Chapter 21
May 14th 2010
Lois gripped the steering wheel of her car with both hands as she glanced in the rearview mirror to see Tess sitting back there. Never did Lois imagine she would find herself in a situation such as this. But a lot had happened in the past 3 months. Ever since Tess, Lois, and Zatanna had become fully aware of one another and their mutual relationship with Harry the three women had sought to make things work. It hadn't been easy at first.
"Who am I kidding...it still isn't easy," Lois thought to herself.
Tess Mercer wasn't the easiest person to get along with. But being with Harry had softened the
woman somewhat. And his nature made it easier for all three women to appreciate the fairer sex.
"So did anyone manage to get any new information out of Harry?" Zatanna asked to break the silence.
This was one of the things that was a great benefit from their interactions. They pooled their collective knowledge of their boyfriend.
"Bits and pieces," Tess said. "I've been more interested in what Alice has had to say."
Harry had allowed his ladies the use of A.I. watches which could communicate with Alice.
"Why is that?" Zatanna asked curiously as she glanced back to Tess.
"Because she says we are likely to meet the 4th soon," Tess announced.
There was a long silence then as the other two women digested this bit of information.
"Just great," Lois said. "We'll have to share him even more."
"Can you honestly say you've noticed any decrease in the time he spends with you sharing him already?" Zatanna asked Lois with a raised eyebrow.
Lois didn't answer straightaway, but eventually admitted grudgingly, "No. I haven't."
"Face it Lois, our man is practically a god," Tess pointed out. "He can keep us all content, including a 4th."
Lois slowly nodded and then added, "We knew this going forward. It's just so strange."
"That's what we get dealing with heroes," Zatanna pointed out. To Tess she asked, "Did Alice say anything else about the 4th?"
"Not really. Just that we will have a pretty good idea of who the 4th is when we meet her," Tess mused.
The three ladies were silent then as they drove over a bridge on their way to the beach. They each digested this information about the 4th in their own way. Unknown to Lois, Zatanna, and Tess someone who did not bare them goodwill hovered above the bridge they were driving across. Zod hovered above the bridge grinning with glee.
"Kal El thinks he has me beaten with his political maneuvers. But I will break him with one move," Zod told himself. Kal El had come through giving the Kandorians their abilities. But
Zod was not content to be dependent on Kal El. Zod had found an old Luthor Corp lab with a sample of Kryptonian DNA from when Kal El was a child. Using that DNA allowed Zod to get Kryptonian powers outright without being dependent on Kal El's trinket. Nobody else was aware of that. "I will need to knock out the witch or she could possibly save them."
Zod gripped a device he had been able to recreate from Krypton with some help from one of his technicians. It was a small orb called an Illusor which generated illusions of both light and sound. Using it, onlookers would see and hear what Zod wanted them to hear. It would also prevent Kal El from hearing any cries of help. Zod shot down from the sky and deployed the Illusor. The Illusor hovered over the car Kal El's mates were in. Zod flew down behind the car and jerked it in just the right fashion that the witch Zatanna was knocked unconscious from the force exerted causing her to hit her head off the dash. Zod was careful not to damage the car from his grip. He then accelerated the vehicle forward through the railing on the side of the bridge and hurled it down into the water. The Illusor followed.
The car hit with such force that Tess and Lois were nearly knocked unconscious themselves. Immediately the car began to sink and fill with water.
"Harry," Lois tried to shout but it came out nearly a whisper.
Zod flew away when he was satisfied the Illusor and the crash were doing their job. Within twenty seconds the car was nearly three-quarters full with water. The cold water helped to clear Lois' head a bit but not much. She managed to pull Zatanna's head out of the water and looked back to see Tess barely keeping her own head up. Lois seemed to be a little more clear-headed than Tess.
"Harry," Lois managed one shout as the water continued to rise.
That was all she had time for before the water came up. Lois saw Tess take a deep breath and Lois had managed to do the same. But Zatanna was in trouble. Lois thought as quickly as she could nearly concussed and sealed her lips to Zatanna's. This would only by them seconds. Lois' lungs began to burn after 10 seconds. Just as she was facing the fact she was going to die she felt the car stop its descent. It slowly began to rise. Lois turned her head enough that out of the corner of her eye she could see a figure at the front of the car. But this figure wasn't Harry. It was obviously female.
When the car broke the surface and water started to drain out, Lois took a deep breath breaking the lip-lock with Zatanna. She and Tess looked towards their rescuer to see a lithe red-haired woman who was obviously quite attractive. The woman appeared to be wearing a wet-suit-like garment of some sort but which wasn't quite normal even for aquatic-wear that Lois or Tess had ever seen. The woman gestured towards the car and an arm complete with a hand made of seemingly solid water rose up and tore one of the doors off the car. The woman released the car with her physical hands and came around to the open door.
"Can you swim?" Mera asked.
"Yes. But I'm not sure if we are strong enough with Zatanna knocked out. Who are you?" Lois couldn't help but ask.
"My name is Mera," Mera said. "I will take the one you call Zatanna."
