Chapter 27: Positive Power
Outside in the semi-cold weather, Nightwolf and Liu Kang guide their friend Alex outside. He can't help but be curious on why they want to talk to him specifically? He could take a few guesses why. Thankfully, Nightwolf and Ni'Tako have been healed of their wounds courtesy of the fire god.
"So why are we out here? Shouldn't we be planning our next move right about now?" Alex asked them.
"Do not worry. Time is on our side for once. We have important matters to discuss with you, Alex." Liu Kang tells him.
"You remember days ago when I helped you and your family learn to control the spiritual energy technique? About what I said about a mysterious power thriving within your soul?" Nightwolf asked.
"Kronika's power. But I've been meaning to ask how that's possible. Kronika died. Twice. Part of her died within me after Geras got wiped from existence. I haven't felt a thing for decades." Alex said.
"Yes. Kronika's subconsciousness died along with Geras. But her powers still lived on within you. It is bound to your soul permanently. I have been aware, but I opted not to tell you, not wanting to burden you with anymore pain that Kronika has put you through." Liu Kang said.
Alex nods, understanding his friend. He went through so much mental trauma because of Kronika it took a long time for him to recover. The last thing he needed to be reminded of was the one person he hated the most.
"And yet, I've always felt something was going on. Everytime you used your time powers, which is rarely, I felt something tingle up. I thought it was a coincidence. I see now that it's not. But I don't see how useful this could be or how much I could have." Alex wondered.
"From my understanding, Kronika's subconsciousness unintentionally left the time powers behind and survived within you. Unfortunately, The other half that was with Geras died with him. Therefore, your time powers will never be as strong as mine." Liu Kang said.
"I sense there is some good news coming." Alex guessed.
"There is a possibility that it might live on within either your son or your daughter. But that's for another time. Given the situation we are in, we need all the strength and power we can get if we are to defeat Darkseid and Adrelita." Liu Kang said before turning to Nightwolf and they nod to each other.
Nightwolf approached Alex, whose back was turned to him. He instructed him to close his eyes and breathe slowly.
"Reach down." Nightwolf said. "Deep into the earth."
Alex lowered his knees and put his hand on the ground.
"Follow my voice. Your pain….. Your suffering… let it flow. It courses through your veins, giving you power. Power only you can wield because it is yours."
Flashes of Kronika stung his mind, at which Alex flinched; the things she did to him, the things she made him do. He wanted to scream as the memories burned his flesh. But flashes of Cassie stung his heart; her near lifeless body in his arms. It burned his chest, causing a slight yelp.
As a silver-white aura surrounded him, his staff began to glow with bright blue energy. Moments later, a bluish aura emerged from within his body.
"Reach down into the earth. Remember the ones you love most. Let them guide you."
Alex's family and friends. They were all fresh in his mind, as if he'd just met them. The bluish energy extended from his staff to his fists.
His flesh and bones no longer burned him. And neither did his mind. When he opened his eyes, he saw that he wasn't bleeding as he thought. The lingering feeling of white-hot heat was replaced with the wind blowing upon him.
"This feels different." Alex commented. "Almost as if I'm not half-human or half-elder god. It's like I'm something else entirely."
"That is not all." Nightwolf said. "There's more. Close your eyes. Allow your powers to flow freely through your veins. Merge her power with yours."
Nightwolf imparted some of his energy to Alex. For a moment, Alex's aura spread like wildfire and transformed into a silver and blue wave of energy. He grit his teeth at the white-hot feeling that burned his flesh again; yet it spread to his nerves
As the energy crept inside him, he spread his arms outward. His fingers twitched. Barely able to close.
"Alex."
The voices of his wife, his son, his daughter, were calling to him. He regained control of his limbs and clenched his fists with an iron grip. His shout tore apart the silence in the air, causing everyone to rush outside.
Anthony and Flora gasped at their father floating in the air with a silver and blue aura. Alex opened his eyes as his feet touched the ground. His irises were glowing a bright, baby blue.
"Dad? Is that you?" Flora approached him slowly.
Alex remained silent and instead placed a hand on her cheek and smiled at the sight of his daughter.
"It's me, Flora." Alex reassured her.
"What the hell happened?" Anthony asked.
"It turns out, I have had Kronika's essence within me the entire time. I had no idea until Liu Kang and Nightwolf sensed it." Alex said.
"We have shown him Nightwolf's spiritual technique. With his spiritual energy, he merged Kronika's power with his own. His newfound abilities are now his to command."
Jade slowly walks up to Alex, feeling concerned for her little brother.
"Alex. How do you feel, my little brother?" Jade asked.
