Wind and ice blew outside of the Fortress of Solitude. The blasts of cold air in the Arctic really kicked up very intensely. Inside, several ice crystals illuminated the area. Outside stood Harry Kent, better known to the world as large as the hero known as Superman. Standing beside him was his cousin, Kara Zor-El, Superwoman, Astra In-Ze, and Raya, the assistant to the House of El.
"Make sure the calibrations are completely to specifications, Raya," Harry ordered his assistant.
"Done. We are set to monitor for any threats. We will be warned," Raya commented.
Astra's eyes fell upon the equipment. So far it was all quiet, but in a blink of an eye, that could change.
"Good. Earth could be a prime target. We must be ready."
Harry nodded swiftly: "Agreed."
Off to the side, laid the last remaining components of the ship which brought the younger Kara, Supergirl, to Earth. The older Kara swept over the ship with a frown on her face. Harry lightly placed a hand on Kara's shoulder and caught her attention.
Kara's frown deepened when she studied the ship: "I know we've taken the ship apart and looked at it from every angle. There's something miss. There's got to be."
Harry flashed his beloved cousin and lover a smile and pulled her slightly closer. The smile on Kara's face deepened and she relaxed herself.
"I trust your instincts. They're always on point."
Kara let out a heaving sigh. "I just wish I knew what my instincts were telling me right now."
Harry flashed Kara a sympathetic smile and swept her up into a one armed hug. His green eyes fell across the ship components. So far nothing, even when connected with the rest of the Fortress. A couple of minor blips went off but it appeared to be just monitoring equipment.
"Useless!" Kara snapped in frustration." I thought for sure that…"
The bleeping got louder and Astra and Raya zoomed across the fortress as fast as they could go. More questions than answers were raised.
"That didn't do that before," Harry remarked.
"I know," Raya said with a puzzling frown.
Astra eyed the ship and realized instantly what hpapened. "Raya, there's someone trying to send a message to us."
Raya's frown grew wider and her puzzlment increased."Are you sure it's not the ship's memory logs?"
Astra pressed her finger against the crystal and jammed it to life. Seconds later, the entire crystal illuminated and it was picking up a signal somehow.
"No, this is brand new," Astra said"
The sound of something connecting rang throughout the Fortress. This caused Harry and Kara to stand up straight and they were not the only ones to do so. Astra's eyes fell on an almost duplicate image of herself. The flashing light brought the woman into life and Harry knew who it was in an instant. Even though he could scarcely believe it and neither could Kara.
Astra let out a heaving breath. "Alura."
Kara's expression of puzzlement primed a statement at the last second. "Mother?"
Raya's eyes widened and it crackled to life. They waited for Alura to speak and sure enough they were not disappointed at all.
"Argo City is under attack. They are coming. We need to…"
The signal cut out and fizzled to life. Astra slammed her fist down onto the table and caused the crystal to rattle several times before it completely shorted out. The General stared in the crystal for a good long minute before she spoke.
"Get my daughter."
Kara zoomed off in the other direction as fast as she could go. This mysterious, and quite fresh message of the crystal raised a lot more questions than it did answers. And Harry doubted very much he was not the only one who wanted to know what it was instantly
X-X-X
The younger Kara, known as Kay, looked quite miffed that she had been practically dragged back to the Fortress by her older cousin. It took a few seconds to catch her bearings.
"Is there a good reason why you snatched me here?" Kay asked.
"There is. Seeing is believing,"Harry commented.
This caused Kay's interest to be piqued. One look at Astra indicated that something was going on. She was acting quite strange.
Astra finally broke a silence more icy than the Arctic air outside of the Fortress. "I see it. And I don't believe it."
The image of Alura appeared and caused Kay to jump halfway up seconds later. Seeing the woman who practically raised her caused Kay to blink with a start.
Alura's image popped back up again. "Argo City is under attack. We need to.."
Again, it cut out. Kay blinked several more times and looked at the crystal. Then she looked from the other members of the Fortress. Harry nodded, and Kara put a hand on the younger blonde's shoulder. It took one long minute for Kay to come to terms.
"Not old. New. She did it. She must have gotten the defense shields up and running. And Argo, is still out there, but it's in trouble ,we have to…:
Kay trailed off in an instant. What was she saying? Did she understand what she was saying?
"Given Argo's proximity, it's easier said than done," Harry finished for her. "Although not entirely impossible."
Raya continued here "Correct. We can use the remaining crystals to piggyback off of the signal and open a gateway to get us to Argo."