Lois got out of the car followed by Tess. Mera reached in and pulled Zatanna out. Mera released the car and watched it sink. Mera guided the three women over to one of the bridge supports. Just then in a blur of super-speed Harry materialized.
"Harry," Tess said announcing his arrival.
Harry stood on the bridge support and immediately scanned them over. "Let me take care of Zatanna first," Harry said.
Harry stepped over to Zatanna who was being supported by Mera. Harry gave Mera a cursory glance as he focused his hands on Zatanna's head and released a white light which swiftly healed Zatanna. Her eyes opened almost instantly. Harry then walked over to Tess and Lois. They glowed for several moments and instantly felt the aches and pains vanish.
"What happened?" Zatanna asked as she looked around.
"We went over the bridge. One moment I was in control of the car and the next we were over the side. I don't understand it. Mera saved us," Lois said as she gestured towards the redhead.
The redhead in question was looking at Harry with extreme interest. Harry and the other ladies noticed this as they turned to look at Mera.
"You are the one I have been searching for. You are the heir to Atlantis," Mera said.
At first Harry thought she meant the Atlantis of his home universe. But then he realized she didn't mean that.
"She has a power similar to that you absorbed from Arthur Curry," Alice told her creator. "Arthur Curry died at a young age in this universe. If she was looking for him she would only be able to find you."
"I'm sorry. I don't know what you are talking about but would like for you to explain it to me. My name is Harry. These are my companions Lois, Tess, and Zatanna. Thank you so much for saving them," Harry said. "Alice, upgrade their A.I. watches to be less limited. I never should have given them the limited A.I.'s. Adventure isn't worth their lives. A full Alice-class A.I. should have been able to punch through whatever was dampening the signal to reach me."
"It will be done," Alice said.
Mera nodded in acknowledgement before saying, "I am Mera. I originate from a different dimension and came to this dimension not long ago as a refugee. I took refuge in an underwater city known as Atlantis. During my time there I learned of the rightful heir to Atlantis named Orrin who was taken to the surface world. You are that heir."
"I feel like this is going to be a long story," Harry said. "Might we go someplace more comfortable?"
Mera nodded her agreement as did Harry's ladies. Harry's golems would take care of things with the authorities.
"I think we've found our 4th," Zatanna whispered to her two companions as Harry explained his teleportation powers to Mera.
Lois and Tess could only nod in agreement.
Kent Farm
Mera looked around the home she had been brought to with interest. She had never been in an over-lander's dwelling. The structure came off as a comfortable place. It was certainly bright. She accepted the beverage her hosts had identified as a certain blend of tea and took a sip of it as she faced Orrin and his three chosen mates. She had to say that each woman was beautiful in her own right. Two of the women appeared to be normal humans while the third gave off feelings of the arcane.
"So you said that I am the rightful ruler of Atlantis," Harry said as he sat down. "Can you tell me why nobody has ever discovered it?"
"Atlantis is protected by an arcane barrier which to outsiders unaware looks like the ocean floor. But in truth it is transparent from the inside," Mera explained. "I come from another dimension called Dimension Aqua. There I was a princess. My family was deposed. I sought refuge in this dimension where my people have interacted with the Atlanteans in the past. The royal regent Terup took me in and provided me a home. Terup informed me how he was holding Atlantis' throne waiting for the emergence of Queen Atlanna's true heir. Atlanna wrote in her journal how she had born an heir but not his location. All she hinted was that she fell in love with an Over-lander and bore his child."
"How does that lead to you tracking down Harry?" Tess asked.
They had decided that since Harry's preferred name was Harry they would introduce him as such to Mera. She would be made aware later of his duel name.
"Queen Atlanna had a trident that was passed down through her family for as long as the Atlantians can remember," Mera explained. "My people are sensitive to the various energies
beings give off. It is one of our innate abilities. I was able to follow the feel of that energy. I've been searching for months. I wanted to repay Terup for all he has done for me. Terup has been searching for the heir without much hope for years."
The ladies all turned to Harry for his reaction. "I didn't expect this," Harry thought to Alice. "What will you do?" Alice questioned.
Harry decided to answer that allowed, "For now I will accept this. In the near future I would like to see Atlantis. But for the time being there is quite a bit going on in my life. Terup has waited all this time. I would like you to stay here with us for now Mera so that I might learn more from you."
Mera nodded and said, "I find that agreeable."
"Ladies, would you help her get settled into one of the spare rooms? I need to investigate what just happened with that car crash. I don't believe it was an accident."
"Sure," Zatanna agreed.
Watchtower
Harry walked into watchtower right as the other heroes were arguing on how to deal with the Kandorian situation. Zod had managed to get a few of his followers incited into a show of force. Zod's forces were much smaller than they would have been had relations with Harry hadn't been as good as they were. But it was still enough. Those followers were burning Zod's crest into monuments around the world.
"I say we move now and cause some pain," Carter Hall announced from his holo-display which was projected up along with other heroes such as Black Canary, Stargirl, John Jones, Victor Stone/Cyborg, and others.
