17: Tangled Circumstance

Thora knew her parents and the Justice League were sure to catch up to her if she didn't pick up her speed. She had already broken the sound barrier as she barreled through the sky towards New York City. If there was one thing she knew from flying in her father's arms, Asgardians were a lot faster than a jet. She should reach New York in forty minutes if she didn't take any breaks or alter her course. She prayed that she had enough of a head start to out fly Superman since she didn't have the faintest idea how fast a Kryptonian could fly.

She knew she was being incredibly stupid for going after Jason but the thought of him in trouble caused her insurmountable discontent. There was no way she could say goodbye to the Justice League and close the portal with the knowledge that Jason wasn't safe. She knew she was being irrational and stupid but she didn't care. Her heart's desire outweighed that of her mind. She blamed the hopeless romantic spirit inherited from her mother for the blind escapade she'd decided to endeavor. Though she'd only known Jason for a week, her feelings for him were deep and poignant. To give herself some comfort, she thought of how her parents had only known each other for a couple of days and things had worked out for them. If they could fall in love in days, she could surely fall in love in a week, right?

Thora came upon New York a little quicker than expected. Pleased that it had only taken thirty minutes instead of forty, she headed for the alley way where Uncle Loki and the portal were sure to be lurking. Uncle Loki would never let her go either so Thora decided that the best thing to do would be to fly through it at top speed before he could stop her. Five minutes later, the glimmering portal came into view. Rocketing out of the air, Thora shot towards it like a speeding bullet. Her arrival created a sonic boom that caused her Uncle Loki to leap out of his skin. Before he could even register what had happened, she was flying through the familiar vortex comparable to the Bifrost.

"Hold on, Jason," she muttered, "I'm coming."

o0o0o

Lois woke feeling sick to her stomach. She'd fallen asleep in the library while waiting for Clark to find any leads on how she might be able to get back home. In desperate need to find a bathroom, Lois left the library and began opening random doors. After stumbling upon several empty lounge rooms, she finally found a bathroom that would have been comparable to a hotel suite. Not bothering to check out the décor, Lois made for the toilet and barely managed to open the lid before emptying the contents of her stomach.

Her entire body felt weak and she slumped to the floor, wiping her mouth. Closing her eyes, Lois breathed deeply through her nose. Ten minutes later, she heaved again though all that came up this time was bile. Lois went to the sink to rinse out her mouth. She wished she had her toothbrush. Making a mental note to ask Clark to take her shopping, Lois stumbled out of the bathroom towards the window where the setting rays of the sun crept through the curtains. Ripping the drapes to the side, Lois stood in the dim sunlight and closed her eyes, her stomach immediately settling.

"Being pregnant with a Kryptonian child is worse than being pregnant with a human one," she mumbled to herself. "I can't imagine a normal pregnancy being anything like this. I think the morning sickness at least takes a break once in a while. With Jason, I was constantly throwing up during the night. Ugh, this is not going to be fun."

She peeked through her lids to see the sun retreating over Hob's Bay and silently cursed.

"Lois?"

She turned around to find Clark standing in the doorway, concerned. He wasn't wearing his suit but he didn't have his glasses on either. "I heard you throwing up. Are you okay?"

Lois sighed. "I'm alright now that I'm in the sun but that won't last for long."

Clark looked out at the feeble rays and frowned. "Looks like I need to break out the sunlamps."

Lois raised an eyebrow. "Will that work?"

"It worked with Jason," Clark said as he took her hand and led her from the room. "I'm sure it will work this time."

The second she was out of the sun, Lois felt weak. Her stomach began to churn again. Trying and failing to keep her pace, Lois's feet began to drag. Clark picked her up. "I'm fine," she mumbled weakly.

Clark kissed her forehead and smiled. "No matter how weak, you still try to be strong. I've missed that."

