The Search for Kal-El

© The Elves of Alterverse

Chapter 4

Krystal Clear: The Compass

San Francisco Bay, 2 January 2007

They relaxed on the edge of a cliff.  Seagulls squawked overhead.  Jade sat on the ground, cross-legged.  The Sentinel lay on one side.

“Dad, does it ever bother you that we’re responsible for this whole damned universe?”  Jade looked over to the Sentinel.  “I mean, there’s no way I’d ever walk away from who I am, but sometimes the responsibility scares me.”

Alan Scott nodded.

“Linda, I know exactly how you feel.  Exactly.  From the Guardians to the Green Lantern Corps to the Military to the Senate, it’s been just one thing after another.  And now we’re taking on the Gods.”  He sighed.  “But we are the Champions of Life – that’s what we do.”

She shot him a dirty look.

“Can’t we be the Champions of the Chocolate Ice Cream instead?”

He laughed.

“I think that’s taken.  But maybe we should go take it back!”

She giggled.

“Gee, it’s fun to think about, isn’t it?”

He grinned.  An ice cream cone appeared in her hands.

“Have a taste of destiny!”  He chuckled.  “Seriously, I do know what you mean.  Sometimes I wonder how the rest of the team stays sane.  We have our family and we have each other.  That what keeps me sane.”

“Mmmph.”  She happily bit into the ice cream cone.  “Uncle John used to make this for me in the winter.  I had to run in to the fire as soon as I finished.  He did, too.  Aunt Mary always thought we were a little nuts.  ‘course she had us save her a bite, too.”

He smiled gently.

“I’m glad you have those memories.  By the way, I saw what you did to Krystal.  Cute.”

She grinned.

“Glad you like it.  Figured out what Ares had planned for her – probably the same as his other toy.  Just don’t tell anyone but Kent and Jeffrey what I did.  ‘Course I probably don’t need to say that.”

He nodded.

“I just needed to make sure we were in sync.  Ares is in for a rude awakening.  By the way, I spoke to Kent.  He’s very pleased with Krystal’s work.  She’s making it easy for him.”

She flashed a smile.

“Good.  I’m glad to know she’s fitting in.  She deserves her chance.  She’s a good soul, but I do worry about her.  Best I can figure, she’s got all of Helena’s memories plus a bunch of junk Ares filled her head with.  Sadist!”

He looked at her seriously.

“But he wasn’t the only one to tamper with her memory.  Not that I’d call removing false memories ‘tampering’.”

She sighed.

“I’ll live with it.  Why have her tortured by memories of things that never happened?  And I have other reasons.”

He smiled approvingly.

“I bet you do.  You are a dangerous woman, Linda Kyle.”

She stuck her tongue out.

“And don’t you forget it!”  She giggled.

He smiled back gently.

“I wouldn’t dare!”

They laughed at each other. Then, Linda puzzled.

“Dad, is something going on with Mary?  She doesn’t seem to be around much.  Jay seems to take any excuse to get away from her.”

Alan sighed.

“I don’t know.  It may just be the gulf of years.  Mary has lived a long, hard life.  Jay is only in his early twenties.  Mary reset to eighteen after being in her eighties.”  He frowned.  “We can’t forget that Mary Marvel is not Mary Batson.  Mary Marvel is a magical augmentation of Mary Batson.  While she’s Mary Marvel, she can be a near god.  When she’s Mary Batson, she’s just the girl I grew up with.”

Linda nodded.

“I do forget that, sometimes.  I almost never see her as Mary Batson.”

Alan sat up.

“That may be part of the problem.  Jay Garrick loves Mary Batson, not Mary Marvel.  He accepts the Captain Marvel persona, but he wants Mary Batson.”

Linda sighed.

“And I thought I had a screwed up life.  At least Linda Kyle is consistently screwed up.”

Alan shot her a dirty look.  He decided to change the subject.

“Linda, I’m a little curious.  What’s it like to have another living being inside you?”

She looked at him.  She sighed.

“Most of the time, I don’t even think about it.  I know she’s there and I know she’s content.  If I spent the rest of my life sleeping on a beach, she’d still be content.”  She smiled grimly.  “It’s the Phoenix I’m curious about.  I have its life force, but not much else.  I gotta admit it is nice to know I’m not a creature of Hell.   I have my other abilities because they came from the Phoenix.”

Her eyes filled with wonder.

“It really made a big sacrifice for me.  It gave up itself for me. It doesn’t exist any more.”

He nodded.

“I think it would be content.  You’ve championed every cause it fought for.  And it had no soul.   I like to think it traded Earthly immortality for a chance at Eternity.”

She smiled broadly.

“I like that way of looking at it.  Wish I had its memories, though.  It sure would make planning a lot easier.”

Alan started to reply.  Then, he and Linda looked at each other.  They both grinned.  Linda’s left hand glowed.

“Champion of the Chocolate Ice Cream?” Gaea snorted as she appeared.  “Spare me!”  She flashed a smile. 

“I can tell you of some of the events that have occurred.   I did watch over the Phoenix, but I am not the Starheart of this universe.  Do understand that I can only tell you the facts of what I have observed.  I cannot tell you what they mean.  That is the ability I lack.  That is your role, little one.”

Gaea began to speak of the times gone by.

The Sentinel’s Lair, 4 January, 2007 (two days later)

“I wish we didn’t have to go back to Nalyd.”  Linda looked up to Alan and Elise.  “But you’re right and Diana’s right.  We gotta make good use of that Senate seat.”

“Very true.”  Elise agreed. 