"I don't think that will be necessary," Harry said as he announced his presence. Zatanna and Mera walked in beside Harry. Oliver and Chloe were already present. "Who is the new girl?" Oliver asked as he gave Mera a glance over.
"This is Mera. She is a friend who has special abilities," Harry said.
"And what do you want us to do?" Carter asked.
"Zod has few followers. The few that have continued to follow him can be brought back into the fold," Harry said.
"And Zod himself?" Canary questioned.
"A short while ago Zod attempted to murder my mates," Harry said. It had only taken Alice a short time with a temporal probe to determine Zod was the culprit to pushing Lois' car off the bridge. "That will not go unanswered."
"Were you able to find out what Zod is telling the Kandorians to make even some of them turn against you?" Chloe questioned.
"He is telling them I will use this to kill them all," Harry said as he took out a small octagonal metal object. "It's called the Book of Rao. It sends Kryptonians through a portal into a dimension where there is a planet that can be their new home."
"Why would they even believe that?" Oliver asked.
"Because this was created by Jor El. Jor El's views on clones and the whole orb that brought the Kandorians here are well known," Harry explained. "It isn't too much of a stretch to believe he would create such a tool. Fortunately many among the Kandorians have gotten to know me well and have remained neutral. I am fairly confident I can convince those following him of my true intention."
"What will you do with Zod?" Victor asked.
"I have found a way to shield those with Kryptonian DNA from being sensed by the Book of Rao," Harry explained.
"You're going to send Zod to this planet even though he tried to kill your ladies?" Carter asked.
"Yes," Harry confirmed.
"You're a better man than I," Carter said.
Carter's intent of what he would have done to Zod was clear. Shayera was standing next to her husband and gave his hand a squeeze.
"Not really. Zod never really stood a chance of killing my ladies," Harry said mysteriously which caused Mera to look at him curiously.
Harry could have brought his ladies back due to temporal retrieval.
"We'll leave you to it then," Carter said. "If you need our help we are here."
Metropolis Solar Tower 1
"Thank you all for coming," Harry said as all Kandorians present on Earth stood perched on the roof around him.
Zod flew in at that moment and touched down as well. "Let us hear your lies Kal El," Zod said as he settled.
"It isn't I who lie Zod," Harry said. "You have told everyone that the Book of Rao is a device to annihilate clones from existence since clones are considered an affront against Rao."
The clones present shifted a bit at this because they knew the texts of Rao said that cloning was an affront or rather replicants. Clones weren't actually a thing when the texts of Rao were created.
"That simply isn't true," Jor El said as he appeared next to Clark as if materializing out of thin air. The Kryptonians all gasped and muttered at Jor El's appearance. Zod looked extremely displeased. "The Book of Rao was designed to take us to a planet in another dimension which we could make our home. It was designed as a backup in case life on Earth wasn't tenable."
"But you hate clones," Zod pointed out.
"I did not approve of this cloning project, that is true. But what is done is done," Jor El said. "We must make the best of it."
"What they say are lies. You must not believe them," Zod said. "Believe me," Faora said as he also appeared.
Zod appeared dumbstruck at the appearance of his deceased mate. More whispering broke out among the Kandorians.
"How are you here, Faora?" Vala asked her sister.
"Kal El saved me," Faora said. "When I questioned Zod we got into fight and he would have killed me if it hadn't been for Kal El." Turning to her lover, Faora added, "You have let your need to dominate and control the situation turn you into something your wife would have been ashamed of Zod."
"Faora, I did not mean to hurt you as I did," Zod pleaded. "You must believe me."
Zod's gaze was on Faora's abdomen where their child was growing. Faora looked at him earnestly for maybe twenty seconds. She was judging his fate. Yes he had hurt her. But she still had feelings for him as twisted as that was.
"Everyone else but Zod has adjusted fairly well to Earth. I think he should go to this other planet. I will go and monitor him," Faora said.
"Sister, I don't want to be parted from you," Vala said as she took a half step forward.
"Kal El possesses the means to travel back and forth between this place we are going and Earth at will. You can visit," Faora told her sister. "I truly believe this is for the best."
Zod didn't put up a protest if it meant he could have a say in raising his unborn child. Zod also noticed the look on Kal El's features. There was death there if Zod rebelled again. Zod realized then that Kal El knew what Zod had tried to do to Kal El's mates. Perhaps it was best to go to this other world and rethink his position on things.
"Anymore who wish to go with him please say so now," Harry urged.
"We will go to see to Faora and the baby," Amos said as he and Kyra stepped forward.
"Very well," Harry said. "Everyone else come stand next to me. We will use the Book of Rao for the initial connection via its portal. I need to shield everyone else from being detected by the device."
When all other Kryptonians were near Harry, he set the Book of Rao device down in the nearby pedestal. A shield was projected above Harry and those who were staying to block them from detection. A golden portal opened up in the sky. Faora, Zod, Kyra, and Amos were teleported away. Alice established a wormhole doorway, basically a miniature stargate, to the planet in question which could interact with the orbital teleporter network.
