"I thought the boss said this was your job?" A grumpy Teleute complained as she lounged in a deck chair, floating several miles above the planet and sipping on a butterbeer.

Next to her was Clark, in his own chair, sipping his mug of the same. "It's called 'delegation'." Clark grinned as he laid back and looked up at the spinning planet above them.

"Then why are you here as well?"

"It's called 'micro-managing'."

"Just because the boss is away, doesn't mean you have to uphold his sense of humour." She grumbled.

"Harry's sense of humour would involve us sitting on a cloud with halos and harps. Or walking around with black cloaks and scythes."

"So why the sudden desire to bond?" Teleute asked.

"Because you are important." Clark shrugged. "You yourself said you were the chief Avatar of Death in this universe. More importantly, Harry has confirmed that.

"He didn't say you weren't. He didn't point to someone else, like me, and say 'no, they are'.

"Harry has placed his trust in you."

"So… you're jealous or suspicious?" She frowned.

Clark smiled and shook his head. "I don't want your authority. Harry has already said that I'm second only to him. I'm not suspicious either. If Harry trusts you then that is good enough for me."

"If you say so." She clearly had her doubts.

"Like I said, you're important. You are responsible for this universe. You've already said there might be an issue with souls missing, so I'm trying to help you get used to us.

"If you need our help then you should feel confident in calling on us. Death's Hand is ready to answer your call if you need him."

"Did the boss really get captured?" She asked.

"Twice, technically. Japan… Earth was hours away from the gods invading to find him."

"What happened?"

"They sent me in. A scout or investigator. Harry had already declared me his apprentice, Odin and others agreed this was my duty.

"How is it that you weren't aware of what happened?"

"I was outside of time and space. It is disorientating. It was not easy coming back to find humanity had grown up so much. They were still riding horses when I left."

"But… your clothes are modern." Clark pointed out.

Teleute turned up her nose unrepentantly. "A girls gotta get with the times."

They sat there in silence for a minute.

"Do we really have to sit up here all night?"

"Supes? I've got a nut in costume standing on top of LutherCorp Tower calling himself the 'Angel of Wrath'. He's screaming a lot of insulting rhetoric but hasn't done anything but wave a gun around. Can you take a look and see if I should just deal with him or if he's booby trapped or more than he seems?"

Clark frowned. He wasn't sure why The Flash was in Metropolis, but he would take a look. He stood from his chair and activated his armour. "Looks like you get to see some action tonight." He said Teleute.

The Avatar wasn't sure that staying seated wouldn't be better.

%

When Superman teleported to The Flash with the Chief Avatar of Death, they were both invisible. So was The Flash, but Superman could still sense his friend's soul.

"That is a very colourful outfit." Superman commented.

"Hey!"

"Red and gold is one thing, Flash. Pink, blue, black and fluorescent yellow… that's a crime against fashion."

"Ok." The Flash conceded. "But waving a firearm around, trespassing and making threats, that's a crime of a more serious nature."

"Agreed. I'm not seeing any hidden weapons that I can identify, but he is carrying a large gem. He also appears to be human."

"Should we call in a tech?" Flash asked.

"Cyborg or War Machine. This man is standing on LutherCorp, so let's avoid bringing Iron Man into this side of things." Superman cancelled the invisibility spell on them as Cyborg appeared.

"Flash, Superman… erm, Ma'am?"

"Just call me 'Tel'." Teleute shrugged.

"Can you detect anything about that man?" Superman indicated the raving lunatic on the skyscrapers opposite.

"One moment." Cyborg's eyes glowed brighter and a red hologram appeared before them that showed a wireframe of the man. "The crystal is emitting a form of radiation. That radiation is also being pulsed through his body. The weapon is a standard, US Army assault rifle, it is loaded and set to automatic fire. His clothing is simple coloured lycra. His face is painted, it is not natural."

"So we need to neutralise the crystal." The Flash determined. "If we can incapacitate the man, we could levitate the crystal into a box."

"You take the lead, Flash."

"You sure? This is your city."

Superman just nodded.