Linda smiled wryly. 

“Diana’s been talking to the Guardians.  They’ve agreed to provide more staff for the office.  They’re going to have to – that little office has been flooded with petitions for assistance.”  She chuckled.  “Like it or not, we’ve created a monster!  And what a monster.”

“Part of leading,” Elise smiled, “is knowing when to allow others to take the lead.  I believe you have made a wise choice, daughter.  Diana knows what she’s doing.”

“Not only that,” Alan quipped, “but she can put almost anyone through the nearest wall.  I’d love to be there the first time some fool tries to back her down.”  He grinned.  “I see the fire in her eyes.  That’s the Wonder Woman of legend.”

“I’ve sparred with her recently.”  Elise concentrated.  “She’s become much more focused.  I am not used to losing our matches.  I feel like a mouse taking on a cat.  No, that’s not it.  I feel like a sheep who has taken on a wolf.” 

Elise looked at them both.  She shook her head.

“And I sleep with Father Wolf.”

She grinned.

“You operate like a pack of wolves.  You’re individually cunning and efficient.  But when you team, you work as a pack.  A cunning pack mind orchestrated by Father Wolf.”  She flashed her teeth.  “And his daughter follows in his footsteps.  I’ve learned not to underestimate either of you, but the combination is far more deadly.  Go to the Senate, daughter.  Give the universe a chance to catch its breath.  We will watch over Krystal.  Not that I’m sure she needs it.”

Diana walked up to them.

“It is time, little Goddess.  We have work to do.”

Linda nodded.  She hugged Alan and Elise.  She vanished with Diana.

Alan placed his hand on Elise’s shoulder. 

“Be right back.”

He vanished.

The Rock of Eternity

Kent moved slowly around the planning table.  He favored his ribs.  Alan laughed at his discomfort.  Kent sighed.

“It’s nice to know Diana will miss me, but I probably won’t heal until after she gets back.”

Then Kent brightened.

“But it’s still worth it.  I’ve never seen her so happy.  And I do want what’s best for her.”

Alan smiled.

“I just wish Mary and Jay were doing as well.”

Kent looked up.

“Jay doesn’t like to leave here.  Things are not well.”

“Kent, I’ve tried talking to Mary, but she just dismisses me.  I’m not sure what I can do.”

“Alan, I know the only thing we can do.  I’ve set it up.  Hopefully we’ll never have to do it.”  Kent sighed.  “Please, let’s change the subject.  I’ve done what you asked for Krystal.   We’ve done all the mapping we can do, so adding a slight mystic signature to her wasn’t a problem.  She’s somewhere in California training with Kilowog.”

Alan smiled.

“I’m glad the Guardians were willing to loan him to us for a while.  She’s speeding through the Guardian’s databases, but she needs help interpreting some of the things in it.  I remember the funny look she had when she read Jade’s citation.  Helena had never understood what really happened on Oa.  Helena did not even meet Linda until after the incident.   Krystal understands - it’s the only time I’ve ever seen her absolutely speechless.”

Kent grinned.

“Krystal has been great to work with.  She’s a good addition to the team.  But I do share your concern.  You are correct.  Now that Linda is off planet, Ares won’t hesitate to act.”

Alan groused.

“If he hasn’t already.  I keep asking myself if I’m not missing something.  Why just attack us where it’s the most obvious?”

Kent frowned.

“I don’t know what to look for.  I won’t stop looking, though.”

Alan nodded.

“Mary should be ready to help when Ares acts.  She won’t be heading back to Daxam for a while.”

Resistance Headquarters, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Alanna Scott paced the halls.  She looked with worry at Anna Lane and Lois Lane Luthor.

“I don’t know what to do.  Mary has never been the easiest to work with, but she’s always been the consummate professional.  I’ve asked what I’m doing wrong and she just ignores me.  I don’t know what I can try next.”

Lois frowned.

“It might not be you, dear.  I know that the two of you have always worked well together.  I know that you haven’t changed.  You’re very similar to your Mother in most ways.  You’re not the same person, by any means, but you share basic patterns.  So do Alan and Linda.”

Anna nodded.

“I spent most of my life with your mother.”  (Elf note:  Interlude 4 – the Birthday Present and Terra’s Revenge – Chapter 2).  “You are still the young lady I helped raise.  You seem a tad fearful, but that could just be stress.”

Alanna growled.

“Or maybe I just don’t like to be screwed with.  I’ve never been one to run from my own shadow.”

Lois and Anna laughed.  Alanna tried to recover.

“Um, that didn’t come out right….”

Sentinel’s Lair – several hours later

“Mary, I’ve known you for almost seventy years.”  Elise looked at her with concern.  “The part of me that is Daria Lane Scott doesn’t understand what she sees.”

Captain Marvel growled.

“That’s because she’s been dead for almost a lifetime.  I can take care of myself, Thank You!”  She walked away.

Elise turned back around the corner.

“Not what you thought you’d see?”  Jay Garrick chided. “And it’s been getting worse.”

Elise fumed.

“You’re right.  I’ll take it to Alan.  Maybe he can do something.”

The lookout area, above the Sentinel’s Lair

Alan Scott leaned against the railing.  He watched Bruce Wayne manipulate his Batbot.

“I don’t know, Bruce.  I think we’re being screwed with.”

“Alan, I’ve gone through what I’ve got.  I plan to spend the evening running through the Lair’s texts on mythology.”

Bruce silently motioned upwards.  Alan raised invisible shields.  He signaled acknowledgement.  They pretended to continue their conversation.

