Max took a trip to visit Orm and Atlanna. The others finally moved back into things once more time was spent talking to them on why. Apparently threatening them with information about what the hell was going on in the World currently and that of the time table for trouble was enough to warrant attention.
They were all forced to watch one hour of "issues" around the World for being lazy. Max made it clear the next super slacker that screwed up would be dropped in one of these places. For lesson or for the rest of their life. Depending on how pissed off he was.
Corben was having quite a time of things with Blackfire. He refused to believe she was an alien till she revealed herself. The human disguise made things a little to hard for any to locate her on Earth.
But Corben still was smitten after the fact. But he received a huge wakeup with her age and the taste she had for.. certain matters. Both he and Constantine were taking shooting lessons with Jonah Hex.
Mercy tagged along with Max and Morgen. Morgen who wanted to spend some time with him. Waiting at a villa, Norm and Atlanna were running late to meet them.
"So, Morgen what have you been up to?" Max asked. They sat on the porch looking out. Mercy was training and playing with a Doberman. Her "familiar" that was highly trained in military and rescue. Now it was getting a crash course in magical for the next few years. This will determine if it can become a "magical beast" fully. "Leads went well?"
"Leads.. yes. But not good overall. Blasted Cabal is working with Modred. Making things difficult. What is worse is that he put a hit on me! Me! His own mother!" Morgen said incredulously. Face was that of shock but a little bit of glee underneath. "I am so proud of him but still wish he would have at least thought better than to fight me."
"I bet." Max just sipped the tea she made while looking at a vehicle come up. "Why not higher someone to kidnap him. And yes I do mean kidnap. The boy has a child's mentality after all."
"Humph!" Morgen snorted in distaste. "I rather handle it myself." She turned away eyeing Max in the corner of her eye. "If we keep up the way we are going, you will be his stepfather eventually."
If she was hoping to startle Max, she was disappointed. He gave her a smile that made the old sorceress heart flutter like a maiden of old.
"Glad you are not against it." Morgen said demurely. Inwardly she was conflicted. 'Do I really want to marry a Champion? Maybe he turns in a way of some do-gooder when everything is over. Then what?'
Gaia has Max flip flop between good and bad, Righteous and Deviant. Depending on what is overall needed or what needs to be done in the dimension. More Deviant acts were coming up soon.
'I am not limited in anyway really. Definitely does not mind sharing power.' Her hands tightened into balls as she dealt with the confliction of her future. 'I could rule a place well. Never have the strength to rule the earth. Especially with all that he revealed to me. And then what Gaia said is most troubling. Alien invasions and the ability to disrupt magic with most of their technologies. Cursed tech!'
With her "Dark Ages" mentality, it took quite a few years to learn from the others and Max how to fit in. The hardest part was getting her to get rid of the mask today. She settled for a veil despite that she looked lovely. And a big hat on top of her head.
"Morgen..." Max grabbed her hands and gripped it tightly in his own. "..if you want, I will help you talk to your son. Well, teleport you right to him anyway. Defintely would kill a bunch of whatever is near him. Maybe a show of force could get him to..relax."
"No, but thanks." She shook her head ruefully. "I am a woman of means Max. The same as everyone within your Inner Circle." Morgen stood up to go inside. The purple sundress accentuating her figure completely. One hand gripped the hat to keep it from blowing away. "I think I will take a little nap."
"I understand." Max watched her go before stepping off the porch. Mercy and the dog Trigger ran up to him. He had to catch both of them since her and the familiar were synched. "Oof.. well ok." He smiled at the two. "Ready to meet another Queen?"
"Yup! Mercy said cheerfully. Trigger barking in agreement. Her face turned serious for an instance. "Max..." Dropping the two, they stared at him together. "When everything is over.. all the bad stuff and the killing and the possible betrayals.. and the deaths of friends and families.. you promise to take me with you?"
"Hmm?" Max looked at her questioning.
"Raven, I talked to her about her future. The one she came from. I understand it no longer exists.. but I do not want so many of us to die or just give up on life. That is why I am training extra hard every day. If not physically mentally and emotionally." Mercy's eyes were a little wet as she spoke. "I won't let you shape the World by yourself in the FallOut. I will reach into the "Source Wall" myself if I have to."