Lois didn't want to put up the effort to converse for fear if she opened her mouth something other than words would come up. The last thing she wanted to do was throw up on Clark. He glanced down at her and decided to glide down the hall instead of walking. The sudden change eased Lois a little since the gentle breeze soothed her sweaty face. Clark turned into a large and spacious bedroom. After setting Lois down on the king sized bed he opened the closet and pulled out two large sunlamps. Lois curled into a ball, trying hard not to whimper from the churning of her stomach.

"Hang on, honey," Clark whispered as he set up the lamps and switched them on.

The second the lights hit Lois, she relaxed. The pain wasn't completely gone like it had been when she stepped into direct sunlight but it wasn't unbearable. Stretching her limbs, Lois sighed. "That's a heck of a lot better than what I had to deal with when I was pregnant with Jason."

"I can't imagine you enduring such pain every night without the sun," Clark muttered as he sat on the bed next to her. "How on earth did you manage to survive?"

Lois shrugged. "I would eat a whole bunch during the day when the sun was out so I would get enough nutrition. I usually only threw up five times during the night since I'd sleep most of the time from exhaustion. It lasted for five months."

Clark shook his head and began to stoke her hair. Lois tried not to show her pleasure over the gesture but couldn't help her heart picking up speed from his touch. She didn't want to encourage him but how could you hide your heartbeat from someone with super hearing? Clark didn't seem enticed by her heart's change of pace. He simply continued to stoke her hair and sit on the bed, watching her in silence. Lois stared up at him, her strength slowly returning to her limbs.

"Jason should be home any minute," Clark said. "I called and asked him to bring home dinner. I hope you're in the mood for Chinese."

"Sounds amazing," she muttered, smiling.

Clark grinned. "You were hooked on it last time with Jason. At least, my Lois was."

"I was too," Lois admitted. "I couldn't get enough of the chow mein and orange chicken from Panda Express."

Clark laughed. "She was the same way. I can't tell you how many runs I had to make to that restaurant."

Lois smiled sadly, thinking that it would have been wonderful if her Clark had been there to make runs for her when she was pregnant with Jason. Instead she had to get out of bed to get the Chinese food herself. Not wanting to admit that to this Clark, she changed the subject. "Do you think Jason will like me?"

Clark gently took her hand. "Lois, the fondest memories Jason has are those of his childhood. He's told me that several times. You have nothing to worry about. He's going to love you. I do."

Lois almost said she loved him too but stopped herself. This wasn't her Clark. She had to be careful around him. Egging him on too much could be disastrous. Even if he was a different version of Clark, she wouldn't feel comfortable becoming too intimate with him without feeling like she was betraying her Clark. Lois's head hurt. Her Clark; this Clark; this whole situation was incredibly confusing.

A few minutes passed where Clark continued to stroke Lois's hair, listening to her heartbeat. Lois wanted to talk about something but couldn't bring herself to think of a conversation so she closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Her stomach still felt icky but at least it wasn't churning anymore.

"Dad, I'm home!"

Lois's eyes snapped open. Clark continued to stroke her hair. "Lois, relax," he whispered.

"Dad?"

Jason stood in the doorway. He was nothing like her Jason. His hair was long, pulled back in a ponytail. A pair of dark goggle-like sunglasses rested on his head and an earring hung from his ear. He wore a pair of jeans with holes ripped in several parts of the leg and a blue and red baseball tee. He looked like a wild image of his father. Lois sat up and Jason's hazel eyes, so similar to her own, widened in disbelief.

"Mom?" he whispered, his voice strained.

Lois smiled, tears forming in her eyes. It was the first time she'd ever seen her son have that kind of look and her heart ached to hold him. He appeared vulnerable, his disbelief and longing evident in a hesitant step toward her. He noticed the sunlamps and looked at his father, his expression gaining a hint of alarm.

"I'm alright, son," Clark assured, standing up.

"Then why are the sunlamps out?" Jason inquired, shuffling a few more paces forward.

"Lois needed them," answered Clark. "She's expecting."

Jason froze. "Wait…this isn't Mom from the past, is it?"

