a hint of a sneer.
"A couple of things Kara." Clark said as he got to his feet. "First, that woman on your left is my wife." He indicated Aphrodite. "She is a literal goddess of love and beauty. Show her some respect and don't denigrate her.
"Secondly, she has an entire army of warriors who are more than capable of killing you. They do not like it when people insult their goddess. So it is in your best interests to show her some respect.
"Thirdly, you are standing in one of the realms of the gods. One of my adopted fathers is king here and one of the most powerful gods in existence. Again, he has an army of people who can kill you and who take disrespecting their god very personally.
"Fourthly, if you keep up the attitude I will have Harry kick you out of this universe to live in the last universe he came from where you will be nothing but an insolent girl. If you can drop the attitude then you will find friends and family to love and who will love you. At the moment the three women who brought you here only did so because you were insulting the rest of my wives and they were about three words from showing you the error of your ways."
"You realise we were trying to tiptoe around this by bringing her here, right Clark?" Kyla glared at him.
"Probably should have thought of that before we brought her to Asgard." Lois muttered.
"There is something else to consider." Aphrodite spoke up calmly. "Although Kal may look like a mere twenty year old, he is in fact well past his first century of life." She told the young Kryptonian. "Out of the combined Kent, Potter and El houses, you are the third youngest. Only Kusano and Ryan are younger."
"So you are going to treat me like a child?" Kara asked slightly worried.
"Only if you act like a child."
"The last bunch of Kryptonians that passed through were a nasty childish bunch. They got turned into children." Lois grinned evilly. "Should we introduce her to Nam-Ek and Aethyr?"
"Might as well see Thor whilst we are here." Clark smiled. He often brought his adopted baby sister to the farm for more exposure to Midgard.
Clark led the four women through the streets of Asgard returning the greetings of the citizens and embarrassingly correcting them that no, Kara was not his newest wife and that she was his cousin.
That had led to further embarrassment for said cousins when a fair few couldn't see a problem with it as long as there were no children from the union.
Aphrodite heroically kept a straight face whilst Lois and Kyla just lost it in hysterics.
It was this blushing, hysterical, stoic group that greeted Odin and Baldur as they held court at the palace.
"Kal!" The little two-going-on-three-year-old jumped out of her father's lap and straight for her other older brother. She whooped in joy as Clark swung her into the air and hugged her.
"Kal-El, it is good to see you and your wives." Odin smiled. "But we have not yet this newest member of your family."
Clark smiled and put Thor on the ground holding her hand as he led her to the foot of Odin's throne. There he knelt and encouraged Thor to do the same.
Frigga, her mother and Baldur smiled fondly of the scene of the little girl mimicking her brother. Aphrodite bowed low to the King of Asgard as Kyla and Lois gently pushed Kara to kneel with them. There was a slight scowl but a glare from Kyla kept her quiet.
"Lord Odin, I bring before you my long lost cousin: Kara-El. She along with my birth mother have recently been found on Earth in a deep sleep."
"Rise my sons and daughters." Odin intoned. "It is good to see more of Kal-El's blood survived. Your mother did not come with you?"
Clark squirmed in a manner most un-becoming a manner of a warrior god. Baldur smothered a chuckle.
"My Lord Odin, Lara-El is currently with Martha Kent, she is sharing her memories of Kal's childhood."
"Truth?" Frigga suddenly beamed. She looked to her husband pleadingly who simply sighed and waved a hand. "Lady Aphrodite, could I impose?"
"Please, allow me, My Lady." Kyla said quickly. She maybe Clark's first soul mate but when gods were involved Aphrodite was above the rest of them.
"Be sure to bring back some of those amazing paintings from Midgard, Mother." Baldur grinned. "Especially the ones of Kal as a baby."
Clark glared at the man who was another of his older brothers. "Mother Frigga, perhaps you should ask Mother Kent to take photos, as they are called, of your memories of Baldur. I am sure Father Odin would enjoy seeing them… as would Thor."
Baldur actually paled. The look of glee on Frigga's face as she disappeared with Kyla was horrifying for the god. "Have you no mercy, Brother?"
Clark just smirked triumphantly.
They were interrupted by Odin's chuckles. "Truly you are brothers." He said as he reached down and picked up Thor, placing her back on his lap. He had become very protective of his daughter and was intent on ensuring she learnt all that she could, not just from him but from her brothers.