Harry sensed Astra's concerns. And he would trust few people to give them more than the General.
"The slightest miscalculation could lead us elsewhere. Or it could crack the planet in half."
Harry understood, but he also understood about taking chances "We are just going to have to ensure that we don't make a misculation then."
Astra considered the opinion of Harry. Yes, she wanted to see her sister again. But dealing with technology like this, was tricking. Even though she knew Raya knew what he was doing and so did Kara. And Kara seemed to sense what Astra was thinking as she put a hand on Astra's shoulder
"I understand. It's tricky. But it's a similar idea to a Phantom Zone Projector."
One could see the fabled General's expression darken a few more shades.
"And that's what I'm afraid of. Letting something out."
"And since we did Astra In-Ze fear anything?" Harry asked. "You always went where few dared to go."
Astra hated when he called her bluff. But he was one of the few men who could get away with it. Harry flashed a smile which showed he still had a bit of that Kansas farm boy in him. The hopeful look in Kay's eyes, and the determined look in the eyes of Harry and Kara caused Astra to cave in.
"Yes. I'm Astra In-Ze," Astra confirmed. " I'll save my sister. And what remains of my people."
Harry knew that would get through to her. And by catching Kara's eye, he knew she kne he knew.
Kara smiled at Harry's success "Then, let's roll up our sleeves and get to work."
Kay rushed to help. She hoped for Alura's success and maybe, just maybe they would see Argo City again. Any chance, to save Alura, and some old friends, maybe bring them back home. Kay would have to take it.
X-X-X
The portal opened and allowed the party to step out. Harry only saw Argo through memory crystals at the fortress. He was taken aback by how beautiful it was. Kay and Kara took a moment to look around and smile, and Astra just stood in the background.
"A mostly successful trip," Harry said.
Astra cut off that optimism with a very harsh frown. Yes, except for the fact there's no one here. And I don't like it."
Harry noddly grimly "I know."
Harry would have liked more of a chance to look around and marvel at the majesty that was Argo City.. However, he had a job to do. Find Alura or any survivors. Or any attackers, as Harry mentally steeled himself for any problem.
Kara jumped up at a creek and grabbed the shoulder of the girl about to be in danger. "Kay, look out."
One of the crystal towers crackled. Kay jumped back and the tower fell in the other direction. Had she moved forward a second sooner, she would have been.
"What can topple one of those towers?" a shaken Kay asked.
"Nothing good," Harry said Raya are you picking up these readings?"
Raya stepped behind the rest of the party, scanner in hand. The group of Kryptonians looked over the ground which had more evident than damage.
"Energy weapons have been used recently," Raya reported. "Although the lack of people…"
"Someone has set up an evacuation protocol as well," Astra stated.
A flummoxed Kara blinked a couple of times. "Evacuate but to…"
Kara's voice trailed off and Kay put a hand to her mouth to gasp.
Kay jumped halfway up. "The Council. Look!"
The front half of the building had been caved in from an obvious concusive attack Harry instantly moved in a few seconds later and scanned the area. Kara picked it up just as well as the others. Harry heard someone struggling and a hand trying to push out from the rubble.
"Someone down there!"
Kara rushed to help Harry did the person out. A rather attractive, although also extremely injured, redhead woman struggled to get up. The woman's leg collapsed from underneath a couple of times before Harry pulled her up.
"Let me help," Harry remarked. "You have broken bones."
The woman flashed Harry a smile of gratitude."Thank you. Thank you."
Harry pulled the woman out and Kara got a good look at her, as did Kay. Years might have passed and she might be a grown woman, but they reconized her straight away.
Kara flashed a grin at her."Thara, Thara Ak-Var."
Thara Ak-Var after shaking the cobwebs came face to face.
"Kara. You survived?"
"I made to Earth," Kara said And I see you survived on Argo along with your parents."
"And took their own role on the Council," Thara said before her eyes fell on the man who saved her and the crest he wore." And this is…surely not the son of Jor-El all grown up?"
Thara gave Harry a good looking over. Seconds passed before Thara hitched in a momentary breath and found her ability to speak.
Thara maintained eye contact."Sorry, but you have such beautiful eyes."
Harry snickered and Kara just smiled. "I get that a lot."
"He really does," Kara agreed.
Thara just flashed a small fraction of a smile.
"Well, it's a fact...I don't know what happened to the rest of them. Hopefully they escaped underground once the alarms went off. I saw a bomb go off and I jumped to the lower level Not that it went that well"
The limp Thara walked with proved about that much.