"I feel like a Titan. But I'm not. It….. feels so strong and clear. It's not like before when I was under her control." Alex holds Jade's hand and hugs her. Jade sighs in relief and hugs him back.
"By the gods. I had hoped nothing happened to you." Jade smiles and caresses his face. Batman and Supergirl are the next to approach.
"Wow. This magic is incredible. I have to admit I'm a little jealous. We could always use something like that on our world." Supergirl said.
"There are plenty of magical beings in this world, Kara. You have no idea." Alex replied.
"Astounding. This ability, whatever it is, it could be useful to turn the tide against our enemies. Even maybe stand a chance against Darkseid." Batman said,
"Yes. But unfortunately, while Alex has unlocked his new abilities, he is not ready to wield it in battle." Liu Kang tells Bruce.
"What do you mean?" Alex asked.
"There are many things you can do with your new power. But you do not know how to control it properly. Fear not. It will not be as time consuming as it took me to master my time abilities." Liu Kang tells him.
"I understand. But first, while we do that. We need to forge our plan further in order to stay ahead." Alex pointed out.
Before anyone can say anything, an orange portal opens up right in front of them. Everyone stands guard, ready to fight whoever was coming out of the portal. To their surprise, only one individual came out. It was none other than Wonder Woman.
"Diana?!" Bruce recognized her.
Diana, not intimidated in the slightest, walks out of the portal before it closes behind her. Liu notices that she is holding a portal stone.
"How the hell did you find us?" Alex asked while glaring at her.
"A goddess always trusts her instincts." Diana claimed.
"If you always trust your instincts, did they ever tell you to go through with what you did in our world? All the problems you've caused?" Bruce asked her.
Jacqui comes up to Diana and punches her hard across the face, giving her an angry stare.
"That was for Cassie, you son of a bitch!" Jacqui yelled.
Kara was the next to attack Diana by giving her a strong kick to the gut as Diana fell to her knees, gasping for air.
"You got a lot of nerve showing up here, Diana! Everything always gets worse whenever you're around!" Kara accused her.
"Why are you here? Did Clark send you to try to finish us?" Hal asked.
It took Diana a few moments to regain her senses from that kicking blow before she stood up to face everyone.
"No. He doesn't even know I left. I sent myself. I want to help you." Diana said.
"And why do we find that impossible to believe? I had hoped that you and Clark could be redeemed. But maybe I was wrong." Batman tells her.
"Just give me the word, Batsy, and I'll bash her brains to the ground!" Harley shouted, only for Batman to hold his hand up.
"I understand that you don't trust me and that I will never regain it. But I am here to help. I am now aware of my sins. Bruce was right to say that I used Kal's worst fears to my advantage. Harley knew. Even Scarecrow became aware of my fear; being that Superman realized that I manipulated him. Took advantage of him. Turned him into something he wasn't meant to be. Joker unlocked his anger and grief the moment he killed Lois Lane." Diana stated.
"Well, look who's finally decided to come clean. At least I was brave enough to admire my own faults. But you? You would do anything to get your way like before." Flash crosses his arms.
"I don't care why you're here, Diana. You can go to hell." Dinah cracks her knuckles. "Because of you, Superman killed my Ollie. But you're lucky I found him again."
"I know I can't ever be forgiven. But Kal-El's madness is starting to get the better of him. It is clouding his judgment." Diana said.
"Tell us something we don't know, Wonder Bread! You've always monologued on and on and on about poopsie lies." Harleen said.
"How do we know why you're really here?" Alex asked her.
Diana answered his question by dropping her sword and shield and stripping off her bracelets. She holds her hands up to surrender.
"The lasso of truth." Diana suggested.
Batman just so happens to have the lasso attached to his belt and holds it out. He nods to Harleen.
Harleen giggles to herself as she swings her big hammer in the back of Diana's head, briefly dazing her as she is knocked to the ground again. Harleen put in a little more strength, apparently still angry about her near death experience at Diana's hands.
"Now we're even like butter. No games! That's a job for Harleen only!" Harleen joked as Bruce wraps the lasso around her arms and waist. The magical rope glows. Batman hands the rope to Liu Kang as he speaks.
"The lasso compels you to the truth, even your darkest secrets. What are Superman's intentions?" Liu Kang asked.
"He plans on returning home to help Darkseid understand the Anti-Life Equation. He hopes to use it to restart history to bring back his wife and child." Diana said.
"What did Mileena tell you and the Regime?" Liu Kang asked further.
"She told me that she's the rightful ruler of Edenia and Outworld and was banished against her will. Her father, Shao Kahn. She said he was a hero. And she claims that you are all evil. And that you have conquered the realms." Diana states.
