Chapter Five
Nine Months Since Superman Left Earth
The Watchtower
After a long day at the embassy greeting visitors and dignitaries, Diana arrived at the Watchtower for a Leadership Council meeting. It was an hour long meeting discussing new additions to the roster including Mister Miracle and Barda, who were recommended by Superman, as well as new treaties. Also, added to the roster were August General in Iron, Adam Strange, Madame Xanadu, and Rocket Red. After the harangue and blame of the Reach Invasion where as many talking heads blamed the Justice League as they did The Reach died down, the G-8, UN, and NATO asked for treaty negotiations with the Justice League.
Once the meeting was over, Diana excused herself and headed monitoring room where J'onn was. After consulting with J'onn, she knew that she'd be able to find Scott Free and Barda in cafeteria. They had been probationary members for a month. She wanted finally to talk to them about Kal. Just as she hoped Scott Free and Barda were having dinner with each other at a corner table. She walked over to the table and introduced herself.
"I am Diana. I was hoping to talk to about Kal, I mean Superman," she said.
"Kal-El," smiled Scott. "Please, sit down, Wonder Woman. I'll be glad to talk with you."
Diana sat down. Her eyes passed over what they were eating. Scott was having what looked like meatloaf with mashed potatoes and peas, while Barda was having turkey with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and corn. Wonder Woman had to admit that the food on the station was less than appetizing.
"I gather you want to know how Kal-El is doing and such," he said.
"Yes, I would."
"We had drinks together the first day and then dinner with him and Kara the next. I was able to tell him about somethings about Krypton and its people that he didn't know and he showed us a great deal of understanding. Kal-El recommended that we come here and seek out the Justice League. He said we could find a home here and I believe he is right," Scott told her.
"He seemed sad about some things, though. I remember that clearly because he has such stunning blue eyes. At times there was a sadness in them," added Barda.
Scott observed Diana's face and saw a flash of sadness in her eyes. He didn't need the intellect that he possessed to know that there was something between Kal-El and Diana, something that had gone wrong or he would never have left this planet.
"His cousin Kara is fascinating. She appears to be having all the fun, yet I don't think she is finding what she wanted to find," said Scott.
"She wants to find a man she can love and hug and not break," smiled Barda.
"And Kal, what is he looking for?" she asked.
"Well, he was most interested in the information on Krypton. As the last male member of the House of El, he carries the obligations of a great clan and he carries them well. Other than that, he seems to be there to keep Kara company. From what I can tell he thinks of this planet as his home," explained Scott.
He saw a flash of sadness pass across her face then the stoicism of an Amazon returned.
"Do you think he will return to earth?" she asked.
Scott moved his food aside and turned in his seat so that he was facing Diana. He understood that he couldn't give her the answers she wanted, but he felt a need to give her hope.
"I believe Kal-El wishes to return to earth. He may not be ready to return yet, but he thinks of this planet as his home. I believe in the end all of us wish to either find a home or return home," he said.
Diana smiled. Scott returned the smile. He believed he had managed to give her hope. He then reached over and took a piece of Barda's turkey and sampled it.
"I like this better than what I had. What is it called again?" he asked.
"Turkey," she answered, as she stuffed her mouth with stuffing.
"Do you think anyone would be angry if I got myself a turkey dinner?" he asked Diana.
"It is fine," she said.
Ceremony of Innocence
The planet was named Cha' and it reminded Clark of Singapore on a Saturday night. Not that heat or cold bothered him but Cha' was a hot and humid planet. The capital city Ji was lit up 38 hours a day and offered everything from fine dining to dens of inequity. It seemed to be constantly busy and the streets always filled with tourists and locals milling about.
Clark and Kara walked around the main square looking for a restaurant that interested both of them. He noticed that people kept noticing his crest on his chest. Of course, it was hard not to notice. As he listened in on the crowd with his heightened hearing. The crowd was fairly split between recognizing his crest as Superman and half as a Kryptonian House.
"Have any of the planets we've been on interested you, Kara?" he broached the unspoken subject.
Clark was starting to miss earth and wanted to go home. In many ways he missed most being Clark Kent, the son of simple farmers.
"Yes and no," she said then shrugged. "I have to admit, Kal, that I miss Metropolis and Courtney, Mari, and some others. It wasn't Krypton, but I guess it was starting to feel like home."
Clark smiled at these words. Maybe Kara was starting to grow up and saw that every worlds had their flaws and their assets. He stopped in front of a restaurant's window and looked at the holographic representations of the food.