"Yeah! Get in their and rip everything out!" Trigger barked. A regular person would here barks and growls for the dog. But not the magically inclined. "We will go the distance!"
"I look forward to that Mercy. As well as you Trigger." Max gave them both a pat on the head. "But that is far off to do. Live in the here and now and train. Promise me that. Both of you."
"Ok." Mercy said lowly. "Max.. you know I am not a little kid right?" She said a little indignant. "I spent enough time with the amazons that I am an adult."
"Welp, you look like a teen so there. Plus.. I rather you enjoy this while you can. Not to long before you are dealing with a lot of crap." Max gave them a final path looking at Atlanna and Orm. "Good seeing you again."
"And you as well teacher!" Orm ran up to Max. The two did a fist bump before he turned to Mercy and Trigger. Both making him wary from the power they had. "Hi, I am Orm. Who are you two?"
"I am Mercy. This is my partner Trigger. It is nice to meet you Orm." Mercy said politely. Trigger barked and sat on his butt poised. "Are you hungry or anything?"
"Nah, I ate already." Orm folded his hands behind his head and waited for his mother. Atlanna was a little slow because she was pregnant. Which was new to Max. He figured she would have waited a few more years, but from the smile on her face, she was very happy. "Hehe, mom still looks funny waddling. She refuses to be pushed in a wheelchair."
"You are right about that my son." Atlanna said with a smile. Max gestured for her to sit down at least. Thoughts about seeing the place was cast away after he looked her over. "I can see you already checked me out?"
"Yes. You have twins. A boy and a girl. And you are due in like... 3hours or so. Why oh why would you risk coming here?"
"Because I rather not deliver at home or in a hospital here. Things have been odd lately.." Atlanna said. "And Gaia let it slip that you are a doctor of sorts so, get the pain killers and whatever else to help me deliver. The little tadpoles are putting up more of a fuss that Orm ever did. And one has used my bladder as a kicking bag!"
"Tadpoles.. you actually are going to give birth to tadpoles?" Mercy blinked at her suprised. The image appearing making her look at her belly in interest. "So no umbilical cord or afterbirth to collect. But an egg sack like a frog?"
"Hahaha, no. My mother was just messing." Orm said. "It is just an expression. We have children the same as everyone else."
"Oh.. that is not that exciting." Mercy shrugged it off.
"Oh dear, you have been cultivating diligently. Your body is really powerful. No wonder you did not want to do this at your home or anywhere else." Max waved his hands over her belly. The spell already triggering her bod to go through the birthing process faster. "Come out little ones."
*Bing! Bing!* Two lights shine about 9 inches above her belly. Silhouette of babies appearing.
Max moved away creating a bubble for her. The bubble filled with water duplicating that of a womb. An outer layer consisting of water from the ocean.
"Haaaa much better." Atlanna said a little giddy. Her eyes were glazed over looking at the process. Her hand gripped Orms every now and then tightly. She had him by herside and was more than happy. "You haven't ask where Arthur and his father is."
"Not my place..." Max smirked. He checked the spell and then that of the island that he needed to change up. Just in case. "I care only for you two.. well now four. I do not know them. And I actually do not want to."
"Ok." Atlanna nodded just watching as the silhouettes became more real. Her eyes glowing with spiritual energy observing her babies. 'Passed two babies naturally already, that is good enough. These little ones are way to strong to deliver safely. Might rip me apart coming out. How the hell would I explain to doctors why my newborns were able to kick them through a wall?'
"Hmmm." Max felt a pulse from something and looked to the upper atmosphere. Something just did a very long hyperjump. Or to be exact, sent something through a HyperTransport. 'It is not that thing Gaia spoke about. It is still heading this way. The spell to take care of it though is ready. The Prometheon once it is close, I will steer it off. Time to find out who sent it to earth. For that matter, the Milky Way Galaxy.'
'Max, the Promethean is quite an interesting creature.' Atlas thought to him. The A.I. had more of an opinion of late small matters. 'Invulnerable and from deep space, it should have all kinds of substances on it and that of the asteroid it travels on. All these satellites have received the signal that will disable them for a few moments when it disappears. However Star Labs.....'
'They are aware of it already. But no matter.' Max looked away from the probe as he thought things over. 'I will let them deal with where it has gone as well as what followed along behind it. The trail of the asteroid it is riding on, has a few things coming with it. That will be allowed to come through for them to scramble over.'
