Chapter 20
10 Months Later
A rider entered the city walls of Kandor and raced through the streets to the Crystal Palace.
Kal-El was leaned over a table examining a map showing the frontlines with small flags representing both sides' forces: red flags for Krypton, white for Genesis. Nox-Van was showing him where General Lane was concentrating his forces, when a knight walked up to Kal-El. "Your Majesty, a message from J'onn J'onzz." He whispered in Kal-El's ear.
Kal-El nodded and motioned for the messenger to come forward. The messenger gave him the sealed letter, bowed, and backed away. Kal-El ripped off the seal and began to read. When they saw him purse his lips, they all wanted to know the contents of the letter. He finished reading and folded the letter.
"My lords, Queen Helen has given birth to a son and the child has survived the first six weeks of life. The official announcement of his birth was made yesterday. His name is Prince Alexander Julian Lucas Lockland Luthor, Duke of Metropolis." Kal-El placed the letter over a candle and everyone watched it burn. The Council members gave worried glances at one another but his advisors were emotionless. "The birth of this child does not worry me so it should not worry you, my lords." Kal-El said and saw some shoulders relax but not all.
"Your Majesty, we worry of what the people will say. Three years on the throne and you have not married nor produced a legitimate heir… The people will call for it now that our enemy has an heir." Sin-Dar warned.
"I know. I have every intention to marry but to a woman of my liking." Kal-El said. Lois's ring seemed heavier around his neck now.
"But Lady Lana Lang was to you and everyone else's liking and yet you allowed her to marry Sir Peter… The people respected your wishes but they will only respect them for so long. They understand you are young but they will soon grow impatient." Sin-Dar said.
Kal-El stood straight and turned away from the map to look at the Council, who all bowed their heads preparing to be reprimanded. Kal-El motioned for them to raise their heads and they did. "I appreciate your concerns, I do… but Luthor's forces are overrunning King Oliver's and Luthor is on the brink of declaring war on Gotham. I know how important this is but marriage is the least of my worries."
"Forgive us, Your Majesty. We speak out of turn." Sin-Dar said.
"Your forgiveness is not necessary. You all have the fate and interests of this kingdom at heart and I respect you all for that. I give you all leave to speak openly with me when it concerns our affairs of state." Kal-El said and the Council bowed to show their gratitude.
After his meeting with the Council, Kal-El retreated to his private chambers. He entered his sitting room and looked around. "J'onn?" He asked. J'onn had signed the letter with his first name only meaning that they needed to meet.
Kal-El felt a hand touch his shoulder and he reacted like Carter taught him to. He grabbed the intruder's wrist ready to break it but his move was blocked. He took a battle stance and J'onn stepped forward. "J'onn! You could have said it was you." Kal-El said and stood up straight.
J'onn crossed his arms. "A force of habit but at least your battle skills are still sharp." J'onn said. Kal-El removed his circlet. He grimaced as he removed his tunic. "I see that wound has not fully healed." He said.
"It has healed enough." Kal-El said. He had made a surprise trip to Themyscira and was attacked by their sentries. The Queen's personal bodyguard wounded his shoulder before Diana recognized him and brought him before her mother.
J'onn put a small bottle on the table and Kal-El gave him a strange look. "For the pain and do not lie saying that you are fine." J'onn said.
"I was not going to." Kal-El said and took the bottle. He removed the cork and quickly drank the fowl liquid. He coughed as the last drops went down his throat. "It tastes worse every time."
"So says a Kryptonian. This tastes like the sweetest wine to a Martian." J'onn said grinning and took a seat. Kal-El took a seat as well. He sighed as he felt the remedy take effect. "What did Hippolyta say?"
"Hippolyta does have my father's stone but she will not give it to me when I have one already. She said the three must not become one. I tried to change her mind but I could not. I now see where Diana gets her stubbornness." Kal-El said.
"She is right though. The three must not become one, especially in this time of war. The power is great but comes at too great a price for one man." J'onn said.
