"There it is, Almerac." Maxima says.
Superman looks on as they approach the planet. Lobo flies down into the atmosphere. Superman observes his surroundings. Almerac architecture reminded Superman of an advanced version of medieval architecture. The buildings looked like castles, but sleeker and more advanced. Their vehicles flew in highways in the sky rather than on the ground.
"That's where we're going, straight ahead." Maxima says.
"The really big one? Heh, I like it." Lobo says.
Lobo pulls his bike up to a grand palace. There are many beings at the entrance.
"This must be the welcoming committee." Lobo says.
Lobo flies down and parks.
"Princess Maxima, you have returned!" One of the maidens says.
"Princess?" Lobo reacts.
"Yes, I am princess of Almerac." Maxima says.
"Let me through, let me see my daughter." A voice says coming through the crowd.
"Mother!" Maxima calls out.
Maxima rushes forward and hugs her mom.
"Maxima, I've been so worried, are you okay?" Her mother asks.
"I'm fine, now. Thanks to my saviors. Mother this is Lobo, and this, this is Superman. This is my mother, Queen Neila." Maxima says.
"Thank you for bringing my daughter back to me, I owe you a big reward." Neila says.
"That's why I'm here lady." Lobo says.
Superman elbows Lobo in the gut.
"Ow, hey." Lobo says.
"We are just happy to return your daughter to you." Superman says.
"And mother, I'm also happy to say, I've found my mate." Maxima says.
"Oh?" Neila reacts.
"Yes, Superman has proven to be worthy of being my betrothed." Maxima says.
"What?!" Superman says.
"It is my duty to find a compatible mate. My search did end up with my imprisonment on War World, but it was worth it because I met you." Maxima says.
"But I'm not your betrothed." Superman says.
"You dare reject the princess of Almerac, heiress to the royal throne?" Maxima asks.
"Well, uh, yes." Superman says.
"Unbelievable." Maxima says.
"Hey, I have a solution." Lobo says.
"I'm not marrying you." Maxima says.
"Come on sweetheart, once you have Lobo, you'll never want to go go." Lobo says.
"Forget it, I want him." Maxima says.
"But that's not how things work where I'm from. On Earth people agree on their union together. A relationship is a partnership of mutual respect." Superman says.
"But, I want you, and I get what I want." Maxima says.
"As a leader you need to listen to the needs of your people." Superman says.
"MAXIMA! What is this, I thought I was your betrothed." A voice calls out.
A hulking man rushes up. He has massive muscles and red hair that is tied back.
"Forget it Ultraa, I'm with Superman now." Maxima says as she puts her arms around Superman.
Superman tries to back away.
"This being, you truly think he is a compatible mate for you?" Ultraa asks.
"Yes, I do." Maxima says.
"Then you leave me no choice, I Ultraa challenge you Maxima for you hand and throne of Almerac." Ultraa says.
"Challenge?" Superman asks.
"It's Almeracian tradition. A suitable mate must prove themselves worthy in battle." Maxima says.
Superman thinks back to War World, and the long link of chains that Maxima had there. Surly she was a fierce warrior.
"Ah sweet, hey Supes you want to put some cash down on this fight." Lobo asks.
"I uh, I don't think so." Superman says.
"Speaking of cash, your daughter owes us for returning her." Lobo says.
"Yes mother, these two rescued me from War World. I promised them a reward." Maxima says.
"Very well." Neila says.
"I didn't come here for compensation." Superman says.
"I did, I'll take his cut." Lobo says.
Neila and Lobo head off.
"I'll see you later at the battle quarters." Ultraa says, as he departs.
Superman goes over to Maxima.
"Are you sure about this?" He asks.
"I can take him, but he isn't the one I want. Won't you consider joining my side on the throne?" Maxima asks.
"I'm sorry, I can't do that." Superman says.
Maxima closes her eyes, and looks away.
"Then I best go prepare." She says.
Later
Superman sits in the stands of the battle quarters. He didn't quite understand Almeracian traditions, but who was he to judge.
"'cuse me, comin' through, hey watch it." Lobo grunts out as he makes his way next to Superman. His pants were sagging from all the gold stuffed into his pockets.
"Ya know they're takin bets on this action. I put it all on Maxi's cute little caboose." Lobo says.
"Don't you find this a tad… barbaric?" Superman asks.
"No way, this is awesome. You need to travel the galaxy more my man. Tons of civilizations have rituals like this." Lobo says.