"Kara-El, come forth child. Talk with me." Odin commanded gently.
Kara grunted as Lois gave a little shove.
Clark stepped backwards.
"Lois Lane, some chairs if you would."
Lois quickly conjured five chairs but Baldur shook his head and pulled Clark to stand next to him by their father's throne.
"Tell me child, how much have you seen of Earth? What do you think of it?" He asked with that same gentleness.
"It is primitive." She said without hesitation. "They are centuries behind Krypton." She added with a hint of disdain.
"You should not deem that to be a bad thing." Odin said with a small smile.
"Krypton was a bright shining jewel in the universe!" Kara argued passionately. "Our technology was unrivalled, our culture was rich enough that other races used us as templates."
"And yet, Krypton is gone and Earth lives on." He pointed out.
Kara's mouth snapped shut.
"Due to my son's origins I keep up with the events of Krypton." He indicated Clark. "What we have learned is that Krypton was only so technologically advanced because of Brainiac. Without a doubt Krypton could have been great." He added quickly at Kara's outraged look. "It was your own uncle, Jor-El who uncovered Brainiac's treachery, but even his accomplishments were built on what Brainiac gave your people."
"You make us sound like toys for Brainiac to play with." Kara said in distaste.
"You were." Clark said bluntly causing Kara to look at feeling betrayed.
"Kal?" Odin asked softly. Clark was not known for being confrontational or quite so tactless.
"The failures of Krypton should not be swept under the rug." Kal answered. "There is a chance for Krypton to be re-born from it's ashes, but it will merely continue in a vicious cycle if they and the rest of the galaxy doesn't remember what happened to Krypton and the planets that came before it."
"What planets?" Kara asked.
"Krypton was merely the last planet that Brainiac got his hands on. He had already catalogued and destroyed plenty of planets before yours."
"How did it go again?" Lois muttered curiously. "It was Brainiac who was stringing Zod along whilst Zod was stringing your dad along. Like a Russian Nesting doll of puppetry."
"He is not my father." Kara scowled.
"Always remember where you came from child." Odin advised. "You will need to know what path they followed so you do not find yourself walking it yourself.
"But you are right. From what I have learnt the man has forfeited the right to claim parentage over you. To play with the memories of a child in such a manner… " He trailed off sadly as he stroked Thor's golden hair. He loved his daughter, but he still felt sorrow for what had happened to his son.
"What do you think of Asgard?" Baldur asked curiously.
Kara flushed slightly. She wasn't sure how to answer that without insulting them.
Clark covered his face with his hands as Odin and Baldur chuckled.
"We seem primitive in your eyes, yes?" Odin queried.
Kara just flushed brighter.
"We are an ancient people. We have the intelligence to reach the technological levels of those such as Krypton, but we lack the motivation.
"We have no need for technology here in Asgard. We are immortal and we cherish our culture and our way of life. Technology would taint what we hold dear."
"Yes, a Midgard gun has nothing on the feel of thrusting your blade into your enemies chest." Baldur said with passionate thrust of his hand.
"Baldur, young Kara is not of warrior race such as ours. Neither are the rest of our guests. Be mindful of what you say." Odin chastised gently.
Baldur sighed somewhat disappointedly. "Yes father. I apologise." Gave a small but sincere bow to the others.
"Don't worry Baldur, as long as Harry doesn't have a problem with it I will invite you to the next big battle." Clark assured him with a grin.
"Why are you so sure there will be a 'next big battle'?" Lois asked with narrowed eyes.
"Because your husband is a wise man!" Odin laughed. "He has surrounded himself with warriors, soldiers, hunters and fighters. Earth is growing quickly and Lord Death will soon branch out and begin to tame this universe. This will not sit well with some and they will seek to raise arms against him."
"L-Lord Death?" Kara asked a little nervously.
"Harry Potter is Death." Clark said with a seriousness that captured Kara's complete attention. "He is the one who stands between this life and the next. If you ever meet a God of the Underworld then you are meeting one of Harry's Avatars.
"Harry has the power to end a life, destroy a soul or simply ensure it survives for its proper time."
"The man with black hair and green eyes? With the lightning bolt scar?"