"Now what?" Vala asked.
"Now we move on with our lives," Harry suggested.
October 22nd 2010
Mera sat on the roof of the Kent farm house as the sun rose over the horizon. This had become one of her favorite places for some solitude. A lot had happened for Mera in the past five months. She had gotten settled into life at the Kent Farm as much as anyone could settle into life surrounding a superhero like Harry. Rarely was life so tame around Harry. Mera had gotten to know him fairly well she thought as well as each of his ladies in one way or another. Mera had found herself getting closer to Zatanna than either Lois or Tess. Lois was probably the next closest of Harry's lovers to Mera. Tess had been busy dealing with running her corporate empire and dealing with a new young man named Alexander. Alexander was a clone that Tess and Harry had uncovered in a facility called Cadmus Labs.
Mera heard a moan come from the house below through the roof. Mera would never admit it but this was one of the reasons she loved this spot so much. Harry was very affectionate to his lovers and often Mera could hear the product of their passion through the roof. It hadn't taken Mera long living at the farm house to realize that Harry was bedding all three women on a regular basis and they all three knew about one another. At first Mera had been shocked that the over-landers were so open about such things. But the more she grew to know all four beings the less surprised Mera was. It was easy to see the depth of emotion that all four had for each other. And it was also easy to see that Harry was no normal being. Even discarding his Atlantian heritage, Mera caught glimpses of Harry's true power at times that made her think he was closer to a god than a mortal man. Mera found herself very attracted to Harry and wishing to know more.
Just then Mera sensed someone approaching her room. Not wanting to be found listening into their intimate activities on the roof, Mera dashed back to just above her open window and swung down inside just as a knock came on the door. Mera opened the door to find her friend Zatanna with that freshly satisfied look about to her to signal that Harry had just seen to her.
"You know, you don't have to rub it in my face that he's seeing to you every day like that," Mera teased Zatanna.
"That's right, be jealous," Zatanna teased back with a grin. "I don't think you'll have a reason to be jealous much longer," She added with a grin.
And there it was. Occasionally Zatanna or one of the others would drop a hint that they would be willing to accommodate Mera in their relationship. The most telling hint had been a tiny part of a conversation she had overheard discussing a "fourth." Mera had given a lot of thought to such an arrangement. She found herself not opposed to the idea.
"I certainly hope so," Mera agreed.
"She wants him bad," Zatanna thought to herself. Out loud she said, "So are you ready to go shopping for the gala?"
"Of course," Mera agreed. "Let us do this shopping."
Oliver had invited Harry and his ladies including Mera to a gala being held at the Metropolis Museum of History concerning an Egyptian exhibit Oliver had funded to be brought to the city. Zatanna took Mera's arm and teleported them away, something Zatanna had gotten much better at thanks to Harry's firm tutelage.
Daily Planet
Harry felt it as a wave of magical power burst forth from a short distance above him.
"You need to go to the roof," Alice suggested. "I suggest using your speed and don't just apparate there."
Harry dropped what he was doing and super-sped up to the roof. Lois stood facing the edge of the roof dressed in a white almost toga-style dress whose skirt-portion was short enough to show off plenty of leg. She wore sandals with gold bands that wove up and over her calves and an arm-band of a similar gold styling. This must be Lois' outfit for the gala at the museum. The outfit showed off all of Lois' assets and made Harry desire her very much.
"You look beautiful, Lois," Harrys said as he walked a little closer.
The view from the front looked just as good as from the back. Lois wore a necklace amulet around her neck in the Egyptian style which emanated a lower level of the power he had felt before.
"I must locate the treasures of Isis," Isis, the Egyptian goddess, replied from Lois' body.
That statement combined with the unease Harry had felt from the outburst of power and the arcane nature of the necklace firmed up a conclusion in Harry's mind.
"Lois is no longer in the driver's seat is she," Harry said. "Who are you and why are you interested in the relics being shipped into the museum for tonight's gala?"
"You are very astute to sense this vessel now serves Isis," Isis said. "My reasons for seeking the treasures are my own," Isis added before a fiery aura surrounded her.
Isis shot off into the sky flying propelled by her fiery aura.
"Give me everything you can find research wise on the goddess Isis," Harry said as he activated his best non-magical stealth technology and flew into the air following the goddess possessing his girlfriend.
Harry observed Isis from a distance as she searched the city. According to the research Alice had dug up, Isis' husband Osiris was killed by his brother Seth out of jealousy. The Egyptians in this reality believed that a person's soul remained in their heart. When Seth dismembered Osiris' body and scattered all of the pieces he did so to make sure that Osiris never found peace. Isis vowed to resurrect Osiris. She recovered his body piece-by-piece but was unable to find the burial jar containing his heart. Seth trapped Isis' spirit in an amulet.
As near as Harry could figure it, Lois came across that amulet when she had gone to Egypt on a recent trip to cover a story of a dig there. The kicker here was that due to his lost soul it was believed Osiris was doomed to rule the underworld for all eternity. If Isis succeeded in resurrecting Osiris, his kingdom would also rise. This could unleash hell on Earth.
