EMERALD WINGS
CHAPTER 5
CYCLIC REALITY
SPACE SECTOR 2814
PLANET EARTH
WAYNE MANOR
The sudden movement caused him to stir awake and it was only a split second before he became fully aware. The abrupt departure of his partner caused some minor alarm in the billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne but the Batman in him was already going over the possibilities.
She had bolted out of the bed and into the en suite bathroom.
He and Diana had been in a relationship for a while and it had been a very special time for him. With her he could let his guard down and knowing that she above all others would accept and love him.
It was with those thoughts that he had proposed to her and she had made him the happiest man in the world by accepting.
That had been two weeks prior and now she had moved in with him and they were starting to build their life together.
It had taken Shayera's departure to open his eyes and he had seized the day not wanting to let Diana slip away.
Bruce threw off the expensive sheets and made his way to the bathroom. He could not help the look of concern that was already forming on his face.
"Diana" he called out as he knocked softly on the door. "Are you alright?"
He did not immediately get an answer so he pressed his ear against the door.
At first he did not hear very clearly but soon he started to hear the sound of her throwing up.
His keen analytical mind then went to work.
He had never known Diana to be sick a day in her life and Diana had once told him that on the island there was no need for medicine or doctors because of the protection provided by the gods.
Going through all the possible scenarios in his mind Bruce came to the conclusion that being away from the Island had made Diana susceptible to disease and what she was now experiencing was a stomach bug, or the flu.
That has to be it. Once again Bruce you cracked the case. He thought to himself as he made his way to the bed.
Just as he was about to get back in to bed, the bathroom door opened. Bruce turned to see a very dishevelled Diana standing in the door. Her hair was slightly plastered across her forehead, her black silk evening wear was crumbled and her face was flushed.
At that moment Bruce thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world but he did not give voice to his thought. Something in the way she stood glaring at him set off warning signals in his head.
"Bruce" she said in a soft, sweet voice belying her demeanour "Do you remember the Opera performance we attended four weeks back?"
Searching this memories Bruce easily recalled the night they had gone to see the Phantom of the Opera, at the Gotham State Theatre. He could not help the smile that came to his face as he remembered one of the most passionate nights of his life with Diana.
They came back early because it was boring. The whole way home they could not keep their hands off of each other and they knew that Alfred was gone for the weekend. They rushed into the house and before they could even get to the stairs they were kissing and touching removing clothes, revelling in the feelings of passion and ecstasy. They barely made it to the bedroom but they not go to the bed, instead they went to the fire place. Bruce placed her gently on the polar bear skin rug and in front of the fire made love to the love of his life.
The powerful Amazon warrior know as wonder woman had screamed his name countless times that night as she reached unimaginable heights of ecstasy. Her orgasm and his coincided in a moment of pure bliss and the two were joined as on forever.
"Yea Diana, I remember" he said trying to keep a level voice.
He was about to say more but Diana cut him off.
"Bruce I'm pregnant"
Sudden shock, which was soon replaced by blissful darkness as Bruce passed out onto the bed behind him.
THE ANTARCTIC
THE FORTRES OF SOLITUDE
He stood staring at the statues that greeted him every time he arrived in this place. He had carved them and raised them himself and for all that he had done he counted this as one of his greatest acts. It was to his birth world and to the parents that he only knew thanks to the Kryptonian technology that stored their faces, voices, knowledge. Though he was raised as an Earthling, this place allowed him to connect to his true heritage. He was looking at the Statues of his father and mother holding the planet Krypton.
It was in moments like these that he yearned to see them, to feel them but he knew that it could never be. They had died, long ago and their legacy lived on in him and…
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AN: Flashback told in past tense.
In the aftermath of Darkseid's attack he had searched through the rubble of the daily planet and what he had found shook him to his core. Lois had been trapped under a wall and she was badly injured.
He had immediately taken her to S.T.A.R labs and they had told him the same. Her internal injuries were too severe and there was nothing they could do to save her. For the first time in his life despair and hopelessness had taken him. He had not known what to do because before his eyes he was losing the only woman he loved.
He then took her to the Fortress of Solitude not knowing what to do.
He had laid her down in the main chamber, in front of the chasm where Jor-El first appeared to him and offered him tutelage.
What happened next changed his whole life and his future.
The holographic face of his mother appeared, and comfort greater than any he had felt his whole life, washed over him.