"That is what my father told her when he gave her his stone when Dru-Zod's forces were advancing. He gave it to her for safe keeping. He defeated him months later but thought it best to leave the stone with her. I warned her that Lex is looking for the stones and that he already has Kara's but she still thinks it should remain on Themyscira." Kal-El said.
"I would say that it is for the best but I would be wrong." J'onn said.
"What do you mean?" Kal-El asked.
J'onn looked around the room despite the fact they were alone. He leaned in closer. "The Countess says that Lex knows Hippolyta has one of the stones. He is planning an invasion on Themyscira." He said softly.
"What?" Kal-El was shocked. Themyscira has never been conquered but neither had Thanagar until Lex invaded almost a year ago.
"A massive fleet is set to sail in less than a month. The Resistance are unable to mount an attack without revealing there is a spy on Luthor's War Council." J'onn said.
"By Rao! We must warn Hippolyta then. Lex is not to be underestimated. He is even far more cruel than his father ever was but he has found a way to gain the love of the people, which is something Lionel could never do. That makes him even more dangerous." Kal-El said.
"If we do help Hippolyta, then Luthor will grow suspicious of all the troops on the island. He will search his entire court for our spy." J'onn said.
"Not if the troops are all women…" Kal-El thought out loud and grinned. "My cousin is due for a visit to complete the last of her training with the Amazons. Queen Dinah and Shiera may accompany her if they wish." Kal-El said.
"I understand your plan. We send all our best warriors that are women to protect the stone. You are right. Who would be suspicious to see only women on an island inhabited by women? Besides me." J'onn said.
"Well you only trusts a few people, J'onn. If things turn for the worse, they can get the stone off the island. Lex cannot get his hands on it. The House of Zod ruled through fear for centuries when they possessed the crystal. Lex will destroy our entire civilization if he gains that power…" Kal-El stood and knocked on the door. A servant entered and bowed. "Have my cousin brought to me." The servant left.
Kal-El then began to stare out the window. He closed his eyes as he felt her ring resting on his chest. "Did you see her?" Kal-El asked.
"The Countess? Yes… she is well and she asks about you often." J'onn said.
"I miss her, J'onn. I want to hold her in my arms once more." Kal-El said.
"I can tell you that she feels the same…" J'onn stopped speaking as if he had a sudden idea. "What if there was a way for me to be able to arrange for you two meet?" J'onn asked with a grin.
"I would ask if such a thing were possible." Kal-El replied. J'onn smiled.
"I will make the arrangements… just say you are returning to the battlefield. The Council can handle the affairs of state while you focus on the war. That is why the Council was formed centuries ago." J'onn said and Kal-El smiled. Kal-El patted J'onn shoulder.
A Week Later
Unfamiliar horsemen entered the city of Kandor and the people noticed them heading to the Crystal Palace. Two of them wore helmets shaped like hawks' heads and the other kept their hood up. They knew it must have something to do with the war so it made them curious and gossip started spread saying that they were spies or assassins.
The strangers entered the throne room after a session of the Council. Kal-El sat on his throne and Sir Peter and J'onn were by his side. The strangers approached him.
Carter and Shiera removed their helms. The symbol of the hawk on their gold chest armor and black hawk wings on their red knights' capes. They both only wore chest armor to give them more movement to make them faster in battle.
The last stranger lowered their hood. Queen Dinah shook her hair and removed her black mask from her face. Kal-El stood from his throne and walked down to his guests with a serious look on his face.
Clark was the first one to smile and they all smiled in return. He hugged Dinah and Shiera but he and Carter greeted each other like any two warriors, a nod and grabbing each other's forearm below the elbow. "Mera wanted to journey with us but she just found out that she is with child." Shiera said.
"That is wonderful!" Clark said.
"It is wonderful news to hear but Mera is annoyed by Arthur's behavior towards it. He never lets her out of his sight now. Carter was the same way when I was carrying Hector." Shiera said and they all chuckled. "Now let us take this conversation somewhere more private."