"What attacked you?" Astra curtly asked.
Thara stepped back in intimidation when coming face to face with the General Astra In-Ze. Astra had not been phased, she had gotten that a whole lot.
"It was a mysterious device," Thara explained It opened a portal right in the Middle of Argo City. And this horrible man came out, with these demonic monsters"
"Boom Tubes and Parademons."
Harry had a very bad feeling. Not just from what Astra was saying but from the sights, the smells, and the sounds around him. He stood up, ready to fight. A soaring sound indicated there had been a large platform coing in. Several men and women with robes similar to Thara's had been chained. A dark-haired man dressed in green with a pointed goatee looked down at them with contempt.
"Argo City. Bow before your new ruler! For I will take this last piece of Krypton in the name of Great Darkseid."
"Steppenwolf!"
The venom in Astra's voice was stinging and Harry could tell it was a poor recommendation. Harry had to come up with a plan and quick. None of this sounded ideal.
"Raya and Kay, on my signal go to free the Council."
Thara managed to fashion herself a small splint and other than a limp, she stood defiantly.
"I'm coming with them. My parents are up there."
The resolve and determination in Thara's eyes told Harry that he would be a fool to say no at this point.
"Kara, you're with me and Astra…" Harry started before he sighed. "You're ahead of me."
Well, whatever was going on between Astra and Steppenwolf there was some bad blood. And Harry would love nothing more to hear the story overall. But they had people to save and storytime would have to wait until later.
X-X-X
From the backside, Kay, Raya, and Thara moved over. Thara saw several familiar faces, captured. Good people, the last remaining people of Argo there, imprisoned. They were in danger and it was up to the trio of women to free them.
Kay steadied herself despite how hopeless the situation was. "So what are we looking for?"
Raya studied the entire thing. "If we take down that front generation, it should collapse the entire system."
Thara frowned and had been a bit anxious about the uncertainty of the situation. "Should or would?"
"It will," Raya said with confidence. "All we need is to wait for a distraction to take them down."
Kay's expression shot straight up. She gave a half of smile and wondered just how personal this situation was to Astra. Judging by the expression on Astra's face, she thought very personal.
"Well don't look now, but here comes one."
The second Astra rushed forward, she nailed the Parademon at the front of the line with the force of an incoming truck. Another Parademon sent an energy staff at Astra. Astra blocked the energy staff with a grip and cracked it back. Astra flipped the Parademon down to the ground. And then lifted up the staff and jammed it at the chest of one of the attackers.
Kara dove in and took out a small group. Astra grabbed Kara by the hands and flung her high into the air. The Blonde Kryptonian came down hard with both her feet. She sent a blast of ice breath to slip up the Parademons.
Harry twisted his finger and several scraps of metal raised up against the ground. They turned white hot and bounced as Projectiles against the Parademons. The creatures backed off a few steps. Then Harry whipped an iron bar back and wrapped it against those creatures and caused it to sizzle into their skin.
"I see the soldiers, but I don't see the general!" Kara yelled.
Astra took out her aggressions on the Parademons with a well punctuated punch. "Typical!"
Astra released a beam of white hot heat at the creatures and sent them flying back. The Parademons screamed and moved back. The cover allowed Harry to deflect their attention away and allow Raya, Kay, and Thara to do their thing.
"You didn't learn your lesson from last time, Steppenwolf!" Astra yelled. "The more you stay away, the more you just prlongue the inevitable."
Harry noticed a potential issue, and a rare time where Astra let her attention lapse. "Blind spot!"
One of the creatures came inches away from Astra. Astra caught it at the last second and slammed it to the ground with a rattling sound. Harry knocked one out of the air and overcharged the staff to send some blinding light towards them to further direct their attention away.
It struck Harry as extremely curious as where Steppenwolf got off to. They would have to find the leader of this attack and take him down.
Kara took out a breath in response "That was easier than expected."
As much as Harry would have hoped this was easy, he knew better.
"Hardly, stay sharp."
"Always," Kara said. "Looks like they're open."
Kara and Harry waited for the platform's field to fall and a loud pop echoed. Harry scanned the area for any sign of Steppenwolf and he was not the only one given how Astra's eagle eyes were peeled.
Two Parademons zipped off to the side, moving in a strange direction. Harry gave chase to the creatures
X-X-X
The fabled Steppenwolf viewed the scene before him with a deep frown. General Astra appeared and it would be a long time before he forgot the battle with the woman in question. However, there were others who arrive.
