A crystal orb illuminated the hallway from Selena roaming the entire hallway of Horizon. So far, so good, although she did not feel good until the Omegahedron had been in her hand. Minding the Kryptonian's essence from Isobel's mind to trick the security had been a very painstaking process. Something which Selena knew would not be possible if he had not been sent to the Phantom Zone.
So far, so good, although Selena did hold her breath as she passed through each door. All of them had been keyed towards Harry. The security cameras did not detect her presence, just yet. Which was good, because Selena did not want to alert anyone or trigger any security system.
Selena hit a wall. The orb in her hand would allow her to pass in time. Selena slowly cracked the orb open and copied Harry's magical essence into her. The dark-skinned witch shuddered as she tasted his magic and it made her feel very light headed.
The tingling feeling aside, Selena had pretty much everything she needed. The runes on the wall flashed open and opened up a gateway.
A loud beeping echoed from around the room. Selena lifted her arms just as several laser turrets appears around her. She froze their progress before they could fire.
She accidentally triggered one of the Luthor woman's security protocols. A crackle of energy resounded from her fingers and Senea realized that it was all or nothing. Either she would slip through the gate, or she would not. Selena's heart skipped a couple of beats before she threw herself through the gate into the great unknown.
Nothing, nothing right now. Selena arched her neck to the left and then slightly to the right. A slight pounding echoed through the back of her head as she exited forward.
Close to the Omegahedron. Close to grabbing it. Oh, Selena could feel it right now. Her fingertips were close to it.
Then she stopped. Oh, she felt something. Something in the back of her head.
"Time to wake up, Ms. Lang."
Quite a distance from Horizon, Lana Lang sat bolt up right in her bed. Chloe rushed in to check on her, as did Kay.
"Selena's at Horizon, she's into the Shadow Realm," Lana said. "She's after it."
Kay's face went completely pale and she looked kind of ill at the thought.
"But, as long as Harry's...on Earth," Chloe murmured. "Damn it, we should have seen it coming."
With a blast of energy, Harry, Kara, Astra, Raya, and Faora landed in the midst of where Harry and Kara should have went earlier before Selena tampered with the crystals. Someone managed to complete the process and build the Fortress.
"Hostile threats detected," Jor-El said. "Proceeding with containment measures at once."
Crystal cages entrapped both Astra and Faora. Harry groaned and moved over to the console. He pressed his hands into it.
"They're with me, Jor-El," Harry said. "Override and release."
It took some doing, but Faora and Astra had been freed from the crystal cages. Both women dropped to the ground, a bit annoyed, but they somehow saw it coming. Faora in particular had been shaking her head.
"I don't know what I expected from that one," Faora said. "But I..."
A flash of energy almost blinded them. Harry shielded his eyes and closed them. Yes, something was completely wrong, very wrong.
"Selena has found a way to breach the Shadow Realm," Lara informed them.
"How?" Kara asked. "You took every step to protect it."
"Yes, I did," Harry confirmed. "No plan is foolproof. And without me on Earth, Selena could use any number of spells which she could confuse it."
Harry took a moment to collect his thoughts. He understood what he must do now.
"I'm going to go there and meet here," Harry said. "You stay here."
"Right," Raya said. "I'll do what I can to make sure she doesn't escape. But, if she gets her hands on the Omegahedron, there will be consequences."
"I understand," Harry said.
Closer than she ever should have gotten, Selena had been very close to getting her hands on that particular object. Harry would not allow it though. He closed his eyes and sensed her location. Only a few more barriers to break down. Harry would be racing into the Shadow Realm.
Harry took the rune key in his hand and activated a portal which launched him straight into the Shadow Realm where he intended to deal with this problem, as soon as possible.
One could see the greed in Selena's eyes. She waited, for a very long time, to get her hands on the Omegahedron. The object had been behind one last barrier. She could feel some resistance, and something struck her.
Mentally at least, before a bolt of magic lifted Selena off of the ground and struck her physically. Selena rammed into the wall with an immense force which rocked her body. Selena, her eyes snapped into position when she saw the Kryptonian herself.
"How did you escape the Phantom Zone?" Selena asked.
"How did you send me there?"
Neither were willing to give up their secrets, which was fine. Two beams of light crossed through the air. Harry realized Selena burned through a lot of her magic.