"This place looks like it offers some sort of rice bowls and noodles bowls. It might be worth a try," he said.
"The vegetables look strange, but I'm willing to try the place," she said.
"Good."
Suddenly, they heard a commotion and crowds starting to point and hell. Clark followed the pointed fingers to see Hal Jordan and five other Green Lanterns flying towards them. Hal swooped down and hovered right above Clark and Kara.
"Clark, I'm here to ask you for your help," said Hal. "How about dinner is on me?"
Ceremony of Innocence
It was a balmy summer evening in Gotham. Batman had his high powered binocular at the storage building at Gotham's Docks. He tapped his left ear and spoke.
"Red Robin, are you in position?" he asked.
"Line of sight, Batman."
"Batgirl, are you in position?" he asked her.
"On the roof and waiting."
"Penguin should be at location to sell his weapons within fifteen minutes. I'm on my way," he stated then tapped his ear again breaking connection with them.
He'd worked hard putting this case against Cobblepot. The man had a gift at secrecy and subterfuge making it harder work than it needed to be. Using his grapple gun, he made his way to the docks. When he got there, he entered his stealth mode, which he perfected with ninja training. Entering the storage building from an upper window, he took to the rafters. Besides spider webs, he had a perfect view of the action below.
Just as he expected, Cobblepot showed up in a Mercedes followed by a black van, which carried the weapons he was going to sell. Cobblepot's car door was opened by his attractive bodyguard. He got out wearing evening clothes, as he was ready to go to his club the Iceberg.
"Gentlemen, are we ready to do some business because I am?" asked Cobblepot.
Falco and his men came forward. They were the buyers.
"What makes your weapons so special, Penguin?" asked Eddie Falco.
"I offer you energy directed weapons. They are the best that you can find. More power then anything you have, easy to fire, and easy to handle," said Cobblepot, who made the signal.
One of his men brought a ED rifle to Falco, who jokingly pointed at Cobblepot. The gesture was not appreciated by Cobblepot, but he had no intention of ruining this deal.
As the weapon was played with by Falco, Bruce tapped his again his ear again.
"Move," he said.
With that said, he jumped from the rafters and landed beside Falco. He grabbed the ED rifle from his hands then jammed the butt of gun into his gut bending him over. Just then the Red Robin came through a window and engaged Cobblepot's men with a series of martial arts moves, while Batgirl also entered the fray throwing stun batarangs at Falco's henchmen.
Bruce pulled the power source put of the rifle then tossed it aside. He headed towards Cobblepot, who was the most skilled fighter other than Batman.
"Give up, Cobblepot," growled.
"I'd rather not. I have drinks waiting for me back at the club," he said. He grabbed an umbrella out of the back of his car and pointed it at Batman. Before he could fire it, a whip wrapped itself around the umbrella and pulled it away from him. Batman looked to the side to see Catwoman had joined.
"It appears that the bat needs a cat to protect his back," she purred.
Batman shook his head then he made his move towards Cobblepot, while stood back and watched with a grin on her face.
Ceremony of Innocence
At one table sat the oversized Kilowog, Boodikka, Salaak, and Brokk eating bowls of noodles, while at another Hal Jordan sat with Clark and Kara enjoying a bowl or two. Hal used his ring to make chopsticks and fed himself noodles, while Clark and Kara used the utensils provided by the restaurant.
"The Guardians have decided that it is time to deal with Doomsday and we are requesting your help," said Hal in between bites.
"Who is Doomsday?" asked Kara.
"One of the most powerful beings we have ever encountered," said Hal.
"And it has a connection to Krypton," stated Clark, causing Hal to look at him in surprise.
"You've heard about Doomsday?"
"Scott Free told me about him," said Clark.
"The Highfather's son," said Hal with a nod.
He made his chopsticks disappear.
"Krypton has more than a passing connection with Doomsday, Clark. According tot he Guardians, he was a Kryptonian experiment gone wrong. Instead of creating a genetically prefect miner, they created a mindless, soulless killer," said Hal.
"Says the Guardians," protested Kara.
"Kara, this was before your time," said Hal. "From what I've been told the Kryptonians destroyed all scientific research on Doomsday. The creature is virtually indestructible and invulnerable. It's headed for the planet Cyon. We are headed their to stop it. Clark, I'm asking for your help."
"Clark, you can't," said Kara.
"Clark, this planet Cyon has two yellow suns," smiled Hal. "This might give you advantage along with five tough Green Lanterns."
"And one Supergirl," added Kara, who them looked at Clark. "If you do this then I'm doing it. We are both part of the House of El."
