DARKSEID
CHAPTER 18
Lyta and Lara were six weeks old and were doted upon by an army of aunts and self proclaimed uncles. In the first two weeks post delivery,Diana and Clark had a barrage of gifts and messages coming in from the many friends they made over the years. Clark would return from Smallville armed with toys and flowers and cards from those who could not get to Themyscira.
The Amazons were very particular about who was allowed on the island now. The guards were doubled around the Palace and Krypto was especially protective,taking to sleeping near the children's crib. Both parents did not mind;in fact,after all that Krypto had done in the past,Clark and Diana felt quite comfortable with him nearby. Several Leaguers had dropped by to visit and see the children. Kara was especially enthused,as well as Cassie, and the likes of Kon and Wally were already betting to see who of the two girls would fly first.
The funniest sight was seeing Clark plunk both girls in Bruce Wayne's arms when he and Selina came for the ceremony to present the children formally to the Amazon nation and the Gods.
It had been years since Bruce held a baby,and he never held two at one go.
When he protested that he could only hold one,Clark snorted mockingly,"The Batman I knew was never such a wuss."
Bruce glared."Just because you can hold them both in one hand and probably push a moon into orbit with the other does not give you the right to make wise-cracks,Kent."
Clark grinned and took Lyta off him and left him with Lara."Okay,I forget you're an old guy. Here,hold Lara up on your shoulder. Diana just fed her and she has a tendency to vomit sour milk when she is lying flat ..."
But it was too late. Lara vomited on Bruce's chest. Bruce lifted her away from him tentatively,whilst Clark managed to wiped her mouth and the spot she soiled with a wet wipe.
Bruce gingerly lifted her up and patted her on the back."Now you tell me. How do you two manage with two kids at once?"
"Oh,it's not too hard. We take it in shifts and Diana says it helps having a husband who can function well on a couple of hours sleep at a time. Plus we are spoiled for choice in baby- sitters. A hundred or so eager aunts to choose from makes life very easy."
"Humph,lucky devil. Eva was a docile baby but Helena, what a nightmare. She would fret for everything. I was a walking zombie for the first two years. Are these two quiet?"
Clark looked at Lyta."This little lady is a bit noisier than Lara but generally they both just eat and sleep a lot. And if they cry,well, all I have to do is hover off the floor with them and they stop at once."
Bruce regarded him wryly."Fatherhood seems to suit you on all counts. You don't seem overwhelmed at all."
"Overwhelmed?I'm loving it. Diana and I count ourselves lucky and enjoy it now cause God knows what's in store when they start to grow and complete their milestones. Diana said she flew from age one. I had to wait until I was a teen. I don't know what we will do if they start to fly young."
Bruce joked,"Sounds as if you need to start thinking of homing signals for them or very long leashes....."
"Hey,that's not a bad idea."
"What the leashes?"
"Funny,Bruce. No,the homing signals. Think I can get you to think up of some prototypes?"
As the talk turned technical,Selina and Diana were chatting inside as the new mother put away the gifts her old friends had brought the children. Diana was putting up what was a very expensive mobile over the crib when she heard Selina snicker from where she stood at a window.
"What is it?"
"Come here and have a look."
Diana walked over and saw what Selina was laughing at. The sight was funny to say the least. Clark was in his Superman costume and Bruce in a very expensive,gray,designer suit. Both were standing holding Lyta and Lara. Clark was rocking Lyta in a gentle,side to side motion and Bruce was patting Lara on the back.
"Look at Superman and Batman. The two big,alpha softies of the League."
Diana laughed."I know. The Brainiacs and Ras al Guls of the world would tremble in fear. Still,I find nothing sexier than seeing Clark in his Superman uniform fawning all over our girls."
Selina gave her a humorous look."God,you've got it bad. Still,you are newly weds so I guess you two must still be in your honeymoon phase. Wait until you've been married over twenty years."
Diana cocked her head at her curiously."What?You don't feel the passion you felt for Bruce in the beginning?"