"Still not all there, are you?"
"Every day I grow stronger, and with the Omegahedron, I will be free!"
Selena let out that last proclamation in a fantastic cry. She sent several bolts of razor sharp magic energy in Harry's direction. Harry dodged the bolts of light and then pivoted in mid air. He went for a binding spell. Selena flickered out of the way and landed next to him.
"You are not going to stop me! Not when I'm this close!"
Selena rose up shadow minions from the ground. They all rushed towards Harry. Harry flicked back the attack of one of the creatures. Oh, she was slowly regaining her powers, given these minions were a fair bit stronger than the ones which Harry and Kara fought in the cave.
Harry slammed his hand down onto the back of the head of the shadow minion and rocked him hard. The skilled sorcerer pulled a hand back and slammed his hand down into the creature's throat to send it flying back a few steps as well. Harry reared back and another vicious assault brought it down.
Three of the creatures grabbed Harry at once. Harry slid out of the attack and conjured a magical blade which sliced through the creatures.
Harry grabbed Selena before she nearly pried the Omegahedron out of its seal. Harry rocketed himself high up into the air and smashed down onto the back of Selena's head. He caused her legs to wobble and her body to rock. So close to getting it.
"RISE MY GUARDIAN! RISE!"
The large shadow guardian thundered over Harry. Harry had been forced to break his grip over Selena and tackle this menace. His hands whirled into position and sent a blast of light to the creature. The creature split into half into three more guardians. All of them wielded extremely powerful weapons.
Selena broke the final seal. A tug of magic lifted the Omegahedron out of the case. She put her hands onto it.
Seconds later, Harry speared through the shadow guardian. The creature splintered and exploded. He watched as Selena disappeared from the Shadow Realm.
"The Fortress. Oh, this will be perfect for...argh!"
Selena had been cut off mid-sentence by the fist of Astra. Astra forced Selena to crumple to the ground. Selena closed her eyes and Astra kicked her in the face. Another kick had been avoided by the magic shielded around Selena and caused her to smile.
"You are adept," Selena said. "You kept this out of my hands for longer than I expected. But, sending this out of the Phantom Zone had been a key error."
Selena broke into six copies of herself. The five copies had been used as target practice. Faora and Astra cut through them as fast as they can.
"As always you show me up!" Faora yelled.
"We have a bigger problem then your ego if she takes control of this Fortress," Astra said.
"Well, we can't let her!"
If Astra could just grab Selena by the throat for a second and act quickly, she could end this all. Choking her out would prevent her from utilizing any kind of magic.
Kara moved in to lock Selena out of the Fortress, with Raya's help. Selena used her newfound power to envelop the crystals and try and take them over.
"We have to keep her out!" Raya yelled.
"Error, critical system malfunction!" Jor-El said. "Security protocols failing, system failing to reboot!"
"Kara, you better find a way quick because I'm losing myself!" Lara yelled. "Shut down everything!"
Kara realized that had to be the answer. Unfortunately, Selena wrapped her up in magical ropes and yanked her away. Kara struggled and shook against the attack. She made attempts to use her hands to pry herself from the ropes, only to feel them snap back and crush her.
Raya had been hit with more of the same. Selena smiled, the power had flown through her and caused a wave of energy to crackle through her body.
"The Fortress is…."
Harry blasted his way out of the nearest portal and cut through all of the enemy's which Selena conjured. He landed down in front of the witch himself. His momentary distraction caused Kara and Raya to break free and resume their efforts to lock Selena out of the Fortress.
"You really have no idea what you're holding," Harry said. "You think you control the power in that object? Well, it's controlling you."
"You are only too afraid to use it," Selena said.
Selena and Harry met. More guardians came out of the ground. Harry rushed towards Selena while Faora and Astra engaged the guardians. Harry trusted in their abilities, having seen them in action. Harry flipped through the air and grabbed Selena around the neck.
A loud bang echoed like thunder. Selena fell in the snow outside of the fortress. A large dome of magical energy appeared around the fortress, and prevented her from getting back inside. Despite this minor inconvenience, the witch scoffed as this particular barrier.
"I will break it down!"
"You can try!"
Harry beamed her in the hand and made a concentrated effort to tear the Omegahedron from Selena's hand. Selena would not relinquish the powerful object that easily, as Harry figured. The object continued to vibrate in her hand as Harry tugged at it and made his attempt to break free.