"If you believe us to be evil, then why do you truly come to us?" Liu Kang demands.
"Because I've seen how these clans care for each other, protect and love each other, how that glowing man in front of me cared very much for his wife and children." Diana said, referring to Alex. "I started to believe that Mileena is lying."
"What other plans do they have in mind right now?" Batman asked.
"I overheard Darkseid. He plans to study Doomsday in hopes of combining his DNA with his parademons. An unstoppable force. That not even a kryptonian can stop by himself. And they are conversing further with Polaris and his Legion. But I do not know who will betray who." Diana said.
"Anything else? Why side with the Legion after he killed Cyborg?" Blue Beetle asked.
"Because he's the only one smart enough to understand the technology other than Bruce and Michael. But we've been watching him closely in case he plans to betray us first." Diana said.
"And what of Mileena and Adrelita?" Alex asked.
"I don't know. I suspected that they may extend their rule to all of the realms, claiming to want peace." Diana said.
"They're the ones lying to you. Mileena has learned to be cunning and manipulative from her late father. Adrelita is her newest pupil. We have always been truthful to each other. Our enemies can never be trusted. You are fighting on the wrong side, Diana. The same with Superman and Black Adam." Liu Kang tells her.
"But how do I know who is telling me the truth?" Diana asked.
Liu Kang knew she would say that. He removes the lasso of truth from her and wraps it around his arm. As it glows, Liu Kang begins telling her everything about what really happened, from Kronika to Shao Kahn and Daegon. About different timelines and what all led to the timeline they thrive in now. All the friends they lost along the way such as Raiden and Kuai Liang. His history as a human before becoming a god and a titan. And Alex's history as an orphan, suffering such pain that nearly damaged his mind beyond repair, but pulled through and raised a family.
Diana could not believe what she has heard. But knowing her lasso too well, she ends up believing Liu Kang. She sees Alex's eyes and can tell he has suffered. And how his children resemble him and Cassie as they stood behind their father. And she looks around, sees other people having families and how they look out for each other.
"I… I thought I was doing what I thought was best for me. For Kal and the people of my Earth. But I've only made things worse. I promised myself not to let anyone use my compassion for others to their advantage ever again. Not like Steve Trevor." Diana said.
"Steve Trevor. I saw his pictures. His history as a spy. He fought in the second world war. You knew him personally?" Bruce asked.
"Steve Trevor…. Was the first one I have ever fallen in love with. We bonded, got to knew each other. But what I didn't realize was he was using me to his advantage. He was a spy for what the humans called Nazis. He murdered one of my sisters after showing his true colors. In response, I killed him. I swore an oath to never allow anyone to use me like he did ever again. It had me thinking that mankind did not deserve to live freely, as I feared they would kill each other in a war. And I thought convincing Kal-El to end all violence would bring peace. But now I understand that I made things worse." Diana tries not tear up. She stares at the ground, slowly dropping tears in shame.
Kara, nor anybody has ever witnessed Diana like this before. She was known for having a strong will and was always in control of her emotions.
"This is all my fault. I betrayed my sisters. My family. My friends for Kal-El. Abandoned my own lessons of honor. I am now without it for life. I must atone for my sins." Diana pleads for someone to kill her.
"No. You do not get off that easily, Diana. Like I said, I had hoped I could redeem you and Clark. A slim chance of that happening. If you are here to help us stop them, then prove it. Help us fight them. Stop them from obtaining the equation and ruling the multiverse." Batman tells her with a great tone of distrust.
"You see, Diana. I had hoped that when I crafted this New Era, that I could redeem everyone. While some souls have shown a capacity for change for the better, some are unfortunately always meant to be evil. And I believe there is redemption waiting for you and Superman. As Kitana, my wife, would say, we must fight with each other, not for each other. Which do you choose, Diana? To be part of Bruce's Justice League? Or suffer being Darkseid's hopeless, mindless minion for eternity?" Liu Kang asked her.
Diana remained silent about what he said. She thought deeply about what to do. Until she stood up, facing everyone.
Back inside the base, the heroes look at the globes of Earthrealm, Outworld and Edenia. Beacons are places in certain locations on all three globes. The Lin Kuei, Monks and Shirai Ryu are speaking through holographic projectors in this meeting.
Alex, still powered up, explains the beacons.
"We've finally traced the other five parts of the interdimensional gateway in parts of Earthrealm, Outworld and Edenia. We can have some people of this world to go with certain members of the Justice League to recover them. But we gotta remember that Polaris will still be able to track them through his suit. We must keep on guard for whoever might come." Alex tells everyone.