By the time Isis located the museum, it was dark outside. Isis had also learned a little bit about the time period she found herself in along the way through observation. She entered the museum by gripping the loading dock door and crumpling it like tin foil.
"Super-strength in addition to the power of flight," Harry said as he followed her inside. "Good to know."
"Hey, what are you doing in here?" Steve Scovill, a security guard, demanded as he ran into the room having heard the break-in and tried to grab Isis.
The goddess sent Steve hurtling back into a crate. Alice analyzed Steve's trajectory and all the variables about the incident determining he would just be knocked unconscious.
"Osiris, you are here," Isis said after extending her magical senses. She walked over to a crate, ripped off the top, and then picked up the canopic jar containing Osiris' heart. "I have missed you for so long."
It was then that Cat Grant hiding in the loading dock made a noise. Cat had been snooping around the loading dock looking for a story. Cat walked out from behind a stack of crates holding her camera-phone.
"Two stories for the price of one," Cat said. "I won't let you get away with another crime Lois Lane. At least not without snapping proof of it first."
As Cat held up her phone to take a picture, Isis held out her hand which glowed with a golden energy which was simply divine in nature. Harry reacted faster with his own power and Cat was teleported away via the teleporter network in orbit. Isis turned to face Harry. Her eyes actually glowed with power. Her head cocked to one side.
"Who are you?" Isis demanded. "What are you?"
"I am the lover of the vessel you are possessing," Harry said.
Isis looked thoughtful for a moment before a look of even more intense interest appeared on her features.
"I can see that now. Even now after time has passed your essence remains within this vessel," Isis said while her palm descended to her womanhood. "You are not of this Earth. I can sense it. Thank you. You have given me the means to control you."
"I don't think so, Lady," Harry said even as energy poured from Isis hand but not directed at Harry. Instead the energy was directed within her. It was then that Harry felt something foreign influencing him. There was no visible energy between him or Isis but Harry's eyes flashed to
allow him to peer into other dimensions. That was when Harry saw the energy connecting them. "What spell is this?"
"There is power to be harnessed when a man makes an offering to a woman," Isis explained as Harry felt himself forced to follow her as she began walking further into a museum. Harry realized she was talking about sex and the transfer of semen. "Even more power can be harness when such an offering is made to a goddess."
Isis gestured towards the sarcophagus of the "priest" that was part of the gala. Harry was guessing that was no normal priest. Magical fires sprung up around the sarcophagus. Harry began to fight back against Isis' control.
"Be careful. You are strong, stronger than any being that wasn't a god I have encountered on this planet. But if you force me to use my true power to exert my will on you it will burn up this mortal's soul still in the vessel I inhabit," Isis warned.
"You cannot bring him back," Harry said as Isis removed the sarcophagus lid to see what little remained of Osiris' body.
"His former body may not be usable. But yours is," Isis said as she removed Osiris' heart from the canopic jar before retrieving a dagger that Harry could feel the magic emanating from once it was in her hand.
It didn't take a genius to realize Isis intended to put Osiris' heart in Harry's body and have Osiris take him over. Harry knew at that moment that he had to risk Lois or they would both be lost. Harry fought then. He resisted Isis' control with everything he had, pushing back against her power that was holding him by his very DNA via a spell he had never heard of. Harry reached out to Lois through the love they shared using his magical core. They shared intimacy between a man and a woman on a regular basis which could leave an imprint, a resonance between their two souls. Harry focused on his feelings for Lois. A strand of greenish energy connected the lovers in a higher dimension. That strand suddenly got thicker as Harry flooded it with power. He could feel Lois' soul then being battered by Isis power as she fought back against him. Harry bolstered Lois' soul with his power. Her soul was never meant to be in such close proximity to the power of two beings such as Isis and Harry fighting. Harry could feel Lois' soul deteriorating.
"No," Harry thought with determination. "You will not die!"
In the span of a millisecond Harry's power lashed out at Isis and took stock of her being. She didn't do what she did out of hate but out of love. She had loved Osiris and yearned to feel that love again. Harry's telepathy powered through Isis' defense and shared the love between he and Lois. Lois' soul was deteriorating but the essence of the goddess was not unaffected. She also was suffering.
That was when Alice kicked in. Alice activated a version of the same technology Harry had used in his previous reality to merge himself with Arthur Curry. Only now that technology worked on
Lois and Isis. The two separate entities merged together. At first Isis fought against this new unknown power but the love she yearned for from Osiris was replaced with the love Lois received from Harry. Lois and Isis became one being. Isis stopped fighting because Lois wouldn't fight Harry, her lover. Suddenly the technology ceased its work having succeeded. Harry caught Lois before she could drop to the ground. Slowly she opened her eyes. A slight golden hue had been added to her irises.
"Harry," Lois said.
"Hello love. How do you feel?" Harry said.
"Different...more powerful," Lois admitted.
"I'm not surprised," Harry said.
"This is going to take some getting used to," Lois said as she stood upright again.