"Of course I do. I love him more than ever but then we are not two super-powered beings who don't have to deal with aging. It's a sad fact that bedroom gymnastics tends to be less adventurous and less frequent when one is older. I mean,we must do it two or three times a week now and that's fine by both of us. But I suppose for you and Clark ?"
Diana's blush made Selina put up her hand,"Don't answer that. I can see from your face,you two have no problems."
Diana admitted honestly,"Just impatience. I heal fairly fast but Epione made us wait a full month before,....you know. Gods,what a difficult four weeks that was!"
Selina laughed as she heard a recount of the desperate measures Superman and the Queen of Themyscira underwent to be abstinent for a month. It involved taking a lot of cold showers, putting the babies between them on the bed,vigorous exercise and in Clark's case,taking on Monitor Duty at night with gratitude.
"You and Clark have to bring the babies for Eva and Helena to see."
"Maybe when they are older. Right now Clark is rather protective and don't want them off the island."
"I can understand that. When Eva was born Bruce went a little overboard with the security and bodyguards until I had to scream at him to lighten up. When Eva first went to school, Batman sat on the roof of the opposite building keeping it under surveillance for an entire fortnight."
Diana laughed."He didn't!"
"Yes,he did. But over the years we had to get use to the idea that we can't keep our kids under lock and key. Just as we were never under lock and key."
Diana sighed."I know. It is all very easy now that they are only six weeks old. I know things will get tougher as they grow older. I used to wonder why my mother was so rigid and fussy; now I know. It's because you want no pain come to them at all."
Selina smiled and said,"You'll make loads of mistakes but it's worth it in the end if you can bring up two decent human...well,in your case...two decent individuals. Come on,let's go see what the boys are up to."
The two men turned as their wives stepped out onto the balcony. Selina went to take Lyta away from Superman."My turn to have some of that baby goodness. Bruce alone can't have it all. Come to Aunt Selina,sweetheart."
Selina took the drowsy Lyta and sat next to her husband."Brings back,memories huh?"
Bruce said with a wry smile,"Yes,but it's nicer to know this time we can give these two back."
Clark leaned back against the balustrade and folded his arms on his chest. Diana came to stand alongside him. She looked at Bruce."So,Bruce,you ready to take part in the ritual?"
Bruce looked somewhat suspicious."As long as I don't have to chant or prance naked, I will be fine."
Diana laughed."No. All you will have to do is hold two candles and walk behind Clark and myself."
"Well,that's good. So I hear this is when the Gods might make an appearance?"
Diana looked somewhat nervous."Yes. We may know if Zeus approves and who will be patrons for the girls."
"That makes what I can offer pale in comparison."
Diana smiled."Not at all. We need an exemplary human involved in our children's upbringing. The Gods are powerful but not all of them are very desirable beings to want as patrons."
"You okay with this,Clark?"mused Bruce.
Clark said,"As long as it's not Ares,or his progeny,I have no problems there. This is part of Diana's heritage and the girls need to have this. We will do a Kryptonian ceremony when they are a bit older and can make a trip to the Fortress."
Diana smiled. His understanding regarding her culture and heritage was one of the things that made her love him all the more,especially when she knew he was not entirely comfortable with all her Gods.
Selina was about to say something when Superman's JLA beeper went off. Diana let out a groan as did Clark. Selina rolled her eyes."Do they know tonight is the ceremony?"
Clark nodded gravely and pressed the earpiece. "Yeah. I told them to only call in case of an emergency...."
Bruce said grimly,"I guess this must be one of those."
Clark said,"Go ahead,J'onn."He listened and his brows snapped together."I see. I will be there as soon as I can."He turned to them and said darkly,"Parademons have descended upon Metropolis."
"What???!!"gasped Selina.
Bruce grunted."Darkseid."
Diana clenched her fists."Gods,not now!I will come..."
Clark took her by the arms and turned her to face him."No!You stay here with the girls. The League would have been alerted."
"But if this is an all out invasion?"she began impatiently.
"Then the Queen of the Amazons should be with her people...."he replied firmly.
Bruce got up and handed Lara over to Diana. Selina jumped to her feet as well and passed over Lyta. Their own girls were at the forefront of their minds. Plus Bruce,under the circumstances,would not remain sitting when he could help coordinate an offensive from the cave.