“I think chocolate ice cream is the best!”  Alan crowed.

“Not me!”  Bruce scowled.  “Only vanilla is good enough.  Of course, you have to smother it with mustard.”

“I prefer relish and hot sauce!”  Alan laughed. 

“Got him.”  Bruce manipulated the Batbot into the clearing.  It held a winged man.  The man struggled against the Batbot’s grip. Alan shifted both his and Bruce’s clothing into their costumes.  The Batbot ambled towards them.

“Let me go!”   The winged man screamed.  “I just want to know where she is!”

“Who?”  Bruce asked.  “And who are you?”

The man first looked at the Batman.  Then he looked at the Sentinel.  His eyes widened.  He ceased his struggle.

“If this is the Sentinel’s Lair, then I’m expected.  I must be in the right place.”  He looked towards Alan Scott.  “Sir, it is an honor to finally meet you.  I’m Dick Grayson.  The Newark, New Jersey locals call me Hawkman.”

Alan looked at the captive.  The first meeting of many worlds’ Batman and Robin.  Interesting.  I know why he’s here.  Alan signaled Bruce.  Bruce released his captive.  Alan reached out a hand and shook Dick Grayson’s.

“I am the Sentinel. Some still call me the Green Lantern.  What can we do for you?”

Dick Grayson frowned.

“My partner, Hawkgirl, disappeared without a trace.  One second we were flying over Gotham. Then she vanished.   I didn’t know what to do, so I contacted the Resistance.”

Alan clipped his comms.

“Elise?  Did Alexander send a Mr. Grayson to us?”

He heard her respond.

“He’s inbound, Sentinel.  Alexander thought it was part of the Birds of Prey mess.”

He sighed.

“Confirmed.  He’s here.  I’ll bring him in shortly.”  Alan sighed to Bruce.  “Ares has screwed with us again.”  Alan walked over to the railing.  He leaned against it and turned to face Dick Grayson.  “If I’m not mistaken, you’re here about Barbara Gordon.”

Dick Grayson looked at him with surprise. 

Alan considered the situation.  Babs used Ian’s trump card to escape – Good move.  Ian’s Probability Express – Don’t leave home without it.  He turned back to Dick Grayson.

“About so high?  Flaming red hair?  Brilliant mind?  Disciplined warrior?  Strong character?”  Alan watched Dick nod repeatedly.  “Bruce, our Barbara Gordon had a way out of Ares’ imprisonment and she used it.  Ares didn’t realize there were two of them.  He reclaimed the wrong one.”

Bruce nodded agreement.   Dick looked confused.  Alan sighed.

“Dick, how much do you know about alternate universes?” 

“Not as much as I need to.”  Dick answered.  Bruce’s quick expression of approval surprised Alan.

Even here.  Interesting.

San Francisco Bay, California

Kilowog and Krystal took a break from her training.  They looked out over a cliff.

“See, Dat’s what makes it so difficult.”  Kilowog towered over Krystal.  “It would be easy ta just make people do what you want, but that don’t solve da problems.”

Krystal frowned.

“So how do you know?  I need to improve my judgment, but I don’t have much of an experience base.  I will learn.  I do fear the mistakes I’ll make in the mean time.”

“Krystal, I dunno.  Alan’s da best to ask dose kinds of questions.  Da hard part is trying to figure out how people are gonna react to what you do.”  He grinned.  “Dis makes my head hurt.  How about we go toss around a couple of asteroids for a while?”

Krystal grinned.

“You’re..”   She vanished.

Damn! Kilowog yelled into his ring.

“Kilowog to Sentinel.  Krystal has vanished!  No sign of her!”

Alan knowed Ares was gonna snatch her.  Hope his plan works.  Kilowog flew back to the Lair.

The Portal to the Rock of Eternity

Alan stood with Jay Garrick. They shared a worried look.  Alan activated his communications.

“Elise?  Anything from Mary?”

“Alan, her comms are off-line.  I don’t know where she is.”

“Damn.  We have to execute without her.  Sentinel out.”  They entered the portal.

The Rock of Eternity

Alan and Jay reached Kent’s study.  He knew immediately that something was wrong.

“Just the two of you?”  Kent stared, incredulous.  “Are you sure?”

“No, but I don’t have any choice.”  Alan growled.  “Can you track Krystal?”

“Yes.”  Kent projected a mystic portal.  “Tracking signal is load and clear.  Be careful, gentlemen.” 

Alan and Jay entered the portal.

Ares’ lab in a void

Kyrstal woke to find herself shackled against a wall.  She felt the red solar rays steal her powers.  She cursed the red solar lamps shining above her.  Ares reveled in her struggle.

“Welcome back, my dear!”  Ares leered as she continued to struggle.

He cackled.

“You’ll have to thank the Phoenix for this idea.  It worked so well on me that I decided to share it with you!  Aren’t you as delighted as I am?”  Ares laughed.

Krystal growled. 

“Give me half a second and I’ll rip that ridiculous grin off your face!  That smile is far too pretty to be yours.”

“My, my!”  Ares teased.  “Arrogant little twit, aren’t you?  I shall enjoy ending your miserable little life!  Aphrodite awaits this body.  She will have to wait no longer!”

He gloated with satisfaction.

“You are my plaything.  You have no soul.”  Ares laughed.  “You are but a toy for my pleasure.  I am going to do this slowly, so that you can feel yourself lose your existence!”

He reached towards her with a spell.  He grasped and pulled with the spell.  In a split second, Krystal’s features changed.  Her features both hardened and softened.  Black hair turned blond.

