NEW LIFE,OLD THREAT
CHAPTER 17
Kon flew into the commissary where Kara,Wally and Steel sat having a coffee break and yelled,"Diana's in labour!!!"
Everyone's head turned. Kara jerked to her feet."What?How do you know?"
"Kal just called it in."
Natasha exclaimed,"But it's only eight months!"
Wally said wryly,"Kryptonian and Amazon made from clay?No one knows what's normal for them!And if Diana had gotten any bigger,well I think she'd need a crane to lift her."
Kara gasped,"Oh,you are so mean. Are they on Themyscira,Kon?"
"Yes. J'onn said Donna is flying in as we speak."
Kara sighed."I hope everything is okay. Diana was so uncomfortable last week. I think it looked as if the baby had dropped. We ought to have known. I hope it isn't a long labour."
Wally looked at Kon."Well,the question now is,what's coming?"
Natasha rolled her eyes."You all are still betting?Honestly,you guys are incorrigible."
Wally said,"Speak for yourself,Sister. We have five thousand big ones riding on this."
Kara asked wryly,"So what's the consensus?"
"Well,you know we look to Bruce for our clues but he's been hard to pin down. I personally think for once he's stumped."
Kon sat down."So what did he say?"
"He threw his hat in with the majority that says girl."
"Girl,huh?Normally Bruce is never wrong."
"Well,I'm saying boy cause I sure as heck don't want to be splitting the pot ten ways."
Natasha looked at Kon."Which camp are you in,Kon?"
"Well,I wouldn't turn down five hundred ...and with all those Gods of Diana's maybe it will be a girl,so I'll say-girl."
Wally nodded and pulled out a palm pilot and was about to put in Kon's wager,when he cried,"Wait!No. Put me down for a boy."
Wally looked at him with cynical brows."Okaaay. Boy,it is."
Fifteen minutes later,in the League meeting ,right in the middle of J'onn's verbal report,Kon blurted out,"I changed my mind."
Everyone looked up. Jade frowned puzzled."What?"
Kara rolled her eyes as Kon said to Wally,"Put me down for twins."
Everyone groaned. Zatara said reasonably,"Well,I put down for twins. Though I remained in the minority,cause most people think Diana would know if she carried more than one child."
Kon looked at Zatara curiously."What kind of twins?"
"I said boy and girl,to be on the safe side."
"Okay,I'll go with twins too,boy and girl....wait...no,two girls.....no,two boys...."
"For heaven's sakes,Conner!Make up your mind!"cried an exasperated Flash.
J'onn sighed in resignation. There was no point in carrying on so he sat down and waited."Let me know when you all are ready to get serious."
Wally tutted at him."This IS serious. Hey,J'onn you're a telepath. Care to give us clues?"
"No. I would not."
Wally shook his head."Ah,you old-stick-in-the-mud. So,Kon,what will it be?Twins?Boy?Girl?Two boys?Two girls?E.T?"
Kara smacked his head."Stop being so mean."
Kon said recklessly,as if not sure what to say again,"Right,I say twins.....Boys."
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Diana let out a groan and looked up blindly at the high,airy,white ceiling in the royal chambers .She had been in labour for many hours. The pains were now more intense and rapid. She could hear Epione's voice as if from afar.
"She is fully dilated now. I think it will not be long now."
She could feel Clark's hand holding her own and he wiped her damp brow."Epione,she looks exhausted. You think she'll have the strength left to do this?"
"I know. I wanted to give her something for the pain but she refused. Your Majesty,can you hear me?"
Diana lifted her head,and looked at the healer. Her face was white as the sheets she laid upon and her shift was drenched. She nodded.
Epione said"I need you to push now. Can you do that?"
Diana looked up at Clark and whispered,"I need to...sit up."
"Are you sure?"He looked so anxious it made her heart go out to him.
She touched his cheek and gasped at another sharp contraction."Yes. Help me up,Kal."
Clark eased her up slowly and she grasped his Superman uniform by the shirt to support herself. Soon she was sitting up with her back braced against his chest and hands holding his own convulsively. Donna who was standing at the bottom of the bed with Epione said soothingly."Sis,we need you to push now."
Diana obeyed and clenched her teeth and pushed."Hera,help me..."
She did not know how or what she did but she could hear a baby's wail and Donna's cry of delight and awe."It's a girl!"
Her eyes looked up at Clark's and she could see his face was a picture of relief,joy and awe. He was whispering against her temple,"Honey,we have a little girl."
Diana looked down to see Epione give the baby to Donna who cooed."Oh,Diana,she is so beautiful!"
Diana felt her something wet on her cheeks and she realized she was crying amid her laughter."A...g-girl.....Oh,Clark,we have a girl..."
