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Sheyra grips the cot under her body, biting her bottom lip to the point of breaking. Sweat trickles down her face, her breath shallow, and panting, trying to keep her composure through the pain.
"Stop." John Stewart shouts, pushing Clark away, his laser beams retracting and his eyes burning.
Chloe is next to him, giving him a warm towel to cover his eyes with. She used to carry painkillers for Clark but learned quickly that it didn't work on him. Yet, he took them so Chloe wouldn't worry about him.
John Steward kneels in front of Shayera, letting her drink from a bottle as he wipes the tears and sweat away. Clark doesn't exactly enjoy doing this to Shayera, but she is the one who requested it.
"We have to—I have to keep—"
"You need your rest," John says softly, his hands lacing with hers. "We won't move until you're healed. We have time, my love."
Clark watches the interaction between the pair. He had dealt with transporting families across borders for months now when he joined Organization. Clark saw many things, but it always astounded him when he met couples and families that were nothing alike. Love was love, Clark knew that much but it was rare to see humans and aliens living together, successfully, an area that he had failed at, in more ways than one.
"Hey," Chloe says, trying to shove Clark but it never works. "We should give them some space."
"You'll want to wrap that before you shower or sleep," Clark tells Shayera and John nods for both. Clark then follows Chloe out of the room and down the winding steps of the warehouse.
Clark moves through the warehouse swiftly, avoiding those who are moving packages and people around. Children run around making it hard to not bump into someone. Clark catches a bag of groceries that his father almost drops as a green dog runs pasts them.
"Thanks, Son," Johnathan says.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Kent." M'gann apologizes making her green cheeks turn red as she blushed. "Gar, what did I tell you about using your powers inside?"
Clark smiles and continues to walk to the conference room in the warehouse. It's not exactly a conference room but it's away from the crowd their housing and it allows them some sort of privacy.
A green light is in the center of the room, Jessica Cruz, a Green Lantern, and their contact is on the West Coast of the US. "How is she?" Jessica asks as Clark walks into the room followed by his father and Chloe.
"As good as any prison can be." Clark sighed.
"Well, there will be more with similar stories like hers coming soon," Jessica tells them.
"So how is it that they all know where Earth is?" Chloe asks. "Aren't we like lightyears away from most of these Planets?"
"The Lantern Corps have transportation posts all over the galaxies," J'onn tells them. "Think of them as Space Police."
"So, they've designated Earth as an asylum without contacting Earth." Olivier Queen asks to which Jessica Cruz nods.
"I've met more Aliens than I have people." Johnathan Kent says. "At first it was a visit but then some made Earth their home. I never stopped to ask why, mostly because I didn't understand their language."
"It makes sense." Dinah shrugs. "It's Immigration just on a bigger scale. Humans move for many reasons, war, famine, death, and civil unrest, it's likely to be common amongst other planets."
"Currently, the planet of Tamaran is going through a Civil war, with their Princess seeking asylum on Earth. From what my contacts tell me, the Princess is in Washington DC."
"Great choice." Chloe groans, rolling her eyes.
"We will need a rescue team," Jessica says.
"I can go," Richard says, the youngest in the room. "I'll be there for…school. We have a field trip or whatever."
Clark looks at the young boy and bites his lip. He's seen that look before, the wonder in his eyes and the determination in his voice, it's a mirror reflection of how Clark felt when they first began this journey and now it weighs heavily on his shoulders.
Clark wanted to help people; it is what his parents had instilled within him at a young age. However, none of them pictured their life like this. They run from city to city, transporting aliens and Metas alike to countries where they can find peace. It was good and honest work though the government didn't see it that way.
It was dangerous as well and at times, Clark wondered if it was worth the cost. There have been many times that freedom had shown itself to the Kent family, but something always pulled them back into the fight. Maybe it was the same call that made his parents take in him and Kara.
Clark was not sure who called but he knew he answered it. There were people like him alone and afraid in the world, something he'd felt too many times and he wanted to lift that burden off their shoulders for a moment. But, at times, Clark began to ask himself if there was someone who would help him lift his burden as well.
Clark had parents who went above and beyond any parental figure. Clark and Kara were not their children by blood, but they didn't treat them any differently. Johnathan and Martha Kent sacrificed their mundane lives to protect Kara and Clark from all harm and it was something Clark could never repay. Now, it only seemed fitting that Clark would aid them in their pursuit to give people like him a chance at a normal life.
But Clark did wonder if he'd ever get that life again, a simple life.
When they lived in Smallville, the Kents were normal and happy. Kara had her issues but what teenage girl didn't? As for Clark, well, as much as he tried to fit in, there were moments when the world reminded him that he was not like his friends, classmates, or his parents.