"No, Jason, I'm from a parallel universe," Lois explained. "The Lex Luthor in my universe sent me here shortly after I learned I was pregnant with a second child."

Jason's eyes widened. "So, you're Mom but you're not Mom?"

"I know it's hard to comprehend, son," Clark said. "I nearly had a heart attack when I saw her."

"Is that why your heartbeats have been going on the fritz? Because Mom's back? I've been concerned about it all day."

"I'm touched that you waited until now to check to see if I was alright," Clark teased.

Jason rolled his eyes. "Well your heartbeats weren't similar to how they sound when you're near Kryptonite. Besides, the only one who has any of that stuff now is Batman and I knew he wasn't anywhere near you because I played hooky with Gray and spent the day at the mansion."

Clark groaned. "Jason, you can't keep missing school."

Jason became defensive. "Whether I graduate or not doesn't matter. I'm going into the family business and last time I checked, you don't have to have a diploma to get into the League."

"Jason, having an education is important even if you're not going to use it," Lois said before Clark could retort.

Jason's defiance continued as he rolled his eyes and muttered, "Whatever," in a careless tone.

Clark looked ready to continue the discussion but Lois decided a mother's touch was needed in this case. She had a sneaky suspicion why this rugged Jason had wandered down this road. Taking Clark's hand, she squeezed it gently. "Clark, can I have some time alone with Jason?"

Clark raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Alright but don't take too long. Dinner's going to get cold."

"If it does, you can zap it with your heat vision to warm it back up," Lois joked.

Clark smiled affectionately before bending down to kiss her forehead. Jason watched in silence. He hadn't seen his father look so gentle since, well, since Mom died. The fire in his eyes was missing, the crease between them also gone. Jason had lately taken to laughing at the term 'soul mates' but witnessing his parents together, it was the only word that came to mind.

Seeing his dad so gentle, so kind, was alien to him. His father reminded him of an army general who showed no mercy to the enemy of justice. However, he'd never treated Jason poorly. He openly displayed fatherly warmth to him and when they were alone he let down the walls around his heart. Jason was the only one to see the anguish and sorrow that constantly plagued his father. In the lowest moments the two of them would travel to the Fortress of Solitude to visit Lois's grave. Though those visits were hard, they were some of the most cherished moments in Jason's memory.

The past few weeks, Jason had gone to the Fortress alone to talk to his mother; he missed her terribly. Seeing her now, sitting on the bed, was like stepping into a dream.

His dad's hand on his shoulder brought him out of his own thoughts. "Don't take too long," he muttered so quietly only Jason could hear. Jason nodded slightly before his father left the room.

"Come here, Jason," Lois invited.

Jason sat down next to her and took her hand. She was real. He let out a breath of air he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Before he could stop them, tears fell down his cheeks. "You're really here," he muttered.

Lois couldn't take it anymore. She wrapped her arms around her son and squeezed him tight. "Though I'm technically not your mom, I think I have a pretty good idea what she would say if she could be here with you right now."

Jason pulled away to look into the hazel eyes he'd inherited. Lois cupped his face.

"I never left," she stated firmly. "I was simply forgotten."

Jason choked back a sob. "I don't understand!" he gasped.

Lois smiled sadly. "The people we lose never leave us, Jason. They live on in memory. It's when we forget them that they truly die. Your father forgot me and it would seem so have you."

Jason reeled backward. "I would never do such a thing! And neither would Dad! We visit your grave, Mom! All the time!"

Lois shook her head. "Visiting a grave doesn't necessarily mean you remember someone, son." She put a finger to his lips before he could retort. "Honey, would you honestly have let yourself turn to this kind of lifestyle if I were still alive? Would you be skipping school regularly? Would you have pierced your ear? Would you have let that unruly brown curly hair grow out this long? You hated when your hair would touch your ears. You never would have pierced your skin because you thought it was gross. And how can I forget the tantrums you would throw when I'd keep you home from school? You loved learning more than any other kid I've ever met. Jason, I know you. What's really going on?"