"Kal-El, my son" she had said. "A mother's love abides, from the day her child is born to his adolescence, to his manhood and to his twilight. The Sun has set on our world, but for you it is still rising. I knew that one day you would fall in love and I knew that one day you would need my help. Call it a mother's intuition."
Mother he had uttered sinking to his knees at the weight of the woman's words.
"That you love this woman is not the question, because that is answered by her being here. She is the key that has allowed my awakening. Does she love you as much as you love her?" She asked
Superman had not known what to say because of his deception. He was not sure if Lois loved Clark or Superman. That had been one of his greatest fears, the sole reason he never told her the truth.
"I don't know" he finally said, shocked at how coarse and rough his voice sounded.
"I do" a soft voice said.
He looked down to see that Lois had awoken.
"I love him, as Superman and as Clark, he has always been one man… to me… the man I love"
All this time she knew…
He could not stop the single tear that fell down and when it touched the crystal table Lois lay on something happened.
The Fortress suddenly became alive in an array of vibrant colours.
"A Mother's love abides my son, and I will give you this gift to show you that"
A Clear Kryptonian Crystal floated from the chasm, it then moved to hover over Lois and the colours that had inhabited the Fortress gathered into the crystal creating a mosaic of colours.
Faster then he could see the crystal plunged into Lois. AN intense burst of light followed and he could not even look into it but then it died down and he saw Lois lying peacefully on the table. Her breath was no longer laboured, her body did not have any marks or blood and she had a smile on her face. Her body was covered in a blue cloth with the Symbol of the House of El on it.
The Fortress then began to rumble and something that he did not think was possible happened. The walls of the Fortress became clear and he could see the world all around him. The Sun was beginning to rise and once again he felt its recharging rays fill his Kryptonian body with renewed energy.
The Fortress walls reverted to their original form except for one point directly above Lois.
The radiant light of the Earth's yellow sun covered her body and slowly he saw life return to her features, she began to stir.
It's the same as me He had thought at the time.
Lois's eye's fluttered open and they locked with his and she slowly sat up.
"Pure Kryptonian DNA has now been infused into this woman. She is now half Kryptonian. She will have powers similar to yours and she will be your companion for the rest of your days. She will continue our House. It is my final gift to you my son. I loved you from the day you were conceived to the day I died and beyond. Never forget that."
"I love you too Mother" he whispered.
The image began to fade and the light that had shone on Lois began to recede.
He looked at her and no words were necessary. The two closed to a single embrace and already he felt the power in her.
"This is the beginning, of the rest of our lives"
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"Its positive" a voice said behind him.
Superman turned to see Lois standing behind him, wearing a white Kryptonian dress.
"Were having a baby" he said
She nodded and he took her in his arms.
"Lets go to Smallville and tell the folks." She suggested.
Superman started to float but Lois did not follow.
"I don't think in my condition I should be flying alone" she told him matter-of-factly.
He smiled and floated down and he took her in his arms and like they had done before her transformation he carried her and flew out of the Fortress and into the skies…
CENTRAL CITY
THE RESIDENCE OF WALLY AND LINDA WEST
Even though he was the fastest man alive, Wally West considered himself a very patient man. His connection to the Speed Force allowed him to move and think at light speed and he did so at will. It had taken him a while to regain his control after tapping into the Speed Force but now that he had his power fully under control he did not have to worry. In his role as the Flash he was a superhero who protected Central City and he was also one of the seven founding members of the Justice League. He had battled his own share of rogues and he had even saved the world more than a couple of times. Others underestimated him because he always joked, seeming to never take anything seriously.
What they didn't know was that he was quite intelligent and his connection to Speed Force allowed gave more than just super speed. One of its more useful gifts was his photographic memory and coupled with his speed he had read thousands of books all over the world. He knew numerous languages and he had learned many different martial arts forms. The only reason he did not show these skills off was because he knew that his speed was enough and that he did not have to prove anything to anybody. He was his own person and there was no one who could tell him otherwise. Their perceptions of him only served to make them underestimate him and he could use that to his advantage.
His life as Wally West was very different from that of the Flash. He was one of the few heroes in the League who were married. He had met and married Linda and the two had been happy together for many years.
She had been with him through the ups and the downs and there was no doubt in him that they would be together forever.
Right now he was patiently sitting with his wife. Well trying to be patient. He was currently experiencing the longest fifteen minutes of his life. The things he could have done in these fifteen minutes would have numbered over a hundred. He could list a lot of different things that needed to be done but right now those things did not matter. All that mattered was the results of a fifteen minute test.