Clark did wonder, maybe even wish for a chance at a normal life, back on his family farm with a pretty girl and a few kids running around. But because of who Clark was and what he was, that normal life was no more than a one-shot dream that could never happen.
"Don't worry, Jess," Clark assures the Lantern. "We've got it."
The White House, Washington DC, USA
Princess Diana of Themyscria never liked the fame that came with becoming a Public Figure.
Though many were skeptical of the Princess, neither could refute the fact that Wonder Woman showed up, answered when they called, and went above and beyond. That was the task of a Princess, a Hero, and an Amazon.
But there were moments when Diana wished for solitude, peace, a moment to gather her thoughts, rest her eyes and take a deep breath before the world called for her again. She had requested rest at one point, and it was met with opposition, so she never asked again.
"—Angela Merkel wants to thank you for saving the children in the Bank," Steve says, reading through the notes on his iPad.
"Yeah," Donna says dismissively as she tries to close her eyes, hoping to grab a few minutes of sleep before they arrive at the Whitehouse.
"You're not even listening, are you?" Steve asks, squinting his eyes.
"Don't be upset," Cassandra says, opening the third bag of tasteless peanuts. "I drowned you out as soon as you started talking," Donna smirks, she heard that comment.
"Ladies, please." Steve sighs, closing his iPad and groaning. "Everyone there is going to want to speak with you about your Hero work, your stance on Aliens and Metas, and your feelings about President Luthor."
"I thought we weren't supposed to have an opinion." Cassandra rolls her eyes as she takes a sip of water.
"That's not what I said." Steve corrects the young Amazon.
"No, it's what you didn't say, Steve," Diana informs Steve, finally joining the conversation.
Diana had many gripes with the ARGUS and the way they ran things. If it was not positive, then Diana was advised not to say it, not to undermine the effort of hardworking men and women, though the same was not given to Diana or her sisters.
"I've told you, Waller, and Luthor that we are our own persons, that we will not raise our voices for something we do not support," Diana tells Steve again.
"I've never forced you to speak, Diana," Steve says.
"And yet your silence speaks."
Diana is not sure which part of being a hero bothers her the most, using her voice and it being ignored or staying silent and others deciding what she believed. Diana was taught to never silence her voice, speak up, and speak the truth even if her voice trembled but she didn't realize how hard it was, and how many consequences it came with.
The limo fills with tension that is released once the limo stops. The outside of the vehicle is surrounded by the media, and everyone takes a deep breath. The Amazons didn't come to Man's World to hold press conferences or do meaningless interviews, they came to save the World, and yet, it seemed as if, at times, they too needed saving.
Steve opens the door, and he slips out first, then Diana with Donna directly after her and Cassandra at the tail. The women smile and wave, take photos with children, and ignore the protestors that seem to follow them from city to city.
Once they reach the ballroom of the White House, all eyes are on them. Diana moves quickly around the crowd, answering questions with Steve while Donna and Cassandra find Artemis and stand with her, Diana would be the sacrificial lamb at events like this.
"Wonder Woman." Lois Lane smiles, walking up to Diana as Jimmy Olsen follows behind her. "It's a pleasure to see you again."
"Likewise." Diana smiles though she would rather avoid this conversation with Lois.
"I didn't expect to see you tonight," Lois tells Diana. "You haven't publicly given your support to President Luthor."
"I have nothing to support," Diana says blankly which warrants Steve to turn his head and give Diana a knowing look that she would ignore.
"So, is this a Public Protest then?" Lois asks. "You've been absent from President Luthor's reelection campaign."
"Though I am a Political Figure, that is for Themyscira." Wonder Woman says calmly. "I am in America and the World to change it for the better. I'm not involved in politics, and I'd like to keep it that way."
"Of course, Princess." Lois Lane smiles. "Thank you."
They take a few more interviews and then Steve and the members of ARGUS clear the Media away from Wonder Woman. It's still too crowded for Diana's liking, but this night wasn't about her.
After great suffering, equal relief must come.
But what is the relief that does not come? What if the suffering hangs over the city like a dark cloud? What if the buildings that stood high above the clouds are now reduced to nothing but rubble? What of the people suffering in a city that is riddled with crime and destruction? Who will relieve them? Who will seek out their peace, their justice, and their right to live?
He will be their Justice.
There isn't some voice that comes to him at night, haunting his dreams, he doesn't dream. Men like him see sleeping and all the distractions that come with it as futile. No, he is a man of action, working day and night to bring peace to his city.
Peace comes at a cost.
