Interlude 6

© The Amazon of the Continuum

(aka Hipkarma)

Decisions of the Warrior

Frost edged the grass white.  Moonlight filtered thinly through the forest cathedral - occasionally illuminating traces of a mountain path.  Slow footfalls measured the track. The quiet considered rhythm - that of a tall woman, hardened from battle and constant training.  A grey jumper blended with the evening and loose jeans and boots, kept the sharpness of the chill at bay.

A cry shattered the stillness.  Senses automatically on the alert expanded and identified it as an owl.  She weighed whether the cry indicated another intruder in the forest.  With a sigh, she dismissed the thought.

Despite years of discipline, she succumbed to the time honoured tradition of someone wrestling with a problem and muttered almost silently,

“My edge.  I can’t lose that now.  Especially now.  Must focus and centre.”

Hunched shoulders forcibly relaxed, obedient to command. She continued on, never breaking stride - intent on her thoughts and the barely illuminated path before her.

Eventually the track opened to a clearing in the old wood canopy.  Daylight would reveal a spectacular vista of forest covered mountainside.  Trained eyes detected the subtle use of great power to establish a perimeter and the inclusion of strategically placed areas to sit.

Lovely as the clearing may have been, she was not about to expose herself.  No, better an easily defensible position with clear lines of sight.  A city girl, these were not her woods.  In fact this was not her world.  Just another issue pressing her to search for sanctuary tonight.

Pausing she scanned once more.  Satisfied of her solitude she eyed an old oak nearby.  Muscles bunched and flexed as she leapt into the lower branches.  Swinging gracefully higher into the tree, she found a suitable refuge.  Sighing, she leaned back against the old oak.  Still tense shoulders rested their burden against the oak and grew calm shrouded in starlight.  She contemplated the night sky.  She found herself drawn to the constellation of Andromeda.  Here at least was familiarity.  A shaft of moonlight drew flame from burnished hair.

‘So much to assimilate.  I’m amazed at how welcoming these people are and I’m very grateful.  But I can’t be weak in front of them and I need time to process this.’

A shooting star drew her attention…but briefly.

‘It’s incredible what has happened.  Whole universes gone.  So many people, so many heroes just gone.  Nobody to remember them, to mourn.  And Kara and I.  Anomalies who aren’t even supposed to exist!?  To be written out of history and forgotten.  Replaced?  Does my father even remember me?  Hell, what did we ever do to deserve that?’

Shifting slightly against the trunk for a better position, she determinedly ignored the tightness constricting her throat.

‘No!! I’m not going there.  A version of that universe survived.  And thank the Gods so did we.  There’s just no place for me there.  Not anymore.  I don’t know what that magical maniac did to me or where he took me, but because of him I’m alive.  I suspect he took advantage of some residual temporal anomalies caused by our battles with the Anti-Monitor, but I can’t be sure.’

The redhead remained still, undetectable from the ground, her focus directed inward.

‘This may be Earth but I’m definitely not in Kansas anymore!!  Selina Kyle wears the cowl and Bruce Wayne is a madman.  A madman who never made a young circus flyer his ward.  So different.  Dick, wherever you are I wish you safety and happiness.  If happiness is possible here.’

A light breeze rustled the leaves.  Starlight danced across her face.

‘But to have found Kara!  Across realities no less!  It’s more than I could ask.  We know we exist.  She and I at least remember what was.  I just couldn’t go to Dark Earth with her.  Not yet.  There are so many demands on her time, she has Rogue and a family now.  But thanks to Ian and his inter-reality card at least we can be here for each other.  It’s more than I could have hoped for.  It is enough.  It has to be.’

She sighed heavily.

‘Strange: the twists of Fate.  Would Bruce have been any different, I wonder, if this Earth had had a Superman?  And Kira, so much like the Kara I knew.  But she lacks your confidence or cousin to guide her.  Instead she tries to mask her fears for her lost brother with cockiness.  Were we ever really that young, Kara?’

Smiling slightly, ‘Of course we were.  Thought we were both 10ft tall, though you were the only one of us who was bulletproof!!  I had to get creative about that part.’

A low chuckle escaped through the canopy, chased by a sigh.

‘So many changes.  Diana seems much like the Wonder Woman we knew and so happy with Kent.  She deserves that.  But the last of the Amazons?  And where is Donna?  I remember when Donna and Dick and Wally founded the Teen Titans.  This just isn’t home!    God, what am I doing here?!?’

Shaking her head, fists clenched, Barbara fought against the tears threatening her control.

‘Get it together girl.  There is absolutely no point in indulging in a bout of self pity.  It may not be the home I remember but it’s the one I chose.  Or did it choose me?  I do know this much.  I survived for a reason.  This universe is in worse shape in so many ways than the one I knew.  The rules are different and it’s definitely more mystical.

Focus returning, her eyes continued to scan the skyline, all senses expanded.

‘Still, we have those constants: evil and injustice.  Here, just their faces have been changed.  I have fought them my entire life.  And I’ll fight them wherever I find them for as long as I have breath.  This IS my home now and I’ll do everything I can to defend and protect it!  They may already have a Batgirl, but they’ve got no idea what Barbara Gordon can do!!’

Resolved, Barbara swung easily back down through the branches.  She landed gently on the ground.   A hand briefly brushed against the trunk of the oak in thanks.  Turning, she skirted the clearing and made her way back to the caves as silently as she had come.

Though the path was barely visible, Barbara found her way easily.  A keen observer would have noted slight changes in her on the return journey.  Straighter, somehow taller, resolute.  Just before reaching the edge of the compound security perimeter, she paused.

‘Thanks for the concern Alanna, but I’m fine now.  Really.  Batgirl or no, I’m a creature of the Night.  Say hi to everyone at the Lair for me please.  Goodnight.’

Sliding out of a tree The Shade smilingly shook her head before quietly replying,

‘Dad was a little worried. Goodnight Barbara.’

‘I appreciate the concern.  I really do.  I just needed some space.  Now go home and get some rest yourself!!’

Laughing lightly, the girls headed their separate ways.  Barbara entered the compound as silently she had left it, undetected by even the Shantar watchers.

Behind his helm, Dr Fate smiled.

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

-- and may not be reprinted without permission. 

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

-- are original creations of Dylan Clearbrook

-- Alterverse and Shadowverse, as depicted in the Continuum Worlds,

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

-- Some characters in Continuum Worlds stories are original

-- creations of Dylan Clearbrook, Michael Liebhart,

-- Jake H., Jason Froikin, Eldric, Jason G, or Andrew Shields and may not

-- be used without express permission of the respective author

-- Supergirl, Lar Gand and other DC characters are property of D.C. Comics

-- Rogue, Jennifer Walters and other Marvel characters are property of Marvel Comics