Jason fidgeted uncomfortably under her intense scrutiny. He wanted to curse. She was his mother alright. Forget x-ray vision; she could see through anything without it. Jason ran a hand through his long hair and swallowed what felt like a frog in his throat. He knew his mom well enough to know that when she started asking questions, she wouldn't stop until she got the cold, hard facts – it was one of the best and worst attributes of being a star reporter.

Sighing, he muttered, "You won't leave me alone until I come clean, will you?"

Lois looked smug. "You know I won't. What's going on, sweetheart?"

Jason wet his lips. "This is so hard," he whispered.

Lois took his hand. Jason looked up at her. "Start at the beginning," she encouraged.

Jason's face became distant. "It all started when you died," he began. "You were murdered right before my eyes. Luthor shot you in the chest with a Kryptonite bullet. When I tried to get near you, I immediately felt my strength leave. Dad came bursting through the Gertrude's roof after that. The anger in his face chilled my blood as he looked at your corpse and then at Luthor who was laughing. As Luthor pointed the gun at me and pulled the trigger, something in Dad snapped and he burned a hole right in Luthor's chest. Luthor's aim was off but he hit me clean through the arm. Dad tried to get to you but the Kryptonite radiation was too much. It was everywhere. I was already in trouble. Dad wasn't willing to lose me too so he grabbed me and rocketed into the sky so we could heal in the sun.

"He called the League and asked them to take you to the Fortress of Solitude but they never found your body. When the search was called off, Dad wept into my shoulder, holding me like his life depended on it, which, looking back, I now know it did. He broke after that. He took no prisoners when justice needed to be satisfied. He killed because he figured that by so doing, criminals could never resort to destroying people's lives the way his had been destroyed by Luthor. This new outlook brought the other heroes out of their caves, so to speak, and the Justice League was formed. At large, the world fears them though a select few have tried to rebel. Those rebellions get shot down before they can get the ball rolling because Dad always kills the leaders.

"Ever since Dad started walking this "take no prisoners" path, everyone treats me different. Since Luthor exposed Clark Kent, everyone learned I was really Superman's son. Ever since I was five, I've gone to school with people treating me as if I was king of the world. Nobody dares to challenge me but nobody dares to be my friend either. Lately, things haven't been so great at school. I'm tired of everyone staring at me. I'm tired of being treated differently. I'm tired of not being able to be normal like everybody else. I stopped going so I could avoid everyone. Well, everyone except for Gray. He and I grew up together. He understands me better than any other human. Sure, he can't understand everything – like the whole half alien thing and never feeling like I really belong anywhere – but that's where Dad makes up the difference. With the two of them, I can be me.

"I guess I developed this outlook and the uncaring attitude because I'm sick with the way life is. I'm trying to get Dad's attention but he's been so focused that it's been impossible to reach out to him. I don't want people to look at me in fear. I don't want to stand out. I don't want to be an outcast, never able to be like everyone else. I'm sick of the loneliness, the heartache, the cruelty, and the silent expectations. I remember how things were before you died. Everyone loved Superman and Clark Kent's identity was a secret. Only a select handful of people knew the truth about our family. I was simply Jason Kent, living a normal five year old life. But Luthor destroyed it all when he revealed who Dad really was on global TV just before we entered that boat to chase after the story on the blackout. We were headed for the Pulitzers; you won the award for the article of Why the World Needs Superman.

"That day is still the blackest day of my life and frankly, more than anything I want to turn back time and stop Luthor from ripping you away from us. Your death caused a chain reaction of the worst living nightmare and I'm sick of being in a world where everyone fears the person they used to trust the most. If I didn't love Dad so much, I'd call it quits and disappear forever too."

Lois felt like her heart was going to break. She pulled Jason to her and he rested his head against her shoulder. She kissed his head, rubbed her hands up and down his back, squeezed him tight. "I'm sorry," she whispered before kissing his hair again. "I'm so sorry."