The ring of the timer was music to his ears and they both got up to see the test.
It had a blue stripe
"What does a blue stripe mean?" he asked his wife.
"It means were having a baby" she informed him.
He saw Linda's image fade for a second and he realized that he was directly in the speed force then summoning all of his will power he brought himself back.
"We're having a baby" he said with the biggest grin on his face.
THE CITY OF ATLANTIS
ROYAL CHAMBERS
Since he had become a member of the Justice League, Aquaman, had found himself changing. Things were not as clear cut as he used to see. It was not the Atlanteans against the surface dwellers anymore. He had witnessed the valour of the Justice League against many threats and he had even on occasion joined them when it served his cause.
As King of Atlantis his duty was to his people, but he had come to realize that he could still fulfil that duty by helping to protect the world at large.
Atlantis was no longer the world that time forgot. They had a say in the future of the planet itself and his place on the Justice League cemented that.
His son was proving to be very powerful and he could already see that he was a worthy successor to the throne.
He was descended from Poseidon, the greatest Sorcerer King in the world and thus his fate and destiny was decided for him at birth. It had been the same for his son. Their duty was decided from birth.
It was a direct line from father to son, never breaking, in thousands of years. All the Kings before him had only one child but it seemed that he was different.
The signs had always been there. The exposure of Atlantis to the surface world had spelled a change for his people and their way of life.
For the longest time they had set themselves apart, and it seemed that fate and destiny were content to leave them out of their plans.
Unfortunately that was not the case during his reign.
Poseidon had prophesized that a Princess of Atlantis would one day be born and in her the future of the entire world would be decided. She would decide whether it lived or died.
His wife was pregnant. To be more accurate she was now four months pregnant and she was carrying a girl.
He had been extremely happy when she announced the news that she was pregnant but when they found out that she was carrying a girl they realized that the prophecy was beginning to be fulfilled.
For the first time in Millennia, a Princess of Atlantis would be born.
As joyous as the news was, one thing was obvious. In his lifetime, his people and the planet they lived on would face the greatest peril in its existence.
"What troubles you my love?" his wife asked him.
"I was thinking of the prophecy. Our child will carry a great burden and I don't know if I will be able to help her." He confessed his deepest thought to his wife in their sanctuary.
"All we can do is raise her to be a strong woman. What the future holds will be decided by fate."
"How can you be so calm?"
"I have had a vision… a young woman, standing next to a young man with…wings. This gives me hope, that she will find someone to help carry her burden. I believe we are finally being woven into the tapestry of life. It gives me hope."
"I will draw strength from you then."
"Always my love…"
JUSTICE LEAGUE ORBITAL WATCHTOWER
MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM
Six of the Seven Founding Members of the Justice League were in the conference room. The past couple of months had led to revelations that affected the future of the League.
"How long has it been?" Wonder Woman asked.
"Four months, three days, six hours, thirty two minutes and twenty seconds" John answered without missing a beat. "I have exhausted almost all the avenues. The Lantern Corps, informants, even the bounty hunter Lobo and still nothing."
"I think it has to do with the Thanagar–Gordanian war. If one asks too many questions about winged aliens, they attract the wrong kind of attention." Batman offered.
"It's a big Universe out there GL and from what you said, Shayera is capable of travelling anywhere in it." The Flash said.
"I have to find her…" John said out loud.
"What will you do when you find her?" Batman asked.
"I'll make things right between us." John stated with conviction.
"Have you considered the possibility that you and her are not meant to be together. In the future that we saw, there were no other children of league members but now as things stand there are four."
Silence descended on the room. Ever since Shayera had disappeared John had told the other members about his and Batman's trip to the future. It was not common knowledge among the other leaguers but it was in the inner circle.
John was not dressed in his Lantern uniform while everyone else was in costume. He also wore dark sunglasses, to cover the permanent transformation of his eyes. They were no longer onyx orbs, instead they were emerald green.
"That brings us to the point of this meeting." Superman said. "Developments in our personal lives have forced us to look at our duties and our feelings. Lois, Diana and Linda are pregnant. We have to choose between out duties to the world and our duties to our families."
"I will come off active duty and the world will not see Wonder Woman for a while but they will see Diana Wayne." Wonder Woman said. John saw her give Batman a strange look and he realized that up until she spoke he had not known what she was going to do.
"How are you going to do?" the Flash asked. "The world knows what you look like so they will know that you are married to Bruce Wayne."