Diana held both her daughters. She began,"Be careful,Clark. If the League needs help...."
He kissed her hard before she could continue then pressed his lips on the brows of his two daughters."I know,"he whispered,caressed her cheek and took to the air and vanished through the clouds.
Bruce and Selina turned to go. They had arrived via the portal in the Amazon embassy. Both kissed Diana on the cheek and left her standing there looking at the sky with a torn expression of wanting to fly after Superman but holding her daughters possessively to her bosom.
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The Queen had informed the Amazons of the emergency in the outside world and that the ceremony would have to be deferred. Diana also kept in contact with the JLA satellite. She paced the Strategic room and Phillipus watched her gravely.
"You think this will be a threat to us?"
Diana looked uncertain."I don't know. Darkseid has shown that he can access even Olympus,we need to be prepared. I want the army on high alert. Send a message to Artemis and let her know what is happening."
"Yes,my Queen."The General bowed and withdrew.
Diana clenched and unclenched her hands. So far J'onn had said that the parademons had appeared via a boomtube above Metropolis and,from the looks of things,it was the only breach on earth so far. A main battle cruiser with dozens of satellite fighter-ships and hordes that numbered around five thousand were the immediate threat. They were indiscriminately attacking Metropolis and the League,led by Superman,were trying to minimize casualties as well as take them down.
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A score of parademons tried to attack Superman. Their bodies seemed to fly in every direction as his fists flashed with a blinding speed as he flew into the thick of the attack to help Warhawk,Jade and Steel. Kara and Kon were above taking out the fighter ships. Zatara and Wally were below,trying to save lives as well as property.
Natasha gritted,as she used her sledge hammer and slammed four parademons to the ground,"Superman,they just keep coming and coming!It makes no sense. They are not moving beyond Metropolis neither!"
Superman looked around and saw that they were indeed just concentrating on Metropolis and the battle-cruiser,once it had deposited the hordes,had withdrawn. It was strange tactics indeed.
He saw a ship spinning out of control after Kon had torn out it's engine and he flew and caught it before it fell upon fleeing civilians.
Kon spoke via the ear piece."Thanks,Kal."
"No problem."Superman lifted the smouldering ship and aimed at a group of demons going for Kara."I'd suggest you move,Superwoman."
Kara turned and miles ahead could see what her cousin was about to do."Oh,got you!"
The ship came spinning like a missile,taking the parademons with it into the harbour three miles away.
Superman pressed his ear piece whilst blowing freezing air on another group of parademons. "Bruce,where are you?"
"I'm getting ready to teleport into Gotham,Clark,but I was watching from the Satellite link and I think something is wrong. This attack seems purposeless. No tactics nor generals."
"Yes,and no sign of Darkseid. Normally when he makes an appearance it's with pomp and pageantry whilst he makes a declaration of war,"he said dryly,taking the firepower off ten parademons on the chest without as much as a flinch,and then using his heat vision on them to melt their rifles and slice off their wings.
Batman replied,"They are not here to invade,Superman. This seems more like a distraction. Darkseid is here for something else"
Superman frowned,"It's been years since he even showed an interest in invasion. What would a pompous,dictatorial God want?Earth has nothing to pique his interest. The last time he showed any was when Kara was a teena....."Superman's face turned ashen."God!Bruce!The girls!!!"
Batman's voice gritted."Go,Clark. Quickly!"
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Diana was listening as Cressida gave her an update on the gathering of the armed guards when she heard an urgent beeping coming from the communications console. She went over to the monitor. The Martian Manhunter's face appeared. He looked alarmed.
"Yes,J'onn?"
"Diana,where are your girls?Are they safe?"
Diana blinked."They are asleep in my chambers and being watched by Thea and Phythia..."
"Diana,Kal just called. He thinks Darkseid is after your girls. Is Themyscira safe?"
"What??But all seems calm for..."Diana's words died in her throat as she heard a loud explosion that seemed shake the building. Her heart seemed to stop."Gaea!No!"
"Diana,Kal is on his way. He..."
But Diana had already taken to the air and smashed through the wall,taking the most direct route to the royal apartment.