"I'll grab the gun. You handle him and the crystal."

"On your signal."

The Flash immediately entered super speed as he raised his hand. Only Superman could see it and was hot on the Avatar of Time's tail.

"Those boys work really fast." Teleute mused appreciatively.

"Two of the most powerful beings in existence." Cyborg agreed. "Makes me wonder why they need me." He said sadly as he looked down at his metal covered hands.

"Victor, I cannot sense your end." Teleute said softly. "There are very few true immortals, you have an eternity ahead of you. Don't let doubt consume you. Instead, seek opportunity."

Both were startled as thunder and lightning split the sky.

"Come, we should investigate." Teleute grabbed Victor's hand and teleported them to Superman.

What they found was the God of Thunder on his knees and being bombarded by lightning.

The Flash had a firm grip on the colourful lunatic and Harry was standing nearby, clearly unhappy.

Victor began screaming in pain.

"Tel! Get him out of here." Harry shouted over the thunder. "This is divine lightning and he is made of a lot of metal!"

Teleute quickly vanished with the cyborg.

Something snapped under the onslaught of lightning and The Flash and Harry were momentarily blinded by Superman's transformation into his energy form.

Despite his lack of lungs, he was clearly breathing heavily.

"Kal?" The Flash asked cautiously.

"I'll be fine, Flash." Superman said as he crawled to his knees. "This stone, it… it was trying to possess me. It could control my body, but I could access my divinity and destroyed my body."

"I thought you could change without the massive storms." Harry frowned.

"I can." Superman nodded. "But I couldn't control my body."

"And it can't posses your energy form?" The Flash asked.

"Apparently not. I'm not getting feelings from this." He held up the stone.

"Kal! Do you have any idea how much this is going to cost?" They turned to the roof exit to see Lex and Mercy approaching. "You've fried half the electronics in the building." The billionaire grumbled.

"Lex, just be glad you still have a building." Superman retorted. "I was being possessed. Imagine the damage my physical body could have done."

"I told you, Boss." Mercy smirked.

"Mercy, I just want an excuse to moan. Please don't deny me that." Lex glared at his sister/bodyguard. "Is the stone still a danger?" He asked Superman.

"I can't tell. Cyborg was able to get some readings but he was being damaged by my lightning."

"Something we'll need to fix." Lex said as he activated his Iron Man armour. "Yeah, I can see it is still generating some sort of energy.

"Harry, can you close off my magic? We'll see if I can hold it safely in my armour."

"Whoa… we've seen what that armour is capable of." The Flash hastily stepped forward, the lunatic still unconscious in his arms. "I'd really prefer you didn't get possessed."

"Relax. The suit is keyed to my brain patterns. Possession should affect them. Besides, Harry and Superman know the codes to lock my armour."

"Huh?"

"It is literally a failsafe for events like this." Harry explained with a smile. "As well as theft and anything else that might turn the armour into a threat."

"Oh… ok." The Flash clearly wasn't entirely convinced.

"It shouldn't matter though." Harry added. "That crystal is a soul container. I can eradicate anything that tries to control you."

Iron Man held out his hand to Superman and took the crystal.

"I don't feel any different, but the armour is throwing up a ton of alerts. I assume you've got a suitable storage for something like this?" He asked Harry.

"The Phantom Zone has another project. I want to know how this was made. I'm getting real fed up with this universe messing with souls." Harry growled as he placed a hand on Iron Man's shoulder and vanished.

There was an annoyed growl from Mercy. "What the hell am I supposed to do?" She demanded.

"Go and check on Cyborg for me." Superman instructed. "I need to go and rebuild my body."

%

Whilst this was happening, a certain Amazon had requested a meeting with several specific women.

"Goddess, sisters, I request your permission and blessing to-"

"Granted."

Diana looked up from her position on her knees at Aphrodite and the grinning Kyla. Standing behind them were the rest of Clark's 'harem'. "But, you don't know what-"

"Of course I do." Aphrodite smirked. "I am an Avatar of Love."

"And the rest of us are beings dedicated love." Kyla added. "Amazons and Sekirei."