The battle of wills between these two commenced. Selena had been growing in strength, and more shadows rose from the depths to distract Harry. Harry poured into everything he could. It had been draining, but he had to stop her.
"Soon, all will bow before my might. It is only a pity that I cannot force the Council to bend at the knee for me. But, I guess we're all going to have to make sacrifices. And it is time to sacrifice you to the greater good. It's a pity, Kal-El, you did have some your constant meddling ruins it."
"YOU...TALK….TOO...MUCH!"
The final word punctuated an all or nothing magical attack. The backlash sent both attackers launched backwards and they crashed, hard in the snow.
The Omegahedron finally popped out of Selena's hand. Selena and Harry both struggled to be the first to claim it.
The magical energy Selena already absorbed empowered her. She created several walls of magic which blocked Harry. The walls constricted tighter. It had been only Harry's sheer force of will which prevented him from getting it.
"Even the strongest of men, they have to breath eventually. Do you feel it, Kal-El? Do you feel light headed? Do you feel the power just grind you down?"
Harry refused to acknowledge her. He had to break down these walls. Selena casually walked over and prepared to reclaim the Omegahedron once more.
A beam of heat fired from the air and caught Selena in the hand. Harry looked up and noticed Kay drop down to the ground in front of her.
"You couldn't stop me before," Kay said. "But, I'm stopping you this time."
"Arrogant little brat!" Selena yelled. "Who do you think you're talking to?"
"Some stage magician with a few parlor tricks? You're running scared from my aunt and mother. You couldn't tap into real magic without the Omegahedron."
"I don't need to prove anything to you, impudent brat!"
Selena's magical attacks rippled through the air and sent Kay flying. Another attack blasted her into the air. Selena created a large magical blast and slammed Kay around. She smacked off of the ground rather violently from being impacted around.
The barriers around Harry faded. This caused Harry to grab Selena and pull her back. Selena fell down onto the ground. At super speed, Harry went behind Selena and slapped two magical cuffs over her hands. Selena fell down to the ground, breathing heavily.
The Omegahedron levitated into the air. Harry reached to claim it, only for Kay to grab it.
"Next time, I'll make sure it's…"
"It's perfect."
Kay's eyes shifted silver and then turned red.
"This is perfect for Brainiac's ultimate plan. Soon Krypton will rise again and Zod's forces will make a brand new world. I will fulfill my objective."
Harry reached out to grab Kay, only to see her disappear in a blink of an eye. He realized that she had been infected.
"Harry?"
"Lena, I'm back," Harry said. "What's wrong?"
"Well, a whole lot," Lena said. "There was an alien ship which contained a Kryptonian super computer known as Brainiac and two disciples of General Zod. He was…"
"A Kryptonian war criminal," Harry stated. "Please, continue."
"We feel that Brainiac may have an agent on Earth, who is compromised, and will steal…."
"It's Kay, and she stole the Omegahedron," Harry said. "Do you have any idea where the ship is?"
"Sorry, no," Lena said. "We're looking."
"Kal-El?"
Selena's statement caused Harry great pause. She sounded a bit terrified at what she heard. Which was good, it would do a woman like that well to experience terror.
"You need to let me help you. No one knows the Omegahedron better than I do. What it's capable of? We need to find Astra's daughter and put her down, if Brainiac has ahold of her."
Harry only agreed with part of that statement.
"If you pardon me for interrupting," Lex said. "I have an idea where the ship might be."
"Kara and I will be you and Lena in three minutes," Harry said.
Harry casually flickered his finger. Selena did know a lot, but Harry had the perfect use for her.
Harry and Kara joined Lex and Lena outside of what appeared to be a free clinic.
"Don't let this fool you," Lex said.
Already, Harry got a vibe off of the clinic. The quartet stepped inside and made their way deep inside of the Clinic. An overly sunny looking woman appeared.
"Hi!" she cried in a chipper voice. "Welcome to the Shining Light Clinic. Where we make sure you have a bright and sunny day, and ensure that you are going to be up and ready to face the world. We offer free care and consultation for many ailments and we hope you will find our rates reasonable and…"
"We're looking for Lillian Luthor," Lena said.
The receptionist moved to the computer and checked it. She hummed and frowned.