"That is Death." Baldur said gravely.
"Ok, that scar bugs me." Lois scowled. "We've seen him build bodies from nothing, heal people from decapitation! He brought me back from the dead twice (although one was his fault). How can he not heal that scar?"
"It's part of his base form." Clark chuckled. "He gained it when he was one year old, before he gained access to all his power. He can easily hide it with charms or his shape-shifting but he sees it as a waste of time and energy."
"But why can't he heal the scar? Lana cleared up my scars pretty easily."
"Ah… it was caused by a dark curse. Now it has become something that defines him as Death."
"I wonder what Time thinks about his Avatar running around wearing the mark of Death." Lois muttered.
"Barry chose his emblem before he met Harry or even knew about Avatars." Aphrodite explained. "I do not believe Time would object if Barry's symbol were interpreted as that of Death."
"Yeah… I'm still gonna mock him about it." Lois decided.
"Kara, you are new to this world. Do you have questions, be they about Asgard, Krypton or Earth?" Odin asked the young girl.
"Lots." She breathed out with a fairly dazed expression.
The others couldn't help but laugh.
"It's all so different." Kara explained. "Kal says he has to hide who he is. I haven't seen much of Earth but I have visited a few times and they live so differently from us."
"You are family to Kal, that means you are welcome here at anytime in Asgard." Odin declared loudly so that the courtiers and other members of the court easily heard and knew this was a declaration. "When you come here you won't need to hide who you are. We are not as familiar with Midgard as we once were but we can answer some of your questions."
Kara was just staring at the very large, hairy, muscled and one-eyed man. Then Lois elbowed here. "Oh, thank you."
Odin just smiled at her.
It was a nice sunny day.
People were out shopping, working, taking the kids out.
Aquaman had just finished helping the police of Boston by capturing a van filled with armed robbers who had been engaged in a running gun battle along the highly populated streets in the business district.
What did Aquaman get for his troubles? Ridicule.
Granted it was different when he approached the United Nations. There had been a bit of trouble at first as they didn't believe Atlantis was real. A little bit of righteous indignation from Queen Amara had quickly sorted that out.
Coming to this diner on the coast in his uniform was probably not his smartest move. He still didn't get respect and was being mocked by this… hipster!
"How's it feel to be nobody's favourite super-hero?" The smarmy little git asked.
Aquaman was about to reach for his trident. Whether he would leave or smack the insolent man with the shaft had yet to be decided.
"Have you ever seen a shark, kid?"
Aquaman froze at that familiar voice.
"Doctor Potter!" The kid gasped with the rest of the diner's patrons.
First Aquaman had turned up and now the man who knew all the super-heroes.
"Well? You seen sharks before?" Harry pressed as he grabbed the young man by the sweater and pulled him roughly out of the booth.
"Y-Y-Yes!"
"All those teeth. Capable of so much carnage." Harry nodded as he stepped in close to the brat. "Why don't you explain to all these people here why you are trying to piss off a man who can get every shark in the area to dive out of the water and attack you?"
Unfortunately this man was far too arrogant to actually back down. "He- He can't hurt me on land."
"Really?" Harry grabbed the man's hand and slammed it, palm down, on the table. "How about we test that little theory of yours and ask Aquaman to put his trident through your hand? Hmmm?" Harry taunted the now pale and shaking man.
"You can't do that man!"
There was a sudden crack of thunder and some thing fell from the sky causing the sand on the beach to fly into the air. After a few moments Superman strode out of the falling silt.
The patrons watched as Superman marched into the diner, his face black as thunder.
As soon as he laid eyes on Harry and the feeble little cretin he changed his course. "You! You pitiful excuse for a human." He snarled as he approached. "After all that Aquaman has done for this city you think you just insult him?"
"Hey man, we were just messing around." The man laughed weakly from his new position of being held two feet off the ground by the front of his sweater.
"You were trying to make yourself a big man." Superman sneered. "You are the worst type Donovan Cleese. Yes I know who you are. The second Harry told me what was happening I had you researched. You are coward. You hide behind your blog whilst you make baseless claims."
"It's free speech man!"
"No. It's hate. It's abuse. It's everything that makes America and humanity bad. It is people like you that took America to the brink of war with the rest of the world and nearly destroyed the world by launching an unprovoked attack on an unknown species.