Donna came around for her and Clark to see the squirming, whimpering bundle. The little creature was red faced and wrinkled and covered in body fluids and blood, but to the smitten parents,she was the most beautiful thing they ever beheld.
Clark kissed his wife on the lips."Well done,your Majesty."
Donna said,"I'll get her clean up and then you can hold her."
Diana closed her eyes and murmured to her husband,"Clark,I'm so tired. I need to lie down. I...."
Epione raised up and looked at Diana in a kind of bemused excitement."Sorry,my Queen,this isn't over yet. Another little one is on the way."
Diana looked at Clark in astonishment."What?!!!???"
Donna turned at that."What???"
Clark stroked back the hair off his wife's damp brow ."Er,yeah. We're having twins."
"Clark Kent,you are lucky I'm lying here helpless or else I would strangle you. You kept THAT from me???"she rasped,finding enough strength to reach back and smack him on the chest.
He grinned. In her weakened state it was like being tickled."Come on,Diana. You didn't want me to spoil the surprise,did you?"
"Yes,but TWINS?Gaea!"she lifted her head and looked at Donna,who was standing looking baffled as well as excited."Can you believe this?"
Donna laughed."The Gods have blessed you two fold. That's double the spittle and the vomit and nappies and sleepless nights."
Clark and Diana looked at her with rueful expressions."Thanks for that,Aunt Donna."
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Kon and Kara paced the control room. Hours had passed and another shift was about to take over and there still was no news.
Both were reluctant to leave,but Flash said,"Come on,guys,let's go home. I'm sure everything will be okay."
Superwoman said,"It's been hours. Poor Diana. I hope she's okay."
Warhawk,who had taken over from J'onn,suddenly called,"Hey,gang,Bruce is on the line!He's got news!"
The three raced towards the main screen and saw Bruce Wayne's face appear. Bruce was sitting at his console in the Batcave. He looked very amused at their eager looks."News just came in. It's a girl..."
Kara squealed with joy."I'm an aunt!"
Wally threw up his hands."Aw crap!"
Kon smacked his head."I knew I should have stuck with Bruce's call!"
Bruce smiled."Two boys was a brave if somewhat rash guess,Kon. And sorry,Wally,you can't win everything."
Warhawk said with a grin."It's true what they say then?The Batman is always right."
Bruce was about to say something when the image of Selina appeared behind him. She was wearing a big smug smile."Hi,guys. I have an update from paradise. Another baby popped out."
Bruce uttered."What??!"
Kara,Kon,Rex and Wally also gasped."What???!!"
Selina's eyes danced."Twins girls."She bent and kissed her speechless husband on the lips."Congratulations,Batman,that's two more girls for you to worry about."
Wally started to laugh."Ah damn it.No one won the pool!!!!!That Kent! He's probably laughing at us all."
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Superman quietly floated out of the royal apartments onto the balcony. His comlink was beeping and he did not want to disturb Diana and the babies who were now fast asleep. After having given birth to their two daughters,Diana had been physically drained. Donna and Epione had taken over and cleaned her up along with the babies. Then the new parents were left to dote and worship the two little beings that they had been blessed with whilst the news was announced to the scores of Amazon's gathered in the grand foyer of the Palace.
Diana's sisters were overjoyed. The two new additions to the tribe was seen as a blessing from the Gods themselves. It was seen as a good omen to have two girls given to them after so much pain and death in recent times. Celebrations would follow but for now most of the Amazons went to offer prayers in thanks that their Queen had come through this ordeal safely.
Clark pressed the ear-piece. It was Bruce Wayne.
"Well,you have cultivated a good poker face over the years,I'll give you that,Kent."
Clark laughed."Hey,Bruce. How are you?"
"I'm not sure. It's bad enough you go sire a super-powerful hybrid but TWO at one go is showing off,don't you think?"
"Aww,you congratulating me,Bruce?"
"And as if to further rub it in my face,two girls,Clark?What did I ever do to you?It's bad enough I have Eva and Helena,now to add your two to the mix."
Clark retorted,"It's Bruce Wayne's fate to be surrounded by beautiful women. That's karma for all the hearts you broke as a playboy billionaire."
"Oh,droll,Clark,very droll."
"So did anyone win the bet?"
"You know no one won. You strung us all along. How is Diana?"
"Pretty tired,but she'll be fine. She says this is the first and last time she does this."
"Oh,they all say that. Selina screeched at me all the way through Eva's delivery and two years later she was happily pregnant with Helena."
Clark grinned."Well,we did have two at one go. So it's unlikely after this we will be wanting any more in a hurry."
"How are my goddaughters?"
"Asleep. They are so beautiful,Bruce,"sighed the proud father."I could stare at them for hours."