“Aphrodite!” Ares crowed.  “Arise, my immortal love!”

The woman’s features continued to shift.  He looked down to find a powerfully built woman with a regal aura.  She wore a white body suit with blue boots and gloves.  A red cape followed down her back. His features reflected an unwelcome recognition.

“Artemis?” Ares backed away in horror.  “No!  You!  Starchild!  But I killed you!” 

“Starchild?   I’m Krystal, damn you!”  She growled.  She spat at him.  “Immortal love?  How’s this for immortal love!”  She burned him with heat vision. 

Ares screamed.  He fled to the other side of the room.  He quickly cast a spell to heal his features.

“No!  You can’t have that power under a red sun!”  Ares raged.  “That little green bitch!  She did this!”

He felt her burn him again.  He raised his shields.

Krystal flexed muscles far stronger than steel.  They effortlessly shredded the shackles.  Bits of steel and concrete flew across the room.  Ares cowered.

Krystal spotted a flash of Alan’s Green Flame in the hallway.  She motioned it away.  A breeze blew by her.  Then she pulled a bow and arrow off the wall.  She fired it towards Ares. 

“How does it feel to be the hunted?  Perhaps I am really Artemis.  Perhaps I will retrieve my Silver Bow and put an end to you!”  She fired another arrow.  “You can join the rest of our family.” 

Ares deflected the arrow towards the ceiling.  He destroyed the red solar lamps.

“You lose your advantage, Artemis!  Now you die!”  He charged her.  She slammed into him with a two handed fist. She hit him again.  He staggered.  She hit him again.  He slammed into her.  She recovered immediately.  Then, she grinned viciously.  If he thinks I’m Artemis, who am I to disappoint the God of Treachery?

“My advantage is simple, Brother. I’m not afraid to die for what I believe in.  And I’m battling a coward!”  She slammed another double-handed fist into him.  She nailed him between the legs with a full-strength kick.  She picked him up and threw him through the nearest wall.  She slammed into his jaw.  Teeth flew out.

Seeking his chance to regroup, Ares flew away from Krystal.  She caught up to him, instantly.

“Well, Brother, what have you to say for yourself, now?”  Krystal slammed him through the castle into the void.  “You pollute my forests with your creatures!  You have my creatures destroyed!  You cause our Father’s death with no remorse!  What kind of fool are you?”

“Master of all!”  Ares growled as he flew away from her.  “Master of you.”

“Not, I think, today!”  Krystal aimed her fists toward him again.

“You have not won, Starchild!”  Ares warned.  “You only think you have!”  He vanished from the void.

“I have not lost.”  Krystal smirked.  “Not bad for the first time out!”  She flew back towards the castle.  Once there, she aimed towards the dungeon.  She flew down until she saw the Sentinel’s flame.

Alan’s hands glowed green.  Green power flowed around a dungeon room.  Krystal landed in front of the door.

“Keep the shields up.  He might come back.  I’ll take care of the door!”  She grabbed the dungeon door.  It easily tore loose from its hinges.  They heard it clatter on its way down the hall.  She walked towards the occupants. 

Ready for the worst, Selina shielded Helena from Krystal.  Sighing, Krystal knelt in front of them.  Selina looked up to see Alan and Jay behind Krystal.  Relieved, Selina let Krystal snap off their shackles.

“Selina, this is Linda’s friend Krystal.”  Alan spoke with assurance.  “Ares doesn’t like her in the least.”

Selina growled.

“Any enemy of Ares’ is a friend of mine.”

Krystal smiled back, quietly.

“Selina, are you all right?”  Alan asked.  Behind him, Jay disappeared.

“I think so, Boss.”  She reached for him.  “But, we’ve lost track of Kira and Barbara.  Something strange happened to them.  Not only that, but Ares has been playing mad scientist.  He tried to create tailor made Kryptonian bodies.  Not really sure what his plans were.”

Selina let go of him.

“He had his problems.  Apparently he got it right once and someone interfered.”  Selina sighed.  “I’m glad I never met any of those creatures.  No good could come out of monstrosities like that.”

Alan started to speak.  Krystal made a cutting gesture. He let Selina’s comment pass.

Krystal dropped to the ground in front of Helena.  The little girl looked up earnestly.  Krystal smiled.

“My name is Krystal.  I’m so pleased to meet you, Helena.  Linda has told me so much about you!”

Helena smiled.

“You know Linda?  Is she ok?”

Krystal nodded.

“She’s fine, Helena.  Just fine.  And you’ll be fine just as soon as we get you out of here.”

Jay Garrick reappeared.

“I’ve gone through the entire place.  This is the only room I could not enter.  I think we can leave.”

Krystal looked in all directions.

“I confirm.  Nothing else is shielded.”  She frowned.  “This is just one lab of many.  I’d recommend that Dr. Fate sweep it with help from the Batman.  This place is full of Kryptonian tech.”

“The Batman?”  Curious, Selina smiled.  “Any one I know?”

Alan nodded with a grin.

“Kent came through.  The real Bruce is waiting for you.  It’s time to go.”

They vanished.

Sentinel’s Lair – a short time later

Krystal watched Selina and Helena run to Bruce Wayne.  Alan stood beside her.

“Krys, you have a place there.”

Krystal smiled a knowing smile.

“Do I?  It’s nice to think so, but I don’t.  I’m not Helena Wayne.  She is a sweet child.  I do wish her well.”

Alan’s eyebrow lifted.

“It seems strange that you’re walking away from your family.  Are you really Artemis?  Is that what keeps you going?”