"America used to be great. It was the land of opportunity where people would come seeking a better life. Now it is seen as a cess pit of corruption and it is all because of people like you."
"Kal."
His softly spoken name brought Harry to his attention. Harry gave a small nod and he dropped shaking yet arrogant man.
"Get out of my sight." Superman snarled.
"Cleese, before you go… you are banned from this establishment." A man called over the counter before turning to nod at Aquaman. "Sorry for the trouble sir."
Aquaman just nodded back.
"Two more of whatever Aquaman ordered." Harry called out as he slid into the seat opposite.
"You didn't have to do that. I would have happily left rather than cause a scene." Aquaman said with a frown.
"A scene was required." Harry retorted. "I was kicked out of the castle as we have some new guests. I thought I would come visit and I heard that jerk mocking you." Harry leaned across the table. "Nobody insults my friends like that. I know you could have dealt with him but… no. The world needs to see you as more than a punch line for some fool on a late night channel."
"Besides, you just saved untold lives by stopping those gunmen in the city." Superman added. "You didn't ask them to thank you. You didn't ask them to bow to you. But you definitely deserve a little respect. You shed blood so those cops and civilians wouldn't."
"Sirs, I've got your orders." The brunette waitress said as she came up balancing three plates.
"Fish and chips?! I haven't had that in ages!" Harry said excitedly.
"Mr. Aquaman, sir-"
"Just Aquaman will do." Orin smiled kindly.
"Oh… thank you." She curtsied awkwardly and nervously. "I was just wondering what you meant earlier about dolphins being different to other fish?"
Aquaman nodded. "The average fish has instincts and needs as opposed to thoughts as we have them. They think in simple terms of 'hunger', 'danger', 'mate'. But dolphins are capable of more. They can speak their own language which I can use to converse with them."
"Are they as intelligent as humans then?" She asked.
"As intelligent as human toddlers." Aquaman allowed.
"Do you think that one day we humans might be able to communicate with them?"
Aquaman glanced at Harry with a small smile. "I do."
The waitress beamed happily and moved to leave before remembering something. "Oh, Stan, the manager, he says all your meals are free."
"That is not necessary." Aquaman assured her.
"I refuse to charge cops and the military and I'll be damned before I charge you!" The same man who had issued the ban on Cleese called out.
Aquaman frowned, not quite understanding.
"I'll explain it." Harry assured the waitress who took that as her cue to leave. "Because of the service that people like cops, the military, paramedics and firemen provide, many drinking establishments will offer either free or discounted food and drink out of respect for the sacrifice they make.
"Stan sees you as belonging in that group. Someone who has put their life on the line to help others. He means nothing but respect."
"It's people like Stan that actually give me hope for this country." Superman nodded. "The President has the right ideals but as a politician he is going to have a hard time implementing them whilst keeping everyone happy."
Superman smiled as he cleared his plate and made to stand. "I will see you later. I only came because it was me or the Cuckoos and Tsukiumi. The Cuckoos were outraged by what they saw happening through Harry's eyes."
"Thank you for your assistance." Aquaman said as he and Harry stood respectfully.
Superman looked around at the few patrons that were there. He and Aquaman were in costume and drew quite a bit of attention.
"Would you be willing to offer Stan something better than money?" He asked in a whisper.
A few minutes later, Aquaman found himself standing next to Harry as Stan stood between Harry and Superman and the waitress took their photo. The four men where smiling happily.
The photo would soon be mounted on the wall of the diner and would bring a smile to his lips whenever he saw it.
As Harry and Aquaman walked down the beach to the lighthouse they fell into easy conversation.
"You were honestly kicked out of the castle?" Arthur 'Aquaman' Curry aka Orin, King of Atlantis asked ruefully.
"Yes." Harry grumbled. "Yesterday we found Clark's birth mother and cousin embedded in the bed of a dam in their ship. They are still adjusting to having missed eighteen odd years in which baby Clark grew up and became Superman."
"And they kicked you out for that?"
"No. Some Smart Alec decided to tell the cousin that I am Death. She was getting freaked out by my presence."
Arthur just smiled in amusement.
"So, what led you to eat at a public diner in costume?" Harry asked as his mood became more teasing.
