Hitchhikers Guide to the Millma Verse
FanFiction/Twitter: FanFiction Millma Verse Page
Alt. Facebook: The CW – Comic World
Note: This is the last regular update before Hitchhikers goes dark for a while. This is different to what's come before as it's Christmas themed, features an Earth already on the system, and doesn't involve a Cisco! It's also based on Sigma's Christmas job working in a grotto, so we hope you enjoy.
Santa at the Sanctuary.
Prime Earth.
Barry was finishing work in the upstairs office of his and Kara's Beach House – one of the free bedrooms they had since converted – when he heard the front door open downstairs. Looking at the time, he noticed it was just after 1pm and had to smile as Kara was home, having finished her final half-day shift before Christmas tomorrow.
"Barry!" She called, surprising him as she never called to him – for one, her x-ray vision allowed her to see if he was in. Also, if she needed him, she generally just sped to the office anyway. Barry didn't hesitate though as he saved his work, switched off the screen, picked up Skylar, who was in a crib in the office – a reason he was working from home today – and came to the top of the stairs, but Kara was already halfway up… and she wasn't alone.
"You brought back another dog…?" Barry asked, noticing the sheepdog at her heels, Powie following behind. Polly was currently out with Colin. Kara had left her job as Cat Grant assistant and became a manager at a bog shelter called Noah's Barks.
"Actually," Kara stated, reaching the top of the stairs. "This is our dog. He's called Max."
"We already have a dog," Barry pointed out, to a bark from Powie. "Two of them, and a part-time white German Shepherd too," he smirked, referencing Karry's Krypto who came and went as he wanted.
"Well, now we have a third… or fourth," Kara tried the math there. "Three point five maybe."
"But..." Barry started, but Kara had moved over and put a finger to his lips.
"This is Max," she repeated, a little more firmly as the sheepdog gave a little bark now. "He's our dog." She went to tickle Skylar's nose at that, the baby gurgling happily, still in her father's arms as Kara now kissed Barry's cheek.
"Okay," Barry sighed giving in remembering Karry Barry telling them how they got Hex. When Kara got it into her head she wanted another animal there was no stopping her. "What's his story?" He looked to the sheepdog now. He couldn't have been more than one year old.
"He's one of the meta dogs I was telling you about," Kara stated now as she took a step back and crouched down to be on eye-level with Max. After the Dominator incident a few months ago, not only humans had developed meta genes and powers, but animals were showing signs too; Kara had an influx of various meta dogs turning up at work recently, including this Max. "He's shown great intelligence since we got him, and we've run various tests… he's aging at a much slower rate than usual dogs."
"Cool," Barry gave the dog a nod, who nodded back. Powie was sniffing Max though. "Why do we have him?"
"Because people are horrible," Kara stated, standing to a raised eyebrow from Barry – he could feel her annoyance through their bond. "The intelligence-thing people like, but when they learn he could live to nearly 25 human years they go off him. It was the final straw today, when some grinch decided he was too much work, so I filled the paperwork for us and took him home."
"Oh," Barry chuckled at this, not sure what else to say. "And Powie?" He looked to the other dog.
"I take Powie to work with me half the time. She knows Max and they're good friends now," Kara pointed out, to a happy bark from Powie, who licked Max's snout.
"But… what about Krypto?" Barry asked, readjusting Skylar in his arms.
"What about Krypto?" Kara repeated, frowning as Powie whined at the mention of her mate. She missed him when he wasn't around, and Barry could relate.
"Well… a male dog in the house…" Barry pointed out.
"Oh, yeah he'll just have to get over it," Kara laughed at this to a headbutt from Powie, who she went to scratch behind her ear. "Besides, Krypto has one cat, a kitten, and Porthos now; Powie can have friends too…"
"Porthos is only part-time," Barry pointed out. "Although not really Krypto's friend," Barry reasoned.
"Yeah, he doesn't like other dogs," Kara frowned as Powie now whined; Krypto's reaction to other dogs were somewhat funny – he had become a reluctant dad, not just to his puppies, but to the other ones his master's took in. "Aside from Powie of course," Kara stroked her dog's back at this.
Before they could muse more of Krypto, there was a rush of wind, a blur and a bark from Powie and suddenly a brunette version of Kara stood before them, already holding Skylar whom now had a cute Christmas penguin hat on she hadn't a few minutes ago. Barry nearly toppled at the weight of the baby suddenly gone from him.