Time passed by pretty quickly. Orm tended to his mother watching his siblings form up. The fact he gets to be a big brother now was the biggest concern of his. Max spoke with Mercy who couldn't look away from the process.
Trigger went for a walk. The beast cultivation was tied greatly to the dogs experience of life. Which lead it to people who need help.
As the bubble gave way and the babies floated to their mother, Max wrote down the birth of the two. The names were quite something. Oceanus for the boy and Neptunia for the girl. The last name was Pacifica.
As well as Atlanta and Orms. Which was enough to make now pry when he had to write that name down.
"He turned out to be a bit of a drunk. And couldn't deal with.. my independence after awhile. Started blaming me for leaving him with Arthur. Things did not go well after I told him I had money of my own. I believe I hurt his pride some how." Atlanna said demurely. "Arthur was use to it. Said it came in spats. But one day, he hit Orm for not listening."
*Shine!* Her eyes lit up with spirit energy. A look of anger on her face.
"I refuse to go through anything like that ever again. So I took Orm and left. Arthur refused to come with. But I see him every now and then. That is good enough." Atlanna leaned in the chair slightly tired. "Is it to much to want a nice place away from trouble?"
"Unfortunately.. comes with life." Max shook his head as he finished the birth certificates. With a wave of his hands, the approriate information was delivered to the local hospital. Everything on the up and up. Which would not leave a magic trail since home births were not unusual. "What will you do now?"
"Hmm, that house we acquired is ok. I have so many protection spells around it and I have the emergency guard spells set up as well. A few more of my people around would be nice. I heard about the curse." Atlanna looked at Max sadly. "Any way you can help?"
"At this time.. no." Max would not even attempt it. Waste of power and nothing in it for him really. The fishies would have to deal with it themselves. "But your other people part.."
*Bwoom!* A mirror appears as Max sent a message out. Inside showed a few people, but they could not see them of course. The Xebelians were moved to Khandaq into Teth-Adam's capital of all things. The mirror was to get the attention of Hila, his student.
Hila gestured to the others and excused herself. She stepped through the mirror leaving a few upset people. Namely her sister who wanted to go wherever she was going.
"Teacher!" Hila looked on shocked for a moment. The spell that was around Max was already dissipating. No need to disguise since it was time she was brought into his inner circle. "You look so.. young. But more powerful than the last time. So not fair!" She stomped the porch upset a little.
"Still so excitable, eh Hila?" Atlanna questioned. This caused the woman to look over to her. "Something wrong?" The smirk on her face caused the young Xebelian to lose herself.
*Thunk!* Hila took a knee respectfully.
"Queen Atlanna, I am so sorry for my rudeness!"
"Rise Hila, I am Queen no longer. Besides, you are the student of my Teacher. Which would make us siblings in way. So is Orm." Atlanna spoke softly still. She yawned and did a little nod to her son. "I think it best I retire for the evening."
"Wheelchair. No arguing." Orm said firmly. A waved his hands and conjured one up. Gripping his mother securely, she was set in the chair. "All three of you need to rest."
The babies just gurgled a little. Securely in place with the help of magic. Hila stared at them go then at Max. THen back at them. Nose in a wrinkle.
"They are not my kids if that is hat you are getting at in that head of yours." Max frowned at her. Why she thought that, was just odd. Hila sat in the now empty chair looking a little ashamed. "The father does not matter, no longer in the picture. I summoned you for several things actually. I want you to become her counselor."
"Her what!?" Hila was getting ready to rage before Max stopped her raising his palm up. "Grrr."
"Just calm yourself. You have the arcane path down good enough. but this is something for the future. Something tied to me personally as well." Max tone was serious as he spoke. "It is to help groom you to become a Head Priestess. Which is a pain in the ass for me to do in my current position and state."
"Head Priestess... what will that all entail?"
"I can not explain until after you agree to it. But keep this in mind, you may never rest with this position." Max looked to Mercy who blinked at him eyes wide. She did look at to the woman Hila in anticipation. "You will learn things about me that are very.. unsettling. And must be willing to bury feelings and keep on course. It will continue as long as I continue."