"It will be same as Superman's disguise." She stated simply.
"Oh" The Flash said in a knowing voice.
"What about you Clark?" J'onn asked.
"Lois's powers are still growing and I will have to focus more time on her and the baby, but I will still be on active duty."
"I'm not coming off active duty but since Linda is pregnant with twins, I might have to divert a lot of my time. I am the fastest man alive but I have responsibilities to my family."
"That is where we stand. The active members will be Batman, John and I." J'onn said.
"Count me out." John announced.
"Why GL"
"I've come to a decision and I am taking a leave of absence. I am going to find Shayera."
The others were again silent because they knew that the Green Lantern was in turmoil. He had finally made a decision it seemed and he fully intended on following it through.
"So when do you leave?" batman asked.
"As soon as I talk to Mari, once I settle that I will go and find Shayera and bring her back home."
"There is something that has been bothering me." Batman suddenly announced. "Carter Hall left the planet when he found out that Shayera disappeared. The how was answered by the Thanagarian ship he used but the why still hasn't been solved."
"I'm just glad he's gone. The guy was trouble" John spoke with some bitterness.
"Either way, you might meet up with him in space and the two of you might have to work together."
John was silent and he stood up and walked to the window of the conference room. Looking into the depths of space he contemplated all of the decisions that he had made regarding his and Shayera's future. He loved her more than life itself but he had let her go, because of foolish pride. Destiny and fate had allowed them a second chance of happiness after eight thousand years and he had thrown it away. That was a mistake but he knew that with his new powers he could rectify that mistake.
It was a good thing that he was standing at the window because with his enhanced sight he was able to detect the spatial fluctuations that signalled stealth spacecraft and the faint ion trails of blanketed jets.
He tore of his glasses, raised his arms into the air and he summoned the Power of the Glow.
The large green energy field protected the Watch tower from the onslaught of plasma cannons. All the heroes saw the green light and they felt the tower shake.
"Those ships" The Flash said out. "We've seen them before, they're Gordanian"
John's body bled power and upon hearing the Flashes words he lashed out at the attackers.
Blades began to form around the shield, moving faster and faster, spinning round and round the globe.
The Green blades then flew off, cutting some of the space ships in half.
"It's a diversion, they're attacking the planet" Superman shouted as used his x-ray vision to scout the earth.
"I'll take care of these guys" John said. "Go take care of the ones on the planet."
They moved out of the room and towards the transporters.
John was angry. These aliens were the beginning of his troubles. Their war with the Thanagarian's had led to Shayera's mission and her betrayal. They had destroyed her people and enslaved other millions.
A Green Lantern shall no know hate, lest they wreak terror upon the Universe.
Right now he felt the stirrings of that emotion but with great effort he pushed it back.
He began to bend the power to his will creating space crafts to meet the onslaught. His power and control were so great that he could still protect the tower and launch a counter attack.
John then saw something that made his blood run cold…
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APPROACHING EARTH'S ORBIT
THANAGARIAN ARMADA
TALON COMMANDSHIP
They had followed this armada for a long time, waiting to see where they were going and what their mission was. It was not until she realized the course they were on that she understood. Earth still existed as a possible location for the bypass and the Gordanian's wanted to get rid of it. After joining the refugees of her planet she had helped form a resistance and in a few short weeks she had assembled a large force of Thanagarian ships. They had eventually linked up with the main Thanagarian resistance and she was shocked at the number of survivors
They had given the Gordanian's more than enough trouble, freeing colonies one by one and annihilating any Gordanian's they found.
She was not simply a lieutenant in the Thanagarian army, she was a member of the royal family and when she had raised her standard, the survivors had flocked to it.
She had been shocked to find Carter Hall at one of their meetings and he had pledged his service to their cause and to Shayera. He had informed her about the John's growing powers and his desperate search for her, but she had been unmoved.
Right now they were about to engage the Gordanian force sent to crush the Earth and after that they would depart. She had seen the large green energy shield that sprang up around the watch tower and she had realized the truth of Carter's claims. John was indeed becoming more powerful.
But so am I.
"Open a channel" she said to the helmsman.
"Yes Commander" he complied.
"This is Commander Hol. The enemy leads a two fold strike. We need to destroy the diversionary force and cut off their escape route then we can take them down. For now fire at will" she commanded.
The large beam cut through the Gordanian ship like a hot knife through butter. They had not checked their rear and so they had focused their shields to the front in the hopes of countering the powerful Green Lantern so that left them wide open.
