Different Worlds Part Nine

Rokan Part 1

AN: For more information on Rokan see Superfriends: Rokan: Enemy from Space Different Worlds Part Nine: Rokan Part One Diana looked herself over in the mirror. She wore a long black/white flower dress. It didn't hide her figure but it hid her legs just as Diana wanted. Her hair was pulled back and tied down with a hair clip given to her by Vanessa. A matching wide brim black hat covered her face. She even wore a pair of fake glasses Vanessa wore for Halloween last year. She smiled at her appearance. She thought she looked hidden to the world. Two days ago, Clark challenged Diana to walk among humans, experience human things. She decided to do that by driving to Metropolis and surprising Clark. Yesterday, she spent the day studying Vanessa's Driver's Ed book. Julia took a cab to the airport leaving her minivan parked outside. Diana also used the time yesterday teaching herself to drive. She wasn't a pro but she figured she was good enough to be on the roads. She had watch Vanessa in her lessons with Julia and while Julia drove, Diana would look over to see what Julia was doing. Grabbing a purse with some money Julia left over in case Diana needed to buy something, Diana walked out of Julia's home. It was early morning, around six, and morning light was creeping through the dark skies as a new day begun. Metropolis was a four hour drive and Diana thought best to get an early start on her trip. Diana got in Julia's minivan and turned the ignition. After putting the car in drive, she hit the gas, she jerked then stopped. "Adjusting my strength to this machine is challenging." After putting a little more gas, she drove onto the road. When Diana was teaching herself yesterday she mistakenly had the car in reverse when she hit the gas and nearly plowed into a tree. It took a few hours but she was getting the hang of it. "Such a powerful machine," Diana thought. As she drove onto the road with other cars, she couldn't help but smile as she thought about the look on Clark's face when he sees her. **** Clark sat in his office; his fingers gripped the pages of the newspaper tightly. He could rip it into pieces but held himself from doing so. On the front cover of the Daily Planet were Superman and Wonder Woman locked in a heated kiss at Julia's summer home. The story was headlined: "IT'S LOVE!!" It was written by Cat Grant. How he wondered. How did Cat even know he was going to be there? How did she know Diana lived there? Diana was only rumored to stay there. He had to talk to Cat; find out how she got this story. Something told him she didn't get this story on her own. Cat mostly dealt in Hollywood gossip and scandals. To get a scoop like this one had to be a pro and Cat was a fair reporter. She wasn't a pro. Clark picked up his phone and dialed Diana's number again. He frowned. Still no answer. Clark decided to try to call Diana later but first he was going to talk to Cat. It wasn't hard to find her. Cat was sitting on her desk, surrounded by Daily Planet reporters including Steve Lombard. All were asking questions about her hot story. Clark was quick to note Lois wasn't among the group of reporters. He knew how Lois felt about him as Superman and thought it was odd she of all people weren't grilling Cat. "Hey, Clark! Come to congratulate me on my big story?" She leaned forward. Her new breasts were almost spilling out of her too small tank top. Clark never understood why Cat flirted with him. For a woman like her, he would be the last person to get her attention. But maybe it was her vainglorious attitude that led Cat to think she could get any man, even a geeky, clumsy country guy like Clark. Clark kept his eyes on Cat's face and said, "Um, yeah that's a good story. So, how did you get it?" Cat was disappointed Clark wasn't looking at her breast but winked at him and said, "That's my secret, but I may tell you over lunch." Steve Lombard laughed heartily. "Why go to lunch with a dud like Kent when you can have it with a stud like me?" Cat looked him over and scoffed. "I like a challenge and you're too easy." She looked at Clark. "What do you say?" Normally, Clark would say no. Through the grapevine of the Daily Planet, Cat was a man-eater and just not his type at all, but if he wanted to know how Cat got this story about him and Wonder Woman, he was going to make the sacrifice. "Sure. Let's--" "Kent in my office!" Perry White yelled from his office. "Yes, Mr. White." Clark turned to Cat. "We'll make arrangements," Clark said and rushed to Perry's office. "You wanted to see me, Mr. White." "Yeah. The Metropolis Natural Science Museum is ready to talk about that frozen dinosaur they found." "I read about that, sir." A couple weeks ago, scientists on an exhibition in Antarctica found what they believed to be a frozen dinosaur. The creature physiology was similar to a dinosaur but scientist couldn't decipher which family it was from. The wide wings signify it could fly but the pear shape body said otherwise. Scientists were suspecting it was a new species of dinosaurs crossed with that of the mythical dragon. The good news was due to it