"We have no one here of that name, m'am. Perhaps you were mistaken? Perhaps there is no way she is here."
Harry scanned the room while Lena had been in conversation. He noticed a three dimensional projector behind a plant in the wall. He flickered his hand and the room flickered.
"So...you...see...we are here to offer you rates that..."
Harry shut down the hologram and brought an empty room into full view.
"Mother, cut the crap," Lex said. "It's time for you to come out in the open. You had your people steal an alien ship."
From the flesh, a woman rose from the shadows. She wore a lab coat, with dark hair and blue eyes. While Harry could tell Lillian made some alterations to her appearance since he saw her last.
"We merely acquired a resource," Lillian said. "Would you have rather the United States military have just taken it and let it store dust in Area 51?"
"So, you're alive," Lena said.
"It's good to see you as well, Lena," Lillian said.
"Do you not know how dangerous that ship is?"
Lillian just smiled.
"I've only done all that I have done to ensure the good of all of humanity. And by studying this ship, it will allow us access to valuable secrets, which could destroy the menace which plagued Earth."
Harry and Kara both frowned. They had an idea who she had been referring to. Lex just gave his mother one of those looks of sheer disappointment.
"You and Lionel, you were made for each other."
"Lex, you're wrong, I'm nothing like your father," Lillian said. "I've done everything I have out of to make this a better world, not out of greed."
"The road to hell…."
"You might think you have secrets which will empower humanity," Lena said. "But, really, what you're doing is opening a Pandora's box."
The argument was about to get a bit more hated. Until a loud bang echoed throughout the room. Harry and Kara rose up and Lillian did as well. She took out a tablet.
"The security system has collapsed," Lillian said. "I don't understand."
"Where is the ship?" Lena asked.
Harry knew what was going to happen, although he did not want to enlighten Lillian in it, just yet. Brainiac, or rather Kay, had been going to reclaim his ship or perhaps used the Omegahedron. Harry, Kara, and the Luthors move in.
"We have to stop her," Kara said.
"I know."
The question was how did she get infected.
Lex exited the elevator first. He had seen the images of the ship, before it had been taken. However, to see such a vessel up close and personal, it had been awe-inspiring. If given half of the chance, Lex would like to study this mysterious black ship up close.
All and all, he could not fault his mother for wanting her hands on the ship. Very enticing and Lex put his hand on it for a second.
"Don't touch it!"
A beam of light shot Lex in the face and ricocheted him off of the ground. Kay rushed towards them. Kara cut her off before they reached the ship.
"I don't want to hurt you."
"It's out of your hands, Kara Zor-El."
Kay grabbed Kara around the neck. Kara forced her cousin up into the air. She needed to do something to shock Kay's body. With the Omegahedron though, Kay could really hurt Kara if Kara let her. If she only let her.
Several drones appeared in the lab.
"Those are no longer under my control!" Lillian yelled. "They were made to take out Kryptonians."
"Lovely," Harry said.
Harry thought she might want to get better drones. The ease which he repelled them back. Several magical beams shot through his hands and crushed the drones into powder. Harry allowed them to drop to the ground with a loud thump and it echoed through the room.
Kay had been flipped into Harry's hand. Harry noticed something silvery around the area of her neck.
"Sorry, but this will hurt."
Harry tried to pull out the Brainiac infection. It stubbornly latched onto Kay and refused to go do easily, without a fight. The burning against his fingers allowed Harry to pull and pull until something sparked. Kay almost slammed against the ground hard from Harry flipping her down to the ground.
The Omegahedron flew out of her hand, until she reached the ship. Kara and Harry landed down onto the ground.
"Finally."
Selena appeared and clasped the object in her hand.
"I can't access it," Selena said. "Something is wrong."
Harry ripped the Brainiac infection out of Kay and stabilized her body.
"The power is there, but I can't access it," Selena said.
"Because, the power is now mine," a detached voice said. "Even if my drone could not reach the ship, I will find another who will deliver me power. Krypton will rise once more, over the ashes of this planet."
Selena's fingers vibrated on either side of the device, but there had been a long pause.
"Unintended variable. Cannot access power."
"That would be me," Harry said. "I figured it out. How to lock you two out. All I needed was time."
"Impossible."
"That word does not apply to me," Harry said.