He is reminded that as he gets out of the limo, cameras flashing, crowds cheering and booing while reporters hound him with questions. The world wants every piece of this man, to suck him dry but they do not offer him anything, cannot give him what he truly wants.
The face he wears is a mask, one that greets guests, smiles with businessmen, placates politicians, and dances with women who hold him too tightly.
He cannot give himself to anyone, that is what he tells himself. He is no room in life or heart, no time to dedicate to someone else. He must stay focused and dedicated to the cause, that was his mindset until he met her.
She stands there as beautiful as ever, regal in her blue dress with her hair set in a nice bun. He used to see her daily, but now he's cut their time to whenever they have team meetings. He knew she'd be at this event, it was a few of the events that called for his human persona and her to meet.
He knows he shouldn't, but he walks toward her anyways.
"Can I have this dance, Wonder Woman?" The man asks, her blue eyes meeting his. They still shined brightly, as if he hoped they'd lose their shine and thus her grip on his heart.
"Of course, Mr. Wayne." Wonder Woman replies, excusing herself and walking to the center of the floor.
The pair begin to say to the music, neither speaking for a few beats. They hadn't been this close since their last meeting that didn't end on the best of terms. Still, they worked with each other, and they were friends even if both wanted to move further but couldn't.
"You look lovely, Diana." Bruce compliments Diana as they continue to dance. "But that's little effort for you I suppose."
"Thank you," Diana says, not sure exactly how to reply to the compliment.
They fall silent again before Diana speaks.
"I didn't think you'd come," Diana admits to Bruce. "Then again, I didn't think you'd support Luthor or his policies. But it seems I am wrong when I believe that I know you."
Diana's words are harsh and though they do wound Bruce, he does not show it. He cannot let Diana, nor the world see how she affects him, how he craves her approval. It's not good for them or his cause.
"Gotham is suffering," Bruce says blankly. "Luthor is providing relief. I don't agree with all his policies, I can barely stand the man. The closer I am to him, the closer I can get to the truth."
"What if Luthor wasn't part of what happened to Gotham?" Diana asks. "Your support for him puts a rift between the league, between us and—"
"There is no us, Diana." Bruce reminds Diana, still holding her close as they dance.
Bruce knows it is cruel, but he must be. It's the only way he can protect Diana from his world and from him. Diana is good, too pure for this world, and Bruce would only corrupt her. Diana was a beautiful bird, too lively for his world, never deserving of being trapped, she deserved to fly high above all this.
"Bruce Wayne supports Luthor, Batman—"
"Doesn't trust anyone." Diana reminds Bruce of the same words he'd said to her that night.
Bruce doesn't respond, because deep down he knows Diana is right. However, Bruce holds Diana a little tighter as they continue to dance. Once the music ends, Bruce lets Diana go and they both get sucked back into the world that pulls them apart.
It was easy to blend into crowds, Clark had done it all his life. He played many roles and became many men in his twenty-three years, and though many would find it hard or annoying, Clark enjoyed it. Because, for a moment, he isn't an alien on the run but a man visiting a museum, seeing a play, or getting a coffee. Those moments are only a few and far between but he takes them without question.
Clark sighs, his hands in his pockets as he looks out into the vast garden. Secret Service members are on watch and ignore him. Clark was supposed to watch them and alert John for any alerts on the radio that would hinder the move, but nothing happened so far, the night was mundane and if you asked Clark, he liked that.
It's then that a door opens, and he smells the vanilla and honey scent, hears the subtle beating of a heart, and the tapping of heals against the pavement before he turns to see a woman walking towards him. Their eyes meet and Clark opens his mouth to speak but she beats him to it.
"Oh, I'm sorry." The woman says. "I didn't know anyone was out here."
"Don't apologize," Clark tells the woman. "I can squeeze one more person out here."
"Cause it's very crowded." The woman says sarcastically, and Clark cracks a smile. "I'm sorry, that was rude."
"It was funny, actually." Clark shrugs and turns to look at the view. He waits for a few seconds, but the woman doesn't move. Clark doesn't think he could be any clearer that he would like the company, but Clark turns towards the woman and tilts his head in the direction of the balcony.
Diana takes a deep breath and walks towards the balcony. Clark rests his elbows on the railing, leaning over while Diana rests her hips against the railing, arms crossed in front of her.
Clark can't help but look up at the woman, the way the moon illuminated her olive skin, how the wind carried her fragrance through the air, how her raven hair that was pulled into a high bun showed off every defined part of her face. Clark doesn't think he's ever met a woman more beautiful than her. He knows, he is sure that no one has ever captured his breath or attention like this.