Arthur's smile turned a little sad. "My father would take me there. After the ridicule I received having helped stop the gunmen I wanted some comfort. I cherish the memories of my father."
"Ah. You should tell that story to Stan." Harry smiled.
"It still feels a bit wrong. Selling my image like that." He said referring to the photograph he had posed for. He had been truly happy to do it and his smile had been genuine though.
"Well you weren't 'selling' it. With a man like Stan, he isn't interested in exploiting you. He was just touched at the thought that you were happy enough in his establishment to actually stand for the photo. That photo will make him smile nearly every day.
"You could use a place like the Diner. A place where you can just relax and be you. You definitely don't come round the castle enough. I know Tsukiumi and Kusano enjoy Mera's company."
They reached the door of the lighthouse and heard two female women laughing along with a giggling little girl.
"Speak of the devil." Harry smirked.
Arthur opened the door to reveal Mera with the aforementioned Sekirei as the elder two made water animals for Kusano to play with.
Harry made a note to show Clark this memory. It was very rare to see Tsukiumi so relaxed.
"Daddy!" Kusano was the first to notice Harry and ran over for a hug.
"Father, we came to visit Mera and explain the situation." Tsukiumi said with a small bow to her father. She then turned and bowed lower to Arthur. "Your Majesty."
"Thank you Tsukiumi, but you needn't worry about bowing and such in my own home or yours. I would only ask you do so in Atlantis. And please, call me Arthur or Orin."
"It is as I told her." Mera said with a smile. "She is the wife of a god and lord herself. This makes her a lady."
Arthur's eyebrows went up. "This is true. Your husband has far more power than I." It had taken a lot of displays of power but Arthur and Mera were definitely believers in Harry being Death.
Having your own father come back from the grave temporarily just to tell you that left little doubt.
"Meh, this is a home and not a palace or castle." Harry said dismissively. "Leave the airs and graces for where they belong. I much prefer to play like you three where when we walked in." He grinned at Kusano.
Harry was about to sit down when he noticed something. "You are about to have a visitor." He told Arthur.
Sure enough there was a knock on the door and they could see flashing lights of a police car outside.
Standing on the door was fairly harried looking cop. He was lightly tanned with a beard and moustache. His tie was loose and his body language fairly screamed panic.
"You look like Aquaman, but it's hard to tell for sure without the orange shirt." The said slightly relieved.
"It's scale armour. Can I help you with something?" Aquaman asked tightly. His experience with cops had not been good. Especially not today.
"My name's Wilson. I'm the Sheriff of Beachrock. It's-"
"I know it. It's 30 miles up the coast." Aquaman interrupted.
"Get to the point man." Harry said as he joined Aquaman at the door. He wasn't happy as the cop had lied.
"Doctor Potter?"
"The point!"
"Right… Beachrock. It was attacked by creatures that came out of the water. They took the whole town."
"Next time you come looking for help, don't lie, Deputy." Harry said as he poked the cop's badge where it clearly stated he was a deputy.
The man looked contrite. "Sorry, it's just that I didn't know if you would even listen to a deputy. My boss doesn't know I am here."
"Well… despite your lie, the fact that you had the sense to come and ask an expert puts you one above your boss." Harry allowed. He turned to Arthur. "It's your call Aquaman, but I'd like to offer our help."
"Your help and counsel are welcome." Aquaman nodded.
"Mera, could you send Kusano through the door?"
"I want to come to!" Kusano whined.
"It is a school night Kusano." Tsukiumi gently reminded her. "You know the rules."
The little girl pouted and the adults watched with fond smiles as she stomped off with Mera behind her.
"Reminds me of my kid sister." Deputy Wilson chuckled.
"Do you have anymore details about this attack?" Harry asked.
"None sir. Like I said, these creatures just came out and attacked and kidnapped the townspeople."
"You saw them?"
"No, but we've got forensic evidence that shows the basics of what happened."
Mera returned and the group piled in the Deputy's car and headed to the town.
The group of four, Harry, Aquaman, Mera and Tsukiumi, followed Wilson down the pier to where a mass of people in uniform were examining the carnage left in the wake of the disappearance of the townspeople.
"Wilson? Where the hell have you been?" The actual Sheriff demanded as he stormed up. "The place is a madhouse and you just up and leave only to come back with… Aquaman and… Aquawoman?"