"Kayla!" Kara called out happily, looking at her alternative twin just as Max barked from his spot by the floor. The meta dog not used to things like this happening yet and startled.
"Oh, cool. New dog," Kayla remarked, bending down to pet the sheepdog while still holding the baby. At that, Powie came up and licked her mistress's sister too. Kayla laughed.
"Max. He's a meta dog," Kara stated of their latest addition as Kayla looked up at Kara.
"A sheepdog called Max?" She smirked. "That's so Little Mermaid."
"I know," Kara chuckled, winking at Kayla for this.
"Not that you're never not welcomed here," Barry interrupted, now taking Skylar back from her aunt, "but why are you here? I thought you'd be on New Justice or Mutant for Christmas," he rocked Skye as he said this.
"Oh, actually I've been spending a bit of time on Hero Earth of late," Kayla stated, patting Powie on the head while Max remained obediently by Kara's side.
"Hero? They have an older me but no you," Kara voiced. "And birds in their Sanctuary…" she knew a little about that world, although had never visited it before.
"Oh, the birds don't bother me anymore. It was only when stuck on Paranormal, or Extranormal – whatever they're called – that it annoyed me, but only because I couldn't get off-world to somewhere more friendly and familiar," Kayla dismissed. "But yeah, Hero have this awesome Christmas event going on at the Sanctuary and I thought you guys might want to go for the day – photos with Santa," she added, smirking and nodding to Skye.
"Good point, we haven't done Santa yet," Barry mused, looking at Kara, "and it's already Christmas Eve…"
"Santa doesn't bother me," Kara shrugged, looking between Kayla and Barry.
"Kal and Jal are both Santa at their Sanctuary," Kayla pointed out, almost in a sing-song voice.
"Kal in a big red costume and itchy beard?" Kara smirked at this. "Okay, I've got to see that!"
"We do have plans this evening," Barry pointed out now. "Christmas things down at CCPD with Joe and then a late-night party at STAR to ring the special day in," Barry reminded Kara now; not that he didn't want a photo of them with Santa now.
"We can only be a few hours – besides, the whole El clan hang out on Christmases apparently," Kayla stated.
"Whole El clan…?" Kara asked, even Powie – who had calmed down – cocked her head at this
"Jal, Kal, Lois, the kids, mom, dad, Aunt Astra, your alternative husband and their kids," Kayla listed it off. "Apparently, they have the Sanctuary open in the morning for pre-booked events, but the afternoon and the day after it's closed for Kryptonian traditions and stuff. I'm tempted to go over for then too."
"You should," Kara stated, going to her alternative sister to give her a brief hug. "You're more than welcome to spend it here too though…"
"I've already been invited to Mutant for Christmas Day – at the farmhouse, with proper fresh vegetables and turkey and everything. Their Barry's taken the lead on that," she smirked at Prime Barry at this, who chuckled. Across the multiverse, he didn't change too much.
"Well, you're welcome here any time," Kara stated. "New Years?"
"No plans there," Kayla stated. "Now go, grab your best Christmas jumpers and then we can head to STAR Labs and to Hero Earth."
"Okay," Barry chuckled, handing Skye back to Kayla now as the couple headed to their room to find something festive to wear.
-Hitchhikers-
Kayla, Kara, Barry, Skye – still in her penguin hat, Powie and Max – on a leash Kara had obtained from work, appeared in a large room on Hero Earth. They were surprised to find it empty as Max barked, confused on his first teleport to another world.
"Welcome back, Miss Lane," a British voice spoke, surprising those from Prime as Kara readjusted Skye on her arm and shoulder, while Barry held back Max from running off and exploring.
"Artificial intelligence?" Barry asked Kayla at this, straining a bit on the leash.
"Yep," Kayla smiled.
"One of four main A.I.'s in the multiverse," the male voice spoke again, a hint of smugness coming across from this – if A.I.'s could sound smug.
"That would be Gideon from Karry Universe, MIA from new Justice, and our Mavis or Vis?" Barry asked.
"Indeed." Giles confirmed. "Welcome to Hero Earth, Mr. and Mrs. Allen of Prime Earth. How may I be of assistance?"