She saw smoke billowing down the corridor leading to her apartment. A large hole gaped in the outer wall and she could see the doors to her room smashed and lying on the floor in pieces. Bodies of the guards selected to keep a perimeter around her daughters now laid dead,injured or unconscious.
Diana gasped as Krypto's body came flying past her,metal bands around him, as he hit the wall and he fell to the ground writhing and unable to move.
She turned swiftly to hear voices and see though the door the Fury known as Lashina say scathingly,"That was disgraceful,Gilotina. You let a mere dog forestall you?"
Giotina rose,looking at her melted sword in disgust and wincing at the burns on the skin of her face and limbs."My face,Lashina,the beast,has disfigured me!!"
Lashina said impatiently,"Your discomfort is secondary to our purpose..."She shouted loudly, "Bernadeth,Malice,have you gotten the whelps?"
There was the sound of breaking furniture and a crash. Lashina rolled her eyes."Don't tell me they are letting two guards give them trouble..."
Lashina was about to walk towards the open doors to the bed chambers,when Gilotina exclaimed, "We have company,Lashina!!"
Lashina turned to see Diana,her face contorted with rage,coming at her with her fist drawn back. Lashina pulled out her whip and it curled in the air narrowly missing her. Diana grabbed it,wrapped it around her own wrist and pivoted with such force and speed Lashina went spinning and slammed hard against a wall. The marble cracked a huge hole leading into the adjoining salon. Lashina tumbled to the floor,slamming into furniture and laid dazed.
Gilotina gasped and came at Diana from behind with her hands raised. Hands which could cut though any kind of matter in the universe met bracelets forged from Zeus' Aegis and Diana turned and whipped her leg and connected with Gilotina's jaw. She went tumbling to the floor as well.
Diana flew towards the sounds of fighting coming from her room. She gasped as she saw Bernadeth taking down Thea and Phythia with her Fah-ren knife. Thea and Phythia were fighting with all that was left in them but were helpless against a knife that burned and slashed victims from the inside out. Thea fell to the ground,dead and bleeding from the eyes,nose and ears.
Whilst Bernadeth was doing this, Malice Vunderbar was leaning over the crib of the two children who were now crying. With Malice was her shadow demon Chessure. She was crooning,but not at the children but at her demon who seemed to lurk in the recess of the wall behind the crib.
"I know,I know,you want them. I want them too. Imagine the power we will get if you ate them, my pet?"
Diana picked up a large bronze urn and smashed it over Bernadeth's head before she could deliver the final fatal cut to Phythia. The knife fell from her hands and Diana hit her in the neck with a jab to a pressure point that paralyzed her.
Diana pulled down a battle-axe from the wall and gritted at Malice, "Get. Away. From. My. Children."
Malice turned to Chessure."Attack her!"
Blood red eyes seemed to glow and Diana saw it move from the wall near the crib to appear behind her. She could feel its heat and smell its stench. She slammed the axe into the wall. The demon jumped walls again. Diana felt something slash her back. Claw marks tore at her gown and blood stained the white fabric. She spun around and lifted into the air before the demon could attack again. Her eyes darted up quickly and saw it above her in the ceiling and she unhitched her lasso and hurled it at the demon. The girdle of Gaea caught it around the neck and Diana pulled. Malice began to choke.
Diana yanked harder. Malice gasped and the demon seemed to flail.
Diana suddenly felt a force lift her and send her hard against a wall. Malice coughed as she felt the lasso ease on her neck. Diana fell heavily and looked up to see another Fury. She was coming in via the balcony on a flying disk. Diana recognized her as Bloody Mary,an energy vampire with telekinetic powers. She focused her gaze on a divan and it came at Diana.
Diana rose and punched it away. The bed raised and flew at her. Diana caught it and eased it down. The crib was too close to pick up anything and hurl at her.
Bloody Mary saw her watch the crib fearfully and smiled viciously." Yes,Amazon,we will be taking them."
Diana's voice was cold and controlled."You will not lay a hand on them."
