Disclaimer: I do not own Justice League, nor any of it's associated characters. All original characters are copyright me, and may not be used without permission.
"You." Rayner hissed. "You're dead. You were redeemed."
"Really? That pitiful shadow?" Parallax laughed. "The weakling who had the chance to rule this dimension deserves no mention." he narrowed his eyes, focusing on Juliana. "She however, will make a perfect queen. I can feed off her power, and grow stronger than anything my other self ever imagined."
"We won't allow it." Stewart growled. He wasn't even considering using his ring.
"No." Juliana pulled herself away from Flash. "There's no way you can defeat him."
"What are you saying?" Rayner replied. "I've done it before."
"It doesn't matter, I'm the only one that can stop him." she raised her hands. Green energy flowed around her, humming and wavering.
"In brightest day." She intoned. Realizing what she was about, Rayner, and Stewart joined in her chant. "In Darkest night." Amazo added his voice. "No evil shall escape my might. Green Lantern's light." Parallax went down in a tumble as Juliana hit him, knocking him back far enough, that he staggered back to his feet. Sinestro lunged for her, but Flash caught him with a supersonic punch, and threw him back. Parallax took a swing, but Juliana caught it.
"In brightest day, in darkest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Green Lantern's Light." she punched him again. This time the blow sent him sliding across the landscape. Now the four of them advanced. Darkseid attempted to interpose himself. Juliana raised a hand, caught the Star Rod flung over her shoulder, added her power to hit, and knocked the huge villain over a mile distant. She flicked the rod over her shoulder. Parallax was on his feet now, moving towards her.
"In Brightest Day, in darkest night. No evil shall escape my sight. Green Lantern's Light." the first blow collapsed him. The second sent him sliding again. Once more they advanced, and nothing stopped them. Rayner aimed his ring at her, and Stewart followed his example. Amazo lifted his arms. Darkseid tried to intervene once more, but Orion, and Mister Miracle intercepted him, and engaged him.
This time energy flowed not from the great battery to the rings, but from the two rings, and the duplicated powers, into a great battery. "IN BRIGHTEST DAY, IN DARKEST NIGHT. NO EVIL SHALL ESCAPE MY SIGHT, THE GREEN LANTERN'S LIGHT." the blow tore into, and through the power hungry villain. Space warped, and wrapped around him, then it snapped back into place, wrenching the remains of the former lantern away, presumably back to his own dimension. Juliana collapsed, this time into the arms of Amazo. Flash, Star Girl, Orion, and Mister Miracle arrived, having slowed Darkseid momentarily. He lunged at them, but this time Amazo demonstrated his power, and unleashed a punishing blast, knocking the leader of Apokolips back towards his throne room. "I believe it is time to leave."
"I have to agree." Orion tossed a boom tube down, and the team stepped through.
I was waiting impatiently for their return, not laying as the doctor wanted, but sitting nervously on the edge of my bed. I felt the energy of the boom tube as it arrived. I was walking out of the med bay before I realized what I was doing. Kara was beside me, and even the doctor made no comment as we left. Juliana was just waking as we arrived. Stewart gave me a stern look, one which I studiously ignored.
I didn't say anything during the reunion, understanding that some things are more important than mere words. I simply held my wife, and the young woman who was as much my daughter, as she was the daughter of another of myself. The last of the pieces clicked into place. We returned home, without hearing the complete story. I could get that any time. For the moment, being together, was what was important, even knowing now that she would soon return to her home.
It took a few days to catch up on sleep, and relax. Finally, the day came when she would go home. "Juliana, can I talk to you for a few moments, before Kara comes out, and hogs you all to herself?" I asked. She smiled brightly, and followed me to the side porch, which was only accessible from the outside. "I know it's been kind of hard on you being here, first being lost and homeless, then finding us, and then being kidnapped. I know that you have to go home. I accepted that from the very first, but I hope this isn't the last we'll see of you."
"Don't worry father, I promise, I will come back to visit. After all, I should always visit family." she leaned over and kissed my cheek. "Was there something else?"
"Just one thing my dear daughter. What really happened on Apokolips, and I'm sure you know what I mean." she nodded knowing exactly what I meant. "The universe is self correcting, and if one, significantly crazed, but generally not evil Parallax is bad, then one completely crazy, wholly evil one is horrible. He was using all his power to maintain his existence. I simply forced him to release enough of it, that the universe could intervene, and remove him from the timeline. Since I am beneficial, I guess I'm tolerated." Juliana smiled. I leaned over, and kissed her forehead.
"Let's go, before Kara get's antsy." she had already as we rounded the corner. Juliana left with a wave, and without a problem. I turned to Kara. "I have a proposal."
"I already said yes," she teased, then became serious. "We need a vacation, somewhere out of league's reach, beyond the point where the super villains can come and bother us."
"Sounds perfect. I was just thinking we should go and visit my brother. He'd be glad to see us." I replied, sweeping her into a hug.
Kyle Rayner changed back into his official uniform. He sighed, and tugged at the fabric. "Obviously not meant for comfort. I guess form over functionality. Ah well. I'm ready to go back."
"Take care Kyle." Shayera smiled, and wrapped her arms around him.
"I will. I promise." he extended a hand to John, who shook it warmly.
"I guess that'll be one to tell the grand kids, huh?" John smiled.
"Yes, it will. Good luck." then Rayner turned, rose, and disappeared in a flash of green light.
"Perhaps we should get started on those grand children." Shayera suggested. John shook his head.
"There's one more thing I need to know." he rose into the air. "Come on, this won't take long."
"Alright." they took flight, and before long, arrived outside the Marcae home. John knocked. Adam answered.
"Something you need?" he asked, waving them to enter.
"Yes, a question. The three robots, you said a Doctor Robert Ashmore built them, right?"
"Yes, so?"
"Who is he, and why did he build those massive robots?" John asked. Adam replied calmly.
"I wondered about that, and did a bit more digging. Guy Gardener used the identity when he was hunting drug criminals. Parallax stole it, and used it for his own gain. I'd guess he used the same trick the Guardians used with the Manhunters. But it's only a guess."
"I guess that does make sense." John answered. "But what purpose did they serve?"
"It took us a tremendous amount of effort to defeat them, remember? Every time we fought one, something happened. I checked with Kent, and as we were fighting in London, he felt a dimensional rift. That's how Juliana arrived." Adam answered. "He was distracted by us battling, and almost missed it. Then when the second robot attacked central city, that was when Sinestro returned to earth. The last robot was intended to be on Apokolips to intercept the rescue party, but we started to chase the truck too quickly, and they had to use it then instead."
"I wonder if we'd have stood a chance?" John mused. Shayera smiled.
"Oh, I think so. Two Lanterns, and one very mean robot, I think you could have handled yourselves." she leaned over, and kissed him on the cheek. "Now, we shouldn't bother you any more. We have things to do." she led John to the door, and turned back. "Will she be alright?"
"Of course she will. What a silly question to ask. She's my daughter after all." Adam gave her a mischievous grin. "Good night." he closed the door, and the two heroes turned, and rose into the sky.
THE END.