"You've changed your tune," Kayla laughed aloud, turning to Kara and Barry. "It used to be 'what is your emergency' or something like that."
"There are very little emergencies in the multiverse," Giles explained, "Or at least very few that the worlds want help with. So Valor and Superman changed my programming and the team name – they are no longer the Multiverse Taskforce."
"Cool," Kayla nodded as Kara shared a look with Barry. "What are they now…?"
"The Justice Society," Giles stated, to a splutter of laughter from Kara and Barry. Kayla gave the couple a look.
"We're just here to visit the Kryptonian Sanctuary, really," Kayla now continued. "Where are the members of the Justice Society?"
"The former Multiverse Taskforce," it seemed Giles couldn't let go of everything, "are busy. It is Christmas Eve, after all."
"Do baddies get active here on Christmas Eve?" Barry asked, frowning now.
"No, Mr. Allen. All Society members have families. As you said, it's Christmas Eve, so they are busy," Giles stated, to a laugh from the group.
"Where is this base after all?" Kara finally spoke. "I thought it was STAR Labs, but I don't know…"
"You are in the former Taskforce Tower, rebranded to the Society Sanctum," Giles informed them, surprising the group. "We are located off the coast of Central-National City, under approximately one mile of ocean."
"You mean, we're underwater?!" Barry asked, shocked as Powie gave a surprised bark at that; Max had since given up trying to run off and had sat down on the spot, looking around in interest.
"I never knew that," Kayla muttered. "Then again, I never thought to ask…"
"Would you require myself to open a zap tunnel to Metropolis for you, Ms. Lane?" Giles now asked.
"Urm, yeah, please…" Kayla stated, glancing to Kara and Barry at this as a purple portal opened in the wall nearby. "Thanks Giles, come on guys…"
Kayla led the way through the zap tunnel as they appeared in the snow of a familiar-yet-unfamiliar city. Prime Earth's Kara and Barry hadn't been to Metropolis more than a handful of times – they had less connection to the city than other worlds – but they could tell it was different from the moment they laid eyes on their surroundings: Although the grid layout of the city remained the same, all the buildings seemed newer and familiar landmarks were just not there. It remained pretty, however.
"The original Metropolis was destroyed years ago," Kayla explained as they walked the streets; Barry handed over Max in exchange for holding Skye though, as the dog seemed a little calmer under Kara's watch. "The bio-ship containing all Kryptonian specimens crashed here," Kayla continued to explain, having learned a lot in her short time here before, "the Justice League – the bigger one – couldn't stop it in time, there were casualties and many people relocated, but once the dust had settled and people had moved on, the city was rebuilt, although the crater remained a subject of controversy."
"Did they want to fill it in?" Barry asked, not having done any research on Hero Earth before. "Rebuild on top of it?"
"They didn't want to touch it. But that's when Oliver Queen had an idea – to make the crater a place of peace, memorial and reasoning…" she pointed to a signpost which clearly indicated 'The Kryptonian Wildlife Sanctuary and Memorial', which caused Kara to pause now.
"Never seen it called that before… so I'm guessing the Sanctuary was built in the crater?" Kara asked as they continued walking in the direction the signs were pointing to; snow was falling lightly around them as people shopped for last minute Christmas presents, laughed and stressed.
"Yep, two domes, one for warmer climates and one for colder, funded by Queen Consolidates… I'd image the Christmas festivities are going on in the colder ones. Ah, here we are," they stopped at what was clearly the edge of the very large crater, although trees and bushes covered the edge and slope now; there was clearly a park build into the gently sloping crater wall – the place of remembrance, Kara and Barry assumed – while the two domes took precedence in the centre, connected by a smaller dome that was obviously closed to the public. It looked almost picturesque and futuristic with the cityscape outlined behind it in the afternoon light.
Christmas lights adorned the entire area and queues had formed long out of one of the large domes, while the other remained reasonably lite. Signs 'Come and meet Santa in the Sanctuary' were dotted down the queue, while workers dressed as elves were organising the families, figuring out cut off points and discussing among themselves when to stop visitors altogether. Before the multiverse group could move further down though, one of the workers had noticed them and come running to them.
"Hey, I'm really sorry but it's going to be a few hours –" the worker started.
"We're family," Kayla cut her off, indicating to the smaller of the domes to which the worker sighed and nodded.