"But we also must remind everyone that Adrelita is in Edenia while Darkseid will be in Outworld. Given their strength, it'll be very difficult." Liu Kang added.
"We each have enough experience going through realms, but these new guys we don't know much about." Jacqui said.
"If I may." Frost steps up. "Our Lin Kuei are the best stealth clan there is in Earthrealm. We can use that to our advantage. It would be best if we go to Edenia. But we will need a distraction. Mileena and Adrelita will not be fooled forever."
"Adrelita is just about as powerful as Liu Kang, but we can't take the chance of sending him or Alex in there. We're not gonna try to beat her for now, just distract her." Batman said.
"I volunteer myself." Diana said. "I may not be as strong as them or Kal-El, but I can hold my own."
"Fine. But I'm sending the Teen Titans to join you. To make sure that you don't pull any tricks." Bruce tells her before turning to Starfire. "Is your team assembled?"
"Yes." Starfire nodded. "The titans are now healed up and ready to fight once more."
"Good. A word with you." Batman walks away with Starfire as the meeting continues.
"I would like to come along as well." Princess Meia said. It my duty to protect Edenia and fight off the enemies. I must rescue King Jerrod and Queen Sindel."
"If you're going, then I'm going with you." Daisuki steps up.
"Thank you, my dear friend. I welcome the assist." Meia smiles and nods,
"Now for Outworld. Darkseid is pretty damn strong. If the Lin Kuei will handle Edenia and I'm bringing in my Shirai Ryu to head to Outworld." Takeda steps up as well.
"That's perfect." Alex supports his friend. "Baraka and Li Mei can join you as well. You'll need their help."
And what about Darkseid? Surely he must be in Outworld by now." Kotal reminds everyone.
"I'll handle him. I got a score to settle." Kara steps up. "But we need to find a way to get rid of Doomsday. For good. If what Bruce says is true, then he's next to impossible to kill."
"Fear not, Kara Zor-El." Liu Kang said. "I know just the place for him."
"Good. Once Doomsday is out of the way, what about Earthrealm? That'll leave us with Superman and Havik." Anthony asked.
"That's where the rest of us come in. Me and Liu Kang can handle Superman and Black Adam. Havik will be tough, but he's not on Shao's level. Unlikely he will come. If Superman will be in Earthrealm, Havik will definitely stay in the Netherrealm." Alex points out. "You up for this, Bruce?"
"Always. I never back down from a fight." Batman replied before turning to Liu Kang. "I take you have a plan for Clark and Adam?"
"Indeed, Batman. Once we gather your technology, I shall leave it to you and Mister Terrific to rebuild it. We must secure the Anti Life Equation before Darkseid does." Liu Kang tells him.
"It's best that we send one team at a time. We need to be very communicative with tight one team gets those parts, they get out of there as soon as possible before sending in the next team. Let us make preparations." Batman said.
In one of the outdoor training rooms, Meia trains with Starfire, Daisuki and Terra. Thankfully, the stealth shields are barricading them from any kind of detection. Not even Darkseid will be able to find them easily.
Starfire shoots ultraviolet beams at the edenian princess, which Meia blocks with a spell that lets her trap the beams into a sphere before she places her hand behind her staff and she closes it into a fist, crushing the sphere and the beams into nothing.
Terra smirks as she hovers on a boulder in the air. She raises her arms high and two boulders come from the ground and throws them at Meia. Princess Meia slams her staff's endpoint down and spins it counterclockwise. The boulders come to a complete stop in the air. Then surely, they would fly back to Terra before they descend back to the ground where Terra originally pulled them out. No cracks, no damage. Like they were never summoned.
Daisuki comes in swinging his guandao weapon, which Meia reacts in time and blocks it away with her staff. They lock weapons briefly before Meia backflip kicks it out of his hands, trips him and points her weapon inches to his face.
"So. Do you surrender now?" Meia playfully smirks.
Daisuki raises his hands up in the air, before Meia leans in and kisses him on the forehead. Daisuki's face slightly turns red before the princess pulls him up, holding in her laughter. She smiles upon seeing his face turn red like a tomato. "Looks like I got you again, Daisuki. You keep trying the same thing again. Becoming predictable."
"I, uh, was just testing you." Daisuki stammered. This only makes Meia giggle at the tone of his voice.
"Oh, Daisuki. Your face and voice just enlightens me more and more. You're afraid of hurting me."
"Because, well, I care about you." Daisuki defends himself.
"I know you do. And I care about you too. I'm always pleased to have you by my side. When this is over, I would like for you to come to Edenia with me." Meia offered.