"I'm not."

"Except Lois who is our personal sex toy when Clark isn't around." Kyla amended.

"Hey!"

"Kyla!" Yume gasped as she held her hands over the curious Kusano's ears.

"Oops."

"I have watched your relationship with Harry evolve. There were no preconditions set. He loves you and you have come to love him. But it is a relationship that he has only ever had with Luna, Kal and Neville." Aphrodite smiled at her. "You are Death's Sister. He has said as such to you and now all creation knows it.

"But we have also seen your heart reach out to Kal-El. It has been a beautiful thing to watch, but also painful as you tried to deal with these feelings."

"But… if you knew, why did you not object?" Diana frowned.

"An Avatar of Love does not guide love. It does not decide what is best for love. An Avatar of Love defends love. There is a reason my Amazons are warriors."

"And none of you object to my… my feelings for Kal?" She asked the room at large.

There was a sigh as Lois stepped forward. "Listen, Di. If anyone here was going to object or make a fuss, then it would be me. I'm not an Amazon or Sekirei-"

"You are number 109." Kusano interrupted defiantly.

"Not for this conversation, Sweetie." Kazehana smiled at the youngest.

Kusano's frown remained, but she kept quiet.

"Like I was saying, I'm the only one who would object. But I don't. I got used to Clark and his weird little life long ago. Before I even knew we were soul mates.

"My guess… that one can see a bond forming between you and Clark already." Lois gestured to Aphrodite with her head.

The goddess shrugged. "It has taken all of my willpower not to interfere and try and push you together. Even Kal does not know."

"But Harry probably does." Jodi offered. "I'd bet he told you he saw you as a sister and mentioned you were looking to Clark?"

Diana frowned, but also smiled slightly. "You are very… insightful, Sister."

"I've been watching most of the Smallville natives and Harry for a long time. He loves a good laugh, but he hates to see others suffer."

"You are a Smallville native." Chloe frowned.

"Sure, but I wasn't always part of your group. I watched Lana and Clark dance around each other, Kyla pretty much grab him by the balls, the Cuckoos nearly put on a porno with their life-sized sex toy, the Sekirei threaten death to anyone who prevents them getting Clark in bed… and you looking longingly after the stud since we were ten." She finished with a smirk at the phoenix.

Chloe turned so red it looked like she might have an early Burning Day.

"Really?" Lana was suddenly very interested as she smirked. "Was Kyla the only one engineering my being soul bound to Clark?"

"Bu- But we didn't even know we would be affected!" Chloe protested.

"Hey, Di." Lois leaned in and stage whispered. "Did you think about the baggage that comes with Smallville?" She nodded to the three other Amazons.

Diana laughed nervously. "As Xander says; added benefits."

%

Lex was extremely tired after a day filled with boring paperwork and then the worry that his little brother might be possessed.

Lex didn't patrol like the others. He had frequent naps during the day so that he could function if an emergency occurred, but otherwise he went home to his beautiful wife or visited the castle until Iron Man was called for.

Jason also stayed away from patrols. He didn't think that civilians would be appreciative of a hero calling themselves 'War Machine' patrolling their neighbourhoods.

He refused to choose a new name. He had a lot of respect for previous users of the armour. War Machine had its place in the world, it just wasn't on civilian streets during peacetime.

For Lex, it was time to head home. A short drive to his apartment and then a portal door to Smallville. Mercy hadn't returned from Smallville yet, but Logan, or 'James' was still his driver.

He made it off the elevator and into the underground garage when he was bowled over, he landed face first with a heavy weight on his back.

"Where is the stone!?" An old male voice demanded. "Do not make me torturrrgh!"

The weight vanished and Lex rolled over to see an old male with white hair and dark tanned skin being held off the ground by Logan's fist beneath his chin. Two claws were on either side of the man's face.

"You didn't kill him, did you?" Lex asked as he got to his feet.

Logan chuckled. "I can control each of my claws independently." He said as he held up his free hand and cycled through each blade on that hand.

The man paled as he realised what was aimed under his chin.

"Suit up Lex." Logan ordered.