"Oh, should have known. You two look a lot like Ms. Kent," the worker said and Kara had to smirk at that. "Have you been here before?".
"Yes, I have. I know how to get in. Thank you," Kayla stated as the worker nodded and turned back to their job. Kayla smirked at Kara and Barry as the group now headed to the smaller dome, located between the two bigger ones.
They reached the entrance, where Kayla inserted a code into the door – she had got it from her last visit here – and opened the door, holding it open for the small family as they moved in.
Instantly, Kara felt weaker as they went under the red filtered light, and even Skye cried out as she felt herself get more tired. Powie was used to this though, having been born on Krypton, so it didn't bother her as she walked in with the others.
"Kayla!" A familiar-looking woman was nearby as she moved over to the group; she was dressed in light blue robes and had the familiar El logo embossed on it.
"Hi mom," Kayla stated, going to hug the woman as Kara had to pause.
"Mom…?" She knew what her mom looked like, and although much older on Prime, this wasn't precisely the same face as the mother she knew.
"Kara," Alura Zor-El turned to Kara and paused. "Another child? What's that five?"
"This isn't Karry Universe," Kayla stated quickly, they were the last Kara and Barry to visit this world, it seemed.
"Oh, another Kara from the multiverse," Alura stated, moving over to awkwardly hug Kara, not harming the child Kara was holding. "Should have guessed that for not having a Krypto," Alura now bend down to rub Powie on the head, who gave an affectionate bark.
"Aunt Astra and mom aren't identical twins on this Earth," Kayla explained when Alura stood. "Astra has the face of the mother you know, while Alura has this face."
"Oh right," Kara nodded, realizing. In all honesty, this Alura looked more like Karry's Lois Lane, but she decided not to voice it, that being weird to say aloud. Although she did wonder what Karry's Kara thought when she saw this Alura. She thought maybe a Christmas and gossip was needed with one of her favorite alternates or maybe a get together of a few Karas if they had the time.
"Where's the rest of the family?" Kayla asked, pulling Kara out of her thoughts.
"Kara and Da are busy in the warm dome, while the rest are in the cold dome," Alura explained. "Kal and Jal are Santa, as you know, with Tora and a reluctant Ly-Ver being their helper elves," Alura smirked at that, using all Kryptonian names than human.
"Tora and Ly-Ver?" Barry asked this.
"Az and Ty-Ver," Kayla supplied. "Kara is married to Da-Ver here and has the same two kids as on your Krypton."
"There's more than one Kara on your world?" Alura asked, frowning at Kara.
"I'm a clone," Kara supplied. "My Krypton… it never blew up," she always felt a little bit guilty telling other worlds this, given that Krypton blowing up seemed the norm. "My original married and had kids too."
"That's nice," Alura stated not seeming to care Krypton survived on Prime. "Feel free to look around… we have some spare VIP lanyards we had made for our multiverse visitors; you'll need it at this time of the year," she chuckled at that. "I still don't quite understand Christmas, but it beats the Kryptonian Winter Solstice when it comes to profit," she indicated them to follow her, and they did they moved toward a house that wasn't too dissimilar to the Kent Farm, which Kara found intriguing.
"Where are Aunt Astra, Ha and dad?" Kayla asked as she followed alongside Alura.
"Oh, back on New Krypton – this whole Earth charade is a little too much for them, but I quite like it," she explained as they entered the house to get the lanyards. "They'll be coming in a few days when the Sanctuary is closed for a more personal celebration of both Kryptonian and Human holidays."
Soon enough though, Kara, Barry, Kayla, Powie and even Max had VIP lanyards, while Alura led them into the cold dome; it was done up with extreme Christmas taste, with pine trees littering the habitats, decorations hanging from them and from the dome above – the glass itself filtering the normal sunlight to that of red sunlight, so no need for lights like on New Justice – while families explored all the different areas.
"We have Kryptonian Penguins, Polar Bears, artic foxes, puffins…" Alura was listing them off as she pointed in various directions, snow crunching under foot – the inside of the dome having its own climate control, so even cold enough for that – while they now passed the habitat for an animal resembling a walrus, albeit with sharper teeth. "Of course, the Snowdeer – the Kryptonian Reindeer – are the most popular this time of year." She indicated further down the way to what indeed resembled reindeer, only their antlers were much larger and spiker, and their coats more colourful. "And of course, if you want to see our Santa, there's a Kryptonian Winter Wonderland walk before that – your VIP passes will allow you to cut through the queue."