Bloody Mary began to levitate the crib. The children's cries seemed to stop as they associated the floating sensation with their parents. She sneered,"I will. You come one step nearer and I will smash this crib into that wall."
Diana moved closer.
The crib rose higher. Bloody Mary snarled,"I am going to do it,Amazon."
With the speed of Hermes Diana used her foot to flip a spear to her hand and she took aim and flung the spear with all her might. It hit the Fury in the shoulder taking her off the flying disk and impaling her onto the wall.
The crib began to fall. Diana flew under it and caught it. Lyta and Lara were looking happily at Diana's face as she eased the crib to the floor.
"You are not hurt. Thank the Gods. No one will hurt you while I breathe,"Diana muttered,about to take up her children in her arms.
The sound of the fabric of time and space seemed to tear open behind Diana and emerging from the swirling darkness was a massive figure with eyes that seemed to spark. Before she could turn,the voice declared,"An admirable sentiment,Amazon,but it will not help you or them."
Diana gasped and before she could spin around she was caught in Darkseid's agony matrix. She collapsed to the ground,screaming and writhing in pain. Lyta and Lara began to wail once more.
Darkseid looked down at them."Ah. The daughters of Kal-el. I sense that you are powerful cubs. You will be Darkseid's greatest Furies and all will tremble before Apokolips."He looked at Diana."Your mother has always been one of the earth's greatest warriors. She took down five of my best Furies. The love of a protective mother it seems knows no bounds. What a waste to kill her. Perhaps I will let her sire an heir for me." He turned off the agony matrix,leaving Diana groaning and gasping,and bellowed to Lashina,"Get in here,General of the Furies, and assemble your troops. We leave now with the Amazon and her cubs."
A voice came from the doorway to the balcony."You are taking them over my dead body.”
Diana raised up on her elbows weakly.”Kal...”
Darkseid turned."Superman. We meet again. Over your dead body,you say?That can be arranged.”
His eyes flashed and the Omega effect came at Superman. Superman moved swiftly,dodged the beams,lifting up and back and over and they ended up vaporizing the outer wall of the chamber.
Superman hovered,arms folded and asked as if to provoke him deliberately,"That old trick the best you can do?It didn't work the last time. Think it can now?"
Darkseid lifted off the floor."Humph,time has made you arrogant,Kryptonian. I will vanquish you for good this time."
Superman floated backwards out in the open air,drawing him away from the children and Diana. He smiled sarcastically."Oh,I'm trembling. By the way,how was your time on the Source Wall?"
The Lord of Apokolips' eyes growled."When I make her my bride and your brats my slaves then we will see how cocky you will be."
He came after Superman,who flew higher,so they now hovered over the grounds of the Diplomatic Center. Amazons were now aware of what was going on and many were looking up in awe and Superman could see Phillipus and a group of sisters rushing to Diana's aid. He could breath slightly easier.
Darkseid came at him and the large fist that sliced the air was met by a hand that seemed to stop absorb the full brunt. Superman gritted and used his free hand and delivered an upper cut that sent Darkseid flying backwards into facade of the Diplomatic Center. The walls crumbled. Darkseid rose,eyes glowing,and ripped out a huge column that supported the pediment and hurled it at Superman. Superman felt it hit him in the gut and he tumbled into the green concourse carving a trench into the ground. Superman saw the God of Apokolips float down before him and send the agony matrix at him.
Superman's heat vision blared and both channels of energy collided but after several seconds of struggling, the force repelled both wielders.
Both went flying backwards and Darkseid ended up cracking and emptying a fountain whilst Superman ended up flattening a row of cypress a quarter of a mile long. The Lord of Apokolips rose,and came at the Man of Steel once more. Superman saw him carrying a huge pylon that had been erected to honor the dead,and slamming it upon him. Superman felt the dirt crumble beneath his feet as he began to sink into the ground. Darkseid pounded him from above until the pylon shattered.
Superman felt a hand grab him by the hair and pull him up. A fist connected with his jaw and then a powerful foot stamped upon his spine as he fell to the floor. Darkseid observed pompously,"You surprise me,Kal-el. I expected more than this. You may have gotten somewhat denser in the musculature but your brain has not appeared to have gained much ground. You always were predictable."