Clark knows who she is, though he doesn't watch the news much, it's hard to avoid her face plastered on every billboard and front page of the news. Also, he'd never forget a face as perfect as hers.
"Can I ask you something?" Diana questions, looking down to meet the man's blue eyes, as blue as the waters of her homeland. "Off the record."
"I'm not a reporter." Clark denies it with a chuckle. "Just a local."
Diana knows she shouldn't be talking to a stranger about her issues, but she couldn't exactly speak to Steve about it. Donna and Cassandra had their own issues and even if they didn't, Diana would never burden anyone with hers. But there is a part of Diana that believes she can trust this stranger. He hasn't referred to her as Wonder Woman or Princess. Maybe he doesn't know who she is, maybe he believes Diana to just be a random girl that needed a breath of fresh air. That was fine, for tonight Diana could just be a girl talking to a boy.
"Have you ever wondered if you were doing the right thing?"
Clark is slightly surprised by the Princess's question. From what he's read about her, Wonder Woman works with ARGUS and thus the United States government, the same government that hunts people like him, that sees them as a threat and wants to do nothing but hurt them. Clark knows not everyone is like that, but it is hard to not see Wonder Woman as an extension of the institution.
Clark looks away from Diana, biting his bottom lip and staring out to the field. He asked himself that question many times when he fought law enforcement. Clark tried not to cause severe injuries or death while Kara…Kara didn't exactly share his same beliefs. Clark was helping people; they may not have been his people, but he related to them more than humans at times.
"Yes," Clark states truthfully. "There are some things that fall directly into right and wrong while others are—"
"Gray." Diana mumbles, finishing Clark's sentence.
Diana shifts on her feet until she's in the same position as Clark, leaning over the railing. "I just…I don't know." Diana sighs. "I thought that everything would be clearer, that right and wrong wouldn't take a lot of thought but I'm learning quickly it's not that simple."
"The most important things never are," Clark replies, keeping a light tone.
There is a calming silence that falls between the two. They can hear Luthor's speech and that roar it garners. It makes Diana's skin crawl while Clark tries to hide the red flares in his eyes. Though the world was colored in gray, Lex Luthor, his ideals, and everything he stands for are wrong and they both know it.
"Can I ask you something?" Clark asks, looking at Diana.
"It's only fair."
"If life were that simple, what would it look like for you?"
Though many questions went through Diana's mind, that was the last question she thought she'd be asked tonight. No one had asked what Diana wanted, most of the time Diana stated it and followed suit but the past few months haven't been that simple.
Life in Themyscira was somewhat simple, she would be Queen one day and live out her life with her sisters. That was a fulfilling life to most Amazons, but Diana wanted more, one of the many reasons she left the Island. Yet, Diana liked the simple things on the Island, the fresh air, the clear blue water, and being surrounded by nature.
However, the Island would not let Diana have other things in life. Diana wouldn't be allowed to become a mother, as Amazons don't interact with men. Not that there was a man that Diana would let into her bed, but if she'd ever met a man worthy, she wondered if her mother and sisters would approve. Diana knows the love of a mother and sister, but not of a lifelong companion and of children.
But Diana doesn't say all that.
"I would still do humanitarian work, I enjoy that." Diana smiles looking at her hands. "I'm not too sure if I want a condo or my own land somewhere quiet but I would want to blend into that life."
"Where no one knows who you are," Clark says softly. "Somewhere simple."
Diana looks at Clark, she opens her mouth to speak but then the ground beneath them shakes. Dust fills the air and bits of stone fall, Clark is quick, throwing himself over Diana and, a stone falls onto his back and then shatters.
Clark looks down at Diana and her face has changed to one of shock. He knows that his secret is out now, that he isn't just a local human but rather something different. Before either can speak, Clark is gone in a blur and Diana stands tall.
Diana can hear the screams of civilians; she quickly changes into her uniform and runs inside the White House. There she sees a younger version of the man she spoke to on the balcony. Cassandra and Donna stand next to her while ARGUS soldiers have their guns pointed toward the intruder.
"That's not keeping a low profile, J'onn," Clark remarks, speeding off the balcony and trying to locate the source of the Earthquake.
"It was not me, Kal-El," J'onn tells Clark. "Though I believe you and Kara are not the only Kryptonians on Earth."
Clark stops midflight at J'onn's words. Another Kryptonian was here on earth.
How long had Kal-El waited for another Kryptonian? Someone from his world? Someone like him who may know his struggle and has come to ease that burden?