Krystal laughed.

“No.  I’ve been reading everything I could about mythology in the data banks.  There’s quite a bit.  I do need to spend more time with Diana.  She has memories of many of the mythic folks.  I need to learn more.  Ares called me ‘Starchild’.  Perhaps Diana knows what that means.”

 “Perhaps, I hope so.”  Alan frowned.  “Krystal, I like you but I don’t understand you.”

Krystal smiled gently.

“That’s easy.  I’m FrankenJade’s monster.  And she’s given me more than I could ever say.”  She looked thoughtful.  “Call me when you find Mary.  I fear for her.” 

She looked into the distance through the walls of the Lair. 

“I have a couple of errands to run and then I need to go home.  Please do call me when you find Mary.”

“I will.  Home?”  Alan inquired.  “I’m happy that you feel you have one.”

Krystal grew serious.

“Alan, that’s the one thing I’m absolutely sure of.  I do have a home.”

Krystal vanished.  Alan felt wind.  He walked away from the Waynes.

Ephesus, Turkey

And that’s all that’s left of the Temple of Artemis.  Krystal walked through the ruins.  Monuments destroyed by the mad.  Perhaps someday I’ll discover what it looked like.  Krystal took to the sky.

Smallville, Kansas – The Kent farm

A silent figure walked through the abandoned farm.  The Resistance will have a new family here next week.  I’m glad to have time alone with it today.  Krystal slowly walked through each room.  Her Kryptonian senses recorded each detail.  She would never forget. 

Krystal spied the tombstone.  With uncertain emotions, she walked towards it.  She felt an unexpected sense of welcome.  I cannot ask you to accept me, but I hope that you will.   In just a split second, Linda has tied us all together, forever.  I know what you taught her.  I know what you have taught me.  I thank you for your gift to us both.  Thank you for helping me to find my path.  You never knew me, but I hope you will be proud of me. 

She smiled.

One split second, and it changed everything. 

The Split Second – During the battle in Ares’ Lab

“You are my plaything.  You have no soul.”  Ares laughed.  “You are but a toy for my pleasure.  I am going to do this slowly, so that you can feel yourself lose your existence!”

He reached towards her with his spell.  He yanked.  She felt a sharp pain.  Then she sensed a super speed message run through her mind.

“Helena, if you are hearing this, Ares has tried to reclaim you.”  She felt Linda’s presence.  “That triggered a small fail-safe I planted when I freed your Kryptonian powers.  The fail-safe activated because you feel Ares is going to take your life.  He’s probably feeding you some gibberish about being just his soulless toy and he’s begun to torture you.  It’s really not fair ‘cause you’ve had so little time to understand who you are.  But I know this.  He is lying to you.  You do have a soul and you have a right to be.  You know you’re gonna have to fight for that right.”

Krystal sensed a glowing object.  She felt Linda’s vulnerability.

“I know you feel kinda screwed up ‘cause you have the memories of a seven year old and not much else.  I wanna help.”  She sensed Linda’s fear of rejection.  “I got two things to give.  The first is this.”  Krystal felt a yellowish something. “It won’t make you completely invulnerable to a red sun, but it will make you less sensitive.  The second is this.”  Krystal felt something call to her.  It had no color – but she could sense a purity to it.  “It’s the most special thing I got.  It’s caused me a lot of pain over the years, but it’s been worth it.  It’s my compass – the shining light that guides my way.  I want to give it to you, but you have to choose to take it.”

“Honey, only you can choose if you want either of my gifts.  Please do what’s best for you.  I can’t promise you anything, but I can tell you I’ve done the best I could.”  Linda’s voice began to fade.  “Please come back to me!”

Linda’s voice faded completely.

I love you, Linda.  She reached for the objects.  Thank you for not leaving me here alone, not even at my end.  She grabbed both objects.

Memories flowed through her.  Kind, loving, memories.  Memories of John and Mary Kent.

“Uncle John, what’s that in the sky?”

Then:

“Aunt Mary, what’s love?

Krystal felt the warmth heal her.

“What’s love?”  Aunt Mary answered with a smile.  “Love is sharing your chocolate ice cream with your Aunt Mary - even after she teases you for making it.” 

Krystal felt other memories flow through her.  Then she felt Ares’ spell transform her body.  The spell reached into her mind.   Then a powerful green left hand tore the spell from her mind.  Her soul locked back into her body.  She felt the power flow back into her.  Her full power had not returned under the red solar rays, but she knew that she was still far more than human.  She felt a final thought.  Please come home!  Come help me fix the universe!   She felt a final light touch.

Ares interrupted her thoughts.

“Aphrodite!” Ares crowed.  “Arise, my immortal love!”

The woman’s features continued to shift.  He looked down to find a powerfully built woman with a regal aura.  She wore a white body with blue boots and gloves.  A red cape followed down her back. His features reflected an unwelcome recognition.

“Artemis?” Ares backed away in horror.  “No!  You!  Starchild!  But I killed you!” 

“Starchild?   I’m Krystal, damn you!”  She growled.  She spat at him.  “Immortal love?  How’s this for immortal love!”  She burned him with heat vision. 

Smallville, Kansas – the tombstone

She took her time with her memories.  She heard the footfalls of four canine feet.  Krystal knelt down and scratched Krypto’s ears.  She stepped back and motioned.  They took to the sky.  Moments later, they entered Hyperspace.

Nalyd – Jade’s senatorial apartments – personal quarters

Diana walked into Linda’s bedroom suite.  She looked fondly at the small young woman sitting in front of the bureau.  Linda sat in a huff and pouted.  Diana watched her and tried to keep from laughing.