With Kay purged of her Brainiac infection, Harry pulled the Omegahedron out of Selena's hand. She had been paralyzed and unable to move.
"I want to thank you for absorbing my magical essence so carelessly," Harry said. "It allowed me to figure out how to stop this faster. And leave you weak."
Harry tapped Selena on the head. The power of the Omegahedron had been Harry's to command and he ensured that he locked everyone out from accessing it now.
Several guards had stopped paralyzed. Harry turned his attention to the ship. Even Lex and Lena looked on in awe.
"You can't destroy it!" one of the scientists begged.
Harry paid him no mind. Energy blast through, raw power, and it caught Brainiac's ship. The energy vaporized the entire ship and caused it to crumble into nothingness.
"Harry?" Lena asked.
"Fine."
"That...are you sure that was a good idea?" Lex asked. "We could have learned a lot from the ship."
"Brainiac's better off destroyed," Kara said.
Although Kara wondered if he was truly gone. Regardless, they stopped the invasion just like that.
Harry turned his full attention to Selena. Who kneeled on the ground. Harry dangled the Omegahedron in front of her nose. She reached, but then faltered, failing to get it.
"You used my power. And that screwed you in the end. And now you have a choice. Either serve me or be sent to the Phantom Zone. Which is full of power who want you dead. And without your powers, you're not going to survive this time."
Selena understood her plight. And understood what she was going to do.
"I serve you, great Kryptonian of the House of El," Selena submissively said. "For surely, a more powerful sorcerer does not exist and it would be a privilege for you to be my master."
"She escaped in the confusion."
Lex really hated that. He had a few choice words to say to his mother. About everything that happened, about how she hurt him, by faking her death and then before that. But, that conversation never happened, due the chaos. And Lex had a couple of new bumps on the head from getting blasted on the wall.
"There appears to be nothing of value in this facility other than the ship," Lena said.
"Yes, but that's destroyed," Lex said.
"You realize I had no choice?"
Lex paused and nodded at Harry's statement. He did not like it, but he understood what had to do. Today's attack from the Disciples of Zod showed there were dangerous aliens out there. And with Harry being sent to the Phantom Zone, he might not always be around.
If Humanity did not grow, then they might falter. Many of them cannot, and would not grow dependent on the Kryptonian before them.
"Seeing her alive, well it wasn't a surprise," Lena said. "But, still, she has a lot to answer for."
"Thankfully, she didn't mess with the ship," Harry said. "Or get much of a chance to do so."
"I hate how she escaped."
"Well, she thinks ten steps ahead. She had to outsmart Lionel. That takes a lot."
Kara and Kay walked inside.
"You need some rest," Kara said.
"And a shower, because I feel dirty," Kay said. "I should have seen it coming."
Kara patted Kay on the shoulder, as if to say none of this was her fault. Because it honestly was not her fault. She had just been at the wrong place, at the wrong time, a lot of the time.
"So, Mom made it out?" Kay asked.
"Yes, and once you're up to it, I'll take you to see her," Kara said.
"Too bad Aunt Alura didn't make it. Not that I wanted to have her sent to the Phantom Zone."
Kara smiled. She knew what to mean.
"I've keyed you into the Fortress," Harry told Lena. "I know you'll want to see it."
Oh, Lena did. She had been excited to see the final result of what the crystals of knowledge forged together would bring. Although they did have the consequences of a second meteor shower to deal with.
"And I'll drop Selena off," Lena said. "Alexandra and I have other gift that we'll drop off later, we know you will enjoy it."
Here, Harry had been very, very intrigued with what Lena and Alex had prepared for him.
Harry arrived at the Talon, to several happy women. Lucy, Lana, Chloe, Alex, Lois, and Alicia all moved towards Harry.
"Well, you're back," Chloe said. "Thankfully we're able to hold down the ship."
"Yes," Alicia said. "Although, I think we all need a bit of a break."
"Yeah, good luck with that one," Lana said.
"You doing alright?" Harry asked. "Stupid question I know?"
Lana waved off Harry's statement, as if to tell him it's okay.
"Oh, I'm just on the mend," Lana said. "It's funny. I had been possessed by her. And then, I kind of miss her, despite all the things she tried to make me do."
"Only in Smallville," Lucy said. "Where being possessed by your dead witch ancestor could be somewhat normal."