"I think we'll do that first," Barry stated, amazed at this dome as Alura chuckled.
"I'll show you the way, but I won't walk with you – I've seen it enough times," Alura informed them as they headed to what must be a bare patch of land outside of Christmas, but this time held a giant marquee, the queue entrance for it leading out of the dome to where they had been earlier. Alura lead them to the reception area, where they were told their entire visit would be free, thanks to their passes, and Alura left.
The Kryptonian Winter Wonderland walk itself was impressive – a winding pathway through various scenes involving animatronic Kryptonian and Earth animals; Snowdeer flew above their heads at one point, while penguins danced a fun disco, there were donkeys in sheds and even a lion prowling in the snow – all fake of course, but made to wonderful detail that children wouldn't know the difference. Kayla happily took plenty of photos of the family in front of various displays, and even found a Beebo frozen in an 'ice wall', causing the group to laugh.
When they reached a new waiting area, where parents and families were waiting and being distracted by more workers dressed as elves, helping children plant seeds into pots and creating, and decorating, a bag of reindeer food for Santa, they heard a squeal and saw the familiar face of Az, although on this world she went by Tora, of course, as the child of Kara and Da-Ver came rushing up to them, also dressed in an elf costume
"Mom! Well, alternate mom," she stated, in a low whisper at seeing Kara. "Oh my god, you have a Powie!" She bent down to stroke Powie, who had gathered some attention from nearby kids too, along with Max.
"This is Prime Kara and Barry," Kayla introduced.
"Well, it couldn't be Karry's Kara and Barry, Aunt Kayla," Tora remarked kindly. "No Alura or Nora, and no Krypto or Hex either," she stated as Kayla smirked at that. "You here to see Santa?" She now smirked herself.
"Oh yes," Kara and Barry choruses as Skye giggled in Barry's arms.
"This is Skylar, by the way," Kara introduced her child to her alternative child.
"Another girl," Tora stated, ticking her alternative sibling's cheek. "You come to see Santa, little one?"
"Saa…" the girl gurgled, surprising her parents.
"She almost said Santa!" Kara squealed to a chuckle from Barry.
"She'll be saying her first word in no time," Tora stated.
"She can already say Mama and Dada," Kara pointed out, to which Skye laughed. "Can you say mama?" she was instantly distracted by her daughter.
"Mama!" Skye called, to a an 'awww' from the group.
"Look," Tora stated now, "I'm Santa's personal elf, so if you want, we can do the whole Reindeer food and magic tree –"
"Magic tree?" Barry now asked.
"Yeah, we give you a little plant pot, some hay and a seed and during your visit to Santa it's placed in a magic cabinet and then before you leave it's grown into a little Christmas tree," Tora explained, leaning in to the adults so nearby kids couldn't hear. "Well, I go out and swap the pots to a little tree, but it's magic for the kids."
"We're not too bothered by that to be honest," Barry continued, to a nod from Kara – through their bond they must have somehow agreed it was a little pointless for a kid so young. "Maybe when Skye is older and appreciates it…"
"No, that's fine," Tora stated pleasantly. "In that case, as you're VIP, you get to go next, come on…" she pulled back the black curtain next to her, allowing the family through to a curtained off area, Tora following behind. "We had to visually separate the VIP line from the normal one," she explained, "because other parents were complaining."
"I completely understand," Kara stated now, having seen the impatience in some of the other parents faces just now.
They passed through another black curtain, to another, larger curtained corridor, but stopped a moment later before yet another black curtain.
"Santa," Tora called out, "are you ready?"
"Hello!" Came a familiar voice; it was Kal, or Jal, obviously, and as they passed through the curtain to the large tent-like room, they noticed through the familiar red-and-white costume, the facial features of the Clark they knew from Karry Universe and New Justice – even if the latter one was dead. "Oh my…" Kal or Jal stated as Tora laughed.
"It's fine to go out of character, Skye will not remember this – she's too young," Kara stated with a grin, a little disappointed this wasn't the face she was familiar with, as the El male pulled down his beard, thankful to confirm it wasn't their Kal's face, but the other. The room itself was lavishly decorated with two Christmas trees covered in colourful lights and garland, a faux fireplace next to Santa's big chair and decorations scattering the room.