"Clark, I need you," said Hal.
"If Kryptonians brought Doomsday into existence then Kryptonians should help deal with him," said Clark.
Ceremony of Innocence
The Themyscira Embassy black tie affair was one of the most anticipated in Washington DC. According to the invitations Princess Diana was going to introduce officially Queen Hippolyta to the world. Along with the Queen, General Philippus, Mala, and the champion of the Bana-Mighdall Artemis were being officially introduced.
Diana wore a light blue chiton with her tiara and bracelets. She had learned in this past year to become the perfect hostess at this Embassy dinners. After the introduction of the Queen and others were made a greeting line was formed. Mother and daughter stood side by side with Mala to Diana's right and Philippus to the Queen's. Artemis stood beside Philippus. An Amazon sentry would announce the couple then the couple would walk down the greeting line making small talk with Amazon royalty.
Diana had turned her mind off sometime after the third couple. She smiled, shook hands, and made polite chatter. Her midway through meeting the guests the announced couple caught her attention.
"Mr. Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle," announced the Sentry.
Diana became alert. She noticed Bruce looking handsome in his tuxedo. His date was a surprisingly attractive dark haired woman in a black dress with her hem above the knee. She noticed that Bruce was in full playboy mode. He took Mala's hand and kissed it.
"Damn, I need to discuss with the queen setting up a resort on her island," he smiled. "It has such beautiful woman."
He moved over next to Diana. Taking her hand he raised it slowly to his lips and kissed it. Diana noticed that his date looked to be amused by his behavior.
"You are as beautiful as they say, Princess."
"I recommend that you treat our Queen with more respect or General Philippus will feel inclined to show off Amazon battle skill," warned Diana with a slight smile.
"Yikes, we can't have that. It's too early in evening to get sweaty," he said.
"I'd like to see the general beat him up," smiled Selina.
Diana smiled, "Maybe another time."
The evening progressed without incident. Her mother actually appeared to enjoy herself and spent most of the evening in conversation with several of the most powerful businessmen and women in the world, though she seemed to avoid politicians, which amused Diana. Needing sometime alone, Diana made her way out onto the balcony.
It was a warm evening and the night sky was clear. Star twinkled and the full moon guarding the earth. Diana found herself looking up at the star and thinking of Kal. She missed him, not just for his company but for his calming presence.
"Thinking about Clark, Princess?" asked Bruce.
Diana turned to see Bruce looking less like a playboy and more like the man she knew. His face had lost the insouciant charm. It was replaced by his usual brooding aura.
"Where is your date?" she asked.
"Selina is making some senator uncomfortable at the moment. It amuses her," he told her. "You didn't answer my question."
"Yes, Bruce, I miss him," she answered.
Bruce walked up to the railing and looked up at the sky.
"Strangely enough, I miss him, too. Clark kind of gets under your skin," he admitted.
Diana stood beside him. For several minutes they allowed silence to be their company then Selina found Bruce.
"So, should I be jealous?" she teased.
Diana turned and offered Selina a friendly smile. Bruce turned and offered her a glare.
"You know that look doesn't intimidate me, Bruce," Selina teased.
"What is it you want, Selina?"
"I want to dance and need a partner, Mr. Wayne," she answered then grabbed his right hand and started pulling him back into the party.
"Selina," he said in a warning voice.
"Shut up and come with me," she demanded.
Bruce hesitated for a moment then he allowed Selina to drag him back into the party for some dancing. Diana watched them disappear then turned back to do some star grazing.
"Kal, where are you?"
Ceremony of Innocence
Cyon.
The Green Lanterns evacuated the citizens as best as they possible could. Boodikka, Salaak, and Brokk grabbed citizens of this little traveled to desert world by the hundreds and removed them from their main city, Hunth. Jordan, Kilowog, and Kara backed up Clark as he took the battle to Doomsday.
Clark figured that he had few advantages over Doomsday: one, flight, two, heat vision, and three, intelligence. In terms of pure strength Doomsday appeared to be his superior. He also healed faster than Clark and appeared to have a higher threshold of pain. This was the toughest opponent he ever faced.
"Clark," Jordan spoke to Clark through an earwig he was wearing, "how can we assist?"
"Get him off me off a few minutes so I can fly high enough to power up quickly."
"Considered it done," said Jordan.
Jordan looked at Kilowog and smiled.
"Let's hammer the beast," said Jordan.
"Sounds good."