There was a slight whirring noise as Lex was encased in metal. "He seems to be human." Iron Man reported. "No additional energies, organs or hidden weapons. But he does have a large red gem, similar to the one Superman retrieved today."

"Shit. Call him in."

"It's been two hours. I haven't had time to rebuild my body." Superman grumbled as he appeared in lightning form. The dark garage was filled with flickering lights and shadows.

"This man has a gem similar to the one you handled today." Iron Man informed him. "He was also demanding to know where the other gem is."

"Logan, can you knock him out?" Superman asked.

A red flash was just visible beneath the man's chin and he went limp.

"Make sure you heal his burns when I'm gone." Superman said as he carefully searched the man's odd clothing. There was some metal on his clothing and it conducted the electricity even more than the man's flesh. "Got it. Let the others know I'm heading to Asgard to grow my body. I'll compress time as much as I can."

"Superman, wait." Iron Man held up a hand. "Considering the experiences of the day, it might be best for you to remain in this form until we have determined there are no other stones."

Superman's shoulders sagged. He wasn't fond of this form, he knew his wives were going to complain.

%

"Where is Clark?" Kyla demanded as she cornered Harry in the common room of the castle.

"Asgard?" Harry offered tentatively.

Kyla regarded him with narrowed eyes. "What did you do?"

"Listen, regardless of what you have heard, not everything is my fault."

"I'm basing this on personal experience." She countered. "And the fact you stole my husband for over a century."

"You had him back in days!"

"Harry is innocent." Emma smirked from the couch next to Jean.

Harry looked at the Kawatche-born-Amazon and smirked.

"This time." Emma added with her own smirk. "There was an incident in Metropolis and Clark was forced into his lightning form. He has gone to Asgard to rebuild his body."

"Where's the idiot I need to punish?"

"Currently classified." Harry said firmly.

Kyla was now very concerned. This was no longer the devil-may-care-punching-bag. This was Death. This was the family man. The doctor. "Will Clark be indisposed again?" She tried to phrase her question so she wouldn't be asking for classified information.

"Possibly. It was a possession event, similar to Lana and Isobel. But the actual tool was not like the book, it was more like silver kryptonite.

"Clark touched it and it possessed his body. Fortunately his divinity was unaffected and he used it to destroy his body. He discovered the tool had no effect on his lightning form."

Kyla nodded slowly. "He is safe to be around others?"

"The safest." Harry assured her. "He can't really be affected by the possession."

"Good. I'm going to check on him. We were waiting for him. He is going to take Diana on her first date."

"Oh, she made her move?" Harry smiled.

Kyla shrugged. "She presented herself to Clark's harem and requested permission. Well, she tried to." She laughed. "We didn't exactly give her a chance."

"Kyla, does Clark actually know about this?" Jean asked. She and the others had no idea this had happened.

"Of course not." She grinned. "This is what he gets for not keeping us informed when he gets in trouble."

%

Clark was just finishing creating his clothes when there was pounding on his door.

In Asgard, if someone pounded on your door, the whole neighbourhood heard it.

But, despite the fervent and firm pounding, it was actually quite quiet.

So Clark smiled as he went to let his little sister in.

Sure enough, looking up at him with a big smile was little Thor in a dress specially made by her mother. Said mother was smiling at her daughter behind her.

"Hello Little Sister, did you walk all the way here?"

"Uh huh! Mummy didn't carry me ever!"

"Well, perhaps a reward is in order." Clark raised an eyebrow. "How about you walk back as a giant?"

"Yay!" The little girl jumped up and down excitedly with her arms stretched above her, waiting to be picked up.

Clark picked his sister up and stepped out the door before placing Thor on his shoulders, her legs dangling by his chin. Thor was now the tallest Asgardian and she loved it as she waved to all the people as they walked back to the throne room.

"So you lost your body again?" Frigga asked, concern clear even though she smiled at her daughter's happiness.

"Certainly an interesting way to put." Clark laughed. "But yes. There was an insidious device that was possessing people. We didn't realise it and I grabbed it.