The lost city of Argo would be claimed for the glory of Darkseid and Apokolips.
Steppenwolf at his hiding place, had been jolted by a sound of something crashing through the roof. A sound of three somethings in fact, as three Parademons crashed down to the ground. Then a figure, dressed in a well made red and blue uniform jumped in. The crest of the House of El, one of the most prominent houses of Krypton showed.
"Steppenwolf."
Steppenwolf nodded in obvious recognition. "Superman. I'm sure you are hear because Alura sent her message. Well, she is my prisoner, as the rest of them will be. And you will bow before us.'
Superman just looked on with eyes narrowed. "I doubt it."
Steppenwolf retracted a huge ax and charged this fabled hero. A beam of heat vision had been deflected by the ax. All Steppenwolf had to do was run out his powers underneath Argo's red sun. While Earth was on Darkseid's agenda, Steppenwolf would prove that this champion was no threat to the forces of Apokolips and he would be rewarded for making sure the agenda was one step closer to being delivered.
X-X-X
Raya chewed down on her lower lip and finally released a bolt of energy. Another crackle indicated her work was far from done.
"The second field is down, but a third one has come up."
Thara clenched her fist, while steading the splint she was using.
"Along with a third wave of Parademons. And Astra and Kara are dealing with their own problems. I'm not sure how much my leg will hold up."
"I'm on it," Kay curtly said."Stand back!"
Kay picked up the energy staff. Her uniform retained yellow sunlight for a longer period of time and gave her increased reserve powers. However, she had to be smart. Kay zipped as fast as she could and dodged the beafy form of one of the Parademons. The Girl of Steel slammed the energy staff into the back. These creatures were sub-human monsters, so Kay resolved to not hold back when battling them.
The burning fury in the eyes of the blonde Kryptonian survivor even caused these inhuman monsters to step back.
"You won't have Argo!"
It was all that's left of Krypton. And Rao be damned, if Kay would let anything happen to her home. Kay vaporized as many of the creatures as she could with a well placed blast of heat vision. The fluttering ashes landed on the ground.. Kay cracked her fist up against the back of the head of the creature and drove it down onto the ground.
One of them zipped to the other side. A distraction, but one Kay was not following up on. She noticed a couple more being summoned in a certain direction. Kay let one of them go, while taking the other two down. She slammed the creature down onto the ground and drove him violently with a throwing motion.
Raya let out a tiny gasp.
"It's down."
Raya and Thara reached up to help the shaken members of the Argo Council off f the platform. Thara's eyes fell on a couple, who look terrified and then relief settled in.
Thara's mother reached in to wrap her arms around her daughter.
"Thara. Thank Rao."
Her father nodded.
"For a second we thought...well your mother said it best, thank Rao."
Thara wished she could share the shame sentiments as her mother.
"Don't thank her yet. We still have a lot of work to do.:
Astra smashed down to the ground. The remaining Parademons crumbled in a heap beneath the feared General's feet. She paid little attention to the awed people.
Astra turned her steely gaze in the direction of the assembled group
"Where is Alura?"
One brave man stood up in front of this living legendy.
"With Steppenwolf. He moved after giving his speech. Several members of the Council were taken."
Thara's mother spoke up when she caught her breath. "They might have gone in the direction of than pavilion."
Kara blasted a swarm of Parademons back. They dropped to the ground, sizzling and landing hard in a flutter of ashes.
"That's where Har went."
The sounds of battle indicated they were closer to a potential fight. Astra moved in closer, with Kay and Kara following. Thara and Raya stuck with the rest, passing around energy weapons to defend themselves with. There was strength in numbers.
X-X-X
"You will fall to me, Last Son of Krypton!" Steppenwolf bellowed.
Steppenwolf charged at Harry. Harry heard this spiel many times before, in a few different lifetimes. The skilled Kryptonian sorcerer dodged the swings of Steppenwolf's axe. The axe deflected a well placed blow with the heat vision and repelled it back. Two more attacks had been deflected, with Harry's agitation getting more obvious.
"Let's take it outside," Harry casually commented.
An enhanced punch sent Steppenwolf a few steps backwards. Steppenwolf swung the axe and the blunt force, along with a beam emitting from the axe, sent Harry back a few more steps. Harry steadied back a few more steps and caught the backswing of the axe.