He pulled out a kryptonite shard and drew him up to his feet by the throat. He pressed the green sliver to his cheek."Remember this?I will cut out your heart,son of Jor-el."
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Diana rose shakily to her knees,wincing in pain. She looked up to see Lashina limping towards her with Bernadeth's Far-hen knife and before she could stab her a fierce growl sounded behind them. They turned to see Krypto with Phillipus and dozens of armed guards. He had been freed from Lashina's metal bands. Before she could attack a glare of red heat hit her in the face and she screeched.
Krypto then tackled her,sending her sprawling to the floor and he growled baring his teeth,showing her he meant business. One move and he would rip out her gullet.
Phillipus and the Amazon contingent manacled Gilotina,and Bernaeth. The lasso was still around Malice,incapacitating her and the shadow demon. Blood Mary was groaning in pain as she tried to yank the spear which had been embedded in her shoulder and pinned her to the wall.
Phillipus gestured scathingly."Get her down."She looked at Thea sorrowfully and grabbed a sheet and draped it over her body. Phythia required medical attention and would get it once they could risk taking her to Epione. For now all they could offer was water and compresses.
Diana was examining her daughters to check that they were not injured. She gasped in relief and picked them up to her breast and hugged them.
"Your Majesty?Are you and the Princesses well?"asked Phillipus.
Diana looked up."They are fine. I am okay. I...."The sound of the Palace shaking made her gasp."Kal!!!!"
She limped to the window and saw the battle between Superman and Darkseid as the Diplomatic Center collapsed. Phillipus said urgently,"My Queen,we need to get the children to safety. It is dangerous still."
Diana looked at them. They were quieter now that they were in her arms. Diana looked at her somewhat bemused."What?Where?"
"The old Delphic temple in the mystical areas. The magic there will hide them. We can use the underground passageways."
Diana passed the children over."Take them. Hide them. I..." She turned in alarm to see Superman being beaten down with a pylon."I cannot leave him out there alone..."
Phillipus said worriedly,"But,your Majesty,you look far from strong and he will be furious you are not going with the children."
"I feel awful. Every fiber in my body still aches from Darkseid's agony matrix and, yes, he may be vexed but he knows I will never flee..."
Phillipus gestured for two of her best guards to take the children and leave. Diana went to the wall where her mother' sword was still in its bracket. She took to the air and flew out the window. She gasped. Flying hurt. Her muscles and sinews protested. As she flew closer she saw Superman being stamped to the ground and then Darkseid pulling out a green blade. Diana's heart nearly stopped and she seemed to falter.
"No...!!!"she gasped.
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Darkseid stabbed the shard into the back of his foe's neck. Superman seemed to sway on the spot and slump to his knees. Darkseid laughed and walked around Superman, looking at him and the surroundings with derision.
"You are weak and pathetic,Kryptonian. Such irony,you are so powerful yet a mere green rock weakens you like a babe. Now let me take a memento of our brief encounter. It would look well preserved in a glass jar for all to see in my trophy room."He pulled out a lethal looking dagger but before he could step forward he saw Superman reach around and simply withdrew the shard and crushed it with his hand.
Darkseid uttered,"Impossible!How?"
Superman smiled and rose to his feet."Immune to kryptonite."
He slammed his fist into Darkseid's face and the God went hurtling backwards,crashing into an old pavilion a mile away. Superman was waiting for him as he landed. He slammed his fists upon Darkseid's skull .Darkseid crumpled to his knees.
"I am also faster and stronger and I have learned the value of strategy .Plus don't piss me off. And a sure way of doing that is going after those I love."
Superman lifted him bodily and flung him miles and they ended up in the desert plains of the Bana-Midghall. Darkseid hit the ground so hard it was as a meteorite falling and carving a huge crater in the barren earth.
Heat vision glared and he burned Darkseid with a blast before he could rise. The heat was akin to the fire-pits of Apokolips. Darkseid roared as he began to try to shield himself.
He laid on the ground,smouldering,weakened, but rasped,"There is no strategy to defeat a God. I am immortal. You cannot kill me. Even if you defeat me now,I will be back and next time I will not take the whelps. I will cut out their hearts and I will have Desaad break the Amazon...”