being frozen in suspended animation the creature remained intact but the fact it was possibly still alive left many to worry it could break out one day even under the specific freezing conditions at the Metropolis Natural Science Museum. "Scientists at the museum are ready to have a press conference about their findings," Perry went on. "I want you to cover it." "I'll get right on it, Chief," Clark said. It was just turning nine. The museum was only fifteen minutes from the Daily Planet but to avoid traffic and if Clark wanted a good seat he would have to leave now. He wanted to stay and make plans with Cat to find out how she knew about him and Diana but that would have to wait. Clark rushed to his office to grab his recorder and put on his jacket when his phone rang. "This is Clark Kent." "Kal." "Diana." He closed his door. He was glad to finally get a hold of her. "I've been trying to call you since this morning. "You have?" Diana sounded surprised. "Well, I wasn't home. I've actually been out driving." "Driving?" The last time he checked Diana didn't have a driver's license. "You?" "Yes. I'm doing things as human would do to get from one place to another. I've practiced all day yesterday and I'm on my way to Metropolis." "Where are you now?" "I'm at a gas station. A young man is nice enough to put gas in the tank since I didn't know how. I should've watch Julia more carefully." "With that pretty face, I'm sure you can get a guy to do anything for you," Clark teased. "A man wouldn't do this nice gesture if a woman wasn't pretty?" Diana questioned. "Men are such mysterious creatures. Anyway, according to the map, I'm about fifty miles from Metropolis. I wanted to surprise you but I do not know where the Daily Planet is located by driving." From the way Diana was talking, it was also evident she didn't know about the story breaking about them this morning. "I won't be at the Planet when you get here. I'll be at the Metropolis Natural Science Museum. Have you got a pen and paper?" "Yes." Clark gave Diana the address. "Wait for me in front of the museum. I have a story to cover there and I will meet you outside as soon as I finish." **** The press conference at the Metropolis Natural Science Museum started at ten and it was lead by a Professor Collins where he explained the expedition to Antarctica and encountering the frozen beast that was possibly a missing link to the dinosaur and proof dragons existed. To Clark Kent it was an interesting story but to Superman, it was a concern for the public. The beast was still frozen in suspended animation, completely intact. If it should thaw, the beast could be a menace on his city where hundreds, even thousands of civilians could get hurt or killed. When the conference was opened to questions, Clark was the first to address this matter. "Clark Kent, Daily Planet. Is the creature being kept under similar temperatures as it was in Antarctica and has it been under the same conditions since its transport from Antarctica to the United States?" "Of course, Mr. Kent," Collins coolly answered with a smile. "Our first priority is safety and we wouldn't have made the risky transport from Antarctica to Metropolis unless it was the exact temperatures." He was lying. Clark knew it. He could see his facial muscles under his skin were a forced a smile, heard the sudden jump in his heartbeat. Whether Professor Collins intended to or not he didn't follow the proper guidelines in transporting the creature and put the city of Metropolis in great danger. Another reporter asked, "You said this creature physiological structure is similar to that of a dragon. What exactly does it look like to make you say that?" "We are still early in the creatures study but I assure it has features of a dragon. Due to the protective conditions we keep the creature under, we can't show actual you the creature, only tell you what it looks like." As Professor Collins droned on about physical aspects of the creature, Clark grew increasingly worried about the creature and decided Superman would make an impromptu visit to the museum and examine the creature himself. **** An hour later, Clark stepped out of the museum with the other reporters. Other reporters thought it was a waste of story while some mumbled Collins was a quack archaeologist trying to hold on to his funding and making up a story he found live animal from the prehistoric era. While preoccupied with the creature in his mind, Clark was also looking for Diana. She should be in Metropolis now and if she followed his directions, she should be at the museum. As he searched for her, he saw a woman approaching him. She was tall, athletic, hiding her face under a wide brim black hat and a long dress covering her body. The woman stopped before Clark and lifts her hat higher so Clark could see her face. Clark couldn't believe his eyes. "Diana?" Diana threw her arms around his neck and planted a big kiss on his lips. Kissing Diana was slowly becoming addictive. Her kisses were sweet, yet sensual and it sent his senses on fire. Clark wrapped an arm around Diana's waist and kissed back, almost pressing Diana against