Steppenwolf flew outside of the window, right onto the square of Argo. A few Parademons swarmed in, at least they did until Kara came down and slammed down onto them. The Girl of Steel whipped them back down to the ground and flashed a smile at Harry.
"Go get him."
Harry would have said something had Steppenwolf not made an honest attempt to cave his skull in with a violent swing of the axe. The skilled sorcerer deflected a few more swings and came back.
Steppenwolf looked triumphant, just because he got a couple of glancing blows. "This will be my ultimate triumph."
Harry struggled to not roll his eyes. "Heard it before. Too many times."
Harry deflected a couple more swings and nailed Steppenwolf with a huge uppercut to rock him. Steppenwolf released a miniature grenade which sent shockwaves down to the ground. Then he whipped out a restraint which wrapped around Harry. The Kryptonian sorcerer broke free and sent Steppenwolf back a couple feet.
The green eyes of the sorcerer noticed a sword sticking out of the ground, glinting in the distance. Harry put his fingertips around it and wretched it out of the ground.
Thara gasped, as did a few others. The blade illuminated in Harry's hands and he felt power. Even Steppenwolf stopped short, before he rushed in and swung the axe down. Harry pivoted on the ground and nailed the man in question with a huge swing with the axe, deflecting the act. The clang of the axe hit back and forth with Harry swinging the sword and knocking the axe out of Steppenwolf's hand.
The axe snapped in half from the sword swinging into it. Steppenwolf stood back, mouth open up.
Steppenwolf gasped at his precious weapon being destroyed "Impossible."
Now, Harry could not help smiling at the dumbfounded nature of Steppenwolf's expression. "That's what I do."
There was little time to be happy. The Parademons swarmed around Harry, at least until Astra, Kara, and Kay wiped them out with an attack. Harry raised the sword and looked at Steppenwolf.
"For the glory of Apokolips?"Harry asked mockingly.
Steppenwolf activated a button on a device on his belt and opened up a Boom Tube and disappeared into the light. Harry got a parting shot on him before he disappeared. The remaining Parademons, the ones that were left standing gave pursuit and passed through the portal.
Everyone in Argo stared for several long seconds at Harry. Harry looked down at them, and a flicker of a smile crossed over his face. Kara and Astra looked at him with more awe than usual, and Thara dropped to one knee before him.
"All hail the savior of Argo," Thara said.
Well, Harry would not go that far. Although he came to this trip with more questions than answers. Answers which would have to wait as they had work to do.
"Let's get them out of there."
X-X-X
Alura walked out the chamber, a bit shaken. She came face to face with her sister, niece, and daughter, all of them who greeted her with smiles. Kay could not resist losing all decorum and throwing her arms around Alura.
"I knew you would find a way," Kay said.
Alura smiled at the young woman's unshakeable faith: "But, I sent you girls along if I didn't. And Astra you are…"
Astra just broke out into a smile: "Harry freed me. Or Kal-El rather."
"And he extracted the Genesis Blade from the stone!" Thara piped up excitedly.
Alura came face to face with her nephew through marriage. All grown up, and extremely handsome. It had been a very long time for Alura, and the woman locked eyes on the man.
"It's an honor to meet you," Alura replied. "And I see you've done quite well for yourself."
Harry took another step closer to the other. "It's an honor to meet you as well, Alura. Kara and Kay told me quite a lot about you. And it's an honor to meet you."
"I just wish it was under better circumstances," Alura remarked with a sigh.
Harry nodded, and shared her sentiments. "Likewise."
The two locked hands and shook them. Alura clasped onto Harry's hand for a long minute and looked at him thoughtfully. And she could see the thinly veiled awe Thara was looking at him with. Not that a single person would fault the woman, not in the slightest.
"We have a lot to catch up on," Alura responded.
"All of us," Astra stated.
Alura knew that she had more than quite a bit of work ahead of her.
"I'll assess the damage. And maybe we can have dinner."
"It would be an honor to get to know you all better. And perhaps get an explanation about this."
Harry held up the apparently named Genesis Blade. Alura looked as if she would never see it in light again. She barely could suppress a very obvious awe.
"Thousands of years. You are the first to see it in the open. Thara, would you do the honor of explaining it to him?"
"Yes. It would be an honor!" Thara exclaimed which made both Kara and Kay grin. "Kal-El? Or do you prefer Harry?"
Harry smiled which made Thara's heart flutter. "Whatever you wish."
Harry could tell she had been bursting to tell this story to him. And Harry had been rather curious to hear it.