"This is gorgeous," Kayla breathed, taking in the room and noticing the 'magic cabinet' was conveniently placed next to the entrance.
"Thanks," the El man chuckled, turning his attention to Kara though. "It never gets old visiting other worlds and seeing you so young, Kara – oh, I'm Jal by the way. Kal is in the next room as Santa too. He's having hell with Lyall being his elf," he told this last bit to Tora who groaned, rolled her eyes and excused herself. "Sorry, Tora is the more… happier elf; I had Ly yesterday and he can be such a grump. I think it's dealing with other people… he's not very socially adept," the couple laughed at this, knowing their version of Lyall was similar in attitude. "So, who do we have here?"
"This is Skylar," Barry stated, moving closer as Jal reached his arms out to take the little girl. "And Powie and Max," Barry added as Powie gave a little bark.
"I have four nieces and nephews I helped raise" Jal nodded, winking to the dogs, "I'm good with kids," Jal took the baby as he said this.
"Sat!" Skye called out, reaching her arms out to Jal.
"Aww, she can almost say 'Santa'," Jal cooed. "How old is she?"
"Nearly 11 months now," Barry stated, smiling at seeing Jal with his daughter.
"Sata!" Skye called out now, pulling at the fake beard Jal wore, to a laugh from all.
"I put Ly on break," Tora came back in. "Got Lilly to cover for him; she's jollier."
"Good idea," Jal stated, smirking.
"Do you guys want a photo with Santa?" Jal now asked the group, who looked to one another.
"Sure, why not," Barry shrugged.
"It's all free after all," Kara stated.
"For you it is," Tora chuckled. "Jal, if you just pull the beard up and Kayla, do you want in?" Tora asked.
"No, this isn't…" Kayla started.
"Oh come on, you brought us here, you're part of this," Kara teased as Kayla chuckled, moving over to crouch down by Jal's left side while Kara and Barry took the right side; Powie and Max sitting obediently in front of Jal's feet, while Skye remained in Jal's arms.
"Okay," Tora was by a professional camera against one of the curtainwalls, "Three… two… one… say cheese!"
"Cheesy socks!" Jal called out, causing the other adults to laugh as Tora took a photo, and then two more to be safe.
Kara and Barry stood, and Barry took hold of Skye again, while Kara grabbed hold of Max's lead – Powie had been good, having her paw on the lead while they took their photo. Tora then moved forward.
"I know you said you weren't going to bother, but I have this for you," she held a small Christmas tree in a little pot out for the group, which Kara took with a smile.
"Thank you. This is real, you said?" Kara asked.
"Yep, you can plant it and use it as an actual Christmas tree in a few years – if you guys go for real trees that is?" Tora stated.
"We have artificial this year, but we have a new-ish house so need to figure all that out. Second Christmas there though. Maybe we'll just leave it planted outside and have an inside and outside tree," Barry stated, "put some lights on it. But thank you anyway."
"No problem," Tora stated.
"When you get to collect your photos, say hi to Lois and Roxane for me," Jal called out, causing the group to pause.
"Lois is working photos?" Kara now asked.
"Who's Roxane?" Kayla asked this, frowning.
"Roxane is our dog… or will be… but yeah, all this was Lois's idea – it's the reason Kal and me are both Santas," Jal stated.
"You're the one married to Lois, right?" Kayla asked.
"Nope. That's Kal. She chose him not me," Jal dismissed; and Kara wondered if the two had competed for Lois when they were younger. "Anyway, it was nice meeting you! See you again soon?"
"Definitely. This place is pretty cool," Kara stated, to a nod from Barry.
"I'll be back the day after Christmas," Kayla stated, obviously having made her mind up about that from the discussion earlier in the Beach House.
"You're always welcome," Jal stated as Tora lifted the curtain to allow them out, the family waving goodbye to Jal as Tora now lead them back the way they'd come, although instead of heading out to where the queue was, they continued on and turned left, coming into another reception-like area where staff members dressed as elves were by computers and the very familiar face of Lois Lane – also in an elf costume – oversaw the work. A Collie dog was wandering the area, and paused at seeing Powie and Max.
"Kara?" Lois asked; unlike other worlds, this Lois had the same face from Prime Earth.