"Father's gifts protected me." He alluded to the divinity Odin bestowed on him.

"A word of warning, Kal, Jor is in the throne room."

Clark winced involuntarily.

"He is not waiting for you, my son." Frigga squeezed his arm as they walked. "He is merely present as that is where Odin is and they were talking."

"I honestly don't know what I'm supposed to do around him. I can't treat him like I do Jonathan. I don't have any attachment to him that I could find a way to relate to him.

"Odin met me when I was nearly a man. But he has done so much for me. He has guided me as much as Jonathan, Harry, Lex… I would seek the wisdom of the All-Father, but I fear trying to approach him when Jor is around."

Frigga did not like seeing her adopted son so troubled. "Not even a year has passed for you, Kal. I believe you expect too much too soon. I have seen you around Lara and Kara. You are just as unsure of your place with them in your lives.

"I do not know what my husband would advise, but I would advise patience."

Clark looked at her with a smile of appreciation. "And I would be a fool to not heed the voice of Odin's wife. Of my mother."

Frigga beamed at him as she hooked her arm in his.

%

"Kal! Thank Rao you're here!"

Clark raised an eyebrow at his birth father's rather panicked look.

Then he noticed a smirking Kyla sitting in a chair in front of Odin.

Harry could be an angel compared to Kyla and Dani.

"What did she do?"

Jor-El blushed at what he was about to say. "Kal, I know cultures on Earth and Krypton are different but… I don't remember them being so open about… carnal relations."

That triggered a memory for Clark. "Do you remember Louise, a woman you met when you visited Earth in your youth."

Jor's eyes widened. "She- I would have taken her with me-" He said sadly.

"We brought justice to her murderer. She loved you, even though you had little time together."

"Likewise." Jor-El shook his head and straightened. "I am aware that humans still bury their dead in the ground and create shrines to remember them. I would appreciate it if you could arrange for me to visit hers. I would like to follow her traditions in this matter."

"We'll talk to Lana, Louise's niece." Kyla said softly.

Jor-El inclined his head. Then he glared at her. "I have not forgotten what you were doing."

"Daughter." Kyla slumped at Odin's amused yet warning tone.

"That bad?" Clark asked with a poorly suppressed smile.

"There is a reason the Lady Frigga took her daughter to find you." Jor-El maintained his glare at Kyla.

"Well, Little Princess Thor walked all the way to my home." Clark smiled as he picked the little girl from his shoulders. He carried the proudly smiling girl to her father and led her in kneeling before him.

"Indeed? A worthy accomplishment." Odin smiled approvingly. He then raised an eyebrow at her. "Let us hope she does as well at getting to bed on time."

Frigga laughed at her daughter's scowl. "Come, let us prepare for dinner, Little One." She said as she led her away.

"Is it that hard to get a child to sleep?" Jor asked as the pair left. "I don't recall any complaints regarding Kara."

"Kusano still fights us about going to bed." Kyla grumbled. "I can't wait till she's old enough to start begging Clark to take her to bed." She bobbled her eyebrows at her husband.

"Many years in the future." Clark glared at her. "Was there any word on the possession incidents?" He changed the subject.

"The old guy that jumped Lex was supposed to be the guardian of the stone. It contained the souls of a race of snake men who wanted to kill all humans."

"The Ophidians?" Odin enquired.

"Yes, you've dealt with them before?" Kyla asked.

Odin scowled. "We have. Kal, inform your brother that my library is open to him and I will have my scholars ready to assist him as needed.

Clark bowed in gratitude.

"It is strange." Jor-El commented. "In all my studies of Earth, I never came across actual proof of other sentient and intelligent beings. Myths and legends were all that were recorded."

"Sure, but the records were real." Kyla countered. "It was the claims of them being myths and legends that were false. Probably lies."

Jor just nodded.

"Well, Clark has important plans tonight." Kyla smiled brightly as she latched onto her husband's arm.

"I do?"

"You have a very important date."

Clark looked to Odin… but the King of Asgard just smirked.

%

"So… should we engage in pointless denials… or just get down to the truth?"