the arm railing. This was in the middle of a public building where people walk by, some even stared. Clark realized this more than Diana did and reluctantly pulled away. . "It's good to see you, Diana. I almost didn't recognize you." Diana smiled, her cheeks still flushed from the kissing. "That's the point. Are you busy with work?" "I can take a break. I'm glad you came," he said seriously. "There's something we need to talk about." Diana caught the tone of Clark's voice. "You sound serious." "I am. Let's talk somewhere private." **** Inside the museum, Professor Collins stood in the lab room where the giant containment chamber kept the monster frozen. The unit was as tall as the beast itself but and it was ten feet thick of titanium steel. Should the beast awaken, Collins was arrogant that the chamber would hold him. Collins' assistant, James Smith approached him. "Sir, I think you need to look at these temperature recordings." James handed Collins the chart. Collins barely grazed over them. "So?" "Didn't you read them?" James asked. "The temperature readings of the freezer chamber that holds the beast aren't equal to that of the temperatures of Antarctica. When we found the monster it was eighty nine degrees below zero and it was in a deep pit, hiding the creature from the sun. The chamber readings are forty below. The ice that kept the creature encase has been thawing." "It will hold the monster," Collins said confidently. "We don't know that for sure," James argued. "That creature has been laying dormant for years under those frozen conditions. It could be those exact temperatures that kept him frozen. Taking him out of that environment, out of those *specific* conditions open risk to unleash this monster and destruction on the city." Collins shook his head annoyed with his worried assistant. "You worry too much, James and even if that was the case, how amazing would it be to see it live and roaming about the land as it did millions of years ago." Deep inside the chamber, ice continued to thaw the monster. The temperature readings were forty below zero but it was enough for the monster to move its limbs and open its diamond encrusted eyes for the first time in years. Scientists thought the creature existed during the dinosaur era but this creature was barely on this planet for thirty years. It existed on another planet now long gone millions of years ago during the planet's early origins. An ice age froze the monster and it laid dormant until the planet was destroyed. It traveled in space, through the portal that carried the only human survivor of the planet. While the human survivor crashed landed on a fertile continent, the monster crashed in artic regions once more, remaining frozen until now. The monster broke through the now thin ice that helped him captive and moved towards the arguing sounds outside. Still trapped inside the odd chamber, the beast pound on it to break free. It was trapped for millions of years. It will not be trapped anymore. Collins and James arguing came to an abrupt halt as they heard the low rumblings of the beast inside followed by heavy pounding against the steel that trapped the beast. "The beast has awakened," James gasped. "Call the police. We might need them," Collins said. James didn't have a chance to take another step as the door burst opened and fell on him crushing his body. The beast took a step on the steel door, killing any chances of James survival. Each step the beast took, a tremor to pass through the room. Beakers and test tubes fell on the floor and Collins lost his balance. The beast spread its wings, knocking down everything in its path. As Collins struggled to rise under the mighty creatures steps, the creature's giant right foot covered the man, silencing Collins' desperate scream. ***** Minutes before the beast awakening, Diana stood in the parking lot of the museum with Clark in front of Julia's car. Though cars of employees and museum tourist were in the parking lot, Diana and Clark were alone. Clark showed Diana the front page of the Daily Planet. Diana frowned as she read the article and viewed the pictures of her in Clark's arms. "How did anyone know about this?" Clark shook his head. "That's what I'm going to find out." Diana read the paper. "It says it was written by Cat Grant?" She looked at Clark questioningly. "A colleague of yours?" "Yes, but I didn't let her know about you. I told no one I was meeting you including my parents." "Somehow Ms. Grant found out," Diana said. Given the evidence this was from Clark's paper and he knew the person, it would seem likely that Clark told this Cat Grant. At least that's how her Sisters and perhaps even her mother would argue but Diana refused to believe that. Somehow she knew Clark wouldn't exploit her. "We should question Ms. Grant. My lasso will compel her to tell the truth." "It can but we can't just waltz into the Daily Planet, Diana, and suppose Cat refuse you to use the lasso on her?" "Should it matter?" Diana asked. "Ms. Grant intrudes on a private moment between us and is exploiting it. Themis would be disappointed in Ms. Grant's actions." "Themis?" Clark