"Hey," Kara stated as Tora excused herself to head back to crowd control and meeting with families. Powie sniffed at Roxane though, and surprised Kara by giving a low growl, which the other dog returned.
"Roxane!" Lois stated, surprised at the dog. "I'm sorry," she now stated, moving around the computer desk to take the dog, while Kara bent down to check on her dog.
"You never growl at other dogs," Kara stated to Powie, worried as she looked back at Barry now.
"Maybe she sees Roxane as a rival?" Barry supplied. "No other female dogs aside from her children."
"She's okay at work," Kara frowned, but Powie had stopped growling at this as Kara stood back up, frowning at her pet.
"I apologise Kara; Roxane is a little unpredictable. My Kara has mentioned giving her to Jal as a Christmas present as she thinks she will be happier with him then here," Lois explained, "although time will only tell."
"Why isn't she with Jal now?" Kayla asked this.
"Hi Kayla," Lois grinned at the brunette. "Nice to see you again – and because if parents talk but see two different Santas," she said this bit in a low voice, "in different photos; one having a dog while the other doesn't, it would blow our cover. It's all got to be identical."
"Makes sense," Kayla nodded.
"Anyway, come on let's see if we can find your photos," Lois stated as Roxane remained behind the counter. Lois moved one of her elves aside to use the computer as the family gathered around the desk. "As you know," Lois stated in a low voice so a nearby family decorating their little tree couldn't hear, "we have two Santas, so we get through crowds half the time, but that's our little secret…"
"There's only one Santa after all," Barry nodded wisely and winked.
"Sata!" Skye stated again in Kara's arms, from an automatic 'awww' from Lois.
"Here we are," she turned the computer monitor to face the family, showing a picture of them all laughing from the 'cheesy socks' joke, as well as two other photos, that weren't as good.
"Definitely the first one," Kara and Barry choruses as Lois nodded.
"Snowball, bauble, snow frame, magnet or just plain framed photo?" she asked, indicating the objects on display – the display models each having a picture of Santa within.
"Ooh, I think plain frame photo?" Kara asked, looking to Barry, who nodded.
"Do you want two copies?" Lois asked, looking to Kayla now.
"Oh, I don't…" Kayla started, but was cut off again.
"Of course," Kara stated. "You are part of this family too, Kayla; you covered for me while I was pregnant – you should definitely have one."
"Can I have a magnet then?" Kayla asked quickly. "I can put it on my journal in that case."
"Of course," Lois laughed, instructing one of her elves to sort out the frame and magnet so she could talk to the Allens.
"How old?" She now asked, indicating Skylar.
"Nearly 11 months now," Kara found herself saying this time. "Our little ray of sunshine. Skylar, although we call her Skye."
"Skye? Oh, how adorable!" Lois stated, holding out her own arms now to a chuckling Barry, who handed over the baby while Powie barked from the floor, but Kayla ducked down to give the dog affection, knowing the baby was slightly taking away attention to her. Max, however, was just looking around curiously.
"Hello, Skye," Lois cooed, with Skye now in her arms.
"Sata!" Skye repeated once more, to a laugh from all.
"I think she likes Santa," Lois stated, with a wink to the couple now.
"Her third word now after mama and dada," Kara stated, cooing to her child.
"She'll only grow quickly from here on out," Lois stated. "Treasure these moments. Has she shown any signs of power yet?" She asked this a little quietly now.
"She's quite good at breaking toys…" Barry voiced, "but nothing like heat vision or freeze breath yet."
"Well Jason and Ella both shows signs of super strength from a young age," Lois stated. "If it wasn't for Kara and Daniel – Da-Ver, my Kara's husband – we would have been out of pocket quickly."
"You do for family," Kara nodded as Lois handed Skye back to her father now.
"You do indeed," Lois stated as her elf handed her the magnet and photo frame with the family picture in. "And these are for you…" she stated as Kayla took the photos with her free hand; her other hand holding the tree and Max's leash. "As much as I'd like to stay and chat…"
"You have a business to maintain," Kara chuckled now to a nod; another two families had since some from seeing Santa and only one had been seen to so far.
"Well, it was great seeing you and this whole venture!" Barry added.
"I'll be back the day after Christmas," Kayla stated quickly as she now put the pictures into her satchel that contained her diary.
"Excellent – we're having a proper Kryptonian festive meal with this place closed," Lois stated.