Lois' hands began to glow.
"Woh there," Harry said as he reached out and used his powers to settle her own.
She wasn't actively resisting him so he was able to do so quite easily.
"Maybe I should stick close to you until I get the hang of this. I can feel all of Isis' memories inside of me. But I feel like I'm still me," Lois said.
"I wanted yours to be the dominant personality so I used the technology that way. Isis' personality might become a little more apparent when you are actively using your new abilities," Harry explained. "But it was the best we could do."
Lois stepped up and kissed Harry, ardently.
"Thank you for saving me," Lois said after she broke the kiss. "I love you so much."
"And I love you," Harry replied.
"What say we see if there are any differences in this form with my new abilities during our favorite activity?" Lois suggested.
"I like the way you think," Harry replied and kissed Lois again.
Smallville, Luthor Manor
Tess closed the door to Alexander's room. The little boy had fallen asleep after her reading of Peter Pan.
"For how long will he stay little?" Tess asked herself worriedly.
Tess' A.I. computer watch Alenon knew the question wasn't directed at him but knew he could
ease his master's worries a little bit.
"Alexander will reach a stage of maturity in the near future where he will begin to grow at a normal rate," Alenon advised.
"Can his growth rate be stabilized to human norms now?" Tess asked.
"It is possible but inadvisable. Alice has highly suggested that we not interfere at this stage,"
Alenon replied.
Tess mulled this over. Thus far the primary A.I. Alice had not done anything wrong. In fact her guidance had seen Harry through many tricky situations. Tess decided to leave it for the time being. She decided to go seek comfort in the arms of Alice's master.
Italy
"This world vacation was a great idea," Oliver said as he walked down a street hand-in-hand with Chloe. "Thank you for convincing me to take it."
"No problem," Chloe said. "I just hope everything back home will be ok."
"Watchtower is in the capable hands of Tess Mercer, something I never thought I would say," Oliver declared.
"You have to admit, she has proven herself trustworthy ever since she started dating Harry," Chloe said.
Chloe still found it strange to call her best friend Harry instead of Clark. But she and Oliver had gotten used to it. They were some of the only people trusted with the knowledge that Harry was more than a simple Kryptonian outside of the ladies who were in a relationship with him.
"Harry seems to have the ability to bring out the best in people even beyond what he was capable of as Clark," Oliver said with an agreeing nod.
"I definitely agree," Chloe said. "He seems to be able to do even more to help people than Clark did. Let's not forget the group of Kandorians some of whom have expressed an interest in helping out our team of heroes in the future. Enough shop talk. Let's see some sights lover boy."
"No arguments from me," Oliver said with a grin.
November 12th 2010
Tess sat up with a start breathing heavily. Her boyfriend Harry sat up with her. Tess hadn't quite moved into the farm yet but she was there often. Some nights she spent at the farm and some nights she spent at her mansion with one of Harry's duplicate forms staying with her.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"A nightmare," Tess said as she panted. "There was this horrible music box and stuff from my childhood I don't remember."
Before Harry could reply the sound of a music box began playing. Tess looked to Harry to see if he heard it too. From his expression he did.
"Come with me," Harry said with a look that promised pain to anyone that confronted him if they broke into the mansion and encountered him.
The couple went into Tess' study and found a tiny ballerina music box twirling to the theme of The Nutcracker.
"That's not creepy at all," Tess said with a joking tone hoping to hide how unsettled it made her feel.
Harry walked over and examined the music box.
"It was teleported here. I can sense the residual energy but too much of it has dissipated to easily trace its origin point," Harry explained.
"Maybe we can try less conventional means?" Tess suggested as she took the music box and examined it.
"There is a label beneath that tag," Harry said a moment later as she looked at the tag which wished Tess a happy birthday. Tess pulled off the tag and Harry examined the faded and partially missing label. "St. Louise's Orphanage," Harry said as he brought everything available on the internet about St. Louise's via a hologram.
"I don't recognize it," Tess said. "Who is that woman?" Tess asked of the woman prominent in the articles.
"She runs the orphanage. She has been called the Mother Teresa for Needy Children. Her nickname is Granny Goodness," Harry explained.
"Something about the sight of her sets me off. I think we should pay her a visit," Tess suggested.
"In the morning," Harry said with agreement.
Kent Farm around the Same Time
Zatanna came downstairs because she needed a drink of water. She found Lois staring at a box hard.
"Is something wrong Lois?" Zatanna asked which served to startle Lois out of her focused gaze.
"Nothing is wrong. I just have been thinking about this and couldn't sleep," Lois said as she gestured at the box.
Zatanna padded over to the counter and looked in the box. "What's on the VHS tapes?" Zatanna questioned.
"They are messages from my mom. I couldn't bring myself to go see her in the hospital when she was dying of cancer," Lois explained. "And I haven't been able to bring myself to watch these tapes for the past 15 years. The General sent the box over this morning," Lois explained.