Shayera Hol sat in the armchair in the small room at the castle uncomfortably. The only other person was Harry Potter in his own armchair.

"The Green Lanterns have sent word that a Thanagaran fleet is heading to Earth."

Shayera slowly removed her winged helmet and sighed. "I was sent to Earth as a spy to determine any weaknesses if our war with the Gordanians began to go badly.

"I'm not sure what role Earth is meant to play, only that it was deemed crucial."

"I don't take kindly to being used." Harry said calmly. "Something I'm sure you've noted about humans in general.

"This planet has had enough to deal with over the past few years, as have my friends… your fellow Shield members.

"One way or another, your people are going to be turned away. I don't want them bringing more strife and anxiety to Earth. God knows we generate enough of it ourselves.

"I recommend you make a choice quickly. Despite your less than savoury reasons for being here, you have become a friend to us. You need to decide if that friendship is enough to stand with us or if your loyalty to Thanagar is so blind that you'll stab us in the back."

She jumped as Harry simply vanished from his chair. Harry was right, she was torn between her friends and her people.

%

"This is nice. Is this all you do on dates?" Diana asked as she floated high in the air, snuggled into Clark's side as they watched the sun set over the horizon.

"No… but you should know that already." Clark smirked. "I know the girls all talk and I know that you are a member of their Voyeur Club."

Diana blushed.

"But you should be aware that just because you are a part of the Voyeur Club, it doesn't mean you aren't subject to it."

Diana frowned as she tried to figure out what that meant… then… "They are watching us?!" She demanded.

"I can feel them." Clark shrugged.

"I do not know how to feel about that." She admitted.

Clark tilted his head thoughtfully. "Well, they seem to have realised your dilemma and have left. Just make sure you warn them about imposing on everyone. I doubt Jodi would mind, but Alicia would."

"I did warn them!" Diana objected. "It was Aphrodite who insisted."

"Even gods can be wrong, Diana."

They floated for a few more moments as the sun finally vanished.

"Are we really alone?" She asked softly.

"Just you, me and the stars."

"Good." She said as she floated in front of him and kissed him passionately.

%

"Another invasion?" Hal exclaimed in disbelief.

"Probably." Harry shrugged as they sat in a private lounge at the castle.

Only the Shield members were present, but in civilian clothes.

"Threat assessment?" Bruce asked.

"If you let them close… they could cause a lot of damage." Shayera admitted softly. She was reluctant to be present due to being summoned as a member of Shield.

Even worse was that Barry wouldn't look at her.

"But Earth has the capability to stop them from reaching the planet." She added.

"We do?" Arthur asked tightly.

"I… I do not know how you would fare so far from your domain… but Clark alone could push a Thanagarian ship out of the system."

"I assume you have found your loyalties torn and have chosen a side?" Lex asked. "Our side?"

Harry sat forward in his armchair. "She has declared her objections to her people's plans to 'use' Earth. But she has requested that she not be involved in any actions against Thanagar or its people.

"I have granted that request."

It was clear from his expression and demeanour that he wasn't going to allow this to be debated.

"So are we here to make a plan or do you have one already?" Jason asked, he was scratching the arm of his chair nervously. "I really want to get some practice in before I go back in the field."

"Same." Victor nodded from next to him.

Harry just smiled. "First we ask nicely.

"If that doesn't work… I spank them."

%

"Turn your little boats around and don't ever bring weapons near my system again."

General Hro Talak, commander of the Thanagarian Military Fleet jumped up from his desk, his hand grabbing his axe and bringing it down on the human that appeared in his quarters.

*Clang*

He was shocked as a familiar face and mace blocked him.

"Shayera? What treachery is this?" He demanded as he pushed harder.

"Listen to the human or you will doom all our people." She said firmly as she strained against her superior's superior strength.

"Humans will listen to us!" He shoved and pushed her aside, taking another swing at the human.

*Clang*

This time a sword intercepted his axe. It was a taller and younger woman that glared at him.

"Touch my brother and I will rip your hull apart and hold you in the vacuum." Diana growled.

Hro pushed hard but the woman was unmoveable.