“I don’t want to wear this dress!”  Linda fussed from her chair.  “I’ve been good.  I want to fly home!  I want my Mom to tuck me into bed!”  She stuck out her tongue at Diana. 

Diana grinned.

“Let me brush your hair, little Goddess.  You don’t have to go, if you really don’t want to.  But it will help our cause.”

Linda scowled.

“I can’t move in this silly dress.  I gotta breathe!”  She tossed Green Flame towards the window.  It opened into the cool Nylad night.  Light from three of Nylad’s moons shone through the window.  “I bet Shirley Temple didn’t have to wear dresses like this one!”

Diana brushed her hair.

“You are a willful child.”  Diana teased.  “I hope that all of your children as willful as you…”  Diana heard footfalls across the room.  She looked up to a tall, powerfully built woman with a dog at her side.  “Artemis?  Here?”

Linda turned.

“Krys?  You look different.”

Krystal looked to Diana.

“May we have a few moments?”

Diana’s eyebrow rose.  She nodded.

“I’ll be just outside, little Goddess.”   Diana left the room.

Krystal spoke to Linda.

“I know what you did.  Sneaky.”  Krystal smiled wryly.  “Your little trick worked.  We saved Selina and Helena.  They’re back with Bruce Wayne.  They’re putting their shattered lives back together.  When last I saw them they were planning Helena’s next birthday party.”

Linda looked up.

“What are you doing here?  You should be with your family.   You should be with the people that love you.  You should be with your Mom.”

Krystal smiled.

“I know you want the best for me.  You always have and you always will.  That’s part of what makes you so special.”

Linda smiled back gently.

“Thank you.”

Krystal shifted closer to Linda.

“I want to say ‘Thank You.’   I took both gifts.  Thank you for the second gift - that very special gift.  You were right.  They did provide a very special compass.  Thank you for sharing your memories of them.”

Linda felt embarrassed.

“I know a lot of it seems silly, but that was the best I had to give.  I’m sorry I don’t have more.”

Krystal sat still for a moment.

“I know why you love the Kents so much.  She was your mother.  She taught you right from wrong and she taught you that you had a good soul.  They gave you what you needed to chart your course.  I can only guess what it must have cost you to lose them.  You only gave me your memories of them.”

Linda breathed in slowly.

“I wanted to teach you. I didn’t want to hurt you.  I don’t want to poison you with my anger at others.  It’s not fair to you, Krys.”

Krystal smiled.

“And I know how much Mary Kent means to you.  And I know what you gave me because of her.  And I know that I will always have a home, wherever you may travel.  For someone who has no right to exist, that means more than you could ever know.”

 “Thank you.” Linda smiled back at her.  She reached over to Krystal. “I think Aunt Mary and Uncle John would have been pleased.  Of course, you’re gonna to have to sort out your relationship with the rest of the family.”

“Maybe.”  Krystal acknowledged.  “But not tonight.”  

Several Hours Later

Diana spoke to the hologram.

“Elise, I have to admit this has been one of the most unusual evenings of my life.  Linda’s been such a good sport about it all.”

The hologram chuckled.

“Well, that’s to be expected.  I’m sure they had a good evening at home.”

Diana smiled.

“They certainly had every reason to.  But they went to a social event.”

The hologram sounded incredulous.

“They?”

Diana nodded.

“Yup.  I spent an evening watching Senator Zoldar introducing her friend Krystal to the high and mighty of society.”  She chuckled.  “One foul-mouthed bore from an associated world got a little too inebriated.  He tripped over Linda and knocked her over.  Krystal reacted immediately.  She picked him up over her head and demanded an apology.”

The hologram chuckled.

“Wish I’d seen the look on his face.”

Diana smiled wryly.

“And that’s not all there was to it, Elise.  The drunk broke his ankle when he tripped over Linda.  Once Krystal realized that, she healed it on the spot.  That is pure Artemis.  It’s not a Kryptonian capability.  And it wasn’t Linda’s doing - she only decreased Krystal’s sensitivity to red solar rays.”

The hologram nodded.

“I talked to Alan.  Krystal is not Kira, not at all.  This is a dangerous, dangerous creature.  I have no idea what drives her.  Alan trusts her, but I can’t say that I do.”

Diana nodded thoughtfully.

“I didn’t until I heard Krystal’s story.  Remember, Linda gave her gift to the clone of her beloved friend, Helena Wayne.  There were not two parts, but three.  The first altered Ares spell.  The second part reduced her sensitivity to red solar rays.  But the third part gave Krystal all of Linda’s memories of the Kents.  Krystal still has not come to terms with the enormity of that gift.  And it is an enormous gift.  It is the most intimate gift of all.” 

“I’ve read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.”  Diana continued.  “It wasn’t until today that I realized the flaw was not in the creation, but in the soul of the man who created it.  Linda took Ares’ toy and made it real.  Krys is still sorting things out, but Linda’s compass has clearly taken hold.  I saw Krys’ horrified look when she realized the drunk had actually hurt himself.  She’s very quickly learning to limit the damage she does.”

“Elise, when I look at Krystal, I see everything Alan had hoped for in Kira.  She’s that good.”

The hologram smiled.

“I’ve been too quick to judge.  I’m glad of that.  I’ll admit that she can be intimidating.  There is an aura of regal power around her that just won’t stop.  She’s self assured, powerful, and confident of her abilities.”

Diana looked into the hallway.  She looked back to Elise.