"It's Mera." The red head said with a glare.
"I'm sorry but… look, Sheriff, Aquaman knows anything there is to know about the ocean."
"Because he's from Atlantis?" The Sheriff sneered. "You watched too many of those 'In Search of…' episodes when you were a kid."
"What did you watch? Telly-Tubbies?" Harry snorted.
"Who the hell are you?"
"So you don't even watch the news then." Harry said in disgust. "Wilson, smart call on looking for Aquaman. Your boss has a distinct lack of brains."
"Listen buddy, what makes you think you can just come here and start-"
Harry waved a hand causing the Sheriff to lose his voice.
"Father! I thought-"
"I know Tsukiumi." Harry sighed. "I've been hiding what I am for so long but now, there is a whole town full of people missing and I can't see any sign of them. I think the people of Earth need to learn just who I am and just how insignificant they actually are."
"If you say so, Father." Tsukiumi nodded as she stepped back.
"Who's in charge here?" Harry called out.
"I'm Agent Gregson, FBI. Doctor Potter, Aquaman, ladies. If you can shed some light on this mystery then I'm not fool enough to turn you away." A tall African-American man nodded as he came up and showed them his ID.
"Aquaman, if you want to do your thing I'll consult with forensics." Harry offered.
Aquaman and Mera headed to the end of the dock whilst Tsukiumi shadowed Harry.
"Doctor, did I just see you make use of a previously undeclared power?" Agent Gregson asked carefully.
"Why Agent! You make it sound so… nefarious!" Harry grinned.
"No sir!" The agent backpedalled quickly. "I just wanted to make sure I saw what I saw… also… I can put this in my report?"
"Agent, for the past few years that I have been in this universe, I have hidden my abilities. Instead I have used my immense experience to help and guide super powered individuals. I believe the time has now come for me to be more open with the world.
"Put the truth, as you saw it, in your report and we will have no problems."
As Harry walked off he left a fairly dazed FBI agent standing there.
Harry bypassed the forensics and calmly walked up to Aquaman. "There is a mass of life forms still on the boat. None of them peaceful." He said calmly and quietly.
Aquaman gripped his trident a little tighter. "There are too many people here. We need a way to get them back with alerting the ones on the boat.
"What we need is someone capable of creating a flexible yet impenetrable barrier." He nodded. "One Green Lantern coming up. You ready?"
"What of Mera and Tsukiumi?"
"I have informed them." Harry assured him.
"On your word then."
"John, go." Harry said quietly.
Instantly a wall of green light shot from the sky and began forcing the law officials back.
"Stay behind the wall until the danger has passed." Aquaman instructed as Tsukiumi and Mera joined them.
"Ready girls?" Harry grinned at the two women.
"I am looking forward to trying out this water sword that Tsukiumi has taught me." Mera smiled.
"I'll get their attention." Harry said seriously. "You three react based on them."
Aquaman learnt that day just why Clark often got annoyed with his older brother.
Harry picked up a piece of driftwood and smashed it against the side of the ship. "Hellooooo! Why don't you come on out? We know you're in there."
Tsukiumi scowled at her father. She was so telling her husband on him later.
Suddenly a stream of large, black, slippery humanoid creatures with very large teeth erupted from the boat and straight at Harry.
Harry conjured his lightsabre and began hacking away as the others joined in.
It was an absolute massacre.
Because of the danger to the humans behind Green Lantern's shield, Harry couldn't simply attempt to disable them. He killed them by cutting them to ribbons. This wasn't too much of a problem for Harry as his lightsabre cauterised the wounds… his three companions where covered in blood and gore.
As the last creature burst from the ship Harry grabbed it by the throat and ploughed it into the wooden deck of the dock.
The creature found three blades at it's throat, two were made of water… it knew better than to move.
"Why have you attacked this town?" Harry demanded.
"Food! Food for Her!" It said in a strange language. Fortunately the translation charm was up for it.
"You could have taken food from the sea. Fish are plentiful. Why humans?"
"Pink flesh tasty. Nothing but the best for Her."
"Tsukiumi, call for a telepath." Harry ordered.
"Can they be reasoned with?" Aquaman asked.