questioned. "The Guardian of Social Contact between all beings. She reminds us we should treat one another with courtesy and respect." "You won't find that in Cat," Clark commented. "She loves exploiting others. The only person she respects is herself." "She will learn about Themis when I am through with her," Diana promised. "I—" she saw Clark suddenly look back in the direction of the museum. "What is it?" "I hear screams in the museum," Clark said as he looked inside. He saw the beast was free and trampling inside the museum. He gasped as he recognized the monster. It wasn't a dinosaur or dragon from Earth. It was worse. It was Rokan. The roof of the museum exploded as Rokan broke through. The giant purple beast stood over three hundred feet. Its wing span was at least one hundred feet and as he waved his wings, he caused hurricane force winds to travel throughout the area. "Great Gaea!" Diana gasped as she stared at the monster. "What's that?" Diana asked. "Rokan." "Who?" "It's a beast from my home planet, Krypton." Diana held her balance through the strong wings. "But Krypton is gone." "It's a prehistoric creature," Clark explained. The winds were strong but he was able to maintain his footing. "Krypton exploded in large fragments. Among myself and the kryptonite traveling here, Rokan must have as well and crashed in Antarctica and stayed frozen and hidden until now." Rokan flapped his wings and flew further into the city. The howling winds created by Rokan knocked off Diana's hat and blew her hair wildly, nearly blinding her. "If it's from Krypton, then shouldn't it have the same powers as you?" "One way to find out. I better handle this. With you here, it may add fuel to the fire in that story about us." Diana gripped his arms and argued, "I don't care about that! There are lives in danger because of that creature!" "All right then." Clark used his speed to transform into Superman and Diana simply twirled. It took a second but Diana magically transformed out of her dress and into her Wonder Woman uniform. "Wow." Was all Superman said. Diana smiled. "It was something my mother taught me." "There may be people hurt in the museum." Diana nodded. "I'll check on them while you go after Rokan. I'll join you as soon as I can." Clark nodded and the two flew off in different directions. Rokan flew throughout Metropolis. His loud screeches vibrated through the area, breaking windows and causing people to clamp their hands over their ears. As Rokan's caused hurricane force winds throughout the city, buildings swayed, trees toppled in the parks, people fell over, cars crashed into poles and other cars. News of Rokan in Metropolis broke through regular programming. The employees of the Daily Planet office were glued to the television as the beast tore through their city and television reporters reported the disaster on the ground and in the air. "….early news report said the beast broke out of the Metropolis Natural Science Museum. Wonder Woman is reportedly in the area helping the people inside." Lois who was watching the coverage frowned. "Wonder Woman? She's here?" "She was probably here secretly seeing," Cat said. "We know she and Superman are dating thanks to *my* story." "Yeah. Yeah, we know Cat. You only said that five hundred times." Lois rolled her eyes. Maybe she shouldn't have told Cat about Superman and Wonder Woman. At least she wouldn't hear Cat's gloating. Cat laughed. "I know *you* can't be jealous." Before Lois could respond Perry White who was also watching the breaking event on the TV said, "Where's Kent? I sent him out to report the museum. Has he called in? He better be down there getting my story!" Superman appeared on the television as he flew after Rokan. "Oh, I bet he's there, Perry," Lois said. "I bet he's right in the middle of the story." *He may be in the middle of it, but I'm gonna cover it!* With everyone watching the TV, Lois picked up Jimmy's camera and slipped out of the room. Lois stepped onto the roof of the Daily Planet with Jimmy's camera in her hand. The Daily Planet building had one of the best views of the city which meant she could get some good shots of Superman battling Rokan and a front page story out of this. Rokan flew by the Daily Planet giving Lois a shot of the creature. Strong hurricane force winds followed pushing Lois back and forcing her to get a grip of the Daily Planet globe if she didn't want to fall to her death. Hot on Rokan's tail was Superman. Superman reached Rokan and grabbed his tail in an attempt to slow him down. "Damn. He's strong." Superman barely had a hold over Rokan when he shook his tail wildly. Superman lost his grip on the creature and was flung towards the Daily Planet. Lois continued snapping pictures and only moved out of the way when Superman crashed into the Daily Planet globe. The action not only caused a tremor on top of the Daily Planet where Lois lost her balance and fell off the building but the base of the globe broke and rolled off the building, too. "Superman!" Lois screamed. "Lois!" Superman called out. He flew down faster than the globe and caught Lois. "Put your arms around my