Bruce smiled."You're going be a big push over,I can see it now. But I know you and Diana will be good parents. Tell her Selina and I send our best and hope to see you all soon."
"Thank you,my friend."
Clark smiled as he turned off the com link and he took in a deep breath and looked up at the night sky. He was a father. He had,with Diana,ushered new life into the universe and the emotions raised in him were some of deepest reverence,happiness, and pride with a touch of sadness. He thought of his own parents,Jor-el and Lara,and now he finally realized the anguish they must have felt when they had to send him away. His girls were only hours old and the idea of any harm coming to them or having to lose them was unthinkable. He swore to do everything in his power to keep them safe. To try to be the best father he could be simply because he was granted what his own father didn't have a chance at. He thought of Jonathan and Martha and his throat tightened. They would have been over the moon. He scanned the heavens and whispered a soft prayer in Kryptonian for both sets of parents and thanked whatever source of power that granted him this life he had now with Diana and their children.
"Kal....?"
He turned at the sound of her voice. From where he stood he could see Diana opening her eyes and raising up and looking around the room. He went back inside and she was sitting up and reaching for a robe. He began solicitously, "Hey,should you be getting up?"
Diana smiled and caressed his face as sat beside her."I feel better. How long have I been asleep?"
"About a good six hours."
"Gaea,that long?What about the babies?"
"You were exhausted. Donna and I gave them bottles of the milk you expressed. They are still asleep."
She suddenly leaned into him and sighed."Thank you."
"What for?"
"Everything."
He put an arm around her."Uh-oh,you're not going to cry,are you?"
She laughed."No. No crying."
"And you have forgiven me for the twin thing?"
"I should make you suffer but when you look at me with those eyes,what choice do I have?"They were about to kiss when a whimper and gurgle made them pause.
Clark smiled."I think our girls must have super-hearing."
"Either that or they are hungry."
They both stood up and walked over to the large crib,that Clark himself had built, and stared down at the babies. One had black curls and the other soft reddish brown. The darker haired one had been born first and she was an inch longer. She had woken first and then her sister followed suit. Both seemed to have Diana's full lips and stubborn chin. But it had been clear by the way they seemed to focus and smile within the first hour of being born that they would inherit their father's sky blue eyes and his dimples.
Diana reached down and touched them gently. Her heart was overflowing with love and wonder at these two miracles she and Clark had created. She picked up the mahogany headed child whilst Superman picked up the raven haired baby. Both children yawned sleepily whilst opening their eyes and blinking up at the doting faces that looked upon them.
He said softly,"We still have to put names. Have you decided?"
Diana nodded. She laid her cheek against the sweet smelling curls of the mahogany head child."Yes. You said this little one reminded you of your own mother. I think we should call her Lara."
Clark repeated gratified,"Lara." He bent and kissed his wife on the lips."Thank you,Diana."
Diana smiled. Clark looked down at his precious burden as she seemed to turn towards the S shield on his chest ."And this one?"
"I think my mother would have been very proud to have become a grandmother to these girls and she died so prematurely like your own biological mother. Can we call her Lyta in honor of Hippolyta?"
He smiled."Lyta and Lara Kent.That sounds perfect if I do say so myself."
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Eris paced the darkly lit corridor of her father's secret lair that laid deep within the bowels of the earth. She could not believe what she had heard in the halls of Olympus. There had actually been celebrations. Gods and Goddesses tripping over themselves to be the one to be patron. Hera was proud. Zeus even seemed indulgent. Athena said she knew this had been inevitable. Even Aphrodite,the traitor,had preened and taken credit for what happened.
They were all happy. The whole hedonistic lot of them. Anything for a celebration. All the while her father was bound in chains at Hades' pleasure in Tartarus and her brother Deimos was with the legions of undead. Slain by the Amazon.
Phobos looked at her."There is nothing we can do,Sister."
Eris clenched her fists."We cannot sit by and let this happen. Do you know now what this would mean?To you and I?Our purpose?"
Phobos said darkly,"Oh,I know,but do you want to run the risk once more of incurring the wrath of Zeus himself?I for one have no desire to be chained to Ixion's wheel nor Mount Caucasus and have crows eat out my entrails and eyes over and over. So leave me out of it. I am just fortunate I got exiled and depowered."
She gave him an impatient look."I know we cannot do anything but we owe it to Ares to not sit by idly. And what better vengeance to strike them where it would hurt the most?Their offspring?"
Phobos said dryly,"You are on your own,Eris. I will take no part in any schemes of yours."
She barely seemed to hear him. Her mind was working now,searching possibilities."The Amazon and Kryptonian have many foes and what they wouldn't do to know of these two newborns. It is an easy enough thing to let others do our dirty work.