"No. They don't believe we are anything more than food." Harry said grimly. "We'll track the townspeople, rescue them and then destroy these creatures. They don't care about anything except themselves."
"You called Harry?" Emma asked as she appeared in uniform.
"Need a full memory dump from this one." He indicated the creature still being held at blade point by the three water users.
Emma nodded and got to work. Harry gave a signal to John Stewart who dropped his shield and landed next to them.
"Are you certain the townspeople are still alive?" John asked.
"Yeah." Harry turned to the edge of the dock where the divers had been kept in the water and safe by John's ring. "Gentlemen, dive down under the boat. There is a cocoon under the keel, it contains a survivor."
One of the divers just nodded and dove down as the other two looked at Harry with awe.
"He's not going to manage on his own!" Harry said sarcastically.
They just kept staring.
"I will help the diver." Aquaman sighed as he dove into the water.
"You may kill the creature." Emma told Tsukiumi and Mera. "I have downloaded its memory."
"Whoa, these guys come from pretty deep in the ocean." Harry exclaimed as he accessed the information Emma had deposited in his mind. "They've been trapped in the Marianas Trench since before Atlantis sank. Actually… the Atlanteans trapped them there.
"Wait… huh… these little bastards were actually on the meteor that sank Atlantis."
"Harry, perhaps the history lesson could wait until after we have dealt with them." Emma interrupted him. "We both know that these creatures are irredeemable, they would treat humans like cattle."
Aquaman and the diver returned with the cocoon and placed it on the deck. Aquaman quickly pried it open to reveal a very relieved brown dog.
"A dog? All this carnage just to save a damned dog?" The Sheriff asked as he approached with Agent Gregson and Deputy Wilson.
Wilson was looking at the Sheriff in disbelief whilst Gregson was just massaging his brow in frustration with the man.
"If they kept the dog alive then they probably kept the townspeople alive!" Wilson told his boss incredulously.
"Excellent deduction, Wilson. Why are you just a deputy again?" Harry asked blithely.
"If this idiot keeps giving you hassle, apply to for the FBI. I'll write you a recommendation." Gregson glared at the Sheriff.
"Aquaman, my guess is we need to institute a search and rescue for the kidnapped townspeople. Once completed we need to seal or destroy the creatures." Harry explained.
"I vote for destroying them." Emma offered. Mera and Tsukiumi just nodded.
"Surely there is a way we could relocate them to some place safer." The Green Lantern argued.
Harry shook his head. "These creatures… this is one of those decisions I have to make as an Aspect. I have to decide what is best for everyone and in this case… extermination of an entire race is the only option I can recommend."
"Harry, are you intending to reveal your full nature?" Emma asked pointedly.
"Magic and Death." Harry nodded.
"Then, Aquaman, you should know that Harry is capable of transporting all of the townspeople in one go."
Aquaman raised and impressed eyebrow but said nothing. He went back to thinking.
Eventually he turned back to the others.
"By your leave, Lord Death, I would enlist the aid of your family and the Green Lantern here. We will swim to the Abyss, Superman should be able to sense the souls and your family can return them to the surface where you may administer your formidable healing abilities."
Harry just nodded. Aquaman was a lot smarter than he let on.
"I recommend you take Iron Man with you." Emma suggested. "His sensors will be able to detect whatever Superman and yourself cannot."
Harry was just sitting on the end of the dock with his feet dangling over the edge with Tsukiumi by his side. Whilst the others were off searching for the kidnapped humans in the trench, she was playing bodyguard.
Being assigned as the protection detail for the single most important person in the universe was nothing to scoff at.
Especially when you considered the six Amazons and three Sekirei spread around the area invisibly who were also a part of the detail.
"Doctor Potter, would you mind answering a few questions?" Agent Gregson asked nervously as he stepped up to the edge of the dock.
Harry smiled but didn't look up. "Anyone can ask me questions, Agent. Just don't always expect an answer."
"Err-"
"Sit down and ask your questions." Harry chuckled.
Very carefully the Agent lowered himself to the ground.
"As you and the rest of humanity has learnt over the past few years, the world extends far beyond your little planet." Harry said calmly as he gazed into the water. "There are aliens in other planets. But it doesn't end there."
"There's more than aliens?" Gregson asked with raised eyebrows.