Dinah put her mask back because everyone had heard of the Black Canary but they did not know it was her. The last thing she wanted was for people to figure it out. They journeyed through the hallways and people stared wondering why King Carter, Queen Shiera, and King Oliver's spymaster were in Kandor.
They entered his private sitting room, where Kara was waiting for them. Everyone remained standing around the table as Clark removed his circlet. "I have called you all here because Luthor is planning to invade Themyscira." He said.
Carter uncrossed his arms in shock and Shiera glanced at her husband. "Apparently Luthor is suicidal. No one invades Themyscira, not even Carter's father dared to try. Every army sent to conquer Themyscira were all destroyed within hours. Luthor has to be mad." Shiera said and everyone nodded in agreement.
Clark crossed his arms. "Or he wants something badly that he is willing to sacrifice half his army to get it." Clark said and Carter, Shiera, and Dinah turned to look at him.
"What are you not telling us?" Carter asked and he crossed his arms too, a trait they both picked up from Jonathan Kent.
Clark nodded at J'onn, who proceeded to thoroughly check if they were alone and no one was listening. J'onn nodded that it was all clear. "When my great-grandfather took the throne, he split a powerful crystal back into the three stones that made it."
"What does this have to do with Lex invading Themyscira?" Dinah asked.
"Since that day, a member of the royal family has worn one of the stones around their necks, acting as their guardians. It is one reason that the members of our family are trained to fight at such a young age… For years we feared that Lionel Luthor had both my mother and father's stone so my uncle had Kara and I constantly training…" Clark was cut off.
"But I failed in my duty as guardian." Kara said and bowed her head in shame. Clark walked over to her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"We have only failed if the three stones become one." He said to her and she nodded feeling more confident. "Lex has Kara's stone." Clark said.
"So he has all three then. Why has he not merged them?" Carter asked.
"My uncle feared that Lionel had two stones, when he really only had one." Clark removed the stone's from around his neck. "This is my mother's. Lionel gave it to me weeks before he died. He wanted to form a peace treaty with me… but Lex killed him."
"What? I thought he fell." Dinah said.
"I have a spy in Luthor's court, who says that Lex left Lionel's chambers right after he fell and that they fought. I believe Lex killed his father not only for the throne but for his army. Thanagar was only the first… He will be coming to conquer all of our kingdoms but with the crystal, he will be invincible." Clark said.
"But you would think he would save Themyscira for last." Shiera said.
"He is invading Themyscira because my father left his stone with Queen Hippolyta for safe keeping when Dru-Zod's forces were moving through Daxam. I do not know how but he knows the stone is there and he is sending an army to retrieve it." Clark said.
"You need to send troops to Themyscira now!" Carter said.
"I know but Luthor sees men on the island, he will now there is a spy because this invasion was planned in a secret meeting with his military leaders. I will not risk my spy's life." Clark said and Carter started stroking his beard. "But Luthor will not be suspicious to see only women on the island." He leaned against the table looking at Dinah and Shiera.
The two women looked at each other and grinned. "You want us to go to Themyscira." Shiera said impressed.
"Yes, with Kara. I have gathered all the women in my army and it makes up at least two legions. King Arthur has given me his fastest ships and they will get you there in less than a week. Help Hippolyta and protect the stone." Clark said. Dinah, Shiera, and Kara nodded.
"Then what am I here for?" Carter asked.
"I could use another general with experience to fight alongside me. I am returning to the frontlines after the ladies depart. It would be an honor to fight alongside you for once." Clark said and Carter nodded.
"What about what is left of my army?" Carter asked.
"They arrive with the ships in the morning. They are ready and willing to fight for you once more." Clark said with a smile.
"You think of everything." Carter said and ruffled Clark's hair. Clark pushed his hand off laughing. "So now I am General Carter Hall, former King of Thanagar."
"No. You are still King Carter Hall, Trainer of Kings." Clark said majestically. The two men laughed.
"Kal-El, I do not remember this ring belonging to your mother." Kara said. She held up the stone and Lois's ring was on the same chain.