Until she moved by shoving him back into his desk sending paper and equipment flying.

He quickly picked himself up only to find himself no longer in his quarters. Instead he was in a room made with large stone bricks and furnished with several soft chairs.

His axe was gone and the man, woman and Shayera were sitting in the chairs.

"Yes. I am that powerful." Harry stated calmly. "Now sit." He pointed at the chair next to Hro.

Hro refused and sneered at him.

"Here's how this is going to work. You are going to return to Thanagar and forget Earth ever existed." Harry informed him. "If you don't, then the second you reach the border of our system we will attack you and destroy you.

"Then we will conquer your empire."

Hro's expression suddenly changed to one of amusement. "I do not know what Lieutenant Hol has told you, but the Thanagarian fleet comes to protect you.

"Our mortal enemies, the Gordanians have set their sights on you and my fleet is chasing them in the hopes we can stop them before they reach you.

"That is the extent of our interest in you. Of course, we would be more than willing to help set up defences on your planet. We understand you are quite primitive."

"You can't lie to me." Harry smirked. "Well, you can try. I just know you are lying. It is how I knew Shayera wasn't an intergalactic cop and that she was hiding a lot.

"But, Diana…"

Faster than he could react, Diana had her lasso around him. "My lasso will compel you to tell the truth." She sneered. "Tell us your true purpose for Earth."

"Your planet is precisely located to build the final link in a hyperspace bypass that will allow us to attack the Gordanian home world directly.

"This will destroy Earth in the process."

Hro was clearly shocked by his words. He then snarled. "This achieves nothing. If you will not submit willingly then we will conquer you. The Thanagarian Empire is eternal!"

"Hro! They have gods, kryptonians, Green Lanterns and beings of power that can single-handedly destroy planets with their hands!" Shayera snapped.

"You! You are a traitor!" Hro was livid and spittle flew from his mouth as he stood restrained. "I denounce you! You will be tried and executed for your treason."

"Shayera Hol is a protected citizen of Earth." Harry responded calmly. "Any attempt to attack or harm her will see me on Thanagar… you won't like it.

"The next move is yours. Choose it wisely."

Hro suddenly found himself back in his quarters. The mess surrounding him and the rope burns on his arms told him it was not a dream

He grabbed his axe and helmet and stormed out and onto the bridge.

"Alert the fleet, the humans cower behind their gods. Raise all shields and perform a scan for intruders." He ordered. "They just boarded the ship and threatened me.

"Prepare the Nth Metal Warheads and send word to Thanagar to engage all Nth Metal defences."

"General, security logs show no activity in your quarters or unauthorised personnel on the ship in the past twenty-four hours." A soldier reported from a console.

"Then they must have fooled the sensors!" Hro snapped. "Increase our speed and eject the Gordanian ship. We will not waste our time with a ruse. We will crush them."

"That was not the wise choice."

Weapons were immediately pointed at the human that stood next to the General.

"Fire!" Hro shouted as he swung his axe.

The man was obscured by smoke from the weapons fire.

Then the weapons started vanishing from their hands.

A pile of them appeared in front of the main windows of the bridge along with a man in red with gold accents. "These are the people who built an empire?" The man scoffed as he leaned against the window.

"Use your fists!" Hro shouted.

The same woman he saw before materialised in front of him and the last thing he saw was her fist. He went sailing to the back of the bridge to land unconscious.

The rest of the crew watched worriedly as she drew a sword from her back. "That was the last time I use a non-lethal attack." She glared at each of them in turn.

Harry suddenly reappeared next to Diana, shocking the Thanagarians who thought they'd killed him. "And we are back at Thanagar." He declared.

"Erm… you sure, Boss?" The Flash asked from by the window that simply showed the vast emptiness of space.

"What do you want from me?" Harry demanded. "The planet is that way." He pointed to the back of the bridge. "You want me to move an entire alien fleet and rotate it?"

"Sorry! Sorry!" The Flash said hastily.

"Now then." Harry addressed the second-in-command. "Send out a message to all the ships and the fleet. You have been conquered. You answer to Lord Death.