“Honey, this is the real thing.  We’re going to have to get used to it.  She’s not going away.  Neither is that dog.  Krypto is asleep at their feet.”

The hologram raised an eyebrow.  It teased.

“Their feet?  Something I should know?”

Diana frowned.

“Elise, leave it be.  They’ve both had a very tiring day.  Besides,” Diana teased, “there was only one Teddy bear.” She became serious.  “Anything on Mary?”

“No.”  The hologram answered.  “But we did find out that Barbara Gordon’s Doppelganger has also been taken.  We don’t know what to make of it.”

Diana turned thoughtful.

“I don’t either.  I’m worried about Mary.  Very worried.  I thought finding Jay would help her, but it hasn’t.  I fear for Mary Batson.”

The Hologram shuddered.

“I found a still in the woods.  I wonder.  Could it be hers?”

Diana swore.

“Damn.  It could be.  Mary never had a problem drinking anyone under the table.  She’s also a Galaxy Class Meta.  She could be anywhere and I mean anywhere.  Let’s hope she turns up, soon.”

The hologram nodded.

“But right now, that’s my problem.  We will find her.  You have more than enough to keep busy.  I’ll call you the instant we know something.  Thank you for watching over my children.”

Diana smiled.

“The pleasure is all mine!”  She frowned suddenly.  “Elise, I wish I could be there.  I know we’ve talked this through and everyone agrees that I should be here.  But part of me still feels like I’m letting the team down by not being where I can help.  I have known Ares the longest.”

The hologram answered firmly.

“You are where you can do the most good.  I know you want to be here, but we need you there far more.”  The hologram relaxed and teased.  “Besides, someone has to help my family watch over Linda.”

Diana grinned.

“And your family does watch over her.  I did not miss that lesson.  Nor did anyone else with half a brain.”

The hologram laughed. 

“I expect not.  Have to admit I was surprised when the Clendorie Shantar took out Senator Tarnet.  My family hoped he would last long enough for his Senatorial immunity to expire.  Pity.  We may never catch the scum behind that travesty.”  (Elf note:  The Imperium – Chapter 2).  “Enough of ancient history.  Heads up! You’re about to have a full house.  Alan is sending Alanna to you.” 

Diana looked down the long hallway.

“There’s certainly room.  She’ll earn her keep.” 

The hologram chuckled.

Diana grinned.  And it keeps that damned key away from Ares. 

“Kilowog arrives tomorrow to continue Krystal’s training.  I do wonder who will really be the teacher.”  She nodded to the image.  “Good Night, Elise.  I will watch over them.”

The hologram echoed her greeting and faded.

Diana walked down the hall.  She looked through the doorway into Jade’s room.  Jade and Krystal slept on the opposite sides of an oversized bed.  Krypto lay on the covers between them.  Linda’s left hand glowed green.

Prologue

Hell, 15 December 2006

I am running out of options.  Hades glowered.  Prometheus has done his part, but Ares is soon to act.  I dare not tip my hand too quickly. 

He heard a disturbance in the hall.

“Fool!”  His demon screamed.  “You will not disturb the Master! You...”

Hades heard a gagging sound.  He heard a body bounce down the hall.

“Woman!”  He heard another demon scream.  “Leave now!  This is your last chance!”

Hades heard soulfire burn into the intruder.  Then he heard a trident clatter down the hall.   A body impacted against a wall.

Cerberus growled.  Hades grabbed its collar.  The door flew off its brimstone hinges into the far wall.  A powerfully built woman angrily marched towards him.

“Hades, the quality of your help has gone downhill.”  She growled.  “That wasn’t even a challenge.”  She crossed her arms.

Hades released the dog’s collar.  It sniffed her.  Content, it sat back down.

Hades smiled grimly.  He teased.

“Artemis, the Ultimate Huntress.  Never did I think I would be your prey – not again.  To what do I owe this pleasure?  I must find an appropriately miserable way to pay back that debt.”

She laughed at him.

“I have asked for little.  All I have ever desired is to be left to my forests.  I do not require the presence of others.  I miss Apollo, but I have had my fill of both the Gods and humanity.”

“But,” she sighed wearily, “my creatures still suffer from those miserable parodies of life above.  Their demons still stalk my forests.  They destroy my nymphs.  They kill for no reason other than love of death.”

Hades sensed the dangerous exhaustion in her tone.  He looked for a way to distract her thoughts.  He gently teased, again.

“And you killed poor Actaeon just because he looked at you!  How is that any better?”

Artemis growled with frustration.

“Uncle, you know that is not true.  He tried to do more than look.  I warned him.  More than once.  He was fool enough to attack anyway.  He left me no choice. And I did kill him quickly.  Then I fed him to his dogs.  He was not diseased.  They had a healthy meal.” 

He felt relief – her force of will had reasserted itself.  Wryly, she teased him.

“Would you like to follow in his footsteps?”

Hades laughed easily.

“Diana, it has been far too long!  You are one of the few I could never impress, let alone intimidate.”

Artemis smiled grimly.  She ran her fingers back through her blonde hair.

“You know I prefer Artemis.  Or would you like me to call you Pluto?”  She teased gently.  “After the planet, or the dog?”

He smiled fondly.

“You never were fond of the Romans were you?”

“No.”  She admitted.  “They scared too many of my creatures and enslaved too many of my innocents.”

Hades recalled the many days gone by.

“The protector of maidens.  I had forgotten.”  He spelled the door back in place.  He sealed it shut.

She felt his steely gaze.

“Artemis,” he watched her walk away.  “Diana.”  He watched her frown again.  “Artemis, you know what you have to do.  You must.”