Clark coughed and all the women gave him looks wanting an answer. "It belongs to… uh…"
"A woman, obviously." Dinah said and all the women began to corner him. "So… what's her name?" She asked tapping a throwing dagger in her palm.
"She must be important if you are wearing her ring around your neck." Kara said and Shiera nodded.
"Carter, J'onn… a little help." Clark said but they both put their hands up in surrender and backed away. "Ladies… it is hard to explain."
"Why not tell them, Kal-El? I found her to be a very clever woman." J'onn said. Kara looked at J'onn and then her cousin.
"J'onn knows who she is and has met her, and not me? I cannot believe this." Kara said and put a warning finger in Clark's face.
"As I said, it is hard to explain." Clark said and at that moment, there was a knock at the door. "Enter." He said but the ladies did not back away when a servant entered.
"Your Majesty, the ambassadors from Gotham, Atlantis, and Themyscira have arrived." The servant said. There was obvious confusion in his voice when he saw his king being surrounded by agitated women.
"Oh thank Rao." He said under his breath and Kara gave him a weird look. "Ladies, if you will excuse me…" Kal-El grabbed his circlet and then straightened his attire. He nodded to them and left the room.
When Kal-El left, Kara's sights turned on J'onn. "Who is she, J'onn?" She asked taking a few steps towards them.
"Do not forget who trained you and a teacher never teaches a student everything he possesses." J'onn said and Kara backed off. "Your Highness. Your Majesties." J'onn bowed and left the room.
"That man is so mysterious." Shiera said.
"More mysterious than me." Dinah agreed.
"That is why we are relieved he is loyal to the House of El. J'onn is the last person I wish to fight." Kara said and closed her eyes as she purged her mind of such thoughts. "I will show you to your quarters."
Kal-El ran his fingers through his hair and placed the circlet back on his brow. A servant handed him his red slash bearing the House of El. He had to wear it on special occasions or when greeting foreign guests. He stopped a few feet from the throne room to put the slash on and straighten it.
When it was on, he began walking again and the doors to the throne room immediately opened for him. His manservant, Jon-Tel, waited by the doors. The ambassadors bowed as Kal-El walked passed them but he stopped to kiss Princess Diana's hand and then sat down on his throne. Hippolyta thought it would be good for Diana to shadow Ambassador Alexa so she could master the game of politics.
"Welcome ambassadors! I have summoned you all here because I wish to form an alliance with your sovereigns to help me end this war once and for all." Kal-El said.
Lucius Fox, the Ambassador for Gotham, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, you know His Majesty, King Bruce, has no wishes to join this war unless Luthor declares war first." Fox said.
"I am aware of Bruce's wishes, Ambassador Fox, but the situation has become far more complicated than anyone would have thought." Kal-El said. The ambassadors looked at each other. "I have it on good authority that Luthor has plans to invade Gotham, Atlantis, and Themyscira. He has become confident that he will defeat Krypton in a short matter of time."
"What?" All three ambassadors said at the same time.
"Luthor would be a fool to invade Themyscira. His overconfidence will be his downfall. We would crush his army." Princess Diana exclaimed. Alexa looked at Diana, who crossed her arms in silence.
"I have no doubt of this, Your Highness, but Luthor is now confident he can successfully invade all our kingdoms in a matter of months. King Carter and King Oliver have already agreed to join me." Kal-El motioned for Jon-Tel to come forward..
"All I ask is that you take these letters back to your sovereigns."Jon-Tel gave each ambassador a sealed letter addressed to their sovereigns. "I will await their replies in Smallville for I am returning to the frontlines with King Carter." Kal-El motioned for the ambassadors to leave. "Diana, Alexa, will you stay for a moment?"
Diana and Alexa both nodded. The two ambassadors bowed and left the throne room. "You just called me Diana in front of the other ambassadors, which means something is wrong." Diana said.
Kal-El stepped down from his throne. "There is something you need to know about Alexander's plans for Themyscira."