"What's going to happen now, Mom?" Jason asked miserably. "You're not from this universe. I bet things aren't this messed up where you're from. Are you going to leave us and go back there?"

With all her heart Lois didn't want to abandon him but she knew that if she stayed, she would be abandoning her Jason. She grasped him firmly by the shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes. "Jason Lane Kent, the first thing you need to remember is that you are stronger than you think you are. Every obstacle we face here in this life is meant to make us stronger and we are never given anything that we can't handle. I don't know why I died in this universe but I do know that through you I can live on. You're half me, after all. It must drive your dad crazy sometimes."

Jason chuckled as he wiped his eyes. "Yeah, he sometimes says I inherited your stubbornness."

"Whatever!" Lois chided, also beginning to laugh. "Your father is as stubborn as a mule."

Jason laughed at that but suddenly became quiet. "You're really going to leave, aren't you?"

Lois's heart broke. "I have to."

"Why?" Jason demanded, wounded.

"My Jason still needs me," Lois answered, placing a hand over his. "And so does my Clark. We didn't grow up the way you did, Jason. My Clark left me for five years. He didn't even know I was pregnant! I had to raise you on my own until he came back. Even though it's been ten years, he still feels guilty for missing out on the first few years of your life. We both know how destructive guilt can be for your father. If I'm not there to pull him out of that guilt, my universe could probably crumble similar to yours. I need to get back to my boys."

Jason wasn't happy about that but he nodded anyway. "Even though I want to be selfish and ask you to forget them, I know you wouldn't be happy here. Besides, the other me deserves to have you as part of his life. I wouldn't take you away from him."

Lois smiled, leaned forward, and kissed him on the cheek. "I love you, Jason."

Jason's eyes filled with tears. "I love you too, Mom."

"You know, to change the world in which you live, you need to show people the real you," Lois counseled. "Let them see Jason Kent through and through. It will take time, but time allows healing. When your father returns to how he used to be, everything will work out."

"How do you know Dad's going to change?" Jason asked, doubtful.

Lois felt a fire kindle inside of her; it was the same one that burned whenever a challenge presented itself. "Because I'm here now," she answered confidently. "I promise that I'll do everything I can with the time I have left to transform your father back to who he used to be."

"I don't know if that's possible," mumbled Jason, hopeless.

Lois kissed his cheek. "Anything is possible," she whispered.

o0o0o

Robin stood poised on the neighboring building to LexCorp. Mere hours ago he had witnessed the death of Hal Jordan through the same vent the ring used to leave the scene; it had nearly slammed into him in its departure. The original plan had been for Robin to stay hidden and leap out as back up but both he and Green Lantern hadn't anticipated Luthor turning the whole room into an inferno. If Hal hadn't shielded the vent in that split second, Robin would have been burnt to a crisp. The guilt raged inside as once again he lamented that Hal had saved him. He'd been a hero up to the very end. He hadn't needed to shield Jason since he was immune to fire so he chose to save Robin instead of himself.

Robin clenched his fists. Luthor was going to pay if it was the last thing he ever did. Robin couldn't even imagine what he was doing to Jason. If Batman hadn't taught him to analyze the situation he would have rushed in without thinking. He'd been hoping that the Dark Knight and the rest of the League would reappear but they were obviously still searching for Superman in an entirely different universe. He could call in other minor League members but he had difficulty trusting them; he'd never worked with them before and this situation was not one he wanted to risk going south.

After camping out on the roof for several hours, he was able to hack into Luthor's security system undetected. The energy levels in one particular underground floor confirmed where Luthor was harboring Jason. The next phase of his rescue plan was finding a way to get in and out safely – a much more challenging calculation than simply hacking into a computer.

For the thousandth time, Robin was in the middle of strategizing a way to get through Luthor's security when a woman in battle armor landed on the roof ten feet away from him. Robin's eyes widened. Her long blond hair gently swayed with the breeze, her red cape rippling behind her. Smooth silver armor molded over her arms and legs like tights under a metal breastplate and charcoal colored skirt. Bright red boots protected her calves. A large metal hammer was clutched in one of her fingerless gloved hands.