neck," he instructed Lois. Once Lois did that, he took his arms off her and flew upward to catch the falling globe. With Superman occupied with repairing the globe on the Daily Planet, Wonder Woman flew in as the next line of defense. She swung her lasso and looped it around Rokan's neck. Landing on Rokan's back, Diana pulled her lasso in an attempt to rein Rokan in like a horse. Like Superman, Wonder Woman was amazed by Rokan's strength. "Great Gaea, he's strong!" Rokan squawks and look back at Diana. He fired his heat vision on her through his jewel encrusted eyes. With one hand firmly on her lasso, Diana put up the other to protect herself and deflect the deadly heat beams. Rokan moved wildly to throw Wonder Woman off him. Diana struggled to hang on but she eventually slipped and lost her balance. Onlookers gasped seeing Wonder Woman dangle in the air. Rokan was determined to get Wonder Woman off him. He flew close to a building ahead of him and at the last minute pulled up. This sent Diana crashing into the building. Momentarily dazed, she hung on. Rokan saw the Amazon was holding on and squawked his irritation. The building windows around Diana shatter and splatter on her. Rokan flew higher in the sky. Diana used her lasso to pull herself up to get closer to Rokan. As if reading her thoughts, Rokan suddenly flew downward. "Whoa!" Diana cried out at the sudden jerk of being pulled down. She held on tight still. This beast would not get the best of her. Superman had finished welding the Daily Planet globe to the building when he saw Diana battling it with Rokan. He started to go after her when Lois grabbed onto him again. "You go. I go!" Lois said determined. "Miss Lane, it's too dangerous for you," Clark told her. "It's a story and someone has to cover it. *Clark Kent*," she nearly spat the words out, "is missing as usual and it's up to me to cover the hot story." "Lois—" "The more we argue, the longer Wonder Woman is in trouble and I know you don't want anything to happen to her." Clark heard the annoyance of Lois voice about Diana but he couldn't argue with Lois. He didn't want anything to happen to Diana. "Fine. I'll take you." He put his arm around Lois and flew off. Meanwhile, Diana tried to use her connection with animals in an attempt to reach the creature but Rokan was too violent and angry to respond to her, and as Rokan flew down towards the streets, he slammed Diana into the concrete. Dragging Diana, she tore through the concrete streets. Diana was growing angry of how this creature was treating her. Diana began pulling herself to her feet and using her mighty strength, Diana gave a big yank to Rokan. The lasso jerk tightly around Rokan's neck and he screeched fiercely. His powerful voice caused more windows to shatter over Diana like rain. Rokan looked pissed at Diana. He yanked on a piece of Diana's lasso with his mouth and gave a bigger pull of his own. Diana was launched off her feet and roughly dragged on the concrete streets again before being flaunted upwards and crashing into a traffic light pole. The sharp contact with the pole at the force Rokan was pulling Diana broke the pole in half and caused Diana to released her grip on her lasso. Diana fell to the ground and Rokan flew off triumphant. Diana laid on the ground, pain throbbing through her body. She sat up and wiped the blood from her lips. She was covered in concrete, shattered glass, had cuts over her body and worse of all, she was angry! She faced the challenge of the Gods, battled monsters in the darkest parts of Themyscira and she came out better condition than them but this alien beast got the best of her? How dare this beast make a mockery of her? Civilians came out of hiding and approaching Wonder Woman. Members of the press broke through the crowd. Photographers snapped cameras. New crews set up. A cameraman shoved his microphone in Diana's face. "Wonder Woman! What was that beast? What are you doing in Metropolis?" "Are you dating Superman?" Another reporter asked. "Will dating Superman interfere with your mission?" First she's humiliated by Rokan and now the media intrude on her, wanting to know about her and Superman. The princess was growing irritated. Before Diana could respond to the press, Superman landed near Diana. Lois had her arms possessively around Superman's neck. Diana looked relieved to see Clark but she was puzzled as to who the woman was who had her arms around Clark. "Wonder Woman, are you all right?" Superman asked. Superman started towards her but Lois held on to Superman. He looked at Lois as if expecting her to let go but she only pulled him close and kissed him in front of the press, in front of Diana. Cameras flickered on the two and Diana as her smile fades. *You don't know men like I do, Diana.* Hippolyta's words rang in Diana's head. *He could be pretending to be your friend in a way to get close to you. I think you should be cautious of him. You've not known him long enough to trust him.* Diana thought she knew better; thought she knew Clark better than her mother thought but now seeing Lois kissing him she couldn't help but wonder if her mother was right.