"You can try but we will not be alone..."Superman looked up as boomtubes cracked the sky open and above them appeared scores of Green Lanterns and forces from New Genesis led by Orion himself. Coming in from the north they could see Superwoman,Kon-el,the Martian Manhunter, Zatara and Steel.
Superman pressed his earpiece."Hold."He looked at Darkseid."Your Furies have been taken. Your parademons subdued. Yield. Or do you prefer more humiliation?"
Darkseid looked around. There was no hope of triumph now. He had grossly miscalculated. He could not fight Superman,the League,Lantern Corps and his own traitor of a son,Orion.
His eyes glared."Until next time,Kryptonian.It is not the end..."
He opened up a portal and vanished.
Superman heard Batman's voice on the comlink."The parademons are retreating,Clark. What's going on?"
"Darkseid is gone. For now."He switched channels and spoke to Orion and Kilowog."He's gone."
"Are you sure?"asked Orion.
"If it is one thing I know of Darkseid, he knows when to withdraw. Thank you for coming. Both of you."
Kilowog replied,"Our pleasure,Superman."
The boomtube re-opened and they withdrew. Kara,Kon,J'onn,Natasha and Zatara landed before Superman.
"Kal,are you okay?"cried Kara. There was faint bruising on his face and his shirt was torn in places.
He nodded."Fine."
Kon regarded him in awe as he seemed to be healing already."Did you even break a sweat?"
The Man of Steel turned his face suddenly."Diana..."
They looked to see the Queen of Themyscira land several yards away and her face was contorted with what looked like relief and pain. She stumbled into Superman's arms and and choked,"I feared the worst...."
He held her with a sigh of relief."Lyta and Lara?"
"Hidden. Safe."
"Thank god."He drew away to look at her."You are hurt."
"I'll be fine. Darkseid?"
"Gone. For now."
Diana looked at him perplexed."How did you resist the kryptonite?When Preus stabbed you two years ago you nearly died."
His brow furrowed."Oh. Sorry. Didn't I tell you?Since being stabbed two years ago,my immune system seems to have overcompensated and went into overdrive. J'onn and I noticed this after I came back from a mission from Pteron-5 a year ago. We ran several tests and realized it's effects on my physiology had significantly decreased And over the course of this year it seems it now barely affects me. I thought I told you."
Diana gasped and pounded his chest."NO!You did not!How could you keep that from me?I nearly had a heart attack when Darkseid stabbed you. I had visions of you being beaten to death."
“Well,he did knock me about a bit but that's neither here nor there. Living under a yellow sun seems to have a lot of pluses for a Kryptonian.”
Diana frowned.”Now is not the time for levity.”
Superman said coaxingly,"Honey,I'm okay and if it's any comfort I think our girls may have an in-built immunity."
"Oh,don't you start giving me that look...It's not going to work."
Kon grinned."Well,all seems back to normal here. Come on,guys,let's go to the Palace and see if they need any help."
The pair barely noticed that their colleagues were going.
Clark suddenly asked,with an ironic lift of a brow,"Well,come to think about it what are YOU doing here?"
Diana looked at him pretending she didn't know what he meant."I came here to support my husband who I thought was going to die,"she said primly.
Clark snorted,"Yeah and who promised to stay with our children come what may?"
She looked sheepish and had the grace to flush. She did promise him after the incident with Ariadne and Lacea if ever the time came to protect the children she would do it no matter what,even if he was in danger."I did stay with them. I only left them once I knew they were in safe hands...."She softened her voice deliberately,and instead of hitting him,her hand began stroking his chest and she gave him a soulful bat of the lashes,"So technically I obeyed you like a good wife."
Clark said dryly,"Yeah,that's rich and now who's giving who the eye?"
Diana wrapped her arms around his neck."Normally you can't resist these eyes."
He pulled her in tighter."Well,I can. It's the lips I have trouble with.”
It was safe to say when their lips met,they had forgiven each other.
Superman raised his head and said softly,”Now,let's go get our girls."