"Wow," Robin muttered.

His admiration had been louder than he'd intended. The blond fixed her penetrating blue eyes on him and looked him up and down. "Who are you?" she asked, taking in his costume.

Robin stood up. "I'm Robin," he said, holding out a hand.

Taking it, the girl introduced herself. "Thora, princess of Asgard."

"Princess? You're not one of Wonder Woman's pupils are you?"

Thora smiled. "No. Are you a friend of hers?"

"In a manner of speaking. I work with Batman."

Thora's eyes lit up. "You must be Jason's friend! He told me about you."

"You know Jason? Wait a second….you're that new chick from school!"

Thora blinked a couple times. "You go to Jason's school?"

Robin inwardly cursed; in his surprise, he forgot he was still wearing a mask. "Um…."

Thora's countenance brightened. "You must be his friend, Dick Grayson!" Looking Robin up and down, she nodded to herself. "Yes, it is you! I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the best friend of Superman's son is also a superhero."

"Wait, you know he's Superman's son?"

Thora nodded. "It's a long story which I don't have leisure to explain at the moment. Jason is in trouble."

"I know," Robin muttered, slightly annoyed. How come Jason didn't tell him about her? It was obvious the two had some kind of connection. Weren't best friends supposed to share secrets?

"Are you here to rescue him?" asked Thora.

"Yeah," Robin replied, silently deciding that now wasn't the time to brood. He'd wait until Jason was safe before demanding an explanation. "I hacked into Luthor's security to figure out where he is."

"Did you find him?" Thora inquired anxiously.

"Of course I did," Robin said smugly. "I'm not Batman's sidekick for nothing. I can hack into anything."

"Well where is he?"

Robin held out his screen. "Here," he answered, pointing. "He's underground. According to this, level 33. I've been analyzing different ways to get in there without getting-"

But Thora took off before he could even finish his sentence. Robin's shock was the only thing that prevented him from shouting after her. Smashing through the window, she disappeared into the building, punching a hole through floor after floor as she made her way down to the underground levels.

Robin cursed, took out a batarang, and secured a line to the building. "She's going to ruin everything!" he muttered angrily as he zipped through the air. "So much for stealth. Jason sure knows how to pick 'em."

o0o0o

Jason was in immense pain. He had thought the Krytonite handcuffs were bad but that was before he was hooked up to an IV dripping liquid Kyrptonite into his veins. It was absolute bitter torture. Ten minutes ago he'd been moved to this new room that looked like a mad scientist's lair. Jars filled with creepy creatures sat on mounted shelves, beakers of unknown liquids smoked in the corner, and greenish gray grime lined the indents in the cement walls. Jason was sure this place would never pass if placed under a health inspection.

It was taking everything he had not to fall unconscious; he wasn't sure if he'd ever wake if he did. As it was, he could barely move a muscle. What on earth was Luthor planning on doing to him? Five agonizing minutes later, Jason's puzzlement was answered when the devil himself entered accompanied by two doctors.

Looming over him, Luthor smiled. "This is the first time I've tested the meteor rock as a liquid. How do you feel?"

Jason wanted to send him a stream of choice words but all that came out was a moan. Mortified, he looked up at Luthor in defiance. Apparently the Kryptonite had effected him more than he'd thought; he couldn't even exercise his vocal cords.

Luthor laughed. "I guess this means the Krytonite has done its job. Perkins, Harven, I trust that this procedure will work?"

"We've tested it several times, Mr. Luthor," Perkins said, grabbing a set of tools. With destain, Jason observed that they were all a sickly green color. "It won't be a problem."

"It better not be," Luthor warned. "Young Jason is paramount to my plans. Now, get to work."

"Yes, sir," they both replied, coming to hover over Jason.