"Ummm I need to think about it." Hila was scared. THe red look in Max's eyes was captivating. Much more compelling than words. "I will... speak with Quee.. I mean Atlanna for a bit. THose babies looked adorable." She made haste to try and find out any info about what could be going on before she made a rash decision.
Mercy just looked at Max before looking away after a few minutes. She sent her senses across the area for her familiar.
"Max, where is Trigger?" His senses found the familiar somewhat distressed. But it was worry and not fear.
"I..." Max took a step off the porch grabbing both Mercy and summoning a knife into his hand. "let's see."
.
Cove-
.
Trigger had gone far. Somehow at a rocky cove. On his back was a woman holding on to him. He was barking wildly for anyone to find them. Max and Mercy appeared right next to them.
"Trigger!" Mercy felt the connection in an instant. The god had saved a woman in the water before the ruff tides pushed them to the rocky cove. A few scrapes and bruises but nothing to difficult to heal. "Just lay down, I will take care of you boy."
Max was looking at the woman and couldn't help but feel as if he knew her. As in he has seen her recently when going over the contracts. She was tied to some others.
"Hmmm." Reaching down, Max turned her over. The trap was already sprung. "Umm Mercy, head back with me."
*Shine!* A bright light stunned them for an instant. A few milliseconds was all it took to spring the lockdown.
"What was that!?" Mercy cried out. They were all there but the woman. But Max did look a little different. "Max..."
"Ugghh... just a problem is all. My cultivation is gone. As well as a half my soul.... why now of all times.?" He rubbed his temples annoyed. 'Why Atlas, just why?'
'Not my doing. My Predecessor weaved the Scenario I am afraid. Also, she seems to be nearby but is gone now.' Atlas was sorry he couldn't catch her considering how upset Max was about the actions of the A.I. earlier. 'I can not contact the other as well. Can you feel the location?'
(Almerac Scenario unfolding)
'Nope. They are far far far away!' Max grabbed Mercy and Trigger. Trigger had something in his mouth however. "A garment with some of the blood. Good enough to prepare a locator and teleportation spell.'
"Did Trigger do bad?" Mercy was frowning. Hoping her familiar didn't make things bad for Max.
"No. He actually may have made a bad situation better." Max smiled at her showing the cloth. "From what I can tell, he saved the princess from something."
"Princess who Max?"
.
A planet far far far away-
.
"Yah know... abducting is a horrible way to go about things." Max said simply.
"What can I say, I like what I see." Maxima said. "Tell me you will be mine and I will not destroy your planet."
"Ha hahaha. You are defintely funny. But please, never threaten Earth again. I have a soft spot for my home Planet." Max grabbed her by the chin and held it despite her efforts of resistance. Eyes burning red in anger. "Keep this up and I will have to best you in combat very badly. And execute you for making a threat."
"Hmm, Humph!" Maxima pushed him away. Feeling herself push back instead, she grew even more interested. Max was responsible for the Elders that were suppose to be executed getting away. As well as a lot of other people marked for unjust execution by the royal family. "You will face the trials before fighting me."
"Very well." Max smiled before he was transported away.
*Vrooom!* A shining light encased him pretty quickly. Leaving a group of soldiers shocked when they saw him almost move out of it. They chalked it up to a malfunction.
"He matches your confidence." Her aide, Sazu said. The others nodding as well.
"We have watched for someone like him for a long time. A lot of things done by him is obscured. A lot of secrets." A young general said. He did not like the look of Max. 'He is ruthless more so than any other if what that "woman" said is correct. But his people are happy. Why does he not just conquer Earth itself if he is so powerful?'
The young general was De'Cine. Recently promoted and willing to prove himself in the coming years was the plan. But he was not expecting that Maxima would grow into such an amazing warrior. She outshined most generals and retired warriors with military tactics.
Enough that her parents decided to retire earlier. Considering all the turmoil that erupted in the outer galaxy, they took advisor roles for their daughter. But tradition dictated she find a husband and provide an heir in the next 10 years.
"You will have your chance. Defeat him before he fights me." Maxima said. She could see the looks on countless faces of her people. "If he is even a 1/10 of what the visitor says we will not have gone wrong."