Clark doesn't hesitate as he picks up the scent of the Kryptonian. It doesn't smell like him or Kara, with no hint of the yellow sun radiating off him. Clark shakes his head, it doesn't matter. Clark then flies towards the Kryptonian who stands in the rubble in the center of the ballroom. The Kryptonian looks at Clark and he's taken aback, his face looking back at him.
Clark lands on the ground looking at the naked boy before him. The resemblance is uncanny as if Clark was looking through his own eyes. This man, this Kryptonian in front of could have been his twin or even his son. Clark knows this isn't his son, only two people in this world could give Clark a child and both were not great choices. Kara had never mentioned a brother but maybe no one knew, another secret born from his planet.
"Who are you?" Kal-El asks in Kryptonian.
The man looks at him and then around him to see men and women with guns pointed toward him. It was then that he sees the blonde hair that he'd seen in his dreams, the person he was supposed to protect.
"Don't move!" Colonel Trevor shouts, Clark had known that man's voice all too well. "Hands on your head."
Clark turns around to look at the crowd and he sees her, Wonder Woman along with her sidekicks. They make eye contact for a moment and then Wonder Woman's face hardens, and, at that moment, Clark knows it won't be that easy to leave.
"We need to leave," Clark says in Kryptonian.
"I have to find her." The younger Kryptonian replies.
"Who?" Clarks asks and then realizes it's too late as the Kryptonian charges forward and grabs one of the Wonder Girls.
"Fuck!" Clark hissed and began to fly after him, but it pushed back, breaking through the walls of the White House and tumbling onto the concrete sidewalk outside.
Once the smoke cleared, Clark looks up to see Diana standing above him. Clark thinks he should say something to her, but his mind can't bring itself to think of an explanation. No words are spoken as Clark grabs Diana's leg and flings her around and so, the fight begins.
Clark and Wonder Woman fight, neither holding punches, fighting at their peak, punching, kicking, and slamming each other through the streets of the Capital. Donna and Cassandra fight to contain the other Alien. Somewhere along this battle, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Cyborg join the fight.
They stand a few feet apart, neither speaking but both panting. She looks upon him, those lips that parted and flashed a pearly white smile at her are now covered with blood from his busted lip. The hair that was so nicely gelled back was now in disarray and those glasses, the ones that hid his true face lay broken between the two of them.
He too looks upon her, the raven-black hair that was once bound into a neat bun is now messy and falling over her face. The once beautiful blue dress she wore was now town and she took in front of him, armored and a sword pointed at his neck.
They both know that whatever moment they had before this is gone, that they'll never have a moment of normalcy with each other again. Not that either believed they found a life partner with each other but maybe a friend, someone who understood the loneliness that had no words.
"Surrender," Diana commands, the sword only a millimeter away from his throat.
"You know I can't do that," Kal-El says looking directly into Diana's eyes. "You have to let me go."
"You know I can't do that," Diana repeats to Kal and his lips pull up to smirk at her.
Kal opens his mouth to say something but, in a flash, Diana is flung into a nearby building. Kal flies over to Diana, buried under rubble. He then looks up to see Kara, eyes red and hovering over Diana.
"Kara!" Kal shouts to her. "Let her go. I'm fine."
"She's going to hurt you." Kara hisses, reaching down to pull Diana by her hair.
"Ka—"
"We have to go, Clark." John Stewart says low enough for them to hear.
"Fuck." Kara hissed, throwing Diana's head down and it connected with a few bricks. "The Kryptonian, where is he?"
"I've got him," John says. "We need to leave, now."
Kara lifts off the ground, ready to leave but she notices that Kal is not following her.
No, Kal is on his knees next to Diana, cradling her head, and wiping the blood from her face. Though they had thrown punches, he never intended to hurt her. Diana didn't choose to be his enemy and he couldn't leave her like this, injured and alone.
"What are you doing?" Kara asks, whipping around to look at Kal. "Leave her."
"She's hurt."
"She's hurt?" Kara questions. "Did you not just get your ass beat by her and now you want to kiss her wounds and—"
"Kara," Kal says coldly. "I can't just leave her like this."
"Yes, yes you can," Kara says matter-of-factly. "She'll be fine, we on the other hand have-"
The two stop talking as they hear strike teams approaching. It's not long before bullets are riddled through the air. Kara takes off and so does Kal, with Wonder Woman cradled in his chest.
Before someone tells me that Wonder Woman is stronger than Kara, let me remind you that NOTHING is stronger than PLOT! So, for PLOT, Diana had to take one for the team. I'm not great at writing fight scenes so that's why it's short. The members of the JL are Batman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Hal Jordan, and Shazam, Flash.
This will be the last update for 2022.
Thank you so much for reading!
Happy Holidays!