Jason's eyes widened in fear as Harven grabbed his shoulders and twisted him onto his stomach, exposing his back. Filled with frustration, Jason wanted to scream. He couldn't even move an inch to defend himself. What were they going to do to him?! A severe pain shocked him as a scalpel cut smoothly into the back of his neck.

And then the door suddenly burst open.

"What in the name of Odin do you think you're doing?!" a voice shrilled.

Jason's heart leapt into his throat. Thora! What was she doing here?! She was supposed to be in her universe, trying to find his dad! Wait, if she was here, was his father…? He needed to warn him! If his dad got any closer, he would fall prey to Luthor!

"Who the heck are you?" Luthor demanded.

Thora didn't respond. Instead she sent Mjol flying into Perkins' back since he was the one who'd cut into Jason first. The poor man didn't stand a chance against the hammer. He flew into the wall, causing several jars to rain down upon him. Their contents burst open and oozed all over him and the floor. Thora took action the same time as her hammer, rushing straight for Harven, the other unfortunate victim of her fury.

In two seconds Luthor's doctors were out like a light. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a revolver. Thora spun on her heel, hammer in hand, but stopped when she noticed the gun pointed straight at Jason.

"One more step and he'll be dead before you can get to him," Luthor warned.

Thora's teeth ground together as she eyed the situation. Silently cursing that she'd simply barreled her way into LexCorp, she came out of her warrior stance. "What are you planning to do to Jason?" she demanded.

"He's an important piece in a little score I have to settle," Luthor answered, eyeing her. "I've made it a point to be acquainted with vigilantes but I'm afraid I've never seen you before. Who are you? One of Wonder Woman's students?"

Thora stood tall. "I am Thora, daughter of Thor, princess of Asgard, and granddaughter of Odin All-Father."

Luthor raised an eyebrow. "Never heard of you."

"Mere mortals have difficulty understanding superior beings," Thora snapped.

Luthor scowled. "Great, another alien. What planet do you come from?"

"I told you," Thora retorted with equal venom in her voice, "I am of Asgard. Now, release Jason or I will force you to do so."

Luthor stood his ground. "As far as I'm concerned, you are in no position to make demands. If you haven't noticed, Jason is experiencing a heavy dose of Kryptonite, so much so that he's as vulnerable as a human. If I fire, this bullet will immediately sink into his brain. Now, drop the hammer or else watch your friend die."

Torn, Thora looked at Jason and then back at Luthor. She didn't know what to do. The Asgardian warrior within demanded that she stand and fight but the logical scientific spirit inherited from her mother warned that defiance would not be in either her or Jason's favor. As Jason's life was on the line, Thora decided to release her pride. Mjol slammed into the floor with a loud clunk.

Luthor smiled. "Wise girl." A sudden storm of guards rushed into the room, seizing Thora instantly. She struggled until Luthor cocked the gun as a warning.

"Get your hands off me!" someone snarled from the doorway.

More guards came into the room, holding Robin in their clutches. Thora's heart sank. So much for back up. Luthor chuckled wickedly. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Robin. Come to save your dear friend? I see that plan backfired."

"Shut up," Robin spat, struggling.

Luthor continued to gloat. "I heard you were similar to Batman but I must say I'm disappointed. I believe he would have at least attacked me before getting caught. Tell me, did you even get to fire a shot before my guards apprehended you?"

"For your information, Luthor, I was able to take down fifty of them before they cheated," Robin snarled.

Luthor looked smug as he set his revolver on the table next to Jason. "I don't believe there's any such thing as cheating when dealing with masked crusaders."

"What do you want us to do with them, boss?" the guard holding Thora asked.

"Strap them down," Luthor commanded. "Their arrival was unexpected but I must say that three is better than one. Check on Perkins and Harven. We're going to need them in order to get things moving and we don't have much time."

"What are you going to do to us?" Thora demanded as her captors dragged her and Robin towards two gurneys in the corner.

"You'll see in good time," Luthor replied with a wicked grin. "I promise it will be an experience you'll never forget."