"I will." Another general said. He was the older brother of De'Cine. A ruthless cutthroat soldier. De'Trine was worried his young brother started shining to quickly. Something would have to be done about him. 'First those Elders were able to transport several others out of here, now this! Years of planning will fall apart at this rate."
As they mingled about, a woman about an inch tall watched from above. Noveria was waiting to see how things unfold. Especially with all the changes in place. Max had to many Sleeper Agents in places. Enough that he altered things in space and needed to take a firm approach in it himself.
Max was glad for it being Maxima from the Superman Animated Series. More of a better one considering with what was already down with some of her people. THe Smallville Maxima would have been... irksome.
.
-Arena-
.
"Wow!" Max said looking around. Looking closer he thought it looked like War World. But that would be to crazy. 'Hmm, a place to fight and kill with out any worry. Good way to push my body cultivation up. Time to see what I can accomplish with just it.'
As Max formulated a plan, he was suprised when he heard the announcement. An announcement that would piss him off to know end for several days.
"Welcome to War World! We have a Terran fighting for the hand of the princess of Almerica." The announcer said. A tentacled face alien that floated on some disc. The crowd was full of creatures mostly none humanoid. "We will see how long he will last!
"Well, shit!" Max felt he cursed himself. 'Called me a Terran to. Well, the Green Lanterns call us that as well. Which means..." Looking around he spotted a problem. A mechanical menace of epic proportions. 'Fucking Manhunters are here!'
*Shine!* Deep inside the red entity raged a little. The good news it was concealed inside Max. The bad news, it fed his anger of getting abducted. Causing his cultivation to circulate in over time.
"Raaaaaahhh!" A large rhinoceros looking Xenos came charging out. It's large teeth bigger than Max's body. It was coming to kill Max as fast as possible. Trying to prevent Max from getting any of the weapons scattered about. "Rooo!"
"It has been awhile..." Max walked out towards it slowly. Eyes radiating malice. "..since I wiped out an entire civilization to ensure the safety of things. I must thank you for this. Truly I do."
Max flipped into the air in a cartwheel. Coming down with his fist connecting at the center of the creature's head. The deafening blow push the air out kicking up a dust storm. The creature slid down from the force causing the head to drag. But Max was not finished.
'Seperent Palm!' Using the technique, spirit energy mixed with blood energy. Max's hand seemed to lose all bones. A simple cut in the creature's head was exposed. An old cut that opened back up from the strike.
*Splurt!* Blood gushed out all over. Max's hand-dug in. Followed by his palm and arm. Moving like a snake in water. Going down to his shoulder, Max wiped his arm about. Causing the brain matter of the creature to turn into mush.
The crowd only saw the beast still sliding really. Eyes shutting up until it reached the wall. Dead in seconds from Max's efforts. With a quick pop out, Max jumped off going to the teeth. He started punching them one after the other. Breaking them free for later use.
'Such beautiful resources. It will take a few days before a locator speel can get to me. And I can't feel any of my magic. So... I could always gather a lot of blood in a bowl. I still know some blood magic spells. Or... I could just create a sacrifice altar.' As Max worked, the crowd looked on cheering. One person in particular watched Max intently. 'The bastard is gonna cause me to kill him ahead of time. No matter really.'
The person looking at him was no other than the master of Warworld, Mongul. To his side was his two offspring. The battle-hardened daughter who had some honor. And the conniving bastard of a son. Very much like his dear old dad.
*Beep Beep!* A device next to Mongul went off. He pressed a button on his chair answering it. A message appeared causing his face to turn into a sinister grin.
"Hehehe!" Mongul chuckled hitting the arm rest. His offspring paying no attention to his actions. 'To want me to orchestrate his death, what a sly bastard you are turning out to be De'Trine. No matter, more to add for when I need to blackmail you later.'
Mongul looked down and watched Max. Watching as he cut the beast belly open. Then dragging it to the new gate that left. Another beast was charging out. As soon as the rock beast was close, Max spun the carcass at it. Blinding it with the blood and guts of the beast.
The rock creature roared out in deafening howl. The crowd grabbing their heads from the pressure. Max made sure to keep an eye on anything. To make sure he did not have to actually exert himself so early.
*Splat!* A tooth was thrown into the creature's good eye. It rampaged around the arena. Max grabbed some the guts of the carcass. Refining the organs to boost his cultivation. To them, he was just easting it.