"Piss me off and I live up to my name.

"If you will excuse me, I need to go and deal with your empress and let her know who she answers to."

The three beings vanished.

The second-in-command immediately began issuing orders. "Contact the fleet. Have them turn and target all weapons on the Imperial Palace. Fire on my command."

Two soldiers died as they objected. The rest complied.

%

Harry, Wonder Woman and The Flash appeared in the throne room and weapons were immediately pointed at them.

Harry had had Shayera take him there earlier in the week for reconnaissance.

No weapons were fired as the Flash disarmed them.

Wonder Woman first engaged in hand-to-hand before it was clear the guards were not going to surrender. So she drew her sword and blood flew.

Harry, meanwhile, had calmly walked up to the throne and stared at the regally dressed winged-woman in white with the circlet on her head.

"You are in my chair."

"You will die painfully." She responded with disdain.

Harry grabbed her hand and yanked her from her throne. She squawked in surprise as she had been holding tightly to the arms of the chair, but her hands slipped through them.

When she regained her feet she was beyond livid as she saw the pitiful creature sitting calmly on her throne with his legs crossed.

"Touch him and die."

She turned to see the point of a blade aimed at her.

Wonder Woman had killed all the guards.

"On. Your. Knees." She ground out.

"Never!" She leapt at the woman, her wings flared.

She never stood a chance as the sword pierced her heart. The pain was immense… but she merely snarled at the woman as death…

Was she already dead? It certainly was painful. She looked down to see the blade clearly through her heart. She could feel the agony as it was somehow still beating around the sharp blade.

Then she laughed raggedly. "I am immortal?"

"Hardly." She heard the man on her throne comment dryly. "You live and die on my word… and I haven't given it yet. Remove your sword, Wonder Woman."

The Empress screamed in agony as the blade was wrenched from her chest. She fell to her knees.

"Better."

She looked up to see this 'Wonder Woman' smirking at her.

The arrogance enraged her, but the pain was immense. She screamed as Wonder Woman grabbed her shoulder and spun her to face her own throne.

"You think you've won?" The Empress sneered through the pain as she held a hand over her bleeding chest. "You have only doomed your planet and mine. You have doomed the Empire."

"You mean your little spat with the Gordanians?" Harry smirked. "They are being dealt with. They are now a part of my empire… just like you."

"Arrogant boasting. But you will see."

"Harry… the fleet fired all weapons at the palace." Cyborg announced as he appeared through a boom tube.

"Those traitorous fools!" The Empress was pale as she looked to the large windows in the ceiling. "At least I know you will die with me."

Cyborg raised a curious eyebrow, but continued to address Harry. "I hacked the fleet systems as you ordered. All weapons detonated on firing.

"The fleet is gone."

Harry nodded sadly. "I know. I felt it."

"You lie!"

They turned to the dethroned empress.

"For what purpose?" Harry asked. "We are in your throne room. You have a hole in your heart and will die if I forget to keep you alive.

"We haven't asked you a single question.

"What possible reason could we have for lying to you now?"

"You hope to trick me into signing a surrender." She scoffed. "It is obvious."

"I don't need you or your signature. Your sole purpose now is to sit in prison as an example to your people.

"Your lust for power and complete disregard for the safety and freedom of other species is what brought you to this point."

"Lord Death… I am recalling the words of your wives." Wonder Woman said hesitantly. "Is it wise to speak so freely with her?"

Harry sighed and cast a stunning spell at the woman. He then gave Wonder Woman an apologetic look. "Sorry, Di. I was bored and there isn't anything to do until Baldur has finished with the locals."

"How is that going?" The Flash asked as he stepped up next to Wonder Woman.

"Not as well as previous battles have, according to the data the Vision gave us." Cyborg grimaced. "The Aesir do not have a real counter to flight and the Thanagarians are using it to their advantage."

"They are losing?" Wonder Woman frowned as she gripped her sword tighter.

"No. It is a stalemate."

"They are warriors." Harry waved a dismissive hand. "They have fought flying enemies before and they will handle this."