Zatanna nodded in understanding. She understood something of loss herself having lost both of her parents. Thanks to Harry she had her father back in one form or another. He had actually revealed to her that he could bring her father back if she wanted. Zatanna had decided against that. Instead she had gotten Harry to build her a gateway to the universe the version of her father she had been talking to lived in. She could now go visit him and he visit her at will.
"I think you should talk to Harry about this. He might prove surprisingly helpful," Zatanna suggested. Zatanna thought Harry could at least put Lois in touch with her mother but didn't want to make an offer on something Harry might not want to do. "Now come back on upstairs. I'll use a sleep spell to help you sleep."
Lois took one last look at the tapes before nodding her agreement.
Same Time Upstairs
Mera found it difficult to sleep. She had experienced such an amazing time with Harry the night before on their third courting ceremony.
"Date," She reminded herself. "They call them dates on the surface."
She had been getting to know Orrin better and better. Finally the other ladies had given their blessing to Mera to begin courting Harry but warned her she would have to share. Mera had
agreed to that. If it meant having Harry she would gladly share. Mera decided to try working out her excited energy in a more carnal way. She slipped her hand beneath the sheets and thought of Harry.
St. Louise's Orphanage
"I know this old picture from my photo album suggests otherwise but I have no memory of ever having been here before," Tess said as she stood beside Harry. "I should be old enough to remember it."
The couple was met by the woman known as Granny Goodness walking down the front steps of the orphanage as they approached the stairs.
"Hello," Goodness greeted. "You must be the reporters who called. Welcome," She said as she shook their hands in turn. "The girls are so excited and feel like celebrities knowing that our humble little home will be featured in the daily planet."
As Goodness spoke a group of young girls in uniform came down the stairs behind her. She turned and began directing the girls as they sang Amazing Grace. Harry felt like there was something off and gazed towards a part of the orphanage in the basement where the off feeling came from. His matter-penetrating vision revealed a child strapped to a chair. The girl appeared to be in no immediate danger other than being strapped to the chair.
"Alice, keep an eye on her," Harry advised his A.I.
Throughout the rest of the performance Harry glanced throughout the facility and didn't like what he was seeing. There were older females in their teens and a little older in the basement training with melee combat weapons. The forges used for the weapons employed kryptonite. After the performance Harry and Tess were shown inside.
"You know, I've always been able to tell an abandoned soul when I see one. It's a gift," Goodness said to Tess. "You both seem that way."
Goodness gave Harry the creeps.
"Do the girls come here as babies?" Tess asked as she walked up to the second floor with Goodness and Harry following close behind.
"Unfortunately tragedy strikes when it pleases," Goodness replied. "They come at any age."
"It must be harder to find the older ones permanent homes," Tess observed.
"Unfortunately by the time I get my hands on the lost souls, they no longer have that cute baby scent childless couples yearn for," Goodness explained. "Let me show you an example of how
high some of my girls have risen," She explained as she began leading them down a hallway lined with framed pictures. "I train these girls not to just blend into society but to conquer it."
At the end of one side corridor Tess recognized the cabinet from her nightmare the night before. "Impressive," Harry said.
"My girls know that I will always be here for them," Goodness declared while focusing her gaze on Tess. "And I know they will never desert me. Did you like the birthday present? I knew your music box would draw you back to me."
Goodness stepped to the side to reveal Tess' picture up on the wall of the hallway.
"You know it isn't really wise to reveal you broke into someone's house," Harry pointed out.
"I didn't enter your house," Goodness replied. "Let's cut the pretense. I know you want answers," She said to Tess.
"Why does my photo album not show any pictures of me when I was younger?" Tess questioned.
"Because your adoptive parents didn't have you when you were younger," Goodness replied. "You lived here. I didn't want to let you go. I was already training you and you showed immense promise. Your birth parents found you a home and took you away. I couldn't fight them because they would have closed us down with their power and influence. I never stopped watching over you."
"Why are you stirring all of this up now?" Tess asked.
"Things are coming to a head soon," Goodness said. "It would have been better if you had come alone. You don't need a man," Goodness added while looking menacingly at Harry. "My girls will take care of you."
Half a dozen women in leather outfits wielding swords, whips, and daggers stepped into the hallway on either end and approached.
"You've got to be kidding me," Harry said with a smirk.
Something was wrong Granny sensed. The man was too confident in such a situation. Perhaps she would soften him up a bit for her girls. Granny waved her hand and sent out a blast of telekinetic power intended to toss the reporter into the wall with enough force that he would probably break some bones. Granny was surprised when he turned with enough speed to raise his hand and cut her telekinetic blast in half.
"You are full of surprises Tess. I knew I was right to have you as my favorite. No mind. I will deal with him. You will still be my most valuable soldier in the war to come," Granny said.
This time Granny sent a focused beam of telekinetic energy at her greatest strength at Harry. Harry's own telekinesis lashed out and countered Granny's beam much to her astonishment. A beam of reddish energy which felt to Harry like a memory charm of some sort but not necessarily arcane in nature lashed out of Granny's hand. Harry apparated behind Granny avoiding the beam entirely. But at the same time Granny teleported away. Harry sent a stream of stunners down the corridor at the young women wielding the melee weapons.