"True but the Amazon and Kryptonian are not to be trifled with. I saw the Kryptonian hold his own against our father and hurt him. They have what can be seen as an army of immortal Amazons surrounding the children. I am sure they will be very careful and vigilant. No one on this planet will be able to get close to them,without incurring some serious hurt."
Eris said pensively,"You are right,brother. What if we find some other entity to reek havoc on Superman and the Amazon?And their seed?And the Gods of Olympus will have no evidence to suggest we were involved."
"That's all well and good and I have no doubt as the goddess of Discord you can instill strife and mayhem but who would even want to risk their lives and limbs? If Superman and the Queen do not make them pay then so will Zeus. These mortals are all limited and at the end of the day will not pursue anything unless it benefits them. Neither will they risk punishment by Gods;none are so arrogant.”
Eris suddenly smiled deviously."But why go to mortals?Why not Gods themselves?"
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Apokolips.
Lashina stood watching the new recruits for the tournament to choose the new Fury parade by with a derisive snort. They had been picked up from various parts of the universe,and had been tortured and brainwashed,even bribed into submission,but still they lacked that special something. Lashina frowned. Since Granny's death two years ago,they had lost that special something,that ruthlessness,that use to define them. The current trainees were passable but all lacked the fire and hunger that she and her team use to have in the past. Time had changed the team too.
There was no Stompa and Mad Harriet. Both had died years ago. Bernadeth was still around as was Gilotina. And the other two in the elite group was Malice Vunderbar and Bloody Mary. She wished Granny was alive. Being leader and having to train these whelps was tiresome. None of them even had abilities to challenge her. They had all submitted so swiftly.
She sighed. Darkseid as well seemed almost lethargic. He had not even obliterated any of the women they had brought before him. It was,as if over the years,he had grown almost indifferent. She let out an inpatient breath and turned to see a tall woman appear before her.
Lashina reacted at once,sending out her metal arm bands at the woman. But they only fell to the floor with a clang as the woman faded and reappeared behind her. Lashina pulled out her electrically charged whip and tried flicking it at her but she disappeared again and re-appeared behind her.
Lashina gasped,"Who and what are you?"
Eris smiled."I have news for you,General of the Furies. News that might interest your sovereign. "
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Darkseid looked at Eris with eyes that were a cool almost lacklustre. He had listened to her revelation about his old foe Superman and the birth of his and the former Wonder Woman's twins daughters.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Tell me it does not give your Godly soul an involuntary tingle to hear this,Darkseid."
"That is beside the point. You are a God of Olympus,why have you come to the Gods of this world to even betray your own?"
"My own have treated my father with disrespect and have punished him for doing what he was bred to do. They allowed the Amazon to kill my brother and exile the other. I myself have to be so careful how I operate. If these two children should be allowed to attain adulthood,there is no telling what they can do. They would be a treat to my existence. A threat to anyone who wants power and conquest."
"So what is it you are suggesting of me?"he demanded,irritation creeping into his voice.
"I am suggesting nothing ,oh Lord of Apokolips,"she said,back-tracking slightly recognizing the annoyance in his voice. She had plenty of experience with Ares and knew alpha males,be they men or gods,hated to have what they believed lesser beings trying to patronize them or take credit for an idea."I believed it would be a matter of interest fro you to know that two old adversaries has created new life that could seriously redress the balance of power."
"What can mere babes be to me?Even if they grow up with the powers of Gods?In the Fourth World it matters little."
Lashina bowed and stepped forward."But it could mean something,my lord. Think of what we could do with those two children. What they could be trained to be. They could become your greatest Furies yet. What soldiers for the army of Apokolips. The Gods of Asgard, Olympus, Mount Meru,the Nile will shudder in your wake..."
Darkseid leaned back .His eyes seemed to glow with some life."It has been an age since Apokolips has been given the respect it is due."
Lashina added,"And the last time you met Superman,he took away the girl Kara Zor-el and pushed you into the Source Wall. You would have remained their were it not for your sons Graven and Kalibak risking their lives and dying in the process to get you out."She did not actually say that Kalibak had ended up in Darkseid's place in the Source Wall through Graven's treachery and desire to supplant his father's heir,and Graven had died whilst Darkseid had used him to cover his own back.
Darkseid looked at Eris."Who is to say this is not some well laid trap of yours?"
"It is not a trap. You can see for yourself. Ares is in the UnderWorld and I have no care for the Gods of the upper echelons."
Darkseid remembered the many years he had remained prisoner in the Source Wall and he clenched his huge fists. He remembered the Amazon and Kryptonian fighting him in Olympus on behalf of the Gods. Anger and humiliation licked at his pride and he declared, "We will go for the she-cubs of Superman and Wonder Woman."