"Much more. The gods exist. Zeus, Odin… the Amaterasu is named after the chief goddess of the Japanese pantheon.
"But aside from gods there are also various realities. Some realities are offshoots of the existing one. A fork in the road, to use a common analogy.
"It is known as the multi-verse theory. Put into a simplistic statement it means that in existence out there, there is a reality for every single possibility… an infinity of universes."
"I'm familiar with the theory." Gregson nodded. "You are saying it is more than a theory?"
Harry laughed. "I come from one of those realities. I have been to other realities as well."
"And your reason for coming here?" Gregson was still slightly sceptical but he knew he needed to get as much information as possible.
"It was recommended that I come to this universe by a group of friends who exist outside of reality. They point out universes where there might be an event occurring that could use my help. In this case it was the emergence of super heroes and meta-humans.
"The universes I have previously dealt with have reached a similar point in their evolution where humans begin to develop new abilities. They are a minority at first and feared by baseline humans. I step in and ensure equality.
"The White Queen, who was here earlier, I met her several millennia ago. In her world she was called a 'mutant'. It was an insulting moniker applied to their versions of meta-humans. We have put a lot of time and effort into ensuring that it isn't used in this reality.
"A few months after I arrived in the White Queen's universe there was actually a move to make it a law to have meta-humans sterilised so they couldn't have children.
"It was at that point I had had enough and I made moves to conquer the world fully."
"Conquer the world?" Gregson really hoped Harry hadn't noticed the squeak in his voice.
"I arrived in that universe several thousands of years ago. I rule all of the known galaxies. In time the same will be true here. Once things are running smoothly I will move onto another universe and begin work there."
"So… you're a dictator?"
Harry turned and smiled at Gregson softly. "I currently rule North Korea. Wherever I rule I implement what is known as 'The Oath of Civilisation'. It is simple law that states that no one may do anything that infringes on the freedoms and safeties of the innocent."
"You… you are being quite free with this information." He noted nervously.
"The President of the United States is already aware. I paid him a visit with some others on the night he was elected and warned him about straying down the same path as his predecessor. But truthfully, he is a much better man than that." Harry said in approval.
"W-What do you intend to do now? You have just admitted you are intending to conquer the world."
"Agent Gregson, I am over 20 million years old. I can be very patient. I don't like taking things by force. If a country starts to misbehave and threatens its citizens or the citizens of the world I will step in and take control of the countries government.
"Most countries will voluntarily submit to the Alliance. I have no intention of sitting on a throne and telling people what to do. Instead I will do what I have always done: Teach and heal."
"How soon do you intend to tell the world about who you are?"
Harry chuckled. "There won't be really big announcement for a while, Agent. For now, people will see me performing magic." He conjured a small dragon of fiendfyre. "One of my driving forces is to give people the ability to do magic. Most of Africa now has the ability, along with Japan and North Korea."
"And how much does this cost?" Gregson asked sceptically.
"The cost is simply that they have to take the Oath of Civilisation."
"That's it?"
"That's it." Harry confirmed.
"I… I should probably go and report this."
"You should probably focus on your assignment here and wait for the rescued town." Harry said pointedly.
Gregson just nodded as he quickly stood. He wasn't going to argue with the man who conjured a lightsabre and then used it better than Mace Windu.
It only took a few more minutes before the team started teleporting back with the townspeople in their cocoons before returning to collect more. The police and divers watching in awe as Harry cut the people out with his lightsabre. It took nearly an hour before the Green Lantern returned with Mera and Aquaman.
"All done?" Harry asked. Just off the dock, on land, the rescued townspeople where sipping conjured hot drinks.
"Yes, they were all destroyed." Green Lantern nodded sadly.
"And you? Got a little careless?" Harry smirked at Aquaman.
The King of Atlantis was sporting a nasty bite mark on his shoulder and his orange armoured shirt was ruined. A wave of Harry's hand and he was all fixed.
"It was very close quarters." Aquaman grumbled.
"I found it no trouble." Emma said smugly.
"Em', you were constantly in your diamond form." Xander smirked. "Half of your opponents where put out of commission when they broke their teeth on your skin."
"Come on Arthur, let's go back to the castle." Harry patted the sulking King. "Atlantis needs to start becoming magical and you are a good place to start."