After making short work of the ships they began to approach the Earth.
She noted that the force field around the Watch Tower did not dissipate but she was not overly concerned. Their main targets were the Gordanian's.
Shayera shifted uncomfortably in her armour. Her expanding waistline was not helping her temper and she was becoming increasingly more temperamental.
Her pride and emotions had brought her to the one place she wanted to avoid and so she had to make due.
Thanagarian armour gave scant comfort to a pregnant woman but as the commander she needed to look the part.
"Incoming transmission from High Command"
"On screen."
"Greetings Shayera" Said the woman who had just appeared on the screen.
"Hello…mother".
"We in the Council ask that your ship refrain from direct combat as this might jeopardize the child you carry."
"I must refuse. I am more than capable of taking care of myself and my child and I will lead the charge against the enemy, as expected of any Thanagarian commander."
"You're my child through and through. I'll inform the council. Sheira out"
"Full power to thrusters, the enemy already has a significant lead so we need to destroy them as fast as we can." She sat down in the command chair in the middle of the main deck.
"Do you think the Green Lantern will let us pass?"
Shayera looked up at Carter Hall, a source of strength in some of the most trying times. She smiled at him and said
"We'll have to see."
"Commander we're being hailed."
"Accept the communication"
The screen flickered and then a picture began to form. The Green Lantern known as John Stewart appeared on the screen.
"Greetings. Please identify yourselves and state your business." He said
"We are the Thanagarian strike force sent to repel the Gordanian destruction of Earth." Carter answered. He had changed his helmet and it seemed that John did not recognize him.
"We've had your help before and we don't need it. Return to whatever hole you crawled out of." He insulted.
"Is that how you speak to those offering you assistance?" Carter questioned with a hint of anger rising in his voice.
"I'm done talking." John said abruptly and he cut of the communication.
The screen changed to show the watch tower and Shayera saw the shield shift from the tower to block their path.
She abruptly stood up and power crackled down her form. She extended her arm and the Nth metal covering the ship vibrated with blue energy.
The view of the watch tower was then replaced by John's face.
"If it's a fight you want then you've…" he paused as he saw who it was. "Shayera."
Dammit, he used his ring to jump onto our signal. Well no use hiding
"Hello John. Let us through, we're here to help."
The Green Lantern's eyes looked as if they were on fire.
"On one condition. I will only allow you to pass if you come aboard the Watch Tower."
"That's not going to work. If you don't let us through we'll let ourselves through." She warned.
He was about to say something but he cocked his head as if listening to someone and Shayera realized that it was probably the Martian Manhunter. She saw John tense and she knew that the conversation was probably getting heated.
You have to let them through John. They are here to help.
But J'onn they're as much of a threat as the Gordanian's.
I have informed the others and we are in agreement, let them through.
Shayera was shocked at having picked up the telepathic conversation but she managed to hide it well.
"Looks like you got lucky. I'll see you on the surface."
"The shield has gone down and all ships are moving to their respective locations on the planet."
"Let's go and show these Gordanian's that the Thanagarian's are still alive and fighting"
PLANET EARTH
PARIS, FRANCE
Three Hours Later.
The battle's had been intense but with the help of the Thanagarian ships there had been very few causalities. At first the once invaders were regarded with suspicion but when the Justice League and the people of the earth saw them fight and die for them that quickly changed to gratitude.
Right now their ships were regrouping but so was the Justice League.
Shayera saw them massing some on the ground and others in the air.
They all wanted answers but for the first time in a long time, she felt that she was not answerable to them.
"Carter, go inform the League that our business with the planet is done."
"I don't think they will let us go without an explanation." He ventured.
"What they want does not matter anymore. Once the fleet has regrouped we will depart."
"As you command"
As she watched Carter leave she knew that he would stop the League from asking to see her and she could get of this planet.
Coward a voice said in her head.
She froze but quickly recovered.
Takes one to know one. She sent back.
Come to me Shayera…what are you afraid.
Certainly not you John.
She raised her arm and an opening appeared in the ship's wall. She put on her royal cloak and after slipping her wings through the cloak she flexed them and then she flew straight thorough the opening.
She soared high into the air, higher then the ships and everyone else. Then she waited.
She sensed him long before she could see him. Raw power radiated from him in waves.
She could not stop herself from unconsciously placing a hand on her stomach. Thankfully the gesture was hidden by her cloak.
He broke away from the group and flew straight towards her