Superman thinks about his own Kryptonian roots. Even they had a ritual to determine who was the strongest. A battle called Jo-Mon, named after the fiercest warrior in Kryptonian history. Plus, here it was agreed upon by both parties. Not like War World where you were forced into battle under Mongul's rule.
Maxima and Ultraa make their ways to the center of the court. They are each allowed to choose one weapon. Both Maxima and Ultraa grab a sword and retreat to their corners.
"Begin!" The chief guard overseeing the event says.
Maxima and Ultraa charge at each other. They meet in the middle and clang their swords together. Maxima pulls back and swings from the right, but Ultraa blocks it. Ultraa lunges forward with his sword, but Maxima side steps his. Ultraa then elbows her in the chin, knocking her to the ground. Ultraa lifts his sword high above his head and swings down. Maxima gets her sword up in time to block. Ultraa keeps applying pressure however. Eventually Maxima gains the strength to push Ultraa back. Maxima returns to her feet. Ultraa charges again, but Maxima blocks it. The two swing their swords again and again.
The crowd begins chanting something in an Almeracian dialect that Superman can't understand.
Maxima begins to back up as Ultraa swings his sword wildly at her. As she reaches the wall, she spins around to Ultraa's back. Ultraa staggers forward as Maxima slashes at his back.
"AHHH!" Ultraa yells.
Ultraa turns around as Maxima punches him straight in the face. Utraa falls to the ground. Maxima points the tip of her sword in Ultraa's face.
"You are beaten." Maxima says.
"Your winner, Princess Maxima." The chief guard declares.
"Woohoo! I won big on this one Supes." Lobo says.
The crowd cheers as Queen Neila makes her way to the center court.
"You are defeated, you will not be my daughter's mate." She says Ultraa.
Neila turns around to congratulate her daughter, though Maxima was somewhat sad. She wanted so badly to find her mate, but Ultraa proved not to be worthy.
"No, NO! The throne is rightfully mine; I was bred for this." Ultraa says.
He rises to his feet and stabs Neila in the back, right through the heart. The entire room collectively gasps.
"MOTHER!" Maxima shrieks out.
Superman heads down to the court. A number of guards wrestle to restrain Ultraa.
Maxima cradles her mother in her arms. Superman heads to her side.
"Max-ima." Neila says softly before the life exits her body.
"Mother, no." Maxima says with tears in her eyes.
A couple of guards hold Ultraa's arms behind his back.
"She deserved I. I should be your king." Ultraa backs.
Maxima picks up her sword and heads towards Ultraa. Superman blocks her path.
"Out of my way." Maxima demands.
"You can't do this." Superman says.
"Watch me." Maxima says.
Just then a blast goes off. Superman turns around to see a hole in Ultraa's chest. His body falls to the ground. Superman looks over to Lobo who is holding a smoking pistol.
"Fraggin scuzbucket deserved it." Lobo says.
The crowd cheers Lobo's actions on, though Superman feels uneasy about the whole situation.
Later, in her royal quarters, Maxima puts on the queen's crown. A guard comes to her door.
"Your highness, Superman is here to see you." He says.
"Let him in." Maxima says.
Superman enters.
"It's time for me to leave." Superman says.
"Won't you consider staying and ruling by my side?" Maxima asks once more.
"Sorry, I've already promised myself to someone." Superman says.
"She's a very lucky girl." Maxima says with a sigh.
"I've always felt I was the lucky one." Superman says.
Maxima looks at the crown.
"All this, it's so odd to me. I don't know what to do, how to lead." Maxima says.
Superman comes close, he puts his hand on her shoulder.
"Just remember, the needs of your people come first." Superman says.
"I'm lucky to have at least met you." Maxima says.
"Yeah, me too." Superman says with a smile.
"Well, at the very least, let me walk you out." Maxima says.
Maxima and Superman head outside the palace to where Lobo's bike is parked.
"Ready to head home Supes?" Lobo asks.
Superman hesitates for a moment. He knows that Lois and his mother must be worried sick about him back home. But he also knows this is likely going to be his only time ever out this far in the galaxy.
"Actually Lobo, can you take me somewhere else first?" Superman asks.
"Oh this trip just keeps getting longer." Lobo says.
"Where do you want to go this time?" Lobo asks.
"Do you know how to get to Argo?" Superman asks.
"Argo? Yeah I know the area." Lobo says.
For a few years now, Superman had wanted to try to get to Argo, to visit with Jax-Ur and Zod. Superman and Lobo hop on Lobo's bike and head off.