"I would be happy to accept, dear princess." Daisuki bows his head before her. The two smile at each other as Starfire and Terra approach them.
"Impressive. Your reaction times and strategic thinking have both improved. Switching between offense and defense is an important key." Starfire complimented.
"I know more spells than you think. I am a fast thinker, so I know how to turn the tides in a battle. My friends have all taught me." Meia said before turning to Terra. "Your geokinesis is strong. It's stronger than you believe."
"Oh, um, thanks." Terra said awkwardly. "I, uh, normally have to hold back. Because I'm still learning how to control it. I'm trying to not overdue it, otherwise I can unintentionally throw a tantrum."
Meia sees the look in Terra's eyes. She could sense that she was hurt.
"I see now. You feel the pain of loss. As do I." Meia said to Terra.
"Really?" Terra asked. She is surprised by how Meia quickly figured her out.
"Yes, Terra." Meia nodded. "I have lost many people close to me. Like you, I am an orphan. All of my friends have died as well as Kitana Kahn. My parents have died because of Shao Kahn. But it has not stopped me from finding new friends and being raised by my king and queen. I have learned to open up to others that I have met, such as Daisuki. They've become my family."
"I….. all I've ever felt was loneliness. I lost my best friend Garfield. Even after I came back to the Teen Titans, it just hasn't been the same without him. It's….. It's too hard to move on. I really hate change. It's like I've been cursed or something ever since I got these powers." Terra said.
"To me, I have been taught many gifts. These magical powers have saved my life. And it has allowed me to save the lives of my friends. Life is hard for everyone, but we all have the will to carry on." Meia said.
"I'm confused. You're able to carry on because you're strong?" Terra asked.
"We have no choice but to be strong. Everyone has someone to protect and they never forget the ones they have lost. The moment you let your guard down, you'll lose your path. But that doesn't mean you are lost forever. I think about my parents and my three friends. They would want me to move on." Meia explains to Terra.
Terra listened to Meia's words. She sounds so polite to her. Then again, she is like this to everyone. She sees through her eyes that they have something in common alongside Starfire.
"I….. I get it. Yeah. Beast Boy. He…. he was funny, not the most mature, but when things got serious, so did he. There were times I wished I could have saved him. The times I have had nightmares. But I have been able to think a little more clearly now because of your friend Chang Bao. I'll never forget him. He would want me to be happy and move on." Terra finally starts to smile more.
"Listen, my dear friend. If you ever need help or more advice, we are here for each other, Terra. No one is ever truly alone." Meia said as she put a hand on Terra's shoulder.
Terra puts her hand on top of Meia's and looks at her with sad eyes and her smile grows a little more.
"Thank you. It still…. Feels weird. Being in someplace that's not my home. But to me, it honestly feels right." Terra said.
"To me also, Terra." Starfire approached with Daisuki. "Think of it as home away from home. That is what I did after I left Tamaran. I miss my birth planet. But Earth is my real home."
"Edenia. Outworld and Earthrealm. They are my homes. I personally do not believe in faith. I'd rather think of it as me forging my own path I set for myself." Meia commented.
"That's the ticket." Starfire smirks.
While Meia continued talking to Terra, Daisuki walks with Starfire.
"That young lady is so polite to everyone." Starfire commented.
"You have no idea." Daisuki replied. "She's been like this ever since Sindel and Jerrod took her under their wings."
"And yet she and Terra suffered horrible things during their lives. Terra hasn't opened up lately. She's afraid of her own powers. Fears that she may lose control permanently. And she often lashes out unintentionally whenever she thinks about Beast Boy." Starfire explained.
"Meia lost her parents and her closest friends. And she's interacted with me most. I don't know how she feels since we lost my mother to that monster." Daisuki sighs. He clearly misses his mother Kitana.
"I am sorry for your loss, Daisuki." Starfire places a firm hand on his shoulder. "But we can't always mourn for the rest of our lives. To me, happiness is the key."
Daisuki looks up at the Titans leader, wondering what she meant by tbat.
"Yes. I see how you look at Meia. How you shake when you get close to her." Starfire said, causing him to blush. She giggled at his reaction. "Listen. Do not let her out of your sight. She will need you. And you will need her. But don't always forget what you already have."
"I will. Thank you, Starfire." Daisuki replied to her.
After the conversations were over, the four walk away, feeling confident about their trip to Edenia. They can only hope it'll be successful.
Note: Alex has officially unlocked new powers, but they are more limited compared to Liu Kang's. And there are drawbacks for him. There will be times where Alex will learn a few secrets on his new powers with help from Liu Kang. Next time, Edenia will be revisited.