She sighed.  Her eyes flared with her exhaustion.

“Hades, I am so tired.  I have fought alone too long.  Not only do the Kayzik hunt us, but Ares does as well.  You know what he’s done to me and mine!”  She breathed in sharply.  “Tell me!  Please!  Where do I find the strength to go back?”

He watched her fight to battle her exhaustion.  She spoke with regret.

“Our situation goes from bad to worse.  I know that we are responsible for those we steward.  But I have not even been able to defend my charges from those creatures.  As well, the maidens across this world have lost any hope.  I have little left.  My friend, the Phoenix, was first damaged and is now gone.  I am now hearing rumors that it was your doing.”

He started.

“No, Artemis.  I swear to you that I neither damaged the Phoenix nor hastened its end.  I have done my best to preserve its final gift.  This I state without reservation or deception.”

Her eyes widened.

“How very unusual for you.”

He nodded earnestly.

“Yes.  But the situation is most dire and Ares is about to make it worse.  He has found half the key to the War dimension.  He thinks he has found the rest.  He is far too close.  We both know we cannot allow him to unleash the horrors of that probability here.  I need someone with the strength to fight back.”

“Go find Heracles, then!”  She scoffed.  “All the muscle you need and not a brain in his head!”

“Artemis, I’ve made that mistake, to my regret.  But even I did not realize how Zeus orchestrated his life.  Zeus set challenges with obvious answers.  I managed to create a wonderful person with super powers.  Kira Jor-El knows how to handle every weapon that ever existed.  But she is not a champion.  She’s a lost soul looking for her place.  She is not you, Artemis.”

Artemis sighed.  She shook her head sadly.

“I am so weary.  I have lost so much.  Still, you know I will do what I can.  What do you need from me?”

Hades smiled sadly.

“I want you to honor the choice of the Phoenix.  You must carry on.  You must protect the key.  I want you to guard the maidens.”

Artemis smiled wryly.

“Are you going to tell me that the Phoenix still lives?  That it flies through the heavens?  It is a wonderful fantasy, even for a Goddess.”

He called an image up in the air between them.

“I want to show you something.  It is a mortal soul.  I did not place it.  It is simply someone who tries her best.”

Artemis looked at the girl.  She sat in a forest by a stream.  Her brown hair blew in the winter wind.

Artemis smiled.

“She is a sweet child.  In another time I would have considered inviting her into my troop.”

The girl walked by the stream.  She seemed distracted.

Hades gestured towards the image.

“I beg you to aid her cause.  She has already done more than we could ever have hoped.  Please help her to protect our universe.”

Artemis watched the girl.

“There is something very kind about her.  I have missed that.  I have missed those who would hunt with me.”

The girl stood down wind of a deer.  Quietly, she watched it.  It saw her and approached.  Sensing no danger, it resumed foraging.  The girl walked farther down stream.

“Odd.”  Artemis remarked.  “She is very familiar.  There is something to her.  She does not carry the key.”

“No,” Hades emphasized, “but she protects those who do.  Watch closely.”

They heard a beeping sound.

“Linda,” they heard a disembodied voice.  “We have a situation.  Arisia just called.  She was heading back to New Oa when she picked up distress signals from two Green Lantern rings.  They’re broadcasting from Krypton.  The Boss doesn’t trust the situation one bit.  He doesn’t want her going in alone.  Can you help?” (Elf note: Continuum 3 – Lest Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot).

Linda sighed.  Her skin and hair turned green.

“I got it, Garja.  Just give me the coordinates.”  A tiny left hand blazed with power.  Jade took to the sky.

Artemis’ eyes widened.

“Phoenix.  And Gaea of elsewhere.  We no longer fight alone.  I would like to watch for a while longer.”

Hades smiled.

“Take as long as you’d like.”

He left her there.

27 December – Hell

Hades called to her.

“It is time, Artemis.  We can delay no longer.”

Artemis acknowledged his call.

“I thank you for this opportunity, Uncle.  I will do what I promised.  I will defend the key and I will protect the maidens.”  She flashed a grin.  “And maybe I can help to make all of Linda’s silly dreams come true.” 

Hades saluted her.  No.  Damn this formality.  He walked to her and held her tightly.

“Is it wrong for a God to admit his regret?  I wish I did not have to ask this of you.  Thank you for being my hero.”

She relaxed in his arms.  She smiled sweetly and made one request.

“Please do one thing for me.  Please remember Orion.”  She vanished.

“I shall.  I promise.”

He stood there, thoughtful.  Hunt well, Artemis.  Our universe depends on it.

He turned back towards his plans. I wish I did not have to ask so much of you.  He tried to concentrate.  Memories of so many years ran through his mind.  I had always thought you to be a free spirit, best left alone to run through the woods.  But I was so very wrong.  You are so much more.  So much more. 

When our last hopes were unraveling, I came to you with an impossible task.  And you didn’t hesitate.  You knew what it would cost you and you still did it.   You have come through for all of us.  I wonder if the universe will ever understand how much it truly owes you?  And now you take on the battle again.  He found comfort in an ancient prophecy. 

‘And it all comes down to this: the courage of the Starchild.’  We are in the best of hands, Artemis - yours.  He fought his distraction.  At last, he was able to return to his work.

-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2002 by Eldric

-- and may not be reprinted without permission. 

-- Otherverse and Dark Earth, as depicted in the Continuum Worlds,

-- are original creations of Dylan Clearbrook

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-- are original creations of Eldric and Jason G respectively.

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