Despite Smallville not being nowhere exotic as some of the places she had been in the world, Lucy did admit it had some charm. And it did keep her mostly out of trouble. Mostly because she had a damn good incentive to stay out of trouble, for the most part.
"All of you did well," Harry said.
"Well, we don't mean to brag, but we can be pretty damn awesome," Lois said. "Just shows you have good taste more than anything."
"Really does," Alex said.
"So, what's this I hear about you and Lena gift-wrapping something for me?" Harry asked Alex.
Alex flashed Harry a shifty smile.
"You'll love it, babe, trust me," Alex said. "We do have lost time to make up for."
Harry gave Alex a kiss, which showed her a hint of some things to come. The doors to the Talon opened. Oh, it had been busy.
"Emily finally went home," Lana said. "Poor girl looked dead on her feet."
"I told both of you I can handle this," Lois said. "But, one of you worked yourself to death and one of you is up and about, after you had been possessed and spilt in half by Black Kryptonite."
The newest guests had been Kara and Kay.
"How are you two doing?" Harry asked.
Harry reached out and kissed Kara on the lips. The two pulled away. He decided to take Kay into his arms and kiss her as well. Kay had been happy and then miserable when she realized because of Harry's rules about who he would sleep with, this was as far as they could go for another four or five months.
"I can't wait until I'm sixteen," Kay said. "But, technically speaking..."
"Harry is very stubborn about his principles," Alex said.
Chloe patted Kay on the shoulder sympathetically, as if to tell the younger girl, she understood what she was going through. But, only a few more months and she would join the club for real.
"So, I'm finding out," Kay crossly said.
"It will be worth it," Harry said.
"Sixteenth birthday should be very sweet," Lois said.
She was glad she did not have to wait, because Lois would likely do something drastic. Although, Harry did tease her more than enough in the leadup to them hooking up for real.
"Can't believe how Brainiac got to me," Kay said.
"I wouldn't beat yourself up," Alex said. "You were in the wrong place and the wrong time."
"Kara."
Astra stepped in and Kay rushed over to hug her mother.
"It's been a lot longer since I've seen you since you've seen me," Astra said. "And Kara, how are you doing as well?"
"Fine, Aunt Astra," Kara said. "Now that Brainiac's done."
Astra closed her eyes.
"The Brainiac ship you destroyed was a drone," Astra said. "The real one is out there, and it's a real threat."
Well that put a damper on their day. Even though deep down, Kara, Kay, and Harry had a feeling it would not be as easy. Although, they had taken a big step.
Martha stepped in and Harry went over to greet her.
"Everything okay?" Harry asked.
"Other than the scare with the rogue Kryptonians, fine," Martha replied. "Although, given where you were sent, I got off easy."
"Well, any danger is not ideal," Harry said.
"Of course. But, I should count myself lucky. Your protections around the farm house made sure any damage was minimal. But, there's still the problem of Kryptonite all over the county."
Yes, for the second time in fifteen years. And to be perfectly honest, Harry understood why there would be problems. They had problems with the fallen space rocks for fifteen years and it did not look like it was going to end.
"Thankfully, Lena's already working on the problem," Harry said. "Although, we can't help the extraordinarily gifted who will come with it."
They would have to see what the long-term ramifications of this meteor shower would be.
Harry put Jor-El into sleep mode, until he was needed.
"I can access your body from the crystal without bringing Zor-El out," Harry said. "And I can use it to download your memories into it. If you want me to."
"Yes," Lara said. "I can easily assist you that way."
Harry used the Omegahedron's power to lock onto the crystal and cause Lara's body to rise from it. Zor-El's had been pressed down and destroyed in the process. Harry took several strands of light. He felt immense power, although the power had been very addictive and he did not want to make a habit out of it.
Lara's beautiful body rose up. Blonde hair, beautiful blue eyes, a nice looking face, and lips, a shapely body with nice large breasts, perfectly formed hips, a bubbly ass, and long legs. And Lara had been looking at Harry. She reached over and took his hand.
"I want to take my new body for a test drive. Do you think you can help me?"
Harry just smiled and leaned in, to kiss Lara. Lara returned the kiss with hunger. After the kiss broke, Lara lead Harry forward to a replication of her and Jor-El's bedroom.
"Let Mother relax you after the stress of today."
Despite it being in the Arctic, things were going to heat up