"This place is dangerous," Tess said. "Where did Granny go?"
"She isn't in the building anymore," Harry said as he walked to the nearest unconscious girl and knelt down to examine her.
Harry's hands glowed and with Alice's help he quickly determined what was wrong with her.
"Granny has messed with her memories. I'm betting every girl here is the same," Harry said.
"Can you help them?" Tess asked.
"Yes," Harry confirmed. "It will take some time but I should be able to restore their memories. I want to investigate this place to find out what she was talking about with the coming war."
Harry's investigations led him into the basement of the orphanage.
"What is it Harry?" Tess asked as she watched him pause next to a support pillar in one of the rooms beneath the orphanage.
Tess had watched as Harry disabled Granny's followers one by one or sometimes in groups. He was searching the facility now.
"I feel something in this pillar," Harry said as he closed his eyes and extended his hand towards the pillar. Harry reached out with his magic. "It's a pocket dimension."
"I've got it Harry," Alice said as she reached out and worked through the security protocols protecting the entrance to the pocket dimension.
Alice forced it open. A glowing tear in spacetime appeared on the face of the pillar. Harry took Tess' hand, pulled her close, and enclosed the two of them in his strongest shield. Then they stepped through the pillar. Lights came on as Alice allowed the pocket dimension entrance to close. They found themselves in a room of obviously alien design. There were computer terminals of some kind and a lot of alien technology.
"What is this place?" Tess asked as she looked around in wonder.
"This my dear is just what we need to get some intel on this coming threat," Harry said with a grin. To Alice he said, "Let's get this pocket dimension secure and begin analyzing everything in here."
Later analysis would reveal that Granny Goodness worked for a being known as Darkseid. Darkseid ruled the planet Apokolips. Apokoliptian cryptography was quite advanced and would take even Alice some time to decipher.
Luthor Mansion
"I can't believe I'm his daughter," Tess said again as she stared at her birth certificate.
Tess had never seen her true birth certificate. Despite all of her resources, Lionel Luthor had buried it well. There on her certificate was her birth name and her birth parents.
Lutessa Lena Luthor Lionel Luthor - Father Pamela Jenkins - Mother
"This doesn't change a whole lot," Harry pointed out.
"It changes so much. I am his daughter," Tess pointed out as she started to get upset. She thought Harry was taking this way too calmly.
"Yes you are. But you weren't raised by him. You are legitimately his heir which you didn't know before. This explains why Lex left you in charge of his affairs," Harry pointed out. "I always thought Lex was attracted to you and grooming you to be his caretaker should something happen to him."
"I guess we know it is more than that," Tess said. After a pause she said, "Every Luthor we know of has been a bad apple."
Harry scoffed, "I believe in nurture far more than nature. This doesn't change how I feel about you at all. I still love you Tess."
Tess turned to her boyfriend with gratitude shining in her eyes. They were curled up on the couch in her living area.
"I love you too," Tess said with her hand on his cheek.
She kissed him trying to convey her feelings to him through that kiss.
Kent Farm
"Zatanna suggested I talk to you about something I've been struggling with lately," Lois began as she sat on the couch next to him in the living room with his arm around her.
"The videos your mom left for you," Harry said.
"How did you know? Did Zatanna tell you?" Lois asked with surprise.
"She didn't need to. I could see you staring at that box from the moment it arrived and can tell when something is bothering you," Harry explained. "One of the benefits of empathic powers."
Alice had told him what the videos were.
"You probably think it's weird I don't just watch the videos?" Lois said inquiringly.
"Not at all. How would you like the chance to talk to your mother?" Harry asked.
"You mean like a simulation like through an A.I. like with Jor El?" Lois queried.
In answer Harry snapped his fingers and Terri Lane materialized. Terri looked around in confusion.
"Mom!" Lois said as she leapt to her feet and caught her mother up in a crushing hug.
"Lois, what's going on?" Terri asked in confusion recognizing her daughter who appeared older despite the age change.
"Harry, how is this possible?" Lois asked as she drew back from the hug to look at her lover. "Mom, this is my boyfriend Harry."
"I can travel through time at will. Your mother has been brought forward into the future. I've healed the cancer," Harry explained.
"But how...I saw her die. I was at the funeral!" Lois said.
"I can very convincingly fake someone dying. It was necessary to preserve the timeline," Harry explained.
Terri had to sit down at all that was being revealed to her.
"Lois, how long have I been dead?" Terri asked her daughter when she finally found her voice.
"Sixteen years," Lois answered. Terri was even more stunned. While her mother was adjusting to this revelation Lois said to Harry, "Thank you so much. I didn't think I could love you even more."
Harry gave her a warm smile and said, "I will leave you two ladies alone to get reacquainted. Do you want your father here for this?"
Lois glanced at how stunned her mother was and shook her head before saying, "We'll give mom a couple of days to get used to being back before involving Lucy or Dad."
Harry nodded and left the room as Lois got reacquainted with her mother.