Jordan and Kilowog flew at the gray skinned Doomsday. Kilowog formed a large hammer with his ring, while Hal formed a jackhammer. Doomsday with his red eyes and sharp, rock-like formations sticking out of his forehead and his arms and legs waited for them to come to him. As they began to hammer him as hard as they could, Kara sped up behind him and speared him in the middle of the back. Doomsday went flying into a marble-like building, which Jordan knew was a temple of worship.
"So much for the locals giving us a party," he said.
Up in the stratosphere, Clark soaked up as much of the solar radiation as he could. His ribs and shoulders were sore from the pounding Doomsday gave him. He knew that his face was bruised and his jaw sore. The longer he floated there soaking up the radiation the better he started to feel. Using his vision he checked on the battle.
From he perch above, he saw that Doomsday had shattered Kilowog's construct with a devastating punch and sent the Green Lantern careening into a building. With a force field Hal was attempting to protect Kara, who was on the ground struggling to get up. Strike after strike Doomsday was causing the force field to crack.
Clark gathered his energy and blurred straight to Doomsday with such speed and power he caused both a sonic boom and an earthquake at the same time. The collision sent Doomsday tumbling along the main fairway destroying property as he went. Clark for his turned found his head dizzy and his footing shaky.
An exhausted Hal Jordan fell to the ground. Kara finally made it to her knees. Clark stabilized and looked over at the two of them. He saw that Kara was bloodied and looking as if she needed a week under a solar lamp.
"Hal, get her out of here," Clark demanded.
"Okay, I'll get her clear, but I'll be back," Hal replied.
Clark turned and saw Doomsday get up. It was the two suns that had allowed him to last this long, but it was going to carrying the day. He needed to do something he had always been afraid to do and that was let go. There was no more holding back. He needed to subdue Doomsday long enough so that the Green Lanterns could deposit him in cell he couldn't escape.
Shaking off all feelings of dizziness and soreness and flew straight at Doomsday. He collided into him with his right shoulder, lifting him off the ground, and flying him out of the city in into the deep desert. Clark dropped him into a dune demolishing it an almost flat area of sand. He landed on the sand.
Doomsday slowly got up. With speed equal to Superman he rushed at Clark and came at him swinging. Blow after blow they traded. Each one was thrown with such force that they came with their own sonic booms. Strike after strike, they beat each other. Clark's face was becoming bruised and bloodied and Doomsday's face was losing chunks of its stone formations.
Hal, Boodikka, and Kilowog finally arrived. From the sky they watched as the Doomsday and Clark mauled each other. Hal feared for Clark's life because no one or nothing should be able survive the beating he was taking and giving.
"What should we do?" asked Kilowog.
"Pray that Clark wins," answered Hal.
Clark and Doomsday ultimately started to stumble and slow. Clark could feel energy and life draining from him. It didn't matter, though, if he died, just as long as he stopped this monster. Doomsday's large gray fist came down on jaw. Clark felt bone break and his legs start to give out. He was running out of chances. Calculating his opinions, he decided on one chance to at least incapacitate Doomsday.
Before the next blow could be given, Clark's eyes burned red and he released his heat vision. Two highly concentrated beams burned into Doomsday's forehead, burning through his rock formations, cutting through his gray thick skin, and burrowing through his skull and into his brain. He kept his heat vision going even though he felt his body draining of whatever energy he had left.
Doomsday screamed in pain and then fell face first into the sand. Clark stood there on trembling legs breathing heavily. His eyes returned to their normal blue color. With tried to stand up straight, but it hurt too much. Now breathing was becoming harder and harder until he was struggling to take deep breaths. His vision blurred and then a pool of blackness opened up in front of him and dove into it.
Hal rushed down to Clark's side, while Kilowog and Boodikka rushed over to Doomsday. Kilowog checked him out with his ring, as Hal did the same of Clark.
"Jordan, he's in a coma," said Kilowog.
"Clark is barely breathing," Hal stated with deep concern. "Kilowog, Boodikka, the Guardians believe that the only thing that can hold Doomsday is a gravitational singularity. There is one just outside of this star system. Quickly, get him to that singularity and dump him into it."
"Yes, Hal," said Boodikka.
She and Kilowog formed a force field around Doomsday and flew him away. Hal turned his attention back to Clark.
"Don't worry, Pal, you're still breathing. I'm going to get you into a stasis tube and get you home. I know somewhere can help back at the JL. I pray someone can help you," Hal mumbled.
My internet connection is going down for a few day either Tuesday or Wednesday, so if I don't post tomorrow, I should be posting again by Saturday. JRRM64