"I look forward to it," Kayla waved as they headed out of the area, and now out of the marquee.
"That was great," Barry grinned, as they now moved back the way they'd come, passing the penguin habitat as they did.
"You know, having a sanctuary might not be a bad idea…" Kara voiced as Barry stopped; Kayla almost walking into him.
"You really want that meta animal sanctuary, don't you?" Barry stated, his voice unreadable as Kayla decided to keep out of this. Kara had mentioned it a few times before.
"Well… I mean, I'd need the funding for it, and I wouldn't dream of leaving Noah's Bark," Kara stated, a little wistfully.
"Then we'll have to find employees and land. I'll have to talk to Ray," Barry mused, obviously having given in.
"You mean, you'll happily be part of it?" Kara blinked at this as Kayla now chuckled.
"Obviously," Barry stated simply. "Besides, this has given me an idea to do our own Winter Wonderland thing... and we kind of need a place to put it. Now just need to get our Kal in a white beard."
"You, sneaky devil," Kara chuckled, hitting Barry's shoulder lightly.
"Da-vil," Skylar now stated from her place in Kara's arms, all three adults now pausing to laugh at this new word.
"Does New Justice do anything like this?" Barry now voiced this after a moment.
"I don't know…" Kara muttered now, looking at the hanging decoration of presents in front of them now.
"I know they do something for Halloween," Kayla spoke, "but never been there for Christmas."
"I'll have to talk to that Kara too," Kara smirked.
-Hitchhikers-
Kayla had returned with Kara, Barry, Skylar and the dogs back to Prime, and although she needed to be back on Mutant for the morning, this evening she had decided to bunk up at Kara and Barry's Beach House – the couple were out, with Skylar, while Colin and Polly had since returned but the clone was in his room doing something while Polly had gone out to seek Barry's half-sister, Ivy, who lived in the guest house outside these days.
Prime is having their own meta animal Sanctuary! Kayla started in her diary. I wondered how long it would take for them to do this. And how long it will be before that spreads to alien species too… Kara there is animal-mad though, so it makes sense.
Now, Christmas on Hero Earth…. Kayla stated a new paragraph, the small magnet of their family photo leaning against the desk of the guest room, so cool. They had this whole Winter Wonderland thing, and a Santa meet-and-greet with Kal and Jal as Santa and Tora and Ly as their elves – it was funny as well as sweet. But yeah, I completely prefer Hero over Paranormal, or whatever they're called these days. Hero's Sanctuary is exciting, and a big rival to New Justice's I must admit, although New Justice still feels more like home. I need to go to New Justice next Christmas, in fact, to see what they do there, but the whole Santa meet-and-greet was fun. I can't believe Lois thought of it. I'm glad she did.
We didn't get to meet older Kara or her husband today, Kayla continued thoughtfully, but that's okay. I'm not completely keen with older versions, while Prime Kara has an older double that she's met anyway, and was binded by, so it was moot. It was fun seeing Kara's reaction to mom though, but mom's resemblance to New Justice's Lois is creepy, I can't get over it. Perhaps it's best not to tell them that?
Anyway, she wanted back on topic, tomorrow is Christmas and I'm off to Mutant Earth! They're having a proper festive dinner and celebration there, and I'm sure their Kara needs help with the kids too. It helps having a speedster husband, I suppose. But the day after I'm back off to Hero Earth; according to Lois they're having a Kryptonian festive meal and all the family are going to be there – I'm so excited!
She paused as she reflected on this, looking at the magnet photo once more.
You know, she wrote, I may have lost my original family, but the family I've gained through the multiverse more than makes up for it. I can't imagine giving up this hitchhiking life to settle anywhere now. It's just not in my nature.
And with that, she closed her book and leaned back in the chair. Her life was busy, but it was never dull.
Post Chapter Note: For those who might have realized, the timeline for this chapter didn't quite sync up with what was established in the Beautiful chapter that introduced Roxane; although this did allow Roxane to be re-introduced before she headed to Beautiful. Sigma wasn't a big fan of the Multiverse Taskforce name, so changed it in this chapter and will be changing the scene in the Beautiful chapter to reflect that post-humorously. We hope you enjoyed this chapter though, although we remind you that the next update won't be for a while now.
Please REVIEW.
Karry Beta and Master OUT!